The Beijing Clubhouse is located in the prestigious Wangfujing area, within walking distance of the Forbidden City, the Tiananmen Square, the Great Hall of the People, the Beijing Art Theater, the National Museum of China, shopping precincts, major tourist area and key government and business offices.
A bit about the clubhouse
Here is some basic information about Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse:
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An Inheritance of Chinese Architectural Greatness: The Beijing Clubhouse occupies a land space of 16,000 square meters and a built up area of 38,000 square meters, with 3 stories above ground level and 2 stories of basement. The central building concept is uniquely Chinese with ornamental structures such as roof eaves and hand-painted crafts adding a dimension of sublime appreciation to its greatness.
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Refined Sophistication with a Stately Aura: Contemporary with Chinese touches, the interior design exudes coziness against the external outlook. Manuscripts of paintings and objects dart doted throughout the building add a sense of sophistication and refinement.
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Luxurious Home Comforts: 90 well researched guest rooms, each covering 550 square feet, offer spacious and luxurious home comfort.
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A Treasure Trove of Culinary Delights: From Cantonese cuisines to Chinese delicacies and casual dining at our Coffee Shop, Lobby Lounge and Jazz Bar.
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State-of-the-art Facilities: The diverse range of facilities include Ballroom, indoor swimming pool with skylight, Gym, Executive Centre and Reading Room.
Being a member of the clubhouse
Exclusively for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Full Members:**
- You can use all dining and recreation facilities at Beijing Clubhouse all year round without having to pay any additional monthly subscription, except a 10% surcharge.
- You can book up to 2 rooms for a maximum of 72 days per calendar year.
- You must accompany your guests at all times.
- Please pre-register with Hong Kong membership office before visiting Beijing Clubhouse.
- Please present your Membership cards when using the Beijing Clubhouse.
- For Absent Members, please apply for reactivation of membership before exercising the privilege under the reciprocal arrangements.
Mainland Members Privileges in Hong Kong:**
- Mainland Members may use designated facilities at the Happy Valley Racecourse and Sha Tin Racecourse throughout the racing season; also entitle to visit any of the Hong Kong Clubhouses for up to 3 consecutive days per month (un-used days could not be accumulated to the following months) but exclude access to Happy Valley Clubhouse on weekends and public holidays.
- The above use of the facilities will incur a 10% surcharge.
- Members must accompany the guests at all times.
- Please pre-register with Beijing membership office before visiting.
- Please present the Membership cards when enjoying the facilities
Exchanges between Hong Kong and mainland
Exchanges between The Hong Kong Jockey Club and the mainland can be traced back to over a century ago, when ponies from the Mongolia prairie were very popular in Hong Kong racing. Horse vendors would first transport them from the northern part of China to Shanghai or Tianjin, where the good quality ones would stay for further development. The remaining ones would then be shipped to Hong Kong for competition.
China's reforms and opening policies have brought about rapid economic growth, resulting in people's welfare and training being increasingly emphasized. Consequently, the development of equestrian sport and the horse industry on the mainland is now back to the track. As Hong Kong's biggest charity donor and promoter of equestrian sport, the HKJC is willing to support equestrian activities on the mainland. We also hope to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the mainland in terms of people's development and welfare.
The future of the clubhouse
Horse racing is still foreign to the mainland China. What will the future will be like?
To the hatcher of the club Chen Jincheng, the lack of horse racing culture in the mainland is the very opportunity for the development of the clubhouse. 'The history of clubhouse in the mainland is only 10 years, yet it has been 124 years since the establishment of Hong Kong private clubhouse. No matter in term of quality or class, we have all the advantages.
' Said Chen Jincheng, with confidence, 'Now the registration of Hong Kong Jockey Club member is even harder to get. Over 800 people are still waiting for their turn. We strictly control the number of the members to assure the high quality and purity of the club.'
'To most of the member, the clubhouse is really like a home.' Said Chen Jincheng. A lot of members come to the clubhouse to exercise in the morning, and then start their day of work; then after work, they will come to the bar inside the clubhouse and have a drink. This habit has been kept by some members for over 10 years. A lot of activities in the clubhouse are designed for families, some even especially for women.
According to Chen Jinchengs introduction, in the coming 5 years, the clubhouse will attract about 3,000 members. After a years auditing, over 60 members have been accepted by the clubhouse, as there are still hundreds of people waiting for the admission.
Compared to the 3 clubhouses in Hong Kong, the Jockey Club Clubhouse in Beijing has more advanced facilities, and apart from the entertainment and dining service, there are 90 guestrooms especially for members from Hong Kong who visit Beijing often. From the height of the bed, color of the lights, to the temperature of the water in the bathroom, and different kinds of wooden floors, considerate service is provided with care.
What's special in Beijing
Although there is no racing court in Beijing yet, to show the tradition of the clubhouse, the construction of the Beijing clubhouse emphasizes on the horse racing culture, with horseshoe shaped doors, doorplate, bar counter and the badge of the clubhouse which is put up everywhere inside the house. Ma Zhanchun, an artist who creates art works for the clubhouse, has created over 1,000 art works for the Beijing clubhouse; the 'Hundred Horses' picture hanging in the hall is one of them.