Day 1

Two and one-half days in Beijing does not a trip make, but my husband Rick and I ambitiously crammed in everything we could to make the most of our abbreviated Beijing experience. Home base was to be the lovely China World Hotel, a Shangri La property, with reception located on the 64th floor of the China World Trade Center. It was ideal and centrally located for our appointments within and around the city. The Shangri La is beautiful, and its views of the city are breathtaking – especially at night with the lights from the downtown buildings illuminating a brilliant and colorful panorama that an iphone picture will easily document.

Exiting the Beijing airport from our afternoon arrival, our guide and private car escorted us immediately to a popular Hutong district, fort a swift view of the neighborhood park, residences and local experiences. “Hutong” is a Mongolian word meaning water well. It is the name given to a lane or small street that originated during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). Now they have become representatives of local culture, thus it is the first choice for people who would like to learn about the local history and culture. In the Yuan Dynasty, Mongolians attached great importance to water, so almost every community in the city was designed around a well, which provided the daily water for the locals. Shops sell all kinds of goods that satisfy the local people’s daily needs. It is just like a community. These lanes have witnessed the development of Beijing. Where there is such a lane, there is a story. This particular Hutong had a nice neighborhood lake, around which are various restaurants, shops and local meeting places. Quite enjoyable for a quick repose.

The evening gave way to dinner at Beijing’s Rosewood hotel. The Rosewood is an impressively and beautifully appointed property also in central Beijing, not far from the Shangri La, and boasts five restaurants (open to the public), an indoor pool, spa facilities and a concierge floor that may be unrivaled in Beijing. The entire property was gorgeous, and dinner with the hotel’s sales manager was a treat for the senses. Ordering all manner of local Chinese fare (not Peking Duck, that was for later), it was a wonderful culinary experience. Our escorted tour of the property and guest rooms was impressive and noteworthy. Clearly no expense was spared in designing opulent and distinctly Chinese surroundings, complimented with generous hotel amenities and service. This will be a must stay on our next trip to Beijing.

To be continued…