Amandayan Lijiang China

Set atop Lion Hill above the winding lanes and canals of Lijiang’s Unesco-protected Old Town.

Amandayan is a serene retreat with panoramic views: The fabled city merges into a patchwork of fields that lap against snow-capped peaks on the horizon. These include revered Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which on most days props up an impossibly blue sky. Tucked into the north-western corner of Yunnan – known as the ‘Land of Eternal Spring’ for its mild climate – Lijiang is home to a harmonious fusion of cultures including the indigenous Nakhi.

Housed in elegant wooden dwellings inspired by Nakhi architecture, Amandayan’s 35 suites open onto tranquil courtyards and offer consummate privacy in exquisite surrounds. An Aman Spa overlooks a heated outdoor swimming pool, three dining venues include Man Yi Xuan, the Restaurant and a traditional Tea House, and a private cinema offers 32 reclining leather seats.