Step Into Splendor: My 6-Day Luxury Travel Itinerary Through Beijing and Lijiang
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On a luxury mission for Ink Voyages, I stepped into a crisp Beijing morning, the air alive with whispers of dynasties past. I’d arrived at Aman Summer Palace, a sanctuary seamlessly adjoining the UNESCO-listed Summer Palace, where pavilions once housed guests of Empress Dowager Cixi. Through carved wooden screens and tranquil courtyards, I slipped into a Ming Dynasty reverie—luxury that felt both intimate and timeless.
Over three days in Beijing and three more in Lijiang’s Amandayan, to test one of our most appreciated private China tours. I moved between imperial grandeur and Naxi serenity, with time to savor each resort’s slow, restorative rhythm. This became my story—etched in China’s timeless soul.
Days 1–3: Beijing’s Imperial Heart at Aman Summer Palace
My journey began with a private transfer from the airport to Aman Summer Palace, where my Courtyard Suite opened onto hushed pathways and koi-filled ponds. A TCM-inspired massage at the Aman Spa—pressure points eased with warming oils—melted away my travel fatigue.
In the afternoon, my private guide led me through the Forbidden City, unlocking hidden courtyards and emperors’ chambers long closed to the public. Standing in Tiananmen Square, I felt the gravity of centuries beneath Beijing’s vast sky. Back at Aman, dinner at Nama blended Japanese precision with subtle Chinese herbs, served as dusk settled over the lantern-lit courtyards. The evening closed in Aman’s private cinema, where I lost myself in a film chosen just for me.
Day two unfolded with a drive through misted hills to Mutianyu Great Wall, a quieter, restored stretch where a cable car lifted me to sweeping vistas. I wandered ancient stones, with the wind humming through the watchtowers, before gliding down by toboggan—a spark of childlike joy. If you are interested into a deeper exploration of the Great Wall, you can also have a look at our dedicated private itinerary in this area. I finally returned to Aman’s heated indoor pool, a tranquil space framed by carved beams and soft light, then sank into a session of guided Pilates. Cocktails in the courtyard led to a Peking duck dinner, crisp skin and amber glaze marking a Beijing rite of passage.
On my final day in the capital, a morning visit to the Temple of Heaven immersed me in ritual grace, where emperors once prayed for cosmic balance. Nearby, the Lama Temple glowed with gold-leaf Buddhas and curling incense. In the afternoon, I stepped directly into the Summer Palace through Aman’s private gate—strolling imperial gardens once reserved for royalty. Willow-fringed lakes and marble bridges unfolded in serene procession, the air scented with lotus and legacy.
Back at the resort, the Aman Spa’s steam pavilions and herbal baths awaited, followed by quiet tea in my courtyard. Evening brought a rickshaw ride through the hutongs, where a curated dinner awaited me.
Days 4–6: Lijiang’s Ethereal Embrace at Amandayan
A short flight south brought me to Lijiang, where Amandayan crowns Lion Hill, gazing across the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Naxi-inspired wooden villas opened onto terraces that framed Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, its peaks dusted in silver. I was welcomed with a Naxi herbal tea ritual, the air cool and fragrant with pine.
My first afternoon drifted through Lijiang Old Town’s cobbled alleys and flowing canals—my guide pointing out silversmith workshops and quiet courtyards few visitors find. The Black Dragon Pool, mirroring snow peaks on still water, offered a moment of pure calm. Back at the resort, a Yunnan massage kneaded mountain herbs into my skin. Dinner unfolded under lantern light, a celebration of Lijiang’s earthy flavors.
Day five brought a slow immersion into heritage. In Shuhe Ancient Town and Baisha Village, the Tea Horse Road’s echoes lingered in tea houses and Naxi embroidery studios. I traced threads of cobalt and crimson, learning their stories from artisans whose families had worked for generations. Afternoon was for lingering—perhaps calligraphy with a local master, or time at Amandayan’s outdoor pool, where water mirrored the sky in perfect stillness. As dusk fell, a Naxi music performance carried through the open air, notes ancient and haunting.
My final day ascended Jade Dragon Snow Mountain by cable car, glacier peaks rising to 4,500 meters. The air thinned and sparkled—oxygen bottles discreetly at hand. A stroll through Blue Moon Valley’s turquoise pools brought the scene gently back to earth. Later, I unwound at the Amandayan Spa, then simply sat by my terrace, watching clouds drift over old rooftops.
That evening, a matsutake-themed dinner crowned my stay—Yunnan’s prized wild mushrooms served grilled and in fragrant broth, paired with local wine. It was a meal rooted in mountain soil and memory. We genuinely think that Yunnan has much more to offer, and is worth a dedicated exploration with our tailor-made China tours.
Departure: The Beauty That Lingers
When it was time to leave, I carried more than photographs—the hush of imperial courtyards, the laughter on a Great Wall slope, the scent of pines over Lion Hill. I was full of experiences to be shared with the rest of Ink Voyages‘ team. Between Aman’s serenity and China’s infinite landscapes, I hadn’t just traveled—I’d touched the country’s quiet, enduring grace.
