Food culture is one of the most important cultural aspects of China. Many foreigners come to China just to have the chance to taste authentic Chinese cuisine. Here, China.org.cn will introduce the top 10 Chinese gourmet cities.

  Beijing

             

As the capital of China and a metropolis with a population of around 15 million, Beijing is also a converging point of various delicacies from all over China and even all over the world. You can almost find whatever cuisine you like in here.

Among the great varieties on offer, you must not miss Beijing's local food. Considered to be the "No.1 Delicious Food of China," Peking Duck is the centerpiece of local cuisine. One of the best places in Beijing to have a duck dinner is Quanjude, a restaurant with 130 years of history.

Another highlight of Beijing's cuisine is food prepared in the Chinese Imperial style, which demonstrates Beijing's hundreds years of history as the China's capital. Imperial cuisine features elaborate cooking methods and strict selections of ingredients, many of which are expensive, rare and difficult to prepare.

There are two famous Chinese Imperial cuisine restaurants in Beijing; the respectable Fang Shan in Beihai Park and Ting Li Ting in the Summer Palace.

-Beijing dining guide