In the Clouds

Adecade ago, chinese entrepreneur and philanthropist Ma Dadong took it upon himself to salvage some 10,000 camphor trees and 50 homes from the Ming and Qing dynasties that were on the verge of destruction in Jiangxi, China. They were transported 700km to Shanghai, and rebuilt into 26 dwellings that today form part of Aman’s newest resort in China, Amanyangyun. Surrounded by a forest of camphor trees, the ancient dwellings feature ornate carvings and reliefs that date back 2,000 years. At the heart of the resort is Nanshufang, the most spectacular of the dwellings, named after the royal reading pavilion in the Forbidden City. Located in a serene garden, it doubles as a space for guests to enjoy cultural activities such as the Chinese tea ceremony. Amanyangyun has safeguarded priceless natural and cultural treasures, making the resort the rarest of its kind when it opens in autumn this year. aman.com