Video, Beijing

Checking in: Mandarin Oriental, Wangfujing

Mark Graham / Mar 27, 2019

As the doors open to Mandarin Oriental, Wangfujing in the Chinese capital, Beijing, we take a look at the design features, and architectural details you shouldn’t miss when checking in

The Fan

Commissioning a fan for each new property is a Mandarin Oriental tradition, and this particular fan design was inspired by the increasing power and influence of China’s capital city and nature – in particular the spring season. Tim Yip, who won an Oscar for his art direction on the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, decided on a blend of silk and paper for the fan. To emphasise the connection with nature, the fabric is embedded with parts of dried plant leaves, and dried grass – plus three Swarovski crystals to catch the light.

MO Grill + Bar

MO Grill + Bar has been designed by Adam D. Tihany to be a contemporary celebration of the traditional grill, a restaurant which is comfortable and engaging, capturing the lively spirit of Beijing’s commercial district, while exuding a bespoke, finely crafted elegance. To that end, there are strategically placed lights, chevron-patterned wood flooring, dark-wood dining chairs and sofas upholstered in traditional, Chinese-inspired fabrics. Don’t miss the vintage photographs of Beijing, showing everyday life in an era when the capital moved at a gentler pace.

Frank Gehry Fish

The object d’art was designed especially for Mandarin Oriental, Wangfujing, by the creative mind behind many of the world’s most innovative buildings, renowned international architect Frank Gehry. The three fish – in pink, peach and red – appear to be chasing each other in a circular formation. Making fish lamps – out of Formica fragments – is a whimsical personal project for Gehry, who has created some 150 over the years. This, however, is the first time a multi-hued Gehry fish will be on public display.

The Library

The hushed calm and comfort of The Library is the perfect spot to browse the formidable collection of sought-after books, including the 60-volume The Complete Collection of Chinese Arts, covering the nation’s art treasures over a period of 5,000 years. The Library was inspired by a real-life historical figure, Australian Sir Ernest Morrison, a government adviser who once lived in the area. It’s a contemplative place, reflected in the understated design, allowing the artwork, books and artefacts to shine.

The Mandarin Room

This is arguably one of the most sensational hotel room views in the city – if not the world – across to the iconic Forbidden City. Subtle design inspirations from the imperial era can be found throughout the hotel. The four-poster style of the bed is a reference to the sleeping chambers of princes who once lived in the Wangfujing area in their grand mansions. Other nods to traditional Chinese design, incorporating harmoniously aligned flowers and trees, can be found in the room headboard.

Café Zi

The design inspiration for Café Zi was, in part, the elaborate homes of imperial princes that were found in the immediate Wangfujing area. The princes did not stint on decoration for their courtyard homes, where they lived and entertained, and Café Zi is a contemporary interpretation of that lifestyle. The glorious sweeping curves of the dividing partition and elaborate red-hued mosaic of different shaped vases, plates and pitchers are among the many subtle design touches found throughout Café Zi.

MO Bar

It might be the hottest contemporary destination in the city, but the design theme of MO Bar draws inspiration from the past. In particular, from the Chinese apothecaries who mixed potions using a vast range of herbs and plants to produce efficacious remedies – not entirely dissimilar to the role of MO Bar mixologists, who offer a wide range of cocktails inspired by Beijing life, art, culture and architecture. Subtle touches hark back to the days of the traditional medicine practitioners whose pharmacies had a series of pull-out drawers to store their ingredients.