created in partnership with The Peninsula Beijing
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Welcome to Take Your Seat, Beijing!
Look for the director’s chair in every photograph: In Take Your Seat, Beijing, your ability to direct your choices of where to go, what to see, and how to become part of this incredible city is enhanced by the people, places, and human stories that make Beijing yours to discover…
Through this emotive collection of photographs and narratives both iconic and intimate, our chair now artfully shares The Peninsula Perspective on Beijing. Let the journey of a chair inspire you to direct your own!
30 Favourites
(Click on any photograph to enter full-screen viewing mode)
"Running north to south through the heart of historical Beijing, the city’s Central Axis, connects palaces, gardens, temples, and public buildings dating back millennia; and today, our chair. From its privileged position inside the gates of Shouhuang Palace, our chair invites you to be realigned with your sense of belonging."
Exceprt from the Take Your Seat, Beijing book
commemorative photobook
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Hardcover, 152 full-colour pages, 5 gatefolds
Presented in English and Chinese (Simplified)
Limited edition of 388, printed in Beijing
Exhibition in beijing
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May 30 - August 31, 2025
The Peninsula Beijing
Free to the public, artist-led tours available upon request
The exhibition experience begins with four large photographic cubes, nestled under The Peninsula's iconic entrance gate, illuminating Wangfujing Street with their invitation. Inside the hotel's grand lobby, chair mobiles are suspended from the 20m ceilings to spark curiosity, moving with the energy of the hotel. A world-class gallery shares large-scale prints, portraits, and behind-the-scenes videos to start conversations.
Read more about the Beijing exhibition
To see the rest of our Take Your Seat, Beijing series, and to read the stories accompanying each photograph, request a copy of the book from The Peninsula Beijing or contact us.
Airport Exhibition in Toronto
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Enjoyed by over 4,000,000 travellers during its 3-month installation period, our Beijing series was presented over six large screens in the heart of Canada's largest airport.
"Beneath the Guozijian Street gate, a scooter stops to make a delivery. A mother and daughter laugh as an ice cream drips on their shoes in the summer heat. Bicycle bells ring in unison with car horns as riders jockey for position. Couples walk hand in hand enjoying a leisurely stroll. Children run ahead of their ever-watchful parents as a school day ends. This is Beijing. This is us."
Exceprt from the Take Your Seat, Beijing book
behind-the-scenes
We post all our favourite behind-the-scenes moments to our Instagram. Follow us here.
Check our Stories Highlights for more video clips of our Beijing expedition!
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Take Your Seat, Beijing stands out as a true partnership. Every photograph is the result of an authentic and collaborative engagement with The Peninsula Beijing. We hope you feel as inspired and as welcome as we did in creating it.
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We extend a special thank you to the people of Beijing.
Take Your Seat is led by Randy and Spencer VanDerStarren.
Together, this father-and-son team has given a chair a voice; one that speaks a universal language of unity, responsibility, and individual power that is being shared with audiences around the world.
Take Your Seat and their director's chair have had the privilege of being hosted in 43 countries and counting. We extend a heartfelt thank you for being part of our chair's ongoing journey! Contact us here.
"A blank canvas made of concrete and well wishes, soon shares a unifying message to all who pass by: 'Blessings to you. Blessings to guests both present and future. Blessings to the world.' Our Beijing journey has forever shaped our chair. It too feels blessed."
Exceprt from the Take Your Seat, Beijing book
