The history of Quanjude dates back to 1864, during the Qing dynasty, when a man named Yang Quanren opened a small shop in Beijing that sold roasted duck. Quanjude’s heritage of roast duck preparation – using open ovens and non-smoky hardwood fuel such as Chinese date, peach, or pear to add a subtle fruity flavor with a golden crisp to the skin – was originally reserved for the imperial families. Over time, the shop became more and more popular, and eventually grew into a full-fledged restaurant. Today, Quanjude has several locations throughout Beijing, and is known for its high-quality ingredients, expert preparation, and impeccable service.