Your Guide to Qixi 2016: Where to Treat Your Partner on Chinese Valentine's Day, Aug 9

China's Valentine's Day, also known as Qixi (七夕), is on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, falling on August 9 this year. Legend has it that Niu Lang (牛郎), a cowherd, met Zhi Nv (织女), the daughter of the celestial jade emperor. It was love at first sight and they married soon after.

RELATED: Where to Celebrate World Baijiu Day, Aug 9

When the Queen of Heaven discovered that her daughter was married to a mere moral on earth, she forced Zhi Nv to come back to the skies, and created a Milky Way separating the two. However, thousands of magpies came to the rescue, creating a bridge across the Milky Way to reunite the two every seventh night of every seventh month.

To celebrate this, we are sure that all you lovey-dovey couples also want to spend the evening in an equally as romantic setting as the middle of the cosmos, but with more oxygen, which is why we've compiled the best of the city's Qixi events below. All events take place on August 9, unless stated otherwise.

Migas Qixi Chinese Valentine's Dinner
Migas has created a special Qixi set menu including their paella, octopus served two ways, fried artichokes with Iberico ham and egg yolg emulsion, Iberico feather loin with spinach and raisins, and chocolate coulant. RMB 588 per couple. 6-10.30pm. Migas

Qixi Valentine's Day Staycation
Make Qixi extra special with a staycation in one of East's studio rooms, featuring floor to ceiling windows, a spacious bathtub with a view, and a personal shopping experience. Includes a set menu dinner as well as breakfast and late check-out upon availability. RMB 2,888 (plus 10 percent service charge and VAT). 5pm onwards. East Beijing


Chinese Valentine's Day at the Peak of Beijing
Indulge with varying set menus at Grill 79, The Lounge, Atmosphere, Nadaman and The Red Chamber, and get an exective room at an exclusive rate of RMB 1,288. Various Prices. 5pm-2am. China World Summit Wing

The Westin Beijing Chaoyang Pink Valentine at Seasonal Tastes
Immerse yourself and your sweetheart with a passionate buffet at Seasonal Tastes this Valentines. Expect pink desserts, pink cocktails, and pink flowers (non-edible), as well as a chance to receive a surprise gift. RMB 268-368 (plus 15 percent service charge). 11.30am-2.30pm (lunch), 5.30-9.30pm (dinner). Seasonal Tastes

Yi Pin Love Taste  
Yi Pin Huai Yang Chinese Restaurant has created a rose set dinner menu especially for lovers on Qixi, including signature abalone, matsutake soup and a host of classic dishes, washed down with rose Moet Chandon. RMB 520 (plus 10 percent service charge and a 6 percent VAT on total of price and service charge). 5.30-10pm. Yi Pin

Chinese Restaurant Chinese Valentine's Day at VIC, Sofitel
This Chinese Valentine's Day, make actions speak louder than words with VIC's special menu for valentines. Expect an extensive range of international, French, Chinese, and Indian dishes, including seafood, free-flow oysters, and desserts. Winners of their kiss competition (don't ask) will get 50 percent off.  RMB 588 (per couple, plus 10 percent service charge and 6 percent VAT). 5.30-10pm. VIC

Chinese Valentine’s Day at The Cut Steak and Seafood Grill  
Chinese Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to indulge in a romantic getaway at the Fairmont. The Cut Steak and Seafood Grill will provide you and your loved one a special Qixi package, including a four-course meal and a night's stay. RMB 1,588-2,188 (plus 10 percent service charge and 6 percent VAT). 11.30am-11pm. The Cut Steak and Seafood Grill

Chinese Valentine's Day at The Grill  
For this Chinese Valentine's Day, The Grill takes inspiration from one of the most romantic cities in the world  Venice. Dine on a six-course menu, including highlights such as Venetian Bellini, pea risotto with lobster ragout, and grilled beef, all beside the restaurant's romantic candle-lit reflecting pool. RMB 1,314 per person (plus 16.6 percent service charge). 6-10pm. The Grill Aman

Chinese Valentine's Day at Naoki  
Treat your beloved to an exclusive candle-lit kaiseki dining experience at Naoki. Choose between seating besides Naoki's tranquil reflecting pool or head towards the action at the long marble bar facing the chefs, who will be busy preparing classic Japanese and European-influenced dishes such as grilled abalone with fragrant herbs. RMB 2,988 per couple. 6-10pm. Naoki

And finally, if you're a Chinese lady looking for a foreign boyfriend, there is this blind date party aimed specifically at you. Make sure to check out the event listing first, because there are only 10 lucky spots for each gender. Or, ya know, go see some Czech hardcore.

Photos courtesy of the organizers