Win a VIP Card to 1949 – The Hidden City

Tucked away behind Pacific Century Place just off Sanlitun, in what used to be the research facility for the Beijing Machinery and Electric Institute, is now 1949 – The Hidden City, a neo-industrial factory-chic dining and entertainment compound. Behind the brick walls lies a quaint courtyard, which features indoor and outdoor restaurants, cafés, bars, gardens, terraces, a private members' club, and a contemporary art gallery. The restaurants each serve a distinct style of cuisine.

At Duck De Chine, the menu offers a French-Asian twist to Peking duck dishes with a Bollinger Champagne bar. Signature dishes include the duck terrine on toast and the duck taco with shredded lettuce and wonton cups.

Duck de Chine might be the only place in the city where the arrival of your duck is announced by gong.

Taverna offers a wide selection of tapas and Mediterranean cuisine. Signature dishes include seafood risotto and prawns in garlic and chilli oil.

There's traditional Beijing in a bowl at the intimate Noodle Bar, where the noodles are hand-pulled in front of your eyes. Be sure to try the noodles with brisket, tendon, and tripe. Their RMB 42 set meal is one the best deals in the city, featuring a bowl of noodles with three meats, two small side dishes, and oolong tea.

Coffee and all things sweet feature at glass-enclosed cafe: Sugar Bar. Be sure to try the decadent and creamy tiramisu in the coffee cup. Rounding out the menu are a wide selection of teas, fresh juices and smoothies, alongside sandwiches, soups, salads and tasty pastries and cakes fresh from the in-house bakery, made by one of Beijing's only female bakers.

Outside under the trees, the Well Bar was originally an old fire-fighting well; now it serves ice-cold beer along with summery cocktails.

Club49 is the private members club is devoted to delicacies, fine wine and art culture enthusiasts, with only 100 membership passes. Gallery49 showcases local and international emerging artists with a constantly changing lineup of exhibitions.

Nestled between skyscrapers, this hidden city combines aesthetically pleasing design and décor. Few changes have been made to the original factory buildings; you can still see the high ceilings, exposed beams, brickwork and wide oak-paneled flooring. In the building which used to be Club 1/5, there are new plans to open up two new bars: Club Decolte, brought to you by Perrier-Jouët Champagne, and Club Glen. All in all, 1949 – The Hidden City is quite a self-contained compound and well worth the trip (or two or three.)

For a chance to win your very own VIP card to the entire 1949 – The Hidden City compound, please submit your own review of any of its venues to the Beijinger reviews site. After the review is up on the site, email the hyperlink to a.spicer@truerun.com (before 5pm on Wednesday, July 8) to be entered in the drawing.

1949, The Hidden City
Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (behind Pacific Century Department Store)
(6501 1949)

Daily Hours:
Duck de Chine: 11.30am-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm
Taverna: noon-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm
Noodle Bar: 11am-10pm
Sugar Bar: 11am-midnight
Gallery 49: 11am-9pm