Beijing

Creative gift ideas

Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel presents some great moon cake gift ideas to celebrate this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Sept 30. The creative gift boxes are suitable for personal consumption or as giveaways to family, friends and business partners. Free delivery within Beijing's fifth ring road for purchases above 30 boxes. Gift boxes cost from 168-368 yuan each.

010-5798-8989.

Handmade cakes

The St. Regis Beijing has prepared a limited quantity of handmade moon cakes with special designs and elegant packaging. The deluxe moon cake gift box is priced at 468 yuan a box, family reunion gift box at 268 yuan per box, and Western collection gift box at 228 yuan each.

010-6460-6688.

Good fortune designs

In celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Regent Beijing presents a mixture of both classic and innovative moon cake flavors, in exquisite and elegant gift boxes. The hotel has introduced three unique new flavors. The design of the box, which signifies good fortune, is inspired by golden classical furniture from the Sandalwood Museum. Gift box costs 388 yuan each.

010-8522-1888.

Love buffet

To show your appreciation to your loved ones during the upcoming Qixi or Chinese Valentine's Day, Senses Signature Restaurant at Westin Beijing Financial Street offers a bountiful evening buffet overflowing with a sumptuous array of international cuisines. Dinner is priced at 788 yuan per couple and subject to 15 percent surcharge, including a bottle of house wine.

010-6629-7810.

Under the sea

The best time of the year to enjoy Alaskan sea cucumbers is in August, when they are delicate and succulent. Summer Palace, China World Hotel has prepared a selection of the delicacy, which includes sea cucumber with wasabi, fried sea cucumber with ginger and onion, and boiled sea cucumber with nostoc.

010-6505-2266 Ext 34.

Shanghai

Mandarin mooncakes

Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most important traditional holidays in the lunar calendar, is around the corner. It's the perfect time for family reunion over some tasteful moon cakes and tea. Shanghai JC Mandarin has designed some special moon cake varieties, including Cantonese style and snow skin with an assortment of flavors, packed in well-chosen and classic materials.

021-6279-1888 Ext 5101.

Moon cakes under the moonlight

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese people have the tradition of enjoying their mooncakes while admiring the full moon. The Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai has prepared some delicious homemade moon cakes packed in luxury gift boxes.

021-6415-1111.

Aloha food festival

A Hawaiian-style food festival was held at the X-Sensation restaurant in Double Tree by Hilton Shanghai-Pudong Hotel on July 29, 2012. Guests also had the chance to win lucky draw prizes, which included two round-trip air tickets to Hawaii from Shanghai and a five-night stay at the Doubletree by Hilton Alana Waikiki.

021-5050-4888.

Icy energy-boosting drinks

Swissotel Grand Shanghai has introduced a variety of unique cold energy-boosting drinks this summer. The drinks are made with natural ingredients including mango puree with honey and yogurt, mint lemonade made of fresh lemon juice with fresh mint leaves and sugar syrup.

021-5355-9898 Ext 6361.

China Daily

(China Daily 08/11/2012 page13)