HOTEL receptionist Wang Yingchun was named the first Miss Beijing, beating 10 other finalists for the 80,000-yuan (HK$107,920) golden crown.
The 20-year-old Miss Wang only just pipped first runner-up Xiulan Limei, a college student, and second runner-up Bian Mei in the glittering final at a Beijing hotel on Sunday.
According to the semi-officialChina News Service, the favourite of the crowd and the media during the contest was Miss Bian, an army officer, who serves as a bodyguard to visiting female dignitaries.
The contest, organised by women and youth associations in Beijing, received more than three million yuan in sponsorship support from a Beijing-Hongkong joint venture.
The report said international standards had been adopted for the contest, which started three months ago.
The contestants were judged on beauty, intelligence and poise. Prizes were also awarded to a Miss Photogenic and a Miss Smile.