Inside the Secret 800-Year-Old Aman Ancient City Resort: Amandayan

(Turn on cc for a detailed walkthrough of the property) Join us as we step inside a living masterpiece of Nakhi heritage: Amandayan. Perched atop Lion Hill, this sanctuary overlooks the winding lanes and black-tiled roofs of the 800-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Old Town of Lijiang. Designed by the legendary Ed Tuttle and Jaya Ibrahim, the resort is a bridge between the ancient Ryukyu-inspired Nakhi architecture and modern minimalist luxury. This is the pinnacle of Yunnan luxury travel. At its heart lies the Wenchang Palace, a Qing-dynasty building dating back to 1725, which Aman has meticulously preserved as a cultural centerpiece. This 4K cinematic tour with curated music offers a calm, uninterrupted look at China’s most historically stunning retreat—from the intricate wood-carved courtyard suites to the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain glowing on the horizon. About Amandayan: • Name: Amandayan (Dayan is the 13th-century name for Lijiang) • Location: Lion Hill, Lijiang, Yunnan, China • Property Type: Ultra-Luxury Heritage Resort • Key Features: Private access to Wenchang Palace, 20m heated outdoor pool, Aman Spa (integrating ancient Taoist practices), and panoramic views of the Old Town. • Architectural Focus: Traditional Nakhi design featuring locally sourced pine, elm, and Jin clay tiles. • Room Type: Courtyard Suite (Approx. $1,400+ per night) • Website: www.aman.com/resorts/amandayan Our Recommendations: The Secret Entrance: Amandayan has a private "hidden" gate that leads directly down into the Old Town. This allows you to bypass the main tourist checkpoints and enter the historical streets in peace. It’s perfect for capturing early morning b-roll before the crowds arrive. Altitude & Oxygen: Lijiang is located at 2,400 meters. If you feel light headed take lots of rest and you can ask the hotel for free oxygen tanks. We recommend spending your first afternoon resting in the courtyard to acclimate. Booking Advice: For international travellers, we recommend using Trip.com or the Aman Private Concierge to arrange your airport or train station transfers. The journey from Lijiang Airport (LJG) in the resort's private vehicle is the best way to start the "Amandayan experience." Dining & Tea: Pre-booking the Nakhi-style hotpot is essential, but the real highlight is the breakfast at the hilltop pavilion. Sitting there, overlooking the sprawling grey-tiled roofs of the entire 800-year-old village as the morning mist clears, is truly one of the most unique and spiritual dining experiences we have ever had. If you enjoyed this walkthrough, subscribe to join the next escape:   / @arthursluxuryescape   For now, check out our most recent trips: A night at the Ancient Chinese Tea Village AMAN: Ancient Chinese Tea Village The $6000/night Bvlgari Hotel Suite (Tokyo):    • Inside the $6,000/Night Hotel with SPA Sui...   Japan’s Most Remote Beachfront Luxury Villa:    • Inside Japan’s Most Remote Beachfront Luxu...   And also check out our Japan travel Playlist:    • Top Luxury Hotels in Japan   Video Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:08 A Small Favour From Us 01:22 Arriving at Amandayan 04:23 Check In 04:53 Resort Brief Tour 06:30 Room Tour 18:28 Pool & SPA 21:11 Afternoon Tea & Daoism Temple 27:13 Amandayan Nakhi Style Hotpot & BBQ Dinner 30:54 Turndown Service 32:16 Amandayan Movie Theater 33:31 Amandayan Cocktail Bar 35:23 Library 38:23 Gift Shop & Breakfast 39:21 Gym 40:25 Tiger Leaping Gorge Tour 43:46 Lijiang Ancient Village Day Time Tour 50:18 Lijiang Ancient Village Night Time Tour 57:09 Hilltop Pavilion Breakfast 59:56 Walk Around the Hotel Thanks for watching and we wish your travels are always full of sunshine See you soon! :)