Ancient Camphor & Aman Souls: Shanghai's Peripheral Escapes

Last updated: July 23, 2026

While the Bund dazzles with Art Deco grandeur, the true soul of Shanghai's luxury lies in its periphery—a realm of ancient camphor trees, relocated Ming Dynasty villas, and architectural marvels sunken into the earth. This curated collection explores the serene districts of Songjiang, Minhang, and Qingpu, where the frantic pace of the metropolis dissolves into mist-covered waterways and forest sanctuaries.

Here, properties like Amanyangyun and Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao are not just hotels; they are custodians of culture, housing centuries of history within their walls. Whether it is the subterranean wonder of the InterContinental Wonderland or the Zen-focused Anandi in Hongqiao, these escapes offer a profound disconnection from the urban grid, inviting travelers to reconnect with nature, history, and themselves.

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Amanyangyun's antique Ming Dynasty villa courtyard shaded by ancient camphor trees.

6161 Yuanjiang Road. Shanghai 31 China 201111

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Why Choose Shanghai for Ancient Camphor & Aman Souls: Peripheral Escapes?

Shanghai is often defined by its futuristic skyline, but its peripheral districts offer a stark, luxurious contrast rooted in heritage and preservation. The "Ancient Camphor & Aman Souls" collection highlights a unique trend in Chinese luxury hospitality: the painstaking restoration of history combined with modern wellness. Choosing these escapes means prioritizing privacy, architectural significance, and a deep connection to the land. Properties like Amanyangyun represent the pinnacle of this ethos, featuring a forest of camphor trees and antique villas transported 700 kilometers to escape reservoir flooding. It is an experience of living history.

Top Areas to Stay: Songjiang, Qingpu, and Minhang

Songjiang District: Known as the "Root of Shanghai," this area is home to the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, an engineering marvel built into an abandoned quarry, and the Hilton Shanghai Songjiang Guangfulin, which sits amidst archaeological ruins. The Yuluxe Sheshan and Hotel Shanghai Sheshan Oriental offer proximity to the Sheshan National Forest Park.
Qingpu District: For those seeking the romance of water towns, Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao is situated near the ancient Zhujiajiao Water Town. It blends traditional Chinese craftsmanship with modern luxury, perfect for a culturally immersive stay.
Minhang District: Closer to the city yet worlds apart, this area hosts Amanyangyun in the Maqiao area, offering a secluded sanctuary of ancient trees and sleek minimalism.

What to Expect: Wellness, Architecture, and Serenity

Expect a shift from the verticality of Lujiazui to the horizontal tranquility of traditional courtyards and nature-integrated designs. These hotels focus heavily on holistic wellness. For instance, The Anandi Hotel and Spa is dedicated entirely to balancing energy flows. Dining in these peripheral escapes often features farm-to-table concepts, utilizing local produce from the fertile Yangtze Delta. Whether you are exploring the sunken levels of the quarry hotel or sipping tea in a Ming Dynasty pavilion, these escapes promise a soulful journey into the quieter side of Shanghai.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.What is unique about Amanyangyun in Shanghai?

Amanyangyun is famous for its massive relocation project, where thousands of ancient camphor trees and 50 Ming and Qing dynasty villas were transported 700km from Fuzhou to Shanghai to save them from flooding.

Q.Which hotel is built inside a quarry in Shanghai?

The InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland (also known as the Deep Pit Hotel) is an architectural marvel built into the side of an abandoned quarry in Songjiang District, featuring underwater suites.

Q.Is Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao good for a cultural stay?

Yes, Ahn Luh Zhujiajiao is located near the historic Zhujiajiao Water Town and features a restored 600-year-old courthouse (Wufeng Court) and an ancient theater, offering a deeply cultural experience.

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To call Amanyangyun a 'relocation project' is an insult to the sheer logistical madness involved. Kerry Hill’s final masterpiece didn’t just move furniture; it transplanted a forest. Fifty Ming and Qing dynasty villas and 10,000 ancient camphor trees were hauled 700 kilometers from Fuzhou to this quiet corner of Maqiao to escape a reservoir’s rising waters. The result is distinctively moody and tactile. Inside the Antique Villas, the scent of Nanmu wood—historically more valuable than gold—hits you before the air conditioning does. It’s dark, serious, and utterly devoid of the usual beige hotel neutrality. You aren't here for a view of the Bund; you are 27 kilometers away, effectively in a different province, trading skyline selfies for calligraphy sessions in the Nan Shufang cultural pavilion. Dining eschews the predictable. At Lazhu, the Jiangxi cuisine brings a tear-inducing heat, specifically the double-boiled clay pot soup which feels medicinal in the best way. Arva offers Italian reprieve with raw red prawn carpaccio, but the real heavyweight champion is the Spa. At 2,840 square meters, it’s a cathedral of wellness. Forget the gentle aromatherapy; book the Russian Banya. Being beaten with venik leaves by a stoic therapist before plunging into ice water is the reset your nervous system actually needs. Yes, you might hear a faint plane from Hongqiao, but amidst 1,000-year-old trees, who cares?