Beijing | cheriecity.co.uk

Kerry Hotel Beijing by Shangri-La

August 27, 2013 by cheriecity

Kerry Hotel Beijing is a fabulous luxury hotel based in the expansive China World Complex in the heart of the city’s financial district. The second property in a new five star hotel brand by Shangri-La Hotels, Kerry Hotel Beijing combines the group’s signature touches with a lifestyle-orientated approach and contemporary design.

Sights such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City are a 15-minute taxi ride away and the interconnecting China World Mall offers designer shopping opportunities at stores such as Hermès, Jimmy Choo and Fendi. Silk Street Market is also nearby for bargain hunting local products.

We stayed for two nights at the nearby China World Summit Wing by Shangri-La, located in the city’s tallest tower, and went on to Kerry Hotel Beijing for another two nights before leaving for Shanghai.

When we arrived after a tour of Beijing’s 798 Art District, we were checked in at hotel’s exclusive Club Lounge. It was one of the easiest check-ins I’ve ever experienced, as we relaxed briefly over chilled juices and Chinese canapés before being shown to our rooms.

My Club Room on the 20th floor was spacious and homely, designed in cool neutral and grey tones with light wood and shimmering metallic highlights. A pot of calming jasmine tea (a Shangri-La signature), red bean rice rolls and fresh fruits awaited as a thoughtful welcome treat. I sipped tea and grazed on the rice rolls while lazing on the comfy chaise-longue, flicking through the free movies on the 40-inch flatscreen Samsung LCD TV before getting ready for dinner.

A real highlight of staying at a Kerry hotel is that all guest room minibars are complimentary on arrival (soft drinks only). Also offered is a Nespresso machine and kettle with a selection of teas, plus countless bottles of mineral water.

Working is made easy with an executive writing desk with multi-socket electronic panel, plenty of electrical plugs and free wifi throughout the hotel. There is also plenty of storage space, with fitted wardrobes in the bedroom and drawers in the reception room.

The marble bathroom is perfectly-equipped with a separate bath and rainfall shower, bathroom mirror television with digital clock, a full set of L’Occitane bathroom amenities and a TOTO toilet with built-in washing and drying facilities. Another Shangri-La signature is a handy embroidered female amenities bag filled with L’Occitane lip balm, facial cleansing wipe, shea butter hand cream, sheer stockings and a hair band.

My king-size bed was extremely comfortable and was turned down each evening with chocolates and extra bottles of mineral water. In the morning, we enjoyed a spectacular buffet breakfast in Kerry’s Kitchen, offering everything from eggs to order to waffles, Dim Sum and congee.

One of the perks of staying on the Club Level is access to the Club Lounge. The bright and airy lounge is a great place to relax and enjoy complimentary drinks, evening cocktails, Chinese canapés, afternoon tea and breakfast. Macs and iPad are available for use and the Club Concierge is on hand to make reservations or travel arrangements. Club Level guests can also benefit from a complimentary suit pressing and shoeshine service.

The hotel’s expansive Kerry Sports is perfectly-equipped for a morning work-out or unwinding after a long day of sightseeing. The fitness club includes an indoor pool, children’s wading pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, gymnasium, fitness studio, basketball and badminton courts and treatment rooms.

Eating at Kerry Hotel Beijing is a delight, with excellent dining options such as contemporary Chinese restaurant The Horizon, Kerry’s Kitchen with its open kitchen stations and the informal cafe Kerry’s Pantry. Centro Bar is the hotel”s slick cocktail bar, offering expertly-mixed drinks and live music in the evening.

Kerry Hotel Beijing is a cool, comfortable base to discover the delights of Beijing. While the service felt more personalised at China World Summit Wing, Kerry Hotel Beijing has a more relaxed atmosphere and the luxury of the Club Lounge. I would find it difficult to pick a favourite between the hotels, however as they are so close together, you could easily experience the best of both.

A double room at Kerry Hotel Beijing starts from 2,185 RMB (approx £231) per room per night. Price includes tax and service. (B&B basis). To book, visit: www.shangri-la.com or call 0800 028 3337.

Cherie City was a guest of Kerry Hotel Beijing

Photos by Cherie City and Kerry Hotel Beijing

Beijing, Restaurants

An Excellent Lunch at Lost Heaven Beijing

August 7, 2013 by cheriecity

Lost Heaven is one of Beijing’s most talked about restaurants with an eclectic menu to match the stylish design.

Opened in May last year, Lost Heaven occupies a prestgious location in Ch’ien Men 23, a refined lifestyle complex housing high end stores such as Patek Philippe and Johnnie Walker House, the renowned Maison Boulud, an art gallery and theatre.

The quadrangle of neo-classical buildings was home to the US embassy in the Qing dynasty (between 1903 and 1949) and is close to the Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. By contrast, Lost Heaven is in a slick, contemporary building with an expansive dining room, bar and second floor outdoor terrace.

Lost Heaven is inspired by James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon and there are already two outlets in Shanghai. The Beijing restaurant’s stunning design features hand-carved wooden chairs with jewel tone cushions, decorative orange lanterns, embroidered bar seats, colourful tiles and photographs of Yunnan Province. The surroundings are so striking that Lost Heaven won Best Interior Design 2013 in Time Out Beijing Food & Drink Awards.

Chef Li Zhire’s menu references the ethnic cultures along the Ancient Tea Horse Trail through Yunnan, Burma and Tibet. Some of the tribal-style dishes from Yunnan Province are folk classics, while others are innovative interpretations exclusive to Lost Heaven.

We visited for a late lunch and enjoyed the chef’s selection of signature dishes and chilled glasses of lemongrass lemonade.

We started with a delicious string beans salad with a peanut, dried shrimp and red chilli topping. This was swiftly followed by Ji-zong mushrooms, stir-fried kale, stir-fried broccoli with garlic and some tasty vegetable spring rolls. All of the dishes were beautifully presented in terracotta or hand-painted dishes and were decorated with pretty purple and white flowers atop a bed of fresh kale.

For the meat dishes, we tried braised bamboo shoots with chicken, Da Li-style stir-fried chicken with Jiao Tou and Huayao Dai-style sauteed beef tenderloin. The chicken and beef were both served in long minced strands and had a springy, light texture.

Other delicious dishes that we tried included Yunnan scrambled eggs with white mushrooms, spicy cod steamed in banana leaves, Yunnan-style hot and spicy tofu, and fried rice with vegetables. My favourite dish was the Miao Tribe hot and sour prawns in a rich, spicy tomato and chilli sauce.

Most of the dishes we tried were very spicy and hot, with a delicately fragrant taste. If you prefer milder tastes, ask the attentive staff to make some menu recommendations.

We finished with a luscious fresh fruit platter of watermelon, strawberry, orange, apple and dragon fruit.

Lost Heaven is perfect for a delicious lunch after sightseeing in Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, or for an elegant evening meal in grand surroundings. Sampling authentic dishes from Yunnan Province is a rare opportunity that is not to be missed when visiting Beijing.

For more Beijing travel ideas, read my reviews of

Chérie City was a guest of Shangri-La Hotels

All photos by Chérie City

Beijing, Restaurants

Dining at China World Summit Wing Beijing

August 1, 2013 by cheriecity

China World Summit Wing Beijing, A Shangri-La Hotel has an impressive number of dining options, from Chinese fine dining to innovative international cuisine and informal classic Asian dishes.

Part of the China World complex, the restaurants at China World Summit Wing attract not only hotel guests but Beijingers enjoying a stylish night out with friends or a light bite after shopping in the China World Mall.

During my trip to Beijing, I found Chinese cuisine much healthier and lighter than I’m used to, particularly as rice is served towards the end of the meal, if at all. We tried typical Chinese dishes and old favourites, alongside plenty of new discoveries and experiences.

Grill 79

Grill 79 is China World Summit Wing’s contemporary international restaurant, offering spectacular views over the city from the 79th floor. At night, the restaurant really comes alive, with seductive red interiors, mood lighting and the cool glow from the city below.

Chef Ryan Sablan Dadufalza creates beautifully-presented dishes that are made to impress. I started with duck pastrami with rocket, truffle cream and balsamic dressing, followed by sauteed mushroom is red wine with spinach and quails eggs.

The main course was a deliciously juicy stockyard Australian beef striploin and mushroom with rosemary oil and tomato. Dessert was a picture perfect dish of seasonal fresh berries on a jelly base, topped with a berry sugar crisp.

After dinner in Grill 79, we finished the evening with an expertly-mixed cocktail in Atmosphere on the 80th floor.

Nadaman

China World Summit Wing boasts the only Beijing outlet of Nadaman, a Japanese chain of high end restaurants that originated in 1830. Chef Karasawa Hiroaki prepares traditional dishes based on ‘kaiseki’ cuisine, translated as ‘the art of transforming the blessings of nature into food’.

We were presented a number of tasting dishes for lunch, all of which were very healthy and fresh. We tried poached spinach with light dashi soup, sashimi platter, eel with rice, roasted lobster with sea urchin and a seasonal fruit platter. My favourite dish was the roasted lobster, served majestically inside the shell.

If you want to try something really different, try the fish okoze with sea cucumber, pumpkin and green vegetables. None of my group were particularly enamoured with the squishy texture and somewhat bland flavour of the sea cucumber, but it’s certainly a foodie experience to tick off your list.

Nadaman Beijing also serves more well-known dish such as tempura, noodle box sets, teppan grilled meats kara-age and sushi.

The Red Chamber

The Red Chamber is the newest restaurant at China World Summit Wing, offering specialities from Guangdong, Huaiyang, Sichuan and Beijing.

We tried a selection of dishes to share, including Chinese cabbage in mustard seed, crispy pork belly, barbecued pork in honey sauce, braised beef ribs with garden greens, Kung Pao chicken with chilli, fried bean curd, steamed turbot with soy sauce, sautéed guang dong choy sum and a seasonal fruit platter.

Of course there wasn’t quite enough time to try all of the restaurants at China World Summit Wing – there is also Chinese fine dining restaurant Fook Lam Moon, private dining in the Chairman Rooms and the more casual Noodle Bar.

For more information and booking, visit: www.shangri-la.com

For more Beijing travel ideas, read my reviews of

Cherie City was a guest of China World Summit Wing

Beijing, Brunch, Restaurants

A Wonderful Brunch at Temple Beijing

June 17, 2013 by cheriecity

Temple Restaurant Beijing is one of the most exciting, stylish restaurants in the city and a real must for design lovers.

The award-winning restaurant is housed in a 600 year old Ming Dynasty Tibetan temple which was renovated in 2008 and given a contemporary new look by Australian architectural and design firm, Hassell.

Temple Restaurant Beijing is tucked away among the hutongs of an unassuming residential Dongcheng street, close to the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and the National Art Museum of China. It can be tricky to find, particularly as there are no signposts or visible branding. Well-dressed staff were waiting outside to escort us to the restaurant, however, I can imagine it would be a marvellous discovery if you stumbled upon the restaurant by yourself.

The man behind the restaurant is Ignace Lecleir, the Belgian former General Manager of Maison Boulud in Beijing, whose concept for the complex includes several event and gallery spaces and this year’s new opening, The Temple Hotel.

The sleek dining room is in a modern annex that was once a television factory, creating the capital’s first black and white TV. Floor to ceiling windows, vibrantly coloured Scandinavian furniture and striking artworks punctuate the minimalist space. Even the black slate bathrooms are sexy and luxurious, with low lighting and a small Buddha puffing incense smoke out of his mouth.

Service at TRB (as it’s locally known) is exemplary, with waitresses all in elegant teal chiffon dresses and suited waiters darting to the table to deliver each course, top up water and push in our chairs every time we moved.

The menu at TRB is contemporary European and the wine list is predominantly French, boasting some excellent wines, including Bordeaux, Burgundy and my favourite Sauternes.

We were lucky enough to be in town on the weekend and enjoyed a boozy Saturday brunch, including wines paired with each course. The fabulous brunch began with glass of Bollinger Champagne and a sharing plate of freshly-baked, flaky pastries with jams and honey.

The first course of White Wine Poached Shrimps and Avocado was mouth-wateringly delicious. The poached shrimps were very fresh and lightly marinated and were perfectly complemented by the cool, crushed avocado.

Duck Egg en Cocotte, Foie Gras, Artichoke and Bacon was a light and tasty dish. The duck egg was slow-cooked and the artichoke and bacon added plenty of flavour. The long garlic artisan bread twists came in handy for scooping up the yolk.

Sea Bass, Spinach and Curry Oil was a delicate dish with clean flavours. The fish was fresh and succulent and the dash of curry oil added a subtle kick.

The Roast Chicken and Grilled Asparagus was juicy and tender with a crispy, golden layer of skin. The chicken was served on a bed of spinach and a rich jus while the asparagus was nicely charred.

The Lychee Mousse dessert looked pretty with powder pink icing sugar adorning the plate, however, it was a little disappointing. The mousse was unexpectedly frozen and didn’t taste very much like lychee, although I did like the sticky top layer of lychee milk jam.

The meal ended on a high note with a delightful selection of chocolate truffles and assorted fruity marshmallows. We enjoyed a pot of fresh mint tea and relaxed a little longer before hitting the next stop on our itinerary.

As we were leaving, the staff brought us a bottle of Temple Restaurant Beijing branded water each for our travels. We couldn’t resist a few photo opps with the outdoor sculptures of the crouching men, deep in thought.

TRB is a leader of Beijing’s thrilling fine dining restaurant scene and the experience is both memorable and impressive. While the restaurant is undoubtedly high end, the prices can be quite reasonable, particularly for the set lunch menu. Someday, I would love to return for dinner, as the temple locations looks particularly captivating at night.

For menus and booking, visit: www.temple-restaurant.com

Chérie City was a guest of Temple Restaurant Beijing and Shangri-La Hotels

Photos by Chérie City (evening exterior by TBR)

Art, Beijing, Tours

A Great Tour of 798 Art District, Beijing

June 3, 2013 by cheriecity

798 Art District is one of Beijing’s most exciting sights and is a leafy, low-key alternative to the city’s vertiginous skyscrapers and futuristic glass buildings.

Part of the Dashanzi area in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, 798 has a laid-back village atmosphere with quiet tree-lined streets, an abundance of art galleries, intriguing street art, public sculptures, cool terrace cafes and international restaurants. It feels like the perfect place to come on the weekend for brunch and a leisurely stroll in the sun. I’d love to say that it’s a hidden gem, but in fact 798 is the third most visited sight in Beijing.

The Tour

To see the very best of the art district, Bespoke Beijing organised a 4-hour private tour with art expert Sophie McKinnon. We visited a number of prominent art galleries including the expansive 798 Space Gallery, Long March Space and UCCA (China’s largest privately funded art museum). Sophie also pointed out interesting street art and told us the story behind 798 and how it exists today.

History of 798

798 began as an art community in 2001 when artists moved in to the neighbourhood and set up studios in former military factories, including Factory 798 which originally produced electronics. Many of the galleries have preserved the Maoist slogans and the original features of the factories, creating a unique backdrop for the artworks.

Following a boom period in 2007 when 798 became the coolest, most creative place to be, many artists were priced out of their studios and no longer work there. However, a handful of commercially successful artists can still be found working from the art scene that they built up from the ground.

Zhao Bandi

As a special part of the tour, Sophie took us to meet artist Zhao Bandi in his studio. The Beijing-born artist became internationally known for his provocative works featuring China’s national symbol, the panda. Responding to the rise of consumerism in China, Zhao Bandi turned himself into a brand through performance art, blurring the lines between fiction and his own life.

One of his most controversial works was the Bandi Panda Fashion Show at Palais de Toyko in Paris, featuring models dressed in his signature panda designs representing social groups and issues in China, including the mistress, the corrupted government worker, the beggar and the escort service girl. Critics lashed out at Bandi for supposedly airing the country’s dirty laundry in a foreign country and disgracing the proud nation, but he remained undeterred.

Bandi was preparing for the premiere of his new film Let Panda Fly when we visited his studio, Bandi Panda House. Less dividing than his previous work, the film tells the real-life story of creative children encouraged to make their own panda art to raise money for charity.

Meeting Zhao Bandi and discussing the Chinese art scene with him was the highlight of a brilliant art tour. When visiting Beijing, put the 798 Art District at the very top of your itinerary.

For more information on the 798 & Artist Studio Tour by Bespoke Beijing, visit: www.bespoketravelcompany.com

For more Beijing travel ideas, read my reviews of

Beijing, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury

A Stay at China World Summit Wing Beijing

May 30, 2013 by cheriecity

China World Summit Wing by Shangri-La is Beijing’s tallest and most stylish new luxury hotel. The beautifully-designed hotel is located on the top floors of the striking China World Trade Centre, within the China World complex in Beijing’s flourishing business district.

Location

Sights such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City are a 15-minute taxi ride away and there is a wealth of shopping opportunities on the hotel’s doorstep with the interconnected China World Mall, featuring the likes of Hermès, Jimmy Choo and Fendi, and the nearby Silk Street Market for a bit of bartering and bargain hunting.

China World Summit Wing features 278 guest rooms and begins on the 64th floor with the impressive Resident’s Lounge, offering guests complimentary tea and bites throughout the day.

Arrival

On arrival from the airport, we were welcomed by a large, friendly group of Shangri-La staff and were swiftly escorted to our rooms where we were checked in from the comfort of our own desk. The lovely, attentive Effie made sure I had everything I needed and was present throughout our stay, asking about our day and plans.

The Room

My Premier Room on the 68th floor was extremely spacious and designed in a chic contemporary style with Asian touches and a colour palette of midnight blue, gold, red and dark wood. Being a corner room, it features floor to ceilings windows boasting incredible views of the Beijing skyline.

Premier Room features include a large writing desk with integrated tech hub and drawers filled with office supplies, an iPod docking station and sound system, free wifi and a 40-inch Samsung LCD TV with movie channels included and a DVD player. The TV conveniently swivels so you can watch it comfortably from any point in the room.

The sumptuous king-size bed covered in crisp 300-thread-count linen is well-suited to imaginative dreams with a mural of the mystical Shangri-La mountains above the head board. Being so far removed from the traffic and bustle of the city made the room completely free from noise.

In a corner of the room is a dark wood cabinet with a Nespresso machine and kettle with a full China tea service, a selection of teas and coffee, minibar and complimentary bottled water.

A Welcome Treat

A delightful Shangri-La signature is a pot of jasmine tea waiting in your room on arrival. I enjoyed a few cups curled up in an armchair and couldn’t resist grazing on a few of the pretty mini financier cakes. A gold and black lacquered box filled with fresh fruits, a granola bar and cookies is replenished daily.

The bedroom leads on to a fabulous walk-in wardrobe with two large fitted wardrobes, drawers and a nook for storing luggage.

The Bathroom

The Marble bathroom has real ‘wow factor’, featuring a deep soaking tub set against a spectacular view of the city. The amazing statement bath is complemented by luxurious features such as a double sink, a large mirror with a concealed 15-inch flat screen LCD TV, separate glass stalls with a rainfall shower and separate toilet. A quirky touch across all Shangri-La hotels is a notepad and pen and a ledge for holding your mobile phone.

I was delighted to find a full set of L’Occitane bathroom amenities in both the shower and by the soaking tub, as well as sachets of bath salts and a drawer full of the usual bathroom extras such as cotton wool, nail files and combs. As if that wasn’t enough to be well-groomed, there was also an embroidered female amenities bag filled with L’Occitane lip balm, facial cleansing wipe, shea butter hand cream, sheer stockings and a hair band.

Turndown

At evening turndown, the room is thoughtful prepared with extra bottles of complimentary Evian and glasses by the bedside, slippers laid out on a cotton mat and a sweet treat presented in a little box on the bed. One night it was a decadent mint milk chocolate and the next was a duo of red bean rice rolls.

Breakfast

Breakfast with spectacular views over the Forbidden City in Grill 79 is the perfect way to begin the day, with everything you could possibly want for breakfast. The breakfast buffet features a generous selection of mini pastries and muffins, granola, fruit and yoghurt parfaits, Chinese rice and noodle dishes, pork congee, dim sum, eggs and bacon.

Alongside the buffet, guests can order freshly-cooked dishes including pancakes, French Toast, Eggs Benedict and scrambled eggs with bacon. Glasses of freshly-squeezed orange juice and pots of English Breakfast Tea completed my morning meal.

The Swimming Pool

The health and leisure facilities at China World Summit Wing are truly impressive. The expansive state-of-the-art gym is sleek and modern while the 25-metre indoor infinity swimming pool gives the unbeatable feeling of swimming in the clouds above Beijing. The herbal steam room, laconium and vitality pool have a cool urban spa design and are perfect for relaxing the muscles, particularly after a long day of sightseeing.

CHI Spa

On our first day in Beijing, we had the pleasure of visiting CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La. We were welcomed with warming green tea and were offered a choice of oils for our one hour Aroma Wellness Massage – I chose rose. The massage focused on my back, neck and shoulders and really helped me unwind after the long flight. In fact, it was so relaxing that I almost drifted off to sleep a few times.

Dining at China World Summit Wing

China World Summit Wing has five restaurants including the fine dining Cantonese restaurant Fook Lam Moon, the stylish and international Grill 79, high end Japanese chain restaurant Nadaman and the more casual Noodle Bar and The Red Chamber. Private dining is also offered in the intimate Chairman Rooms.

Atmosphere, on the 80th floor, is the highest bar in the city and there is always a queue to sip Champagne and cocktails while marveling at the unrivaled views. Chief Bartender Henning Neufeld asked which kind of ingredients I like and made me a bespoke Old Fashioned using Talisker whisky. As the name suggests, the bar has a great ambiance, with guests dancing to the live band into the early hours. Like many bars in Beijing, it can get quite smoky, but it’s worth it for one glam evening.

China World Summit Wing is an exquisite hotel at the pinnacle of luxury with warm, unbeatable Asian hospitality. Service is exemplary – well choreographed yet sincere – and the small touches are what makes the hotel so special. Staying at China World Summit Wing is an experience in itself and the perfect way to discover the finer delights of Beijing.

A double room at China World Summit Wing starts from 2,530 RMB (approx £268) per room per night. Price includes tax and service. (B&B basis).

Chérie City was a guest of China World Summit Wing

For more Beijing travel ideas, read my reviews of