At the China Ball, Hong Kong was always the belle, Shanghai the ambitious hussy and Beijing the ugly sister who got stuck in traffic. Today, if the Olympics had a designer label race, Beijing would win platinum. But while she’s in full development overdrive, and careening down the expressway to cosmo living, Beijing can still be a very tough nut to crack.

Fret not, dear hearts, all the LUXE Beijing addresses are listed in English and Chinese – so now you can leave the tourist swarms behind and visit The Great Wall in style, or hire your own personal guide to the cream of Chinese contemporary art and even visit the artists’ studios. Step right up for beautiful carpets, clothes and jewellery all handmade to order, plus the best antiques, décor and a host of great, privately sold homewares and design. Fancy a picnic on pretty Houhai lake, sundowners overlooking the Forbidden City, or a night watching the city's top acrobats? Do we spoil you or what?

LUXE Beijing. Puts the aah in China.