Happy Valentine’s Day!

Whether you’re single, committed, or in the “it’s complicated” status of a relationship, you can take advantage of these Valentine’s Day promotions and deals!

All are sourced from local expatreneurs with their own side hustles/businesses so you’re supporting their dreams with every purchase. Isn’t that a great way to spread the love this V-Day? And if you’ve forgotten to get a gift, we tell you where to get some gorgeous last-minute flowers and chocolates so all’s not lost tonight!

Doucea

N&K Home candles

NUDE Skincare

Last-minute gifts!

Expat bakers Maria And Dani (M.A.D Sweets & Treats) had whipped up a delicious Valentine’s day treats with a gluten-free almond cookie base, topped with a dark chocolate layer and sprinkled with cranberries and coconut flakes, all wrapped up in a deep red Vday gift bag perfect for the occasion.

JSS has a dedicated Valentine’s section right on its homepage with wine and chocolates that will be delivered before the end of the day to add some Vday flavor to your Netflix & chill session tonight. As for flowers, a quick search of the term will give you a few options such as the Flower Market+ which promises a same-day delivery and offers a rose bouquet with lights at RMB198.

On the JD.com app, using search terms “情人节鲜花“ (Qíngrén jié xiānhuā) or Valentine’s Day fresh flowers, you’ll see plenty of options guaranteeing same-day delivery for orders within the same city (同城 Tóngchéng).

XOXO from jingkids and the whole True Run team!

Images: Pexels, courtesy of vendors

KEEP READING: Taobao’s Most Interesting Valentine’s Gifts

There’s always something fun going on in the city, and with lots of family-friendly events coming up in the next two weeks things will get super exciting. Here’s our pick of the top kid-friendly events to consider when planning your day out in Beijing:

The Children’s House Open Day

The Children’s House Oceanwide campus will host an open day on Sat, Feb 11, for all parents who’d like their child to grow and learn in an authentic Montessori environment. The activities will start at 9.30am with a music class followed by an information session and an art class. Make sure to register by scanning the QR code on the poster.

Where: The Children’s House International Montessori Kindergarten Oceanwide Campus
When: Feb 11, 9.30-11.30am
Price: Free

Meeting Chaoyang KaiWen Academy Principals

Chaoyang KaiWen Academy sincerely invites parents to participate in the face-to-face talk in February with the principals to fully understand KaiWen teaching philosophy, curriculum settings, and school environment, and to learn more about the future of international education.

Where: Beijing Chaoyang KaiWen Academy, 46 Baoquansan Street, Chaoyang District
When: Feb 23, 10am
Price: Free

The Rhythm of Hungary – Dancing & Games

Get a glimpse of Europe in downtown Beijing with Jazzy Preschool and The Liszt Institute – Hungarian Cultural Center of Beijing on Sun, Feb 13. Kids aged 1-6 will get to experience the unique Hungarian culture and music through rhythm and games, listening to traditional songs and stories from this Central European country. Scan the QR code to register for the event. Seats are limited.

Where: The Liszt Institute, Galaxy Soho
When: Feb 13, 10:00-12:00
Price: Free

Jazzy’s Valentine’s Open Day

Another kid-friendly event organized by Jazzy Preschool will be happening on Feb 11 and will be a celebration of love and friendship. Parents and kids can participate in fun games and activities, tour the facilities, and learn about Jazzy’s educational philosophy and teaching methods. Scan the QR code on the poster to sign up.

Where: Jazzy Preschool, East Lake Villas
When: Feb 11, 9am-noon
Price: Free

CISB Open House

Canadian International School of Beijing will host its first open house in more than two years. It will take place on a school day with students at school so parents/guardians will be able to see firsthand how children learn through play in a safe and engaging environment. CISB welcomes parents of kids aged 18 months to 11 years on Feb 17 at 10am.

Where: Canadian International School of Beijing
When: Feb 17, 10am
Price: Free

ClubFootball Winter Weekend Sessions

ClubFootball’s Winter Weekend programs are open for registration and will run for four weeks in February. Indoor sessions at 798 and Houshayu are suitable for younger players (4+), while the outdoor sessions for older kids will run at Dongfeng. Each day will focus on a different World Football-related theme and skill. All sessions are coached by qualified coaches from Europe. Kids still on holiday can join the three-day camp at Houshayu. For more info and pricing, scan the QR code below.

Where: 798, Houshayu and Dongfeng
When: Feb 4-26
Price: RMB 800/Houshayu, RMB 960/Dongfeng, RMB 1120/798 Art Zone

Valentine’s Ginger Cookies Workshop

Malika and her cakes are well-known in Beijing’s expat community, and this Sunday she’ll be hosting a Valentine’s Ginger Cookies workshop for kids and their parents. The activity is limited to 15 kids (each kid accompanied by parent) and the cost is RMB 388. To book your spot, scan the QR code on the poster.

Where: 2701, 27/F, Bldg B, Youshige Dasha, East 3rd Ring Road, Chaoyang District
When: Feb 12, 11am
Price: RMB 388/child+parent

Valentine’s Market & Adoption Day in Jinshang Yuan

Get into the Valentine’s Day spirit at Valentine’s Day Market with good music and great food. You can enjoy shopping and celebrate love by giving a forever home to one of the many cute fur babies that will be available for adoption at the market. The market will be open noon-6pm with free entry.

Where: Jinshang Yuan, 20 Xinyuanli West, Chaoyang District
When: Feb 11, noon-6pm
Price: Free

Plus, don’t forget about these events coming up this weekend:

Daystar Academy’s Open House

Daystar will host an open house in February where you’ll get to learn about their curriculum and ask questions about their teaching methods, transportation, after-school activities and school life. Current students will be sharing their own stories and experiences to help you make the right decision about your kid’s future education. The open house and tour of the Sanlitun campus is scheduled for Feb 12, whereas the Beigao location will be hosting its open house on Feb 19. Seats are limited. Scan the QR code for registration and more info.

Where: Daystar Academy Sanlitun and Beigao campuses
When: Feb 12 ( Sanlitun), Feb 19 (Beigao)
Price: Free

Family Forbidden City Scavenger Hunt

Get your friends and family together and take them on an adventure in the Forbidden City to enjoy a fun and educational afternoon. Search for clues, solve riddles and discover hidden secrets on Sat, Feb 11, in a family-friendly scavenger hunt organized by Our Beijing. The activity is best suited for kids 6-14, so if you and your kiddo want to spend some quality time together, this is a great way to do so. Scan the QR code on the poster to register. Tickets start from RMB 310/adult and go up to RMB 500/two adults and two children. Please note that entrance tickets to the Forbidden City are not included in the price.

Where: Forbidden City
When: Feb 11, 1-4.30pm
Price: RMB 310/adult, RMB 350/adult + child, RMB 450/2 adults + 1 child, RMB 500/2 adults + 2 children (entrance tickets not included)

Images: Pexels, Courtesy of the organizers

When Leslie Knopp, star of the US mockumentary TV series Parks and Recreation, created Galentine’s Day in a 2010 episode, it was an instant hit. Knopp, played by the distinctive Amy Poehler, gathers a group of gal pals for a waffle brunch where “ladies celebrate ladies.” Thus, this fake holiday was born!

Fast forward some 10 years, and fun-loving women around the world have adopted Galentine’s Day into their calendars because we just love another reason to gather the gang for conversation and cocktails (or mocktails, whatever blows your dress up)!

While Galentine’s Day is meant to be on Feb 13, you can get together with your girlfriends any time to celebrate each other. So aside from these dining deals and afternoon teas, what other ways can you celebrate Galentine’s Day in Beijing this year?

Get movin’

Try an Aerial Yoga class with your gal friends whom you aren’t afraid to trip up and look silly in front of! Xs.Aerial Yoga Studio in Dongzhimen offers silks, hoop, chair burlesque, and even traditional ballet classes starting from a very reasonable RMB 259 for a three-trial class pack.

This Friday, Feb 18, Taozi Tree Yoga is holding their regular “Moved by the Moon” event at Park Hyatt. Practice yoga under the full moon in this 75-minute Vinyasa class accompanied by live guitar music.

Make some art

Nothing says bonding like getting the creative juices flowing together in a session of tufting or painting! Linestudio Tufting in Bailin Hutong is a cozy studio where you can design and make a rug with your gal pals in a private class. Prices start from RMB 450 per person and include basic materials. Look up linestudio tufting on Dianping for more details.

Painting workshops paired with a glass of champagne/wine, or cup of tea/coffee are a super fun way to while the afternoon away with your friends. We know of at least two artists who provide such services – Martha, who’s known for her Sip & Dip Natural Lotus Leaves Painting workshops, and Nadia, whom I’ve had the privilege of painting with before. She provides a basic pencil sketch of the artwork so you can’t screw up too much when you add the paint. Aside from special events, they also accept small group bookings at a location of your choosing, provided you meet their minimum capacity.

If you aren’t interested in getting your hands dirty, you can still appreciate some art at UCCA’s art exhibition “The Last Judgement” by Maurizio Cattelan in Beijing’s 798 Art District. The exhibition is the Italian-born artist’s first solo exhibition in China and offers 29 works picked from his entire career, culminating in a discourse on death, social mores, the colossus of art history, and the nature and value of art in a globalized contemporary society. Just for kicks, you can take home the iconic “banana taped to a wall” piece in the form of a fuzzy tote bag with a velcro banana on it.

Give your body some lovin’

… and take yourself and your buddies to a hot spring to soak your cares away. Goodness knows after this last week of online learning we all need it. Check out this article for some of our favorite hot springs, plus we know the Hanjinbai Hot Spring International Hotel (瀚金佰九号温泉国际酒店 Hàn jīn bǎi jiǔ hào wēnquán guójì jiǔdiàn) has a great weekday deal for just RMB 299, all-you-can-eat buffet included! They have indoor and outdoor hot spring pools and Jingkids editor Julie Wolf can attest to their cleanliness too.

Escape Room

It takes a special group of girlfriends to take on the challenge of an escape room, but it’s definitely a unique bonding experience. Isaiah at MR. X Escape Rooms in Sanlitun is one of the only escape rooms available in English, with pre-booking required. The plot goes, “Since the 14th century A.D., the Vatican City State has been the place of residence of all Popes. The recent death of Pope John Paul II has caused a panic and an agent (you) has been dispatched to find out what’s going on. As you enter the scene, various supernatural events take place. Apparently, the Pope’s soul is still trapped here on our mortal plane, and it’s up to you to get him out, so you can get out too…” If this sounds like your thing, read up on intern Sebastian’s first escape room experience and look up MR. X on Dianping to book your escape!

How will you and your girlfriends celebrate Galentine’s Day? Tell us in the comments below!

KEEP READING: Taobao’s Most…Interesting Valentine’s Gifts

Images: Dianping, Tenor, Fish Consulting, Unsplash

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and we want to celebrate the thing that makes us feel alive – love, that many-splendored thing that’s better than ice cream and comes in all shapes and sizes.

Today we celebrate young love; the butterflies-in-your-stomach thrill of a first kiss and sweet innocence that only comes with teenage romance.

17-year-old Ayisha noticed Ben Aurel right away the first time they met. It was the beginning of 2020 and she was on her look-see trip visiting the German Embassy School of Beijing, where Ben is a student. He said hi and asked where in Germany she was from. She answered and then moved on with the rest of the tour, but she remembered him because she thought “he was good-looking.”

Funnily enough, Ben didn’t actually remember her from that first encounter. “That year we had many, many visitors – some stayed for days and others for months. She was only there for that day so I didn’t really remember her.” It wasn’t until November of that year when Ayisha started school, that she would really make a mark on him.

Ben shares, “One of her best friends had some trouble with one of my friends, so we met up after school to talk about it and started hanging out. We were also the only three students in Chinese class where she teased me about my bad pronunciation all the time.”

After a few weeks of getting to know one another and staying over at each other’s homes, Ben announced casually one day that he had told his parents that his girlfriend would be having a sleepover that night. The label made things official.

Sleepovers were rather common for Ayisha back in Germany, where many of her best friends were boys. So while spending the night at Ben’s place was no big deal for her family, Ben’s parents laid down some rules: Separate beds and no locked doors. These rules have never been broken.

“In Beijing, there aren’t that many places to go where you don’t have to spend money. Solana is one of our favorite spots because there’s actually spots where you can just hang out without buying stuff,” Ben tells us. Ayisha adds that “it’s also right next to Chaoyang Park where we take walks.”

Walks are one of the ways they like to spend their time together, and one of Ayisha’s special memories of their relationship. “We have so many special moments together it’s hard to choose just one, but I remember going on a walk [around their residential compound]very, very late at night, around 3am. We just talked and it was really nice.”

For Ben, their recent shared family holiday is a cherished reminiscence. “Our families have gotten quite close and we ended up spending New Year’s together in Sanya. By luck, we ended up on the same flight back and sat next to each other.”

Ben carries Ayisha’s little sister

Another thing that he treasures from Ayisha is a Miami Heat basketball jersey that she got him to replace the one she didn’t like – which admittedly hurt his feelings a little. He rarely wears it because “it’s precious.” Ayisha loves the giant stuffed panda that Ben got her for her birthday.

What makes the two of them work? According to Ayisha, “We get each other’s humor. And now that we’ve been together a while, he can be very caring and thoughtful. If he sees that I’m sad, he’ll come and give me a hug or a kiss on the cheek. He’s always cheering me up.”

The adolescent pair just passed the one-year anniversary mark. “One year and five days” at the time of writing, to be exact, and things are looking good. When asked about their upcoming Valentine’s Day plans, they had none, though their class is getting together on the day to sell roses and raise funds for their prom. Let’s hope they raise enough to make it a memorable one!

I’ll show you all of the places I’m dreaming of. I’ll take you to the ocean, I’ll bring the sun. We are 17, we have just begun. ~ Ellie Gouling, “Animal”

KEEP READING: What’s It Like To Be in a Throuple?

Images: Ayisha and Ben Aurel

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and we want to celebrate the thing that makes us feel alive – Love; that many-splendored thing that’s better than ice cream; that comes in all shapes and sizes and forms not limited to the human race! We’re talking about… puppy love! Literally. We’re celebrating love in its pure, unadulterated form of tail wagging, wet kisses and furry cuddles. Check out the following “tails” of four-legged love from Beijing’s beloved animal rescue group Lost Puppies!

“And they called it puppy love…” ~ Paul Anka [Puppy Love]

Dakota and Loki: From the moment she first met him, she had an instant crush. He’s a bit stand-offish but I’ve noticed him being a bit protective when mean guys get close!

Murphy’s Law… of Love

Fur parent Jack says, “They have a gorgeous relationship. Murphy can’t be without Elsa ever, and Elsa can be quite cold towards other dogs but she always tries to look after Murphy. When he had the snip she was covering him up with a blanket whilst he was moping and cuddling up to him; always nibbling each other and playing and so on.” Follow Elsa and Murphy’s adventures on Instagram (elsa_and_murphy).

Poof! Thor In Love

Fur mom Bisera shares the love between lost puppy Poof and another lost puppy Thor, seen in their adorable dancing moves!

Grizzly and Reya – Sibling Love 

Furry Fun Fact: Did you know that dogs have the same hormones as humans such as oxytocin which is involved with feeling love and affection for others?

However, a dog does not experience the full range of emotions like humans do. …”we know that the assortment of emotions available to the dog will not exceed that which is available to a human who is two to two-and-a-half years old. This means that a dog will have all of the basic emotions: joy, fear, anger, disgust, and, yes, love, but the dog does not experience the more complex emotions like guilt, pride, and shame. [Modern Dog Magazine, “Which Emotions Do Dogs Actually Experience?”] 

Tails of Bromance

Nanook and Joey, 3 years and counting!

Iroh and Ginger

Lost Puppies is a non-profit team of volunteers focused on rescuing dogs across Beijing to give them a happy and healthy life. All Lost Puppies rescues are spayed / neutered to help minimize the stray dog population in Beijing from growing out of control. To foster a pup, make a donation or help in other ways, scan the QR code below!

KEEP READING: Hope and Love; Making a Difference at Age 11

Images: Courtesy of pet owners in The Lost Puppies Network WeChat group

Valentine’s Day is coming up, and just because we’re quarantined at home doesn’t mean this day isn’t going to be special. Instead of a date night out, make this Valentine’s Day a family affair.

While we might not be able to stroll around shopping centers to pick out the perfect gift that embodies your love, it doesn’t mean you can’t help your kids order mom the perfect bouquet of flowers.

To order fresh flower bouquets delivered at the exact time you want is easier than it sounds through eleme, the same app that we use for our food deliveries.

Some vendors on eleme have already started their Valentine’s Day promotions, whether it’s food, wine, or flowers.

To order a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers, download the eleme app. Click here for a step by step guide.

In the search bar type in flower (花 hua in Chinese). A list of flower boutiques around you will pop up. Then it’s just a matter of choosing the bouquet that you like.

After you’ve selected the bouquet you want, proceed to payment. Before you confirm your payment, select the delivery time.

Delivery can be as quick as the same day, with time dependent on the distance the boutique is from you, or you can select a different day and time. Eleme offers delivery time in 30-minute increments which means you’ll receive your flowers roughly around the time you want.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Photos: Unsplash, harpersbazaar.com, thesun.co.uk

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

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and to take the stress out of choosing where to treat that special someone to dinner, we have put together a selection of ten deals, with something for everyone, whether your wallet is still hurting from Chinese New Year or you’re looking to splash out. It’s also worth noting that with Valentine’s Day falling on a Thursday, some restaurants are serving set menus at the weekend as well – check event listings for details.

Make wine your Valentine at Signature’s

What says “Valentine’s Day” better than free-flow wine? That’s exactly what Signature’s at the Kempinski Beijing Lufthansa Center is offering, alongside a seafood spread, beef Wellington, homemade sausages, Beijing duck, and dessert for just RMB 368 per person. We can’t help but feel like this would be a good option for Galentine’s, as well. RMB 368 per person. 6-10pm. Signature’s Restaurant

Romance by the river at Fiume and Lievito

Both Fiume and Lievito will be offering a set menu of wintery Italian classics for RMB 599 per couple (a steal as far as we’re concerned), as well as deals on selected bottles of wine from as low as RMB 99. Book early to grab a table by the window with a view over the Liangma River. RMB 599 per couple. 5-9.30pm. Fiume and Lievito 

Classic romance at Mosto

There are few more reliably romantic restaurants than Mosto, and as usual they have come out with a tasty-looking menu for Valentine’s Day. Share starters like yellowfin tuna causa and French oysters with caipirinha sorbet with that special someone, then choose a main course from options such as Icelandic cod and Josper-roasted beef. Book ASAP for this one, tables will go quickly. RMB 498 per person. 5.30-10.30pm. Mosto

Let love bubble over at Red Bowl

Maybe hot pot doesn’t scream “romance” to you but just think of all those potential cute moments where you both reach for the same morsel of meat at the same time. Red Bowl at Rosewood Beijing are offering a hot pot set menu filled with premium ingredients and accompanied by free-flow sparkling wine for RMB 1,688 or RMB 1,200 when purchased via their WeChat store. RMB 1,688 per couple. 5.30pm-1am. Red Bowl

Sample wines made by couples at The Merchants

In an interesting twist on the usual “meal and wine pairing” formula, Meishuguan wine bar and restaurant The Merchants has prepared a selection of wines made by couples. Enjoy a five-course dinner accompanied by the aforementioned wines for RMB 788 per person. RMB 488 per person, RMB 300 for wine pairing. 7pm-midnight. The Merchants

Buy a steak in love at O’Steak

Where better to celebrate a festival of romance than at a French restaurant? O’Steak has two French-themed menus available, one priced at RMB 428 per person and one priced at RMB 888 per couple. Both menus feature their signature steak, as well as French classics like lobster bisque and escargots. Oui oui! Menus from RMB 428. 11am-11pm. O’Steak

Flash the cash at Opera Bombana

If you’re flush with cash and really looking to splurge then Opera Bombana is the restaurant for you. Their six-course menu is packed with luxe ingredients like black truffle, king crab, and wagyu beef. Add a wine pairing for RMB 888 per person, because why not? RMB 1,888 per person. 6-10.30pm. Opera Bombana

Romance defined at TRB Hutong and TRB Forbidden City

When it comes to Beijing restaurants it doesn’t get much more romantic than TRB. Whether you want to dine in a secluded temple or with views over the Forbidden City, both of their locations will be serving a luxurious six-course menu packed with ingredients like scallops, langoustine, and foie gras. RMB 1,888 per person (RMB 1,388 per person Feb 15-17). 11.30am-10pm. TRB Hutong and TRB Forbidden City

Valentine’s Party at Zarah

If the idea of a romantic dinner surrounded by cheesy decorations fills you with dread, head over to Zarah, where they are ignoring the mushy stuff and throwing a Saint Valentine Remembrance Party. They’ll have happy hour all night, with wine by the glass for RMB 30 as well as a three-course set menu priced at RMB 188 per person or RMB 376 per couple. No fairy-tale romances allowed. RMB 188, RMB 376 (per couple). 7pm-1am. Zarah

Share the love at Jing Yaa Tang

Many Chinese dishes are designed for sharing, so what better cuisine to choose for Valentine’s Day? Chef Li Dong from Jing Yaa Tang has put together a menu of sharing dishes, including the restaurant’s signature roast duck, and a selection of desserts infused with Chinese flavors like baijiu and jasmine tea. RMB 999 per couple. 6-10pm. Jing Yaa Tang

While we’re on the topic of love… can a Pig ever truly love a Snake?

More stories by this author here.

Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Photos: Pixabay, courtesy of the venues

Celebrate at Café Swiss, Swissotel Beijing, 6.30-9.30pm
RMB 520 per couple (fine dining, including chocolate, rose, and two welcome drinks)

Take your loved one to a night of romance with an exquisite and memorable Valentine’s Dinner at Café Swiss. Their chef and his culinary team prepare a five-course Valentine’s western set menu, while Swiss Deli special design chocolate and gifts let you express your affection and enjoy the occasion. RMB 130 for a Valentine’s Heart Cake, RMB 48 for a Valentine’s Heart Chocolate Box. (The price includes 10 percent service charge and 6 percent value-added tax). Swissotel Beijing. (6553 2288-2127, restaurant.beijing@swissotel.com)

Treasure Your Love @ Kerry’s Kitchen, 5.30-10.30pm
RMB 338 (buffet per person), RMB 1,588 (set menu per couple)

Kerry’s Kitchen has got you and your loved ones covered this Valentine’s Day. Couples can dine to their heart’s delight at Kerry’s love-filled buffet dinner while being serenaded by melodious saxophone music. Or opt for an intimate candlelight four-course set dinner with our platter options that come with a bottle of Rose Sparkling Wine. Couples also stand a chance to win a rose-gold pendant set from ZHAO Fortune Cookie Collection. Kerry’s Kitchen. (8565 2088)

Sizzling Romance at RED BOWL, 5.30-10.30pm
RMB 688 (hot pot dinner per person, including free-flow of appetizers and hot pot ingredients)

Turn up the heat on your romance with a sizzling hot pot dinner filled with premium ingredients and perfect for sharing at dynamic dining spot RED BOWL. Start your enticing evening with mouthwatering appetizers like Poached Chicken with Peanut, Sesame and Spicy Sauce; Sichuan Pickled Vegetable; and Spiced Duck Liver before creating your very own hot pot sensation with free-flowing specialty seafood like Argentina shrimp, Dalian scallop, and king crab leg, and meats like Australian wagyu M6-7 brisket, Australian boneless beef short rib and New Zealand lamb chop. Unlimited fresh vegetables like local sagebrush, Chinese baby cabbage, daikon, and organic sweet corn add to the fabulous flavor, while RED BOWL’s signature ingredients like spicy venison, egg dumplings, and crab roe tofu packets, along with their hand cut noodles and freshly rolled dumplings ensure each bite is a tantalizing treat. Rosewood Beijing.

Valentine’s Day Dinner Buffet, from 7pm
RMB 998 (per couple)

Treat that special someone this Valentine’s Day with a dinner buffet at the N’Joy Restaurant in the Nuo Hotel. The buffet features free-flowing red, white and sparkling rose wine and beer, plus a range of delectable dishes and candle-lit culinary romance. (5926 8888 for reservations). N’Joy.

Valentine’s Mountain Escape
RMB 2,188 (for two people)

The Brickyard Retreat Center is offering a special rate of RMB 2,188 that includes private transfers from/to Beijing for two people, a superior queen Great Wall view room, a complimentary bottle of imported sparkling wine, breakfast for two in the Lodge, and two 60-minute Chinese massages. As a guest, you’ll have full privileges to soak in the Great Wall view jacuzzi as well as enjoy the Garden and Health Center. View details and book online here. The Brickyard Retreat Center at Mutianyu Great Wall.

Valentines Acroyoga, 7-8pm
RMB 200 (per couple)

Bring partners, lovers, or friends for this loving workshop through the art of AcroYoga. All levels of yoga experience are welcome. Enjoy chocolates afterward! Scan the QR code below to register. B Active Fitness Dongzhimen.

Photos: kdzwonek via Pixabay; courtesy of Swissotel Beijing, Kerry’s Kitchen, Rosewood Beijing, The Brickyard Retreat Center