Beijing Hotel
Beijing Hotel is a historic five-star hotel complex at the southern end of Wangfujing Street in central Beijing.
Last updated October 9, 2026
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Overview
The history of the Beijing Hotel dates back to the early 20th century and is closely tied to Beijing's transformation into a modern political and commercial capital. The hotel is generally considered to have been founded in 1900, associated with the French-style Grand Hôtel de Pékin. The earliest surviving main building is the five-story red-brick building completed in 1915. In 1917, an annex was added, which is now Building B, and is the main surviving remnant of the hotel's early architecture. The hotel quickly became a venue for political, commercial, and social activities. In 1933, Zhang Jingyao was shot and killed by an assassin inside the building. During the War of Resistance against Japan, after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident in 1937, the Japanese military took control of the hotel, and later the Nationalist government took over. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the hotel's banquet facilities were used for important official receptions. Senior leaders such as Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai were associated with events held there, and the hotel also hosted visiting foreign leaders and dignitaries. The complex was expanded through a series of major construction projects. In 1954, a new west wing, now Building C, was added next to the 1917 building. In 1974, the original 1915 building was demolished, and Building D was built on its site; this tower, at 89 meters, was the tallest building in Beijing at the time. Building E was subsequently constructed behind the 1917 building and completed in 2001. These additions formed a multi-building hotel complex with buildings varying greatly in age, design, and operational identity. The Beijing Hotel also played a prominent role in public life at the end of the 20th century. During the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, foreign journalists used the hotel as a base. Associated Press photographer Jeff Widener took the widely known photo of the "Tank Man" or "Unknown Rebel" from the hotel. There were reports that on May 30, 1989, a meeting between student representatives and government officials was held at the hotel, and the talks ended without agreement. In the 21st century, the complex entered a new phase of international brand management. In April 2005, Raffles Hotels & Resorts signed an agreement with Beijing Tourism Group to manage Buildings B and E. After renovation and refurbishment, these two sections reopened in 2006 under the name "Raffles Beijing Hotel". The agreement ended in 2016, and on December 1 of that year, the two sections were renamed "Beijing Hotel NUO". Building C operates as the "Beijing Grand Hotel", while Building D continues to use the name "Beijing Hotel". The current complex continues to cater to international visitors, affluent Chinese travelers, official guests, and business events. Its offerings include accommodation, restaurants, bars, banquet and meeting facilities. The hotel has received the "Five Star Diamond Award" multiple times and has hosted official and international events, including the headquarters operations of the International Olympic Committee during the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics. Thus, its significance derives both from its hospitality business and from its extraordinary direct connection to Beijing's architectural, diplomatic, media, and political history.
History
Beijing Hotel's history reaches back to the early twentieth century and is closely connected with Beijing's transformation into a modern political and commercial capital. The establishment is generally dated to 1900 and was associated with the French-styled Grand Hôtel de Pékin. The first major surviving structure was a five-story red-brick wing completed in 1915. A second wing followed in 1917; this building is commonly identified as Block B and remains the principal surviving architectural link with the hotel's early period. The property soon became a venue for political, commercial and social activity. In 1933, Zhang Jingyao was shot by an assassin in the building. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, following the July 7 Incident of 1937, Japanese forces took control of the hotel. It later came under the control of the Kuomintang government. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the hotel's banquet facilities were used for important official receptions. Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai were among the senior figures associated with events held there, and the hotel received visiting leaders and dignitaries from abroad. The complex grew through a succession of major building projects. In 1954, a new western wing was added beside the 1917 structure; this section is now known as Block C. The original 1915 wing was demolished in 1974, and Block D was built on its site. The resulting tower rose 89 metres and was, at that time, Beijing's tallest building. Block E was subsequently built behind the 1917 wing and completed in 2001. These additions created a multi-block hotel complex whose buildings differ substantially in age, design and operating identity. Beijing Hotel also played a notable role in the public life of the late twentieth century. Foreign journalists used the property as a base during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Associated Press photographer Jeff Widener photographed the scene widely known as Tank Man or Unknown Rebel from the hotel. Accounts also identify the hotel as the location of meetings held on May 30, 1989, between student representatives and government officials; the discussions ended without an agreement. The complex entered a new phase of international brand management in the twenty-first century. In April 2005, Raffles Hotels and Resorts signed an agreement with Beijing Tourism Group to manage Block B and Block E. Following renovation and refurbishment, the two sections reopened in 2006 as Raffles Beijing Hotel. The agreement ended in 2016. On December 1 of that year, the two sections were renamed Beijing Hotel NUO. Block C is operated as Grand Hotel Beijing, while Block D remains the section that uses the Beijing Hotel name. The current complex continues to target international visitors, affluent Chinese travelers, official guests and business events. Its offering combines accommodation with restaurants, bars, banquets and meeting facilities. The property has been associated with repeated Five Star Diamond recognition and has hosted official and international functions, including International Olympic Committee headquarters operations during the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics. Its significance therefore comes from both its hospitality business and its unusually direct connection to Beijing's architectural, diplomatic, media and political history.
- 2022
Winter Olympics headquarters role
[1]The property again served as an International Olympic Committee headquarters location during the Beijing Winter Olympics.
- 2016
Blocks B and E renamed Beijing Hotel NUO
[1]Following the end of the Raffles agreement, the two blocks were renamed Beijing Hotel NUO on December 1.
- 2008
Olympic headquarters role
[1]The hotel served as an International Olympic Committee headquarters location during the Beijing Summer Olympics.
- 2006
Raffles Beijing Hotel opens
[1]After refurbishment, Block B and Block E reopened under the Raffles Beijing Hotel name.
- 2005
Raffles management agreement signed
[1]Raffles Hotels and Resorts agreed to manage and rebrand Block B and Block E in cooperation with Beijing Tourism Group.
- 2001
Block E completed
[1]A new section was built behind the 1917 wing, later forming part of the Raffles Beijing Hotel and Beijing Hotel NUO operations.
- 1989
Hotel becomes a major media base during the Tiananmen protests
[1]Foreign journalists operated from the hotel, and Jeff Widener photographed the image later known as Tank Man from the building.
- 1974
Block D constructed
[1]The original 1915 wing was demolished and replaced by Block D, an 89-metre tower that was then Beijing's tallest building.
- 1954
Block C added
[1]A new western wing was constructed beside the 1917 wing; it is now known as Block C or Grand Hotel Beijing.
- 1937
Hotel taken over after the July 7 Incident
[1]Japanese forces took control of the hotel after the July 7 Incident; the property later came under the Kuomintang government.
Products and positioning
Historic luxury hotel and state-owned flagship hospitality property in central Beijing
Hotel accommodation · 1900
Beijing Hotel accommodation
The Beijing Hotel complex provides luxury guest rooms and suites for international visitors, affluent domestic travelers, official guests and business customers. Its location in central Beijing, with views toward major historic and civic landmarks, is a core part of the accommodation proposition.
Food and beverage
Restaurants and bars
The hotel serves guests through a mix of Western and Asian dining venues, restaurants and bars. The food-and-beverage offer supports both overnight guests and visitors using the property for social, diplomatic and business occasions.
Events and meetings
Banquet and conference services
Banquet halls and meeting facilities support official receptions, ceremonies, conferences and private events. These facilities have contributed to the hotel's historic role as a venue for political gatherings and high-profile hospitality.
Multi-block hotel complex · 1915
Beijing Hotel complex
The broader property consists of several buildings developed across more than a century. Block D retains the Beijing Hotel name, Block C operates as Grand Hotel Beijing, and the former Raffles-managed Blocks B and E operate as Beijing Hotel NUO.
Brand decisions
2016
End of Raffles identity and adoption of Beijing Hotel NUO nameStrategyBackground
The management relationship associated with the Raffles-branded sections of the complex came to an end.
Action taken
Blocks B and E were renamed Beijing Hotel NUO on December 1, 2016.
Aftermath
The historic complex continued under multiple operating identities, with Block D retaining the Beijing Hotel name and Block C operating as Grand Hotel Beijing.
2005
International rebranding and management partnershipStrategyBackground
Beijing Tourism Group sought an international luxury hospitality identity for the historic Block B and newer Block E within the larger complex.
Action taken
BTG signed an agreement with Raffles Hotels and Resorts for management and rebranding, followed by refurbishment and the 2006 launch of Raffles Beijing Hotel.
Aftermath
The Raffles agreement ended in 2016, after which the two blocks were renamed Beijing Hotel NUO.
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