Doing it in style: the best of Beijing’s art scene and how to navigate it
Your guide to where to stay in the Chinese capital, from the opulent to the eye-popping, the visual arts highlights and some places to wind down afterwards
Bernardo Bertolucci's vision of rouge-saturated splendour and gilt-burnished pomp in the Beijing of his The Last Emperor may have been replaced by a fog of pollution, but don't let that put you off.
The Chinese capital still has plenty of spangles, from its awe-inspiring architecture to its flourishing contemporary art scene and showstopper dining, to keep you smiling.
First off, you'll need somewhere to rest your head. Those in search of imperial opulence need look no further than the secluded Aman at Summer Palace (aman.com), a 60-minute skip from the capital.
This Ming marvel, set across the former cooking quarters of Yiheyuan palace, comprises traditional yet teched-out pavilions, each decorated in muted creams with wooden beams and heavy Oriental latticework. (Tip: guests with deep pockets should plump for a spacious Courtyard Suite.)
It being Aman, there's also an expansive spa with age-old Chinese herbal treats, Jacuzzi and plunge pools, plus private palace entry. You'll leave feeling more pampered than Emperor Pu Yi himself.
For a more cutting-edge vibe and central locale, bed down at Hotel Éclat (eclathotels.com), Beijing's ode to the Louvre pyramid, just east of Tiananmen in hip-happening Chaoyang.
