Off-site service in China's captial

A clutch of new off-site venues has opened in Beijing since Fendi garnered worldwide media attention by turning the Great Wall of China into a catwalk in 2007.

The Wall now offers several spots for corporate events. Taimiao can seat 600 delegates for dinner, though Quyongguan remains the most sought-after location.

Although the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace still feature heavily in high profile luxury events and special gala dinners, event organisers are now looking to new and lesser-known traditional venues where rental costs are lower and restrictions fewer. The city’s international hotels are providing the catering and, in some cases, suggesting offsite venues of their own.

NEW INITIATIVE
InterContinental Beichen has launched its Catering’s Best initiative and specialises in events at the neighbouring former Olympic site. The Water Cube hosted 250 guests honouring foreign diplomatic missions in China. The reception included a buffet with ice sculptures and tall tables.

At the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest), InterContinental recently catered a banquet for 500 people, and a dinner in the Olympic TV Tower for a 70-person group that wanted a view of both architectural landmarks.

The hotel also caters events at the adjacent China National Convention Center (CNCC), most recently a dinner for 2,500 delegates. Grand Hyatt is known for moving the majority of its kitchen to off-site locations in order to prepare as much of the food and
beverage on-location as possible.

Dongyuan Theater is within walking distance of the hotel and offers a similar setting to the Forbidden City and can host 120 people for cocktails in a central courtyard.

The Ancestral Temple is an impressive backdrop for Ancient Peking-themed events. The forecourt can be set-up with vintage furniture and décor for extra atmosphere.


ART THEME
At Beijing’s celebrated 798 Art District near the airport expressway, Grand Hyatt catered an event for 600 people at 706 Factory.

Ritz-Carlton Beijing is known for catering high-end events in contemporary spaces and has also catered several events in this art district. These include an event for Mont Blanc with 450 guests and a 120-person event at Today’s Art Museum. The hotel also catered a 150-person event for Cartier at Venue Art Gallery in Baiziwanlu.

Westin Chaoyang is also familiar with 798, having catered a gala dinner for Christian Dior at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA). UCCA can host seated events for up to 380 people.

St. Regis has ties to many unique spots around town, as well as its own courtyard garden for cocktail events of 300 people. Off-site it has catered a themed 90-person welcome party at Dongyuan Theater and a 650-person Chinese set gala dinner at Ancestral Temple.

St. Regis also recently hosted a sit-down buffet dinner for 150 people amid the Qing dynasty splendour of Prince Gong’s Palace.

The atrium and halls of Regent Beijing feature impressive sandalwood carvings from its owner’s extensive collection. The collection was, in fact, deemed worthy of its own museum. Sandalwood Museum can host sitdown dinners in its forecourt for 1,000 people, under the cover of a marquee. Tours of the collection can be be arranged also.

For short-stay events, delegates need not miss the chance to experience Beijing’s rich history. Beijing Marriott Hotel City Wall is located beside a large portion of the old city wall. The hotel’s Chinese restaurant Pearl offers eight private rooms, the largest with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the wall. This room seats 50 people for Chinese banquets.

Across the lobby, its former café is an excellent venue for welcome cocktails for 100 people and shares the same impressive view, which only improves with illumination at night.

Fairmont similarly has its own unique venue attraction. The larger complex the hotel is housed within includes Reignwood Theatre. The luxurious theatre is directly connected to the hotel via an indoor walkway and offers flexible seating arrangements for small- to medium-sized groups.