Open -

1900

AKA -

Grand Hotel de Pekin

1st Owners -

2 Frenchmen who opened a restaurant

Stars - *****

Guests - & Others

The IOC during the 2008 Olympics, Helmut Kohl, Tony and Cherie Blair, Henry Kissinger, Margaret Thatcher, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Richard Nixon, U Nu, Nikita Khrushchev, Ho Chi Minh and Sun Yat-sen

History -

It had become quite popular by the time the Japanese occupied the city in 1937 and took over the running of the hotel. After their surrender the Koumintang took over and used it to billet American troops.

Mao took over in 1949 and the PLA commanders occupied the hotel. The Communist leaders had a celebratory banquet here. For the next 8 years all major functions were held here.

During the 1989 Tiannamen Square protests the Government and Student leaders met here.

In 2001 it became the tallest building in Beijing.

Rooms -

171

Tales -

During the Boxer rebellion the guests were moved to a safer location. As food was scarce at that time they were secretely fed horse and pony.

Claim to Fame -

The famous picture of the lone man stopping a line of tanks in the 1989 Tiannamen Square protests was shot from one of the windows here. 

It was awarded the 5 Star Diamond Award

Innovations -

"Dancing every night" - with its own orchestra / Steam heating / Flush Toilets

Feature -

Roof garden having views over the Forbidden City

View -

There is a view over the Forbidden City from the Rooftop Terrace

Facilities -

Indoor tennis court and pool / Gym and Spa / Post Office

Unique -

The Hotel has evolved into a number of Blocks A, B ,C, D & E with different management. This one is now block C

Restaurants -

The Zhonghua Etiquette Hall serves mainly Huaiyang and Sichuan cuisine. The chef who cooked the first banquet for the new Republic was famous for his Huaiyang cuisine

Five People - specialisng in Japanese Kaiseki cuisine

Tanjiating - The Tan Family Banquet a famous dish over 100 years old

Sunshine Cafe has International cuisine

Sights -

Tiannamen Square / Forbidden City / Summer Palace

Extra -

Hong Kong in 'Cities'