My first taste of what life at Amanyangyun is like occurs while dining at Yinlu, the property’s very own Cantonese hotpot style restaurant. Amidst platters of fresh fish and meat, a humble plate of greens is what catches my attention. “What you’re looking at is wa wa cai,” my server explains, gesturing at its bountiful spread of pale green leaves. “Some of our guests don’t find it particularly palatable as it has a sharp and acidic flavour. However, we are firm believers in the adage that good medicine tastes bitter. It might be difficult to kick things off at first, but the end justifies the means.”
That’s not to say that hardship is a prerequisite of your stay. At the end of the day, Amanyangyun is a luxury resort; a highly-revered one, we might add, that is regarded as the paradigm of personable service and exquisite storytelling. Rooms come in a variety of configurations to suit a multitude of needs, from sprawling, four-bedroom villas to compact and comfortable suites that sleep two. Guests can choose from an assemblage of restaurants that specialise in different cuisines including Italian and flavourful Jiangxi fare. Its spa and wellness centre is the biggest in Shanghai.
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Bearing this in mind, it’s safe to say that trials and tribulations are far from mind amidst Amanyangyun’s splendour. Unless of course, the purpose of your visit lies in undergoing a total lifestyle overhaul. My goals, for example, skews towards that vein; I was hoping to unlearn bad habits as well as adopt new practices that encourage a more calm, centred existence. Out with the chaos of the old, and in with more purposeful choices that better my state of being—even if it takes a considerable amount of work.
A strong foundation
On this front, Amanyangyun is all-set to deliver. As expected, most of its comprehensive menu of treatments harbours roots in traditional Chinese practices—many of which require a level of perseverance and commitment to witness optimal results. The incorporation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for one, can sometimes encompass the consuming of less-than-appetising herbs. Tuina may feel unsettling for first-timers thanks to the utilisation of techniques that translates to a vastly different sensation from the typical massage. Long story short: some degree of labour and discomfort is expected to reap the best results.
And that’s just within the physical realm. In terms of bolstering emotional wellbeing, Amanyangyun sets itself apart with their cultural centre, Nan Shufang. While yoga, pilates and sound healing are still options for anyone seeking calm, the property takes it a step further with group classes celebrating traditional Chinese art forms. Think calligraphy, or learning to play the guqin; one-of-a-kind ventures that encourage deep reflection alongside concise thinking.
A sturdy trunk
In my case, I entered the hallowed halls of Amanyangyun with the purpose of ridding myself of the numerous toxins—physical and mental—garnered from my everyday life. After expressing my concerns to their expert team, an itinerary was crafted. My day began with a hearty breakfast at Arva, the resort’s breakfast spot and Italian eatery parked right by its expansive lake. I’d need energy for the first item on my agenda: a brush painting class within Nan Shunfang. Its imposing, gargantuan structure is crafted using camphor trees that are up to 500 years old, and is a painstaking recreation of ancient villages within the Jiangxi province.
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Why Jiangxi specifically? I’m told that it is the home of Amanyangyun’s owner. During a fateful visit to his parents in the year 2002, he caught wind of a new project—the building of a reservoir that would destroy a large number of nearby villages and trees. His solution: to tear down, uproot and transport everything to Shanghai, rebuilding it piece-by-piece so as to preserve an essential part of Jiangxi’s history. The end result is a breathtaking structure that feels akin to a sacred space, comprising architectural components that reflect the sagacity of the past.
If anything, it is certainly helpful in getting an individual in the right headspace for their cultural session. Aided along by my ever-patient instructor, I did feel myself slip into a quieter, more serene frame of mind with each paint stroke. Any form of preparation before the actual painting is minimal; no sketching or outlining is required to create your masterpiece. Instead, I am taught the nuances behind the placement of the brush, and how it creates a specific shape or gradient according to the way it is held. I leave feeling significantly more grounded in my body—and also with tangible proof of my newfound steadier disposition.
An unwavering branch
After the calm comes the storm. A guided tour of the Spa and Wellness Centre alongside a brief consultation had led to the conclusion that I should undergo Amanyangyun’s Banya Journey. Beyond the typical spa trappings of plunge pools and jacuzzis, Amanyangyun also contains Hammam and Banya bathing suites that allow for groups up to four to experience contrast therapy as well as massages together. And while I was lacking in the companion department, the constant presence of my brisk, no-nonsense therapist was a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.
I’m informed upon commencement of my treatment that Banya comes with a whole host of benefits that aligns with my goals: detoxification, immune-system bolstering as well as promoting muscle recovery. It begins with some time spent in a blisteringly-hot sauna. I am instructed to lie prone, and to endure the slowly-rising temperatures with each passing minute. I make it to the thirty-minute mark before caving, staggering to the showers to get cleaned off by my therapist in cold water. I’m then escorted back, and asked to lie down on my front instead for the next step: to be (gently) whacked and tussled by eucalyptus leaves. Funny as it is in execution, it is actually known to boost blood circulation and is a lot less painful than it sounds. Another hose-down, and then to the instrumental part of the treatment: a dip in the cold plunge pool.
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I manage it after some difficulty, but can’t summon the courage to put my head underwater despite my therapist’s coaxing. She is thankfully understanding of my limits, and compensates by swaddling me in a labyrinth of towels before spoon-feeding me both honey and lemon until my body cools.
The massage that follows after feels ridiculously satisfying in a way where it feels earned. It is at this moment where I finally grasp the full intention of what my server had meant: does it say anything about the treatment’s actual efficacy? Not fully, though I did feel significantly more alert after and well-rested upon waking the next day. But there is a point to be made about the sense of achievement that is felt when you’ve pushed past the bitter to arrive at the sweet: results—no matter how small—feels doubly rewarding. And sometimes that, in itself, is enough.
