Past, present and future meet with compelling intensity in Beijing – yet you’ll find captivating calm too if you know where to look. We asked our three Les Clef d’Or members and our resident artist to share their insights into Beijing. Having lived in the city for more than 80 years between them, they know its secrets and specialties inside and out – and they’re always ready to knock on the doors you wish to open.
A moody image of a man walking along a red building that is covered with shadows of bare trees

Our Chief Concierge’s Favourite Stops on a Walking Tour

– Peter Tang, Chief Concierge

“The best way to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and subtleties of Beijing is with a walking tour. I always recommend starting at the Lama Temple, the most famous Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of Tibet, with the equally impressive Confucius Temple across the road. Another great stop is Nanluoguxiang – an 800-year-old, 768-metre hutong (narrow street) and one of Beijing’s most atmospheric ancient alleyways. It paves the way to a hidden world of coffee shops, live music venues and souvenir stops.”

A close up of hands holding a small dough crust with a red sauce inside

Where Our Assistant Chief Concierge Dines on His Day Off

– Herry Zhu, Assistant Chief Concierge

“I’m always torn on my favourite Beijing dishes, but I have to recommend Peking duck, zhajiang noodles and the traditional hot pot – especially at Na Jia Xiao Guan, which still uses traditional recipes. A cooking class adds another delicious layer to your city experience; we can arrange for you to discover the secrets of noodle-making and stir-frying with Beijing’s street food vendors.”

Sunset over mountain, trees with Great Wall of China along side

Our Resident Artist’s Favourite Mountain Views

– Vivi Wan, Resident Artist

“If you truly want to feel the rich history of China beneath your feet, head over to Jinshanling Great Wall. This part of the Great Wall remains wild and mostly untouched, and you can hike along the wall to see the beauty of the area, whether the mountain peaks or the clear blue sky. Our Concierge can even arrange a private helicopter tour over the Mutianyu Great Wall.”

Ms. Wan Jin Yu(Vivi) paints a blue floral painting

Where Our Assistant Chief Concierge Indulges in the Arts

– Chris Liu, Assistant Chief Concierge

“The city’s thriving modern arts scene starts right here at the Hotel. We have an incredibly talented artist-in-residence, Vivi Wan, whose “Blue Sunflower” series adorns the Executive Club Lounge. Vivi is available to take you on a private tour of UCCA, China’s leading contemporary art institution, where she’ll guide you through the exhibits. We’ve recently partnered with UCCA to offer our guests insider access to elite exhibitions and events.”