aman private jet expedition 8–20 september 2019 china china... · french technique meets japanese...

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Aman Pr ivate Jet Expedit ion

8–20 September 2019

C H I N A

WHAT’S INSIDE

Page 4: YOUR PRIVATE JET

Page 5–6: THE JOURNEY AT A GLANCE

Pages 7–36: THE EXPERIENCE IN DETAIL

Chapter One... Aman Summer Palace, Beijing, ChinaChapter Two... Amanfayun, Hangzhou, ChinaChapter Three… Amandayan, Lijiang, ChinaChapter Four… Amanyangyun, Shanghai, China

Page 37: TOUR LEADERPage 38: CLIENT AGREEMENT

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DATE FROM TO DEPART ARRIVE DURATION

11 September 2019 Beijing (PEK) Xian (XIY) 09:00 11:10 2 hours 10 minutes

11 September 2019 Xian (XIY) Hangzhou (HGH) 19:00 21:10 2 hours 10 minutes

14 September 2019 Hangzhou (HGH) Chengdu (CTU) 09:00 12:05 3 hours 5 minutes

14 September 2019 Chengdu (CTU) Lijiang (LJG) 19:00 20:35 1 hour 35 minutes

17 September 2019 Lijiang (LJG) Zhangjiajie (DYG) 09:00 TBA TBA

17 September 2019 Zhangjiajie (DYG) Shanghai (PVG) 19:00 21:00 2 hours

SCHEDULED FLIGHTS:

ShanghaiGMT +8

LijiangGMT +8

BeijingGMT +8

HangzhouGMT +8

XianGMT +8

ZhangjiajieGMT +8

ChengduGMT +8

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YOUR PRIVATE JET BOEING BUSINESS JET (BBJ)

• 24 seats• 2 restrooms • 3 flight attendants• 1 engineer• 3 pilots

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THE JOURNEY AT A GLANCEDAY 1 Sunday, 8 September 2019Aman Summer Palace, Courtyard Guestroom (Beijing, China)D

• Arrive in Beijing, China, on your flight.• Private transfer to Aman.• Welcome cocktails and dinner.

DAY 2Monday, 9 September 2019Aman Summer Palace, Courtyard Guestroom (Beijing, China)B L

• Full day touring of the Great Wall with an expert.

DAY 3 Tuesday, 10 September 2019 Aman Summer Palace, Courtyard Guestroom (Beijing, China)B

• Full day touring in central Beijing.

DAY4 Wednesday, 11 September 2019Amanfayun, Village Room (Hangzhou, China)B D

• Private transfer to the airport at 07:00.• Fly Beijing to Xian (09:00–11:10).• Touring of the Terracotta Warriors and other sites in Xian, as time permits.• Fly Xian to Hangzhou (19:00–21:10).• Dinner on the jet.• Private transfer to Amanfayun.

DAY 5 Thursday, 12 September 2019Amanfayun, Village Room (Hangzhou, China)B

• Full day touring in Hangzhou.

DAY 6 Friday, 13 September 2019 Amanfayun, Village Room (Hangzhou, China)B D

• Full day touring in Hangzhou.• Farewell cocktails and dinner.

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DAY 7 Saturday, 14 September 2019Amandayan, Courtyard Suite (Lijiang, China)B D

• Private transfer to the airport at 07:00.• Fly Hangzhou to Chengdu (09:00–12:05).• Panda Keeper Experience at Dujiangyan Panda Base.• Fly Chengdu to Lijiang (19:00–20:35).• Dinner on the jet.• Private transfer to Amandayan.

DAY 8 Sunday, 15 September 2019Amandayan, Courtyard Suite (Lijiang, China)B

• Full day touring in Lijiang.

DAY 9 Monday, 16 September 2019Amandayan, Courtyard Suite (Lijiang, China)B D

• Full day excursion to Tiger Leaping Gorge.• Farewell cocktails and dinner with entertainment.

DAY 10 Tuesday, 17 September 2019Amanyangyun, Ming Courtyard Suite (Shanghai, China)B D

• Private transfer to the airport at 07:00.• Fly Lijiang to Zhangjiajie (09:00–TBA).• Touring in the National Park ‘Avatar Forest’.• Fly Zhangjiajie to Shanghai (19:00–21:00).• Dinner on the jet.• Private transfer to Amanyangyun.

DAY 11 Wednesday, 18 September 2019Amanyangyun, Ming Courtyard Suite (Shanghai, China)B

• Full day touring in Shanghai.

DAY 12 Thursday, 19 September 2019 Amanyangyun, Ming Courtyard Suite (Shanghai, China)B D

• Full day touring in Shanghai.• Farewell cocktails and dinner with entertainment.

DAY 13 Friday, 20 September 2019B

• Private transfer to the airport to catch your flight home.

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AMAN SUMMER PALACEAman Summer Palace lies just outside the east gate of Beijing’s Summer Palace, home to generations of emperors and empresses, who have all left their mark in the form of inspiring temples, halls, bridges, gardens, theatres and dwellings. Today it is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Aman Summer Palace has been meticulously designed to exist in perfect balance with the graceful architecture of the former retreat of China’s emperors. A series of century-old guesthouses, built for dignitaries awaiting an audience with Empress Dowager Cixi, have been transformed into a retreat of just 18 rooms and 25 suites. With characteristic sensitivity towards historic properties, Aman has decorated the interiors with period furniture and rich fabrics that evoke the grandeur of the palace itself.

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SUITES

Aman Summer Palace interiors reflect the distinctive architectural style found throughout the grounds. The eight Suites have a combined bedroom and living area, with a further 17 Deluxe Suites enjoying a separate bedroom and living space. Each of the suites is decorated with hand-picked furniture inspired by the Ming period and has a kingsize bed, daybed, reading chair and desk. Bathrooms feature indulgent freestanding bathtubs with a separate shower area and WC.

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DINING

The Chinese Restaurant Classic Ming dynasty-inspired furniture and imperial dishes such as Peking duck, along with traditional Cantonese cuisine, offer an authentic flavour of the region. In addition, six intimate spaces offer a thoroughly private setting for gatherings and celebrations.

The GrillWestern cuisine with an emphasis on grilled-to-order, prime cuts of meat and fresh seafood, available for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Japanese RestaurantFrench technique meets Japanese culinary artistry in French-kaiseki concept. An open kitchen with counter seating invites guests to experience the chefs’ culinary flair up close, for both lunch and dinner.

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Day 1 Sunday, 8 September 2019Aman Summer Palace, Courtyard Guestroom (Beijing, China)Included Meals: D

You will be met in the arrivals hall at Peking Airport in Beijing. Look for an Aman signboard.

Private transfer to Aman Summer Palace (approximately 45 minutes).

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY:

Afternoon Tea – 16:00–18:00: Join other hotel guests for Chinese afternoon tea with a tea master at the Cultural Pavilion.

Cocktails and Dinner – 18:00: A private cocktail reception with a history talk, followed by a live performance, will be held at the reflection and music pavilions. Meet your fellow travellers and enjoy dinner afterwards.

Day 2Monday, 9 September 2019Aman Summer Palace, Courtyard Guestroom (Beijing, China)Included Meals: B L

Breakfast from 07:00: Enjoy breakfast at the Lobby.

Pick-up time: 07:30Return time: 17:00

TODAY’S SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES: Please note that the touring vehicles and touring will be shared today.

Great Wall: Meet Great Wall expert William Lindesay and private transfer together to the Great Wall in two shared vehicles (approximately 1.5 hours).

Explore this ancient wonder, where you can marvel at unrestored segments stretching and snaking as far as the eye can see. Jinshanling was the scene of a major

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battle against the Mongols, the Chinese successfully repelling them here about 600 years ago. Because it is farther from Beijing than other sections of the Wall, there will be fewer crowds. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk for three hours.

Lunch: Drive approximately 1.5 hours to the Commune and walk 20 minutes on the Wall to the lunch site. Enjoy a specially prepared gourmet lunch, complete with tables, champagne and fine china, with the incredible backdrop of the Great Wall winding over the mountain ridges into the far distance.

Upon arrival back at Aman Summer Palace, relax and explore the gardens. Please note there may be heavy traffic during the return transfer.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner at your leisure at one of the Aman Summer Palace restaurants. Alternatively, drive into central Beijing to dine at a local restaurant.

Day 3Tuesday, 10 September 2019 Aman Summer Palace, Courtyard Guestroom (Beijing, China)Included Meals: B

Morning Tai Chi - 06:00: If you wish, start your day early with a tai chi session in the courtyard and reflection pavilion. Subject to availability. Reserve in advance to guarantee a spot.

Breakfast from 07:00: Enjoy breakfast at the Lobby.

The Summer Palace: If you wish, independently explore the Summer Palace. Enter through a hidden door, connecting the hotel to the palace grounds. Once the royal retreat from Beijing’s summer heat, the Unesco World Heritage Site is a masterpiece of Chinese landscape and garden design, with its exquisite combination of pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges surrounded by lush gardens and a large, serene lake. Walk through the Summer Palace grounds and discover the palace monuments and structures, which date back nearly a thousand years.

09:00: Meet for private transfer to central Beijing.

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TODAY’S SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:

The Forbidden City: A Unesco World Heritage Site and the world’s largest palace complex, the Forbidden City comprises 9,999 rooms and is divided into two parts: the southern section, also known as the Outer Court, where the emperor held imperial proceedings, and the Inner Court to the north, where he lived with his royal family.

Tiananmen Square: Walk through the nearby landmark, where an oversized portrait of Mao Zedong keeps a watchful eye on passers-by. Mao’s Mausoleum is located in the Square, as are the Great Hall of the People, seat of the National People’s Congress; Qian Men, a tower that was once a gate to the city; and the Monument to the People’s Heroes, a granite pillar erected in 1958 that is decorated with bas-reliefs depicting episodes of China’s revolutionary history.

National Museum: First open in 2011 on the east side of Tiananmen Square, this may be the largest museum in the world, with a footprint of more than 186,000 square metres (two million square feet).

Lunch: Stop at the nearby Temple Restaurant for lunch. Enjoy contemporary European cuisine in a converted dining space that was formerly the television factory which produced the capital’s first black-and-white TVs.

Hutong District: Board a bicycle rickshaw and thread your way around the hutongs, narrow alleyways lined with siheyuan, the old courtyard houses that are quickly disappearing in central Beijing, where prime real estate is in short supply. As with property anywhere, the larger the siheyuan and the wider its alleys, the more wealthy its residents. Still, virtually every Beijinger lived in this type of house, with rooms opening out onto a courtyard, until the turn of the twentieth century when China’s dynastic era began to collapse. Today, many have been razed to make room for modern buildings, but there are still a fair number left in the city due to concerted preservation efforts. Many of Beijing’s wealthy have bought siheyuan and renovated them to live in. The trend is no longer to live in a modern high-rise but to return to the old and refurbish it to meet modern ideals of luxury and elegance.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner at your leisure at the hotel or in town.

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Day 4Wednesday, 11 September 2019Amanfayun, Village Room (Hangzhou, China)Included Meals: B D

07:00: Meet in the lobby for your private transfer to the airport (approximately 45 minutes).

09:00–11:10: Private jet from Beijing to Xian (2 hours 10 minutes).

Brunch will be served on board the jet during this flight.

Upon arrival in Xian, private transfer into town (approximately 30 minutes).

TODAY’S SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES:

Museum of Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses with History Expert: Explore the museum with a history expert. Arguably the most significant archaeological discovery of the twentieth century, the 7,000 relics dating back to 210-209 BC, during the reign of the first emperor of China, comprise an inanimate army of warriors with their horses, chariots and weapons, as well as acrobats, strongmen and musicians. Making life-size images of the emperor’s army – each figure unique, with individual faces – was a funerary art form practised in the belief that the terracotta figures guarding the deceased emperor’s mausoleum would help him rule another empire in the afterlife.

The first terracotta figures were discovered in 1974 when local farmers were digging a water well. Archaeologists arrived at Xian soon after to investigate, discovering over the course of a few years an astounding archaeological treasure notable not only for the sheer size of the discovery, but also for the figures’ amazing preservation.

Lunch: Have lunch on at your leisure at a casual local restaurant.

After touring, private transfer back to the airport (approximately 30 minutes).

19:00–21:10: Private jet from Xian to Hangzhou (2 hours 10 minutes).

Dinner will be served on this flight.

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HANGZHOU, CHINA In traditional Chinese aesthetics, the ultimate harmony in a landscape arises from the concept of shan-shui, or the interplay between mountains and waters. Hangzhou, a beautiful city home to the vast, scenic West Lake, possesses this concept in abundance. A thriving, commercial city for hundreds of years, Hangzhou hosted, among others, Arab traveler Ibn Battuta and Italian merchant Marco Polo, who once described the city as ‘beyond dispute, the finest and noblest in the world’.

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AMANFAYUNSurrounded by tea plantations and bamboo groves, Amanfayun is a spiritual sanctuary informed by Chinese tradition and Buddhist monastic culture. Explore this centuries-old village, restored using ancient techniques, at your own pace. Each of the 46 Rooms, Suites and Villas is unique, showcasing its history within this former tea-planting village and accented with contemporary touches.

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SUITES

Embracing the layout and spirit of a traditional Chinese village, Amanfayun is a place of winding stone footpaths and shaded courtyards through which the dwellings – some dating back over a century – are accessed. Roofs are clay tile and interior floors are stone or wood, and some offer upper floors with views over the treetops. Fine calligraphy art pieces decorate the walls.

DINING, WELLBEING & FACILITIES

Amanfayun’s varied culinary options are dotted across the grounds: the glass-walled Restaurant looks out over an evergreen grove, while the relaxed Steam House serves up traditional fare in a simple high-ceilinged pavilion, with outdoor tables for summer dining. Three independently operated eateries are also set within the village: the Hangzhou House, the Tea House and the Vegetarian House.

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Day 4Wednesday, 11 September 2019Amanfayun, Village Room (Hangzhou, China)Included Meals: B D

21:10: Arrive in Hangzhou by private jet.

Private transfer to Amanfayun (approximately 1 hour).

Day 5Thursday, 12 September 2019Amanfayun, Village Room (Hangzhou, China)Included Meals: B

Breakfast from 07:00: Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.



Boat Ride on West Lake: Go on a private, two-hour cruise on the waters that inspired the Chinese saying, ‘In heaven there is paradise; on earth, Hangzhou and Suzhou’. Traditionally, there are ten beautiful scenic spots on the West Lake, each remembered by a four-character mnemonic. Collectively, they are known as the ‘Ten Scenes of West Lake’: Spring Dawn on the Su Causeway, Orioles Singing in the Willows, Viewing Fish at Flower Pond, Lotuses in the Breeze at the Crooked Courtyard, Evening Bell Ringing at Nanping Hill, Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake, Leifeng Pagoda in Evening Glow, Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Lingering Snow on the Broken Bridge, and Twin Peaks Piercing the Clouds. Visit a selection of these ten scenes in a motorised boat with a covered deck.

Leifeng Pagoda: Visit the Leifeng Pagoda for a bird’s eye view of Hangzhou. Originally built in 975 AD to commemorate the birth of King Qian Chu’s son, the first Leifeng Pagoda was set ablaze by marauding pirates during the Ming dynasty, leaving nothing but a charred brick skeleton. In 1924, the temple finally collapsed, leaving nothing but a foundation, until

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2002, when the pagoda was rebuilt. To satisfy both the historical concerns of scholars and the convenience of visitors, the pagoda has been reconstructed according to ancient specifications, using modern architectural techniques and featuring the amenities of a modern museum, such as climate control and flat screen monitors.

On the first floor of the pagoda, visitors will find the crumbling foundation of the original pagoda, encased in glass and surrounded by wall murals, depicting the Legend of the White Snake, a local folk tale dating back to the Ming dynasty that prominently features the Leifeng Pagoda. From here, you can take either an escalator or an elevator to the pagoda’s fourth storey, where a panoramic view of Hangzhou awaits you.

Beside the museum, a smaller contemporary temple houses a gold and silver plated hair of the Buddha, a relic from a mausoleum, long-rumoured to be buried beneath the Leifeng ruins and finally unearthed in 2001.

‘Soul’s Retreat’ Temple: Visit the renowned Buddhist temple Lingyin Si, or ‘Soul’s Retreat’. Founded in the first year of Xianhe of the Eastern Jin dynasty (326 AD), the temple once housed 3,000 monks, who worshipped in more than 70 halls. Although now reduced in size, it remains one of the ten most important Buddhist temples in the country. In the main hall sits a 25-metre (or 82-foot) high, gold-gilded statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, the largest sitting Buddha in China.

Temple of Goodness: Adjacent to Lingyin Temple is Yongfu Si (Temple of Goodness). Set in the forest with meandering paths and extensive gardens, this is one of the prettiest temples in the area. Higher up the mountain lies the Temple of Taoguangguanhai, boasting views across the hills and valleys to West Lake and Hangzhou City in the distance. At the very top of North Peak Mountain, the highest peak in Hangzhou district, is the 1,600-year-old Lingshun Temple (Temple of Wealth). This popular temple sees a constant stream of pilgrims lighting incense and praying for increased fortunes.

Hike through Tea Trails: Go on a hike through tea trails. The tea grown here is the ‘Bordeaux’ of Chinese teas, and comprises all the tea grown in the valleys

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around Hangzhou that are watered by a single source. Although it is a hotly debated point, the best brew may be made from well water drawn in Longjing. The result is a mild tannic ‘green tea’ that is actually the palest of yellows. Sipped slowly from tall, thin glasses, it is an astringent drink that sharpens the senses.

The most precious tea is designated ‘first leaf’, traditionally harvested before 5 April. Tea cultivation is a labour-intensive process, as all picking is done by hand so that the young leaves are not damaged. The leaves are pan-dried immediately after picking to prevent oxidation and bacterial growth. They are then rolled by hand to squeeze out excess moisture and to release flavour enzymes. Finally, the leaves are fired in large driers and packed.

Day 6Friday, 13 September 2019Amanfayun, Village Room (Hangzhou, China)Included Meals: B D




China National Tea Museum: China is the birthplace of tea and the country with the longest history of tea culture. China National Tea Museum has no external walls, but is enclosed by vegetation, giving the unique impression that the halls and the tea plants inside depend upon each other. The museum consists of four groups of buildings which display the history and development of tea in China.

Hefang Street: Stop by Hefang Street for a taste of ancient Hangzhou. Built adjacent to the former location of the Southern Song dynasty’s imperial palace, this pedestrian market evokes antiquity, with Ming- and Qing-style restaurants, teahouses, street vendors and shops, as well as live performers, dressed in traditional regalia, who enact the everyday lives of ancient people. Pending availability, sample beggar’s

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chicken, a Hangzhou speciality of marinated, spiced chicken covered in a clay shell and baked for several hours - resulting in a moist, tender and flavourful dish.

Traditional Chinese Check-Up: Enjoy a traditional medicine check-up at Huqingyutang, the most famous Chinese pharmacy in southern China. Medicine in China dates back some 4,000 years and began with the ancient emperors’ interest in finding the elixir of life. Today, treatment is still founded on the use of herbs, diet and acupuncture, with an emphasis on qi, the vital force of living things. Qi gives rise to the opposite and interdependent forces of yin and yang. Unlike in Western medicine, where an outside force, such as bacteria or a virus, is cited as the cause of disease, in Chinese medicine a medical problem is caused by a yin/yang imbalance within the patient.

Pagodas of Hangzhou: Visit the three main pagodas of Hangzhou, all built during the reign of the Northern and Southern Song dynasties (960-1276 AD). Lin’an (now called Hangzhou) became the capital of the Southern Song dynasty in 1127, when the Song dynasty lost control of the Yellow River to the Jin dynasty and was forced to retreat to the south, where it continued to flourish, innovating new agricultural and military techniques and inventing the concept of paper money.

Spa: Enjoy one complimentary spa treatment per person. The Aman Spa consists of five separate buildings surrounded by bamboo groves, tea bushes and magnolia trees: the Reception and Reflexology House, the Bath House, the Fitness Centre, the Finishing Salon and a two-storey Treatment House. Massage and body treatments draw from traditional Chinese massage and reflexology, as well as from ancient Asian healing therapies. At the end of every treatment, guests are served fresh herbal tea in their own private relaxation area.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY

Calligraphy Lesson – 16:00–18:00: If you wish, join other hotel guests for a calligraphy lesson with a local artist.

Farewell Cocktails and Dinner – 18:00: Gather for cocktails and dinner with the group this evening.

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Day 7Saturday, 14 September 2019Amandayan, Courtyard Suite (Lijiang, China)Included Meals: B D

07:00: Meet in the lobby for your private transfer to the airport (approximately 1 hour).

09:00–12:05: Private jet from Hangzhou to Chengdu (3 hours 5 minutes).

Brunch will be served on board the jet during this flight.

Upon arrival in Chengdu, private transfer to Dujiangyan Panda Base (approximately 1 hour).


Panda Keeper Programme: Visit the Panda Base, which plays an important role in the captive conservation of this endangered species. Accompanied by an expert from the centre, you will explore the grounds, where giant pandas thrive alongside red pandas and black-necked cranes, also endangered, among more than 300 varieties of bamboo. The giant panda must take in 20-30 pounds of bamboo each day to derive the necessary energy and protein. Due to its dependence on the crop, bamboo deforestation has significantly threatened the survival of the species. This, in combination with fragile breeding habits – a female giant panda in the wild will only have two or three cubs in her lifetime and is only fertile two to three days per year – makes them among the rarest and most protected animals in the world.

Please note: The availability of the Panda Keeper Experience at panda bases is subject to availability and can be cancelled quite suddenly. Therefore, Remote Lands maintains relationships with panda bases in Chengdu, Bifengxia and Dujiangyan. Remote Lands will continue to monitor the status of all three panda bases during your trip planning and travel and will update you with any concerns.

- Tour of the grounds: Begin your session here with a tour of the grounds. Today, you will have the special privilege of going behind the scenes and seeing the pandas up close. Please note that this experience is dependent on availability; if it is not available, we will

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offer you a full refund.

- Feeding your panda: Pandas love to eat fresh bamboo, apples, special biscuits and vegetables. The centre produces specially formulated biscuits made of beans, oats, corn and essential vitamins and minerals for the pandas to consume. Give food to the pandas for them to enjoy.

- Cleaning your panda’s enclosure: Like you, pandas need a clean and comfortable place to live.

- Cleaning bamboo: Bamboo is the panda’s favourite food, and the Panda Base stocks up on tons of this hardy plant. Before feeding it to the pandas, the bamboo has to be cleaned of dirt and other sediments that might harm them. Over 10,000 clumps of bamboo have been cultivated to provide for the giant pandas’ diet and habitat.

- Weighing fresh bamboo: Monitoring how much bamboo a panda consumes is vital to their health. Bamboo actually contains very little nutritional value, which is why pandas in the wild have to eat so much of it just to stay healthy. It is important to keep track of the pandas’ dietary habits by constantly checking to see how much food is offered to them versus how much they consume.

Please note that while we cannot book a panda photo experience in advance, there is a chance it may be available on the spot.

17:00: Private transfer back to the Chengdu airport (approximately 1 hour).

19:00–20:35: Private jet from Chengdu to Lijiang (1 hour 35 minutes).


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LIJIANG, CHINA With its charming canals, brightly coloured wooden homes and winding cobbled alleyways, Lijiang’s unspoilt beauty belies its 800 years.

Thanks to its remote location, as well as a concerted effort on the part of its inhabitants, Lijiang’s particularly well-preserved Old Town earned a designation as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1999.

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AMANDAYANPerched above the winding lanes of Lijiang Old Town, Amandayan takes its name from the Sanskrit-derived word for ‘peace’ and ‘Dayan’, the historic name for Lijiang when it was first established in the thirteenth century. Open views from Amandayan offer a glimpse of the sights to explore close by, from the centuries-old Unesco World Heritage-protected Old Town to the patchwork fields of the surrounding villages and the snow-capped summits that define the horizon.

Designed in the traditional architectural style of the Nakhi people, Amandayan is housed in a series of small buildings arranged around peaceful courtyards with views of the landscape.

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SUITES

Elegant, clean lines ensure Amandayan’s Suites are contemporary in style yet unmistakably Chinese. The 35 Suites are decorated with materials and fabrics from the region, including Yunnan pine and Dongbei elm-wood carvings. Every Suite opens onto a courtyard or a terrace with views of Lijiang’s rooftops, Lion Hill or the Old Town, and the mountains beyond. Stone floors subtly reference the resort’s proximity to the mountains, while furniture is crafted in tactile elm.

DINING, WELLBEING & FACILITIES

Dine at your choice of Chinese and Western restaurants and enjoy the Tea House, library, boutique, cinema, and the Aman Spa’s gym, Pilates/yoga studio and swimming pool.

The resort’s Chinese restaurant, Man Yi Xuan (‘lingering peace’), includes four private dining rooms and serves Yunnan and Cantonese cuisines for lunch and dinner, and a steaming dim sum lunch. The Lounge serves Western and Asian cuisines for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an emphasis on locally grown, seasonal produce and organic meat. The Tea House enjoys views of Lijiang Old Town, and offers indoor and outdoor dining. In the afternoons, traditional Chinese and Western tea ceremonies with savoury bites, cakes and pastries can be enjoyed alongside dim sum.

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Day 7Saturday, 14 September 2019Amandayan, Courtyard Suite (Lijiang, China)Included Meals: B D

20:35: Arrive in Lijiang by private jet.

Private transfer to Amandayan (50 minutes).

Important Notes for Lijiang:

• The altitude at Lijiang is around 2,400 metres (7,800 feet).

• Symptoms of altitude sickness can include headaches, diarrhoea, dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations and raised blood pressure.

• Owing to the high altitude, the air humidity is low. We would therefore advise that you drink lots of water to stay fully hydrated.

• While you are acclimatising, try to avoid any strenuous activity.

• Be sure to keep yourself warm by wearing appropriate clothes, as the temperature drops at night in Lijiang.

• The sun’s rays are especially strong at high altitude, so ensure you have sunglasses and adequate sunscreen.

Day 8 Sunday, 15 September 2019Amandayan, Courtyard Suite (Lijiang, China)Included Meals: B




Old Town: Explore the charming Old Town, a world of narrow cobbled streets, virtually unchanged since the Ming dynasty, where canals are lined with weeping willows and decorative arched bridges connect one alley to the next. The buildings’ colourful façades lead to shops selling local arts and crafts.

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Impression Lijiang Show: Watch a showing of Impression Lijiang, an outdoor cultural performance featuring singing and dancing demonstrating the traditions and lifestyles of the Nakhi, Yi and Bai regional minorities. Directed by renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou, this high-altitude experience has Jade Dragon Snow Mountain as its backdrop at 3,000 metres (10,100 feet). Note: It is much colder at altitude and a winter coat is provided.

Mu Mansion: Explore the grounds of the Mu Mansion, the rebuilt palatial estate of the Nakhi leaders who ruled over Lijiang for more than 400 years, which is set in the southwest of the Old Town. The original Mu estate was built in 1382, but war and revolution left their mark before a severe earthquake in 1996 destroyed the original structure. What stands today is a faithful re-creation, completed in 1998, comprising 100 buildings spread across 3.2 hectares (8 acres).

Golden Pagoda: Visit the Golden Pagoda, a Tibetan temple in Lijiang.

Dinner: Have dinner at your leisure at the hotel or in the Old Town.

Day 9 Monday, 16 September 2019Amandayan, Courtyard Suite (Lijiang, China)Included Meals: B D




Tiger Leaping Gorge: Drive for approximately 1.5 hours to visit Tiger Leaping Gorge, a stunning river canyon and a must-see for any traveller. It earned its name from an ancient story in which a tiger successfully eluded a hunter by jumping across the narrowest gap in this mighty canyon. Home to the indigenous Nakhi people, the region features a plethora of micro-ecosystems and hiking opportunities.

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Cocktails and Dinner – 18:00: Gather together to sip cocktails on a platform overlooking the Old Town. For dinner, enjoy a special menu of seasonal Nakhi cuisine. There will be a live performance on the guzheng (a traditional Chinese instrument) during cocktails.

Day 10 Tuesday, 17 September 2019Amanyangyun, Ming Courtyard Suite (Shanghai,China)Included Meals: B D

07:00: Meet in the lobby for your private transfer tothe airport (approximately 1 hour).

09:00–TBA: Private jet from Lijiang to Zhangjiajie.

Brunch will be served on board the jet during thisflight.

Upon arrival in Zhangjiajie, private transfer toWulingyuan (approximately 1 hour).


Kindly note that touring in Zhangjiajie National Park must be by shared shuttle bus, because no private cars are allowed in the park.

Zhangjiajie National Park: Deep in Hunan Province,Zhangjiajie National Park has massive quartzitesandstone pillars that are over 750 metres (2,600 feet) tall. The National Park is home to more than 3,000 of these towering formations, the result of erosion over centuries, which can be seen as you hike through the lush greenery. Explore the dense foliage in the humid climate and look for the ‘Avatar Hallelujah Mountain’, so-named after its appearance in the January 2010 film, Avatar.

Bailong Sky Lift: Take the Bailong Elevator, a.k.a. theHundred Dragons Elevator. Regarded as the world’s highest and heaviest elevator, the sky lift stands over 300 metres (1,000 feet) high, and scales the side of a massive cliff in the Wulingyuan region. This will takeyou to a viewpoint, providing stunning vistas of

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Zhangjiajie National Park. Those with a fearof heights should be wary: this lift is infamous for causing powerful bouts of vertigo. Please note that there will be a long queue to take the elevator; however, we recommend you visit to see this architectural wonder.

17:00: Private transfer back to the Zhangjiajie airport(approximately 1 hour).

19:00–21:00: Private jet from Zhangjiajie to Shanghai(2 hours).


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SHANGHAI, CHINA Shanghai is one of Asia’s most dynamic metropolises, buzzing with new architecture, world-class dining, shopping, arts and nightlife. Of the city’s many unique traits, perhaps the most striking is its mix of architectural styles: traditional Chinese, European colonial and ultra-modern. From the dense shikumen, two- to three-storey tenements protected by brick walls, to the stately, colonnaded financial buildings on the Bund, to the newest stamps on the city’s landscape made by the world’s ‘starchitects’, Shanghai’s skyline is truly unforgettable.

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AMANYANGUNAman’s fourth property in China is a tranquil village of historic dwellings, surrounded by sacred camphor woodland – a peaceful, introspective setting that belies its proximity to vibrant downtown Shanghai. Both forest and village tell an incredible story – of millennia of history, daring engineering feats and a philanthropic endeavour spanning hundreds of kilometres along the country’s eastern reaches.

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SUITES & VILLAS

Surrounded by the camphor forest, Amanyangyun’s Suites and Villas are a mix of historic and contemporary dwellings that harmonise with their environment. Light-filled and embracing woodland views, Amanyangyun’s Suites combine expansive living areas with tranquil courtyards, creating an inviting retreat throughout the seasons. Each Club Suite features two courtyards, one of which includes a fireplace, and an outdoor bathtub and shower. Safeguarding a piece of Chinese history, each of the Antique Villas has been meticulously and sensitively restored to include four Suites, divided between the historic villa and a newly built wing. Combining contemporary comforts with a restful, nature-inspired aesthetic, each Suite has a private courtyard from which to enjoy the forested surroundings in peaceful seclusion.

DINING FACILITIES

Amanyangyun’s six dining venues – including Lazhu (Chinese), Arva (Italian), Nama (Japanese), The Bar and Cigar Lounge – each enjoy a distinctive ambience. From fine dining to relaxed alfresco meals, guests can expect the freshest locally sourced delicacies wherever they choose to dine.

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Day 10 Tuesday, 17 September 2019Amanyangyun, Ming Courtyard Suite (Shanghai,China)Included Meals: B D

20:00: Arrive in Shanghai by private jet.

Private transfer to Amanyangyun (approximately 1hour).

Day 11Wednesday, 18 September 2019Amanyangyun, Ming Courtyard Suite (Shanghai,China)Included Meals: B




Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall with Expert:Visit the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall,which presents Shanghai’s past, present and futurefrom an urban planning perspective. Housed in astriking modern five-storey building made of microliteglass, this is one of the world’s largest showcases ofurban development and renewal. The highlight is onthe third floor: an awesome vast scale model of urbanShanghai as it will look in 2020, along with descriptionsof world-renowned architects and their projectscurrently under construction in the city.

Bund Walking Tour with Expert: Enjoy a lively tour of the city via its architecture, which encompassesclassical Chinese, Sino-European versions of ArtDeco architectural styles and contemporary designs.An expert will regale you with tales of the city’s pastand present as they relate to single-storey shikumendwellings and towering skyscrapers. Great foreigncommercial houses, banks and consulates built theirimposing office buildings on this stretch of Zhongshan

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Lu on the Huangpu River. The area was initially a Britishsettlement; later the British and American settlementswere combined into the International Settlement.

Lunch: Have lunch at a restaurant of your choice.

M50 Art District with Expert: One of the best placesto view (or even buy) contemporary art in Shanghai isamong the galleries in the Moganshan Lu warehousedistrict, colloquially known as ‘M50’. Start at the city’sfirst contemporary art space, ShanghART Gallery,which focuses on local artists and, to a lesser degree,the rest of China, and then stop by the massive ArtScene Warehouse.

Day 12Thursday, 19 September 2019Amanyangyun, Ming Courtyard Suite (Shanghai,China)Included Meals: B D




Yu Gardens: Visit the old Chinese city and the YuGardens. The Yu Gardens are the most celebratedclassical Chinese gardens in Shanghai, capturing the essence of southern Chinese landscape design from the Ming and Qing dynasties and characterised by an exquisite layout, beautiful scenery and artistic architecture.

Jade Buddha Temple: Built between 1918 and 1928, Jade Buddha Temple is a Chinese Buddhist temple recognised for its symmetrical halls and bright yellow walls. Explore its rooms and halls, which contain statues of Buddha, paintings, Buddhist scriptures and various other relics. The highlights of this working temple are a pure jade seated Buddha and reclining jade Buddha, both originally from Burma. The seated Buddha is said to weigh over 900 kilograms (2,000 pounds) and is decorated in agates and emeralds.

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Shanghai Tower: Completed in 2014, the Shanghai Tower stands at 632 metres (2,073 feet) tall, making it the second tallest building in the world and the tallest building by height to highest useable floor. Take a trip up to the observation deck to get an excellent view of Pudong’s ultramodern skyline.

Lunch: Have lunch at a restaurant of your choice.

French Concession Streets: Relive Shanghai’s Jazz-Ageheyday while strolling the tree-shaded streets of theFrench Concession, whose Huaihai Road is lined withsmart boutiques. Little disrupts the pre-World War IIlayout and architecture of the neighbourhood, making it easy to imagine the glamorous life of Shanghai’s elite.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY:

Jewish History Tour: Go on a private Jewish history tour with one of the world’s foremost experts on the little-known history of Jewish life in Shanghai. Drive to Hongkou District, an area of great historical significance, as well as other important sites in the city. Jews have long been in Asia; the first Jews to arrivein Shanghai came from Iraq via India in the 1840s andsoon made this formerly sleepy town on the HuangpuRiver the ‘Pearl of the Orient’.

Farewell cocktails and dinner - 18:00: Gather for cocktails and enjoy a Kunqu Opera performance, followed by dinner together.

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Day 13Friday, 20 September 2019Included Meals: B


Official check-out time is at 12:00. Leave your luggage with the bell desk and enjoy the hotel’s facilities until your private transfer.

Private transfer to the airport (approximately 1 hour).

End of Aman Remote Lands Private Jet Expedition.

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Some of her most memorable travel experiences include having a private lunch with the Queen of Bhutan in her palace; a magical New Year’s Eve in Mongolia sharing a ger with a nomad family at -37°C (-35°F); hiking to far-flung hill tribe villages off the grid in eastern Myanmar; off-piste skiing in Gulmarg, Kashmir, in 1989; trekking alone in the Everest region of Nepal; taking a private helicopter up to view the peak of the third highest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga in Sikkim; cruising in Siberia from the Arctic Circle to Vladivostok in a Russian icebreaker; chartering a private plane to visit remote corners of the Gobi Desert and eastern Mongolia; getting married in an Iban tribal longhouse in Borneo, a Hindu temple in Kerala and a Buddhist temple in Bhutan; and travelling solo across North Korea.

Catherine (née Evans) graduated from Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, and then headed to New York to attend Columbia University (Barnard College) in 1980. This was the first year Columbia offered Computer Science as a major, and her instinct told her computers would become increasingly integral to business and life in general. She earned her BA in Computer Science in 1984 and then spent four years writing code for Wall Street’s L.F. Rothschild, Unterberg, Towbin while attending NYU’s Stern School of Business, but she left for Hong Kong before earning her MBA.

She lives with her husband, Donald Heald, a collector and purveyor of rare books and manuscripts, and their white Labrador, Bali, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side and in Sherman, CT. Her proudest accomplishments include having been the youngest female CEO of a publicly traded American company at the age of 33 (as Catherine Winchester); being featured onstage with Bill Gates in two of his major keynote speeches in 1991 and 1993; and finishing the 1985 NYC Marathon in 101st place with a time of 3:17. She still runs 40 miles a week, albeit rather slowly now, and credits running and the self-discipline she learned from daily training as being the foundation for all her achievements in life.

TOUR LEADERCatherine E. HealdCEO and Co-Founder of Remote Lands

Catherine is an adventurer, an Asiaphile and a serial entrepreneur. She describes her greatest fear in life as mediocrity, her second greatest as boredom and the combination as the stimulus for Remote Lands. A former software engineer and technology entrepreneur, she considers herself lucky to have found her true calling at the age of 42, and to have been able to turn her life’s passion for Asian travel into her profession.

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Client AgreementI, the client, acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied for the trip as specified above. I understand that I may travel to remote countries

and areas in Asia that are inherently risky including the above-stated destinations. I am prepared to assume the risks associated with this trip

including: forces of nature; weather; terrorism; civil unrest; war; strikes; local laws; accidents; and all transportation including land vehicles,

boats and aircraft that are not necessarily operated or maintained to standards found in North America. I assume all risks associated with altitude,

illness, physical injuries sustained, disease, alcohol consumption, physical exertion and sporting activities, knowing that access to evacuation

and/or suitable medical supplies and support may not be available. I also assume full responsibility for my own baggage and personal possessions

and effects.

Remote Lands, Inc., including its officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and successors, does not own or operate any entity which is

a service provider for client journeys. Remote Lands purchases all transportation, accommodation, dining and all other services from a variety of

independent entities. Remote Lands is not responsible or liable for the gross negligence or intentional acts by any service provider or other third

party.

I agree that I am responsible for purchasing comprehensive travel and emergency medical insurance that will cover all expenses related to trip

cancellation; loss of luggage and personal effects; medical expenses including evacuation; and all other issues related to personal injury, death,

property damage, or other loss, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity which may be occasioned by reason of (1) any wrongful, negligent,

willful or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any service provider including airlines, hotels and restaurants, or their employees or

agents or any other third party (2) any defect or failure of any vehicle, equipment, aircraft or instrument owned by any service provider (3) any

wrongful, negligent, willful or unauthorized acts or omissions on the part of any third party.

I understand that unforeseen events beyond the immediate control of Remote Lands may occur, such as flight/train/boat/other transportation

cancellations, hotel issues/problems, and other unexpected schedule changes. I agree that Remote Lands is not responsible for such

unanticipated and uncontrollable changes, and that any expenses resulting from such changes (e.g. additional hotel, transportation, or guide

fees, etc.) would be my sole responsibility, and I further understand that I may be eligible to recoup such costs from my travel insurance carrier.

I hereby agree that everyone in my party, including myself, is of adequate health, and no one has any physical condition or disability that could

prevent them from taking part in the journey or present a hazard to themselves, or have, hereby, disclosed any conditions that may hinder our/my

ability to endure the exertions of this trip.

By accepting this document I agree to take full responsibility for my own and the members of my party’s actions, safety and welfare, including

unanticipated events including injury, illness, theft, emotional trauma, death, forces of nature, war and terrorism. I hereby release and discharge

Remote Lands, Inc. and its agents and employees from and against any and all liability arising from my participation in the above trip. I agree that

this release will be legally binding upon me, my heirs, successors, assigns and legal representatives, it being my intention to fully assume all risk of

travel and to release Remote Lands, Inc. from any and all liabilities to the maximum extent permitted by law.

For information concerning possible dangers at destinations, Remote Lands recommends contacting the Travel Warnings Section of the U.S. State

Department at (202) 647-5225 or www.travel.state.gov. For medical information, Remote Lands recommends contacting the Centers for Disease

Control at (877) FYI-TRIP or www.cdc.gov/travel.

I assume full and complete responsibility for checking and verifying any and all conditions regarding health, safety, security, political stability,

and labor or civil unrest at such destination(s). It is my responsibility to obtain any vaccinations or medications. Any issues or claims relating to

terms and conditions or in any way relating to the journey shall be settled by binding arbitration in the State of New York, in accordance with the

current rules of the American Arbitration Association.

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For reservations or more information, email [email protected] or call +1 646 403 4128

aman private jet expedition 8–20 september 2019 china china... · french technique meets japanese...

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