WHERE TO EAT The best Beggar's chicken (Jiao hua ji) in the world (according to food experts)

"Traditional dishes such as Beggar's Chicken. Bring your guests to the restaurant and get a real taste of Hangzhou."

"There is the rare opportunity to eat the outstanding, delicious Beggar's Chicken."

"Besides their signature Peking duck there are many other standouts like their beggar’s chicken."

"Trust me, this intriguing, tender, tasty chicken — stuffed with herbs, wrapped in lotus leaves, laced with dark soy sauce, Chinese rice wine, and ginger juice, and clay-baked — is worth begging for."

"The juicy meat fell off the bone with ease and was packed with flavours and fragrance from concoction of rice wine, soy sauce, sesame oil, star anise, ginger and stuffing (which remained a secret), resulting with a sweet after taste. Impressive stuff."

"Where to try: Wumingju - Wumingju is the favourite for family gatherings and celebrations. Make sure you call ahead at this all-private-dining Hangzhou chain; reservations are essential and the Beggar’s Chicken needs to be ordered one day in advance."

"Where to try: TianYi Xiao Guan - It comes packed in a dry wheat dough and wrapped in foil instead of the more traditional lotus leaves and, like the beggar’s original, it’s cheap as well as delicious – don’t worry, you still get to smash it with a hammer."