Nestled within a tranquil valley in Hangzhou, China, it’s no surprise that discerning travellers often retreat to Amanfayun for its serene surroundings and rich history. Hidden among tea fields and woodland, the resort sits just six kilometres away from West Lake, one of China’s most celebrated cultural landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011.
Balancing seclusion with easy access to Hangzhou’s iconic landmarks, the resort’s thoughtful design blends seamlessly with its natural setting, offering travellers a refined retreat where rest and relaxation come together effortlessly.
Waking up to tranquillity is second nature at Amanfayun
Staying at Amanfayun feels less like checking into a hotel and more like being quietly absorbed into a centuries-old village. With only 46 stone dwellings, many of them over a hundred years old, there is an immediate sense of intimacy and stillness. Wherever you stay, from a village room to one of the larger villas, the experience is shaped by the same restored architecture and a rhythm that gently slows you down.
Mornings often begin in the courtyard, light filtering in as the village stirs softly around you. Indoors, the comforts are subtle but deeply considered, warm floors beneath your feet, a daybed for lingering moments, and a desk that invites unhurried writing or thought. Moving through the resort along stone pathways feels instinctive rather than directed, as if wandering a place that has always been there.
The resort’s picturesque settings feel like a haven beyond time
Staying at Amanfayun feels less like checking into a hotel and more like being quietly absorbed into a centuries-old village. With only 46 stone dwellings, many of them over a hundred years old, there is an immediate sense of intimacy and stillness. Wherever you stay, from a village room to one of the larger villas, the experience is shaped by the same restored architecture and a rhythm that gently slows you down.
Mornings often begin in the courtyard, light filtering in as the village stirs softly around you. Indoors, the comforts are subtle but deeply considered, warm floors beneath your feet, a daybed for lingering moments, and a desk that invites unhurried writing or thought. Moving through the resort along stone pathways feels instinctive rather than directed, as if wandering a place that has always been there.
Traditional wellness leads the way to rest and relaxation
Drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese medicine, Amanfayun offers a wide selection of wellness treatments, but it’s the feeling after that makes them truly unforgettable. Behind private treatment rooms, herbal baths fill the air with gentle, fragrant steam, inviting your body and mind to loosen its grip on the day. For a while, the world beyond the resort feels forgotten, and you’re left with the calm of doing nothing.
Included in every Amanfayun stay with T’ROKA is a Singing Bowl Experience for two, a meditative experience that guides guests into deep relaxation. The session, led by a Nepal-certified singing bowl healer and meditation expert, draws your attention to each breath and quiet moment as vibrations ripple through the room, leaving a subtle, lingering calm as the final note fades.
Tucking into the seasonal flavours becomes a moment of indulgence
Beyond caring for the soul, Amanfayun also tends to the appetite, with six dining establishments serving dishes of local and international fare. Meals here are slow and unhurried, and whether you’re tucking into a Chinese set dinner for two at the Steam House or tasting the flavours of the seasonal ingredients along the leafy Fayun Pathway, each moment seems to stretch a little longer, making it a part of the day’s quiet pleasures.
When the mood calls for something more intimate, a table can be laid on the Restaurant’s upper terrace or within the historic Fayun Place. Outside, a thoughtfully prepared picnic complete with fresh bakes and coffee from the Amanfayun Café is also available upon request.
Amanfayun takes you closer to the local community of Hangzhou
To best experience the rhythm and rituals that shape Hangzhou, it’s worth wandering beyond the resort grounds. Fayun Place, which dates back to the 1880s, offers afternoons that drift by, be it while following a calligraphy workshop or sharing thoughtful conversations over a tea tasting ceremony. Traditional melodies from local artists also float gently through the walls, weaving the present with echoes of the past.
A guided stroll down the Temple Trail then leads you to the Lingyin Temple, one of China’s most important sanctuaries. Its ancient halls and majestic atmosphere encourage reflective moments, leaving you with a sense of belonging to Hangzhou that lingers well beyond your stay.