Ancient Transplants: Relocated History and Camphor Forests in Shanghai

Last updated: July 23, 2026

Shanghai is often defined by its futuristic skyline, but a quiet revolution of heritage preservation lies within its most exclusive retreats. This collection focuses on the extraordinary phenomenon of 'ancient transplants'—where entire villages, Ming and Qing dynasty villas, and thousands of ancient camphor trees were physically relocated to save them from destruction. From the miraculous conservation efforts at Amanyangyun in the Minhang District to the restored Shikumen architecture of Capella Shanghai in the Xuhui preservation zone, these properties offer a profound connection to the past. Visitors will discover a sanctuary where the meticulously reconstructed history of Jiangxi meets the modern elegance of Songjiang and the colonial charm of the Former French Concession.

No. 01

The historic Art Deco facade of the Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai rising above a lush, sprawling green garden with ancient camphor trees.

58 Mao Ming Road South. Shanghai China

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Why Choose Shanghai for Ancient Transplants: Relocated History and Camphor Forests?

The concept of "Ancient Transplants" in Shanghai represents one of the most ambitious cultural preservation efforts in modern hospitality. Travelers are not merely booking a room; they are witnessing the salvation of Chinese heritage. Properties like Amanyangyun stand as a testament to this, where 50 antique villas and 10,000 camphor trees were transported 700 kilometers from Fuzhou to Shanghai to prevent them from being submerged by a reservoir. This collection offers a rare blend of environmental stewardship and ultra-luxury, allowing guests to touch bricks laid centuries ago and walk beneath trees that have stood for a millennium.

Top Areas to Stay for Historic Immersion

Minhang District (Maqiao): The home of Amanyangyun. This area is perfect for those seeking seclusion, ancient forests, and a resort-style experience that feels worlds away from the Bund.
Xuhui District (Former French Concession): Here you find Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li and the InterContinental Shanghai Ruijin. Stay here to experience the "Shikumen" lanes and colonial-era garden estates that define Old Shanghai's glamour.
Songjiang District: Known as the "Root of Shanghai," this area hosts the Hilton Shanghai Songjiang Guangfulin, located within a cultural relic park, offering a deep dive into the region's archaeological history.

What to Expect from These Heritage Properties

Expect a profound sense of tranquility and a focus on craftsmanship. Hotels like Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao and the Bulgari Hotel Shanghai (which integrates the historic Chamber of Commerce building) blend ancient aesthetics with contemporary comfort. You will find interiors featuring golden nanmu wood, stone courtyards, and tea ceremonies rooted in tradition, all paired with world-class amenities like Aman Spas and Michelin-starred dining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.What is the story behind Amanyangyun's relocated trees?

Amanyangyun involves a massive conservation project where 10,000 ancient camphor trees and 50 Ming and Qing dynasty villas were relocated 700km from Jiangxi to Shanghai to save them from a dam reservoir project.

Q.Which hotel in Shanghai offers the best Shikumen architecture experience?

Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li is the only all-villa urban resort located within a preserved Shikumen lane, offering an authentic experience of 1930s Shanghai stone-gate architecture.

Q.Are these historic hotels located in the city center?

It varies. Capella and Bulgari are in central districts (Xuhui and Jing'an), while Amanyangyun and Hilton Songjiang are in the outskirts (Minhang and Songjiang), offering a more secluded, resort-like atmosphere.

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If historic preservation usually implies dust, Bulgari makes it drip with high-gloss Italian nonchalance. This isn’t just a hotel; it’s a confident dialogue between the painstakingly restored 1916 Shanghai Chamber of Commerce and the sleek, 48-story tower rising behind it. The theme here is 'Ancient Transplants'—literally. The property relocated ancient camphor trees to frame the historic red-brick courtyard, creating a fabricated yet convincing forest that whispers of old Shanghai before you even hit the lobby. Inside, Antonio Citterio’s design rejects the usual Chinoiserie clichés for a 'private residence of a Milanese billionaire' vibe. The guest rooms are lessons in restraint: black lacquer, bronze, and breathtaking views of the Bund that look cinematic from the low-slung Italian furniture. A witty warning: the matte-black closets are so chic they absorb all light—you might need your phone torch to find your silk shirt. Dining is non-negotiable. Skip the club sandwich; you are here for the minimalist perfection of Niko Romito’s spaghetti with lobster at Il Ristorante, or the Michelin-starred haute Cantonese at Bao Li Xuan in the heritage building. Downstairs, the 2,000-square-meter spa is a subterranean temple of Vicenza stone and Augustinus Bader facials. It’s expensive, yes, but for those who prefer their history served with impeccable Italian tailoring, there is no substitute.

Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao

It takes a certain kind of audacity to dismantle a 600-year-old Ming Dynasty courthouse in Anhui, truck it to Shanghai, and reassemble it as a hotel lobby. Yet, standing beneath the soaring, complex wooden joinery of the 'Wu Feng Lou' (Five Phoenix Court) at Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao, the effort feels less like a stunt and more like a conservation miracle. This isn't just a place to sleep; it is a museum where you are allowed to touch the exhibits. The thirty-five villas are an exercise in monastic chic—high walls ensure absolute privacy, shielding you from the weekend crowds of the nearby Zhujiajiao Ancient Town. Inside, the austerity of the dark wood beams is softened by the necessary 21st-century indulgences: heated floors, Bose sound systems, and Dyson hair dryers that purr rather than roar. The bathroom amenities are Diptyque, a sharp, modern botanical choice that cuts through the heavy history. Dining here is hyper-local. The Ahn Luh Dining Room avoids the trap of generic hotel food by leaning into its geography. Order the steamed white water fish—caught from the local waterways—which is served with a delicacy that rivals any Michelin table in the Bund. Service is led by butlers (often named Jerry or Tina in recent logs) who master the art of being present but invisible. The lack of a proper gym is a calculated omission; you are here to walk the courtyards, not run on a treadmill. It is expensive, yes. But you are paying for the silence, the frighteningly high thread count, and the chance to wake up in a scene that looks like it was directed by Zhang Yimou.

“Book the 'Courtyard Villa with Pool' if you visit in summer; only four villas actually have private outdoor pools. Also, skip the hotel breakfast one morning to eat 'zongzi' (sticky rice dumplings) from the street vendors at Fangsheng Bridge, a 10-minute walk away.”

Insider Tip

Curating the next chapter

Ancient Transplants: Relocated History and Camphor Forests in Shanghai

Why Choose Shanghai for Ancient Transplants: Relocated History and Camphor Forests?

Top Areas to Stay for Historic Immersion

What to Expect from These Heritage Properties

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.What is the story behind Amanyangyun's relocated trees?

Q.Which hotel in Shanghai offers the best Shikumen architecture experience?

Q.Are these historic hotels located in the city center?

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Amanyangyun

Bulgari Hotel Shanghai

Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao

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Hilton Shanghai Songjiang Guangfulin

Shanghai Luxury Hotels with pool

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Shanghai Budget Hotels

Shanghai Business Hotels with view