Planning Your Trip

China’s capital is a bustling metropolis that’s home to more than 20 million people, is the center of much of China’s government and commerce, and is the site of some of China’s most significant historical sites like the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Whether traveling for business or pleasure — or a bit of both — here is what to pack to make the most of the city.

What to Pack

When traveling on business, having business cards on hand is of the utmost importance. Remember to present and receive cards with both hands as a sign of respect.

Business Travel

If traveling to Beijing on business, formality is expected whether meeting with government officials or multinational corporations.
Most local businessmen sport a traditional dark blue suit, even when temperatures soar in summer. And in the more conservative Beijing, a tie is expected.
Conservative attire is also de rigueur for women — pack more modest skirt suits or trousers and blouses with higher necklines. Make a subtle sartorial statement with a scarf or printed blouse.
Most women favor flats over heels, so pack a few formal pairs.

Exploring the City

There is much to see in the sprawling metropolis with everything from centuries-old historic wonders to the finest of modern cuisine. Here’s what to bring to make the most of every experience.
Whether exploring the Forbidden City or spending an afternoon at a local market, you’ll likely do quite a bit of walking during your visit, so bring a pair of comfortable shoes.
In summer, temperatures can soar into the 80s and 90s, but it is also rainy season and can pour heavily without much warning — bring a compact umbrella and a lightweight waterproof layer.
Winter can bring temperatures below freezing, so pack a heavy coat. And ski gear might be in order if you’re planning a day trip to one of the nearby ski resorts like Badaling Great Wall or Yuyang International Ski Resort.

Cultural Considerations

While Western-style attire is the norm, locals tend to dress more discreetly and with a degree of finish. Pack accordingly.
Residents don’t tend to wear clothing that bears a lot of skin, even in summer. Skip tank tops and low-cut shirts in favor of lightweight layers with a bit more coverage.
While a smart pair of jeans is certainly a common sight and formal attire is not expected while touring the city, it is not unusual to see locals in more polished attire like collared shirts and blouses.
Shorts aren’t common among locals but are more acceptable for visitors to wear. Still, pants are the norm even in high temperatures.

What to Reserve

Beijing is an intriguing blend of old and new — a sea of high-rise buildings in the area surrounding Financial Street just moments from the Ancient City, Tiananmen Square and historic temples. Here’s what to arrange in advance — both inside the hotel and out — to make the most of your visit.

Dining Reservations

Enjoy refined authentic Cantonese cuisine at Qi (pronounced “Chi” — named after the body’s natural positive energy) with dishes created largely from locally sourced and organic ingredients and with a focus on seasonality to “give the best life force and nutrition.” If you are in the mood for Italian cuisine, the award-winning Cépe is a must-visit for its spectacular seasonal menu and special features like a mushroom humidor and extensive wine menu with 400 bottles.

Tours

Just 15 minutes from the hotel is the Forbidden City — the UNESCO World Heritage site that served as China’s Imperial Palace between the mid-Ming through the Qing dynasties. Or schedule a visit to the Ancient Observatory that dates back to the time of Genghis Khan. The Summer Palace, first constructed during the Jin Dynasty, is just 30 minutes away and home to some of the most spectacular gardens in the world. Or just an hour away from the hotel is one of the great wonders of the world: the Great Wall.

Museums & Culture

There are many fantastic museums just beyond the hotel — the National Museum of China houses relics ranging from ancient jade ritual objects from prehistoric times to the famed Simuwu Rectangle Ding (a cooking vessel) — the largest piece of bronze ware in China. The Capital Museum houses more than 200,000 pieces of ancient porcelain, bronze, calligraphy and more from imperial China. The National Art Museum of China offers a collection of both ancient and contemporary Chinese artwork and an extensive collection of folk art.

Spa Appointments

After a busy day of business meetings or touring the city, relax with a restorative visit to the spa with its unique menu of treatments that combine both Eastern and Western techniques. The Imperial Treasures massage combines traditional Chinese acupressure and aromatherapy massage with warmed herbal poultices using a variety of indigenous herbs. Or indulge in the Imperial Rejuvenation — a foot bath, deep muscle massage, pressure-point foot massage and scalp massage using reviving essential oils.

Itineraries

The sprawling capital city of China is also the country’s dynamic cultural hub. Find a staggering seven UNESCO World Heritage sites here — from the Summer Palace and Ming Tombs to the Forbidden City and legendary Great Wall — as well as a trove of ancient relics and modern masterpieces that offer vivid insight into Beijing’s millennia-old history. See traditional Chinese acrobatics, smell the incense at Buddhist temples, taste Peking duck and experience the convergence of the past and future in vibrant Beijing

Cultural Treasures

China’s massive capital city is a study in contrast. Find ancient relics housed in cutting-edge architectural wonders, centuries-old temples sharing a skyline with modern skyscrapers, and narrow, winding hutongs tucked next to wide swaths of cypress tree-lined green spaces. Spend three days savoring Beijing’s cultural treasures, from the enigmatic Forbidden City to the contemporary Arts District and more.

Day 1

Morning

The Heart of Beijing. Plan to spend the entire morning exploring the epic forbidden city. Start with the central destinations like the palace museum and hall of supreme harmony, but don’t miss the less-trodden eastern and western perimeters of this massive UNESCO world heritage site.

Midday

Soaring Souvenir. On the way to your next destination, stop by the family-run three-stones kite company to peruse the stock of exquisite handmade kites. Choose among the colorful butterflies, fish, turtles and more, crafted from paper or silk. Flying kites is a popular pastime in China.

Panoramic City View. North of the forbidden city, the drum tower is situated next to the bell tower. There’s no need to ascend the steep steps of both, so choose the former to hear a musical performance on replicas of the drums that inhabit the tower and to see panoramic views of Beijing.

Afternoon

Spa Break. The 90-minute Imperial Treasures massage draws on traditional Chinese acupressure and an herbal poultice to refresh the senses. The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Beijing, Financial Street is an inviting haven in the middle of the bustling city.

Evening

Night at the Opera. Affectionately nicknamed the giant egg,National Centre for the Performing Arts is a visually stunning titanium and glass dome that features traditional Peking Operas as well as ballets, concerts and other performances. Spend a pleasant evening exploring the building’s architecture and taking in a show.

Day 2

Morning

Early Art Education. Enjoy an art-filled morning browsing some of the 100,000 pieces — including an impressive collection of 20th-century modern Chinese works — at the national art museum of china.

Midday

Take a Shopping Detour. Located next to The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street the Seasons Place Shopping Mall is the perfect place to find a special gift or pick up a new suit for your next business meeting. Home to a variety of international luxury brands such as Bottega Veneta, Brioni, Chloe, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Ermenegildo Zegna, Gucci, I.T, Louis Vuitton, MaxMara and Salvatore Ferragamo, the mall also provides a full range of dining selections. Be sure to peruse the wares at the Lane Crawford Department store, which has been a shopping destination since 1850.

Lunch Break. Stop for a quick lunch at any one of Beijing's many dumpling shops. The Taiwanese chain din Tai Fung specializes in tender xiao long bao (steamed buns and soup dumplings) adored by locals and has locations peppered throughout the city.

Afternoon

Beijing’s Past. Just west of the Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street, the Capital Museum showcases over 200,000 cultural relics, including paintings, calligraphy, jade and porcelain — many unearthed in the capital city — in a sleek, glass-walled building.

Evening

Decadent Dinner. Return to the hotel for an elegant and relaxing dinner at Qi, specializing in traditional Cantonese cuisine with a contemporary twist using seasonal ingredients.

Day 3

Morning

Exercise or Unwind. Even if an early exercise session isn’t appealing, take a dip in the hotel’s heated lap pool or relax in the sauna or steam room before embarking on another exciting day.

Midday

Spot the Bird’s Nest. Constructed for the 2008 summer Olympics, Beijing National Stadium is also known as the bird’s nest for its crisscrossing steel beams and open-air top. Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron led the project that was inspired by Chinese ceramics, with famed Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei consulting.

Afternoon

Explore the Beijing Arts District. Northeast of the city center, not far from the stadium, find the 798 Arts District. Spend an afternoon in the repurposed factories now filled with contemporary art, cafés and design shops, and soak up the creative energy buzzing around you. Don’t miss the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, and stop in at Spin Ceramics for some of the city’s most beautiful contemporary ceramics made by hand using traditional Chinese techniques.

Evening

A Different Kind of Art. Just west of Temple of Heaven, Wansheng Juchang is the performance center that’s home to the Beijing Acrobatic Troupe. The traditional Chinese art combines body contortion, jumping and plate spinning for an entertaining evening.

24 Hours

Beijing’s history spans three millennia, and while it’s impossible to take in its complex history in one day, you can certainly get a taste of what makes China’s capital city great. Focus on the heart of Beijing, including Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, making sure to pause and revel in the flurry of activity around you. Finish the day with an unparalleled dining experience in a 600-year-old temple complex, and plot your return to this dynamic city.

Day 1

Morning

Get a Start to the Day. Before setting out on an ambitious day, fuel up at Greenfish with a tempting array of dishes from the colorful breakfast buffet.

Divine Morning. Arrive as early as possible at Temple of Heaven to walk the peaceful park with fewer people. The complex of religious structures includes the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the magnificent circular building measuring 38 meters high and 36 in diameter (125 feet high, 118 feet wide), remarkably constructed with wood, using no nails.

Midday

Wander the Hutongs. In between Temple of Heaven and your next destination, stop on the way to explore the city’s famous hutongs — narrow alleys and courtyards. Right off the main street of Dashilar, find Zhu Jia Hutong and the small coffee shop Berry Beans for a green tea latte and an assortment of snacks. Or get a little lost and you’ll likely stumble upon one of the many noodle shops in the area.

Historical Walk. From the hutongs, it’s less than a 15-minute walk north to the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, or Chairman Mao Memorial Hall. Spend a few minutes taking in the final resting place of the Great Helmsman, then continue north farther into Tiananmen Square. The sprawling plaza is also home to the National Museum of China, the Monument to the People’s Heroes and the Great Hall of the People, but examine the buildings’ exteriors and people watch for a bit before moving on to Tian’anmen. The iconic monument, which translates to “Gate of Heavenly Peace,” dates back to the Ming Dynasty in 1420 and was once the entrance to the Imperial City.

Afternoon

Forbidden City. Continue north to enter the Forbidden City via the southernmost Meridian Gate. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the staggering collection of ancient structures and relics can be as overwhelming as it is beautiful. Hire an official tour guide so as not to miss the highlights, including the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the colorful, glazed Nine Dragon Screen, spanning over 29 meters (95 feet).

Shopping and Snacks. One of the most famous shopping streets in the city, Wangfujing features a collection of luxury shops, department stores and souvenir stands. The southern end of the mostly pedestrian-only stretch is home to Wangfujing Snack Street, with an array of food stalls dishing out delicious noodles and steamed buns.

Evening

Peaceful Fine Dining. Unwind after an exhilarating day at Temple Restaurant Beijing, just a short walk from the north gate of the Forbidden City. Housed in a former, 600-year-old temple complex, this elegant space serves inspired European cuisine.

Final Toast. Before retiring to your room, savor a nightcap in the warm and refined Crystal Bar & Lounge in The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, Financial Street.

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Beijing, Beijing, China, 100033

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