my wife and i are taking a short [9 days] trip to beijing and xian. we are staying at 4/5 star hotel in both cities. both hotels have several restaurants. we will be eating at the hotels, nearby restaurants, or with the group at a tang dynasty dinner and show or peking duck dinner and opera. she is concearned about the acceptance of jeans or other pants at these establishments. i believe not a problem but she would like feedback from some ladies who have been there done that. thank you in advance.

Well, I'm not a lady, but I'd be very surprised if your wife felt out of place in reasonably smart pants almost anywhere in China. The Chinese themselves tend to dress pretty informally for social occasions.

We were there about 10 years ago and anything goes. We would leave the hotel at 9 am and spend the day on the road sightseeing. Lunch was at a restaurant and then dinner was at another location so we never returned to change our clothes. Jeans were fine wherever we went. Hace a great time!

thanks for the replies

still not convienced
does anyone have more info on women wearing jeans and slacks in china. i am picturing us taking another suitcase with dresses and skirts; just in case.

The dinner shows will be pretty casual. Nobody will care what you wear.

Apparently, if you're staying at international 5* hotel (like the Peninsula), then you want to dress nice to eat at their restaurants, but they won't ban you for going in, especially if you're a foreign guest.

Now, if you're going to a private or corporate party, or a business meeting, that's different.

as usual you are a wealth of information. thanks

I've been to Beijing twice in the past couple years, and on neither trip did I take any skirts or dresses with me. I wore jeans most of the time, but during the November trip when it was cold, I dressed them up with a nice cashmere sweater when we went out in the evening. The springtime trip -- I think I just wore a nice t-shirt with them.

As far as what the locals wore, most of the older Chinese women seemed to wear the same type of outfit -- black slacks and brightly patterned loose blouses. Must have been the current fashion for their age group. The younger women, however, generally wore very trendy clothing - tight jeans or very short skirts.

But like the other posters said, anything is fine. No one really cares what you wear! Just enjoy your time in China!

thanks everyone. ojudy you were very helpful. i don't think we will be taking the extra suitcase.