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Wherever you go, our loyalty programme offers exclusive opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture and explore the hidden secrets of your destination. With a rich history dating back thousands of years, there is much to discover in China, from ancient traditions and crafts, to unexpected serene places in the middle of busy modern cities. With KEMPINSKI DISCOVERY membership you can experience this captivating country in unique ways such as by visiting a tea plantation or learning to make your own incense.

Meet a contemporary Chinese artist

Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center

What better way to understand China’s flourishing contemporary art scene than by visiting Songzhuang Art Colony, China’s largest artists’ community, and talking to one of the artists in his studio? A local art collector will accompany you on a tour of the village which is a 50-minute drive from Beijing. The community is home to more than 2,000 artists including painters, sculptors, poets, writers, photographers, and art critics. The artists are famous for their contemporary and radical artworks, not only in China but in Europe and the US too. The tour includes a visit to the Artist Village Gallery – one of the largest exhibition spaces in Beijing to focus on contemporary art. The gallery has brought international attention to Songzhuang and consequently, many of the village’s artists have exhibited their works outside of China. In addition to visiting the gallery, this exclusive experience includes a private tour of conceptual artist Ding Li’s four-floor art studio. Born in ZhangJiakuo, HeBei province, Ding Li is an original and independent artist whose work covers a diverse range of art forms including painting, sculpture, and photography. The artist will show you around his workspace and will talk to you about his work, his influences, and what inspires him. After the tour, you can join him in his private lounge bar for a discussion on the contemporary Chinese art world.

Contemporary Chinese artist Ding Li in his studio at Songzhuang Artist Village, Beijing. Ding Li will show you around his workspace and discuss contemporary Chinese art, on this exclusive tour of China’s largest artists' community.

Suzhou Biluochun tea plantation tour for two

Kempinski Hotel Suzhou

With its floral aroma and mellow flavour, and a history stretching back 1,000 years, Suzhou Biluochun is one of China's top ten most famous teas. On this three-hour tour of the Biluochun tea plantation at Dong Ting, Jiangsu Province, a local tea master will show you how to choose and pick the delicate curly leaves. At the plantation’s tea house, you’ll learn how to brew the perfect pot, before sampling the freshest green tea you’ve ever tasted.

Hangzhou tour and incense-making workshop

Kempinski Hotel Hangzhou

Discover ancient Hangzhou on this fascinating tour of the area, taking in famous sites such as Xiangji Temple, Dadoulu History Street, and Gongchen Bridge. Located by the famous Grand Canal, Xiangji Temple was originally built in 978 and holds an important place in Hangzhou’s Buddhist culture. After the tour you’ll get hands on experience of a centuries-old craft as a professional incense maker teaches you how to create your own fragrance.

Ancient history and a tranquil space in a busy city

Kempinski Hotel Nanjing

Take some time out from lively, non-stop Nanjing on a private tour to Nanjing City Wall and Xuanwu Lake. Your host for this exclusive tour by car for two people will be a Lady in Red from the hotel who will make the experience even more special with her inside knowledge of the area. Nanjing is one of the few cities in China to have its ancient walls remaining. Built during the reign of the first Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, its history dates back 600 years and it is the largest of its kind in the world. The Nanjing City Wall is an important cultural relic because of the inscriptions on its bricks which provide an indispensable record of Nanjing’s past and show how Chinese characters developed. Then it’s time to really unwind with a visit to the 472-hectare Xuanwu Lake – a beautiful, tranquil space where you can wander in peace and forget you are in the middle of a large, busy city. The lake’s five islands are interconnected by arched bridges and the park is home to temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens, teahouses, restaurants, and entertainment venues – there’s even a small zoo. After a boat trip on the lake, it’s time to enjoy the picnic hamper provided by the hotel’s talented culinary team, which comprises delicious regional specialities that change from season to season.