Destination Introduction-Beijing

In a country as rapidly developing as China, Beijing is set apart as being a remarkable blend of old and new. The city of Beijing, literally called “Northern Capital,” is the political, historical, and cultural center of China. The city itself is so diverse that traveling to certain parts of Beijing can take you back thousands of years, while visiting a neighboring district will bring you back to the center of booming economic development. In the Dongcheng (“Eastern Part of the City”) District, the areas around Houhai and Guijie are a preservation of old Beijing style hutongs. The hutongs are narrow alleys which are bordered by numerous siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences. During the Ming Dynasty (in the 15th century), citizens of higher social ranking were allowed to live closer to the center of the city, which at the time was the Forbidden City. Almost every hutong has its anecdotes, and as you walk through them, keep an open ear to hear the whispering of these stories from Old Beijing.

While successfully preserving its regal past, Beijing has also kept up with the changing times. One example is in the thriving art scene here, which includes an extensive range from contemporary art in the 798 Art Zone to traditional Chinese oil painting to the resurgence of the Beijing Opera. In downtown Beijing, the Central Business District is constantly evolving into an unparalleled metropolis. While the Dongcheng District hosts the one-story hutongs, CBD is home to towering office buildings and unique structures, such as the CCTV Building, also known as the “pants building” for its unusual shape. This capital city holds a charm of its own, and many who visit can appreciate the ancient traditions as well as the modern development of a city moving forward.

Aman Resort at Summer Palace

Aman Resort at Summer Palace Outward Appearance

There is no better way to experience the regal era of Beijing than to stay at Aman Resort at Summer Palace. Located on the northwest part of the city, Aman Resort lies just outside the historic Summer Palace, a World Heritage site. The accommodations include original dwellings which date over one hundred years, and the resort is infused with the detailed and vibrant aesthetics of the Ming Dynasty. During that time, the Empress Dowager Cixi had a significant influence on the neighboring Summer Palace. Aman offers you the unparalleled experience of living in the same dwellings that the guests of the Empress did at the turn of the twentieth century. There are several types of accommodation, mostly furnished in the Ming Dynasty style. The suites face an inner courtyard, a signature of Old Beijing, which features intricate pathways and formal gardens. The artistic design of Aman Resort, from the plush furnishings to the elegant gardens, makes you feel as if you are a pampered Beijing official from the Imperial period.

Inner Courtyard

An additional feature of the luxurious Aman Resort is the Aman Spa. True to Beijing’s blending of the old and new, the Aman Spa also combines modern wellness therapies with traditional Chinese techniques. The body treatments are meant to renew, revive, and revitalize, as the post-massage baths are appropriately named Renew Bath, Revive Bath, and Vitality Bath. The spa’s beauty treatments use traditional Chinese elements such as ginger and green tea, as well as the more modern citrus wraps, a great antidote for jetlag.

Aman Spa

Your trip to China is not complete without visiting the city pervasive in ancient traditions and contemporary growth. The greatest challenge in Beijing is making the most of your time, as each corner of the city has its own wealth of history and stories to share. Experiencing the capital city of Beijing will bring a deeper understanding of China as it was, as it is, and as it will be.

The Room

For more information regarding Beijing tours and Aman Resort at Summer Palace booking, please contact us at info@cltn.net or register with us at http://www.cltn.net.