FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 28 January 2019

THE PENINSULA BEIJING UNVEILS ITS PENINSULA ACADEMY PROGRAMMES FOR 2019

The Peninsula Beijing has curated six, highly personalised and varied activities for its iconic 2019 Peninsula Academy programmes. Through its Academy activities, The Peninsula Beijing is excited to showcase some of the cultural, historical and artistic highlights of its beloved city and beyond; aspects that have not only formed, but continue to shape its cultural landscape. It is a matter of personal pride for the hotel to share this local knowledge with guests, who will come away with both a deeper understanding and richer memories of their time in Beijing. These experiences include an immersive culinary tour, a glimpse into Beijing’s burgeoning art scene, an introduction to traditional Chinese martial arts and more. Each programme features special touches, from bespoke The Peninsula transportation to delicious meals and gourmet lunches, all which provide lasting memories for each guest.

Dumpling Making – A Chinese Culinary Tradition This fun, half-day experience begins with a visit to the local market accompanied by your very own The Peninsula chef to source the freshest ingredients for dumpling making. Back in the kitchens of The Peninsula Beijing, you will first learn how to make the dumplings and fold them into different shapes (complete with chef’s uniform), before being taught how to cook them to perfection. To round off your morning, you will be seated in Huang Ting restaurant to enjoy the results of your labour.

THE PENINSULA BEIJING UNVEILS ITS PENINSULA ACADEMY PROGRAMMES FOR 2019

Details Duration: Approximately 4 hours Number of guests: Maximum 5 people Price: 1 person: RMB 3,700 2 people: RMB 4,700 3 people: RMB 5,700 4 people: RMB 6,700 5 people: RMB 7,700 *Half price for children under 6 years of age Booking: Minimum 72 hours in advance

Art Tour – A Window on Chinese Contemporary Art China has been at the forefront of the contemporary art world in recent years and Beijing is at the epicentre of this creative output. This exclusive tour will appeal to art lovers or those simply curious to learn more about the burgeoning art scene in Beijing. Your personal guide will accompany you, via luxury transfer, to a private visit to two art studios in the capital city. There, you will be able to watch the artists at work, ask questions and learn about their techniques and inspiration. A private viewing of the artwork will also be arranged. Afterwards, you will be whisked back to the hotel to experience JING restaurant, and for the chance to absorb the incredible art you have seen.

THE PENINSULA BEIJING UNVEILS ITS PENINSULA ACADEMY PROGRAMMES FOR 2019

About the artists Guests may choose to visit two of the following four artists:

Ms Peng Wei Peng Wei was born in Chengdu in 1974 and now lives in Beijing. Since 2003, she has participated in many well-known contemporary art exhibitions in China and abroad and notable solo exhibitions include the Taipei History Museum and Suzhou Museum. Her work often features classical ink and colour painting, placed on unconventional materials such as shoes or clothing. Peng’s work has been collected by the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, M+, the National Art Museum of China, the Museum of Art, the Sigg Collection and the DSL Collection, among others.

Mr Wu Qiong A prodigious talent, Wu Qiong learned Chinese painting at the tender age of eight. He went on to major in oil painting at university and after graduation, continued to pursue his advanced studies in Singapore. As part of a younger generation of artists born in the 80s, this international exposure has led to an artistic style that blends Chinese and western forms. Examples of Wu’s artwork are displayed in the lobby and Jing restaurant of The Peninsula Beijing.

Mr Gao Xiao Wu Gao Xiao Wu was born in Fujian Province. He studied sculpture at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 2004 and has lived and worked in Beijing ever since. Gao believes that art should use metaphors rather than direct messages. His work explores themes of goodness and honesty and is full of humour, but it also displays a concern for and reflection of social issues. His work has been shown at Art Basel Miami, Hong Kong Art Fair, Biennial of Lyon, Melbourne Art Fair and Art Singapore. His sculptures have been collected by MoMA New York, The White Rabbit Art Foundation Sydney, Parkview Group, Ekaterina Culture Foundation, DBS Bank and private collectors.

THE PENINSULA BEIJING UNVEILS ITS PENINSULA ACADEMY PROGRAMMES FOR 2019

Mr Zhou Ying Chao Zhou Ying Chao was born in Jiangsu Province and lives and works in Beijing. He graduated from Nanjing Normal University in 1984 and then studied oil painting at China Central Academy of Fine Arts from 1989. Known for his studies of Chinese women, Zhou’s works have been displayed beside the likes of pop artists, Andy Warhol and Robert Carsten. His works have been collected by international art organisations as well as private collectors around the world.

Details Duration: Approximately 4 hours Number of guests: Minimum 2 people Price: 2 people: RMB 4,500 3 people: RMB 5,500 4 people: RMB 6,500 5 people: RMB 7,500

*Half price for children under 6 years of age; no charge for babies Booking: Minimum 48 hours in advance

Great Wall Adventure – Vistas Through Time A visit to the Great Wall of China is on most people’s itineraries when they visit Beijing. However, not many get the opportunity to experience two different areas of this incredible structure in the same trip. The day begins with a luxury transfer to the Badaling section of the Great Wall. Once there, you will be met by a guide, who will share stories and historical facts as you climb this restored section of the wall and experience breath-taking vistas of this stunning landscape. The tour will then move to another section of the Great Wall called Mutianyu. There, on a private pavilion with spectacular views of the Great Wall, you will be served a sumptuous The Peninsula brunch. From this vantage point, you will be able to take in the true majesty and historical significance of this Wonder of the World, before being transported back to the hotel.

THE PENINSULA BEIJING UNVEILS ITS PENINSULA ACADEMY PROGRAMMES FOR 2019

Details Duration: Approximately 6 hours Number of guests: Minimum 2 people Price: 2 people: RMB 14,000 3 people: RMB 15,000 4 people: RMB 16,000 5 people: RMB 17,000 *Participants must be at least 18 years old Booking: Minimum 72 hours in advance, suggested months: May to October

Fashion Tour – Chinese Designer Labels This is the perfect activity for fashionistas who would like to get the inside track on Beijing’s vibrant fashion scene. Fast-paced and with its own sense of style, Chinese fashion is not only catching the attention of the good and the great of the fashion world, it’s shaping it. On this private and exclusive afternoon tour, you will be met by your guide and taken to visit two of the following four fashion studios: Jade Wen, Xuan Prive, Wang Pei Yi and Rechenberg. At each location, you will gain access to the hidden showrooms of the designers’ studios and see how a designer piece is created. The designers will be on hand to chat with you, answer any questions you may have, and talk about how they find inspiration for their collections.

THE PENINSULA BEIJING UNVEILS ITS PENINSULA ACADEMY PROGRAMMES FOR 2019

About the designers Guests may choose to visit two of the following four designers: Jade Wen With her own label: Jade Bridal, Wen is an haute couture wedding gown designer. She has risen to fame after being commissioned by several celebrities to design their wedding gowns.

Xuan Prive This haute couture menswear label is the creation of Beijing-based fashion designer Xuan Zuo. What sets this highly distinctive label apart is that clients arrange a private viewing with the designer and pieces are custom-made – from the choice of the fabric to the cut of the cloth – to accentuate the specific body type and personality of each client.

Wang Pei Yi Wang started his own fashion label in 2005. He is famous for his couture collections of evening gowns, cocktail dresses and wedding gowns, and has dressed such A-list stars as Gong Li and Cindy Crawford.

Rechenberg After honing her craft in various Paris haute couture houses, Kathrin von Rechenberg came to Beijing and has called the city home since 2000. Famous for working with natural dyes and for her simple, elegant creations, her signature, hand-dyed ‘tea silk’ has become the cornerstone of her collections.

Details Duration: Approximately 4 hours Number of guests: Minimum 2 people Price: 2 people: RMB 4,500 3 people: RMB 5,000 4 people: RMB 6,500 5 people: RMB 7,000

THE PENINSULA BEIJING UNVEILS ITS PENINSULA ACADEMY PROGRAMMES FOR 2019

*Participants must be at least 14 years old Booking: Minimum 72 hours in advance

Kung Fu – an Ancient Chinese Martial Art People the world over have long been fascinated by the ancient martial art of Kung Fu, or gong-fu as it is known in China. Popularised by film stars Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, this morning activity is a great choice for the family. First, you will be met by your guide and taken by luxury car to the Temple of Heaven. Steeped in history, this ancient temple complex was first built over 600 years ago and has served as a place of worship by the Emperors of the Qing and Ming Dynasties. After a tour of the complex, you will begin your training with Kung Fu masters within the walls of the famous temple. After learning some guiding principles of the art form, over the course of a two-hour session, you will be taught some of the basic techniques that govern Kung Fu; before being whisked back to the hotel for a sumptuous Chinese lunch at Huang Ting, the fine-dining restaurant of The Peninsula Beijing.

Details Duration: Approximately 4 hours Number of guests: Minimum 2 people

THE PENINSULA BEIJING UNVEILS ITS PENINSULA ACADEMY PROGRAMMES FOR 2019 Price: 2 people: RMB 4,500 3 people: RMB 5,500 4 people: RMB 6,500 5 people: RMB 7,500

*Half price for children under 6 years of age; Booking: Minimum 48 hours in advance

Hutong Tour – A Walk Through Beijing’s Past Beijing’s hutongs are narrow streets or alleyways formed by lines of traditional courtyard residences built around a quadrangle. Although many of the city’s hutongs have been demolished, some have been preserved as designated areas of Chinese heritage, giving a real glimpse into Beijing life as it has been for generations. For this half-day tour, you will be taken via luxury transfer to the ancient hutong lanes of Hou Hai district. Your personal guide will be a local resident of Beijing, who will provide insights into traditional Chinese life and architecture as you explore the labyrinthine lanes by rickshaw. Following this, guests will be taken to a secluded Chinese teahouse overlooking scenic views of Hou Hai Lake, where a signature The Peninsula Afternoon Tea will be served.

Details Duration: Approximately 4.5 hours Number of guests: Minimum 2 people Price: 2 people: RMB 4,000 3 people: RMB 5,000 4 people: RMB 6,000 5 people: RMB 7,000 *Half price for children under 6 years of age; no charge for babies Booking: Minimum 48 hours in advance, suggested month: May to October ###

About The Peninsula Academy The Peninsula Academy was created to give guests an insider’s introduction to key aspects of local culture, lifestyle, cuisine, arts and history through individualised classes, tours and activities. The Peninsula Beijing has meticulously curated its programmes by sourcing the very best tour guides and local partners, bringing the city and the country to life through exclusive activities, all accomplished with the celebrated The Peninsula attention to detail.

A dynamic new section on The Peninsula’s website has been developed for The Peninsula Academy, including insightful information on each hotel’s programmes, images and videos, sample itineraries, maps and other interactive features.

For enquiries on prices or reservations for The Peninsula Academy, please call The Peninsula Beijing on +86 (10) 8516 2888 extension 6541, or email to [email protected]. Additional information on each hotel’s Peninsula Academy programme is available at peninsula.com/academy.

About The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH) Incorporated in 1866 and listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (00045), HSH is the holding company of a Group which is engaged in the ownership, development and management of prestigious hotel, commercial and residential properties in key locations in Asia, the United States and Europe, as well as the provision of tourism and leisure, club management and other services. portfolio comprises , , The Peninsula Beijing, , , , The Peninsula Beverly Hills, , , and . Projects under development include The Peninsula London, The Peninsula Istanbul and The Peninsula Yangon. The property portfolio of the Group includes The Complex, The and St. John’s Building in Hong Kong; The Landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and 21 avenue Kléber in Paris, France. The clubs and services portfolio of the Group includes The in Hong Kong; Thai Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand; Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, California;

Peninsula Clubs and Consultancy Services, Peninsula Merchandising, and Tai Pan Laundry in Hong Kong.

Ms. Cathie Yang Director of Communications The Peninsula Beijing Telephone : +86 (10) 8516 2888 extension 6628 Fax : +86 (10) 6510 6308 Email : [email protected] Website : www.peninsula.com Newsroom : https://www.peninsula.com/en/newsroom