
created in partnership with The Peninsula Beijing
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
Exhibition in beijing
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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.
Thank you to those who were able to join us in Beijing to see the exhibition in person!

"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 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

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