Beijing

The Palace Museum occupies the Forbidden City, the vast walled palace that served Ming and Qing emperors for nearly five centuries. A sequence of gates, ceremonial halls, courtyards and residential compounds extends along Beijing’s central axis, with golden roofs, red w...

Badaling is the best-known section of the Ming Great Wall, built across a strategic mountain pass northwest of Beijing. Massive stone and brick ramparts follow steep ridgelines between watchtowers, creating the iconic image of the wall rising and falling across northern...

Prince Kung’s Mansion is the most complete surviving Qing princely residence in Beijing, combining a formal mansion with an extensive rear garden. The axial halls, courtyards and residential buildings express the rank and domestic organization of an elite household, whi...

Mutianyu is a long Ming Great Wall section northeast of Beijing, distinguished by dense forest, varied watchtower forms and dramatic changes in elevation. The wall runs across a high ridge with closely spaced towers, double-sided battlements and complex defensive struct...

The Temple of Heaven is a vast imperial ritual complex where Ming and Qing emperors performed ceremonies intended to maintain harmony between heaven, earth and the state. The circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Imperial Vault of Heaven and open Circular Mound Alt...

The Summer Palace is an imperial garden centered on Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, where palaces, temples, pavilions and long corridors are composed within a vast landscape of water and mountain. The eastern palace zone contains formal administrative and residential s...

The National Museum of China occupies the eastern side of Tiananmen Square and holds vast collections covering Chinese archaeology, history, art and modern political development. Monumental galleries present objects from prehistoric cultures, bronze-age states, imperial...

Tiananmen Square is the monumental civic space at the center of modern Beijing, framed by Tiananmen Gate, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China and the Zhengyangmen axis. Its enormous paved expanse was shaped in the twentieth century for state cerem...

Established in 1864, this is the flagship location of China's most famous roast duck brand. Walking into this historic building feels like stepping back into the Qing Dynasty, with its grand traditional decor and museum-like atmosphere. The duck is roasted using open-fi...

Bianyifang is the oldest roast duck restaurant in Beijing, dating back to 1416. Unlike Quanjude, it uses the 'closed-oven' roasting method, which keeps the duck exceptionally juicy while achieving a delicate, thin crispness on the skin. The interior blends traditional C...

Chef Dong Zhenxiang has revolutionized Peking Duck by creating the 'Super Lean' version, which has significantly less fat than traditional recipes. The Nanxincang branch is housed in a beautifully converted Ming Dynasty granary, offering a sophisticated fusion of ancien...

Siji Minfu has become the 'people's favorite' for high-quality, authentic roast duck at reasonable prices. This specific branch is world-famous for its window seats that offer a direct, stunning view of the Forbidden City’s moat and corner towers. The atmosphere is live...

TRB Hutong offers one of the most unique dining experiences in the world, located within a 600-year-old restored Buddhist temple complex. The contrast between the ancient, weathered walls and the sleek, modern European fine dining service is breathtaking. The service is...

Founded by the descendants of the Qing Dynasty’s imperial court caterer, this restaurant serves authentic 'Manchu-Han' imperial recipes once enjoyed by the Empress Dowager Cixi. Located in a modest hutong house, the lack of flashy signage belies the ultra-exclusive culi...

Nanmen (South Gate) is a temple to the traditional copper-pot, charcoal-fired hot pot. It is famous for its high-quality, hand-cut mutton sourced from Inner Mongolia. The atmosphere is loud, social, and quintessentially Beijing, with steam rising from hundreds of bubbli...

Founded in 1903, Donglaishun is an 'Intangible Cultural Heritage' brand and the gold standard for Halal mutton hot pot in Beijing. The restaurant uses traditional cloisonné copper pots and burning charcoal. The meat is sliced 'as thin as paper and as uniform as silk,' w...

As one of Beijing's most storied luxury hotels, The Peninsula recently underwent a massive renovation to become an all-suite property. The entrance features a grand traditional Chinese gate that leads into a lobby inspired by imperial architecture but finished with mode...

Located just steps from the East Gate of the Summer Palace, this resort is housed in a series of heritage pavilions that once hosted guests of the Empress Dowager Cixi. The architecture is pure Ming Dynasty style, featuring internal courtyards and intricate woodwork. Th...

The Bulgari Hotel is an 'urban resort' that blends Italian contemporary design with Chinese cultural touches. Situated in the heart of the embassy district next to the Liangma River, it features lush private gardens designed by Enzo Enea. The interior is a masterpiece o...

Perched on the top floors of the WF CENTRAL shopping complex, this boutique hotel offers the most dramatic views of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The design is residential and elegant, featuring a world-class collection of contemporary art. The atmosphere is sophistica...

Located at the intersection of Wangfujing and Wusi Street, The PuXuan is an architectural landmark designed by Ole Scheeren. The building’s lower half is a pixelated grey stone 'basement' while the upper glass section offers stunning views of Jingshan Park and the Forbi...

As the first Rosewood property in China, this hotel set a new standard for 'A Sense of Place' in the capital. It is a lush, residential-style sanctuary in the middle of the busy CBD, directly opposite the iconic CCTV building. The design is warm and tactile, featuring c...

Designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, The Opposite House is a masterpiece of contemporary design, featuring a striking emerald-glass exterior. The interior is an open-gallery concept with a soaring atrium that hosts rotating contemporary art installations. The room...

This hotel is a striking blend of modern luxury and traditional heritage, featuring a bronze-clad main tower and a separate Hutong Villa wing built in the style of a Ming Dynasty courtyard. The atmosphere is one of timeless elegance and 'True Waldorf Service.' Expert re...