Beijing is not an especially peaceful city, and less so considering the overhaul it has endured since the Olympic facelift began in 2001. Streets were cleaned up, infrastructure improved and plots of history covered by gleaming skyscrapers in one hot blast of construction dust.
But Beijing has managed to retain its essence. Despite the city's superficial refurbishments, it still has a soul. Perhaps this is because it is China's political and cultural centre. Visitors realise this as they travel past lakes, along highways and through narrow hutong. There is something special here, and immigrants from all over the country and the world have flooded in to be a part of it.
For those seeking a taste of romantic, imperial China, there is a resort that borders one of the historical yet accessible areas of Beijing. The area was formerly used by the Empress Dowager Cixi as her summer abode - the Summer Palace. Next to this walled expanse of lush greenery, set with centuries-old temples, palaces and a lake, is the Aman at Summer Palace.
Aman is the Indonesian word for peace. You only need to walk down the road to the Summer Palace entrance, where buses disgorge streams of tourists, to realise that the serenity inside the resort doesn't come easily.
The architecture is imperial Chinese, with lots of carved dark wood. The layout is a large extended courtyard with narrow walkways - a traditional siheyuan complex - in line with the palace buildings.
The property is walled and secluded but picturesque. Take breakfast by the old willow tree (the resort buildings were constructed around this), pond and pagoda and you'll feel a thousand miles away from Wangfujing, Beijing's top shopping street. Even if the resort is full, the architecture, such as towering ceilings, makes it seem empty.
