Located in the northern suburb of Beijing, Yanqi Lake is a scenic spot which is just at the foot of Yanshan Mountain. The Great Wall is to the north of the lake. In the spring and autumn, flocks of rare migrant birds, especially geese, inhabit the area, which inspired the name of the lake, since Yanqi Lake translates to «Swan Lake.»
The Yanqi Lake complex, with its beautiful water, refreshing air, and colorful flowers, has hosted many high-profile international events, such as the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the 2019 Belt and Road forum. One of the most striking features of the complex is the 97-meter high oval-shaped Kempinski Sunrise Hotel. The oval form has been designed to incorporate many symbolic features of Chinese culture. For example, the main front view of the ‘rising sun’ represents China’s fast-developing economy; the hotel’s entrance is shaped like the mouth of a fish, representing prosperity; and from a side-angle view, the building is shaped like a scallop, which symbolizes fortune.
In the middle of the sprawling Yanqi Island stands the Beijing Yanqi Lake International Conference Center, incorporating architectural influences from China’s Han and Tang Dynasties. The conference facility’s design takes influence from Beijing’s Ditan Temple and the Imperial Palace. Its blue roof, which resembles the wings of a swan, symbolizes China’s exchanges with the international community.