Emperor Tree Seedlings

Amanyangyun Experience

Amanyangyun’s story began over 700 kilometres from Shanghai in rural Fuzhou, a region characterised by camphor forests and historic villages. 

When plans for a much-needed reservoir were approved in 2002, a Fuzhou-born entrepreneur worked to relocate 50 Ming- and Qing-dynasty villas and ten thousand of the trees to Shanghai. These historic remnants of old China would later be sensitively restored, becoming Aman’s fourth retreat in China.

Two decades later, an established forest has flourished, with one central 80-tonne Emperor Tree at its heart. In homage to this tree, Amanyangyun introduced an Emperor Tree Seedlings Program this spring, cultivating the seeds that fall from the tree by drying, selecting, and sowing them by hand. The resort’s gardeners carefully nurture the seedlings to germinate, before transferring them into pots in Cultural Discovery Center where little ones are invited to assist, learn and share the responsibility of these precious plants, securing their future for years to come. 

At the Cultural Discovery Centre, little guests are invited to cultivate the seedlings of Amanyangyun’s Emperor Tree. Precious and limited in number, the resort’s team of gardens share the story of growth of the seedlings in this heart-warming and educational experience.