The race covered 614.3 kilometres (381.7 mi) across Beijing over five stages, and was the first race to be owned by Global Cycling's governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale, a move which raised some controversy.

[2] It was the 25th race of the UCI World Tour season.

[3] The race was won by HTC–Highroad rider Tony Martin, after winning the opening time trial stage and maintaining his advantage to the end of the race.

As the race was held under the auspices of the UCI World Tour, all eighteen ProTour teams were invited automatically.

[7] The 19 teams invited to the race were: 5 October 2011 – Bird's Nest to Water Cube, 11.3 km (7.0 mi) 6 October 2011 – Bird's Nest to MenTouGou, 133.5 km (83.0 mi) 7 October 2011 – MenTouGou to YongNing Town, 162.0 km (100.7 mi) 8 October 2011 – YanQing Gui Chuan Square to Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park, 189.5 km (117.7 mi) 9 October 2011 – Tiananmen Square to Bird's Nest, 118.0 km (73.3 mi)