My eight-year-old nephew is obsessed with Paddington Bear, and no matter how many times we’ve watched the movies, for him, it’s never enough. Now the cute little bear from Peru has made his way to Beijing, big brown suitcase and all.

The Peninsula Beijing’s latest afternoon tea is perfect for kids, perhaps more so than for grown-ups. The hotel has put together an afternoon tea, a little photography setup, and some hands-on activities for kids.

While you have a fancy afternoon with your kids over chocolate hazelnut brownie shaped like a piece of luggage, orange and yoghurt cheesecake with a tiny paw print on top, and Victoria sponge finished with a chocolate parasol, all made to look like elements from Paddington’s adventures.

On the savoury side, there’s Mrs. Brown’s Traditional Beef Pie, a Coronation Chicken Wrap, orange-marinated salmon with English muffin and crab roe, and a spiced bread with pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, and berry glaze.

The tea set goes for RMB 588 for two people. If someone wants the Paddington Marmalade Fizz Mug or a Red Chocolate Flight, those cost extra RMB 98 and RMB 280, respectively.

There’s also a small atelier space set up in The Lobby. It’s split into two areas where people can take photos to remember their experience.

One corner looks like the front door at 32 Windsor Gardens, complete with wisteria. Another, just like Paddington’s bedroom, where he keeps his blue coat and whatever treasures he’s hidden away. It’s not trying to be anything more than a place for families to snap a few pictures.

Later, starting May 9, they’ll also start offering Paddington-themed kids’ activities for RMB 680 per child. The pastry team will help children make their own marmalade sandwiches while playing games.

It’s best to call in advance if you plan on taking the kids for an afternoon of Paddington-themed fun.
Tel: +86 10 8516 2888 ext. 6759

Find it:
The Lobby (The Peninsula Beijing) 大堂茶座
8 Jinyu Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区金鱼胡同8号王府半岛酒店

Get ready to indulge in the magic of a Chinese New Year-themed afternoon tea. This festive twist on the classic tradition brings an explosion of flavors and culinary wonders, weaving together the essence of Chinese New Year in every delightful bite.

Picture a spread adorned with auspicious desserts, savory delights echoing Chinese culinary heritage, and an explosion of vibrant colors that mirror the festive spirit. It’s not just afternoon tea; it’s a jubilant feast that tantalizes taste buds and wraps you in the warm embrace of the festivities.

Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center’s “Warm Winter” Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea

Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center’s Lobby Lounge presents a “Warm Winter” Chinese New Year-themed afternoon tea, featuring 14 sweet and savory treats and 15 coffee and tea options. Enjoy creative European delicacies such as lobster cream puffs, white tea raspberry mini-cakes, and citrus Italian panna cotta. Traditional Chinese snacks include steamed cakes, rice cakes, roasted radish pastries, silver ear fungus soup, and a chocolate dragon with auspicious meaning.

Chinese New Year-themed cakes from the Kempinski Deli offer both a whole “orange”-themed Big Red Robe chocolate mousse cake for sharing with friends and a single-serving Red Fruit mini-cake for personal indulgence.

Afternoon tea service until February 29. Cake service from February 5-18. For details or reservations, follow Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center’s official WeChat account.

The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing’s “British Bear” Centennial Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea

The Lobby Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing presents a whimsical Lunar New Year-themed afternoon tea in collaboration with a century-old toy brand – Hamleys. Indulge in delightful desserts like chocolate bears, raspberry coconut mousse cakes in lucky bag shapes, and cheesecakes in firecracker shapes. Pair these with savory options like foie gras puff pastry and homemade beetroot salmon with avocado. The tea set also includes two Lunar New Year gift baskets with premium ingredients such as Chinese sausage, Jinhua ham, sea cucumber, and abalone, along with handmade desserts and champagne.

Afternoon tea service until March 10. Gift basket service until February 15. For afternoon tea details or reservations, call 010-59088180. For gift basket details or reservations, call 010-59088161.

NUO Hotel Beijing’s “Auspicious Dragon” Chinese New Year Limited Afternoon Tea

NUO Hotel Beijing’s Lobby Bar introduces the “Auspicious Dragon” Chinese New Year limited afternoon tea, blending Chinese flavors with Western-style pastries. The tea set features creatively shaped items like firecrackers, candied hawthorns, and lucky mandarins made from Chinese ingredients like persimmons and hawthorns.

Afternoon tea service until February 24. For details or reservations call 010-59268281.

Hilton Beijing’s New Chinese Afternoon Tea

Hilton Beijing’s afternoon tea brings a touch of red to this winter. The rich Chinese red tea aroma fills the air, combined with six kinds of dried fruit preserves and four classic desserts for a delightful chat. Seasonal fruits act as a finale, filling the mouth with sweet juice, awakening the taste buds, and refreshing both the mind and body.

Available until March 31. For reservations or inquiries, scan the QR code on the poster.

Sheraton Grand Beijing Dongcheng Hotel’s “Dunhuang Reflections” Collaborative Afternoon Tea

Sheraton Grand Beijing Dongcheng Hotel collaborates with the Dunhuang Art Academy to present the “Dunhuang Reflections” art exhibition. The hotel also introduces a collaborative afternoon tea, using micro-landscapes to depict a sunset camel caravan. This creative fusion of contemporary Chinese and Western elements connects art and food.

Afternoon tea service until February 29. Reservation are required 24 hours in advance. For more information or reservations, call 010-57988996.

Peninsula Beijing’s Paper Folding-Themed Afternoon Tea in Partnership With Mr. Liu Tong

Peninsula Beijing collaborates with Chinese origami artist Mr. Liu Tong to create the dragon paper folding-themed Lunar New Year afternoon tea. Traditional paper folding art and valley philosophy are creatively presented in a feast for the taste buds, featuring delicacies such as coconut pineapple Peninsula hat cakes, red currant hawthorn chocolate mousse cakes, and raspberry hazelnut white chocolate cakes displayed in an origami-style afternoon tea stand.

Afternoon tea service until March 10. For details or reservations, follow Peninsula Beijing’s official WeChat account by scanning the QR code.

Empark Prime Hotel Beijing’s Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea

Located on the first floor of Empark Hotel, the Mansion is the perfect place to gather with friends for a relaxing break. They are introducing a Chinese New Year-themed afternoon tea, where a variety of colorful desserts carry blessings. Enjoy a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors while indulging in light conversations during the leisurely afternoon.

Afternoon tea service available until February 29th. For details and reservations, scan the QR code on the poster.

Images: courtesy of hotels

Finally, the first buds are beginning to bloom and tips of fresh green grass are peeking out of the hard earth as dusty winter leaves Beijing to make way for spring! Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful times to be in the city, springtime in the capital calls for us to gather with friends and family to rediscover old connections.

In that spirit, the rebranded Empark Prime Hotel, formerly known simply as Prime Hotel, is welcoming guests, after extensive renovations, to enjoy their suite of stylish rooms. To sweeten the deal, they are also offering a spring-themed high tea afternoon every day from 2pm to 5pm. Featuring light, fruity cream cakes and savory bites of salmon and beef carpaccio wrapped with fresh cucumber, as well as fresh-baked scones with homemade cream and passion fruit jam, the high tea set comes served in a sturdy wooden display with the Chinese character “世” (which translates to “world” and is part of the hotel’s name). But one of the most fun parts of the display is the edible flowers and vines that adorn the wooden frame, though I would warn that they are more of a gimmick than a tasty treat.

Enjoy your high tea in the lounge bar on the ground floor of the hotel, across the stately lobby with the eye-catching marble stairway – a point of pride in the hotel’s luxurious aesthetic. There are distinctive works of art on display throughout the lounge area that allude to the hotel’s varied past – such as a remarkable replica of the sailing vessel that once sailed to Nanyang (now known as Singapore).

After 60 years of accommodating visiting royalty, heads of state, celebrities and captains of industry, Empark Prime Hotel Beijing is well-equipped to understand the discerning needs of its VIP guests in a suite. The historical hotel has cultural roots dating back to the 1950s, and the hotel was once proposed by famous patriot Mr. Tan Kah Kee as one of the top ten buildings in Beijing.

High tea is available at Empark Prime Hotel every day between 2pm and 5pm from now until June, and priced affordably at RMB 399 per set. The hotel is within a five-minute drive to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, and is located right at the exit of Dongsi subway station (Lines 5 & 6).

Find it:
2 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District
王府井大街2号

Images: Courtesy of the hotel

We love our students but teaching takes a toll on our emotional and mental batteries. So as we enjoy the last hazy days of summer break, it’s time to make sure we are fully recharged and ready to mold young minds. Here are my suggestions for a teacher’s mind, body, and soul refresh leading up to the first day back.

High Tea at InterContinental:

Before you go back to rushed lunches in machine-washable slacks, get all dressed up and laze away an afternoon with your friends and a delectable assortment of treats (and bubbles). Ajit and his team never fail to treat you like the queen or king you were always meant to be, and it’s nice to have jam on scones instead of smeared all over your shirt by tiny fingers. Scan the QR code below to reserve.

Spa Day:

Teachers are on their feet all day so be nice to yours. A full spa day of scrubs, massages, and facials will send you back glowing and ready to ace your yearbook photo, and Bodhi Spa is exactly the place to indulge. They have two locations in Beijing at Workers Stadium and Liangmaqiao. Scan the QR code to book!

Get Your Geek On:

If you’re a teacher you are probably into learning stuff, and no one makes that more fun and entertaining than Beijing By Foot and The Hutong. Tours and Talks led by Jeremiah Jenne take you through the hidden history of places like the Summer Palace, Forbidden City, and Lama Temple, and give life and perspective to these national landmarks. I promise your inner Hermione will be fascinated and entertained. To see the schedule of events check out their website at www.beijingbyfoot.com or scan the QR Code for The Hutong’s calendar below.

Take a Hike:

Beijing is more than just the city center, it’s a sprawling area filled with nature trails and historical hikes that go beyond the Great Wall. The Cave of Stone Flowers and the Guyaju Caves are only two of the hidden gems not to be missed in our immediate vicinity. Beijing Hikers organizes day trips and hikes that will help you get away from the hustle and bustle, clear your mind, and get inspired by nature. To see their schedule or ask about organizing your own group scan the QR code.

Refresh Your Workout:

Managing your own stress is a big part of managing your classroom, and for me that means my workouts are necessary! But the treadmill and yoga ball in the gym can get a little monotonous, so try shaking it up before you head back. Do something different and challenging. Discover your inner performer with an Ariel silks class, or your inner warrior in Krav Maga or Kali. You never know, it might be your new favorite and the thing that gets you through parent-teacher conference week.

Images: Canva, InterContinental Hotel, The Hutong, Beijing Hikers, Warrior One, Songyao Dance Factory

KEEP READING: Beat the Boredom in Quarantine

The trendiest beverage this summer is officially announced: FRUIT TEA!

These days you can see more and more people walking outside with their phone in one hand and a cup of fruit tea in the other. The popularity of fruit tea has skyrocketed in the past few years, making it trendy to include it in pictures and post them on your social media posts.  

To help you with this flavor trend, here are three of my favorite tea shops to visit. 

喜茶 (HeyTea) 

HeyTea is one of the most beloved places for tea of the tea community. Even people who do not like tea beverages know about this place.  

As a true tea lover, I could not not include this place. It combines the heritage of the traditional boba milk tea with the the innovation of different flavors and combination. 

For summer, I would recommend trying out teas with tropical fruits like mango and coconut, to remind you of the sweetness of vacation.  

SWEET CHART
Sweet: 4/5 
Tea: 3/5

Find it:
Floor F1, Chaoyang Joy City, No. 101 Chaoyang North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
北京市朝阳区朝阳北路101号朝阳大悦城F1层
Tel: 85811099

茶白道 (Chabaidao)

While you’re in Sanlitun, check out Chabaidao. I like to experiment, so I enjoy trying different teas each week. Each season they come out with new drinks, so you will never run out of options.  

Chabaidao is famous for their toppings, which can satisfy any sweet tooth in town. From fruit bits to ice-cream to Oreos, you can put in anything. 

The taste of the tea is not strong. So, for people who enjoy light teas and texture, this places is the best choice for you. 

SWEET CHART
Sweet: 3/5
Tea: 2/5

Find it:
F1, Sanlitun Soho, No. 8 Workers Stadium North Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工人体育场北路8号三里屯SOHO商场F1
Tel: 18501928735

Theatre Tea 

This place left a big impression on me. The more you sip their tea, the better it tastes. It’s like magic!

The prices might be a bit stiff (between RMB38-40) but the taste is incredible. The tea has a strong tea flavor, but it is not bitter at all. I decided to try the strawberry & oolong drink. I could taste that they used fresh bits of strawberries.  

Theatre Tea also is an excellent choice for people who does not like too sweet beverages. They do not add any syrups and the ingredients are all fresh.  

The packaging is cute. It is great for summer pictures outside in the park.  

SWEET CHART
Sweet: 1/5
Tea: 4/5 

Find it:
B1, Taikoo Li, Sanlitun, No. 19, Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯太古里B1
Tel: 64666188

Now, drink your tea! Explore new flavors and have fun with your friends!

Images: Dianping, Theatre Tea

Around the time my daughter was born, I came across one of those “new mom inspiration” stickers on Facebook, and find myself still agreeing with it 100 percent to this day. It was something along the lines of, “If you’re ever wondering whether you should take a picture of your child, take the picture because you’ll never get this moment again.”

Looking back at thousands of photos of my daughter on my phone, every one of them conjures an irreplaceable memory and brings a smile to my face.

For a while, however, I got a bit lazy with taking holiday photos, telling myself that she’ll have another one next year. But next year she won’t be this tiny, and she too will probably want to look back at photos of her childhood one day. So, yes. Take photos of everything!

Chinese New Year is coming up, and whether you’re an expat family that’s here for the long haul or just a few short months, family holiday photos add to the festivities.

Following the most epic children’s Christmas display we’ve seen in Beijing, we went back to the Peninsula Hotel for more photos.

This time, they’ve set up a wall of red lanterns and traditional Chinese wooden chairs, drums, and even photo props. The hotel knows they’ve become an Instasensation amongst photography enthusiasts, and they’re really playing into it with every holiday now.

So, with my rediscovered love of photography, my friend and I dressed our babies in traditional Chinese New Year outfits and set out for an afternoon of tea and photos at the Peninsula.

While Peninsula doesn’t actively promote themselves as kid-friendly, they’ve got kid-friendly events running all year round and are surprisingly well prepared for babies. The lobby is surrounded by many high-end luxury stores and has plenty of room for babies to run around, not to mention their iconic staircase that our daughters spent a good part of an hour exploring.

If you just want to take a quick photo, there’s no purchase necessary. During the course of the afternoon, we saw numerous people walk in, take photos, and continue on their way. But really, it’s such a nice atmosphere that a quick coffee or relaxing afternoon tea makes for a welcomed, self-indulgent treat.

Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea
RMB 588 per set, Mon-Fri
RMB 638 per set, Sat-Sun

The afternoon tea set is beautiful and instaworthy on its own. There’s a combination of sweet and savory items but the highlight has got to be the chocolate guardian lion 石狮子 shí shī zi centerpiece. In fact, it took a few moments for us to realize that the sculpture – essentially a giant block of solid chocolate that’s molded and painted to look like a bronze lion sculpture sitting on top of a posh Peninsula base – was entirely edible.

Following an afternoon of high tea and corralling a 14- and 15-month baby, all while trying to get a good photo, we couldn’t even bring ourselves to finish the entire tea set. But the lion sculpture was far too beautiful to throw away…

When we asked to take away the lion sculpture, our waitress came back with it elegantly presented in a customized clear box. Looks like they’ve also anticipated that guests will want to take home their beautiful centerpiece as a souvenir.

To book your afternoon tea reservation, call the restaurant at 8516 2888 ext 6764.

Find it:
The Peninsula Beijing, 8 Jinyu Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区金鱼胡同8号王府半岛酒店
Tel: 8516 2888 ext 6764

KEEP READING: Celebrate CNY With a Sustainable and Meaningful Touch

Images: Mina Yan, Grace Sun

I love Chinese New Year in Beijing, there’s a quietness that takes over the city as thousands make the journey to different corners of the country to spend time with family and loved ones during the biggest occasion on the Chinese Lunar Calendar.

By next week, School’s out and the Lunar New Year will be upon us. Use this opportunity to explore Beijing further without heavy crowds or traffic and partake in some of the cool activities made available for families throughout the city. Your first stop should be The SLab!

Whatever itinerary you have planned for the kids this Chinese New Year, make a stop at The SLab to enjoy Afternoon Tea with the family.  The creative hub that hosts all kinds of cool camps and activities throughout the year will be hosting an afternoon of crafting, sweet and savory snakes and an opportunity to take away a keepsake of the day.

One ticket for the whole family will get you a set of Afternoon Tea, for up to five people, lantern crafting and ninhua painting, a family makeover with an onsite makeup artist who will prepare you and the kids for a professional photo shoot, and three retouched studio family portrait photographs. Yes, all this fun and festive joy for the whole family. Pre-booking is required, so secure your ticket while you can! WeChat: JenPoland.RMB 1,118. 2pm-6pm. January 27. The SLab, 2/F, Building 2, 7 Xinzhong Street, Dongcheng District

Between the hotels and Beijing’s more creative restaurants, there are a fair amount of chic afternoon teas to be found around the city, but can any of them claim to be more “authentic” than the offerings at The British House at Beijing Fun. This thoroughly English, spacious, and elegant 500sqm café and roomy sofa area encompass the building’s second floor, providing enough space for close to 100 diners to sit and enjoy their scones at any one time.

British House’s first floor is jam-packed with clothes and accessories

The British House was opened by Harrods earlier in the year, the world-famous London brand and store founded in 1849 as a fine tea trader. The British House maintain that heritage, boasting a massive 170 teas and a dozen specialty teas (RMB 88 a pot), Harrods coffee, and several signature cakes (Napoleon Millefeulle, éclair, Earl Grey crème brûlée, red velvet, and maple mascarpone cheesecake).

The set tea and cake set above (RMB 168) featured a choice of Harrods’ fine tea, savory sandwiches (smoked salmon, avocado and wasabi cream cheese; cucumber, dill and butter; ham and English cheddar; egg, aioli and caviar), two homemade scones paired with apricot and raspberry preserves and clotted cream; as well as sweets with a Chinese twist, such as vanilla genoise, zabaglione custard, strawberry compote and crème Chantilly. Other sets range RMB 99/168/238/268, and are available from 11.30am-10pm.

Their Beijing Breakfast No.20 tea also plays on a local theme, using a Chinese tea base mixed with Ceylon to provide a richer body, the addition of Kenyan tea for extra color, and Assam for bold and malty flavors, for a combination that retains its British staunchness without wandering too far afield.

On the way out, peruse the first floor for clothing brands, tableware, bedding, accessories, and food all selected and brought over by Harrods. It all amounts to a jolly good way to spend the afternoon and a potential retreat to lure in many a homesick Brit.

The British House
Daily 10am-10pm. Bldg 4, West Area, Beijing Fun, 21 Langfang Toutiao, Xicheng District (6313 2122)
英园：西城区廊房头条21号院北京坊西区4号楼

More stories by this author here.

Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
Instagram: @flyingfigure

Photos: Tracy Wang

Spring is the season to finally shrug off that heavy jacket, enjoy the breeze and sunshine, and indulge in a fancy afternoon tea session with old friends who’ve been hibernating all winter. Just in time for the warmer weather, here are three new afternoon teas that caught our attention.

Conrad Hotel Beijing
To celebrate their fifth anniversary, Conrad Hotel Beijing has revamped a sugar-free High Tea menu at Chapter and Lobby Lounge, featuring mango & passion-fruit cheesecake, chocolate cannoli, apple mousse tart, carrot cake, vegan scones, cookies, gluten-free crisps, nachos, and rye bread crackers with hummus. To avoid any refined and processed sugar, the culinary team used xylitol, and fresh ingredients as alternatives, Harald Feurstein, the General Manager explained.

Among a dozen bites, we especially liked the carrot cake, which had two layers of round dough filled with cream cheese frosting between the layers. It was satisfying and sweet, seasoned with cinnamon, and topped with a tiny fake carrot made of meringue. The healthy cookies were infused with superfood chia seed, and oatmeal, which made them sturdy and rustic.

Chapter has an elegant atmosphere with a library-esque ambiance, designed by Spin Studio from Japan. Having delicate afternoon tea among all those books will surely impress your guests. This mindful afternoon tea costs RMB 298 (plus 15 percent service charge), and is available between 2.30-5pm at Chapter. It also includes two cups of teas or coffee. Call 6584 6270 for reservation.

Laurent Moreno

Nuo Hotel Beijing
Meanwhile, Nuo Hotel Beijing has collaborated with Laurent Moreno, a world-renowned executive pastry chef from France, and will launch a new afternoon tea for chocoholics at Lobby Lounge on Apr 2. Moreno has 15 years of professional experience and has worked with the famous Pierre Hermé (dubbed “the Picasso of Pastry” by Vogue), Michelin three-starred restaurant La Tour d’Argent, Champs-Elsyées Ladurée shop in Paris, Fauchon, and Dalloyau. Sounds impressive? He is also a training and business consultant at the World’s Top Ten Pastry School Ferrandi, and Ecole Gastronomique Bellouet Conseil, and represents Cabosse Chocolate and Grand Marnier brands as a Celebrity Ambassador.

The chocolate-heavy delights that he brings to Nuo are artsy and elegant in appearance. They include strawberry and basil chocolate cheesecake, French dark chocolate (using cacao from Vietnam), Le Carnaval (milk chocolate cake, raspberry confit), Choux Laurent, and more. His Le Bounty was very impressive, thanks to its glossy ganache glaze, topped with a chocolate sheet and tart passion-fruit flavored cream, and a generous spoon of caviar with savory and umami flavors to balance the rich sweetness of the dark chocolate. The touch of a tiny gold leaf foil made it more like a work of art than a mere dessert. The Sesame Blanc, green tea, vanilla chocolate Ivoire was also impressive, which involved Moreno creating the perfect ratio between Chinese tea and chocolate. Its white chocolate was not overly sweet, with a hint of tea flavor.

You could also pair the sweets with their creative iced coffee – they freeze the coffee into cubes, put them in a nice glass, then you could just pour milk and syrup on those cubes to make your perfectly chilled cup of joe. The chocolate afternoon tea will be available from Apr 2 at Lobby Lounge, Nuo Hotel. Call 5926 8888 for reservations.

Rosewood Beijing
After collaborating with China’s notable Bao Bao Wan Fine Jewelry, Rosewood Beijing joins Delvaux, one of the world’s most famous luxury brands to present an exquisite afternoon tea at Bistrot B Lounge and Bar until Apr 30.

Founded in Belgium in 1829, Delvaux filed its first patents for handbags in 1908. Their bags are works of art with dynamic and incandescent colors, such as chili orange, turquoise, flamingo pink, saffron red, and ebony, inspired by Ethiopia. Executive pastry chef Florian Couteau and his team create a number of savory and sweet delights to echo Delvaux’s latest collection, such as orange and roasted pine nut marmalade with Madagascar whipped vanilla ganache, which came in a beautiful ball-shape with shiny orange glaze that was not overly sweet; Caribbean chocolate crèmeux with Himalayan salt sable, which mirrors the season’s Ethiopia silk twill; and rye bread with ricotta and asparagus. This afternoon tea costs RMB 388 and is available between 2.30-5.30pm at Bistrot B Lounge and Bar, and includes an exclusive gift prepared by Delvaux. Along with the afternoon tea, there will be a pop-up store in the Lobby Shop with the maison’s latest Spring/Summer 2018 collection. Call 6536 0066 for reservation.

More stories by this author here.

Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
Instagram: @flyingfigure

Photos courtesy of venues, Tracy Wang