Yes, the 2008 Olympics may have left the building, but cosmo-cool Beijing knows how to keep her international flair intact. Capital city must-sees are The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, et al, but don't forget your must-buy and must-eat checklists as well.
Where to Sleep:
Spend a splurge night at the ultra-modern Commune by the Great Wall, its own contemporary wonder of 42 villas (and four fantastic restaurants) each designed by famous Chinese architects. (Rates start at RMB 2,500 per night, about $459 Canadian.)
Where to Eat:
Made in China ($80-$100 per person) in the Grand Hyatt makes haute classics of Chinatown hits (like Peking Duck). The open 'stage' kitchen lets you watch the chefs in action. For late-night munchies, expats hang out at The Tree ($10-$15 per person) for its tasty wood-fired pizza and selection of 40-plus Belgian beers.
What to Do:
Mingle with the BeBo (Beijing bohemian) crowd at 798 Art Zone, a former communist factory turned artsy gallery village. The slick cityscapes at Paris-Beijing Photo Gallery make for chic souvenirs, if not classy investments to beautify your bare walls.
Where to Shop:
While there is no shortage of shopping malls in Beijing, we absolutely cracked for the mod Chinese tea sets, plates and vases at Spin Ceramics (6 Fangyuan W Road, Chaoyang, +86 10 6437 8649). When flying home, don't worry about loading your fragile goods in the plane's overhead bin – Spin will ship them straight to your door.