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Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China and the world’s second most populous city proper and most populous capital city located in Northern China. As a city combining both modern and traditional architecture, Beijing is a megacity rich in history, exemplified in its global influence in politics, economy, education, history, culture, and technology. Beijing is the nation’s political, cultural, and educational center. It is home to the headquarters of most of China’s largest state-owned companies and is a major hub for the national highway, expressway, railway, and high-speed rail networks.
Amongst its modern architecture lies its ancient sites. For instance, the grand Forbidden City complex, the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Also, the massive Tiananmen Square pedestrian plaza is the site of Mao Zedong’s mausoleum and the National Museum of China, displaying a vast collection of cultural relics. The Great Wall of China that was built to stop raids and invasions by Mongols and Turks can be visited by a short trip from Beijing.
The currency used in Beijing is the Yuan Renminbi. If you are traveling to Beijing, you will need to exchange your currency for the Chinese Yuan. You may exchange your money for the Yuan Renminbi at most Beijing banks or at specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. The Beijing dialect, also known as Pekingese, is the prestige dialect of Mandarin spoken in the urban area of Beijing, China.
Temple Restaurant Beijing is consistently ranked among the best high end restaurants in Beijing in the last few years. Located in a complex that is part of a 600 year old Chinese temple, TRB conflates the old and the new while juxtaposing traditional and modern architecture. The historic Beijing ambiance is an introduction to the restaurant itself, which has modern and sleek Scandinavian decor to compliment the menu’s French sophistication. The restaurant’s wine list is considered to be one of the best in Asia. TRB is the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy high end international cuisine without losing the local charm.
Dress code: Smart
Address: 23 Songzhu Temple, Shatan North Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100009, China
Hours: Lunch 11:30-3:00 Dinner 5:30-10:00
The Head Chef at King’s Joy was a disciple of a Buddhist monastery in Jianxi when he was encouraged by his master to promote vegetarian eating to the outside world. The ultra high-end King’s Joy offers the most exclusive ambience to enjoy a “royal” vegetarian meal in Beijing. Being an all-vegetarian restaurant in China proved to be a risk well worth taking: Elegant Beijingers are flocking to taste uniquely creative vegetarian dishes, and healthy intricate beverages like “oatmeal nut-melange so soy”. Committed to the noble purpose of good health and environmental awareness, King’s Joy carefully chooses its ingredients from local farms, thus providing freshness and a maximum quality.
Dress code: Business casual
Address: 2 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
Hours: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Opera Bombana is one of the most exclusive Italian restaurants in Beijing. Three-Michelin-starred chef Umberto Bombana created “a modern yet refined Italian restaurant” that matches the needs and sophisticated tastes of the Beijing upmarket crowd. To maintain the impeccable high standard, he uses the art and master skills of top chefs and wine connoisseurs. Opera Bombana offers an imaginative and modern interior to enjoy spectacular Italian cuisine made from the freshest of ingredients. The cocktail bar is another success, preparing some divine pre-dinner drinks, while an expert wine manager will find the perfect match for every dish.
Dress code: Business casual
Address: LG2-21 Parkview Green FangCaoDi n.9 | Dongdaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
Hours: 12:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Selling itself on the claim that its birds are leaner than those of other roast duck joints. Arguments will never cease as to which kitchen produces Beijing’s best roast ducks, but Da Dong’s ability to transcend the duck genre is marked by its repeated wins as “Best Chinese Restaurant of the Year” in the Beijinger’s annual Reader Restaurant Awards. Try dipping a slice of duck in the sugar provided alongside other condiments – somehow, it works beautifully. The 160-page menu is a work of art in itself, with a plethora of duck dishes backed up by vegetable dishes, soups and more.
Dress code: Business casual
Address: 1-2 Nanxincang Guoji Dasha, 22A Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng district, Beijing 100007, China
Hours: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
There are some cultural dos and don’ts that are important to know as a foreigner when traveling to China or any Asian country. It’s best to know ahead of time what is expected of you before someone accuses you of being rude! Here are a few rules of etiquette that could help you when you are traveling to China.