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The cult pocket city guides and mobile apps for the busy, sophisticated traveler CITI PRESENTS LUXE CITY GUIDES www.luxecityguides.com

BEIJING IS A CAPITAL OF It’s a striking contrast reflected in the long seen the city as the centre of the EXTREMES, A CITY FILLED city’s plethora of sights, from the narrow universe, now the rest of the world has WITH BOTH MING DYNASTY and winding alleyways, ancient finally turned its eye Beijing-ward. MASTERPIECES AND Summer Palace and , to MODERN ARCHITECTURAL the modern day soaring skyscrapers. MARVELS, WITH A PAST The juxtaposition of old and new is also STEEPED IN RICH HISTORY evident in the food, art, shopping and AND A PRESENT THAT’S nightlife, and though the Chinese have ALL ABOUT BIGGER AND BETTER.

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• Weather: spring (Apr-May) is • Many kitchens close early, so don’t • ATMs have low transaction limits, dry but pleasant with occasional arrive too late. cash up when you can. sandstorms; summer (Jun-mid Sep) is like a moist oven; autumn (mid Sep-Nov) is delightful; your fridge will be warmer in winter (Dec-Mar). • Do expect plenty of spitting and • Intl country code is +86 then 10 staring. for Beijing, which doesn’t have to be dialed locally nor for mobiles (nation-wide). • Beijing Capital airport to town: 45 mins / ~RMB 100. • Avoid the use of public toilets, but do carry tissues in the unfortunate event that you’re horribly caught • Emergency numbers are: 119 for fire, short. 120 for ambulance and 110 for police. • Take only taxis with 京 B (Beijing) plates, or better yet, hire a car and driver, but don’t expect to get anywhere fast, especially during • Expect variable service in hotels and rush hour. restaurants.

• Beijing street names can often seem • Credit cards will often NOT do nicely, meaningless, however, jie means except in hotels, larger restaurants street, lu and dao are road, dajie is and stores; have back-up cash even avenue, xiang is alley, and hutong is if it says they take credit. an alley around traditional courtyard houses, or a cluster of such houses.

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LUXE INSIDER

JEWELLER AND Jehanne De Biolley INTERIOR DESIGNER

Belgian jeweller and interior designer Jehanne has spent the past 20 years in Beijing, where she lives and works with her husband, international actor and designer Liu Linian. Together, the duo launched Liu+deBiolley, applying their classic-eclectic aesthetic to their work, which in addition to furniture and jewellery design has included restorations of Qing and Ming dynasty buildings as well as the award-winning Duge Courtyard boutique hotel.

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LUXE INSIDER

JEWELLER AND Jehanne De Biolley INTERIOR DESIGNER

1) WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE go if you have anything from an hour 5) WHERE DO YOU MUSEUM OR EXHIBIT IN to an entire day! A foot massage is RECOMMEND FRIENDS BEIJING AND WHAT DO YOU where you should start, where you’ll STAY WHEN THEY COME LOVE ABOUT IT? have your feet soaked in an herbal mix TO BEIJING? before the massage. They also offer

traditional Chinese body massages The gigantic stone turtles in the yards If you’re in Beijing for a romantic stay, and other relaxing treatments. of the Confucius Temple situated your best choice will be the Duge near Lama Temple are superb; I love www.bodhi.com.cn Courtyard boutique hotel, a tiny jewel wandering around this less-visited site. with only 6 designer-furnished rooms The grand pine trees inspire respect located in the old part of town off and admiration – and one of them is . If you’re visiting for home to an owl! 4) WHERE WOULD YOU business, the traditional Raffles off of GO FOR A COCKTAIL AND or the St. Regis in WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER? the embassy area will not disappoint. The Opposite House in Sanlitun is a 2) WHERE DO YOU TAKE My all time favorite cocktail is the good option for those who prefer to VISITORS WHEN THEY COME “Passionate Rosemary”, a delicate keep close to the city landmarks. TO VISIT YOU AND WHY? blend of Earl Grey infused gin and www.dugecourtyard.com passion fruit, at Temple Restaurant www.raffles.com/beijing Climbing up the tiny narrow staircase of in the heart of Old Beijing, a stone’s www.stregis.com/beijing the Drum Tower is worth the effort for throw from the Forbidden City. The www.theoppositehouse.com the view over the entire city to the 3rd bartenders compose unique cocktails ring – on a good day you will see as far and pay homage to the surroundings as the CCTV Tower. with infusions of Chinese spices and hand-cut ice. And the restaurant itself, located in Ming Dynasty temple compounds, has exquisite fusion 3) WHERE DO YOU GO FOR A cuisine popular with the fashion and PAMPER SESSION (MASSAGE business elite. OR SPA TREATMENT) www.temple-restaurant.com IN BEIJING?

For a massage my favorite is Bodhi. Located in the Sanlitun area in Eastern Central Beijing, it is the right place to

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LUXE Loves

THE OPPOSITE HOUSE TRB HAIDILAO Hotel Dining Dining

Zen, minimalist designer stunner Set on the grounds of a beautiful This wildly popular chain has 64 furnished in a natural palette of white six-century-old Ming temple complex, locations all over , and for good and beige, with natural wood floors with former Maison Boulud general reason – the scrumptious, Sichuan hot and floor-to-ceiling windows. Add manager Ignace Lecleir at the helm, pot is a national treasure, with its fiery spa-like bathrooms, oak tubs, indoor and decadent, modern European chili flavors and hand-pulled noodles pool and modern Asian Bei restaurant, fare on the menu, this fine dining available 24/7. Go at an off peak hour Mediterranean Sureno, and cool restaurant is the perfect choice to avoid queues. contemporary Mesh bar, and it’s easy for an old-meets-new, to see why the hotel is so popular with East-meets-West experience. 2A Baijiazhuang Lu / Chaoyang the international style set. /+65 6595 2982 / + branches Songzhusi Temple / 23 Shatan Bei www.haidilao.com The Village / 11 Sanlitun Bei Lu / Jie / Dongcheng / +86 10 8400 2232 Sanlitun / Chaoyang / / lunch Mon-Fri, dinner Mon-Sat and +86 10 6417 6688 weekend brunch

www.theoppositehouse.coml www.temple-restaurant.com

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LUXE Loves

NANLUOGUXIANG BRAND NEW CHINA (BNC) APOTHECARY Shopping Shopping Bar

Thanks to gentrification, this former Opened by the daughter of Mao’s This dimly lit woody saloon serves dusty, drab hutong has transformed into English teacher and translator, this hip, up artisanal potions made using an alley of junky to hip boutiques, cafés fashion-forward store stocks emerging homemade liquors, bitters and salts and bars. It may be a tad touristy, but labels and indie designers from greater alongside a comfort American snack it’s really all about the atmosphere and China, and is a great place to familiarize menu. The cocktail list is almost as well worth a trip for unique souvenirs. yourself with local names like Hi Panda, long as the Great Wall, but you can’t go Start at the gate at Nanluoguxiang NLGX and Fan Ran, or stock up on wrong with their signature Bell Pepper south entrance at Ping’an DaDao. unique pieces. Tequila Sour.

NLG-09A / B/1 Sanlitun Village 3/F / Nali Patio / 81 Sanlitun North / 11 Sanlitun Bei Lu / Bei Lu / Chaoyang / THE PENINSULA SPA Chaoyang / +86 10 6416 9045 +86 10 5208 6040 Spa

With signature holistic therapies drawing from Ayurvedic, Oriental and AMAN AT SUMMER PALACE ULLENS CENTER FOR European philosophies, this serene Hotel CONTEMPORARY ART haven also has couples’ suites, gym Activities and pool access, and thermal suites Retreat like royalty to this historic for steamy or cool hydro relaxation. hotel, set in the cooking quarters This non-profit, contemporary art of Empress Cixi’s former summer space in China is spread over 26,000 8 Goldfish Lane / / home on the city’s outskirts. The sq ft formerly occupied by a factory Dongcheng / +86 10 6510 6090 lavish suites are housed in a series of compound, and is now home to some pavilions surrounding a courtyard, and of the best curated exhibitions in www.peninsula.com there’s a lush spa and pool too. China, showcasing both established and emerging, international and 1 Gongmenqian Jie / Summer Palace / domestic talents. Haidian / +86 10 5987 9999 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu / Dashanzi / www.aman.com Chaoyang / +86 10 5780 0200

www.ucca.org.cn

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LUXE Loves

HIAS GOURMET DUCK DE CHINE LONG ISLAND SPA Activities Dining Spa

Eat your way around town, whether Nestled within the dining and Getting a foot reflexology treatment it’s breakfast at a Chinese farmers entertainment complex 1949 Hidden is an experience true to Beijing, and market, a hutong tour, a night market City, Duck de Chine serves up the nowhere better than at this pristine, stroll or a tea tasting safari that suits city’s best Peking Duck in a high- low-lit Thai-inspired spa with its your fancy. There are also cooking design, sleek and chic environment on simple and effective foot rubs. For the classes for regional and traditional the grounds of a traditional ultimate foot pampering try the Thai tastes, so you can take courtyard. The mostly fowl-oriented High Barrel Foot Spa incorporating the flavors home. menu also features duck confit and heat and herbal oils, or check out the even duck tacos, or come between comprehensive Chinese Therapeutic 7 Xinsi Hutong / Dongcheng / +86 11.30am and 2.30pm and you can try Treatment menu for full body and 10 6400 9199 / bookings essential the excellent dim sum. facial rituals. www.hiasgourmet.com 1949 Hidden City / 98 Jinbao Jie / B/F / Jiahui Center / 6 Jiqing Li / Dongcheng / +86 10 6521 2221 Chaoyang / +86 10 6551 6112

www.longislandspa.com.cn PAN JIA YUAN FLEA MARKET Shopping

Having a rummage in this giant weekend flea market is great fun. You’ll find everything here: pins, shoes, posters, scrolls, snuff boxes, Mao-morabilia, porcelain, stone, bronze, wood, antiques and fauxtiques, but get there early, have plenty of cash (no credit cards) and remember to haggle hard!

Panjiayuan Wiao / Chaoyang / sunrise – 3pm Sat-Sun

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LUXE Loathes

POLLUTION THE MURSE BEIJING BELLY

We’ve forgotten what a blue sky Beijing man is obsessed with Beijing man is also obsessed with his looks like. his manbag. summer crop top.

CARS

Monstrous traffic, and over 1,000 new cars on the roads every day.

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Fab vs. Drab

GREAT WALL CUISINE BESPOKE TAILORING

Nothing ruins a humbling architectural Beijing’s street food runs the gamut from Why waste time shopping the ubiquitous wonder moment more than hordes of frightening to fabulous, so in order to get fashion labels that can be found tourists and ‘extras’ dressed as Ming your hands on the best of it you’d do well anywhere, when there are terrific bespoke Dynasty warriors, which is exactly what to sign up for a Hutong Foodie Crawl with tailors at your fingertips, like Cao Senlin you’ll find along the wall’s Badaling local experts Beijing Food Walk. for the authentic qipao experience, and stretch. So drive slightly further along to Dave’s for an all-in-one bespoke suit and www.beijingfoodwalk.com the less crowded Mutianyu section (90 shirt combo. mins out of town), with an easy-access cable car up and fun toboggan down. Cao Senlin / 25 Shi Jia Hutong / Dongcheng / +86 10 6526 4515 Dave’s INTERPRETER / Shop 104 / The Kerry Centre Mall / 1 Guanghua Lu / Chaoyang / Communicating can be somewhat +86 10 8529 9433 GETTING AROUND challenging in the land of a thousand dialects, but a swift call to former Navigating Beijing’s maze of back alleys Newsweek Beijing interpreter Jimmy Yinn on your own is nigh on impossible, but an will solve all that, and see that nothing is organized China Culture Center tour will lost in translation. get you up close and personal with hidden , impressive historic homes, and Jimmy Yinn / call +86 1330 129 1080 the eerie underground city. [email protected] www.chinaculturecenter.org

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LUXE ITINERARY Business

Following centuries of imperial history, Senlin (see Drab vs Fab) is the go-to for a very welcome escape from the city’s the Chinese capital has undergone bespoke ladies qipaos by a tailor who’s bustle. Top off the night with post-dinner lightning-speed development and jumped been hemming since 1938, Dave’s (see drinks at Glen, a business favorite for the in to join the modern-day business circuit Drab vs Fab) is a top-notch gent’s tailor dapper, old-world atmosphere, tuxedoed with both feet. Start in the heart of the with all-in-one bespoke shirt and suit waiters, and immaculate tipples, before city’s financial district at modern oriental combo, and in frigid winter, be sure to making your way back to your suite at the nest The Ritz-Carlton, conveniently ring Cashmere Duo for the finest fabrics Ritz-Carlton, and take nightcaps at the wired to the nines so you can take your and custom designs you’re like to find hotel’s Crystal Bar & Lounge. first meeting over coffee and breakfast in this town. Stop off at The Peninsula before heading out to your morning Spa (see LUXE Loves) for a relaxing rub appointments. For the all-important client and a few minutes in the thermal room, lunch, your reserved table at Maison before suiting up for dinner with clients Boulud awaits – set in a majestic manor or guests at Tiandi Yijia, situated on formerly home to the US Embassy, the the Eastern edge of the Forbidden City deco-inspired interiors as well as the and offering a menu of Chinese classics Michelin-starred French cuisine are sure alongside an extensive wine list. The to impress. Step back to the office for refined mansion, decorated in traditional the afternoon, but steal away before imperial style, also boasts a serene dinner for a trip to the tailors – Cao courtyard and goldfish ponds, providing

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LUXE ITINERARY Style

Once the shy Chinese wallflower, Beijing bags and threads, and Nisiss for locally after a signature Bell Pepper Tequila is now in the midst of a full-swing designed, covetable clothes. Carry your Sour or two, you’re off to Sanlitun’s style renaissance, with a unique mix bags now to nearby electric factory sizzling Sichuan restaurant Transit for of tradition and label-crazed fashion- turned dining hub 1949 Hidden City, and palate-tingling seasonal cooking in a forward dress. If you’re in town on the enjoy late lunch at Duck de Chine (see dark and sultry atmosphere. Have a drink weekend and looking to explore the LUXE Loves), situated in a traditional in the fashionista-frequented lounge city’s style scene, set your alarm for siheyuan courtyard and serving a duck- afterwards, then move the party to cool, sunrise and make your way to Pan Jia focused menu, with the capital’s famed contemporary Mesh bar before finally Yuan Market (see LUXE Loves), where Peking Duck alongside less traditional zipping just up the lift to your Zen den at you’ll find a hubbub of everything from offerings like duck confit and tacos. Next, The Opposite House (see LUXE Loves). antiques to posters to pins, but it’s all amble over to The Opposite House and great fun and worth the dig for that settle in at the Kocoon Spa Lounge, with mantel-worthy piece. After your morning its top-to-toe pampering as well as yoga spree, recharge for round two with coffee and Reiki, in case you’re inclined to work and cakes at Café Zarah, then dart off off your lunch. You’ll emerge pretty and to spend the rest of the day at fashion preened, but throw in a quick blowout and entertainment hub Sanlitun, and at next-door C de France if need be, and make stops at Nicolas Favard for custom- then it’s cocktail hour at artisanal drink designed or RTW jewels, Palma for unique den Apothecary (see LUXE Loves), but

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LUXE ITINERARY Culture

Not in Beijing for the skyscrapers? See wares also make for a unique, one-off with glass-walled kitchen for you to peek the heart and soul of the Chinese capital gift for your pals back home. Continue in and watch the chefs at work. Follow by starting the day with a visit to the the shopping spree at happening hutong dinner with drinks at Contempio, situated city’s hidden hutongs and impressive Nanluoguxiang (see LUXE Loves), full of in a C.15th temple refurbished as a cosy historic homes with cultural tours led by hip boutiques, cafes and bars, and make lounge tucked away in a hutong behind China Culture Center (see LUXE Loves), stops at Jian Ping for flowy, classical the Drum and Bell towers, before retiring where itineraries also include local Chinese blouses, Art Books Store for old to bed nearby at the chic 10-room hutong culinary market tours and Caochangdi China revolutionary music and films, and hideaway The Orchid. Artist Village walks. After you’ve walked The Pottery Workshop for ceramics made the city like a local, eat like one at by artists in Jingdezhen, China’s pottery Haidilao (see LUXE Loves), with its fiery capital. Later, give your feet a rest at the chili dip and hand-pulled noodles, but historic, 60-seat Imperial Granary Peony go before lunch hour when the crowds Pavilion with a classic Kunqu Opera, first descend. If you’re in need of a cool-down written and performed in 1598 but still after that Sichuan spice, head to Brand captivating local audiences today. Your New China (BNC) (see LUXE Loves) for a pre-booked table at Da Dong (see LUXE few quality hours spent getting to know Loves) awaits, so sit down and enjoy the the local design names and perusing crispy, world-renowned Peking Duck at indie labels from greater China – these this wildly popular restaurant, complete

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LUXE ITINERARY The Essentials

BUSINESS ITINERARY STYLISH ITINERARY

• Maison Boulud / Chi’en Men • Pan Jia Yuan Market / Panjiayuan Qiao • Transit / N4-36 / Sanlitun Village 23 / 23 Qianmen Dong Dajie / / Chaoyang / sunrise-3pm North / 11 Sanlitun Lu / Chaoyang / D o n g c h e n g / + 8 6 1 0 6 5 59 92 0 0 / Sat-Sun +86 10 6417 9090 11.30am-10.30pm daily www.saunadeco.com www.maisonboulud.com • Mesh / The Opposite House / The • Café Zarah / 42 Gulou Dong Dajie / Village / 11 Sanlitun Bei Lu / Sanlitun / • Cao Senlin / see LUXE Loves Dongcheng / +86 10 8403 9807 / Chaoyang / +86 10 6417 6688 10am-midnight daily • Dave’s / see LUXE Loves www.cafezarah.com • The Opposite House / see LUXE Loves

• Cashmere Duo / Call Xiaoyan Hu on • Nicolas Favard / 28 Sanlitun Bei Lu / +86 1352 011 4560 / no English Chaoyang / +86 10 6413 0818 www.nicolasfavard.com • The Peninsula Spa / see LUXE Loves • Palma / Nali Patio / 81 Sanlitun Bei Lu • Hermitage Amsterdam / Chaoyang / +86 10 5208 6090 (see LUXE Loves) • Nisiss / NLG-0506 / B/1 Sanlitun • Tiandi Yijia / 140 Nanchizi Dajie / Village North / Chaoyang / Dongcheng / +86 10 8511 5556 / +86 10 6415 8351 11am-9pm daily www.nisiss.com www.tiandiyijia.com • Duck de Chine / 1949 Hidden City / 98 • Glen / 203 Taiyue Suites / 16 Sanlitun Jinbao Jie / Dongcheng / Nan Lu / Sanlitun / Chaoyang / +86 10 6521 2221 +86 10 6591 1191 • Kocoon Spa Lounge / The Opposite • Ritz-Carlton / Financial St / House / The Village / 11 Sanlitun Bei Lu 1 Jinchengfang Dong Jie / Xicheng / / Sanlitun / Chaoyang / +86 10 6410 +86 10 6601 6666 5016 / Apothecary / www.ritzcarlton.com see LUXE Loves

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LUXE ITINERARY The Essentials

CULTURE ITINERARY

• China Culture Center / • Arts Book Store / #98 • Da Dong / see LUXE Loves see LUXE Loves Nanluoguxiang / +86 10 8402 4590 • Contempio / Doufuchi Hutong / • Haidilao / see LUXE Loves • The Pottery Workshop / #23 Jiugulo Dajie / Xicheng / Nanluoguxiang / +86 10 6401 3799 +86 10 6407 6778 • Brand New China (BNC) / www.potteryworkshop.org see LUXE Loves • The Orchid / 65 Baochao Hutong / • Peony Pavilion/ 22 Dongsishitiao / Guloudong Jie / Dongcheng / +868 • Nanluoguxiang / see LUXE Loves The Imperial Granary / Nanxincang / 10 8404 4818 Chaoyang / +86 10 6401 0843 www.theorchidbeijing.com • Jian Ping / #110-2 Nanluoguxiang / +86 10 6402 4779

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Your LUXE notes

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