Beijing City Guide - Boutique Hotels and the Best Restaurants, Bars and Clubs in Beijing

Hg2's Beijing city guide explores boutique hotels and the best restaurants, as well as bars, clubs, shops, sights and spas.

Beijing ('North Capital') is many things and no introduction can truly do it justice. Only a few years ago a hedonist might have despaired at the dearth of nightlife options. Now, as this ancient capital enters the second decade of the new millennium, it is clear Beijingers are leading the charge of modernization. Since China's entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001, the country has been racing not only to catch up with the West, but to learn what it can and do it better. Any resident laowai (foreigner) can tell you that the city changes week to week, skyscrapers appear out of thin air, neighborhoods disappear, and trends come and go in an instant. But this is hardly a 21st century phenomenon. As the center of China's Imperial dynasty and the focal point for various revolutions, Beijing and its people are used to change. If a Beijinger looks at you like they've been there and done that, it's because they have.

HG2 MUST-STAY...
Stenciled surreptitiously on a sliding metal door down an ancient lane in the shadow of the Bell Tower are the numbers '3+1'. If you don't know it's there you'll never find this überhip family-run four-room establishment... Read the full review here.

HG2 MUST-EAT...
One of the hottest tables in town, Bei focuses on cuisine from the chillier Asian climes. Headed up by celeb chef David Laris, the innovative fusion of northern Chinese, Japanese and Korean gastronomy is mouthwatering stuff indeed... Read the full review here.

BROKEN GLASS...
As regular readers of Hg2 will know, we work with luxury lifestyle magazine Glass to give its discerning readers a taste of our coveted city guides every month. Check out our scaled-down guide to Beijing here.

HG2 MUST-DRINK...
Perched on the 65th floor of the Park Hyatt Beijing, China Bar is the loftiest drinking establishment in the city. Do note that the tables by the window come with a price tag that is best for those on an expense account... Read the full review here.

BOOK A TRIP...
Don't just read about it -- book it. Hg2 has teamed up with luxury holiday company Abercrombie & Kent to create itineraries fit for hedonists. Read about them here.

BEIJING...