Dine and Countdown (Dec 31)

New Year’s Eve Full Buffet Dinner at Feast (Food by EAST)
RMB 488 per person. 5.30-10pm.

All ages. Feast (Food by EAST) has prepared lavish holiday selections, which include your favorite seafood, whole roast turkeys, hams and cuts of meat hot and delicious from the oven, great desserts and much more. Gather loved ones and friends to celebrate New Year’s and welcome 2018 at EAST. Free-flow soft drinks, coffee, tea, beer, house wine and sparkling wine are included or indulge in our Möet & Chandon Champagne package for an additional RMB 198 per person. Feast (Food by EAST). (8414 9888)

New Year’s Eve at Kerry’s Kitchen
RMB 498 per person / RMB 798 per person for additional beverage and champagne package. 5.30-11pm

All ages. Complete your New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner with lavish choices of seafood on ice, sashimi and sushi, Asian and Western mains, roasts, meats, desserts and more. The Savor Latino Band comprising of musicians from New York and Venezuela will perform various types of music such as jazz, blues, rock, hip-hop, and ballads to keep everyone entertained. If you are feeling lucky, the grand prize of an accommodation stay at Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai may be yours to win. The dinner also includes access to Adventure Zone for your child. Kerry’s Kitchen (8565 2088)

Let’s Count Down 2018 Together @ Swissôtel Beijing
9pm-1am

Adults. Indulge in the relaxed atmosphere, sipping champagne, and waiting at the Flow Lounge & Bar for the year of 2018 to come. Anyone can choose from French Champagne Moët and Chandon (RMB 688 per bottle) or Sparkling Wine De Bortoli (RMB 288 per bottle). The prices include 10 percent service charge and 6 percent VAT. Swissôtel Beijing – The Flow Lounge & Bar (Call 6553 2288/2107 for reservations)

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Dinner Party @ Modernista
RMB 360 (dinner set per person), RMB 520 (dinner set plus free flow Prosecco per person). 7-10pm

Adults. Everything is ready for one more scrumptious holiday fiesta at 44 Baochao Hutong. Together with the special concerts on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Modernista’s kitchen is also offering a new deliciously tailored NY menu for those looking forward spending this special time with them. Expect real homemade Foie Grass, exquisite Lobster Bisque, and Black Truffle Ravioli on the table, together with lots of sparkling wine and smooth entertainment. Call 136 9142 5744 for reservations. Modernista.

New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner at Jing
RMB 980 (per person). 6.30-10.30pm

Adults. Celebrate the dawn of a new year in chic culinary style at Jing with a celebratory six-course dinner crafted by Chef de Cuisine Julien Cadiou. Inspired by the finest ingredients from around the world, Chef Julien’s culinary celebration features unique creations, such as king crab salad with citrus dressing and oscietra caviar. Australian beef tenderloin is served with truffle mash potato and Perigeux sauce, and black cod is perfectly paired with roasted tiger prawn, organic vegetable, and truffle consommé. A delightful dessert of Champagne mousse with dark chocolate cream and berry gelée sets a joyful scene to kick-start the new year festivities. As the midnight countdown commences, diners can raise a Champagne toast, while enjoying music from a DJ set guaranteed to fill the ambiance at Jing Bar. Served at Jing on 31 December 2017, with two seating at 6.30pm and 8.30pm. Price includes soft drinks and one glass of champagne. To make a reservation, email jingpbj@peninsula.com, or call 6510 6707. All prices are subject to a surcharge. Jing (The Peninsula Beijing).

Celebrate New Year’s Eve @ Fiume
RMB 400 (per person). Starts 6pm

Adults. Fiume offers a five-course set dinner focused on the traditional recipes of Emilia Romagna at RMB 400 (per person) with an optional pairing with 5 Italian wines at RMB 250 (per person). Moreover, a great promotion on Franciacorta, the Best Italian Bubbles, is ongoing all night, together with a-la-carte wines and drinks to turn your Eve in a big festive night. Only 30 seats available. For the detailed menu and inquiries visit www.thegoodfoodgroup.asia or email fiume.beijing@gmail.com or call 6501 9878. Fiume.

New Year Eve at Migas Mercado
RMB 560 (per person). 6pm-2am

Adults. This year Migas Mercado will celebrate its first New Year with some festive, traditional, Mediterranean style New Year dishes: smoked yellowtail, roasted codfish and more! Besides their Mediterranean New Year’s Eve meals, they will also follow Migas’ traditions with plenty of drinks and great music and grapes with the New Year’s Eve countdown! Champagne specials and music from their guest DJ until late. Migas Mercado. (6500 7579, hola@migasbj.com)

Countdown Party – Pirates Night at XIAN
Free admission and includes one welcome drink. Starts 8pm

All ages. The Black Pearl has sailed into XIAN this year and the tropical winds have carried with them a crew of party pirates. Feel the sand between your toes and enjoy our festive Caribbean rum cocktails. So dust off your eye patch and three-pointed hat and do your best Captain Jack Sparrow, let’s sail into 2018 in style at XIAN! Entry is free and includes a welcome drink and unlimited bad pirate jokes. XIAN at EAST Beijing. (8414 9810)

Start 2018 with These Activities

New Year’s Day Rehab Brunch @ Beersmith
RMB 198. 11am-3pm.

All ages. Recover from your New Year’s Eve indulgences with a sumptuous, healthy, and invigorating brunch at Beersmith. Enjoy a spectacular range of salads, seafood, cold cuts, roasted prime seasoned meats Australian rib, lamb, chicken, exquisite cheeses, fruits, and deserts. Sit back and eat along reviving brunch at leisure, at your own pace, at Beersmith. Children 0-6 years old no extra charge, one child per paying adult; children 6-12 years old enjoy 50 percent off. For booking inquiries, call 6505 2277 ext. 6610 or email hellobeijing@hoteljen.com. Beersmith Gastropub.

New Year’s Day Brunch at Kerry’s Kitchen
RMB 488 (per person), RMB 688 (additional beverage package per person). Noon-3.30pm.

All ages. Kerry’s Kitchen’s Refreshing Start 2018 Buffet Brunch is the best way to start the year with an extensive menu of holiday-themed dishes including fresh seafood display, a carving station, salads, along with breakfast favorites and sweet desserts. After a heavy meal, burn off the energy at Adventure Zone, a paradise with interactive games, slides, and play modules for kids to play and create. Kerry’s Kitchen (8565 2088)

New Year’s Day at the Great Wall
RMB 98-198, Noon-9pm

All ages. Come out to Mutianyu and start 2018 with fresh air and blue skies. The Brickyard Retreat Center will be serving a special New Year’s Day supper menu from noon-8pm with live jazz in their cozy lodge from noon-3pm. The Brickyard is an eco retreat with 25 guest rooms located in the foothills of Mutianyu Great Wall. Make it a real getaway and spend the night with us! Lodging guests have full privileges at their outdoor jacuzzi open year round, spa, and gardens. For more information about the menu and book online: https://yoopay.cn/event/newyearsday2018. The Brickyard Retreat Center at Mutianyu Great Wall.  (brickyardatmutianyu.com)

Be Active and Burn Those Holiday Calories Off

Great Wall NYE 2017 Presents: Great Wall Snow Festival (Dec 30-31)
RMB 260 (shuttle bus + festival + ski presale price), other prices available

Kids 12+ and adults. A festival filled with fresh air, blue skies, black runs, and white-hot parties… Great Wall Snow Festival will also see a return of everyone’s favorite activities including: Rave on Snow, Go Skiing, Human Bowling, Snowball Fights, as well as the introduction of Mountainside Bottomless Brunches and Feast’s on the Piste. Day and Night are spent skiing and enjoying music on mountaintop stages. This is regarded by many as The Greatest Mystical and Musical Party on snow in the most unique venue imaginable. Ticket prices: RMB 180 (shuttle bus, festival + ski; early bird), RMB 260 (shuttle bus + festival + ski presale price), RMB 540 (buy 3 get 1 for free – festival + ski); RMB 250 (festival + ski door price). Prices include skiing tickets, skis/snowboard, ski poles, ski boots. For other amenities, visitors will pay for snow clothes (RMB 40), helmet (RMB 25), lockers (RMB 25), and a deposit of RMB 300. To book, visit this page.

Ring in the New Year at Our Cozy Retreat by the Great Wall (Dec 31)
RMB 388 (adults), RMB 188 (kids 4-12), free for kids under 4. 10pm-2am

Kids 4-12, adults. Join The Brickyard Retreat Center for their 9th annual New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance by the Great Wall at Mutianyu. There’s also a special package of RMB 2,888, which Includes private transfers from/to Beijing for two people, New Year’s Eve in a superior queen Great Wall view room, New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner and Dance at the Brickyard for two people, and breakfast for two. As a guest you’ll have full privileges to soak in the Great Wall view Jacuzzi as well as enjoy the Garden and Health Center. To view the menu and book online, visit this page.

New Year Holiday’s Tour: Cuandixia Ancient Village Visit (Jan 1)
RMB 550 (includes transportation, entry fee, water, lunch, and guides)

Huanghuacheng-Zhuangdaokou Lakeside Great Wall Hiking (every Sat until Feb 24)
RMB 450 (includes transportation, entry fee, water, lunch, and guides)

Kids 10+ and adults. Explore the unique lakeside Great Wall which is off the beaten path. Walk on both restored and unrestored authentic wild Great Wall: an excellent chance for you to compare and contrast what the wall may have looked like when they were originally finished, and how it looks after about 600 years of exposure to the elements. The hike is fit for family with kids; home-made Chinese lunch at a local farmer’s guest house. Hiking date is every Sat until Feb 24. Meet 8.30 am at Exit B of Tuanjiehu station of Subway Line 10. For more info about the hike or make a reservation, visit  http://www.chinatravellers.com/Action_Show.asp?id=6. China Travellers. (188 0133 5578, info@chinatravellers.com)

Photos: holiho via Pixabay; courtesy of East Beijing, Kerry’s Kitchen, Jing (The Peninsula Beijing), Fiume, The Brickyard Retreat Center, Great Wall NYE 2017