The 51-room Aman at Summer Palace is a series of courtyards, pools and pavilions where guests once waited to see the empress. Pampering begins at the airport where Aman staff awaits to whisk you through security and transport you to the East Gate of the palace. The hotel has its own secret door to the Summer Palace grounds and a subterranean wellness center with Chinese massage, tai chi, squash courts and 25-meter pool. It's 22 kilometers (14 mi.) from Tiananmen Square, but that in itself may be the biggest recommendation. Why do you think the Empress escaped here?

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