Five Ways to Celebrate 520 in Beijing

Missed your chance to celebrate with the one you love on Valentine's Day? Never fear, China's unofficial Valentine's Day is here! 

Originating in internet slang, 520 is pronounced similarly to "I Love you" in Chinese (wŏ aì nĭ / wŭ èr líng, you be the judge...), so the corresponding date, May 20, has become a sort of unofficial Valentine's Day, a day to show your love. If you want to get in on the romantic action, plenty of Beijing venues have special events planned. Check out just a few of them below.

Sparkling wine on the terrace at Bei Zhaolong Hotel

Enjoy a glass of sparkling under the stars on the terrace at Bei Zhaolong Hotel. For RMB 388, they are offering a bottle of rosé prosecco, a mixed barbecue plate, heart-shaped ice creams, and a romantic set-up. Make a night of it with a staycation for just RMB 868, including two breakfasts and an upgrade to a Sanlitun view room.   

Semi-buffet dinner at Feast 

Up the indulgence with a semi-buffet dinner at Feast by East Beijing. Choose from a selection of main courses including steaks and grilled lobster and prawn pasta, before sampling the 520-themed dessert station. Priced at RMB 520, the buffet also includes free-flow wine and craft beer, Even better, the buffet deal will also be available on Friday, May 21, if you can't make it on May 20.

Love Dinner at The Merchants

Housed in a historic building near Jingshan Park and the National Art Museum of China, The Merchants is the perfect place for a romantic dinner. For 520, they are offering a multi-course menu featuring dishes like spring lamb with Xinjiang spices and baby squid with preserved Ningbo vegetables. The menu is priced at RMB 888 per person, but The Merchants is known for their wine expertise, so we recommend going for the wine pairing option at RMB 1,314 per person.

Steak night at Char Bar and Grill

Want to really impress your date? Treat them to the extremely luxurious porterhouse steak set menu at Char Bar and Grill at Intercontinental Beijing Sanlitun. Priced at RMB 1,998 per couple, the menu not only includes a 1.5kg Australian wagyu M5 beef porterhouse, it also includes Gillardeau oysters, foie gras, and silver cod. 

520 Love of Rock Party at Beersmith

If you're not really the type of couple who enjoys hushed romantic dinners, try Beersmith's rock-themed 520 party instead. House band Soul Shake will be playing hits by Guns N' Roses, there will be limited-edition pink cocktails, and the staff will be giving out bubbles guns and roses. Better yet, entry is free.

Want more options? Find more 520 options in our events section 

Images: Dean Drobot/Shutterstock, courtesy of the restaurants