Beijing

Rice dumpling gift boxes

To celebrate the upcoming Duanwu Festival (also known as Dragon Boat Festival), Holiday Inn Central Plaza Beijing presents glutinous rice dumplings with exquisite packaging, great gifts for families, friends and business associates. A standard box costs 148 yuan ($24) with eight pieces. Deluxe boxes cost 288 yuan with 10 pieces. Available from the hotel's delicatessen.

010-8355-5064

White asparagus feast

Chef de Cuisine David Pooley is presenting crisp white asparagus dishes in June, a succulent start to summer at Aria restaurant, China World Hotel. Signature dishes are white asparagus with seared sea scallops, cured salmon, and scrambled egg. There is also kingfish carpaccio with white asparagus and olive oil confit. 010-6505-2266 Ext 36

Memorable Saturday Brunch

Take your loved ones to Senses Signature Restaurant, The Westin Beijing Financial Street, to its newly introduced Memorable Moments Saturday Brunch. There is a sumptuous array of classic breakfast favorites. Highlights are hotpot, dumplings, Chinese pancake and Kaya toast. You can also indulge in free-flowing fresh juices, smoothies and Taiwan-style bubble tea. Finish the meal with tempting house-made pastries. 010-6629-7810

Asian style afternoon tea

Lobby lounge at JW Marriott Beijing offers afternoon tea with a vast selection of delicate Chinese desserts, and Western teas or coffees, in a relaxed setting. Costs are 198 yuan per person plus 15 percent surcharge. Available from 2:30 pm to 5 pm. 010-5908-8995

Dragon Boat Festival promotion

Regent Beijing celebrates Dragon Boat Festival with a special guest room promotion from June 7 to 16. The hotel offers guests the choice of four different well-appointed guest rooms and suites at promotional rates, plus 15 percent surcharge, during the holiday. From now until June 16, guests can book their stay in a Deluxe, Premium or Executive room, or Executive suite. At just 988 yuan plus 15 percent, guests can stay in a 40 square meter deluxe room with king-size bed, 42-inch flat screen TV, DVD player and complimentary WiFi. 010-8522-1888

Food photo contest

Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel, the flagship hotel of the Renaissance Brand in the Asia-Pacific, is holding a food photo contest from May 16 to 31. Anyone aged over 18 can participate. The winner will receive a roundtrip for two to Phuket Island, Thailand. Second place will receive a professional camera Canon 7D, and third will get a food and beverage coupon valued at 2,000 yuan ($325) to be spent in the hotel. Participants can send photos to [email protected]. Winners will be announced on June 10. 010-5863-8686