Despite this, China developed a small cigar-making industry on the back of its cigarette production. However, Chinese cigars have not become sought after on the international market.

After several decades when cigar smoking virtually disappeared in China, it is becoming fashionable again among certain elites in China.

Davidoff, Dannemann and Macanudo are already in Beijing and they're doing well.

To tap into the rising market, domestic cigarette manufacturers are starting to produce cigars and numerous brands are found on the market.

Davidoff

Opened in 1993, Davidoff was the first to open a cigar store in Beijing. Located in the Palace Hotel on Wangfujing Dajie, the store offers an extensive of Davidoff cigars and accessories.

Location: The Palace Hotel, 8 Jinyu Hutong, Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District

Hours: 9 am-9 pm

Tel: 6512-8899

Danneman

Danneman opened its first boutique at the Holiday Inn Lido, Beijing in 2000, and has become a frequent choice of smokers as smaller cigars become more popular.

Location: Holiday Inn Lido, Beijing, 2 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District

Hours: 9 am to 9 pm

Tel: 6437-6688

Macanudo

Macanudois probably the best known cigar in Beijing partly due to its boutique in the Kunlun Hotel, which carries a wide range of imported cigars from the United States. The store has made its name for the most extensive array of cigars in town.

Besides its outlet within Kunlun Hotel, Macanudo has three other outlets in Beijing!

Location 1: 1/F Kunlun Hotel, Xinyuan Lu, Chaoyang District

Hours: 9 am to 9pm

Tel: 6590-3388 ext 5421

Location 2: 1/F, The Great Wall SheratonHotel, Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District

Hours: 9 am to 10 pm

Tel: 6590-5566 ext 2391

Location 3: 1/F Scitech Shopping Centre, Chaoyang District

Hours: 9 am to 9 pm

Tel: 8511-0847

Location 4: Parkso, 101 Fuxingmennei Dajie, Xicheng District

Hours: 9 am to 9 pm

Tel: 66058312

Yinian Century

There are numerous cigars produced in China now. Yinian Century is among the most famous.

The cigar was first produced in Southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Yinian Century was Mao's favourite, named after Yinian Hall where he used to meet foreign guests while smoking cigars.

At present, Yinian cigar can be found on several cigar retailers bearing YNC on the tag. For more info:

http://www.yiniancigarclub.com.cn Tel: 6821-1748

Red Capital

These cigars look and smell differently. No hint of incense, definitely hand-rolled and decorated with an interesting band imprinted with the name "Red Capital."

When Red Capital Club in Dongsi was opened in 1999, the restaurant and guest house became popular among tourists and expatriates in Beijing for its courtyard style and its theme on the communist ideal of the 1950s.

A cigar aficionado tasting the cigar comments: "There is no sign of Cuban origin - no triple cap construction and the tobacco in the filler did not exactly offer that unique Cuban bouquet either, but more likely that of Dominican tobacco."

Location: 9 Dongsi Liutiao, Dongcheng District

Hours: 9 am to 9pm

Cigar store & divans

The Courtyard cigar divan

A great way to appreciate that you're smoking a Bolivar Belicoso Fino is sitting across the moat from the Forbidden City. The cigar divan serving Cuban stogies boasts breathtaking views of the Forbidden City.

Location: 95 Donghuamen Lu, Dongcheng District

Tel: 6526-8883

Old Jinjiang Cigar Divan

Featuring old Shanghai in the 1930s with Chinese traditional furniture.

Location: 2/F, Kunlun Hotel, 8 Xinyuan Lu, Chaoyang District

Hours: 9 am-10 pm Tel: 6590-3388

Danieli's

Besides its Italian cuisine, Daniel's also provide a wide selection of cigars on its menu. A cigar divan is available.

Location: 2/F, The St. Regis Hotel. 21 Jiangguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District

Hours: 9 am to 10 pm

Tel: 6460-6688 ext 2441

Red Capital Club

The most unusual thing about the guest house's cigar divan is that it is converted from an underground bomb shelter. Dark and a little bit dusty, but crying out with atmosphere, this has to be one of the smallest and most exclusive hangouts in town.

Location: 9 Dongsi Liutiao, Dongcheng District

Tel: 84035308

(Beijing Weekend April 9, 2003)