A very good question (and we bet the answer will surprise you). First things first, it’s not really called the Forbidden City, at least not these days. If you want to get there in a Beijing taxi, you’ll tell the driver “gugong”, which means, roughly, “former palace”.
After months of construction, the new Drum & Bell Tower Square has suddenly and unexpectedly been unveiled a week ahead of schedule…and it’s better than we thought!
Through an unmarked entrance on a quiet alleyway, a quartet of foreigners have done the unthinkable by opening (they claim) the first dedicated Baijiu Bar in the world. Baijiu, literally “white liquor”, refers to China’s best loved tipple, a clear firewater older than Buddhism with a kick like a cross camel.
Hidden gem courtyard hotels are truly the best kind of surprise. You pick your way down a grey alleyway, past dusty bicycles and gossiping old ladies, and emerge into an oasis of comfort, calm and hospitality. Beijing’s The Orchid is the master of this transition, but another, brand new courtyard hotel has the same moves under its hat: introducing Le Zai Hotel.
We’ve been hard at work for months building a brilliant portfolio of Shanghai Signature Experiences designed to blow your minds. In a good way! Because we believe that the key to appreciating a place is by seeing, understanding, being inspired, and having a fabulous time. Here are six ways to do just that in China’s second city. Click through to our brand new Bespoke Shanghai website to discover even more of the best things to do in Shanghai.
Seeking out great dim sum this far north of the Pearl River Delta was once a quest doomed to failure. The naysayers will tell you there is NO good dim sum in Beijing. One must journey to Guangdong or Hong Kong for a bona fide cha siu bao fix. Well, naysayers… prepare to eat your negative words, drizzled in tangy XO sauce and bound up in a lightly steamed bun.
Jing Yaa Tang at the Opposite House, best known for classic Peking duck with all the fixings, has come to the rescue of forlorn foodies with one of the best lunchtime dim sum fests the capital has ever known. Every day from 12pm-2.30pm, the all-you-can-eat dim sum deal comes in at RMB 118 per person (+15%), with each dish you order on the check-box menu served to order.
