The China Club
The Airport Super Service
The Apart Hotels

Today’s Gourmet Corner, will be dedicated to BEJING and the most "Exclusive" Club & Restaurant in China: The China Club

The China Club Beijing is situated on Xi Rong Xian Lane, a quiet "hutong" (narrow alley) near the Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square. It was a modest royal palace built in the 16^th Century for a prince descended from Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty.

Sichuan Restaurant occupied the place from 1959 to 1996 and it was the first and only restaurant specializing in Sichuan cuisine at that time. For 37 years, it was reputed to be the best Sichuan in Beijing and was a particular favorite place of China paramount leader; Mr. Deng Xiao Ping, (you can visit his favorite suite), who is a native from Sichuan province.

The Club boasts an area of 10,000 square meters of four main courtyards and surrounded by a series of inter-connected pavilions. A three-storey Chinese pavilion was added to the complex in 1998. This pavilion houses the eight uniquely designed members’ suites, as well as The Sichuan Pavilion, a strategically located restaurant which provides an opportunity for "non members" to sample the Sichuan specialties

Members enjoy their exclusive access to the banqueting facilities ranging from Chinese parlors for intimate dinners, fully serviced meetings/exhibitions to gala dinners for 200 guests. The club serves regional Chinese specialties including Sichuanese, Shanghainese and Cantonese cuisine. A selection of Western cuisine is available in "The Long March Bar" a cigar/library lounge for those who desire for a change of taste.

The members are professionals and elite from all over the world including politicians, royalties, entrepreneurs, artists and senior executives of multi-national corporations. Monthly activities such as theme dinners, wine tasting, cocktail receptions are organized for members to get together for business and social networking. If you are opening an office or headquarters in Beijing, this is the place to be.

Full Membership: (Transferable & Refundable) Individual > Entrance Fee = US$ 15,000 + Monthly = US$ 100 Corporate > Entrance Fees
> One Nominee = US$ 15,000
> Two Nominees = US$ 25,000
> Three Nominees = US$ 33,000
> Four Nominees = US$ 40,000
+ Monthly = US$ 100 per Nominee

Overseas Membership: (Non Transferable – Non Refundable) Corporate/Individual > Entrance Fee = US$ 7,000 – Monthly Nil Local Membership: (Non Transferable – Non Refundable) Corporate/Individual > Entrance Fee = US$ 5,000 – Monthly Nil

Of course, if you are only visiting Beijing you can have a dinner at The China Club Restaurant. But if you are not invited by a member you can "only" visit & eat at the restaurant "three times a year" on your own. (That is what the notice says – but you never know, it's China!)

(Jeans & running shoes are not allowed)

Ask your Hotel Concierge for reservations:

NOW TO GIVE YOU A TASTE OF THE MENU: [With very interesting, unique and exquisite dishes = (*)]

# Roasted Crispy Chicken Marinated with Taro * > 138.00 Yuan

# Marinated Cucumber with Dried Tangerine Peel * > 38.00 Yuan

# Shredded Dry Beef with Hot Sauce * > 58.00 Yuan

# Spicy Sliced Beef Shank and Tripe * > 58.00 Yuan

# Thinly Sliced Pork Belly with Garlic Soya Sauce * > 48.00 Yuan

# Shredded Pig’s Ear with Chili Oil * > 38.00 Yuan

# Marinated Celery with Dried Shrimps * > 28.00 Yuan

# Marinated Bitter Squash with Sesame Oil * > 28.00 Yuan

Shark’s Fin – Bird’s Nest – Soups – Sichuanese Dried (As I said in my last Shanghai Gourmet Corner, not everybody likes this dishes. But it is a "Gourmet Dish" and I can't recommend it – you need to like this specialty!)

# Braised Superior Bird’s Nest Soup in Brown Sauce * > 580.00 Y.

# Double Boiled Supreme Shark’s Fin, Chicken Broth * > 540.00 Y.

# Hot and Sour Shark’s Fin Soup * > 180.00 Yuan

# Winter Melon & Carrot Puree Soup with Seafood * > 48.00 Yuan

# Vegetables Soup, Yunnan Ham, Black Mushrooms * > 48.00 Y.

# Pickled Mustard Plant Soup with Vermicelli * > 28.00 Yuan

# Sizzling Crispy Rice with Sweet & Sour Scallops * > 158.00 Yuan

# Deep Fried Duck Strips Sautéed Garlic Chili Sauce * > 78.00 Y.

# Chili Oil Hot Pot "Chong Quing" Style * > 48.00 Yuan

# Smoked Duck with Camphor Wood & Tea Leaves * > 78.00 Yuan

# Braised Beef Sirloin with Pickled Mustard Plant Poached in Chili ---and Xanthoxylum Seed Sauce * > 58.00 Yuan

# Sautéed Diced Chicken with Peanuts & Dried Chili * > 48.00 Y.

# Sautéed Pork "Kidney" with Peanuts & Dried Chili * > 58.00 Y

# Braised "Pig’s Elbow" with Chicken, Red Dates, Chestnuts * ---> 78.00 Yuan

# Shredded Pork Sautéed with Garlic Chili Sauce * > 48.00 Yuan

# Double Cooked Pork Belly, Scallions, Green Pepper * > 48.00 Y.

# Dry Fried String Bean with Minced Meat * > 38.00 Yuan

# Chicken Sautéed with Dried Chili * > 48.00 Yuan

# Deep Fried Stuffed Eggplants with Minced Meat * > 38.00 Yuan

# Sautéed Shredded Potatoes & Green Pepper * > 38.00 Yuan

# Stir Fried Cabbage, Dried Chili & Xanthoxylum Seed * > 38.00 Y.

# Deep Fried Green Pepper * > 38.00 Yuan

As you can see, the prices of this "Exclusive" Club Restaurant are in the medium range of China Restaurant Prices

The original Beijing Sichuan Restaurant was established according to Primer Zhuo Enlai's instructions on October 1959 and in May 1996, moved from what is now the address of "The China Club" Palace, to his present address at the Gongwangfu House, used to be the home of He Shen, an official scholar in Quing Dynasty under Emperor Quianlong.

Now the "GRAND HYATT HOTEL" has a "AIRPORT SUPER SERVICE" for "ONLY 450.00 Yuan" – [charged to your room], if you "Reserve" a Limousine Service from the Hotel, you have a "Pick-Up" direct at the Gate and help with all the "baggage collection".

On the way back (same price), at your arrival at the Airport, a charming hostess will help you with all the "Registration, Passport and Security" procedures, and take you to your "Airline Club Lounge" or your "Gate" (The best Service I have ever had!)

GRAND HYATT BEIJING
1 East Chang An Avenue (Beijing Oriental Plaza)
Beijing 100738
Tel: (+86) 10 8518 1234
Fax: (+86) 10 8518 0000

And don't forget the Restaurant "Made in China" where you can eat one of the best "Beijing Duck" in the city. (A meal for two with beer & drinks around > 600.00 Yuan)

PRIME HOTEL (Chinese Chain part of SRS World Hotels)
2 Wangfujing Avenue (The main Avenue in Beijing)
Beijing 100006
Tel: (+86) 10 651 36666
Fax: (+86) 10651 34248

Exchange Rates (Dollar >< Yuan) at Banks & Hotels are the same, rates are fixed by the Bank of China (the best to use) and "Remember" to "Keep" your Bank or Hotel "Receipt" of your transaction. You need to present back when you leave China and you want to have your Yuan converted int0 Dollars.

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LEE GARDEN – Service Apartments

Ideally located in the commercial district of "Wangfujing Street" Lee Garden – Service Apartments, fits into the capital’s thriving metropolis perfectly.

With contemporary European Design is one of the most advanced "service apartment" building in Beijing. Lee Garden, offers fully equipped facilities, tastefully furnished, combining the latest 24-hour security service with sophisticated computer control systems and highly trained management staff, is the first choice of discerning international visitors.

Each apartment features:

A living room, dining room and fully equipped kitchen, with central heating, air conditioned, remote control cable & satellite TV, IDD telephone, broadband service, washing machine and dryer.

Other Facilities:
Superb leisure gymnasium
An indoor heated swimming pool with sauna, whirlpool and steam rooms.
Club Lounge for Food & Beverage
Full Secretarial Service
Free Shuttle Bus to Central Business Districts
Car Park
24 Hours Concierge
Housekeeping<
In-suite Personal Safe
Children’s Play Room

Options at Additional Charge:
Broadband Service –
Secured Underground Parking –
Baby Sitting
Function & Meeting rooms –
Daily Maid Service
Laundry /Dry Cleaning –
Grocery Shopping Service
Limousine Service (Airport or Local)

All long-term residents will automatically receive a "Guest Card" for the prestigious Beijing "Chang An Club", just a sort walk from the "Apartments", which ensures access to all its outstanding dining, banquet & conference facilities as well as the use of all services at Member’s guests rates.

Chang An Club has several restaurants: Chinese, Japanese and Western at attractive prices. The upbeat Bistro and Members Bar offer a wide variety of light meals.

Rates:
# > Type A – Studio Suite (60m²) = US$ 130.00
# > Type B – One Bedroom (97m²) = US$ 178.00
# > Type B (+) – One Bedroom (141m²) = US$ 202.00 (Balcony)
# > Type C – Two Bedrooms (130m²) = US$ 250.00

LEE GARDEN – Service Apartments