Copyright: Aske Munck
When strolling about the Louvre in Paris, the Winter Palace in St.Petersburg, or the Vatican City in Rome you inevitably wonder what it would be like to actually live in these imposing and lavishly ornamented structures. To be king, tsar or even pope for a day.
The same feeling strikes you when you meander about the grandiose Summer Palace on the outskirts of the Chinese capital Beijing. For the sheer immensity of this superb castle complex that envelops the Kunming Lake is absolutely breathtaking. The garden layout and the current buildings date from the late 19th century when dowager empress Cixi completely renovated the gardens that had been annihilated by the French and the Brits, and went on to move her court and administration out here, where she – not unlike the French kings in Versailles – led a decadent life, aloof from the struggles of her pauperized subjects.
Copyright: Aske Munck
We, however, need not leave it to our imagination to see what it would be like to be emperor for a day. In stead we approach a hidden gateway within the palace east gate and place a simple phone call. Within minutes the shuffling sound of hasty footsteps is heard behind the door, which suddenly springs open, revealing a well-combed bellhop holding a plate with two steaming mini towels to wipe off the dirt from our sightseeing odyssey. “Did you have a nice visit?” the bellhop asks politely as he beckons us to enter the hidden gateway.
Copyright: Aske Munck
For the recently opened Aman at Summer Palace is actually next door to the Summer Palace, situated in a series of completely refurbished annexes that were used to house nobles and businessmen waiting for an audience with the emperor.
Copyright: Aske Munck
We stroll through the resort’s maze of beautiful pavilions, some of which house the exuberant suites, while others are used for the restaurants that offer exquisite Cantonese, French and Japanese cuisine.
In the cigar room a couple of Chinese businessmen seem to be enjoying what smells like a couple of well kept Cuban Cohibas, and in the game room two Canadian gentlemen are trying the refined art of calligraphy under the supervision of a Chinese master.
Copyright: Aske Munck
We pass the lobby, where the soft background music is provided by a discreetly placed woman playing Mandarin tunes on a liuqin (Chinese mandolin), and head for the underground wellness area.
After an almost two hour long massage in the opulent spa which is not unlike the classic underground lairs of the James Bond villains, we go for a swim in the 25 metre long indoor pool, where a waiter immediately appears to supply us with cold mineral water and iced chunks of kiwi, lychee and strawberry to sooth you after a couple of arduous crawl-laps.
Copyright: Aske Munck
And later on? It’s a tough choice of catching a movie in the 35 seat in-house cinema or hanging back in our abundant suite watching a DVD or just bubbling away in the tub.
So much to do, so little time. No wonder emperors had little time to mingle with the people.
AMAN RESORT AT SUMMER PALACE; 15 Gongmenqian Street; Summer Palace, Beijing