1973 during the construction of the east building of Beijing Hotel, Zhou Enlai, Prime Minister of the State Council, China, personally participated in the proposal and suggested that the east building should be mainly a tourist hotel. Later, Zhou Enlai's wish came true. Ten years later, he built a VIP building.

On September 22nd, 1990, Beijing World Hotel opened. The hotel is a joint venture with Hong Kong tycoon and vice chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Henry Fok, who named it the "VIP Building". The hotel is designed according to the international five-star hotel standard, focusing on receiving important political tasks at home and abroad.

The south side of the hotel is the southeast corner of Beijing Imperial City, and the east side is connected with Beijing Hotel. The middle connecting part spans Chenguang Street, borders Nanheyan Street in the west, faces Tianan Building across Xiagongfu Street in the north, and is close to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Wangfujing Street.