Set Lijiang Old Town, an UNESCO site, Amandayan is designed in the local Lijiang style with the buildings “in close proximity of each other along a meandering pathway and sudden turns,” says designer Jaya Ibrahim, who worked on the interiors of the building that comprise the resort.

Ibrahim designed rugs based on a geometric Tibetan style in wool silk. In addition, wall lamps are decorated with a finial supporting a lotus leaf, and table lamps are fashioned from a stylized poppy flower.

The 35 suites highlight the region. Fabrics are sourced locally, including pine from Shangri-La while stone floors reference the mountains. Furniture is influenced by the South China style.

Other important design elements include “a bed runner based on an 18th century batik pattern, and a fragment of the original one framed and hung in each guest room,” says Ibrahim.

Lijiang is the start and final destination of the ancient southern Silk Road, and the property takes its cues from this history. “With the style of the architecture it gives the impression that Amandayan is part of the ancient city itself,” he says. “This was a deliberate choice as per Adrian Zecha’s [chairman of Aman Resorts] direction.”