Every year when Chinese Valentine’s – aka QiXi Festival – rolls around, English-language WeChat accounts publish long articles about the holiday’s origins using the same, boring graphics of a boy and a girl in front of a moon on a bridge of birds. Click here if you really want to learn the story behind QiXi.

This year, instead of retelling that myth, Jingkids is sharing some epic real-life love stories.

A modern day love story that is testament to our digital age, Anna Hartley and Charles Pellegrin met on OkCupid. The couple recently welcomed their baby girl. This is their story.

Shu Qi was intrigued by Jacob Wang when she decided to buy some wine from his TMall store. After chatting online for 33 days and their first date, they knew they were meant for each other. This is their story.

Evelyn Figueroa and Oliver Rosenthal‘s family grew in Beijing when they welcomed their baby girl Eline. Here’s the story of the whirlwind romance that brought this couple to Beijing.

Elizabeth Tucker and Kelli Cochran’s story prove that love happens even when you’re not looking for it. The happy couple are now raising a baby girl together in Beijing. Here’s how they met and how their love blossomed.

Svetlana is a Russian native who spent most of her life in Ukraine, while Carlos is from France. From the moment they met, they knew they were meant for each other. This is a story of love at first sight.

Images: Courtesy of interviewees, pexels

Every year when Chinese Valentine’s – aka QiXi Festival – rolls around, English-language WeChat accounts publish long articles about the holiday’s origins using the same, boring graphics of a boy and a girl in front of a moon on a bridge of birds. Click here if you really want to learn the story behind QiXi.

This year, instead of retelling that myth, Jingkids is sharing some epic real-life love stories.

Once upon a time, before there was Tinder, there was an online dating site called OkCupid. OkCupid believes that you deserve to find who you’re looking for. In the case of Anna Hartley and Charles Pellegrin, OkCupid delivered.

Anna and Charles were both living in Paris when OkCupid introduced them to each other. Anna had been in Paris for two years and was fed up with the dating scene, so she decided to try online dating for fun. Charles had been on OkCupid for two years at that time and was just about to give up hope when he came across Anna’s profile.

Charles: She looked really cool, and her independent spirit really came through. I thought to myself, “This person really knows who she is” and I found that very attractive.

So Anna and Charles went out for a drink at a bar in the Marais, where they talked for hours and hours…

Anna: …and I got no goodbye kiss! I remember walking home in a bit of a daze.

Charles: I knew I was definitely going to see her again so I didn’t kiss her that night. I called her a few days later to set up a second date.

Anna was instantly comfortable with Charles, knowing that their values and aspirations aligned. Plus, as Anna says, “He is so handsome and clever. I had no hope.”

While Charles knew that Anna was special from the get-go, it took him a few months before he realized that she would be the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. “The turning point was a weekend away in Reims where it really dawned on me how amazing she was. I love that she’s able to take in little details from everyday life and turn them into poetry. She’s a constant ray of sunshine.”

When Anna got all of Charles’ friends from around the world to send their well-wishes for his 30th birthday and made it into an amazing video, that was the most romantic gesture that she had ever done for him. For Anna, however, Charles isn’t one big romantic gesture, but “he tells me he loves me every day and shows it in a million little ways like making me breakfast. I am very lucky!”

Anna: “Charles is someone of great integrity. He keeps me grounded when I am worried or scared and is so kind and generous with everyone. He’s also very funny.”

Charles: “Anna is very creative and adventurous, which I love. I’ve learned skills that I would never have dared to on my own, thanks to her. She exudes beauty and kindness. Plus, she laughs at my jokes.”

Though anywhere with each other is the most romantic place they could be in, the outdoor tables at The Local where they went together in their early days in Beijing brought them a bit of familiarity in a strange country. Also, the Jiangxi noodle place across the street from where they used to live made them feel like they just might get the hang of living in Beijing. And they have indeed. We wish the wonderful couple good fortune and happy years ahead as they move to Paris for their next adventure, when their first baby arrives in January!

KEEP READING: QiXi Love Stories: The Whirlwind Romance That Brought This Couple To Beijing

Images: Courtesy of Anna Hartley

Every year when Chinese Valentine’s – aka QiXi Festival – rolls around, English-language WeChat accounts publish long articles about the holiday’s origins using the same, boring graphics of a boy and a girl in front of a moon on a bridge of birds. Click here if you really want to learn the story behind QiXi.

This year, instead of retelling that myth, Jingkids is sharing some epic real-life love stories.

This is the story of how Elizabeth Tucker and Kelli Cochran met and fell in love seven years ago, got married, and now have a bouncy baby girl named Frankie.

How they met

Elizabeth: We were both teaching at a school in Kuwait, and I was in a [heterosexual, long-distance] relationship at the time. Kelli wasn’t looking for anything, especially in the Middle East. There wasn’t an exact moment that it happened, but I always had a crush on her. One time we were in the elevator together and I was so awkward! Kelli said “Hello” but I was frozen. All I could keep thinking was “It’s my crush!”

Who asked who out?

Elizabeth: I had had a few drinks with some friends and messaged her.

Kelli: She sent me a selfie while I was at a desert party, and I showed it to my friend and asked them if that was something they would send a friend and they said no!

Elizabeth: It was a little suggestive… Then at subsequent meetings, we could just feel the electricity in the air between us. Then one evening, Kelli just said she wished we could cuddle. So we went back to my apartment and just talked all night. There was no kissing, no nothing, but it was just incredible. I’ll never forget that night.

The first date

Kelli: She had to end things with the guy first.

Elizabeth: And it had to be over Skype because we weren’t in the same country. It wasn’t ideal but what could I do?

Kelli: Then, for our first date, she picked me up from the gym and we went to this little cafe called 1008.

Elizabeth: It was an awkward first date because we were nervous, but [it was]still fun!

Kelli: The cafe was doing a decorative cup activity so we made a rainbow cup together and hung it up.

Elizabeth: The date ended at my place. There’s this joke: “What did the lesbian bring on their first date? A U-Haul.” Because we move fast!

Kelli: Or we’re just sure. We knew. I didn’t spend any more nights at my apartment for the rest of our time in Kuwait.

Proposing on a high

Elizabeth: After another year in Kuwait, we left and came to Beijing. In our first year here, we got engaged. We were unsure of who should propose to who, so we chose a day to get engaged and did something special. We were spending Chinese New Year in Malaysia when we hired a hot-air balloon and wrote something to say. But the day before, we had done a food tour, and I got food poisoning. So we’re up in the air, and Kelli’s saying these romantic things to me and I was green with nausea.

Kelli: Then we came back and got our ring tattoos at 798.

Having Frankie 

Kelli: My mother works in a fertility center in Michigan, so she really helped us through the process. Even though we could have done it without her, it was nice to have her guide us. It was good to see how common it was because there was always a line at the clinic.

Elizabeth: I’ve always known I wanted to be a mom and be pregnant. Pregnancy is just so fascinating to me. It’s so incredible that you’re growing a human!

Kelli: I’m not as enthusiastic as she is but I want to try for the next one.

What’s the most romantic thing she’s ever done?

Elizabeth: Maybe I’m boring but it’s the way she takes care of us, like packing my lunch and cooking dinner every night. It’s not some grand gesture but the little day-to-day stuff.

Kelli: For me, I think it’s something that she said that’s the most romantic. I like to do races–

Elizabeth: She’s being humble! She’s an incredible athlete. She does triathlons, like the Ironman.

Kelli: –and she said, “I’ll always be there at the finish line.” To me, that meant more than just the physical presence. It’s the support that she provides.

Hearing Elizabeth and Kelli’s story made me go “aww” several times. At no point in time did they feel the need to put any labels on their relationship. Their no-frills romance is that of the humble yet miraculous love story based on a consistent and constant partnership. Theirs is the modern-day fairy-tale, and a love story that we can all aspire to.

KEEP READING: QiXi Love Stories: From the Moment They Met, They Knew It Was Love

Images courtesy of Elizabeth Tucker.

Every year when Chinese Valentine’s – aka QiXi Festival – rolls around, English-language WeChat accounts publish long articles about the holiday’s origins using the same, boring graphics of a boy and a girl in front of a moon on a bridge of birds. Click here if you really want to learn the story behind QiXi.

This year, instead of retelling that myth, Jingkids is sharing some epic real-life love stories.

Shenyang-born Shu Qi was intrigued by Jacob Wang from the moment she bought wine from a TMall store he and his friends owned. She said his unique sense of humor came through in their online banter. In fact, she was so intrigued that she hopped on a high-speed train to Beijing, Jacob’s hometown, to surprise him in person, a mere 33 days after they first exchanged words and began chatting online via QQ (this was a time before WeChat, if you can imagine it).

“The instant I saw him, I knew I would marry him,” Shu declared. A week later, she met his parents – they were shocked, to say the least – and within a year they were, as she had predicted, married.

That first conversation was so fundamental to their connection that Jacob even saved a screenshot of it and presented it to Shu in a homemade video message when he arrived at the airport in Detroit. He had uprooted his entire life in Beijing to move to Michigan where Shu had just launched her career in education. “If this is not love, I don’t know what is,” Jacob had posted on his WeChat Moments along with a photograph of dozens of suitcases at the Beijing airport before he embarked on the life-changing flight. In 2017, their son Valiant (they call him Val) was born in Oxford, Michigan.

When asked what was the most romantic thing that Shu has ever done for him, Jacob said, “She baked me a cake.” He is quick to explain that though it sounds simple, baking is anything but simple for Shu, as she tends to get distracted by the mess and get caught up cleaning while the meal is burning on the stove. So the fact that she even attempted, and rather successfully baked a cake for Jacob’s birthday, meant the world to him.

Shu’s cake to Jacob says, “I love you berry much”

The last time the family was in the US was before the pandemic swept across the globe. They had returned to China to visit Val’s grandparents when the virus hit, and after seeing how badly it was affecting the US, they made the decision to stay in Beijing. They enrolled Val in an international school, and have since remade their lives in the capital. Shu is currently the president of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), where she leads a weekly book club (they are currently reading How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids) and Jacob has resumed management of his own TMall store.

“My life is richer because she’s in it. Wherever she is, is the most romantic place to me,” Jacob answers, when I ask him where the most romantic place is for them. Almost embarrassingly, Shu answered similarly in our separate interview, “This is a little bit lame but can I say, wherever he is.”

It gets even better. When I asked for the three things they love most about each other, Shu’s first unabashed response was “the sex.” Jacob’s was “She’s kind at heart.”

Their own respective sense of humor was another quality they appreciate about each other. For Shu, Jacob’s handiness around the house is also part of why she loves him.

Though the couple has made the most of their time here in the capital, they expect to return to the States soon, where they are also hoping to expand their family, as well as move to Connecticut for better school choices.

KEEP READING: Going “Tarps Off!” With Children’s Storybook Author Curtis Dracz

Images: Shu Qi

As we blogged before, Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine’s Day) is coming this Wednesday, which is August 7. Classic gestures like sending a gift to your loved ones are sure to make them smile. Better yet, you can really go the extra mile by saying a few sweet things, or even put some cute messages into a handwritten card to express your appreciation and love! You can never have too many compliments, so here we’ve prepared some sweet phrases for you to tell your loved one.

With a woman like you in my life, I really am the luckiest man in the world. I hope you have a Valentine’s Day that is as amazing as you are.
Wǒ rénshēng zuì dà de xìngyùn shì yōngyǒu nǐ zài wǒ shēnbiān. Qíngrénjié kuàilè! 我人生最大的幸运是拥有你在我身边。情人节快乐！

We’ve had some great Valentine’s Days together, and I am looking forward to many more. I’ll stop getting you lingerie by the time we’re in our 80’s. Not because you won’t look good, I just can’t take the risk of a heart attack from the excitement.
Wǒmén zàiyíqǐ guò le hěnduō qíngrénjié, wǒ qīdài háiyǒu gèngduō. Yǐhòu wǒmén qìngzhù 80 zhōunián de shíhòu, wǒ búhuiìgěi nǐ mǎi xìnggǎn nèiyī le, wǒ pà yīnwèi nǐ tài méilì, wǒ huì tài xīngfèng ér xīnzàng zhòutíng. 我们在一起过了很多情人节，我期待还有更多。以后在我们庆祝80周年的时候，我不会给你买性感内衣了。我怕因为你太美丽，我会太兴奋而心脏骤停。

Our love is like a romantic movie. But, the best is ours never ends. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Wǒmén de ài jiùxiàng làngmàn diànyǐng. Dànshì, wǒmén de ài yǒng búmiè. Qíngrénjié kuàilè! 我们的爱就像浪漫电影。但是，我们的爱永不灭。情人节快乐！

The moment I met you, I knew you are the one. I really appreciate every moment we have together. I love you!
Dì yī yǎn jiàndào nǐ, wǒ jiù zhīdào wǒ zhǎodào duì de nàgèrén le. Wǒ hén zhēnxī wǒmén zàiyíqǐ de měiyíkè. Wǒ ài nǐ! 第一眼见到你，我就知道我找到对的那个人了。我很珍惜我们在一起的每一刻。我爱你！

To the world you may be one person, but to me you are my world.
Duìyú shìjiě, nǐ shì yígè rén;dànshì duìyú wǒ, nǐ shì wǒ  de shìjiè. 对于世界，你是一个人；但是对于我，你是我的整个世界。

You are and always will be my Valentine. I am really grateful for you.
Yǒu nǐ zài, měiyītiān dōushiìqíngrénjié. Wǒ hěn gǎnēn yǒu nǐ. 有你在，每一天都是情人节。我很感恩有你。

Photo: Pixabay.com

Falling on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, which is August 7 this year, Qixi Festival is considered China’s version of Valentine’s Day. You may wonder why there are so many Valentine’s Days in China… other than the fake holiday “520” promoted by companies like Taobao, there are actually three – Lantern Festival, Shangsi Festival, and the most famous one, Qixi Festival! Here are some words and phrases to help you understand more about this holiday, its history, traditions, and food.

Story

Originally known as Qiqiao Festival in the Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE), Qixi Festival was actually a significant festival for young women, who prayed for skillful hands for sewing, so they would be prepared for marriage. Later, people related it to the tale of star-crossed lovers separated in the night sky by the Milky Way– Zhinu (the weaver girl), a fairy from heaven, and Niulang (a cowherd), an ordinary farm boy. (Visit here to learn more about the tale.)

Valentine’s Day 情人节 Qíngrén Jié

Qixi festival 七夕节 Qīxī Jié

Folk tale 传说 Chuánshuō

Milky Way 银河 Yínhé

Weaver girl 织女 Zhīnǚ

Cowherd 牛郎  Niúláng

Romance 恋爱 Liàn’ài

The seventh day of the seventh lunar month is Qixi Festival.
Nónglì de qīyuè qīrì shì qīxījié. 农历的七月七日是七夕节。

Zhinu fell in love with Niulang.
Zhīnǚ hé Niúláng xiāngài le. 织女和牛郎相爱了。

Traditions

As sewing is considered one of the most important domestic skills for marriage, traditionally girls would pray to be skillful at needlework on this day. Handmade scarves and hats are popular gifts for Qixi Festival. In addition to this, people will often plan their special dates around locations where it’s easy to gaze at the stars in the night sky.

Sewing skills 编织技巧 Biānzhī jìqiǎo

Send roses 送玫瑰 Sòng méiguī

Give chocolate 送巧克力 Sòng qiǎokélì

Spot the stars 观星 Guānxīng

Romantic 浪漫的 Làngmàn de

They have good sewing skills.
Tāmén yǒu hěnhǎo de biānzhī jìqiǎo. 她们有很好的编织技巧。

Men will send roses and chocolate to women.
Nánshēng huì sòng méiguì hé qiǎokélì gěi nǚshēng. 男生会送玫瑰和巧克力给女生。

Food

Different regions in China have different food to celebrate Qixi Festival. Most commonly people eat sweet food during Qixi Festival in the hope of ingenuity, a sweet romance, and a good marriage.

Dumplings 饺子 Jiǎozi

Nuts 坚果 Jiānguǒ

Noodles 面条 Miàntiáo

Chicken 鸡肉 Jīròu

Qiaoguo (Fried Thin Pastry) 巧果 Qiǎoguǒ

Photo:  pexels

This Friday is Chinese Valentine’s Day, we are told. My first reaction to this was sceptical: another fake corporate greedfest dreamed up by vendors of chocolate and roses, another excuse to pile the guilt on busy and preoccupied partners. (“You mean you haven’t got me a present for Qixi?” “I didn’t even know it existed till I started writing about it for beijingkids.” And so on.)

However it is in origin an ancient festival dating back to the Han dynasty, and the story which lies behind it is one of China’s Four Great Folktales. It has the blend of oddity and charm characteristic of Chinese folklore.

Zhinu, whose name means Weaver Girl, was the seventh daughter of the Goddess, and lived in heaven, where it was her job to weave the clouds. However she found this a boring task, and one day she escaped from heaven and fled to earth.

While she was sitting by a river, she was discovered by a young cowherd, whose name was Niulang (which means cowherd- the Chinese are great believers in nominative determinism.) The two, of course, fell in love. They married and had two children.

Meanwhile heaven was in an uproar as everyone searched for the missing weaver girl. When her mother found her living with a mortal, she was furious, and dragged her back to heaven.

Niulang was naturally devastated at the loss of his beloved wife. Then, one night, his ox began to talk to him, and told him that if he wanted to ascend to heaven, he needed to kill the ox and put on its skin. (What the ox’s motivation was here, is not recorded.)

Niulang took his two children and set off for heaven clad in the magic oxhide. The Goddess saw him coming though, and scratched a river in the sky with her hairpin to keep the lovers apart.

And they can all be seen in the night sky to this day: Zhinu as the star Vega, Niulang and his children as Altair and two smaller stars either side of it. The river in heaven separating them is the Milky Way.

However the story has a happy ending of sorts. Once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, all the magpies in the world fly up to heaven and form a bridge so that they can meet. There, didn’t see that coming, did you?

The Qixi (Seven Sunset) festival is celebrated not only in China, but also in Japan and Korea. Traditional merrymaking includes girls competing to thread needles in low light (how the long summer evenings must have flown by…)

Now of course, it’s all about roses and chocolates and piling guilt on busy and preoccupied partners. We say, enough of this commercialism, let’s return to the true meaning of the festival. Come on, ladies! Needles out…

Photo: Shizhao, via Wikimedia Commons

Like celebrating two New Years’ Day in the same julian calendar, there are two Valentine’s Day to treat a loved one to some flowers, chocolate and mouthwatering dinners. We posted a list of places around town that have Qixi Festival sometimes referred to as Chinese Valentine’s Day promotions, check the list here. This post adds more dining options to that list.

Qixi, or Chinese Valentine’s Day, falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Qixi celebrates the legend of two star-crossed lovers, Niulang the cowherd and Zhinv the weaver girl.  This ancient tale, which dates from at least the 6th century BC, is a story of eternal love overcoming all adversity and changing the fabric of the universe in the process.

Chinese Valentine’s Day Romantic Package
Enjoy a barbecue dinner for two with unlimited drinks of beers and soft drinks and a one-night stay in a deluxe room at Courtyard by Marriott Beijing Northeast Hotel. RSVP required.  RMB 699. 6-10pm. Momo Café (5907 6277).

Chinese Valentine’s Dinner Romance
Indulge in the seafood rich menu and champagne with a loved one at the Conrad’s Chapter hotel. Price subject to 15 percent service charge. RSVP required. RMB 358 (per person). 6-9pm. Chapter (6584 6270).

Set Dinner for Chinese Valentine’s Day
A five course set dinner accompanied by two glasses of wine, soft drinks and handmade chocolate to take home awaits couples planning to celebrate Chinese Valentine’s Day. RSVP required. RMB 888 (net, per couple). 6-11pm. The Summit Club (6590 3388). 

Romantic Chinese Valentine’s Dinner
Enjoy a romantic three course dinner accompanied by champagne, osyters, clam, lamb and more at a candlelit table for two. RSVP required. Price subject to 15 percent service charge. RMB 888 (per couple). 6-10pm. 29 Grill (6584 6300).

Qixi Valentine’s Feast
Dine with a loved one for a three course set menu with crisp calamari or asparagus as an option for a starter, salmon or Australian tenderloin for mains, and one dessert. RSVP required. Price subject to 15 percent service charge. RMB 288 (per couple). FEAST (Get number).

Pamper Your Loved One
Try a four course Italian set menu dinner in a candlelit setting. Rose sparkling wine and chocolate will be presented to the restaurant patrons. RSVP required. RMB 688 (net, per couple). 5.30-10pm. Fratelli Fresh (5863 8203).

A Feast of Love
Celebrate the Qixi Festival with a six course specially crafted menu and wines pairings to with a loved one. RSVP required. Price subject to 15 percent service charge. RMB 1,314 (additional RMB 520 for wine pairing) for two. 6-9pm. Temple Restaurant Beijing (8400 2232).

Photo: snoopsmaus (Flickr)

Often referred to as Chinese Valentine’s Day, Qixi falls on the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar, making it August 2 this year. The traditional festival celebrates the once-per-year meeting of the weaver girl and the cowherd in Chinese mythology, whose forbidden love had them banished to opposite sides of the sky. Read more about the myth here.

Luckily for lazy lovebirds, Qixi falls on a Saturday this year, so there is no excuse not to treat your significant other to a second Valentine’s blow out. Here are our pick of events around town (all events fall on August 2 unless otherwise stated).

Chinese Valentine’s Day Celebration
Indulge in an international dinner buffet featuring seafood and salads from Greece, Thailand and Germany. Finish up with a selection of romantic, pink-themed desserts. RMB 498+ per person. 5.30pm.Greenfish Restaurant (6629 6990).

Chinese Valentine’s Day at Mutianyu
The Brickyard’s great value Qixi package includes private transfers to/from Beijing, a stay in a superior Great Wall view queen room, a bottle of Prosecco, breakfast for two, and two 60 minute Chinese massages. RMB 2,488 per couple.Brickyard Eco-Retreat (6162 6506).

Double 7 Valentine’s Day
Celebrate Qixi, Spanish-style, at Agua. Daytime diners can choose the infinity brunch, while evening visitors have the option of a special set menu for couples. Both will be showered with special Chinese Valentine’s Day gifts. RMB 980 per couple. 6pm. Agua (5208 6188).

"Be my Valentine" Staycation
Want a romantic getaway but don’t have time to leave the city? Head over to Xicheng, where the DoubleTree is offering a staycation package including a five course Chinese meal and breakfast for two. RMB 1,088 per couple. DoubleTree by Hilton (6338 1999 ext 1628).

Italian Romance
Set the mood for romance with a special five course menu of classic Italian dishes created by Barolo’s Chef de Cuisine Eugenio, complemented by a welcome drink of rosé Champagne. Add an optional wine pairing for RMB 398 per person. RMB 2,288 per couple. 6pm. Barolo (5908 8151).

L’Amour Français
The French know how to do romance, so what better way to say “je t’aime” than with a cosy French meal. If you’d rather toast the occasion with a drink, the bar will have a menu of champagne cocktails for RMB 50 all night. RMB 388 per couple. 6pm. Cafe de la Poste (6402 7047).

Inspired by Great Love at Modo
Based on Modo Urban Deli’s motto “Inspired by Great Produce”, on Qixi the menu is “Inspired by Great Love”. Sample a four course menu of dishes such as beef tenderloin and Nutella crème brûlée. RMB 198 per person. All Day. Modo Urban Deli (6415 7207).

Pink Sparkling and Bubbly Afternoons
They say champagne is an aphrodisiac. Get in the mood at Fez Bar, where Sundays equal buy-one-get-one-free bottles of Pierre Chainier pink sparkling or Parxet Cuvée 21 Cava. RMB 398. 3pm-6pm. Fez Bar (5208 6188).

A Fine Romance
The fastest way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. Treat that special someone to a Cantonese feast at Huang Ting, featuring romance-inducing dishes such as chicken with goji berries. RMB 598 per couple. 6pm. Huang Ting (6510 6707).

Indulge at One East
Celebrate romance at One East restaurant where they are offering up a three-course set dinner. They have set aside a special couples table and if you are lucky enough to snag it, you will be treated to dinner and an overnight stay in a Hilton deluxe room. RMB 596 per couple. 6pm.One East (5865 5030).

Magnifique Romance
Add a little French romance to your Qixi at VIC. Indulge in a French-inspired dinner buffet, complemented by free-flow soft drinks and French wines. Couples will receive gifts including teddy bears, roses and chocolates, and will have the chance to wine a one night stay in a luxury room (including breakfast). RMB 520. 6pm. VIC (8599 6666).

Chinese Valentine’s Day at Capital M
The night of August 2 heralds “Chinese Valentine’s Day”, or Qixi, and Capital M are celebrating with their most romantic menu in one of the city’s most romantic settings, beginning with Champagne & canapés. RMB 888 per couple. 6pm. Capital M (6702 2727).

Chinese Valentine’s Day Set Menu
Flamme is offering a good value set menu filled with romantic touches such as strawberry butter, smoked salmon mousse and heart-shaped pastry. Sample two Valentine’s cocktails – the Almond Old Fashioned and the True Love – for RMB 99. RMB 699 per couple. 11am onwards.Flamme (6417 8608).

This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on July 27, 2014.

Photo: Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton