IN the MINORITY Holding on to Ethnic Identity in a Changing Beijing

Home , Deshengmen, Dongzhimen, Houhai, Huaiyang cuisine, Kunming Lake, Liangfen

IN THE MINORITY Holding on to Ethnic Identity in a Changing Beijing

Advertising Hotline 400 820 8428 城市漫步北京英文版 6 月份国内统一刊号: CN 11-5232/GO China Intercontinental Press ISSN 1672-8025

JUNE 2016

主管单位：中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室 Supervised by the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China 主办单位：五洲传播出版社地址：北京市海淀区北三环中路31 号生产力大楼 B 座 602 邮编 100088 B-602 Shengchanli Building, No. 31 Beisanhuan Zhonglu, Haidian District, Beijing 100088, PRC http://www.cicc.org.cn 总编辑 Editor in Chief 慈爱民 Ci Aimin 期刊部负责人 Supervisor of Magazine Department 邓锦辉 Deng Jinhui 编辑 Editor 朱莉莉 Zhu Lili 发行 / 市场 Distribution / Marketing 黄静，李若琳 Huang Jing, Li Ruolin

Editor-in-Chief Oscar Holland Food & Drink Editor Noelle Mateer Staff Reporter Dominique Wong National Arts Editor Andrew Chin Digital Content Editor Justine Lopez Designers Li Xiaoran, Iris Wang Staff Photographer Holly Li Contributors Mia Li, Zoey Zha, Virginia Werner, Jens Bakker, Emma Huang, Aelred Doyle, Dominic Ngai, Tongfei Zhang

Urbanatomy Media

Shanghai (Head office) 上海和舟广告有限公司上海市蒙自路 169 号智造局 2 号楼 305-306 室邮政编码 : 200023 Room 305-306, Building 2, No.169 Mengzi Lu, Shanghai 200023 电话 : 021-8023 2199 传真 : 021-8023 2190 (From February 13) Beijing 广告代理 : 上海和舟广告有限公司北京市东城区东直门外大街 48 号东方银座 C 座 9G 邮政编码 : 100027 48 Dongzhimenwai Dajie Oriental Kenzo (Ginza Mall) Building C Room 9G, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100027 电话 : 010-8447 7002 传真 : 010-8447 6455 Guangzhou 上海和舟广告有限公司广州分公司广州市越秀区麓苑路 42 号大院 2 号楼 610 房邮政编码 : 510095 Room 610, No. 2 Building, Area 42, Lu Yuan Lu, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, PRC 510095 电话 : 020-8358 6125, 传真 : 020-8357 3859-800 Shenzhen 广告代理 : 上海和舟广告有限公司广州分公司深圳市福田区彩田路星河世界大厦 C1-1303 C1-1303, Galaxy Century Building, Cai Tian Road, Futian District, Shenzhen 电话 : 0755-8623 3220, 传真 : 0755-8623 3219

Operations Manager Ning Zhu Sales Manager Henry Zeng Sales Emma Cao, Clara Li, Daisy Lu, Jessica Zhou Marketing Manager Justin Culkin Marketing Assistant Vivid Zhu

CEO Leo Zhou Sales Project Director Henry Zeng Editorial Director Ned Kelly Financial Manager Laura Lu HR/Admin Director Penny Li Digital Projects Manager Vickie Guo Digital Content Manager Bridget O'Donnell Digital Timi Shi, Sybil Zhang, Joseph Liao

General enquiries (010) 8447 7002 Editorial (010) 8447 7069 [email protected] Events (010) 8447 7069 [email protected] Distribution/Subscription (010) 8447 7002 [email protected] Marketing (010) 8447 7603 [email protected] Advertising (010) 8447 7073 [email protected]

广告经营许可证 : 京海工商广字第 8069 号法律顾问 : 大成律师事务所魏君贤律师 Legal Advisor: Wei Junxian, Dacheng Law Firm 国际标准刊号 ISSN 1672-8025

国内统一刊号 CN 11-5232/GO 定价 : 25.00 元邮发代号 : 2-930 部分非卖品 , 仅限赠阅

2 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM EDITOR’S DEALS NOTE We're giving away tickets to some of JUNE the very best Beijing MY EDITOR’S NOTES USUALLY OFFER SOME PERSONAL MUSINGS ON THE MAGAZINE’S parties, openings, cover story. But that leaves me in dangerous territory this month, given that our feature package is about Beijing’s ethnic minority communities. Yes, my ethnicity is technically a minority one here, but nobody wants to hear a white shows and talks all month, alongside dude reflecting on what it’s like being a white dude in China. If you do, keep an eye out Beijing’sfor my forthcoming three most expatpopulous memoir. minority (I’m jokingcommunities: – and can Manchu, everyone Hui please and Mongol. stop writing free meals, drinks, expat memoirs?) Instead, I simply implore you to turn to page 36 as we meet members of

In the meantime, I want to talk about sausages. Last month, the team and I headed to discounts and Arrow Factory’s new(ish) Liangmahe taproom to take part in a sausage-eating competition. AndI came second, second, it allows thanks me for to asking. segue into some shameless self promotion for our upcoming giveaways. All you eventBut atI bring Arrow this Factory. up for The two Summer reasons. SundownerFirst, it provides will take an excuse place on to theprint taproom’s the picture rooftop below. have to do is scan on June 18, providing readers and assorted freeloaders with music, prizes and RMB30 craft beers (turn to page 67 for the full lowdown). I’ll be there – IPA in hand – reflecting on what the QR code below, it’s like to be a white dude in China. I should also take this opportunity to let you know about some of the great stuff in this follow us on WeChat month’s magazine: Dominique Wong meets the Guangzhou-based photographer taking pictures of very sad-looking zoo animals (page 10); I ask the founder of Beijing’s favorite and keep an eye out T-shirt brand, Plastered 8, to pick out his favorite tees on his company’s 10th birthday (page 20); Andrew Chin talks synthesizers with husband-and-wife duo Alpine Decline for your chance to ings(page (from 28); andpage Noelle 48). Mateer reviews a new book on China’s youth (page 33) before bring- ing you her characteristically discerning round-up of the month’s new food and drink open- win. You'll get some other great stuff on your phone too.

Oscar Holland Editor-in-Chief

Thats_Beijing

twitter.com/ThatsBeijing

The team prepares for a sausage-eating competition at Arrow Factory facebook.com/ThatsBeijing

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 3 QUOTE OF THE ISSUE

“Loss of language doesn’t mean the disappearance of Manchu – the blood is still there”

Artist Fucha Danqing on Manchu identity, page 43 6 CITY

8 HUTONG TO HELL Did banning tour groups solve

NLGX’s9 A CAPITAL overcrowding? IDEA

architectural wonder Why Capital Museum is an 15 URBAN DICTIONARY We ain’t saying she a gold digger, 8 but that’s what laonü means

16 LIFE & STYLE

16 FRESH PRINTS OF BEIJING

The man behind the punny picture- printing18 HEY pop-upMICKEY Disney gear to wear to Disneyland… or just around the house 24 TEE TIME 24 Beijing’s most subversive T-Shirt brand on its 10th birthday 26 ARTS

26 GOT A KRUSH

digital age Japan’s DJ Krush on hip-hop in the 28 OF SYNTH AND MAN Even Alpine Decline’s recordings sound like they’re live 33 THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT Alec Ash’s impressive book on 28

China’s post-80s generation 48 EAT & DRINK

53 HOTLINE BLING

‘China Mobile’ isn’t a China Mobile –54 it’s MY a restaurant SHUI OR THE HIGHWAY Your guide to Beijing’s hydrating refreshments 56 TONGZHOU TIKKA TACOS Fact: Tongzhou district has bomb 54

Indian-Mexican fusion food 4 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM THE WRAP

10 WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS

Thought-provoking photos of China’s zoos

36 MINORITY REPORT Beijing’s ethnic minorities talk culture, identity and food 50 HUTONG HANGOUTS

we’ve got the scoop Beixinqiao’s got ‘em – and

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 5 CITYCITYTHE BUZZ

THE FUTUREHEADS Patrons of the 14th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition get a dose of virtual reality inside Toyota’s autonomous vehicle display.

RANDOM NUMBER QUOTE OF THE MONTH “It’s a free market. We will also make full achievement of the ‘iphone’ [sic] trademark, and 207 work together with Apple to benefit more iphone …million is the amount in RMB that an 11th-century letter sold consumers!” for at an auction in Beijing last month, a record price for a piece of … reads a statement on the website of leather-goods manufacturer Chinese calligraphy. Bought by Chinese media mogul and art collector Xintong Tiandi Technology, in response to a Beijing court ruling Wang Zhongjun, the 936-year-old letter is the last surviving work in their favor in a trademark case brought by Apple. The court of Chinese scholar Zeng Gong, who is considered one of the greatest dismissed Apple’s appeal on the grounds that the US firm could not prose writers of the Song dynasty (A.D. 960-1270). The work is now prove the iPhone brand was well-known in China when Xintong 45 times more valuable than when it made its debut at auction over Tiandi filed its trademark back in 2007. Apple’s own bid was not 20 years ago. Big spender Wang also bought Van Gogh’s ‘Still Life, approved internationally until 2013. This ruling grants the Chinese Vase with Daisies and Poppies’ for RMB403 million in 2014. company the right to continue using the name on its products.

6 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM Edited by Dominique Wong / [email protected]

ARRESTING BEHAVIOR ASK A LAOBEIJING

We met Sun, 53, during an afternoon walk in Xizhimen

Beijing police have detained almost 40 people connected to 30 cases of illegal gun possession since launching a special operation targeting firearms in March, according to the Municipal Public Security Bureau. The number of cases has increased by 36 percent compared to the same period last year and includes one case of four people using improvised firearms to play a What do you think real-life version of the video game Counter- about the rising rent Strike. Private possession of firearms in prices in Beijing? China is strictly prohibited, though civilian use is sometimes permitted in certain “As an ordinary citizen I don’t know much about the organizations and workplaces, for hunting housing market, but I have heard about the high rent and security. prices in Beijing and I think that they’re too high – especially for ordinary people. Some laobeijing live in lodgings rather than owning a house, because it’s even MIND THE GAP more expensive to buy a house than to rent, and it’s too troublesome to wait in line for public housing. I think the housing prices in all big cities will keep increasing. I’m not a landlord myself, although it is pretty common for laobeijing – especially those with low salaries – to rent out houses to migrant workers. High rents aren’t necessarily a bad thing, as many migrant workers are disorderly and compete with Beijing people for work. They may also have destructive habits, which can harm the original cultural and working landscape of the city. Laobeijing adhere to rules, no matter what the work is. Migrant workers shouldn’t come to Beijing if they can’t afford to – surely working in smaller cities would do. The government really should do something about the problems brought about by the influx of migrants. They Security doors will be introduced to have been taking various measures but ultimately they Beijing’s Subway Line 1 by the end of have been too slow in addressing the problems. When 2017, and door installations have already the PRC was founded, our leaders considered making begun at Nanlishilu Station, according to Tongzhou the capital city. It’s apparent they ought to a spokesperson for the Beijing Subway have done this. [ED: The relocation of the municipal Company. The age and structure of Line 1 government to Tongzhou is now underway, see That’s have made it difficult to install the type of Beijing’s October 2015 issue.] doors seen on newer lines, so current plans High rent may affect people’s ability to spend money use half-height security doors akin to those on other items but this economic impact is not my on Line 13 and the Batong Line. Security business, it’s the government’s business. doors were first introduced to the Beijing My children will go abroad to study and if they want to Subway in 2007 with the opening of Line or are able to live abroad afterwards, it’s up to them. But 5. Now only Lines 1 and 2 lack the safety I hope they can.” measures. As told to Emma Huang

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 7 CITY | TALES TALES OF THE CITY

Dominique Wong asks whether the recent ban on tour groups on Nanluoguxiang has affected the iconic hutong

NO-LUOGUXIANG? Nanluoguxiang, everybody’s favorite tourist- Speaking of business, how has the ban was no ban. But it’s more peaceful now.” trap hutong (no, just us?), recently got affected the local shops and residents of the The new rules may benefit the hutong’s slapped with a tour-group ban after shit got famous hutong? Well, locals tell us that it’s cleaners more than anyone else. One cleaner too real, in more ways than one. But mainly a welcome addition to an already packed tells us: “There used to be so much trash, because of crowd congestion. street. cars couldn’t pass and there were too many According to the government’s safety A security worker standing near the people. Sometimes, after eating, they would regulations for public areas, Nanluoguxiang – entrance tells us: “Before there were too throw their garbage away, but not even in or ‘NLGX’ as it is more affectionately known many people, making the environment the trash can,” he says, gesturing toward the in txt-speak – is only allowed to accept unpleasant and disorderly. I’m not sure if ground. “It’s much cleaner now.” 17,000 tourists at any one time. But there are the ban will affect business much, because in The street certainly looks tidier, although instances when this figure has been known the past, even if there were 10 tour groups it being a Monday may have something to do to swell to more than 100,000, as anyone visiting, only two or three would actually buy with this. Even so, the hutong is humming who has had the misfortune of visiting anything.” with people: young, old, local and otherwise during holidays can attest. His sentiments appear to be shared by – they just never number more than five in a To support the new policy, local authorities many of the shopkeepers we speak with. One group. There seems to be more order here; downgraded NLGX from its triple-A tourist teashop employee says: “Our business is still it’s pleasant, even. attraction rating in an attempt to discourage going well. It’s about the same since the ban.” In sum, the ban looks good for NLGX. And the hordes of hungry visitors. But, did it Meanwhile a postcard store employee yet there is nostalgia for the good old days – work? shares: “Tour groups just walk up and down the really old days when NLGX wasn’t full of During the May Labor Day holiday, NLGX the street, they don’t affect our business.” overpriced snacks, ‘cultural’ garb or gangs was reportedly as crowded as ever. But One of the hutong’s many drink vendors is of high school children taking selfies with overall, since the downgrade, visitor numbers also positive about the ban, telling us: “Look squid-on-a-stick. have decreased by a quarter, according to – now people can walk comfortably. Before, One cafe worker who has been based Beijing Today. you could hardly walk down the street. Now in NLGX for the past five years tells us: When we venture down to see for even on the weekend it’s not bad.” “I’ve been here a long time. Sure, the ban ourselves, we are confronted by the dreaded One food shop worker sees both sides is good but it’s not the same as before. white street barriers which separate of the coin. “The ban hasn’t influenced us Nanluoguxiang used to be great before it Nanluoguxiang Station from the hutong itself. too much because people from tour groups became what you see now. There were a lot This ban means business, even if it makes rarely buy food," he says. "Instead they come of small coffee shops and there was a nice things more difficult for non-tour group folk. here [NLGX] to buy Chinese specialty goods. feeling.” (Tip: avoid having to cross the street in a Obviously we want to have as much business Well, at least there’s always the hidden round-about manner by using exit E, not A.) as possible, so we preferred it when there gem that is 69 Café.

8 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM ON THE BLOCK | CITY

CAPITAL MUSEUM, MUXIDI The Building Capital Museum was established in 1981, though it only moved to its present site, west of Tiananmen Square, in 2006. Although lesser known than other art museums in the city, the building boasts architecture that is both striking and inimitable. New guidelines on The building showcases classical and contemporary characteristics. The long urban planning will forbid the stone curtain wall nods to the old city walls of ancient China, while the steel construction of “bizarre” and canopy roof and glass curtain wall offer modernity. Another distinctive feature “odd-shaped” buildings that are is the oval-shaped Bronze Exhibition Hall which extends from the ground to the devoid of character or cultural museum exterior and symbolizes the unearthing of relics. heritage. In our new feature, we gather opinions on some of the unusual The Residents’ View architecture that remains, from both an Regular visitors Zhang and Fan tell us: “The exterior is very beautiful.” Meanwhile, architectural and civilian viewpoint. a museum employee shares: “The environment is really great.” The Architect’s View Project manager of OBRA Architects, Sen Liu, says: “Capital Museum was one of the earliest collaboration projects between foreign and local architectural companies (AREP and Beijing Institute of Architectural Design respectively). Before, it was only big banks, international corporations and diplomatic facilities that hired foreign architects and local design institutes to work on projects together. So it’s one of the earliest local cultural buildings that tried to shape its appearance using a foreign perspective. “It resulted in a refreshing piece of work. Its representation of local culture goes beyond a superficial mimic of the traditional Chinese roof or other stereotypical ‘Chinese’ features. “The extended flat roof, vertical bamboo-like space, use of oxidized bronze material and the combination of the concrete panel and glass curtain wall systems, provides a unique, modern yet traditional, aesthetic. There are many other projects which have been made with similar goals over the last few years, but none have been executed as well as Capital Museum.”

朝阳店 CHAOYANG PARK STORE TEL: (010) 65016249 \ 65931220 东湖别墅店 EAST LAKE STORE West Gate of Chaoyang Park, TEL: (010) 84511168 Chaoyang District B1 of East Lake Villa Club, Dongcheng 朝阳区农展南路 1 号（朝阳公园西门南 60 米） District 东城区东湖别墅东湖俱乐部地下一层三里屯店 SANLITUN STORE TEL: (010) 64616928 \ 64635156 观湖国际店 GREEN LAKE STORE No.6 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang TEL: (010) 59283525 \ 59283723 District A1 Building of GreenLake International 朝阳区三里屯北小街 6 号 Apartment, Chaoyang District 朝阳区观湖国际甲 1 号楼芳草地店 RITAN STORE TEL: (010) 85630626 新城国际店 CENTRAL PARK STORE No.4 Ritan North Road, Chaoyang TEL: (010) 65336791 District No. 101, Tower 17, Central Park, NO.6, 朝阳区日坛北路 4 号 Chaowai Ave. Chaoyang District 朝阳区朝外大街 6 号新城国际 17 栋 101 香江花园店 RIVERA GARDEN STORE TEL: (010) 84701557 \ 84704095 海晟店 SEASONS PARK STORE No.1 Laiguangying East Road, TEL: (010) 64175815 Chaoyang District First floor of Dongchengyishu No.6, 朝阳区来广营东路 1 号 Shizipo Street, Chaoyang District 朝阳区十字坡街 6 号东城逸墅 1 层建外 SOHO 店 JIANWAI SOHO STORE TEL: (010) 58692326 \ 58692253 逸盛阁店 EAST AVENUE STORE 0413 of Building 4, Jianwai SOHO, TEL: (010) 64602658 No. 39 Middle Dongsanhuan Road, Room 108 ,East Avenue, No.10 Chaoyang District Xindong Road, Chaoyang District 朝阳区东三环中路 39 号建外 SOHO4 号朝阳区新东路 10 号逸盛阁 108 室楼 0413

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 9

FEATURE | CITY

Zoos are bona fide city institutions but photographer Zhang Baoyi cares more for the animals inside. Her challenging new photography project raises difficult questions for both zoos and those who visit them, as Dominique Wong finds out.

hang Baoyi’s passion for photography and animals came hand-in-hand. Growing up next door to a zoo, Zhang would often feed lions, tigers, snakes and monkeys. Z A typical childhood this was not, as the photographer tells us: “I – which I would use to photograph my family and neighborhood animals. So, whilehad a manualother children film camera played – mywith father their boughtdolls and it topets, document I was busy me feedinggrowing snakes up and baby tigers.” The experience left an indelible mark, she admits. “It helped me mature and explore photography in more depth. Observing the nature of animals’ lives made me want to research them more.” Zhang’s photography project, which focuses on zoo life, is the result of this Chinese Zoo and Living Space, from which the images on these pages are taken. curiosity.Zhang shares: The series “I chose – five the parts zoo in as total my location– includes because the simply I noticed named that every time I visited, the animals – apart from when eating and sleeping – seemed like they were in a daze, as if stunned. They were like robots pacing back and forth with swaying heads, pecking themselves and even tearing out their own hair or harming themselves in other ways.” Zoochosis is the term used to describe such behavior, which is often displayed by animals in captivity. As Zhang explains: “Zoology studies suggest it’s because of the small size of the enclosures in which the animals are housed, which is Top, L-R | A brown bear at counter to their instincts of living in the wild. When this is combined with the Nanning Zoo; an African effect of long-term exposure to onlookers in a noisy environment, the animals’ elephant and its trainer at hormones become imbalanced, which is manifested in their mechanical actions.” Nanning Zoo Zhang’s observations make for an arresting but disconcerting set of photo- Opposite | A muster graphs. of Indian peacocks at Hangzhou Zoo

The animals’ living space has rockery, trees, and painted walls, which makes visitors feel like the animals are living in a proper environment. But in reality it is merely a mask to confuse mankind

Top and bottom | Hornbills at Hangzhou Zoo

12 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM FEATURE | CITY

R | A panda at Hangzhou Zoo

Chinese Zoo caged environs. A particularly uncomfortable photograph depicts an elephant sitting on its behind, is a raw sporting and uncompromising bloodshot eyes #nofilter and a manic look smile, at animals trunk in pointed their upwards and a human trainer by its side. Another shows a bear, with a rope and ring dangling from its nose, walking across a tightrope, its fearful eyes downcast. Even the animals left to their own devices appear to lack autonomy: Shut behind bars, the creatures appear joy- less and alone. In Living Space, however, the focus turns to the animals’ surroundings. Rather than zooming in, Zhang frames the animals in their un-natural habitats. The title is ironic, she explains: “The animals’ living space has rockery, trees and painted walls, which makes visitors feel like the animals are living in a proper environment. But in reality it is merely a mask to confuse mankind. It looks real but behind the scenes, it is still a cage of reinforced concrete and iron. Animals are actually living without freedom in a cramped space.” Zhang draws parallels between the animals’ lives and our own. “I want peo-

they are living their own lives. Living in the city, everything seems available, andple who yet our are happinessliving in an decreases.” ‘urban city cage’ to reflect on the environment in which

and safari parks around China including Hangzhou Zoo, Wuhan Safari Park, KunmingOver the Zoo course and Beijingof the five-year Zoo, among project others. Zhang visited almost a dozen zoos As such, Zhang was exposed to the complex realities of zoos, she says. “In

about certain zoos abusing animals, which results in heavy criticism from ani- malChina, rights many activists.” zoos’ efforts are insufficient: There are often stories in the media -

The issue of whether zoos are beneficial or detrimental to animals is a con

L | A lar gibbon at Hangzhou Zoo

WWW.THATSMAGS.COMWWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE| MAY 2016 | 13 CITY | FEATURE

troversial one. Those arguing the former believe that zoos educate the public, as well as offer endangered species by a safe environment. I want people who Those in opposition point to the aforementioned ill effects suffered by animals kept in captivity, in addition to fundamental animal rights. are living in an So, where does Zhang fall on the scale? It’s complicated, she says. “I am really concerned about the wellbeing of animals. [But] nowadays ’urban city cage‘ there is an increasing number of animal welfare organizations, and people are more aware of the need to protect animals. Zoos are becom- to reflect on the ing more humane and environmentally friendly.” These conclusions were reached with help from others, she says. “I environment in encountered some interesting zookeepers who like photography. They shared their knowledge about the history of Chinese zoos and offered which they are living me a chance to get in close contact with the animals.” Despite Zhang’s hopeful outlook, her series is marked with an their own lives unmistakable air of sadness – though this may be a case of art imitat- ing life. “When I feel down in the dumps I will go to [my favorite zoo] Hangzhou Zoo. I’ve been shooting there for several years, so the animals seem to share a special understanding with me. There’s a panda – it looks like Bao from Kung Fu Panda – who always gives me the same gestures and I like seeing the warmth between the mother zebra and her little one.” Zhang’s childlike wonder remains, but with the added sense of re-

humanity. I hope that my work will allow more people to think and realizesponsibility that animalsthat occurs require with better age. She living reflects: environments.” “Zoos are a mirror of

█ To see more of Zhang’s photos, visit www.thatsmags.com A ring-tailed lemur at Hangzhou Zoo

14 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM CHINESE URBAN DICTIONARY | CITY

Almost every society is a class society, ticket in the hope of catching the eye regardless of whether its members of someone who can actually afford to admit it or not. And we live in an age be there. (Wendy Deng is often said to where upward mobility is increasingly be the poster girl of this group.) rare. It used to take either Albert Originally a Cantonese word, laonü Einstein’s superb intellect, Henry began as a derogatory term for any Ford’s hard work or Bill Gates’ lucky young women from a poor region timing to step into the class above. of China who came to rich cities like Nowadays, bridging the divide is so Hong Kong to find a partner. Soon it difficult that it will probably take all of was adopted by the Shanghainese to these things combined to truly rise up. describe gold diggers from the north, But there are class societies and and then by Beijingers to describe there are communist class societies. In gold diggers from Dongbei. Laonü / Lāonǚ / 捞女 n. a woman who relies on her sexual China, where the idea of class was once Nowadays, in addition to being an allure to achieve upward mobility; a gold digger forcefully eliminated, it is now back indictment of China’s imbalanced with a vengeance. And pop culture is regional development, laonü has also Why does Lingling always go to the golf course? She doesn't even play. eager to depict class differences and become an indictment of the lack of those who try to defy their status. upward mobility. The upper-class Among those desperately seeking slaps the label on those who hope to She is playing a different game, if you catch my drift. upward mobility, laonü is a favorite achieve their status, while the middle- group to portray. These are the young class blames the upper-class for and gorgeous women hoping to keeping them out. Oh. She’s trying to meet a rich guy? marry into wealthy families (lao is the So, before you get jealous of laonü verb ‘to scoop’; nü means ‘woman’). or the rich guys who marry them, Why else would she doll up just to sit there Coming from working- or middle-class know that class society is a bitch and playing with her hair? families, these girls set their eyes on the lack of upward mobility is bad for ‘marrying up’ and will risk anything everyone. Does she really think being a laonü will work? for the chance. Urban legend suggests that they frequent private clubs and By day, Mia Li is a news reporter in Beijing; at corporate gatherings, spending all night, she tries to turn that news into standup Well, it worked for all her other friends. their money on a first-class plane comedy.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 15 Folio 线

LIFELIFE &&STYLE RADAR STYLESTYLE

SPOTLIGHT

Mikey Chee, founder of Fresh Prints — So how did the idea for an on-the-spot WeChat photo- printing service come about? Last November, when my girlfriend and I went to Jiuzhaigou, we took a bunch of great photos. I wanted to print them out, but when I went to the print shop I was so upset with the customer service. I started wondering why nothing like this existed on WeChat. Flash forward to last December and the idea of Fresh Prints came together. When I printed out some photos for my buddy’s birthday party I knew it was something special. — Why is your logo a toaster? With Fresh Prints, you send photos in and photos come out, just like a toaster – it’s that simple. The idea is that the toaster

go into our service. Also, it’s super adorable! Our O2O printer, Toasty,puts together is a fun the and speed, simple efficiency way to experience and warm-baked new photo-print love that - ing. He’s so cute! I love Toasty. — How did you come up with the name Fresh Prints? [Breaks into rap parodying The Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song] Now this is a story all about how my life got relocated to China, holy cow! And I’d like to take a minute just sit right there and tell you how I became the prince of a town called Beijing. In central New Jersey, born and raised, in the Tesla showroom is where I spent most of my days. Educating the masses about electric cars and making hot sales on the spot, when all of a sudden my manager got weird. I got in one hot streak and my boss got scared. He said you're moving to China because they need some good air! — Very good! What’s it like being an entrepreneur in Beijing? It’s awesome. The community here is amazing and everyone is incredibly helpful. Beijing is about raising people up and no douche BS. #BeiArea is a movement that I’m involved with along with some other [start-up] founders in Beijing. It’s a mo- PHOTO BY HOLLY LI HOLLY BY PHOTO tion to progress the community of movers and shakers. JL For more info on Fresh Prints, add it on WeChat: kubiyin, or call 185 1399 0107.

COVET

A Close Shave

Father’s Day is fast approaching, and if you’re still wondering what to buy for the man who knocked up your mom, Straight Up Razor has your answer. Specializing in restoring vintage razor blades, this new startup is rolling out two Father’s Day shaving sets for gentlemen to refine their clean-cut looks. Both the basic and luxury sets (RMB280 and RMB550 respectively) come with quality shaving soap and a can of handmade sandalwood aftershave balm by Sapo Soap. The basic set also comes with a metal shaving bowl and a wooden badger brush, while the luxury set includes a turquoise porcelain shaving bowl and a handmade wooden silver-tip brush. Fancy something for yourself too? Buying one of the sets will get you special discounts on signature vintage straight razors (or get a free stand and travel box with any order of modern or safety razors). All of the above is available from Straight Up’s website or WeChat store and can be delivered to Beijing in around two days. www.straightup-razors.com, WeChat: straightup-razors

16 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM Edited by Dominic Ngai / [email protected]

MADE IN CHINA OVERHEARD

Wearable Artifacts

Chinese ceramics normally belong in a museum (or your grandmother’s antique cabinet). But Beijing-based artist Li Xiaofeng doesn’t seem to think so. For the past decade, he’s been using porcelain shards recovered from archaeological sites dating back as far as the Song Dynasty (960-1279) to create showpieces and costumes, including suits, shirts, ties and women’s dresses. After completing his studies at Beijing’s Central Academy of

“SOMETHING MUST BE WRONG WITH MY TASTE. EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE IN LOVE WITH THIS DRESS BUT CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT’S SO Fine Arts in 2002, BEAUTIFUL ABOUT IT? AM I the Hubei native decided to stay in the capital to pursue his passion THE ONLY ONE WHO THINKS IT for design. One of Li’s most famous projects was his 2010 collaboration LOOKS LIKE SHE’S WEARING A with Lacoste for its Holiday Collector series. Here, he used shattered pieces HUGE BLACK PLASTIC BAG?” of custom-made porcelain bowls featuring hand-painted versions of A confused netizen comments on Chinese singer Li Yuchun’s red- the label’s crocodile logo. carpet look at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. Li was seen wearing a Just last year, Li’s designs appeared shiny long-sleeved Julien Fournie Couture gown at the screening of in the exhibition China: Through The BFG. Following the event, the French fashion designer posted 92 the Looking Glass at New York’s images and videos of Li in the dress on his Instagram account, which Metropolitan Museum of Art. His went viral overnight on Chinese social media. Li’s fans praised the most recent series, Past Presence, pop idol’s look for being “as elegant as a black swan,” while others includes a handful of porcelain criticized the dress’ resemblance to a black plastic garbage bag. Oh, dresses made from Ming and Qing and did we mention that she was also wearing a RMB17 million dynasty shards. Harry Winston necklace?

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 17 Folio 线 AND E FR C I IE M N

F D

O S

FOR HER

01 Uniqlo RMB79 www.uniqlo.cn

02 Disney Store 01 RMB398 disneyfashionyj.tmall.com

03 Disney Store RMB288 disneyfashionyj.tmall.com

04 Pandora RMB398-598 each bead www.pandora.net

05 Disney Store RMB248 disneyfashionyj.tmall.com

18 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM FASHION | LIFE & STYLE

nd Minn ey a ie, W k hang and D c fei Z o min e i ong ic ’ y T Ng v M b ai e o G t o s t e Y o o r Everyone in u e Shanghai seems to be h C r talking about the opening of o e the Disney Resort (don’t worry, v p Beijing, we’ll have Universal Studios e u r

in 2019). Clothing brands are cashing in e S on the hype, so Mickey, Minnie and their d friends will be filling out stores across m

o the country. Here’s our pick of the best

r Disney-inspired attire and, if it’s all F a little too saccharine for you, we threw in some Star Wars and Marvel clothing for good measure.

FOR HIM

06 Metersbonwe RMB79 www.banggo.com

07 Li Ning RMB339 store.lining.com

08 Disney Store RMB224 disneyfashionyj.tmall.com

09 Disney Store RMB268 08 disneyfashionyj.tmall.com 10 Uniqlo RMB79 www.uniqlo.cn

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 19 Folio 线 LIFE & STYLE | FEATURE

"‘Vile Age’ was our venture into comic book artwork. “’Sex Shop Neon Sign’ was This one is a panda an obvious one for us, as destroying Sanlitun luxury we celebrate Beijing’s brand stores." (2014) beauty.” (2009)

“An iconic diswashing “My first ever shirt. The liquid bottle. I always loved brand started here with the design and people one unsuccessful idea, would buy it – just not because no one bought it. very often. But it started It’s also my favorite.” (2006) our popular iconic object series.” (2007)

FOR ALL THE TEES “Beach Babe Beijing is a IN CHINA interview by Oscar Holland 1920s piece of art that we used to create this stunning full print design.” (2015) As Beijing T-shirt brand Plastered 8 turns 10 years old, we ask founder Dominic Johnson-Hill to pick out his favorites from the last decade

“‘Gongbao jiding’ is a “We launched this at the popular dish that we simply moment they banned printed onto a shirt. It was smoking in Beijing and worn by China’s Oprah, were told to take it out of Chen Lu Yu, on her TV show our window display. Didn’t and then it went nuts – with stop them from selling like spicy chicken.” (2006) hot cakes.” (2014)

Dominic Johnson-Hill on…

… how it all began “The beauty of Plastered is that it’s been total chaos from the the most money I’d ever made but I had no net profit. In business, start. I had no plans, just living on Nanluoguxiang with my family. everyone talks about ‘scaling up’ but I only wanted happiness from My businesses had all gone bankrupt, I’d run out of money and this.” I risked it all on opening a little T-shirt shop that was 13 square … his best decision meters.” “I went to the office and said: ‘We’re closing Shanghai, we’re … early successes cutting off the wholesalers and we’re forgetting the franchises.’ “I was selling one or two T-shirts a day, when suddenly one Since then I’ve been insanely happy. My ambition is to build the Christmas we did a lot of sales because expats came to buy best business, not the biggest. I’m a small-business man and I’m Christmas presents. Six months later I landed a spot on China’s good at that.” biggest chat show and I ended up a semi-celebrity on Chinese TV … how Plastered 8 has changed doing regular shows. The brand grew along with my TV fame. A lot “By the beginning of 2008 our business was 70 percent of people say ‘oh, you’re so good at marketing’ but I’m not. I just foreigners, now it’s about 95 percent Chinese. The aesthetic has got lucky that I’m quite good on television. The stars aligned.” changed dramatically to cartoon artwork and figurines. But I … his biggest mistake don’t really design for the customer. You have to know who your “There’s so many of them. It’s probably thinking that I could customer is, but you still have to design for yourself. Otherwise build a big business. At year five or six I made a decision to scale the brand loses its soul.” up by selling in Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong… I was making www.plasteredtshirts.com

20 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Folio 线 LIFE & STYLE | ARRIVALS

SCENE & HEARD

1 RECHENBERG SPRING/SUMMER 2 ‘POPPY’ BY THE CAMBRIDGE 3 ARTEMIS COLLECTION SATCHEL COMPANY Artemis is the goddess to rule all design and Kathrin von Rechenberg has crafted another There is something quintessentially British lifestyle stores. Located in Taikooli South, beautiful line of apparel for the summer, about the Cambridge Satchel Company. it’s the best-looking new store in Sanlitun but it’s more than just summer apparel. But having evolved from a kitchen-table – and it’s got substance too. Finally, a shop Her muted colors, creative silhouettes and operation in the UK to the purveyor of a whose wares can be brought home to your sharp lines are a serious upgrade to any globally recognized product, the brand is parents without fear of embarrassment. closet full of lazy summer dresses. And yet, stepping up its efforts in China once again. Artemis was conceived by Beijing local these pieces are breathable enough for even After successfully launching on Tmall in Austin Huang, who noticed the need for a the hottest of Beijing days. Rechenberg has 2014, the company now deems the China well-curated lifestyle store to complement long been known for her beautiful tea silk market to be so important that its newest the growing trend in China of seeking self- pieces, but she ups the ante in this collection products will be available here before improvement through presentation. The with an all-new hand-dyeing technique anywhere else in the world (including store stocks minimalistic furniture and home that uses Shuliang root. The diversity of Cambridge). The 2016 range unveils the deco, shelves and shelves of candles, quirky this collection’s lineup ensures that there’s bag-maker’s new style: ‘Poppy.’ Our favorite stationery, fashion accessories, grooming a piece here for any occasion – we can see is the ‘Poppy Backpack’ – a cute leather products, pet accessories and more. With her Shuliang one-sleeve silk organza wrap backpack with adjustable straps and metal brands including the hip jewelry designer adding a welcome splash of innovation to a push locks. There are four other products in Estella Bartlett, contemporary men’s formal outfit, and we can also imagine her the range which – as you’d expect – come in designer Ron Dorff and Mediterranean- wrap-around dress looking damn fine at a selection of subtle and not-so-subtle colors inspired home and office brand Octaevo, work. All of these components are the result (pictured below: ‘periwinkle blue’ and ‘dusky there is a distinctly Anglo-European feel. In of Beijing-based handicraft. rose’). All are exclusively available on the fact, everything is so cool – and we mean Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm, by appointment only; 12 Xinyuan Cambridge Satchel Company’s Tmall store, ‘accessible cool’ rather than ‘pretentious Xili Dongjie, Chaoyang 朝阳区新源西里东街 12 号 (6463 where you can also find the iconic leather cool’ – we have a hard time leaving. But you 1788) satchel that made its name and the brand’s don’t have to: Artemis houses a cafe and bar other styles, including a traveler bag and equipped with pastries, desserts, wine and mini satchel. house espresso roasted especially for the cambridgesatchel.tmall.hk store by 18 Grams Roasters in Hong Kong. Plus, by the time you read this, an expanded menu offering should be available, as well as an outdoor seating area. We have a feeling we’re going to be spending a lot of time here,

1 as should you. S6-11A Taikoo Li Sanlitun South, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯太古里南 S6-11A (6416 5126, WeChat: ArtemisBeijing)

22 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM ADVERTORIAL | LIFE & STYLE

SHANG XIA Twilight Bamboo Marquetry Storage Box RMB38,000

ince the early 20th century, children from around the world SHANG XIA Shan Shui Cigar Ashtrays have been showing their appreciation for dads on every third RMB3,800 Sunday of June. This Father’s Day, contemporary lifestyle brand Shang Xia is elevating the standards of gifting with a Sselection of menswear and home décor products that will make your dad the happiest man in the world. Shang Xia’s Heqi Men’s Jacket is the perfect thing to impress the sophisticated dad with classic, timeless style. The name of the SHANG XIA Shan Shui Cigar Ashtrays line, heqi (literally the mingling of breath), stands for ‘harmony’ – RMB3,800 referring to the pairing of cashmere and camelhair for a soft and warm layer of comfort, all wrapped in the sleek design of a Han-style gown. Another great choice for the warmer days to come is the Moon Light Men’s Jacket made with luxurious ivory-white silk, offering some feather-light summer comfort for the coolest dads, while still allowing them to master the art of layering with a plain shirt inside. In their classy lineup of home décor products, a collection of wooden boxes in the Twilight series inspired by the contours of Ming dynasty furniture seem destined to be a popular gift for all types of dads. Made with rich Zitan, ebony or cherry wood and inlaid with delicate carved bamboo, they come in several elegant shapes and can be used to store jewelry in the dresser or stationery in SHANG XIA Moon Light Men's Jacket the study. RMB5,800 For dads who enjoy a cigar or two on special SHANG XIA Heqi Men's Jacket occasions, the Shan Shui Cigar Ashtrays are the RMB7,600 ideal way to show your love. Made with unique ink stone and high quality marble to resemble the soft yet powerful brushstrokes of a classic Chinese ink painting. The ashtrays come in two forms – round heavens and square earth – to represent the beauty of art and nature. Tea is the national drink of China, and Shang Xia’s Ding Tea Set comes with a teapot, steeping cup and six drinking cups, all made with porcelain. Inspired by the three-legged ding pot, the set’s minimalistic elegance will warm the hearts of the most dedicated connoisseurs and casual tea drinkers alike. In the end, it’s the thought that counts. At SHANG XIA Da Tian Di Rocking Chair Shang Xia, you’ll be able to find something to RMB82,000

SHANG XIA Twilight impress fathers with a wide range of styles and Bamboo Marquetry personalities and show him what a thoughtful Incense Holder RMB8,000 son or daughter you are. SHANG XIA Ding Tea Set RMB7,800

L118 & 119, L1 China World Mall, China World Trade Center, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街1号中国国际贸易中心国贸商城1楼 L118 & 119 86-10-6505 3446

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 23 Folio 线

TIBET: BEAUTY AND THE BUREAUCRACY by Nick Walsh

Perched a few feet away from Tibet’s Nam-tso lake, some 5,000 Tibet is, quite simply, one of the most photogenic places meters above sea level, it dawns on you that the only sound imaginable. The high altitude makes every color appear brighter contending with your own breath is the quiet creaking of the ice and every contour more sharply defined. Here even the most blanketed over the lake. amateur photographer’s pictures take on the life of a National A disarming feeling starts to sink in. I guess you could call it Geographic center spread. It’s hard to go wrong. Bluer skies and calm, even tranquility. more picturesque mountain ranges are hard to come by. It’s a sensation that is rarely experienced by people living Tibet inspires a simplistic reverence for beauty that the modern in a city as fast-paced, and at times claustrophobic, as Beijing. world has sadly lost sight of. From the incredibly intricate murals In modern life it’s all too easy to lose track of the beauty of the found at Sera Monastery to the breathtaking scope of the region’s natural world. Tibet is where it can be rediscovered. epic landscapes, a respect for culture and the natural world is etched into the region’s DNA. Mountains Beyond Mountains As clichéd as it is to evoke notions of peace and serenity when Tour Groups Have Value describing Tibet, a region synonymous with Buddhism, prayer It’s no great secret that traveling with a tour guide is flags and the humble yak, there is good reason why Tibet has mandatory in Tibet and for some, this is a dealbreaker. Images of travel writers quickly reaching for the superlatives. elderly couples in matching outfits tend to taint our perception of

24 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM ADVERTORIAL | LIFE & STYLE

Read this before you travel to Tibet: Altitude sickness occurs when our bodies struggle to acclimatize to the lower levels of oxygen available at high altitudes in places like the Tibetan plateau. Symptoms range from shortness of breath and sleeplessness to physical exhaustion, nausea and headaches. It feels a bit like having a hangover! Fortunately, most travelers only experience mild altitude sickness and with a bit of foresight and the right medication, these symptoms can be mitigated. Be sure to consult your doctor before you travel to Tibet!

what it’s really like to be a part of a travel group. The truth is you’re likely to have a lot in common with the The Going Isn’t Tough people you tour with. For a start, they’ll share the gumption you While we all would love to experience Tibet, few of us actually have to head to a place like Tibet! make the plunge. Traveling in a tour group has a wonderful equalizing effect. This largely has to do with tales of paperwork as high as the Social barometers like age, occupation and salary, matter very Himalayas standing in between us and an unforgettable journey. little when you’re packed into a truck on a four-hour drive Don’t let red tape or travel hang-ups stand between you and the through the mountains. journey of a lifetime. Let Ctrip’s Things To Do tours take the hassle A shared sense of wonder and curiosity breaks down barriers out of getting there. and brings people together faster than you can say “pass me the Simply send us the following documents, and we’ll do the rest: sunscreen.” 1. Passport photo page For a purely relaxing vacation, head to a beach in Thailand. 2. China visa But to satiate a yearning for something bolder, Tibet presents a 3. Signed authorization agreement (provided by Ctrip) unique travel opportunity. Let Ctrip’s Things To Do (english.ctrip.com/ttd) take the hassle If this sounds like your kind of adventure, it’s time to make your out of getting there. Give us 2-3 weeks to process the permit and way to Tibet. You will come back a little calmer, a little wiser and you’ll be out the door and bound for the Tibetan Plateau! with a better understanding of a world far beyond your own.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 25 ARTSARTSCOLLAGE

WHAT'S NEW DRUMROLL

DJ KRUSH

As the world’s most widely spoken language, Mandarin has a long and rich legacy that’s explored by David Moser in A Billion Voices. The Academic Director of CET Chinese Studies at Beijing Capital Normal University tells the story of the unlikely individuals that altered the course of the Chinese language. The Penguin China special mini-book is available on Amazon.

One of the most important names in God and the disasters that human beings Guangzhou’s lo-fi indie-pop band Japanese hip-hop, DJ Krush has released make. All these things influence each other yourboyfriendsucks are billing their latest eight solo albums since exploding onto the intricately and time goes on heading to the EP as “some retarded pop songs with too scene with his eponymous 1994 debut. A future. I had been working on tracks and much reverb.” Opening confidently with a prolific performer who has played in 350 releasing them digitally but it just didn’t cover of The Jesus and Mary Chain’s ‘Just cities in over 50 countries, Krush makes a become an album. I had been DJing around Like Honey,’ the standout tracks on episode welcome return to Beijing with a show at the world and it’s like, next thing you know, 01 flirt with 80s trends, from the dreampop Yugong Yishan. 11 years had passed. of ‘Stay/Stayaway’ to the jangly rage of — Do your grandchildren like your — But don’t you think albums matter ‘diu x3’. Available at qiiisnacksrecords. music? less in the digital age anyway? bandcamp.com. [Laughs] At the moment, my Today, with the evolution of digital, grandchildren are into anime music on TV various music styles come and go. rather than the DJ Krush sound. Everything is more accessible and anyone — Speaking of the DJ Krush sound, a lot can take part. With that said, it becomes very of the tracks you’ve sampled throughout important to build your own style. You need your career have come from the early to absorb various influences and use them 1970s. Why’s that? to seek your own sound. Never lose yourself. I think it’s because the sound, texture and The album format is very important to me. feel of [that era] matches the sound image — So over the last 11 years have your that I’m trying to paint. I need various colors methods of – or motivations for – making to express my world through sound. If it music changed? matches the world that I’m painting, I will go I didn’t use any of the latest equipment. with it. I’m not limiting myself to a certain era. I used an old Mac and old-version software A winner of the 2014 Lu Xun Literary Prize — Last year’s Butterfly Effect was to make Butterfly Effect. But the struggle of and the 2015 Mao Dun Literary Prize, Ge your first album in 11 years. Why did moving forward in life is a part of my work. Fei’s literary legacy stretches back to the you decide that it was time to put out an There are so many things I want to achieve. I 1980s with his avant garde novellas like album? just move forward to outdo myself. That’s it. Flock of Brown Birds. In this Penguin China It was the earthquake, tsunami and OH special, Gu spins an arresting allegory nuclear plant accident that happened in Sat Jun 11; RMB100 (early bird), RMB150 (presale), inspired by the early days of Deng Xiaoping’s March 2011. There are so many things RMB200 (door); Yugong Yishan (see Listings for reforms. Available from June 20 on Amazon. happening on our planet, both acts of details)

26 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM Edited by Andrew Chin / [email protected]

CANVASSED Xu Xinwu, XXW

Hangzhou artist Xu Xinwu channels the driving force of ‘energy’ between the physical and non-physical – tangible and intangible – in his geometry-inspired artworks. Xu’s first solo exhibition in Beijing showcases paintings and videos, with single colors acting as a focal point for viewers to be sucked into the works’ “energy field.” Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm, through Jun 26; free; Ying Space, Red 1-A3, Caochangdi, Chaoyang 朝阳区草场地艺术区红一号A3 应空间 (51273153)

HAO BU HAO

Hao Bu Hao Riding high on a USD96.6 Just months after launching, million record-setting weekend Apple’s iMovie and iBooks for Captain America: Civil War, services have gone dark amid directors Joe and Anthony official pressure. Representatives Russo have partnered with from the Californian company a Beijing-based production are optimistic that services company to create a Chinese will resume but China’s digital superhero franchise, tentatively space is becoming increasingly titled A Hero’s Awakening. The regulated. Last month, Alibaba film, which fans have dubbed and Disney had to suspend their ‘Captain China,’ will see the subscription service, DisneyLife, siblings on board as producers. in similar circumstances.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 27 Folio 线 ARTS | MUSIC

Beijing’s Alpine Decline Embrace the Synthesizer

by Andrew Chin

28 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM MUSICMUSIC | ARTS

REINVENTION IS NOTHING NEW FOR “Modular synths let us do all the layers Alpine Decline. Rising from the ashes of on an album in one live studio take,” he Los Angeles quartet Mezzanine Owls, the explains. “It’s a setup that is more like married duo of guitarist Jonathan Zeitlin a performance on an instrument than and drummer Pauline Mu released some esoteric recording art.” three striking discs within a year before “We wanted to record all the ‘rock moving to Beijing five years ago. instruments’ live before adding the Now firmly established within the surrounding modular superstructure. capital’s indie scene, the band have That combination gave us a unique gained a member and completely opportunity to use a live approach to changed tack on their seventh album, recording while still giving the album Life’s A Gasp! an intensely textured landscape. It’s the Describing the record as a “love- sound of three very live, warm human hate letter to Beijing,” Zeitlin admits bodies beset by very alien, mechanical that “as strangers, we’re already seeing forces.” everything as metaphors or symbols, To show off both sides of the album, already imagining things as caricatures Alpine Decline will be touring the nation of reality.” as a trio, stopping off at School Bar on While he’s reluctant to delve July 2. In select cities (including Beijing) specifically into the disc’s lyrical tropes, they will also perform a special modular Zeitlin readily praises Beijing’s music synth show, before heading to North scene as “warm and welcoming.” He America in October. recalls discovering kindred spirits at the “It’s almost impossible to perfectly experimental Zoomin’ Nights events, recreate sounds on the modular, which once held at the late livehouses D-22 and makes it more exciting to play live,” XP. Zeitlin says. Through those connections, the “When you see people playing guitar band formed a tight bond with P.K. 14 and drums while singing songs, you frontman Yang Haisong. While Yang was are able to contextualize what they are only on production duty for the four doing. When we play modular shows, albums that Alpine Decline previously it may take people longer to classify recorded in China, he now joins the what we are doing and put it in a box. group on Life’s A Gasp! as their bassist. They may even begin to question the The disc ditches the tape-machine experience itself and whether if we are experimentation and psychedelic blues making music or doing something else of 2014’s Go Big Shadow City in favor of altogether.” a more live-energy, synth-led sound, and Live show: Jul 2, 9pm, RMB60-80, School Bar (see the band fully embrace their Eurorack Listings for details); Modular show: Jul 3, 4pm, modular synth system (for music tech RMB40, Fruityspace, 13 Meishuguan Dongjie, enthusiasts, this is a type of synthesizer Dongcheng 东城区美术馆东街13号 that creates different sounds by Life’s A Gasp! is available at downloads. physically connecting patch chords to its maybemars.org. separate specialized modules). While synthesizers have always been part of the group’s musical DNA, Zeitlin admits that “the process of overdubbing layer after layer of synthesizers in the studio is decidedly un-magical.”

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 29 Folio 线 ARTS | MUSIC

“We are trying to present music as quietly as possible”

NASHVILLE’S “MOST FUCKED-UP COUNTRY BAND” Have Tennessee’s Lambchop Come of Age?

by Andrew Chin

With the nickname ‘Music City,’ Nashville has been at the center of they will close the second season of Split Work’s Contemporale series. American country music for decades. And for three of those, Kurt “We’ve played a wide variety of venues over the years and we Wagner has been writing a unique chapter in his hometown’s musical don’t really have a preference as to which is better. They all can be a history as the frontman of Lambchop, the self-proclaimed “most lot of fun,” Wagner says. “In the end it’s the people who come to the fucked-up country band” in the city. shows that make the moment special. It’s a feeling that is exchanged The band’s rise coincided with an economic and cultural between the performer and the listener. That can happen anywhere, renaissance in Tennessee’s capital, though Wagner admits to feeling often in the most humble of circumstances.” conflicted about the changes. The upcoming shows promise to be a fascinating trip through “Having grown up here since the 1960s I had so many dreams Lambchop’s discography, from its early steel-guitar driven country- about what this city would become: a more welcoming place to live; punk to its recent forays into chamber pop. Although still steeped in a place where you could enjoy the same things you find in the bigger, the sounds of Americana, the band’s diverse releases have enjoyed more established cultural centers of the world; a place where you particular popularity in Europe. could get a good cup of coffee,” he says. Wagner is especially proud of the group’s last disc, Mr. M, which “These things have come to pass now, but at a cost that I didn't was inspired by the death of singer-songwriter and frequent consider at the time. I do welcome change but I also see the city that Lambchop collaborator Vic Chesnutt. I loved as being an undiscovered, livable, creative refuge, becoming “When sound fills the air it is also interpreted in relation to the anything but that. It makes me long for simpler times gone by.” moments when there is no sound at all,” Wagner explains. “We’ve Lambchop’s early days were also simpler ones. Having started expanded this idea to our performance in that we are trying to life as a sardonic trio recording self-released cassettes with crude, present music as quietly as possible.” punkish titles like I’m Fucking Your Daughter, the band were It’s been four years since the release of Mr. M, and Wagner creating ‘alternative country’ before the term even existed. While promises that the band’s 12th disc will come out in November. Titled they maintain a cheeky sense of self-awareness (their third album, FLOTUS (For Love Often Turns US Still), the album sports the same Thriller, alluded to Michael Jackson’s mega-selling album despite acronym used by American presidents’ wives (First Lady of the the group’s paltry sales figures), their sound has since evolved to United States). Given that Lambchop’s well-received 2000 disc Nixon encompass everything from jazz to avant-garde noise. Lambchop was a concept album about the American president of the same may be the only country band to ever cover Curtis Mayfield, be name, it would seem that a trope is emerging. covered by Talking Heads’ David Byrne and be remixed by English But Wagner doesn’t come across as overtly political. When asked trip-hop act Zero 7. about the impending American election, the typically loquacious Given the diversity in both influences and fans, it seems fitting that singer-songwriter summarizes his hopes simply as “a better day for the band’s inaugural China tour takes them to two vastly different us all.” venues – Beijing’s sweaty livehouse Yugong Yishan on June 17 and, two days later, the stately Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Hall, where Fri Jun 17, 9pm; RMB120-150; Yugong Yishan (see Listings for details)

30 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM FEATUREMUSIC | ARTS

A DECADE IN THE MAKING English Post-Rock Stalwarts Yndi Halda Are Finally Back

by Andrew Chin For most bands, taking a decade to follow up a debut album is attended by precisely nobody. “The venue eventually invited in a career suicide. But for Yndi Halda, it seems to have worked. Since homeless couple and their dog, and they danced to our live show,” he the March release of Under Summer – their first album since 2006 chuckles. – the returning British group have been greeted with a hero’s Now the group plays somewhat more prestigious stages like welcome. London’s Barbican (“incredible, but I remember feeling very Having established themselves as one of England’s leading post- nervous”). They make their long-awaited return to China with their rock groups with their violin-driven debut Enjoy Eternal Bliss, Yndi most extensive tour of the Mainland to date. Halda were applauded by critics for eschewing the genre’s cliches in “We had a fantastic time, met some lovely people and ate some their new album (although, true to post-rock tradition, its four songs beautiful food,” Vella recalls of their 2007 shows, before expressing clock in at almost an hour). his excitement at returning to Shenzhen, which he visited as a “It means a great deal to us that after such a long time away, folks teenager. are still interested to share our music with us,” says guitarist and Vella admits that since their last China tour, Yndi Halda have singer James Vella, before explaining the significance behind the become limited by the newfound responsibilities of its members. album title. With the band spread out across England and all holding down full- “It’s a reference to both summertime – its joy and its beauty – and time jobs, Vella admits: “We knew we always wanted to give the band also what’s ‘under’ the summer [and] what happens beneath: sadness time, since it was so important to us, but where we would find the and longing,” he explains. “If we were to pick emotional descriptions time was a more difficult question.” of our music, we would use both ‘joy’ and ‘sadness’ equally.” Their respective schedules mean that they can only meet on While Vella admits that “in some respects, the first record sounds occasional weekends, but Vella notes: “Even when the band was very similar all the way through,” Under Summer captures a band not fully active, we spent a great deal of time crafting the music, more comfortable using their voices. Literally. It features their first arranging the vocal lines and harmonies, and fixing the production.” songs with lyrics. “Some of it flowed together very naturally, but I remember “It came naturally,” Vella offers. “We’re having a great time worrying on a few occasions that the record would not happen.” performing it live. We have four singers so we can really dig into the Energized by Under Summer’s success, Vella is hopeful that Yndi harmonies and the choral lines.” Halda fans won’t have to wait another decade for the group’s next Despite only having two releases to their name, Yndi Halda have a release. musical history that stretches back to high school. Vella still has the “We still have the remainder of our tour Under Summer to fulfill, group’s first cassette, recorded as 15-years-olds in his bedroom (“we but we’ve started playing with some new ideas together,” he says. “The graduated from playing covers of Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins to plan is certainly to dedicate real time to songwriting.” covers of Radiohead and Jeff Buckley”). By the time they were finishing high school, Yndi Halda were Fri Jun 17, 9pm; RMB120-150; Modernsky Lab, 5-108, Floor B1, Building D, Galaxy regularly performing live. Vella laughs about an early gig in France SOHO, Dongcheng 东城区朝阳门银河SOHO D座B1层5-108

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 31 Folio 线 ARTS | FEATUREBOOKS

WHEN TRUE LOVE CAME TO CHINA A Modern History of Romance

by Aelred Doyle

What do Chinese people talk about when what people actually experience they talk about love? That’s the ambitious (which it is impossible for another question addressed by the great cultural person to know), while the latter explainer Lynn Pan in When True Love Came is what they say they experience.” To China. The following are some exam- Pan’s lightness of touch belies impressive ples: research – beginning with the historical. Take the great Lu Xun, a writer Modern interpretations of love, she explains, full of modern ideas for his time, began in early 20th-century China when who was tricked by his mother impatience for reform coalesced. During the into marrying an illiterate woman May Fourth Movement – which sprang from with bound feet. He treated his Chinese fury that, after greatly contributing wife with a level of disdain that is to victory in the First World War, the nation hard to read about. was humiliated by the Treaty of Versailles – Eileen Chang, writing a couple students and intellectuals rose up in proof decades later, wrote with ironic test at the Nationalist Government’s weak detachment about matters of the response. The movement became, in part, a heart, but professed herself help- push for more liberal values, to revive China less when she fell for a notorious and make it strong again by learning from traitor who worked for the pup- Western ideas. And one of these ideas, Pan pet regime in Nanjing during the suggests, was love. Japanese occupation. “What were they talking about when they Even the word used for love talked about love?” writes Pan. “They were was changed in the 20th century. thinking and talking about a liberation from “When airplanes, corporations, the dark tyranny of ‘feudal’ matchmaking, high-rise buildings and other about free will and individualism and self- modern things were introduced determination. to China from the West, Chinese “They were condemning inequality and names had to be coined for them. sexual double standards, how unfair it was The same goes for peculiarly to demand chastity and constancy of women Western notions.” while tolerating male philandering and Language had to move from the polygamy. They were talking about the New classical si – ‘longing’ – and haose Woman and clamoring for a release from – roughly, ‘lust’ – through qing – Confucian prudery. They were rejecting sanc- closer to ‘sentiment’ or ‘feeling’ “They were condemning timoniousness and hypocrisy and calling for – until the classical word ai, com- a new and superior morality based on love.” pounded as lian'ai, was repurposed inequality and sexual Of course, as Pan writes, this is more about to take on the meaning of love in double standards, how clarifying what love should not be. Vigorous the modern sense. debate on what it actually meant ensued in This questioning of basic con- unfair it was to demand cepts was new and intoxicating, and books circulated freely. For a while, though Pan wonders whether this chastity and constancy of Chinaperiodicals had among and letters, the most while liberal Western divorce films Western concept of love has been laws in the world, with no-fault divorce avail- fully integrated into Chinese cul- women while tolerating able when countries like France still didn’t ture, even now. male philandering and allow it. “Westerners are quick to say Also during this time, classical literature what love is and what it is not... they polygamy” about love was judged harshly “as being are quick to analyze it too; there is hardly a book on the subject that does kind has lovers giving in readily to consum- not speak of kinds of love,” she writes. “Such culture has adopted some of the worst char- ingeither passion pornographic and clandestine or formulaic. sex; while The firstthe concerns became a new frame in which the acteristics of Western love, rather than the second, the so-called ‘scholar-beauty’ ro- Chinese learned to place their feelings. Today best. It seems a pity to put away outmoded mance, pairs a talented scholar with a chaste the Chinese who try to make sense of their and often cruel concepts of obedience and feelings in terms of it do so with little grasp entrenched sexism, only to adapt new super- and unmarried lovers frequently fall ill from that it is a cultural construct, not objective stitions around sex and love. And this debate unassuagedand clever maiden... longing.” love is often at first sight reality but merely one way... of carving up the has yet to resolve itself. Pan looks at writers in the decades that semantic domain of ‘love.’” When True Love Came to China is a su- Love in the Western tradition evokes a perb work of scholarship, and fascinating about love the most. Their romantic experi- duality of body and soul – once an unknown throughout. We lovingly recommend it. ences,followed; and the the people way those who experiencesinfluenced ideas bled concept in China – as well as the idea that the purity of true love can bring one closer to Lynn Pan's When True Love Came to China (Hong Kong “There is love and ‘love.’ The former is God. Pan argues that, in many ways, Chinese University Press) is available on Amazon. into their work, is what she finds telling.

32 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM BOOKS | ARTS

VOICES OF A GENERATION Alec Ash Impresses With Book About Post-80s Youth

by Noelle Mateer

If Wish Lanterns: Young Lives in New China is the result of an expat Peppered throughout, like signposts to a larger China narrative, writer spending his twenties in Beijing, then we – expat writers are stories that news junkies will recognize from recent years: The spending our twenties in Beijing – only have one thing to say: Damn. city dwellers moving into tiny underground apartments to save on What are we doing with our lives? rent; Xi Jinping’s appointment as President in 2012; and the advent Don’t let our jokes fool you, though – Wish Lanterns is serious. of military-style boot camps designed to cure young men of their It’s also funny. And informative. And, well, frankly – everything top- Internet addictions. Although these stories have been reported notch literary journalism ought to be. again and again, Ash breathes new life into them by framing them Wish Lanterns reads like a novel – a good one, at that – but is in within the context of his subjects’ lives. fact based on years of intensive reporting. Author Alec Ash, whom A note on the nebulous territory of English-language ‘China you may recognize from the website and self-described ‘writers’ books’: The genre can be problematic, with the worst examples colony’ The Anthill, follows six Chinese youths of the post-80s falling into the ‘White Dudes Explain China’ canon that can generation. The six represent a diversity of perspectives – more oversimplify, or worse patronize towards, this diverse country. But or less. (We include that final caveat because this is one book, by focusing in-depth on his subjects, Ash avoids making sweeping and one huge country. Also, all are educated urban dwellers.) statements about China and lets them tell their own stories. His There’s Fred, a midlevel Party official’s daughter who studies tone is neither condescending nor patronizing; it is humanizing. political theory at Peking University, through whom Ash discusses There’s an extra charm to reading Wish Lanterns as a Beijinger, recent Chinese politics. There’s Mia, a rebellious Urumqi native and we feel twinges of excitement when we recognize places in the working her way up in the world of fashion in Beijing, through book from our own lives: ‘a Moroccan rum bar on Fuxue Hutong,’ whom Ash discusses the increasing number of high-powered for example, and the ‘Popular livehouse Yugong Yishan.’ careerwomen in China. Via Lucifer, a musician, we learn about the At times, Ash’s brand of literary journalism (hell, all literary arts and pop culture. Xiaoxiao and Dahai’s romance teaches us journalism) straddles the line between the genuinely moving and about love and marriage, and Snail’s journey from Anhui to Beijing the overly sentimental. We finished this book feeling a cathartic sheds light on China’s rapid urbanization. sense of closure, which might be somewhat unjustified, given that Ash weaves in and out of their stories, and the reader is left with the narratives of the book’s subjects are still unfolding as we write not only an enjoyable read, but a wide-reaching potpourri of China this. knowledge. The way the scenes shift from character to character In other words, we may have closed the book, but the book is far may remind Westerners of Girls or Sex and the City – or China from closed. watchers of Evan Osnos’ Age of Ambition, a National Book Award- winning title and shimmering example of China-based literary Wish Lanterns: Young Lives in New China (Picador) is out June 2 via Amazon UK. nonfiction. Disclaimer: Alec Ash has previously contributed to That’s Beijing.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 33 Folio 线 ARTS | THEATER

MY FAIR LADY Lady Doolittle Steps Out on the Town

by Zoey Zha

No musical adaptation of George Bernard Andrews and Hepburn is California’s Aurora famous scene at the famous Royal Ascot Shaw’s Pygmalion has been as hallowed as Florence, perhaps one of the youngest Eliza horse race. My Fair Lady. The Broadway production Doolittles to take to the stage. This Broadway revival has won wide (which debuted in 1956 with award-win- “Something I love about Hepburn and acclaim on its tour thus far. After touring ning actors Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews) Andrews’ interpretations of Eliza is how America and the Republic of Korea, the set a then-record for the longest theatrical much spunk and passion they both brought,” show arrives in Beijing as part of a six-city she says. “I think it is one of the reasons au- China tour. starring Audrey Hepburn racked up eight diences love Eliza so much.” Oscars,run in history. including Then, Best a 1964Film. film adaptation - Jun 9-19, 7.30pm (2.30pm matinees on June 9, 10 and 18); Still a stage favorite, a touring produc- dent in Florence’s ability to live up to the RMB99-1280; Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, Building tion of this classic comes to Beijing in June. historyThe show’s of the iconicproducers role. areThey clearly have confieven 9, Tianqiao Nandajie, Xicheng 西城区天桥南大街9号楼天桥 Stepping into the lead role made famous by created a replica of Hepburn’s dress for the 艺术中心 (en.damai.cn)

www.pageonegroup.com Shop LG50, Indigo, No.18 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang - (+86 10) 8426 0408 weibo.com/pageonechina Shop Units S2-14a-b,No.19 Sanlitun Road Chaoyang - (+86 10) 6417 6626 site.douban.com/pageone Shop 3B201, Zone 3, China World Mall, No.1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang - (+86 10) 8535 1055

34 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM ADVERTORIAL FEATURE | TRAVEL | ARTS

FORTY-SIX DAYS TO CREATE AN UNPRECEDENTED JOURNEY Have you ever thought about what you could achieve in 46 days? Do you dare to abandon the complexity and fickleness of the How you might change yourself over 1,104 hours? Well, now you modern world, shut off your phone and stay with yourself for 46 can find out with a 46-day Pacific Islands cruise on the Costa days? Are you ready to spend 46 days in the company of family Atlantic, brought to you exclusively by Caissa Touristic. or friends, or use the time to filter out vanity and allow yourself Maybe, you’d switch up your unhealthy schedule and readjust to undergo changes, big or small? Forty-six days is not long, but your body clock. Maybe, you’d lose some weight through exercise it is enough for you to see this beautiful ocean. Forty-six days is and diet. Maybe you’d enjoy 46 classic movies or finish some not short either, so there is enough time to fulfill the dream of books. Maybe you’d improve your swimming or get to know your navigating the seas you had as a child. body better through yoga. Forget the tediousness of work and endless triviality – sail with All of these can happen on board the Costa Atlantic. And Caissa Touristic on the vast ocean like the great explorers of old, while these self-improvements take place, you can also visit two and wait for the next untouched island to appear from over the continents, nine nations, and 13 islands. horizon. Say goodbye to airplanes and trains, and sail off into the From November 30, 2016, Caissa Touristic will take you on a vast and mysterious ocean. Caissa Touristic invites you to take 46-day journey to see the untouched beauty of the South Pacific, this unprecedented journey together. exploring places not accessible by plane. Soon you will know islands which you’d never heard of before, such as Honiara, Pago For more information visit www.caissa.com.cn or call 6598 3500 ext 3059 Pago and Rabaul. Ignoring Australia and New Zealand – which most people are familiar with – there are also many mysterious island nations in the vast South Pacific Ocean. They are as beautiful as paradise, from the largest (Papua New Guinea) to the smallest (Nauru), and boast the purest island views and traditional cultures. Saipan, for example, is endowed with natural beauty and is a divers’ favorite; Honiara in the Solomon Islands is full of poetry; Port Vila in Vanuatu is a place where Melanesians have been living for thousands of years; Fiji, a filming location for Where Are We Going, Dad?, has shown its charm on TV; Tahiti is a paradise that will amaze you with its beauty; Nukualofa in the Kingdom of Tonga has a leisurely pace of life that shows you the value of simplicity and sincerity; Noumea in New Caledonia is both vibrant and peaceful; and Moresby Port, with its mountains and rivers, is full of trees and beautiful flowers.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 35 Many, if not all, of China’s 55 recognized ethnic minority groups have found their way to Beijing in one form or another. Some have long histories in the city, while others arrived recently in search of better lives; some have neighborhoods to maintain, while others hold on quietly to identities that they consider barely different from those around them. Beijing may still be about 96 percent Han, but look closely and it’s not quite as homogenous as it first seems. For this month’s cover story we seek out individuals from the city’s three largest non-Han groups: Manchu, Hui and Mongol, which between them make up more than four-fifths of Beijing’s ethnic minority population. Their histories and cultures are vastly different and, perhaps more interestingly, all three groups have unique ways of protecting and reconciling their identities in a rapidly changing city. Life can be difficult for minorities in Beijing. Despite the development of affirmative action (including bonus gaokao points, tax breaks and exemption from the one-child policy before it was abolished), many from minority groups will face some type of discrimination in their lives. Currently, only 20 percent of Beijing’s minority population earns more than the city’s average salary. Yet, those we speak to rarely complain. Instead, most express muted optimism about how their identity fits into the wider context of life in the capital. The challenges they face are often ones shared by people of all ethnicities in the country – it seems modernity can pose as much of a threat to preserving identities in today’s China as being outnumbered does. Holding on to Ethnic Identity in a Changing Beijing

COVER STORY The oldest of more than 60 mosques COVER STORY Facing in Beijing, Niujie has stood on this spot – facing West to Mecca – since 996. It still serves as the nucleus of Mecca the Hui community, but it also hopes to enlighten outsiders and tourists (including the visiting heads of Islamic from Oxen countries who are often brought here to pray). Preserving religious identity in modern-day Beijing can be challenging, street explains Jin Yinghui, who is on duty at the Mosque’s museum. “The Muslim community doesn’t do words by Oscar Holland enough positive propaganda,” she says, images by Holly Li showing us the museum’s collection of scrolls and ancient artefacts. “In other provinces like Yunnan and Ningxia, schools have classes for people to learn about minority culture. But here Late afternoon sun leaks over the in Beijing, people don’t get much op- curved roof of Beijing’s Niujie Mosque portunity to learn about Islam.” as worshippers gather in the courtyard. As the afternoon’s prayers conclude, They greet each other with handshakes a group of men in traditional white caps and utterances of “salam,” before re- emerge from the Mosque and stand moving their shoes to enter the main outside chatting. They tell us their prayer hall. aspirations – ones shared by Muslims Friday is traditionally the busiest everywhere: teaching their children time of the week here. But the most im- Arabic and visiting Mecca on Hajj. All portant of the day’s prayers (Jumu’ah) seem bound by a common identity, re- has already passed, and only a smat- gardless of their differing backgrounds. tering of worshippers trickle into the “I am from Xinjiang, he is from 1,000-person hall. Among them is a Qinghai and he is from Beijing,” says one group of young Uyghurs visiting from man. “But when Muslims get together Xinjiang, though most here are of the we become friendly immediately.” Hui ethnic minority – a group of pre- The Beijinger among them is an dominantly Sunni Muslims who make 82-year-old who only reveals his sur- up less than 2 percent of Beijing’s name – Mr. Ban. He has seen countless population. changes in the district over the decades, Often the descendants of nobles, most notably in its ethnic makeup. scholars or traders who arrived in “The majority here used to be Hui, China from the Silk Road during the with a few Han,” he explains. “But some Tang dynasty (618–907), the Hui people Huis left and there was gentrification.” live mostly in China’s central plain or Demographics in Niujie have cer- northwestern provinces. But a perma- tainly altered in recent years, but the nent Hui population has resided in the area is still home to approximately capital since the 10th century, when the 24,000 Hui people, roughly one-tenth Niujie Mosque was first built. of Beijing’s Hui community. None of the city’s other minority groups have distinct ethnic neighborhoods, but this ancient enclave lives on. And despite the fact that – as Mr. Ban alludes – the wider district is now almost 80 percent HUI Han, the area immediately around the mosque is still majority Muslim, with 回族 38 Beijinger Mr. Ban, 82, who attends the Niujie Mosque in the heart of Beijing's Hui district

39 Huis accounting for 54 percent of the the gentrification, public buildings neighborhood’s population. took on flourishes of Islamic architec- The relationship between gen- ture – green domes and ornate para- COVER STORY trification and ethnicity in Niujie is pets – though they are for the benefit complicated. Having spent over RMB10 of tourists as well as residents. The local million renovating the mosque, Beijing’s government is quick to remind the com- municipal government then proceeded munity of its role in improving living to rehouse thousands of residents in standards here – murals boast of recent the 1990s. Still, studies suggest that developments in infrastructure and 90 percent of the (mostly Hui) families services. But this has always been an who were displaced by the renovation important point of trade for Beijing’s returned to the district upon its comple- Muslims. Literally meaning ‘Oxen tion. Their new homes tower over the Street,’ Niujie’s name likely resulted community; apartment buildings are from the halal meat trade, which has embellished with Muslim symbols and long thrived here. (Legend suggests painted in shades of white and green – that it was originally called ‘Liujie’ colors often associated with Islam. – ‘Pomegranate Street’ – because the The district’s main street (which, like Hui community once grew pomegranate the wider area, is also called Niujie) has trees in the area.) undergone transformation too. During Food is still central to the district’s commerce. A study – albeit one from 2002 – found that the restaurant street running east from Niujie sold around 6,000 kilograms of beef and mutton every day. Other roads surrounding the Mosque

Bottom left: Headscarves on display at are lined with Islamic supermarkets and one of Beijing's Muslim stores butchers preparing meat in accordance Below: Jin Yinghui, who works at Niujie with religious law. Hui and Uyghur peo- Mosque's museum ple come here from across the city to Opposite page: Worshippers in the shop, says the owner of a Halal butcher mosque's main prayer hall shop, Wu.

40 “We raise cattle ourselves,” she explains. “We buy the cows from Inner Mongolia, and we have a farm in Daxing. We raise them, kill them and then sell them here at Niujie. “The Mosque is virtually the only place for Hui gatherings in the neighborhood,” she continues, before rebuffing our suggestion that young people may be less interested in religion. “Both young and old people go to the Mosque. Age does not make a difference. Children normally start going there once they reach the age of 8.” Across the road we find an Islamic store selling everything from headscarves and prayer mats to a digital clock board showing the exact times of the day’s prayers. A line of mugs declares solidarity with Palestine. “Tourists sometimes visit but they are Muslims too,” explains Fatuma, who owns the store with her husband. “People who come here are generally Muslims. There are Han customers, though not many. We are busy on Fridays. Because of Jumu’ah, many people will go to the Mosque for prayers.” It seems that Fatuma is too busy to speak with us, so we leave her as she tapes up boxes for delivery. The sun sets over Niujie and the district’s restaurants begin to fill up. They serve Chinese culinary classics alongside traditional Islamic food, which seems fitting in a place where architecture, ethnicity and culture now fuse Hui identity with its Han surroundings.

Additional reporting by Emma Huang

"The majority here used to be Hui, with a few Han. But some Huis left and there was gentrification"

41 about half of the population living in Liaoning province. There are over 10 million Manchus living in China, with Beijing home to over 100,000 of them. But it is hard to pinpoint the exact number, as many ethnic Manchus choose to officially identify as Han, due to the stigma of being associated with imperialism in post-Qing China. Current popular opinion dictates that Manchus have effectively been as- similated into the Han population, with “I have a Manchu name. If you were their language all but dead. But what The Chinese, you’d be able to tell right do Beijing’s Manchus think of this as- away,” Fucha Danqing says matter-of- sertion? And what does it mean to be factly. Manchu in today’s China? Last Painter, teacher, laobejing… Fucha We meet Fucha Danqing for tea on a Danqing has many titles, including, as hot, muggy day in April. It’s a national his name clearly points out, Manchu. holiday – the perfect opportunity for Emperors A name is a calling card but holds him to take a break from his usual soli- particular significance for Manchus, tary days painting hutong landscapes the fourth-largest ethnic minority in – and yet he still wants to talk shop. words by Dominique Wong China. The past century has seen both But our feature is about your ethnic images by Holly Li denial of ancestry and, more recently, identity and the Manchu community in reclamation of it. Beijing, we explain. Known as the last imperial rulers “I don’t see it as being that interest- of China, Manchus ruled as the Qing ing. I feel like painting is a better topic,” dynasty for over 250 years, until 1912. he offers. They are descendants of the Jurchen He eventually answers our questions, tribe, which itself established the Jin because, as Fucha explains: “Every dynasty (1115-1234). Originally from Manchu has the responsibility to pre- Northeast China, Manchus are now serve our culture.” spread throughout the country with And so Fucha tells us about his people’s history as well as his own ancestry. “My family members are all Manchu. But our genealogy book is lost, so I don’t know what clan my ancestors belonged to.” While proud of his background, it's clear that ethnicity isn't a defining fac- tor. Rather, Fucha strives to exist outside of his ethnic origin. He explains: “I don’t feel different because of it. Most of my friends are Han. I think that preserving ethnic identity is good because it en- courages cultural diversity. But I don’t want to depend on [affirmative action] policies giving us advantage – I want to rely on my own efforts.” When asked whether he feels the need to marry another Manchu, Fucha replies: “I used to think I would, but I realized it’s too hard. Cases like my parents are

L-R: Yehenala Yutong wears traditional Manchu dress in his art studio; Guan Junmin displays traditional Manchu-style pipes and tobacco; artist Fucha Danqing paints a hutong landscape

42 rare – most of my aunts and uncles have married non-Manchus.” instance – while Manchu groups meet regularly in Beijing to educate Rare, but not unheard of, as we discover when we meet Fucha Nergi those who are interested. (no relation to Fucha Danqing). Both Nergi and her husband are Manchu Culture enthusiast Fu Decheng organizes weekly events for local COVER STORY and together they are awaiting the birth of their first child. “My husband Manchus with his friends. Regular events include lectures about Manchu can speak a little Manchu language, but I think our child will definitely society, archery, social get-togethers and festival celebrations such as the be able to,” she tells us. Banjin Festival. Commemorated on the 13th day of the 10th month in the The founder of an online Manchu language group, Nergi is a keen lunar calendar, the holiday celebrates the so-called “birth of Manchu.” advocate of Manchu learning. One of her ancestors was a general during We meet Fu at a gathering held at his friend's studio. A large paint- the reign of Nurhaci, the Jurchen chieftain who united various tribes ing of Qianlong Emperor, a ruler of the Qing dynasty during its most and is generally credited with establishing the language’s written script. prosperous era, looks down upon the group serenely as they laugh and Nergi began teaching written Manchu via QQ two years ago. “It started share stories. small, with just a few Manchu friends, but others became interested so Fu says: “Every year we celebrate Banjin, and if there are events or I opened it up to more people. I thought it was necessary to help others exhibitions about Manchus, we will all visit them together. Sometimes embrace their heritage and preserve the language.” we even go to Northeast China to take part in local festivals.” Her students come from all around the world and are aged from 15 to The group admits that the dilution of particular traditions is in- over 50, she says. “The majority of my students have a strong sense of evitable, referencing the large number of Manchus who adopted Han ethnic identity. They feel it would be a shame not to learn the language names in the 20th century due to social stigmas, such as being seen as of their own ethnic group.” ‘imperialists.’ “But now many parents have changed their children’s Recent years have seen a Manchu-language revival, with regional names back to their original ones,” Fu adds. governments endorsing classes, and small groups of enthusiasts pop- “Many people assume that Manchu is now a part of Han but to us, ping up around the country. But it’s a struggle cultivating a language there are huge differences, in terms of customs, languages and so on,” whose use is more academic than practical. he continues. Nergi sees the problems as two-fold due to the lack of suitable loca- These sentiments are echoed by all of the people we speak to. Teacher tions and the low-quality of teachers. Nergi tells us: “I see our soft culture as being quite different to Han – we “Some of the teachers aren’t professional; they make mistakes,” she view things differently. We tend to be more fair and don’t like to pick laments, although this is unsurprising given how few native Manchu on the underdog.” speakers remain – 10, according to UNESCO data. (Nergi was lucky to Guo Yan, a passionate and earnest young man at Fu's gathering, says: be taught by a man whose teachers shared tutors with the last emperor “Assimilation is a natural process. But cultural heritage must be pro- Puyi.) tected. This shouldn’t be hard because there are always people who Not everyone views language as the cornerstone of culture. For ex- are interested in it.” ample, Fucha, the artist, says: “Language isn’t the most important form As if to reiterate the point, the group cheerfully dresses up in tra- of cultural heritage. Even in the Qing dynasty, people didn’t speak it. It ditional Manchu clothing for our photo shoot. Posing nobly, they are was a tool for communication, but now it’s mainly used for cultural and wearing their history on their sleeves, although they are careful not to historical studies. Loss of language doesn’t mean the disappearance of let it suffocate them. Manchu – the blood is still there.” “We choose to live in the present, instead of in the glory of our Manchu culture lives on in other ways. Elements of it are present ancestors,” Fu says pragmatically. in Chinese society today – the qipao derives from Manchu gowns, for Additional reporting by Emma Huang

43 MONGOL COVER STORY 蒙古族

Doctor Bao Zexuan sits in his friend's Mongol food shop

44 MONGOL 蒙古族

In the absence of the real thing, Mongols have taken Beijing, and are recognized by the code ‘MG’ on their citi- to projecting HD video footage of their beloved grassland zen IDs. In total, there are over 5.9 million on the Chinese onto the walls of Beijing. Mainland – roughly twice the number living in Mongolia We’re at Ba Yin Hao Ri Wa, a palatial Mongolian restau- (the country) proper. rant, and this is the second such video projection we’ve Over two-thirds of Mongols in China are based in Inner seen this week. Ultra-saturated greens and blues dance Mongolia, where they make up 17 percent of the popu- along the 10-foot-tall screen. Horses gallop across empty lation. That percentage drops to 8 percent in Hohhot. fields. Wind ripples through stalks of wheat. Grassy hills Mongols, after all, are traditionally countryside dwellers. stretch into the distance. “I still feel considerably intimate with the grassland,” It’s Mongolian grassland porn in the middle of Beijing’s says Bao. “Whenever I returned to my hometown after Fengtai district. Movie projector or not, every Mongolian being in the city for high school, I’d cry.” restaurant we visit has some way of showing off Northern For centuries, Mongols have been nomads, the wind- landscapes. There are murals, large-scale photographs swept grassland their home. Many have been herdsmen, and tapestries. And every Mongol we speak to in Beijing keeping charge of cattle or sheep. The yurts (large, circular brings them up, too. white tents) that we associate with the group are easily “The grassland is extremely important in shaping compactable – designed for the traveling lifestyles their Mongols’ lifestyles and personalities,” says Bao Zexuan, a inhabitants live. doctor and ethnic Mongol who grew up on the grassland of Bao speaks to us from a small stool in his friend’s China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. “Its vastness Mongolian food shop inside Chongwenmen’s massive Inner makes Mongolians more straightforward and tolerant.” Mongolia Hotel. A traditional Mongolian band plays in Bao was raised in a Mongolian-speaking home, but later the lobby. Here in the shop, food surrounds us. There are moved to the provincial capital of Hohhot for school. And milk candies, wheat crackers and strong baijius. At the while his Mandarin is flawless today, he came to Beijing grocery’s center is a series of industrial-sized refrigerators for university with a thick accent. containing Mongolian beef and lamb straight from the Mongols are the third-most-populous minority group in grassland – the store’s most popular items.

The Original

Organic Lifestyle

words by Noelle Mateer images by Holly Li

45 Clockwise from top left: a visitor to Chongwenmen's Inner Mongolia Hotel looks at Mongolian script; a woman in traditional dress plays as part of a Mongol musical trio; the manager of Ba Yin Hao Ri Wa sits in his restaurant; a bronze pot holds a mixture of millet and milk

46 "I go to the grassland every year, but I know COVER STORY that I can’t stay there forever"

Mongolian food is typically broken “I mainly eat red meat,” says Bao, down into three categories. There’s who tries to cook traditional Mongolian “white food,” which consists of dairy food whenever he’s not busy working. products, or anything including dairy; (No amount of work, though, keeps him “red food,” which stands for meat; and from drinking Mongolian milk tea, he wine. Mongolians even combine the first adds.) De also has a "red food"-heavy and the latter with naijiu (‘milk wine’). diet, mostly from his frequent visits to “When my parents were young, they Beijing Mongolian restaurants. He raves still raised cattle on the grassland,” to us about his chef friend’s yangrou shu- says De Bulang, a Hohhot-born Mongol mai (lamb dumplings). also based in Beijing. “Sheep in Hohhot These shumai are remnants of Mongol eat grass, so they are cleaner and more culture in a city of concrete hutongs far, tender.” far away from the grassland. And yet One could call Mongolian cuisine the even the word 'hutong' is derived from original organic; free-range beef before Mongolian, having first appeared during it was cool. Indeed, Mongol eating prac- the Mongol-ruled Yuan dynasty. Beijing tices are both clean and eco-friendly. De is, as that fact ought to demonstrate, a points to a Mongol expression as evi- city profoundly marked by Mongol in- dence: “If you do not scatter the stones, fluence. the devil will come out.” It’s been a while since the Mongols’ “Scatter the stones” essentially means 13th century invasion of Zhongyuan (lit- “clean up after yourself” – Mongols tra- erally ‘central plain’ – areas south of the ditionally believed that if they failed to Great Wall) but Kublai Khan’s presence do so when moving from one settlement lingers. Khan ordered the construction to the next (read: if they polluted), they’d of the oft-visited Kunming Lake at the have bad luck. This eco-consciousness Summer Palace, and his empire also con- finds its way into Mongolian cuisine. nected the Grand Canal to the Forbidden “Traditionally, before they killed the City. cattle, Mongolians would check the cal- Throughout the Yuan Dynasty, the endar to see if it was a suitable date for Khans and their successors took on killing,” says the manager of the afore- the customs of Beijing. Many ditched mentioned restaurant, sounding an aw- Mongolian in favor of Mandarin, and ful lot like an organic farmer in 2016. dropped their nomadic ways altogether. “Even today, the sheep are only killed in Maybe it’s fitting, then, that Mongols are certain seasons when they do not have doing the same thing today. a certain smell.” Most Mongols in Beijing, while fierce- In a food industry that’s increasingly ly proud of Inner Mongolia’s grassland, mechanical and processed – the slow, consider leaving them behind as a neces- careful way Mongols raise their cat- sary sacrifice for the greater economic tle is a precious rarity. The restaurant opportunities of the city. The ones we manager is “furious” about how food is speak to, at least, say they wouldn’t mass-produced in today’s China, call- trade their current lives for the old days, ing large-scale producers “immoral.” He though they’re all university-educated does not hold his tongue. white-collar workers. “All ethnic groups have their food cul- “I go to the grassland every year,” says ture, but food is particularly important the restaurant manager. “But I know that for Mongols,” he says. I can’t stay there forever.” Both De and Bao agree, saying that in The HD scenes of grazing cattle the absence of grassland in Beijing, they behind him will have to suffice.

use food to connect with their culture. Additional reporting by Emma Huang

47 EAT & GRAPEVINEDRINK open page 文章开始线 EAT & DRINK

SNACKS AND THE CITY OFF THE BEATEN PLATE

Last month, my best friend from the States visited me in Beijing. Lactose-intolerance is a cruel affliction that cuts one off from all Ironically, she is Chinese. I manner of dishes, ranging from the decadent (cream puffs!) am American. We live in each to the healthy (yogurt!). Yet, it’s not as high-profile as other’s capitals. So 2016, I gluten intolerance, or vegetarianism. It is the forgotten know. The global economy, I food allergy, despite the fact that high rates of Chinese know. Technology shrinking people suffer from it. That’s why Yeyo is the communication gap, I know. so rare, and also so welcome. The fluffy, Our friendship is a Long Essay creamy yogurt is made from coconut milk, About Intercultural Relations which means it’s both dairy-free and vegan. on a Micro-Scale just waiting to You can purchase it plain or with mix-in be written. compotes. Flavors include cardamom- It’s also a lot of drinking. spiced papaya and sea-salt caramel. This culminated on the night The result is so tasty, we'd venture to of her 25th birthday. I grabbed say it's better than dairy yogurt. NM some birthday slices from Yeyo Yogurt, for more information or to Rager Pie, as well as prosciutto purchase, add their Wechat: yeyo-yogurt and “champagne” from Chez Gerard (it was only 60 kuai for the bottle, hence the quotation HEAD-TO-HEAD / CHILI SAUCES marks) and brought them to Houhai, where we rented a paddle boat and bobbed around at sunset, saying the sorts of things longtime friends say to each other after a while apart, which are predominately variants of “REMEMBER THAT TIME YOU MADE OUT WITH VER SUS TOM” and “OMG I FORGOT ABOUT CHLOE, WHAT A BITCH.” It was a night that, unlike Chloe, I will never forget. Laoganma Tantan Xiang Everywhere we went, Luxin 老干妈豆豉辣椒酱坛坛香剁辣椒酱 was treated like a princess, RMB7.9 RMB10 and I was grateful to Beijing’s

splendid dining scene. Am I FIRST IMPRESSIONS waxing too lyrical? Nah. TRB Is that our grandma on the label? Whoever Simply removing the lid on this thing releases a Bites gave us a free cake with she is, we already feel loyal to her. strong, wafting scent of pickle. “Happy Birthday” written in icing! The Distillery coordinated a bar-wide sing- INITIAL BITE along for her birthday! The Tiki Not as spicy as we’d imagined – we even pick An aggressive salty-sour-spicy flavor Bungalow has a drink called up notes of honey. Perhaps we shouldn’t be trio whacks our taste buds. And then it the Macadamia Nut Chi-Chi! surprised that grandma is sweet. lingers. (That last one isn’t related to Luxin’s birthday at all. It’s just a dope cocktail.) OVERALL The takeaway is this: Beijing Gentle, mild – perhaps too gentle and mild. Consider our palettes thoroughly cleansed. is a great city to eat and drink in. The minute you begin to think otherwise, you’re doing something wrong. If you need VERDICT inspiration, though, I write food While we don’t recommend having either of these on plain bread (as we did for this reviews. They’re as follows. taste test), both are solid sauces. We especially appreciate, though, that Tantan Xiang (Heh.) Noelle Mateer woke us right up. And that is exactly what we want in a spicy sauce. NM

48 JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM Edited by Noelle Mateer / [email protected]

THEY SAID IT, WE READ IT BARTISANS

This month, we head to CRAFT at Crowne Plaza Beijing Starbucks Lido to chat with Executive Chef Stephane Laurens and Ever wondered what kids these days think of some of Beijing’s long-standing food- Restaurant Manager Nina He about everybody’s favorite and-drink establishments? To give you an idea, we’ve handpicked and translated things in the summer: burgers and beer. some comments from popular ratings site dianping.com. This month: the massive two-story Starbucks in Taikooli.

I was so lucky to come across singing inside the The workers It’s said to be the flagship cafe: A boy sang are arrogant. warm love songs store, but the Their boss needs with a delicate, to tell them to service here I love, love, gentle voice. Why leave, go home isn’t as good as love the go to a bar when and learn how to other random caramel Starbucks also speak properly Starbucks macchiato! has fascinating to customers. stores. people? PHOTO BY HOLLY LI HOLLY BY PHOTO

NEWS BITE — So, what’s the deal with the new burgers? Stephane: We have five new burgers, all with different This Frozen Piggy Went to Market elements and sauces. One is a veggie burger for our vegetarian friends. We’re working on making the buns extra exciting – different flavors, different colors. Then we’ll pair the burgers with our beer. And don’t forget the traditional French fries! —Can you tell us about the beers? Nina: The beer we have to go with the burgers is Kentucky brand, from the US. We have three kinds: the Kentucky Kolsch, the Kentucky Ale and the Kentucky IPA. S: For the time being, we’ll serve our burgers with the large selection of beer that we have here. And we are going to have new beers, coming soon. N: We’re going to have draft beer, maybe next month! —Can you tell us which new beers? S: No! [Laughs]. —Which is your favorite burger? S: The salmon burger – that will be pretty good. It won’t be very heavy, but it will be rich in flavor. —Which is your favorite beer? N: I recommend the Kentucky Ale. —Anything else you recommend for the summer? N: We’ll also have iced tea, starting in June – fruit- June is the month of pork floods. Seriously – last month, Beijing began releasing flavored iced tea. We have peach, strawberry, blueberry 3.05 million kilograms of pork from its emergency pork reserves, which are and mango, all sweet. apparently a thing, and will continue to release them until July 4. (No, “releasing” —Last question: Why do people eat burgers in the pork does not equal live pigs being set free. Beijing’s emergency stash is frozen.) summertime? Why? Pork prices have been going up ever since Chinese New Year, sometimes S: You come with your family or with your friends, and by as much as 50 percent from month to month. China’s economists believe this it’s fun. It’s social. It’s simple, but at the same time it can new measure will relieve pressure on the tight pork market. The government has be very modern, very creative. begun subsidizing pork to encourage sellers to offer the meat at lower prices. And CRAFT, Crowne Plaza Beijing Lido, 6 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区将 it will also encourage, for lack of better words, more slaughter. NM 台路6号 (6437 3388)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 49 BEIXINQIAO-VOLUTION THE STREETS AROUND BEIXINQIAO ARE open page 文章开始线 EXPLODING WITH NEW OPENINGS. HERE IS YOUR GUIDE TO ITS HUTONG HANGOUTS

Peiping Machine Brewing

Peiping is part brewery, part sharer of others’ brews, all temple to the gods of beer. The airy, high-ceilinged former factory has been packed ever since it opened. All because Beijingers love their beer. Obsession Peiping makes its own brews – a sweet wheat beer is our favorite – but perhaps more importantly, it serves The first indication that Obsession is a quirky dinner spot is its craft varieties from breweries around the country. location. The bistro is sandwiched between The Tiki Bungalow There’s Slow Boat, of course, and soon Jing-A, but also and Knights and Merchants, aka ‘That Place With All The Sword brands from outside Beijing – ones you may recognize Fights Outside.’ (Seriously, as a side note, do check out Knights and from beer festivals but that you’ve never seen on a menu Merchants – they’ll let you try on armor.) before. The next indication is the decor: a cerulean wall color most-often We enjoy brews from Chengdu, Wuhan and Nanjing associated with gaudy 1980s eyeshadows, plus a school of silver – we suggest you get a flight for maximum sampling. As sperm fish along the walls. such, Peiping is a machine of Chinese beer education The third indication is the spalike soundtrack of ocean sounds. (beerducation?) so cue the news stories on China’s Altogether, it’s a funny, comfortable and quirky place to grab a bite blossoming craft beer scene. (“More Than Just Tsingtao” before moving on to headier booze at Tiki. Food is casual Western – we can imagine the headline now.) (think pastas, toast with smoked salmon, steaks) at mostly reasonable There’s also a great toilet here, which is no small feat prices, averaging between RMB50-60 per dish. for Fangjia Hutong. It’s so great that we recently referred Granted, perhaps you’d rather go somewhere we describe as ‘top- to Peiping Machine, lovingly, as Peepeeing Machine. We notch’ or, say, ‘good,’ rather than ‘quirky.’ Fair enough. But if there’s mean this in the most respectful of ways. one thing we like more than Obsession's steaks, it’s what it represents: That no matter your obsession, the hutongs are the place for you. Daily, 5pm-2am; E101, 46 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区方家胡同 46号院E101 (6401 1572) Daily, 6.30pm-2am; 34 Jiaodaokou Bei Santiao, Dongcheng 东城区交道口三条34号

50 JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM FEATURE | EAT & DRINK

BEIXINQIAO-VOLUTION by Noelle Mateer, images by Holly Li

Vagabond

Hutong bottle shops are the purview of Fangjia Hutong – or so we thought. Vagabond has taken the El Nido template (which, if you’re unfamiliar, equals fridges of beer bottles + shabby-chic hutong space + happy hour deals) and replicated it a few hutongs south on Jiaodaokao Beiertiao. Vagabond has some of the better-stocked fridges in town – note fridges, plural – which include cold Belgians, Brits and Americans. There’s also a bar serving basic mixed drinks. It is the El Nido equation, + cocktails. Vagabond’s concept is not new. But it is good timing – we’ve noticed that Queenie’s, the newly opened sandwich shop around the corner, has had scores of laowai drinking beer on its front steps ever since the weather warmed in April. Bar snacks here are minimal – we had the fried chicken – so if you’re hungry, maybe Queenie’s is your best bet. Or maybe Café de la Poste across the street. Or maybe the Yonghegong Dajie noodle place we always end up at after Café. Let’s just say you have options. While not worth traveling to, Vagabond’s buy-one-get- one beer happy hour is a solid choice. Our only complaint is the Bon Jovi concert film projected on the wall. (Sorry, JBJ. You don’t make for relaxing beer music.) A DJ table hints at better beats to come.

Mon-Fri 5pm-2am, Sat-Sun 2pm-2am; 4 Jiaodoukou Beiertiao, Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区雍和宫大街交道口北二条4号 (5719 5030)

Flow Brew Taproom BigSmall Coffee

The beers that flow at Flow aren’t just Flow – there are some that are How do you know your area’s made it? There’s a third- Slow. Slow Boat that is. (More slick rhymes where that came from, wave coffee shop on the corner. BigSmall Coffee is that folks. Anyway, back to the issue at hand: beer.) third-wave coffee shop. Flow’s teeny space (just across from Vagabond, see above) serves The cafe is the brainchild of artistically inclined three varieties of its own beer, plus Slow Boat. While Flow’s are woman-about-town Yipeng Zhang, founder of Smash worth trying – support your local businesses! – Slow Boat’s are better A Cup. No, you cannot smash cups here – Smash A Cup in taste and quality. But that doesn’t matter. Flow is a lovely, tucked- fills cups with tea-based versions of cappuccinos called away hutong spot for drinking, no matter which kind of beer you're ‘chappuccinos.’ Yes, you can drink those here. after. The intimate setting ensures speedy service, and barmen are Don’t let the tea business fool you, though – BigSmall more than happy to hand over samples. Coffee has serious beans, too. There’s single-origin for What we find most important about its opening, though, is, you picky sippers, as well as Americanos and lattes for well… its opening. Beijing is beer-obsessed, and this is further you hutong rats passing through. Best yet: The cold-brew proof. Seriously, is there a block anywhere within the Second Ring coffee needs neither sugar nor cream – the beans speak nowadays that hasn’t played host to a craft brewery? for themselves. Answer: yes, we’re exaggerating. Also, for the record, we’re Design is at the heart of BigSmall, whose space is not complaining about the amount of breweries. That would be blessedly minimal, and whose bottles of beans-to-go ridiculous. feature clever illustrations of dinosaurs. (It also has Airbnb quarters in the back, because it’s 2016, we guess.) Daily, 5pm-midnight; Jiaodaokou Beiertiao, 175 Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区雍和宫大街175号 (137 1800 6251) Daily, 8am-8pm; 78 Xiang’er Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区香饵胡同78号

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 51 open page 文章开始线

GLO KITCHEN AND FITNESS ANALOG GLO for it! proclaim inspirational slogans With beans sourced from Brazil, Costa Rica, MORNING along the walls of this fitness-center-plus- Indonesia and Yunnan, Analog is a damn cafe. Indeed, GLO is a great place if you’re Another day (month?), another Morning good place to spend an afternoon sampling looking for a restaurant that doubles as (restaurant). The Wuhan dry noodle joint’s different brews. The cafe’s industrial a CrossFit studio. And if you’re not, it’s first iteration on Dongzhimen Wai Dajie was design mixed with plush Pink Panther toys a healthy option for lunch (or breakfast, so popular it’s already moved to a bigger is alt-cool, and while the menu is almost for that matter) whenever you’re near venue. (Don’t worry – it’s just around the strictly coffee, its simple offerings make it a Guanghua Lu SOHO. corner from the old one.) New look, same refreshing escape from the shit-show that is Daily, 9am-9pm Unit 103A-B, Guanghua Lu SOHO 1, delicious noodles. Nanluoguxiang. 22 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华路22号光华路 Daily, 11am-9.30pm; 10 Chunxiu Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区 Daily, 10am-7pm, 29 Banchang Hutong, Dongcheng 东 SOHO 103A-B室 (5385 4960) 东直门外春秀路太平庄10号 (130 0123 5903) 城区板厂胡同29号 (159 0117 0903)

We Tell WorthYou if thethe RiceHassle is

MONA WUSI Delightful new cocktail bar Mona boasts Don’t be alarmed by the comfy-looking bed

a creative menu as well as a cute-but-not- LI HOLLY BY PHOTO that you see before even entering the bar: cloying design, which features a hanging- Wusi moonlights as an Airbnb. The sweet OSAKA TAKOYAKI cloud light fixture designed by Mona herself cocktails we sample (RMB80) contrast with (bar owner Charlie’s girlfriend – aww, you This snack shop behind Gui Jie has got the bar’s less-than-innocent look (which guys). The menu is brief but the quality- balls. Lots of them, in the form of Japanese includes artworks of nude women covered over-quantity approach is appreciated and, takoyaki: fried balls with octopus chunks, by strategically placed birds), but they’re quite frankly, something other bars can learn smothered in cheese, cream and all manner drinkable all the same. It’s quirky, yeah, but from. Go for the Ukiyoe (RMB75), a beguiling of terrifying spreads. There’s also an omelet we kind of like that – and did we mention mix of matcha green tea powder, sake and that, upon opening, we discover is full of the bed? A good place to end the night, if you gold leaf. fried noodles. Uh, no thanks. know what we mean. Daily, 6pm-1.30am; 20 Dongsiertiao, Dongcheng 东城 Daily, 11am-10pm; 288 Dongzhimennei Dajie, Daily, 8pm-late; 54 Dongsisitiao, Dongcheng 东城区东区东四二条20号 (158 0135 6628)B103室 (6431 9289) Dongcheng 东城区东直门内大街288号 (185 0005 5113) 四四条54号 (186 0113 6684)

52 JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM RESTAURANTS | EAT & DRINK

CHINA MOBILE Yes, China Mobile by Noelle Mateer

We walk into China Mobile and say: “What a seat, and the chef can you make us?” makes you whatever The owner replies: “Dumplings.” We say he wants. Most of the “OK.” Then we eat. time, it’s dumplings, China Mobile isn’t your typical China although he Mobile. In fact, it isn’t a China Mobile at sometimes breaks out all. If it were, we’d be reticent to eat there. hot pot and barbecue. Hell, we’d be reticent just to enter, given all On the night of our our bad memories of ill-fated phone-fixing visit, he makes us pork attempts. (I know a dude who can unlock jiaozi with light shreds your phone, they said. It will be painless and of ginger. easy, they said.) “I make you what I But the first sign that this China Mobile is like to eat,” he says simply. But when we find ourselves in friendly not a China Mobile is the door, draped with China Mobile is more of a home conversation with both the owner and the Japanese style-curtains. To our delight, we kitchen than a restaurant, and that has its other customers sitting at the bar (all of walk through them to something far more advantages. First, the dumplings we try are whom are neighborhood residents here for appetizing than mobile technology: a tiny undoubtedly home-style – no grease, no MSG. a bite), we find any faults easy to overlook. kitchen. Second, the prices are low. We pay RMB18 This isn’t a formal spot, after all. It’s a Six stools sit alongside a small wooden bar, for an overflowing jiaozi plate, and also get a neighborhood hangout. which surrounds an even smaller kitchen: small bowl of fruit and some soup for free. If only every China Mobile was like this. one stove, one fridge. (This space was There are, of course, disadvantages. At formerly – you guessed it! – a China Mobile. China Mobile, you do not get to choose what Daily, dinnertime or whenever this dude wants to The owner left the original sign out front you eat. When another customer asks for open, really; east end of Xiang’er Hutong, Dongcheng because he thought it was funny.) Pull up beer, she’s offered Yanjing only. 东城区香饵胡同东口 (no phone, ironically)

WOOD Barking up the Right Tree words by Oscar Holland, image by Holly Li

No points for guessing which material welcome addition to the carousel of food dominates the interior of Wood. offerings at Solana (or to give it its official Sure, there are sprinkles of a faux- name, Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park, industrial zeitgeist – namely the heavy black but, you know). Located right next door lightshades and exposed ventilation ducts – to the ever-popular Moka Bros, it offers but good old-fashioned trees are the order commendable pan-Western fare, sans the of the day here. Wood can be found atop inspirational slogans. the bar, lining the walls and, of course, as a So we implore you to forgo your next chopping board upon which your steak will power bowl – for variety’s sake if nothing sit. else. Those who do will be rewarded with a But aside from thwarting the possibility selection of no-nonsense steaks, BBQ, pastas that Wood (the restaurant) is dismissed and Tex-Mex. The robust Australian rib-eye as a misnomer, wood (the material) offers (RMB268) – pink and meltingly tender – something genuinely organic. And we mean impresses, and there are pleasant surprises ‘organic’ in the original sense of the word – elsewhere in the menu. The quesadillas one used long before it was commandeered (RMB68) are a particular standout, as is by the wellness brigade. Natural light the unashamedly tomatoey vegetable pasta streams in through the front windows, (RMB58) and the indulgent chef’s salad giving the ground floor a pleasant, airy with egg, avocado, cheese, beef and chicken mid-afternoon Wood can opt for the very ambiance. Throw in some white tiles for (RMB68). reasonably priced lunch sets (RMB58-88). good measure and the resulting restaurant Wood’s fare is filling and thoroughly We wood. feels remarkably fresh. unpretentious (though there is some Having started life in Tianjin – where it excellent single-origin coffee available to Daily, 10.30am-11pm; Southern Gourmet Street, was recently awarded Best New Restaurant those with affectations to fuel). The dearer Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park, 6 Chaoyang Park at the That’s Tianjin Food and Drink Awards end of the menu might make this more Road, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾南边湖 – Wood has found its way to the capital; a of a dinner venue, but those after some 畔美食街 (5726 8255)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 53 Mai Dong 脉动 Jian Fa 碱法 The most chemical- Pocari tasting of the bunch. The This is so full of ar- Sweat lime flavoring (pictured) tificial grape flavoring, open page 文章开始线宝矿力水特 tastes like cleaning fluid, it tastes like it should be A touch syrupy and but other varieties are more dark purple. But it’s not. sugary lemon palatable. Color this transpar- ent, and color us flavored. alarmed. THE SPREAD | EAT & DRINK

Xiaoyang Ru Qin Ning Sea Salt & Suan Yan Shui Lemon 小样乳酸盐沁柠水海之言 We can put up with the Tastes like if you were Pleasant, lemony and lingering sour-grapefruit to add water – a lot of far from salty – which aftertaste if all the health water – to lemon- we suppose is a benefits on the bottle honey tea. good thing. are realized. If.

The official start of summer isn’t until the solstice on June 20 – but we’ve been hitting the 7-Eleven refrigerators for weeks now. In order to optimize our hydration, Noelle Mateer and Holly Li tested the following flavored-water brands. Have it your shui or the highway.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 55 EAT & DRINK | RESTAURANTS

open page 文章开始线

NOSH Tongzhou has Bomb Indian Tacos – and Yeah, We Went There

by Noelle Mateer

Nosh’s location is ludicrous. The “Indian-Mexican bistro” is in made tomato salsa sits on piles of fluffy, airy baked roti (RMB18). The Tongzhou district’s Wanda Plaza. To get there from our offices in more traditional Kashmiri rogan josh (RMB50) is excellent Indian Dongzhimen, we have to take Line 2 to Line 1 to the Batong Line, past comfort food, best with garlic-and-shallot naan. The dishes are top- the Fifth Ring Road. And we thought that would be the hard part. notch, even if presented in a low-rent manner in this literally low- Wanda Plaza Tongzhou has a fleet of colossal buildings, sparsely rent location. signposted by terse information panels that are peppy and fun- Ever the kindly chatterbox, Prasad tells us he learned to combine looking despite their ultimate inutility. To find Nosh, you need more Indian and Mexican food “on an American site, YouTube,” which is a than just a sign. To find Nosh, you need unshakeable determination. weird thing to say. But if you haven’t gathered by now, Nosh is weird. You need a precise location pin on your phone. You need And its location is more than weird – it’s insane. conversational Mandarin, and you need a hand to hold. You need a If you live or work near Tongzhou, by all means, run to this place. timeless piece of art or literature – Monet’s ‘Water Lilies,’ perhaps? (Our Tongzhou-based colleagues are sprinting there right now.) But Li Bai’s ‘Lamentations in the Tranquility of Night’? – to remind you if you don’t have the drive, emotional stability, Mandarin abilities or that life is not meaningless. We don’t give restaurant awards based on bravery to face the monolith Wanda Plaza, we hear there are some location here at That’s Beijing, but if we did, Nosh would win Editor’s taco-making videos on YouTube. Choice for Most Ridiculous Place to Put a Goddamn Indian-Mexican Bistro. Daily, 11.30am-10pm; B3 207, Wanda Plaza, Tongzhou 通州区万达广场西门金街B3- But then, 45 minutes after exiting the subway, we find the tacos. 207 (8088 3780) The chicken tikka tacos. Nosh serves Indian classics – Tandoori chicken, curries – plus some Mexican dishes with Indian twists in a small bistro whose decor is, honestly, underwhelming. (Think neon green-and-orange wall paint and Indian pop music videos blasting from the flatscreen TV.) But what Nosh lacks in style it makes up for in comfort. Owner Daya Prasad is a warm, friendly man who bounces around his restaurant chatting and clasping his hands together with joy when customers are pleased with his dishes. Longtime Beijing residents may recognize Prasad from his previous restaurant Masala, arguably Beijing’s most popular Indian restaurant from the Olympics-hysteria years of 2006 to 2009. Prasad and Indian restaurants go way back – like pre-insanity- NLGX way back – but the Mexican cuisine is a new development. At Nosh, Prasad’s authentic chicken tikka masala is wrapped in roti like a corn tortilla, then drizzled with yogurt sauce (RMB28). His freshly

56 JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM RESTAURANTS | EAT & DRINK

SHOULD YOU EAT AT MERCEDES ME? A Guide to Dining Chez Benz

by Noelle Mateer

The short answer to the title’s question: bar overlooking Taikoo Li plays smooth Susans, traditional decor, the hustle and Uhhh, maybe? grooves; a cafe downstairs buzzes with bustle of a popular restaurant. Mercedes me The long answer: It depends. Do you like Sanlitun-ers having meetings over coffee. takes all that charm and replaces it with its Sichuan, Guizhou or Yunnan food? Do you A Mercedes dealership has never gotten so logo. like luxury cars? Do you like flamboyant light much action. And balloons. We’re a little confused by fixtures masquerading as balloons? But, like, should you eat here? the decor, which is full of ostensibly cool If yes, then – uhhh, maybe? Mercedes-Benz is known for many things, none of which we actually like. We Mercedes me (the lower-case ‘m’ is things. Food is not one of them. And so we can’t tell if the things hanging above our intentional branding, by the way, not a are pleasantly surprised at the quality of table are balloons or some ultra-modern typo on our part) is the mega complex now the dishes at Sifang Sanchuan, Mercedes take on lanterns; walls are covered with parked on Gongti Beilu just across from me’s contemporary Chinese restaurant on shiny mirrors, but no windows; booths are Taikoo Li. If you haven’t seen it, then you the second floor, which serves flavorful a questionable shade of 1970s-era gold- must not have left your house in the past Southwestern Chinese cuisine. yellow. month. It is massive. A larger-than-life statue An appetizer of cold pigs’ ears marinates Granted, service is more prompt and of the Mercedes me logo stands outside in peppery, complex sauce. Scallops bob accommodating than other Sichuan flashing bright blues and purples. High- around a large bowl of fiery red soup. joints. Waiters hover over us with paced music blares. People take selfies out The dishes are almost all spicy, and recommendations, and our water glasses are front. simultaneously complex. never empty. It is ostentation defined. It is also, frankly, All in all, the cuisine is unexpectedly But should you eat here? That, ultimately, kind of cool. Walk in, and you can check out masterful in spite of its location within is up to you. a couple of Mercedes cars, or pick up some Mercedes’ soft-power compound. And yet, Mercedes #swag. The Beijing visitors’ guides therein lies the issue: its location. Mercedes Sifang Sanchuan; Daily, 10am-midnight; Mercedes littered throughout – which are free and in me is as pretentious as it gets. Part of the me 2/F, 1 Sanlitun Lu (at Gongti Beilu), Chaoyang 朝 both Chinese and English – feature cool-kid charm in having authentic, fine Chinese fare 阳区三里屯1号 Mercedes me 2/F (通盈中心北入口) city recommendations. A sleek, well-stocked is an authentic, fine Chinese setting – lazy (8588 7150)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 57 A B C D E F G 1

TIAGO HOMEJ KITCHEN Jia iu

ng x

ta i i R a

d q yuan W Rd g ia open page 文章开始线 an o 2 F R

EUDORA STATION

Jia n gta i R d 3 Jiangtai Rd

PARKSIDE FRANK'S BAR & GRILL Jiangtai PLACEW Rd AT TRIO IRISH VOLUNTEER

Hujialou Dongdaqiao Chaoyang N Street

5 n

d RED BOWL

q E 3

d Rin

t 6 LOVE COFFEE

g Rd

Jinhui Rd

BBG RESTAURANT AND BAR 7

HOOTER'S | I6 BBG RESTAURANT AND BAR | B7 MUST GUETTE | K5 Daily 11am-1am, Rm. 201, Bldg 1, Daily 10am-2am, RE108, World City, 9 11am-midnight, S2-11, 1/F, Taikoo Li China View Plaza, Chaoyang Jinhui Lu, Chaoyang South, Chaoyang (6417 8202) (6585 8787) (8590 6364) BEER MAP IRISH VOLUNTEER | C3 HEAVEN | I4 EUDORA STATION | A2 Daily 9am-2am, 311 Jiangtai Lu, 8 2016 Daily 11am-4am, 14 Xindong Lu, 9am-2pm, 6 Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang Chaoyang (6438 5581) Chaoyang (6415 6513) (6437 8813) DURTY NELLIE'S | N1 FEZ BAR | J4 PARKSIDE BAR & GRILL | A3 Daily 10am-2am, 1/B Liangmaqiao 5pm-late, 6F Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun 9am-late, 6-9 Jiangtai Xilu, Chaoyang Flower Market, Chaoyang Beilu, Chaoyang (5208 6138) (6444 6555) (6415 8776)

THE TREE | I4 REVOLUTION | H6 FRANK'S PLACE AT TRIO | B3 BOTTEGA FRATELLI SALVO | K4 noon-2am, A4 Gongti Donglu, Daily noon-1am, West side of Yashow, Daily 24hrs, West of the Rosedale 6pm-midnight, 18 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang (6592 6290) Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang Hotel, Jiangtai Xilu, Chaoyang 9 Chaoyang (6416 1752) (6415 8776) (6437 8399) A B C D E F G H I J K L M N 1

DURTY NELLIE'S

XL BAR AND RESTAURANT 2

LET’S BURGER PLUS

HEAVEN ASSAGI BOTTEGA FRATELLI 4 SALVO

FEZ BAR THE TREE 1ST FLOOR

BLUE FROG 5

MUST GUETTE

REVOLUTION UNION ELEMENT BAR & GRILL FRESH 6

HOME PLATE STELLA ARTOIS HOOTER'S BBQ draft beer

JASMINE RESTAURANT STELLA ARTOIS Q MEX THE RUG PARK 17 & LOUNGE bottle beer 7

ASSAGI | J4 RED BOWL | D5 THE RUG | K7 JASMINE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE | I7 11am-10pm, 1 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, 5.30pm-midnight, Jing Guang Centre, 10.30am-10pm, Courtyard 4, Gongti Daily, 11am-1am, Worker’s Stadium Gate Chaoyang (8454 4508) Hujialou, Chaoyang (6597 8888) Beilu, Chaoyang (6507 2342) No. 9, Gongti Donglu, Chaoyang (6553 8608) UNION BAR & GRILL | J6 PADDY O'SHEA'S | F3 TIAGO HOME KITCHEN | C1 11am-10pm, 3/F, Taikoo Li South Bldg Daily 10am-late, 28 Dongzhimen Wai 11am-10pm, L173, 1/F Indigo Mall, 18 HOME PLATE BBQ | L6 5, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang Dajie, Chaoyang (6415 6389) Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang (8558 3892) Daily, 10am-2am daily, Courtyard 4, Gongti 8 (6415 9117) Beilu, Chaoyang (400 096 7670) 1ST FLOOR | J4 ELEMENT FRESH (SLT) | K6 Q MEX | K7 PARK 17 | B4 Sun-Thu 11am-2am, Fri-Sat 11am-4am, Mon-Fri 10am-11pm, Sat-Sun 7am- Daily, 11am-1am, Courtyard 4, Gongti 11.30am-11pm, Courtyard 4, Gongti 6F 1/F Tongli Studios, Sanlitun Houjie, 11pm, 833, Building 8, Taikoo Li South, Beilu, Chaoyang (6585 3828) Beilu, Chaoyang (6586 1889) Chaoyang (6413 0587) Chaoyang (6417 1318)

BLUE FROG | J5 XL BAR AND RESTAURANT | I2 LET’S BURGER PLUS | J3 LOVE COFFEE | A6 Sun-Thu 10am-12am, Fri-Sat 10am- Daily 10am-2am, 1-022 Shoukai Bojun Mon-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri-Sun 11am- Daily, 10am-10pm, The Place, 9 1am, S2-30, Level 3, S2 Tower, Taikoo Li, Nanqu, Xindong Lu, Chaoyang (135 midnight, Basement floor, Taikoo Li Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang Sanlitun, Chaoyang (6415 4303, 6417 4030) 9 2128 5636, 137 1816 3522) North, Chaoyang (6415 2772) H I J K L M N TOP STORIES INSTAGRAM HIGHLIGHT Thanks to @pippip27 for tagging BEIJING #thatsbeijing. Tag your pictures on for a • Beijing 6th Most Polluted chance to be featured on our Instagram. Megacity in the World THE We’re still hoping for a clear summer though. MONTH • Producer George Pank on the Amy Winehouse Documentary ON Chatting to the producer of the award- winning film, Amy. • Ancient Relics Discovered at THATS the Forbidden City The Palace Museum is full of new (old) surprises. • 13 Killer Happy Hours in Beijing MAGS. ‘Killer’ has nothing to do with fake alcohol, they just taste damn good.

• Apple CEO Tim Cook Spotted COM VIDEO OF THE MONTH in Beijing After Didi Deal It’s business time for the Apple CEO and WATCH: Scantily Clad Man Didi Chuxing. Takes Shenzhen by Storm Erotic dancing in public places raises NATIONAL eyebrows down south and online. • Shanghai Bus Evacuated COMMENT OF THE MONTH Minutes Before Exploding Bus driver embraces the idiom ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire’ • Uncle Martian Denies Ripping “There is no Off Under Armour Big words from the Chinese brand after way you can its logo attracts ridicule. compare • Finally, ‘Fried Chicken Flavor’ Nail Polish is Here Instagram Available in two colors: original and hot ‘n’ spicy. posers to these • A Huge Piece of Glass Just hardcore Fell Off Shanghai Tower Today’s forecast: Cloudy with a chance of athletes.” glass chards.

• Was Corn Drill Video Just a Viral Marketing Stunt? -- User $unid(k9), on ‘Beijing Officer Sets New Scan the Asking the hard questions about the ‘Corn Planking Record at Eight Hours’ QR code to visit Drill Challenge.’ thatsmags.com

60 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM ADVERTORIAL | EDUCATION

GUOJI.114STUDY.COM WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD PARENTS ASK WHEN CHOOSING AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL? by education scholar and General Principal of Shunyi’s Peide School, Dr. Qian Zhilong

As a principal, I think VI. Does the school give parents are often in students enough free real need of help when time to do their home- it comes to choosing an work? international school. I hold the opinion that Sometimes, when time between classes parents should be ask- is important. Whether ing questions, they are children have time to actually being inter- viewed themselves. So homework indepen- what questions should dentlythink and is very finish impor their- parents ask principals? tant. After all, learning The following isn’t just the teachers’ questions can help you responsibility. think about and choose the right school for What schools don’t your child. want parents to know about teachers Which questions are meaningful? Not every teacher can work immediately after being recruited. Staff I. What’s the mission statement? What’s the motto? turnover can be high which affects the running of a school. The Mission statements exist on every school’s website. But only schools amount that is invested in teachers has a direct relationship with that take everything into consideration from the perspective of the school’s ability to provide a suitable education, which is directly students – and listen to parents’ opinions carefully – should survive linked to your child’s chances of getting into a good university. the careful selection process in international education. There is no doubt that these are the schools most suitable for children. What should parents know? II. Who is the founder? Why did he or she start the school? I. Can parents go into the campus? Can they take part in school activi- In most domestic international schools, the top management is usu- ties? ally made up of foreigners. But I believe that international principals - must include Chinese scholars and experts, with experience in bilin- company children for the longest time. Parents should not abdicate gual and international education. This is an inevitable trend as China Parentsall of their are responsibilities the first and most after important sending theirteachers children – and to they’ll school. ac developments great international education. II. Does the principal get out of the office and communicate with par- III. What are the management models? What duties are between inves- ents? tors and principals? A principal needs to listen earnestly to parents’ and children’s In my view, the most critical relationships in schools’ management demands, patiently communicating and sharing with them. Only in models are those between investors, the chairman of the board and this way can he or she really understand what the school is like, how general principal. These will directly affect whether a school will go the students are doing, what kind of students and parents he or she the distance. IV. Who is in charge of the school? What’s his or her background? development of the school and run the school well. It’s hard to search top school leaders’ backgrounds online. However, III.is working What’s thewith, school’s and whether style of study?he or she can really grasp the specific Nowadays, a lot of parents are very concerned about a schools’ ethos. and better understand their education experience, it will help greatly. if you can find more information about these principals’ background But do you know who decides a school’s philosophy? Not the principals, not the teachers, but the parents themselves. The ancients TIPS: What makes a good principal? said: “words and deeds.” Parents’ every behavior has a crucial impact Distinguishing whether principals of schools are outstanding isn’t on their children. Similarly, when the school chooses its students, it only about looking at their resume or diploma, but from considering should choose their parents carefully too. whether the school in their charge is one that serves all of its students. Yuanbo International Education is the first domestic one-stop counseling service platform V. Who is the main focus? for international schools. We collect the national well-known international schools together, Students should be the main focus of the school. Parents shouldn’t provide detailed schools’ introduction, students’ information and official trends for all parents, only look at the teacher-student ratio but at whether the school lets and let them easily find the right entrance to academic institutions for their children at Yuanbo children speak their minds and be themselves. Independent thinking International Education. Free hotline: 400-995-2020. For more information visit guoji.114study. is more important than knowledge. com

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 61 CITY SCENES Man in red laughs his way through the awkwardness of not wearing a white shirt and jeans to Café Flatwhite’s 10-Year Anniversary Party.

“I have no idea what’s going on, but I kind of like it,” says Michelin-starred Man thinks he’s signing up for karaoke, ends up giving the keynote address at chef Umberto Bombana at Opera Bombana’s third birthday. Swissotel Beijing’s 25th Anniversary Ceremony.

Flowers outnumber humans at the grand opening of FraserPlace serviced Band members don’t let their lack of haircuts in recent months stop them apartments in Tianjin. from rocking Jing-A’s Gaige Kaifang beer launch party at School Bar.

62 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM EVENT | COMMUNITY

GTC RESIDENCE BEIJING CHARITY AUCTION

On Sunday May 15, GTC Residence Beijing organized a charity auction event to raise money and awareness for the ‘No Lost Generation Initiative.’ Held out- doors in the serviced apartments’ spacious sky garden, GTC residents were invited (and encouraged) to dig deep into their wallets to bid on a selection of traditional Chinese ornaments, paintings and photographs. After a competitive bidding session, guests went onto enjoy a delicious buffet and refreshments at the HAFFA Restaurant. The event was a huge success and all the money raised was donated to UNICEF to aid the humanitarian relief and social services for Syrian refugee children.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 63 Organic / Party Prettybwoy DJ

HEAR

DJ and producer Prettybwoy is a pioneer of UK garage and grime. He has a back-catalog of bass-heavy tracks that epitomize the gritty underbelly of British electronic Every great club night begins with a single step. So although the newest party music. But here’s the catch: he’s to arrive at Dada, Organic, is little more than a dream right now, if it blows up Japanese and he lives in Tokyo. This Luke Black Gig you can be like: “Oh, yeah, I was there when that Organic started. That was hasn’t stopped him from making dope.” Landing just in time for Dragon Boat Festival (which makes Thursday a Despite spending just 24 years in UK music better than most Brits do, perfectly acceptable drinking night), Organic promises to explore “the deep- the game (of life, that is), Serbian and it’s proving hugely popular in ness, soulfulness and exquisiteness rooted within house and techno music.” singer-songwriter Luke Black oozes Japan’s bass scene. His ‘Golly Gosh’ It also offers plant life, meaning that they’re gonna fill Dada out with loads wisdom beyond his years. He’d al- club nights are proof that Tokyo’s of actual greenery. Playing in this metaphorical urban jungle will be a trio ready put out seven DIY full-length ravers are willing to get as grimey of Beijing-based DJs: Marc Alexr, Signal and That’s Beijing’s very own smooth albums before anyone noticed him. as London’s, and his Beijing show house aficionado, Juhstynn (pictured above). All hail from the UK, so expect But the world is finally catching marks the release of the Solstice EP. some of London’s deepest electronic music. on and last year he signed with Fri, Jun 24; RMB50 (includes digital Thu Jun 9, 10pm-late; free; Dada (see Listings for details) Universal and released the well- copy of the Solstice EP); Dada (see received EP Thorns. Listings for details) Fri Jun 25, 8.30pm; RMB120 (pre- Zion Train + Vibronics / Gig sale), RMB150 (door); Modernsky Life In My Lab, 5-108, Floor B1, Building D, Imagination Gig Galaxy SOHO, Dongcheng 东城区朝阳门银河SOHO D座B1层5-108

God Is An Astronaut Gig

This band chose their English name by taking two characters of their Chinese name (Lei Mi) and us- For the record, God isn’t an astro- ing them as an acronym of sorts, naut. He (or, most likely, She) is a Yes, informed readers, ‘Zion Train’ is indeed a song by Bob Marley. But it thus Life In My Imagination (LIMI). conception of a supreme being and is also the name of British dub ensemble formed in the late 1980s. By the Geddit? With that out of the way, the principal object of faith. God Is 1990s, they’d become a force in the UK’s electronic music scene, where they here’s what you need to know: the An Astronaut, on the other hand, mixed acid house with their own Jamaican influences to create something Zhengzhou four-piece mix rock and are an Irish band known for their quite unheard of at the time (see their dub remixes of The Shamen, Afro Celt indie-pop with poetry into some- intense audio-visual live shows and Sound System and Loop Guru for an idea of what we’re talking about). And to thing unique. Their show at School soaring post-rock sound. Hallelujah. complete an unbeatable lineup for dub fanatics, Zion Train will be joined by Bar comes as they release their Sat Jun 26; 8pm; RMB260 (presale), another of the scene’s heavy-hitters, Vibronics. China-related fact: Zion Train highly-anticipated new album. RMB350 (door); Yugong Yishan (see were signed to a label called China Records between 1995 and 1999. Sun Jun 5; RMB50; School Bar (see Listings for details) Fri Jun 17; RMB60; Dada (see Listings for details) Listings for details)

64 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM The Summer Sundowner / Party Art Crawl Hop

Atelier offers a fun take on the ge- neric pub crawl with its art crawl: a tour of cool hutong art spaces as well as local bars. Dongcheng is home to a wealth of creative but often hard-to-find art spaces (see That’s Beijing’s Feb 2016 issue for a The Ming and the run down), so relax and let Atelier Manchus Walk lead the way to spaces including Intelligentsia, yi: project space and If you were intrigued by our peek Jiali Gallery. After all that art ap- into the Manchu community living preciation enjoy a drink at one of in Beijing today (cover story, page the participating bars (The Distillery, 42), why not go way back and learn Tiki Bungalow, Jiao and Cuju). more about the Qing dynasty? A fun Sat Jun 11, 5-8pm; RMB100, and informative walk and discus- discounted drinks; meeting point sion about Chinese imperial history, TBA (register via email: contact@ this event is billed as “not your atelier.cn.com or WeChat: atelier- usual history tour.” With the grand apas) Forbidden City as the location, get set for a majestic and informative morning. Tai Chi Meditation Sat Jun 4, 9am-noon; RMB300 (RMB260 for The Hutong members); The Forbidden City 故宫 (tickets online via www.thehutong.com)

Rock the Canvas Art

Whip your mind into shape this summer with a spot of tai chi. The exercise purports to connect the essence of your energy, teaching Get in touch with your creative you to harness said energy, and let side at AOTU Studio’s new weekly That’s Beijing is throwing a party this month with help from our friends at it flow naturally. It may sound a bit art event. The good folks at AOTU Arrow Factory – and you’re invited! A celebration of summer, beer, sunsets, airy but think of it as a combination have set up a giant canvas on their good food and beats, it’s going to be one hell of a good time. Starting early of yoga and meditation: providing rooftop terrace for you, the artist, to – to catch those late afternoon vibes, of course – we can’t wait to party on strength and flexibility to the body express yourself. With a DJ spinning Arrow Factory’s sweet rooftop. Get ready for a fun-filled night featuring: Six plus tranquility to the mind. tracks plus tasty tapas and cocktails DJs over two floors, drinking games, a beer wheel of destiny, lucky draw Every Tue in Jun, 9.15am; RMB200 on hand, RTC will be sure to add prizes and RMB30 select craft beers. Plus, the first 50 people to sign up get a (door), RMB150 (prepaid); China some color to your Thursday night. free beer upon arrival. Cultural Center (CCC), Kent Center, Every Thu, 5-10pm; free; AOTU Follow us on WeChat (Thats_Beijing), click on the ‘Events’ tab and select 29 Anjialou, Liangmaqiao Lu Studio, 67 Beixinqiao Toutiao, ‘Sundowner’ for more information. See you there. Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路29号安家 Dongcheng 东城区北新桥头条67号 Sat Jun 18, 4pm-midnight; free; Arrow Factory Brewing (Liangmahe), 1 Xindong 楼肯特中心院内 (6432 9341, china- (8408 4189) Lu (at Liangmahe Nanlu), Chaoyang 朝阳区新东路1号 (亮马河南路) (8532 5335) culturecenter.org)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 65 M5 Presents ‘Dive In’ HOPS 2016 International Premium Beer Festival Poolside Brunch / Beer

TASTE

Ever been to a pool party and thought: “This is great, but I could really use some paella right now”? M5 – that stands for the combination of dining-and-partying power- houses Modo, Moka Bros, Mosto, Migas Restaurant and The Bar at Migas – are throwing a poolside brunch that’s really more of a Father’s Day Dining poolside party. The ultimate com- Another holiday, another reason to bination of food, booze and music, brunch. This time, bring your dad expect tasty Mediterranean bites, (or baby daddy) and indulge in all house beats and cocktails in a secret manner of treats. The Brickyard at location outside Beijing. Mutianyu is offering free meals to Sun Jun 5, 10.15am-7pm; RMB680 dads dining at Xiaolumian that day, including unlimited food and drinks; and there are bound to be other tickets available at Moka Bros specials throughout Beijing as well Sanlitun (see Listings for details) – keep an eye on thatsmags.com for all the options. How to Order Baidu Father’s Day is Sunday, June 19 Waimai Lecture

Fridays at Opera Bombana’s Terrace Parties

Generally known for its clubs, Gongti is now hosting something just a little bit different – three days, over 80 different types of premium global beers and many delicious varieties of international food. HOPS magazine is proud to bring you Beijing’s very first International Premium Beer Festival. A mouth-watering selection of beers from Belgium, Italy, Germany, England, the U.S and Japan will be yours to enjoy from the beautiful MGM rooftop terrace. Be sure to ride the rodeo and get down to great music, courtesy of some of Beijing’s finest musical talent. From a rock band in the afternoon to a DJ in the evening, they’ve got you covered. Have you still not figured out how HOPS is the only publication in China dedicated exclusively to beer culture, to order food with Baidu Waimai? providing in-depth and accurate coverage of the evolving beer market, delv- The Sinology Institute doesn’t ing into the culinary arts through beer pairings and innovative recipes and judge. Join for a class on how expanding its readers’ understanding of beer. to make the most of the speedy So what are you waiting for? Get your ticket now for just RMB50 (while pre- food-delivery service. (Tips include sale stocks last!) and enjoy your first beer for free by: Opera Bombana isn’t just for meals relevant Mandarin phrases for when 1.Following That’s Beijing on WeChat (search for Thats_Beijing or scan the (although we love meals there) – it’s the deliverer inevitably calls trying QR code above) also a great place to drink, especial- to find your apartment.) 2.Clicking on the ‘Events’ tab ly on its outdoor terrace, now open Sat Jun 18, 11am-noon; free; The 3.Selecting ‘HOPS Beer Fest’ for summer. On Fridays, cocktails Sinology Institute, adjacent to Fri Jul 1, 6pm-midnight; Sat Jul 2, 2pm-midnight; Sun Jul 3, 2pm-midnight; are RMB50 from 6-9pm. Sounds like Guloudajie Subway, Exit G 鼓楼大街 RMB50 early bird, RMB80 at the door (both include one free beer); MGM Club prime aperitivo hour if you ask us. 地铁站G出口对面 (RSVP by calling Rooftop Terrace (Workers’ Stadium South Gate) 美高美酒吧顶层露台工人体育 Fridays, 6-9pm; Opera Bombana (see 6400 0905 or emailing admissions@ 场南门 ; To buy your presale tickets follow Thats_Beijing on WeChat, click on Listings for details) sinologyinstitute.com) the ‘Events’ tab and select ‘HOPS Beer Fest’

66 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM Beijing Comic Con / Pop culture Stomp Dance

SEE

Stomp is an internationally acclaimed percussion group originat- ing from the UK and famous for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary by using everyday items to create a physical theater performance. The group uses brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters and more to fill the stage with big beats and bold moves. It’s dance, it’s music, it’s “The BEST show Ever!” according to Tray from Santa Barbara (stomponline.com). Now’s your Napoli Ballet chance to see what everyone else in the world has been raving about for One of Denmark’s favorite ballets, the last 25 years. Napoli tells the tale of a young Jun 29-Jul 17, 7.30pm-9.30pm (Jun Italian girl who falls in love with 29-Jul 17), 2.30pm-4.30pm (Jul 2-17); a fisherman. Inspired by creator RMB180-2,000; PLA Theater, 60 August Bournonville’s sojourn in Deshengmen Nei Dajie, Xicheng 解 Naples, the ballet incorporates 放军歌剧院西城区德胜门内大街60号 elements of folktales combined (6613 1718, buy tickets via en.damai. with a heavy dose of romanticism. Gamers, film-geeks and comic fans – this one’s for you. The celebrated cn or [email protected]) Performed by The Royal Danish pop culture event Comic Con is visiting Beijing for the first time and it’s Ballet. going to be epic. Beijing Comic Con (BJCC) will feature the latest comic Thu Jun 16 to Fri Jun 17, 7.30pm; Rauschenberg in books, products, movies and TV shows, plus a host of activities including a RMB220-880; Opera House of NCPA China Art Cosplay Competition and Artist Gallery. The list of guests includes dozens 国家大剧院 (tickets via sales@the- of big names from the world of comics, movies, TV and cosplay, and, what’s atrebeijing.com) more, fans will have the chance to meet them face-to-face and participate in Q&A and signing sessions. The ‘creative’ stars include Jim Lee, who China’s Future with drew Justice League and Superman/Batman series, while ‘entertainment’ David Shambaugh Talk guests include Brandon Routh of Superman Returns fame, Ming-na Wen (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the voice of Mulan) and kiwi actor Dean O’Gorman, who played Fili the dwarf in The Hobbit film series. Buy tickets via WeChat (RXChinaComicCon) or online via www.beijing.comiccon.com.cn. Thu Jun 9 - Fri Jun 10, 9am-5.30pm; RMB180 (single day), RMB320 (two-day), RMB900 (Creator Guests VIP, two-day), RMB1,900 (Entertainment Guests VIP, two-day); New China International Exhibition Center (NCIEC), 88 Yuxiang Lu, Tianzhu, Shunyi 中国国际展览中心新馆顺义区天竺裕翔路88号 (新国展) This must-see exhibition features Robert Rauschenberg’s (1925-2008) magnum opus The ¼ Mile or 2 Furlong Piece (1981-98); the first One of the world’s leading think- time the 190-part and 305 meter- ers on Chinese affairs, David long work has been exhibited since Shambaugh asks the hard questions 2000. Also included in the exhibi- on China’s future in this talk about tion is a selection of Rauschenberg’s his book, aptly titled China’s Future. color photographs titled Studies for Will China be successful in imple- Chinese Summerhall, taken during menting a new wave of transforma- the artist’s travels in China in 1982. tional reforms to make it the world’s Tue-Sun Jun 12-Aug 21, 10am- leading superpower? Shambaugh 7pm; RMB10; Ullens Center for looks at all of the possibilities in a Contemporary Art (UCCA), 798 Art nuanced and considered manner. District, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang Tue Jun 28, 7.30pm; RMB50; The 朝阳区酒仙桥路4号798艺术区 (8459 Bookwom (see Listings for details) 9269)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 67 EVENTS Happy hours Meal deals WEEKLY SPECIALS Brunch Ladies' nights Food and Drink

HALF-PRICE COFFEE AT TRIBE

TRIBE, Beijing’s organic savior, opened its bangin’ new Lido location last month. The biggest change from their first place? It is now a bona fide bar-having, cocktail-mixing party spot. That doesn’t mean, however, that you should forget about the rest. TRIBE is a one-stop shop for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks, and nothing exemplifies this more than its current coffee deal: a whopping 50-percent off cuppas every morning, 8-11am, at both TRIBE locations. We’ve always throught TRIBE brews a mean coffee, and this is your chance to see if you agree. Of course, nothing goes better with coffee than breakfast – and TRIBE has healthy power bowls, smoothies and pastries that will do just that.

Offer available Mon-Fri, 8-11am; TRIBE Lido, Lido Place, Unit B-103, 6 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区将台路6号B103室 (6431 9289); TRIBE Sanlitun, 1F, Building 3, China View Plaza, 2 Gongti Donglu, Chaoyang 朝阳区中国红街大厦 3号楼 1层工体东路 (8587 1899)

MONDAY to FRIDAY

MONDAY > RMB118/person, Mon-Fri, 12pm- TUESDAY TO FRIDAY 杯胡同7号 (6401 7797) 2:30pm, Agua, 4/F Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Mai Bar Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北路81号那 S.T.A.Y Restaurant Xian Buy two cocktails, get one free. 里花园4楼D308号 (5208 6188 ) Three courses including coffee and tea Whiskey night, discounts on special > 40 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng 东城区 for RMB388/person with 15 percent selected whiskeys. 北锣鼓巷40号 (138 1125 2641) Greyhound Café service charge, 11.30am-2.30pm. > All night, 1/F, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Only RMB28 for a Tsingtao or Bud, and > Level 1, Valley Wing, Shangri-La Hotel, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路22号1层 (8414 MONDAY TO THURSDAY RMB38 for a mojito or dry martini, 5-7pm. 29 Zizhuyuan Lu, Haidian 海淀区紫竹院路 9810) > Greyhound Cafe (see listings for 29号香格里拉酒店1层 (6841 2211-6727) XIU details) Buy-one-get-one-free on selected drinks, WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 6-9pm. Village Café > 6/F, Park Hyatt Beijing, 2 Jianwai Dajie, Set Lunch, RMB98+15% (3 courses), SIZZLER Domain Chaoyang 北京柏悦酒店, 朝阳区建国门外 RMB88+15% (2 courses) After 4pm, get 29 percent off your bill. Happy Burger’s Day, 2 for 1 Burger 大街2号6楼 (8567 1108) > 11.30am-2.30pm, Bldg 1, The Opposite > 3/F Shimao Plaza, 12 Gongti Beilu, promotion. House, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳 Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路12号楼世茂广 > 10.30am-2pm, 2/F, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu, MONDAY TO FRIDAY 区三里屯路11号瑜舍酒店1号楼 (6410 场3楼 (8400 4773) Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路22号2层 (8414 5210) 9830) One East Mao Mao Chong Two-course set lunch: RMB118/ per MEI Cocktails RMB35, 7-11pm. Opus Terrace person, 12:00-2:30pm. All cocktails 50-percent off from 6-9pm. > 12 Banchang Hutong, Jiaodaokou Nan Ladies enjoy free cocktails; on Fridays, 2/F, Hilton Beijing, 1 Dong Fang Road, > 5F Rosewood Beijing, Jing Guang Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区交道口南大街板 it’s bachelors night, where chaps get North Dong Sanhuan Road, Chaoyang Centre, Hujialou, Chaoyang 朝阳区呼家厂胡同12号 (6405 5718) 50 percent off beer and burgers at the 朝阳区东三环北路东方路一号北京希尔顿楼一号京广中心北京瑰丽酒店3层 (6536 same times, 5-8pm. 酒店2层 (5865 5030) 0083) MEI > Opus Bar & Terrace, 48 Liangmaqiao ‘Modern 80s’ themed music all night Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路48号 Great Leap Brewing alongside 50-percent off deals on (5695 8888) 11.30am-2pm, free soft drink or juice MONDAY TO SATURDAY bottles of Belvedere vodka. with any burger or salad or add RMB5 Twilight > 5F Rosewood Beijing, Jing Guang MEI for a Pale Ale #6. Mon-Sat before 8pm and all day Sun, Centre, Hujialou, Chaoyang 朝阳区呼家 Free martinis for ladies from 9-11pm > At Xinzhong Lu branch only, (see RMB20 off cocktails. 楼一号京广中心北京瑰丽酒店3层 (6536 followed by a midnight lucky draw. Listings for details) > 0102, 3/F, Bldg 5, Jianwai SOHO, 39 0083) > 5F Rosewood Beijing, Jing Guang Dongsanhuan Zhong Lu, Chaoyang 朝 Centre, Hujialou, Chaoyang 朝阳区呼家 Hagaki 阳区东三环39号建外SOHO5号3层0102室 Elements 楼一号京广中心北京瑰丽酒店3层 (6536 Set lunch, 11.30am-3pm, Bento style (5900 5376) Free mojitos, champagne and cosmos, 0083) lunch set from RMB58 with no service 9pm-1am. charge. > 58 Gongti Xi Men, Chaoyang 朝阳区工 5-10pm, Daiginjo Sake promotion, TUESDAY 体西门58号 (6551 2373) FRIDAY RMB550 / 150 Bottle / Carafe. Pebbles Mesh > 1/F, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳 Just RMB10 per taco – order as many as 4Corners House Champagne buy 1 bottle get 1 区酒仙桥路22号1层 (8414 9815) you want. Ladies get 15 percent off red wine. free. > Midday to midnight; 74 Wudaoying cheap shots and drink deals at 4Corners’ > Bldg 1, The Opposite House, 11 Agua Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区五道营胡同74 weekly celebration of KTV. Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路11 Agua’s new set lunch menu is RMB118/ 号 (8404 0767) > Dashibei Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区石号瑜舍酒店1号楼 (6410 5220) person for three courses.

68 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM EVENTS

EVERY DAY

Parlor Flamme 南街A-11 (8563 6215) and vegetables each, varying daily. With Daily 6-8pm, buy one get one for free. Cocktail, beers and wine by the glass are R Lounge soup, appetizer for RMB78. Curry sets > 39-8 Xingfuercun, Chaoyang 朝阳区幸 50 percent off from 3-7.30pm daily. Daily 6-9pm, two-for-one standard from RMB55-65 福二村39-8 (8444 4135 ) > S4-33, 3/F, Sanlitun Taikooli, 19 Sanlitun drinks and cocktails. > See Listings for details Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯 > 4/F, Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel, The Big Smoke 太古里南区3层S4-33 (6417 8608) 61 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang 朝 Beijing Marriott Hotel Daily 4-7pm, 20 percent off all cocktails, 阳区东三环中路61号北京富力万丽酒店4 Daily 11.30-2pm, dumplings, noodles house wines and beers. Modo Urban Deli 层 (5863 8112) and desserts, including juice or tea, > 57 Xingfucun Zhonglu, Chaoyang 朝阳 4-7pm cocktails and house wine RMB25 RMB118. Sun/Sat 11.30-2pm, dim sum, 区幸福村中路57号楼利世楼 (6416 2683) and beer RMB15. Transit lobster and unlimited beer, RMB168. > S10-31, 3/F, Bldg 8, Sanlitun Taikooli Daily 6pm-7:30pm, two-for-one. > 26A Xiaoyun Road, Chaoyang 朝阳区霄 Blue Frog South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区 > N4-36, Sanlitun Taikooli North, 11 云路甲26号北京海航大厦万豪酒店(5927 Daily 4-8pm, buy-one-get-one-free all 三里屯路19号三里屯太古里南区8号楼S10- Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路11 8888) drinks. 31 (6415 7207) 号三里屯太古里北区N4-36号 (6417 9090) > Daily 10.00am-late. Sanlitun: Level 3, Vivid S2 Tower, S2-30 Taikoo Li, Sanlitun Lu, Mosaic Isola Daily, 6pm-10pm, two-for-one drinks. Chaoyang District 朝阳区三里屯路太 4-8pm daily happy hour. 11:30am-3pm. Lunch for RMB138. > Vivid, Level 5, Conrad Beijing, 29 North 古里3层S2-30 (6417 4030) Additional > Daily 12pm-2am; 32 S. Sanlitun St 3-6pm Fashion high tea Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东 branches in Jiuxianqiao and U-Town (see (Behind/North of Yashow Silk Market), 5-8pm Happy hour, two-for-one on 三环北路29号北京康莱德酒店5层 (6584 www.bluefrog.com.cn for details) Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯南32号楼临街店 selected drinks 6310) (137 1883 7065) 6-10:30 Dinner set menu, 2-course Centro RMB238, 3-course RMB258. Transit Daily 5-8pm, two-for-one deals. Mosto > N3-47, 3/F, Building 3, Taikoo Li North, Daily 12pm-2.30pm. Choice of > Shangri-la’s Kerry Centre Hotel Beijing, 6-7pm discounts on cocktails, wine and Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路11号院太古里 appetizers, mains, rice or noodles with 1/F, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光 beer. 北区N3-37和 47商铺 (6416 3499) dessert for RMB88. 华路1号香格里拉北京嘉里中心大酒店1层 > 3/F Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, > N4-36/37 Sanlitun Taikooli North, 11 (6561 8833 ext. 42) Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北路81号那里花 Bene Restaurant Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路11 园3层 (5208 6030) Daily 11.30am-2pm. RMB98 includes 号三里屯太古里北区N4-36号 (6417 9090) Feast (Food by East) antipasto with main course, pizza or Works for dinner, 2 course RMB168+15% NOLA pasta. Factory (By Salt) with a glass of wine or soft drinks. 3-8pm. Sun-Thu, half price on Pabst > Sheraton Dongcheng, 36 Beisanhuan Until Sep 30 order summer BBQ > 5.30-10.30pm, 2/F, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Blue Ribbon, Tsingtao and all cocktails Donglu, Dongcheng 东城区北三环东路 catering, from RMB150pp Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路22号2层 (8414 including daiquiris. 36号 (5798 8888) > Factory A1 North, 797 Middle Street, 9820) > A-11 Xiushui Nanjie, Jianguomenwai 798 Art Zone A, Chaoyang 朝阳区 Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街秀水 Cafe Sambal 798艺术区A区七九七中街01#商务楼北楼 Nasi Campur Malaysian set: two meats 一层1号 (010 5762-6451)

WEEKEND

SATURDAY Dom Perignon for RMB1988 for two. Vasco’s > Ritz-Carlton Beijing Financial Street, Sun 11.30am-3pm, international buffet Eudora Station Great Leap Brewing Jinchengfang Dong, 1 Jinrong Jie, with free-flow champagne for RMB458 Sat-Sun 10am-3pm, breakfast buffet with All day Tuesday and Sunday, one select Xicheng 西城区金城坊东金融街1号 (6601 plus 15 percent service charge. one main and free flow juice or coffee beer at RMB25. 6666) > Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, 8 for RMB98. >At Xinzhong Lu branch, (see listings for Wangfujing Dongjie, Dongcheng 东城区 > Opposite Lido Palace, 6 Fangyuan Xi details) Senses and Prego 王府井东街8号(5812 8888 ext. 8411) Lu. Chaoyang 朝阳区芳园西路6号(6437 Sun 11.30am-3pm, Retrolicious 8331) R Lounge Champagne Brunch, international Selection of drinks for free all night. and Asian specialties with free flow SATURDAY TO SUNDAY Migas > 61 Dongsanhuan Zhong Lu, Chaoyang champagne, wines, cocktails and juices Agua Migas rocks two different brunch 朝阳区东三环中路61号北京富力万丽酒店 for RMB 458. Prices subject to 15 percent Sat-Sun, Agua’s Infinity Weekend Brunch options: Saturday, grilled meat heavy; 4层 (5863 8241) service. is RMB298 for infinite food, plus RMB168 and Sunday, paella heavy (both RMB210, > The Westin Beijing Financial Street, 9B for free flow drinks. +RMB138 for 2hrs free flow cava, coffee, SUNDAY Financial Street, Xicheng 西城区金融大街 > 12-2:30pm (free flow until 3pm), tea soft drinks). 乙9号(6629 7810) Agua, 4/F Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, > Daily 12pm-3pm; Migas 6/F Nali Patio, Great Leap Brewing Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北路81号那里花 Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯 All day Tuesday and Sunday, one select Seasonal Tastes 园4楼D308号 (5208 6188) 北街那里花园6层 beer at RMB25. Sun 11.30am-3pm Unlimited buffet for >At Xinzhong Lu branch, (see listings for RMB428-498 per person plus 15 percent Aroma Sui Yuan details) surcharge. Sat-Sun 11.30am-3pm, international Sat-Sun and public holidays 10.30am- > Westin Chaoyang, 7 North buffet starting at RMB518 plus 15 2.30pm, unlimited dim sum for RMB128 The Village Cafe Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东 percent service charge. plus 15 percent surcharge. Sun 3:30pm-sold out. Sunday roast 三环北路7号(5922 8880) > Ritz-Carlton Beijing, 83A Jianguo Lu, > Hilton Double Tree, 168 Guang’anmen RMB98 (+15%; 50% off for kids under China Central Place, Chaoyang 朝阳区建 Waidajie, Xicheng 西城区广安门外大街 12) Sureño 国路83甲(5908 8161) 168号 (6338 1999 ext. 1726) > The Opposite House, Building 1, No. 11 RMB228 for 2 courses, RMB328 for 3 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路 courses. Supplement RMB150 for free Café Sambal 11 号院 1 号楼瑜舍酒店 flow cocktails; supplement RMB200 for Sat-Sun, RMB98, Café Sambal is rolling free flow Champaign (all prices subject out weekend brunch. Three courses plus Qi to 15% service charge) coffee, tea or fruit punch. Sun 11.30am-2pm, all-you-can-eat dim > Bldg 1, The Opposite House, 11 > 43 Doufuchi Hutong, Jiugulou Dajie, sum including one double-boiled soup Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路11 Dongcheng 东城区旧鼓楼大街豆腐池胡同 for RMB288 per person. Add a bottle of 号瑜舍酒店1号楼 (6410 5240) 43号 (6400 4875)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 69 Expensive...... ¥ Expense Account ...... ¥¥ Highly Recommended ...... * LISTINGS Top Ten ...... ** a diner, but a diner this is not. Rosewood OPEN DOOR RESTAURANT Beijing’s resplendent Northern Chinese restaurant serves elegant Hebei fare unlike The Hot One Hundred you’ve ever had it. Excellent peking duck is About This guide represents our editors’ on offer as well. > Daily 11.30am-2.30pm and 5.30-10:30pm; 3F top 100 picks, and includes some That’s Rosewood Beijing, Jing Guang Centre, Hujialou, Beijing advertisers. Restaurants rated(*) Chaoyang 朝阳区呼家楼一号京广中心北京瑰丽酒店 have been personally reviewed by our 3层 (6597 8888) experts, and scored according to the Da Dong 大董 cuisine, experience and affordability. Among the city’s most famous haunts, Da Dong guarantees slick cuts of Beijing-style roast duck and delectable wrap fillings. The CHINESE venue’s a class act and the plum sauce is hard to follow. Contemporary & Mixed Cuisine > Daily 11am-10pm; 22 Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng 东城区东四十条甲22号 (5169 0328); see www.dadon- 8 Qi Nian 祈年8号 (Cantonese/Sichuan) gdadong.com for more locations The New World Hotel’s flagship restaurant has classic Chinese cuisine in abundance, Duck de Chine 全鸭季 ¥ * as well as some vitality-restoring medicinal Good duck is meant to show your guests soups. (Their decent wine list is just as how wonderful you are, as much as the effective.) food. Duck De Chine does that in spades, > Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:15pm, 5:30-9:30pm, Sat/Sun with fantastic presentation of its crispy, 12-2:45pm, 5:30-9:30pm; 2/F, New World Hotel, 8 succulent duck (RMB188). Qinian Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区祈年大街8号新世界 > Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm; Courtyard 4, 酒店2层 (5960 8822) 1949 The Hidden City, Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路4号院 (6501 8881) ; 98 Jinbao Jie, Bellagio 鹿港小镇 (Taiwanese) Dongcheng 东城区金宝街98号 (6521 2221) A favorite among the city’s hip and young, this swanky Taiwanese restaurant chain is The Horizon 海天阁 (Cantonese Beijing the place for mountainous shaved ice des- Duck) ** serts and creamy bubble teas. Kerry Hotel’s Chinese restaurant has > 11am-11pm; 6 Gongti Xilu Chaoyang 工体西路6 widened its predominantly Cantonese 号 (6551 3533) see www.bellagiocafe.com.cn for more locations and Sichuan horizons to include dim sum, double-boiled soups and Peking duck – and Din Tai Fung 鼎泰丰 ¥ (Taiwanese) the roast bird here really is fabulous. This Taipei-based franchise impressed Ken > Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5:30pm-10pm 1/F, Beijing Hom enough to call it one of the best 10 Kerry Hotel, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华路 1号嘉里中心1层 (8565 2188) eateries in the world, back in 1993. Famous for its dependably delicious xiaolongbao Xihe Village Restaurant and Bar or little steam buns. Book ahead, there’s always a long wait. > Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5-10pm, weekends 11.30am-10pm; 24 Middle Street, Xinyuanxili, Chaoyang 朝阳区新源西里中街24号 (近渔阳饭店) (6462 4502) > Additional branches in Shin Kong Place; Parkview Green; Grand Pacific Mall Xidan; Modern Plaza Zhongguancun; see www.dintaifung. com.cn for details

No 16 Courtyard 后海16号 (Beijing) Houhai No. 16 is a courtyard restaurant in Houhai, specializes in dishes once served for the government in the imperial times, with customizable menus. ¥380/person (without drinks)Open: 11.30am-9pm > D4, Dajin Hutong. Xicheng District, 西城区后海大金丝胡同4号(8322 6461,13716551797,www. houhai16.com) > Mon-Fri Lunch: 11am-2.30pm; Dinner: 5-9pm; Jing Yaa Tang 京雅堂 (Chinese, Peking Sun: 11am-9pm, S9-33, 3/F, South Area of Sanlitun Duck) Taikooli, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路19 号三里屯太古里南区三层S9-33(6417 6082) Resembling something between a nightclub and a theater, the Opposite House’s Shanghai basement restaurant proves to be more SIZZLER than just style over substance with their Shanghai Min 小南国 range of expertly prepared classic dishes. Many swear this chain has the best > Daily 12-10:30pm, B1/F, The Opposite House, Shanghai-style hongshaorou north of the License to Grill Sanlitun Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路11号院1号 Yangtze. The jury’s out, but its popularity 楼瑜舍酒B1楼 (6410 5230) remains. > 0505, 5/F Raffles City Mall, 1 Dongzhimen Nan If you hadn’t heard already, Sizzler is redefining casual dining. Its menu fea- Wu Li Xiang 屋里香 (Cantonese, Sichuan) Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区东直门南大街1号来福士 tures some fantastic hot dishes that span steak, seafood, BBQ and much else * 购物中心5楼0505号铺 (400 820 9777)> Additional Impressive views don’t detract from the branches in Financial Street; Jinbao Jie; Oriental besides. On our most recent visit – to the buzzing Shimao Gongsan outlet in exquisitely presented cuisine of Chef Kam, Plaza; Sanlitun Soho; Xinyuan Nan Lu (see www. Sanlitun – we tried out the New York steak (RMB238). This is Sizzler’s premium especially the dim sum. Swanky classics online.thatsmags.com for details) from all the main culinary regions of China, cut, and it shows – our medium-rare steak is expertly cooked and wonderfully including, of course, “Monk Jump Over the Wang Jia Sha 王家沙 tender. While we were there, we also tried out some of the other dishes from Wall” – braised pork in oyster sauce. Modern Shanghai cuisine – popular with Hong Kong celebrities – famed for its crab- the signature collection, namely the grilled salmon with tomato salsa (RMB139) > Daily 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm; 2-3/F, Traders Upper East Hotel, Beijing, 2 Dongsihuan Beilu, Chaoyang meat dumplings. Try the spiced-salt ribs and the barbecue pork ribs (RMB159) both of which hit the spot perfectly. Plus, 朝阳区东四环北路2号北京上东盛贸饭店二三层 (RMB62) for a bit of Adam action. (5907 8406) > Daily, S1-30a Taikoo Li Sanlitun (on the third floor every main dish comes with access to Sizzler’s all-you-can-eat salad bar, which of i.t shop) 朝阳区三里屯路19号院太古里1号楼3层 is a sight to behold. In addition to pre-mixed salads, there’s a dizzying array of Yipin 一品 (Huaiyang) * S1-30a号商铺 (6416 3469) fruits, vegetables, soups and even pasta, to ensure that you hit your ‘5-a-day’ The Sofitel Beijing’s boutique Chinese restaurant, Yipin is a beautifully thought-out Sichuan/Hunan with ease. Just make sure you leave enough space for the main act. Fo’ Sizzle! conflux of all that is elegant, traditional and > We ate at the Sanlitun Shimao Gongsan 三里屯世茂工三店 branch (8400 tasty. Huaiyang cuisine headlines the menu, Chuan Ban 川办 * This bright, modestly decorated dining hall 4014). Other outlets of Sizzler can be found at Wangfujing Oriental Plaza Store so expect sweet and delicate and sweet flavors with impeccable presentation. is frequently cited as Beijing’s best Sichuan 王府井东方广场店 (8518 6315); Chongwenmen Glory Mall Store 崇文门国瑞购 > Sofitel Wanda Beijing, Tower C, Wanda Plaza, 93 restaurant. 物中心店 (6714 0399); Wangjing Capital Mall 望京凯德购物中心店 (6471 3876); Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国路93号万达广场C > Mon-Fri 7-9am, 10.50am-2pm, 4.50-9.30pm; Sat- 座索菲特酒店 (8599 6666) Sun 7am-10pm; 5 Gongyuan Toutiao, Jianguomennei Wanliu BHG 万柳华联商场店 (8258 9405) Wan Shoulu Crystal Capital Mall 万 Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区建国门内贡院头条5号 (6512 寿路凯德晶品店 (6826 086); Xizhimen Capital Mall 西直门凯德购物中心店Mall Peking Duck 2277, ext. 6101) (5830 2199); Changying Paradise Walk 常营龙湖天街店 (8539 0438); Tianjin Joy Country Kitchen Karaiya Spice House 辣屋 * City 天津大悦城店 (8728 1620). All stores open daily, 10am-10pm. The name ‘Country Kitchen’ may sound like Bold and fiery Hunan cuisine in the most serene of restaurant interiors. Don’t miss

70 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM LISTINGS the dry roasted duck with a dozen spices 阳区光化路9号世贸天阶南楼L404A (6587 1431) > and stir fried bullfrog with shiso leaves and Additional venues in Sanlitun; Taikoo Li Mall; Indigo OPEN DOOR ginger. Peanut milk is there to soothe the Mall (see www.middle8th.com for details) palate: you’ll need it. > Daily 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-10pm; 3/F, Sanlitun Yun’er Small Town 云洱小镇 Taikoo Li South, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯太古里19号 Folksy and affordable Yunnanese fare on 院南区三层S9-30 (6415 3535) Beiluoguxiang. Fragrant dishes including the jasmine bulbs with scrambled eggs, South Memory 望湘园 lemongrass shrimp, and banana leaf This restaurant chain is the Hunan staple wrapped bolete mushrooms will keep us in the capital. The trademark shilixiang crawling back. niurou (fragrant beef), duojiao shuangse > Daily 10am-11pm, 84 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng yutou (dual-colour spiced fish head) and 东城区北锣鼓巷84号 (8404 2407) meltingly tender frog dishes are among the favorites with locals. Dumplings > Daily 11am-10pm; 2/F, 230-232, Fenglian Plaza, 18 Chaoyangmen Wai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝外大街 Baoyuan Jiaoziwu 宝源饺子屋 18号丰联广场2楼230-232号 (6588 1797); see www. Famous for their rainbow of dyed dump- southmemory.com for more locations lings, Baoyuan have their jiaozi (six, under RMB10) wrapped in a larger yuanbao Yuxiang Renjia 渝乡人家 silver-ingot shape, with creative vegetarian The menu here is old-fashioned and options and authentic Sichuan food. reliably good. The lazi ji is crispy but not > Daily 11am-10pm; north of 6 Maizidian Jie, too greasy, the pepper-sauce noodle, with Chaoyang 朝阳区麦子店街6号楼北侧 (6586 4967) spinach, is filling and refreshing. Assorted confections are guaranteed to comfort Mr Shi’s Dumplings 老石饺子馆 numbed-and-burned tongues, too. Since recieving a Lonely Planet recommen- > Daily 11am-2pm, 5-9pm 5/F, Lianhe Dasha (Union dation the prices have risen and the walls Plaza), 20 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳 are covered in backpackers’ scribbles, but 区朝阳门外大街20号联合大厦五层 (6588 3841) see the fantastic dumplings – boiled and fried – www.yuxiangrenjia.com for other locations are still fantastic. > 74 Baochao Hutong, Gulou Dong Dajie, Yu Xin 渝信川菜 Dongcheng 东城区鼓楼东大街宝钞胡同74号 (8405 Open since 1993, Yu Xin’s authentic Sichuan 0399, 131 6100 3826) dishes have earned a loyal fanbase. Their liangfen – a jelly-like substance cut into Regional chunky strips and dressed in an addictive spicy sauce – hits the spot. The rustic, inti- Crescent Moon (Xinjiang) * mate setting of bamboo cubicles and swift, Roast mutton enthusiasts go over the friendly service complete the experience. moon at this reputable Xinjiang Muslim > Daily 11am-10pm; 5A Xingfu Yicun Xili, Chaoyang restaurant. Eastern European and Central 朝阳区幸福一村西里甲5号 see www.yuxin1997.com Asian influences are evident throughout, for other locations. with peppery and cumin-spiced dishes livening up traditional Chinese favorites. Transit 渡金湖 ¥¥ ** > Daily 10am-11:30pm; 16 Dongsi Liutiao, Sichuan is known for its blazing spices and Dongcheng 东四六条16号 (6400 5281) its equally hot girls. While the latter are up to you, the creative minds at Transit have Da Gui (Guizhou) made some fiery additions to the classical, Guizhou’s famed hot-and-sour cuisine nes- chili-thumping canon, and they will charge tled into a charming traditional alleyway. you for that knowledge. But unlike many Munch happily into pickled greens and equally expensive joints, this is high-end don’t miss the salty-sweet deep-fried black Chinese dining at its best. sesame balls. They’re sensational. > Daily 12-2.30pm, 6 -10pm; N4-36, Sanlitun Taikoo Li > Daily 10am-2pm, 5-10pm; 69 Daxing Hutong, North, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路11 Jiaodaokou, Dongcheng 东城区交道口大兴胡同69 号三里屯太古里北区N4-36号 (6417 9090) 号 (6407 1800) Yunnan Makye Ame (Tibetan) Determined to prove that Tibetan cuisine Dali Courtyard 大里院子 * consists of more than just yak-butter tea, If you like authentic Yunnanese food, you’ll the Beijing branch of this nationwide chain have to trust the staff: there’s no menu, it serves up nomadic classics such as curried all just arrives in an intimate courtyard set- potatoes and roast lamb. ting. The price (RMB120/person) matches > Daily 10-midnight; 11A Xiushui Nanjie, the rustic ingredients. Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外秀水南街 > Daily 12-2pm, 6-10.30pm; Gulou Dong Dajie, 67 甲11号 (6506 9616) Xiaojingchang Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区鼓楼东大街小经厂胡同67号 (8404 1430) ShiChengJi Shaobing 实诚吉烧饼 If ever a food were able to alleviate life’s Hani Gejiu 哈尼个旧 ¥ difficulties – however temporarily – then Somthing about Gulou makes it the perfect this is surely it. In one bite, these beef shao- district for Yunnan food, and this little gem bing will remind you exactly why you first is up their with the best. Contender for chose to live in Beijing. They’re that good. friendliest service in town. Queues of locals are testament. > Mon-Sat 11am-10pm; 46 Zhonglouwan Hutong, > Daily 7am-7pm; 43 Dongsi Liutiao, Dongcheng 东 Dongcheng 东城区钟楼弯胡同46号 (6401 3318) 城区东四六条43号 (186 1029 5038)

Lost Heaven 花马天堂 (Yunnan, SE Asian) Xinjiang Red Rose (Xinjiang) * One of Beijing’s most famous Xinjiang restaurant, Red Rose serves some of the tenderest lamb skewers around, matched by enormous servings of classics like da- panji (a chicken, potato and pepper stew), latiaozi (noodles with a spicy tomato sauce) and nang (baked flatbrea). > Daily 10.30am-11pm; Inside 7 Xingfuyicun, opposite Workers’ Stadium North Gate, Chaoyang 朝阳区工人体育场北门对面幸福一村7巷内 (6415 5741) WESTERN BLUE FROG Fine Dining Under the Sea, Under the Sea Barolo ¥¥ (Italian) * Average Italian abounds in Beijing: not here, though. Quite the opposite, in fact, Blue frog is burger central – this you know already (unless you’ve been living meaning Barolo is as well-regarded as the under a rock). This month, though, the bar and grill is changing things up with Piedmont wine it is named after. An emphasis on Yunnan characterizes this > Mon-Sun 11.30am-2pm, 6pm-10pm. Ritz Carlton its Summer Seafood Menu. Inspired by the beach vacations people love this menu’s fresh journey through the SE Asia Hotel, China Central Place, 83A Jianguo Lu, season, blue frog is serving up a variety of fresh, tasty seaside dishes. To start, passage, with a grandiose yet dark teak Chaoyang 朝阳区建国路甲83号华贸中心丽思卡尔顿 interior. 酒店内 (5908 8151) there’s the Soft Shell Crab & Shrimp Salad, which sees a healthy salad topped > Daily noon-2pm, 5pm-10.30 (bar open till 1am). with crab from Myanmar and juicy shrimp. Next are the Poached Chilean Blue Ch’ien Men 23, 23 Qianmen Dongdajie, Dongcheng Grange Grill ** Mussels, smothered in a creamy tomato sauce. 东城区前门东大街23号(8516 2698) Located in the Westin Beijing Chaoyang, Grange Grill serves up some of the city’s For a satisfying main, we love both the Pan-Fried Icelandic Sea Bass and the Middle 8th Restaurant 中八楼 * best steak, seafood and grill offerings. The Hip and slightly swanky, without being pre- Seafood Laksa. They’re both hearty, and go nicely alongside the Taiwanese restaurant’s welcoming decor provides a tentious, this is a celebration of all things relaxing atmosphere to enjoy a glass of Seafood Fried Rice. All seafood dishes have been lovingly developed by blue ‘south of the clouds’ – so try crisp-fried cocktail or a fine vintage from the extensive frog’s fantastic Executive Chef Ling – and if that’s not enough for you, the team worms, or “crossing-the-bridge” noodles, wine collection. Be sure to try the ‘luxuri- beef jerky-style yak meat and fresh, wild at any blue frog location will happily recommend the perfect wine, beer or ous oyster feast,’ where you can enjoy the herbs galore. delicacy raw, grilled or with cheese. cocktail to accompany all that ocean fun. > The Place Branch: Daily 11am-11pm, L404A, South Tower, The Place, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝 > Lunch: Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, Sat and Sun > blue frog (see Listings for details)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 71 excellent – as are the Mojitos. > Daily 10am-10pm (Lunch start from 11am, Only OPEN DOOR > Daily 11:30am-9:30pm, 1/F, China Overseas Plaza, afternoon tea served on Mon-Fri 2.30-5pm), No. 8 Guanghua Dongli, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华东里8号中 19/20, B1/F, Jia Ming Center, 27 Dongsanhuan Beilu, 海广场北楼1层 (5977 2789) Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环北路27号嘉铭中心地下一层 19/20号(6500 3354) Chi (Organic, Fusion) Hutong set-menu dining par-excellence, VIC with organic ingredients all locally sourced. Not to be confused with the notorious From the owners of neighboring Saffron. nightclub of the same name, this VIC is > Daily, opens 10:30am, last order 9:30pm, 67 the Sofitel Beijing’s casual dining restau- Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区五道营胡同 rant. All the major world cuisines are in 67号 (6445 7076) attendance here – make you pay special attentions to the French-inspired breads C Pearl (Oysters, Seafood) ¥ * and pastries – as is the customary Sunday This slick oyster restaurant imports fresh champagne brunch. shells from Canada, South Africa, France, > Sofitel Wanda Beijing, Tower C, Wanda Plaza, 93 USA and more – and they are well worth Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国路93号万达广场C the price. The fries are the best we’ve had 座索菲特酒店6层 (8599 6666) in Beijing, beer and wine selection also excellent. Yi House (Contemporary Western) > Tue-Sun 5.30pm-2am; 14-2, Bldg 14, Shunyuanli, Nestled in the confines of 798, Yi’s great Xinyuan Jie, Yansha Qiao, Chaoyang 朝阳区燕莎桥新 tasting brunch is bettered only by their 源街顺源里14号楼14-2号 (5724 5886) wide range of cocktails. Sundays offer jazz brunches with lobster and champagne. Grill 79 (Steak) > Daily 11am-3pm, 6pm-12am; 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, 798 With views this good, Grill 79 would prob- Yishu Qu, No.1 706 Houjie, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥 ably make it onto the list even if the food 路2号院798艺术区706后街1号 (6436 1818) was terrible. It’s something of a bonus then that the kitchen is superb, and supported Café/Deli/Sandwich by one of the most extensive wine lists in town. awfullychocolate > Daily 6.30-10.30am, noon-2pm, 6-10pm. 79/F, China World Trade Center Phase 3, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸大酒店 79楼 (6505 2299 ext 6424)

THE RUG Factory Fun, contemporary cuisine that’s as creative as its 798 environs – plus some South Cool As A Cucumber American fare from Chef Camilla Betin. >Factory A1, North Business Building 797 Zhongjie, 798 Art Zone A, Chaoyang 朝阳区798艺术区A区七九 Get a taste of summer at Beijing’s premier brunch spot The Rug. Inspired by the 七中街01商务楼北楼一层1号 (5762 6451) owners’ travels, eating through The Rug’s new menu is like taking a culinary Miss K Cafe (Xing Fu Cafe) tour through the world’s tastiest destinations: Southeast Asia, Africa, Spain, Whether it’s a rainy morning or a sunny af- Italy, India, plus more. On our most recent visit we enjoy several new addi- ternoon, relax with your favorite novel and tions such as the ox-tail pho (RMB58), homemade kingfish ceviche (RMB68) a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Experience a quiet moment of serenity amid the hustle and chicken mango egg burrito (RMB102). Each dish is full of flavor with lovely and bustle of Beijing. This place is anything but awful. The cakes, inspired touches such as mango sauce and homemade prawn cracker. To fin- >Daily, 8am-8.30pm; 1/F, Tower A, East Gate Plaza, Dongzhimen, Dongcheng 东城区东直门东环广场A座 ice creams and pastries are enough to ish the meal we down some of their zesty cucumber shots (RMB28 for two): a 一层幸福咖啡馆 (6418 1096) satisfy any sweet tooth. blend of fresh cucumber, gin and special spices. An innovative new wine and >Daily 9am-10.30pm, 1) Sanlitun: Opposite to BHG, Missa (European) B1/F, Southern area of Taikooli, Sanlitun, Chaoyang beer menu also tempts the taste buds. While the temperature heats up, you 朝阳区三里屯太古里地下一层华联超市对面 (8468 Whether it is the tender, imported cuts of can always count on The Rug to keep things cool. 3802); 2) Indigo: B1/F, Indigo Mall, 18 Jiuxianqiao meat or the long list of expertly made and Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路18号颐堤港地下一 > The Rug (see Listings for details) creative cocktails going down your gullet, 层 (8426 0917); 3) Joy City Chaoyang: 5/F Joy City you can’t really go wrong at this refined Chaoyang, Qingnian Lu, Chaoyang Beilu, Chaoyang relaxed lounge like restaurant. 朝阳区朝阳北路青年路朝阳大悦城5楼悦界区 (8582 > Daily 6pm-late. 32-33, 3/F, Bldg 3, Sanlitun Taikoo 2677); 4) Raffles City: B1/F, Raffles City, Dongzhimen, 11.30am-3.pm; Dinner: Daily 5.30-10.30pm; The > Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 6-10pm; 23 Songzhusi Li North, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯太古里北区3号楼3 Dongcheng 东城区东直门来福士地下一层 (8409 8038) 东城区沙滩北街嵩 Westin Beijing Chaoyang 7 North East Third Ring Temple, Shatan Beijie, Dongcheng 层32-33 (137 1851 7917) Road, Chaoyang 东三环北路7号 (5922 8888)Bras- 祝寺23号 (8400 2232) Mosto (European, South American) ¥ * Beiluo Bread Bar (Café) serie Flo ¥¥ (French) * This local hipster café favorite offers in- Marble slabs, mosaic floors and brass Mio ¥¥ A perpetually busy lunch and evening spot, Glitzy Italian fare at the Four Seasons, with thanks to chef Daniel Urdaneta’s skill for house baked bread and sandwiches but fittings establish the Parisian bona fides; we usually go for the hand-pulled noodles. dishes like snails (RMB78), oysters (RMB48 a mobile Bellini cart, wheeled straight to modernising South American-style dishes your table.The Chef crafts a superb squash like ceviche and risotto in his open kitchen. Gets cozy at night. each) and steak tartare (RMB158) confirm. > Tue-Sun noon-10pm. 70A Beiluoguxiang, tortellini by hand, and pampers diners with > Sun-Thu noon-2.30pm, 6-10pm; Fri-Sat noon- The grandeur is matched only by the ser- Dongcheng 东城区北锣鼓巷甲70号(近南锣鼓巷) 2.30pm, 6-10.30pm. 3/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, vice, and the prices reflect the authenticity desserts like the deconstructed tiramisu. (8408 3069) of the experience. >Daily lunch 11.30am - 2.30pm, dinner 5.30pm Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园3层 (5208 6030) > Daily 11am-midnight; 18 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang 朝 -10.30pm, Four Seasons Hotel, 48 Liangmaqiao Café Zarah (Café) * Lu, Chaoyang, 朝阳区亮马桥路48号北京四季酒店阳区霄云路18号 (6595 5135) (5695 8888) Sizzler A smart new interior and menu for this Sizzler invented ‘casual dining’ in Australia longstanding cafe has propelled it from The Georg ** S.T.A.Y. ¥¥ (French) when it introduced the first soup, salad, hipster hangout to Gulou institution. Large, This hutong mansion has an elegant Luxury dining with three-Michelin-starred pasta and fresh fruit concept. Since those airy and with a terrace for summer, the only restaurant, leather-couched lounge area, chef, Alléno Yannick’s, back-to-basics pioneering days, it has expanded its ‘classic downside is it’s always packed. sleek bar and sick location near Houhai. But kitchen concept, which includes a mouth- grill’ to include, not only steak and sea- > Daily 9.30am-midnight，42 Gulou Dongdajie, most importantly, it has some of the most watering ‘pastry library’. Classic dishes food, but also delicious chicken dishes, BBQ Dongcheng 东城区鼓楼东大街42号 (8403 9807) thoughtful, innovative cuisine in town. Go usually include dishes such as steak, foie ribs, combination meals, and burgers. Café Flatwhite for a dinner you won’t forget. gras, rack of lamb, plus a spit roast and grill ‘Variety’ and ‘freedom to choose’ set Sizzler >10.30am-midnight (dinner 6-10.30pm), closed Hailing from New Zealand, Café Flatwhite for international standard fine-dining. apart from other dining experiences. At Mondays; 45 Dongbuyaqiao Hutong, Dongcheng 东 uses fresh and healthy ingredients in its > Daily 11:30am-2:30pm; 5:30pm-10pm; Sundays Sizzler customers are free to control the 城区东不压桥胡同45号 (8408 5300) tasty selection of sandwiches, pizzas, salads 11am- 4pm. Shangri La, Valley Wing, 1/F, 29 volume, nutritional balance and variety of and brunch options, all served alongside Capital M ¥ (Contemporary Western) ** Zizhuyuan Lu, Haidian 海淀区紫竹院路29号北京香格 each meal by ordering from the grill and 里拉饭店 (6841 2211 Ext. 6727) some of the best coffee in Beijing. The Art Deco interior, swish staff and helping themselves to our famous soup, > Open Daily, Mon-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am-9pm; salad, pasta and fruits. breathtaking views over the archery towers Contemporary Western Sanlitun Soho Store: B1-239, Building 2, Sanlitun from Qianmen ensures the pinnacle of >All stores open daily, 10am-10pm ;Wangfujing SOHO, 8 Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北 Oriental Plaza Store 王府井东方广场店 (8518 6315); al-fresco dining, with world-class modern Alﬁe’s ¥ (British) 路8号院三里屯SOHO2号楼B1-239 (5785 3762 / Chongwenmen Glory Mall Store 崇文门国瑞购物中 15910944325); 751 D-Park Store: No.4, 798 Dashanzi European stylings and deliciously posh What’s all this about, then? British gastro- 心店 (6714 0399); Wangjing Capital Mall 望京凯德购 afternoon tea. Art District, Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙 pub classics, (like pukker fish and chips, 物中心店 (6471 3876); Wanliu BHG 万柳华联商场店桥路4号798大山子艺术区751动力广场 (6432 2798 > Daily 11.30am-10.30pm. Floor 3, 2 Qianmen RMB188), a swanky gentleman’s club (8258 9405) Wan Shoulu Crystal Capital Mall 万寿路东城区前门步行街号层 / 13522120390); 798 Dashanzi Art District Store: Buxingjie, Dongcheng 2 3 interior, and located in a chic modern art 凯德晶品店 (6826 086); Xizhimen Capital Mall 西直 (6702 2727) D09-1, No.4, 798 Dashanzi Art District, Jiuxianqiao gallery-cum-mall. That’s what, mate. 门凯德购物中心店Mall (5830 2199); Sanlitun Shimao Lu, Chaoyang朝阳区酒仙桥路4号 798艺术区D09-1 Gongsan 三里屯世茂工三店 (8400 4014); Changying Héritage ¥¥ > Daily, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-10pm, brunch served (5978 9067 / 13051771436); China Central Mall on weekends; Parkview Green, 9 Dongdaqiao Lu, Paradise Walk 常营龙湖天街店 (8539 0438); Tianjin A French country-style chateau in the Store (Hua Mao): China Central Mall, Room L315, Chaoyang 朝阳区东大桥路9号芳草地L1-22 (5662 Joy City 天津大悦城店 (8728 1620) 81 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang朝阳区建国路81号L315 heart of Beijing. A chef de cuisine with 8777) (8588 7978 / 15652922791); Jianguomenwai DRC Michelin star restaurant experience and an Stuﬀ’d (Contemporary Western) Store: Building 7-1-11, 1 Silk Street, Chaoyang 朝 extensive wine cellar make this Sofitel Hotel Bistrot B The concept of Stuff’d is to simply stuff 阳区秀水街1号建国门外外交公寓7-1-11 (8532 2633 restaurant one of the best French dining Rosewood Beijing’s exquisite French res- one kind of food in another. From sausage / 18701092189) www.cafeflatwhite.com, cafeflat- experiences in town. taurant is the sort of place chefs like to eat. calzone pizzas (RMB68) to scotch eggs – it [email protected], WeChat username: Cafe- > 6F Sofitel Wanda Beijing, Tower C, Wanda Plaza, Expect lavish luxury. all works. On-site micro brewery a bonus. Flatwhite 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国路93号万达广场 > Daily, 11.30am-2.30pm and 5.30-10:30pm; 1F > Wed-Mon, 11:30am-2:45pm, 6-10pm, 9 Jianchang C座索菲特酒店6层 (8599 6666) Rosewood Beijing, Jing Guang Centre, Hujialou, Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区箭厂胡同9号 (6407 6308) Element Fresh (Contemporary Western) Chaoyang 朝阳区呼家楼一号京广中心北京瑰丽酒店 Chain of restaurants and one of the longest Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) ¥¥ 3层 (65360066) Tomacado running with quality ingredients and good (Contemporary Western) ** Tomacado is indeed a mash-up of ‘tomato’ service. One of the mainstays in Beijing. Setting is everything here, especially if Caribeño (Latin) and ‘avocado’ – and while you’ll certainly > Daily Mon-Fri 10am-11pm, Sat-Sun 7am-11pm. it’s fashioned inside a restored Buddhist Heavy Cuban influence, but there are dishes find these ingredients on the menu, you 833, Building 8, 19 Sanlitun Taikoo Li South, Sanlitun temple. The bold contemporary European from all over the Latin continent here. The can also expect pleasant drinks, light soups Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯太古里南区 cuisine is fitting in majesty and the service Ropa Vieja (shredded beef on potato) is and heartier main courses from this charm- 8号楼833 (6417 1318) alone is worthy of worship. ing cafe. Fowers are also available for sale.

72 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM LISTINGS

MODO Urban Deli (Contemporary 区金桐西路10号远洋光华国际中心AB座一层15 16单 North Dongsanhuan, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环北路9 all fantastic, but just as good is a classic Western) * 元 (8590 3168) 号2层 (6584 6270) Margherita pizza. Yates Wine Lodge this is not. Unconven- > Daily, 11:30am-10:30pm, N3-47, 3/F, Building 3, tional and great fun, this compact eatery Chef Too ¥ Morton’s of Chicago (American) ¥¥ * Taikoo Li North, 11 Sanlitun Street, Chaoyang 朝阳 was designed around an ever-changing se- With its crisp white tablecloths and service, Meat so tender the knife falls through it: 区三里屯路11号院太古里北区N3-37和 47商铺 (6416 lection of fine wines. Serves up fresh tapas this upscale New York diner serves up some ritzy Morton’s deserves the worldwide 3499, www.gaiagroup.com.hk/isola-beijing, reserva- style food and original finger foods. of the classiest burgers in town. praise. Expensive, but where else are you [email protected] ) > Sun-Thu noon-10pm, Fri-Sat noon-10.30pm; 3/F, > Tue-Fri 11am-1pm; Sat-Sun 9.30am-3pm; Tue-Sat going to get steak this good? (Try the Sanlitun Taikoo Li South (close to Element Fresh), 19 5.30pm-10pm. Opposite the West gate, Chaoyang RMB550 set menu if you want to save cash) Florentina 翡冷翠意大利餐厅 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯太 Park, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳公园西门 (6591 8676) > Mon-Sat 5:30-11pm, Sun 5-10:30pm; 2/F, Regent Hotel, 99 Jinbao Jie, Dongcheng 东城区金宝街99号古里南区3楼(近新元素) (6415 7207) American/BBQ/Grill 丽晶酒店二层 (6523 7777) MOKA Bros (Contemporary Western) * The Big Smoke * Steak Exchange Restaurant+Bar (Contem- Power bowls, salads and wraps are the kind Taking the Home Plate BBQ concept and of fare on offer at this trendy Nali Patio porary Western) ¥¥ * upscaling was a gourmet masterstroke. Full space, which also has a great selection of The bill is hopefully on the company kuai at menu evenings only (also delivers rotisserie cakes and pastries if you’re feeling more this opulent eatery, where charcoal-grilled chicken via Uncle Otis). indulgent. cuts of 250-day, grain-fed Australian Angus > Daily Mon-Sat 11am-midnight, Sun 11am-10pm. > Sanlitun: Sun-Thu 11am-10:30pm, Fri/Sat 11am- start from around RMB428 and merrily First Floor, Lee World Building (opposite Frost Nails), 11:30pm, B101b Nali Patio South, 81 Sanlitun Beilu spiral. But the meat is unquestionably suc- 57 Xingfucun Zhong Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区幸福村 Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路81号B101B南楼 (5208 culent, and cooked exactly to order. 中路 57号楼利世楼 (6416 5195, 6416 268, www. 6079) ; Solana: Solana Lakeside Dining Street, 6 > Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10.30pm. InterContinen- uncle-otis.com) Chaoyang Park Road, Chaoyang 朝阳区湖畔美食街 tal Beijing Financial Street, 11 Jinrong Jie, Xicheng 西朝阳公园路6号院蓝色港湾 (5905 6259) 城区金融街11号北京金融街洲际酒店 (5852 5921) Home Plate BBQ * Ricci Scruffy looks and laid-back staff belie the O’Steak Named after a 17th century Italian Jesuit popularity of this entry-level brick-smoker A well-cooked steak in Beijng isn’t all that barbecue joint, that blossoms in the (duh), this creative café has a funky, kooky- rare anymore, and here we have affordable Florentina serves authentic Italian fare in meets-organic vibe and serves up some of sunny months. Pulled-pork sandwiches but quality cuts. Don’t be fooled by the are the favorites, followed by baby-back low-key, yet elegant surrounds. Cuisine is the best casual western food in town, and Irish sounding name, it’s an authentic high-end, the environment is relaxed. A a great brunch at the Wudaokou location rib racks. Beer and bourbons are taken French bistro – not a Guinness in sight. care of, too. beautiful outdoor terrace makes this place (Chaoyang branch closed weekends). > Daily midday-midnight, Xingfu: No.55-7 Xingfucun a godsend for Lido residents. > Daily 11am-10pm. 35 Xiaoyun Lu courtyard Zhonglu, opposite of April courmet, Chaoyang 朝 > 1/F, Building D, Tsinghua Science Park, 1 > Daily 11-late (Kitchen serves until 10pm), 1/F, Bldg (20m north of Xiaoyun Lu intersection, first right), 阳区幸福村中路55-7杰作大厦底商绿叶子超市斜对 Zhongguancun Donglu, Haidian 海淀区中关村东路1 2, No. 6 Yard, Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区芳园 Chaoyang District 朝阳区霄云路35号院过霄云路路口, 面 (8448 8250) ; Central Park: No.o103 building 20, 号院清华科技园D座1楼 (8215 8826 ) 西路6号院2号楼1层(8431 0027) 往北走20米,到第一个路口右转(5128 5584) Central Park, No.6 Chaowai Avenue, Chaoyang 朝 The Rug (Contemporary Western, > Additional location in Sanlitun Nan Jie (see www. 阳区朝外大街6号新城国际20号楼103 (6533 6599); thatsmags.com for details) Bene ¥ * Organic) * shunyi: No.11-102 Shine Hills, No.9 Antai Avenue, Shunyi 顺义区后沙峪安泰大街9号祥云小镇南门 11号 Chef Ricci will have you singing like a sopra- With ingredients supplied by local organic NOLA 楼102 (8048 5080) no with his pork ravioli and prize-winning farms like Dahe and De Run Wu, and an N’Orleans finds a dark-wood home in the tiramisu. Excellent set menus (RMB588) and emphasis on sustainability, this café’s wide leafy embassy area, with a jazz soundtrack, Italian extensive wine selection. ranging menu has something for everyone, shrimp and grits, gumbo, fried chicken, > Daily 11am-2.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm. Sheraton especially green types, bored foreign moms jambalaya and decent-enough po’boys – Annie’s ¥ * Beijing Dongcheng, 36 Northeast Third Ring Road, and freelance Macbook types. yes’m. Excellent Cajun snacks, craft beers Now a certified Beijing institution, Annie’s, Dongcheng District 东城区北三环东路36号(5798 8995) > Mon-Fri 7.30am-10:30pm, Sat/Sun 9:30am- and cocktail also make NOLA a popular serves up the city’s most reliable Italian 10:30pm; Bldg 4, Lishui Jiayuan, Chaoyang watering hole. fare. Delivery is free anywhere between Gongyuan Nanlu (opposite Chaoyang Park South Cepe ¥ > Mon-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat-Sun 10.30am-11pm. 11A Line 5 and the the Fifth Ring Road (call for Gate), Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳公园南路丽水嘉园4 In a city inundated with Italian offerings, Xiushui Nanjie, Chaoyang 朝阳区秀水南街11号 delivery prices outside this area), and can 号楼(朝阳公园南门对面) (8550 2722) > Additional Cepe manages to stand out thanks to its (8563 6215) be ordered in English between 10.30am location in Sanlitun Nan Jie (see online.thatsmags. attention to the smallest detail – everything and 10.30pm from www.annies.com.cn. com for details) Union Bar and Grill from the vinaigrette to the Parma ham is Alternatively, drop in to your local branch. The definitive US-style diner in Beijing, import quality, and the wine is superb. >All open Daily,10.30am-11pm; Beijing Riviera: TRIBE * Union’s extensive menu – from eggs > Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm. The Ritz- opposite west gate of Lane Bridge Villa, Shunyi 朝 Salads, wraps and sandwiches, and noodle Benedict to baby back ribs – covers all Carlton Financial Street, 1 Jinchengfang Dongjie, 阳区来广营东路5号长岛澜桥别墅西门对面尚古城一 and grain bowls are as tasty as they are Jinrong Jie, Xicheng 西城区金城坊东街1号北京金融街 bases and hours, served by friendly staff. 楼 (8470 4768); Lido: Jiangtai Lu, opposite United holistic, and there are more superfoods in 丽思卡顿酒店大堂 (6601 6666) The warm atmosphere tempts many to Family Hospital 朝阳区将台商业街4号楼2楼和睦家 one single dish than we even knew existed. stay all day. 医院对面 (6436 3735); Wangjing: 2F, beside the Come hungry, leave basking in the warm, > Mon-Fri 11am-11pm, Sat/Sun 11am-midnight; S6- Daimler Tower, LSH Plaza, 8 Wangjing Jie 朝阳区利星 Mercante ¥ * glow that comes from knowing that you 31, 3/F, Bldg 6, Sanlitun Taikoo Li South, 19 Sanlitun 行广场A座戴勒姆大厦裙楼2层近望京商业中心 (8476 Old World family charm in an intimate are eating well. Kombucha is the icing on Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯太古里南区 0398); Chaoyang Park: West Gate of Chaoyang hutong setting. Time (and, occasionally, the (organic, locally-sourced) cake. 6号楼3层S6-31 (6415 9117) Park 朝阳区朝阳公园老西门南侧 (6591 1931); service) slows with a rustic menu from Bo- > Daily 8am-10.30pm, 1/F, Building 3, China View Sanlitun: China View Building, opposite East Gate of logna offering an assortment of homemade Plaza, 2A Gongti Dong Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工 The Woods * Workers’Stadium 朝阳区工体东门对面中国红街一楼 pastas and seasonal mains. 体东路甲2号中国红街大厦3号楼1层大厅入口南侧 New York native-owned, Manhattan-style (8587 1469); Ritan Park: Ritan High Life, 3F, north of > Tue-Sun 6-10.30pm. 4 Fangzhuanchang Hutong, (8587 1899) restaurant, tucked in amongst the skyscrap- Ritan Park 朝阳区神路街39号日坛上街3-108号 (8569 Dongcheng 东城区方砖厂胡同4号 (8402 5098) ers of CBD: you can’t get more Big Apple 3031); The Place: East of the Place, south of Central Wagas (Contemporary Western) than that. Park 朝阳区金桐西路10号远洋光华国际中心AB座1 Opera Bombana ¥ Quality eats with minimal pretension. This > Daily 12pm-10pm, Central Park Tower 1, Suite 101, 层 (8590 6428); Guomao: Ruisai Business Building Head chef Umberto Bombana boasts three stylish, no-fuss Shanghai rival to Element No. 6 Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝外大街6号 (southest of Guomao subway) 朝阳区东三环南路2 Michelin stars to his name, earned at his Fresh offers some of the best and most 新城国际1号搂101 (6533 6380) 号瑞赛大厦商务楼1层 (6568 5890); Sunshine 100: wildly successful Hong Kong restaurant affordable Western lunch options in town. Guanghua Lu, opposite Sunshine 100 Building 朝阳 Otto e Mezzo. He’s the only Italian chef to 区光华路阳光100公寓对面首经贸南门 (858 98366) The zesty carrot-and-zucchini cake is a Mexican/Tex Mex do so outside of his native land, and cer- crowd pleaser. Assaggi ¥ * tainly the only to have opened a restaurant > Daily 8am-10pm; S8-33, 3/F, Bldg 8, Taikoo Li Cantina Agave (Tex-Mex) in Beijing. South, 19 South Sanlitun Street, Chaoyang 朝阳区三 Great selection of burritos, tacos and 80+ This fine Italian spot in the leafy embassy district has one of Beijing’s best terraces for > Daily, 12pm-10:30pm; LG2-21 Parkview Green 里屯太古里南区三层 (6416 5829) > Additional loca- imported tequilas. Spice up dishes with the Fangcaodi, 9 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东大 tions in The Kerry Centre, Raffles Mall Dongzhimen walk-up salsa bar and don’t leave without a summer dining. The tagliata steak is worth 桥路9号侨福芳草地地下2层21号 (5690 7177) (see www.thatsmags.com for details) bite of the custardy flan. a return visit. >Sun-Thurs 11am to midnight. Fri–Sat 11am to 2am, > Daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6pm-11:30pm. 1 Sanlitun Spanish Burgers S4-32 South Block, Sanlitun Taikoo Li, 19 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北小街1号 (8454 Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里太古里南区 4508) Agua ¥ * Blue Frog (6416 5212) Della Bocca Trattoria¥ Occupying the high end of Nali’s Spanish invasion, Agua excels with reasonably Taco Bar priced classics like suckling pig, chorizo Rising from the ashes of its deceased and jamon. Winner of the 2014 Golden hutong location, the new Taco Bar is hip, Fork Editors’ Pick for best restaurant. popular and able to produce some of the > Daily Midday-2pm, 6pm-10pm. 4/F, Nali Patio, 81 most authentic Mexican fare in town. Only Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花 RMB45 for three and great cocktails to 园 (5208 6188) complement. > Tue-Thu 5.30pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5.30pm-2.30am, Sun Aria ¥¥ * 11am-1am; 1/F, Unit 10, Electrical Research Institute, This gold standard of opulence has crafted Sanlitun Nan Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯南路机电研 a new Spanish menu. A fantastic place for 究院内10号1层 (6501 6026) paella brunch. In-house sommeliers help tailor your meal perfectly. Palms L.A. Kitchen and Bar * (Korean- > Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, 6pm-midnight; Sat-Sun Mexican fusion) 6-10pm; 2/F China World Hotel, 1 Jianguomenwai Tucked away near Gulou, this hip little Waidajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街 (6505 hutong concept is truly one of a kind in 2266 ext. 36) Beijing. Quesadillas with kimchi and bibim- Niajo ¥ * Blue Frog is pleased to introduce a creative baps with melted cheese and hot sauce. With homely Mediterranean influences and Good-value homestyle Italian is the order new Drinks Menu. As the new year begins, Guess what? It works. Killer range of classic a charming management, Niajo is prime of the day at this little-known spot in this new menu will wake up everyone’s Cali’ cocktails, too. Sanlitun smart-casual dining. Order the > Daily 11:30am-midnight (closed Mondays); 14 Beixinqiao. taste buds with a bevy of specialty and paella (their star dish) together with some original cocktails, mocktails, shots, beer, Zhangwang Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区旧鼓楼大街 > Closed on Monday; Dinner: 5-10pm; Lunch: 10am- 张旺胡同14号 (6405 4352) 3pm; 3/F, 277 Dongzhimen Nei Dajie, Dongcheng tapas and be automatically transported to wine and healthy drinks inspired by popu- 东城区东直门内大街277号三楼雍和宫大街和北新 Spain (minus the constant sunshine). lar ingredients. Steak 桥头条交叉处的四层商业楼三楼 (6455 3832, 1391 > Daily noon-10.30pm. 3/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun > All open Daily 10am-late; S2-30, Level 3, S2 Tower, 0969 240) Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园3层 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路19号三 (5208 6052) 里屯太古里南区三楼S2-30 (6417 4030) ; No.167, 29 Grill (Contemporary Western) * Top-notch steak, along with just about eve- Isola Bar & Grill 1/F, 18 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路 Isola’s elegant design, even by Taikoo Li Migas ¥ * 18号1层167号 (8426 0017) ; No.125, 1/F, Bldg 1, ry other cut of meat found in the barnyard The boys at Migas have turned a concept Sanfeng(North), Chaoyang 朝阳区三丰北里1号楼1层 in this well-priced meat-eaters’ mecca. North standards, is classic Italian panache – and so is the food. Beef carpaccio, burrata, bar into a thriving Mediterranean res- 125号 (8561 2665) ; Unit 15-16, 1/F, Bldg AB, Ocean > Mon-Fri lunch: 11.30am-2.30pm; Mon-Sat dinner: taurant, bar and party venue, and one of International Center, 10 Jintong Xilu, Chaoyang 朝阳 6-10.30pm (closed Sundays); Conrad Beijing, 2/F, 29 Strozzapreti (handed twisted pasta) are

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 73 summer’s rooftop destinations. 层 (6467 2961) tensive wine list and a listing of top-notch from some of the best sushi in town? > Daily 10am-3pm, 5pm- late. 6/F, Nali Patio, 81 Vietnamese curries, banh mi sandwiches, Buttery and meaty fatty tuna sashimi is Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园 Asian stews, soups and la Vong fish. a cut above. 6层 (5208 6061) > Tue- Sun 11.30am-11pm; 10 Qianliang Hutong > Dongcheng: Tue- Sun 11.30am-11pm. Sanlitun South-East Asian Xixiang, Dongcheng 东城区钱粮胡同西巷10号 branch: 2 Sanlitun Bei Xiaojie, Chaoyang 朝阳区 German (8400 2699) 三里屯北小街2号 (6464 2365); Lido branch: 2F, Bhoomi Store Philippines Food Shop No.9-3, Jiangtai Xilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区将台西路 Brotzeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant Bhoomi store One stop destination where Indian 9-3号2层 (8420 0998) 博璨德国啤酒餐厅 a wide range of Philippines food products Brotzeit offers its customers a unique expe- are served. Raj Hyoki ¥ (Japanese) rience with authentic German cuisine and > Mon-Sat 9.30am-9.30pm, Sunday 2-7pm. 266 Tucked away in musty old building just un- Hidden away in the depths of the world famous German beers in a casual en- Yaohong Lu by Hongsong Dong Lu, Minhang derneath the drum tower, this curryhouse Sofitel Hotel, this labyrinthine Japanese vironment. Coupled with its contemporary Shanghai, 上海闵行区姚虹路266号, 近红松东路 (021 may look Chinese but everything on the restaurant of all private dining rooms setting and unique brand appeal, Brotzeit 2428 3400) menu is authentic Indian, espcially the has some stunning food, and is the is distinct from the traditional-style German rather fine naan. only place to sample traditional Japa- restaurants still seen in Germany and other 4Corners (Vietnamese, Fusion) > Daily 11am-2pm, 5pm-11pm, 31 Gulou Xidajie nese paper hot pot in Beijing. parts of the world. The definitive hutong bar/restaurant? Chef Dongcheng 东城区鼓楼西大街31号 (6401 1675) > 6F Sofitel Wanda Beijing 100022 93 Jianguo > Daily 11am-late; F109, Grand Summit, bldg 5, 19 Jun Trinh took a break from his celebrity TV Road, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国路93号索菲特万达 Dongfang Donglu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东方东路19号 work to host this part-Vietnamese venue, Ganges 北京酒店6层 (6581 0072) 楼(DRC外交办公大楼)一层F109 (8531 5166, www. serving up steaming bowls of pho with Conveniently located above popular brotzeit.co) zesty, fresh rolls, as well as a great bar, with Irish sports bar Paddy O’Sheas, this solid Korean frequent live indie performances. Indian curry house provides the perfect Drei Kronen 1308 * > Tue-Sun 11am-2am, 27 Dashibei Hutong (near post-match culinary accompaniment. Or Ai Jiang Shan Authentic (truly – when they say 1308 they west end of Yandai Xiejie), Xicheng 西城区大石碑胡 put another way: it’s what you’ll be craving This upscale seafood restaurant proves mean it) displays of armour and brewing 同27号烟袋斜街西口附近) (6401 7797) after eight pints of beer. that chargrill and composure can go kits draw regular evening crowds for the > Daily 11am to 10.30pm; Dongzhimen Branch: 2/F, together. Their RMB58 bibimbap lunch superb pork knuckle and heavy-duty helles Cafe Sambal (Malaysian) 28 Dongzhimen Wai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区东直门 is an absolute bargain. (pale lager), wheat and dark beer (brewed When it comes to Malay-style food in a 外大街28号2层 (6417-0900) > Additional branch in > Daily 11am-10pm, Sat and Sun until on-site). hutong, nowhere does it better. Admittedly, Sanlitun, see online.thatsmags.com for details. 9.30pm; 5/F, LG Twin Towers (East Tower), 12 > Daily 11am-2am. 1/F, Bldg 5, China View, Gongti it’s something of a niche category, but then Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建 Donglu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体东路中国红街5号楼1 so is the food on offer. The spicy Kapitan- Indian Kitchen 国门外大街乙12号双子座大厦东塔5层 (5109 层(6503 5555) style chicken is pricey, but worth it. 6036/6037) see www.thatsmags.com for other > Daily 11am-midnight. 43 Doufuchi Hutong (just locations Paulaner Brauhaus east of Jiugulou Dajie), Xicheng 西城区豆腐池胡同43 The grand old man of Beijing brauhauses, 号旧鼓楼大街往东走(6400 4875) Saveurs de Coree Paulaner delivers the Teutonic goods in the This upmarket Korean bistro has hands of lederhosen-clad staff from the Flor de Loto undergone several changes in recent provinces. It can be pricey but is usually Sleek and chic Vietnamese restaurant – years, not least its move away from worthwhile, especially during Oktoberfest. always draws a crowd. DIY fresh spring the hipper-than-thou confines of > Daily 11am-1am. Kempinski Hotel, 50 Liangmaqiao rolls are a highlight. Worth the ride to Nanluoguxiang. Fortunately, the menu Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路50号凯宾斯基饭店 Korea-town. remains largely intact. The Shin Ramyun (6465 3388 ext. 5732) > Daily 11am-10pm; 201, Europark Bldg A1(Cafe is among the best in Beijing, while the Bene Building) Guangshun Nandajie, Wangjing, Wagyu barbecued beef is almost too Pizza Chaoyang 朝阳区望京园610号楼悠乐汇A座 201室 good to be true. (6477 7387) > Daily noon-11pm; 128-1 Xiang’er Hutong, La Pizza Dongcheng 东城区香饵胡同128-1号(5741 5753) Among the upper echelons of Beijing Greyhound Café (Modern Thai/Fusion) pizzerias is this Sanlitun goldfish bowl Greyhound Café originated in Bangkok of- Vegetarian with a wood-fired oven and Neapolitan fering Thai food with a twist and served in manners. Further branches in Solana and a fashionable surrounds. Perfect for Taikoo Tianchu Maoxiang (Asian) pasta/salad/mains-buffet restaurant in Li Sanlitun then. The go to curry house among Beijing’s Like many arrivals to Beijing, this place Sanlitun 3.3 > Daily 11am-11pm, S1-30B, Building 1, Sanlitun homesick Indian community, this ever started out in Wudaokou and it’s > Sanlitun Branch: daily 10.30am-3pm, 6-11pm. 1/F, Road 19, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路19号1号楼 S1-30B popular no-nonsense restaurant has built since made a successful migration to 3.3 Mall, 33 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯 (6416 3439)> Additional branch in Shin Kong Place up a solid reputation thanks to its wide Chaoyang. Great range of veggie fare, 路33号3.3服装大厦西北角底商(5136 5582); Solana (see online.thatsmags.com for details) range of quality dishes and particularly reasonably priced and they offer cook- Branch: SA-48, 1/F, Bldg 3, Solana, 6 Chaoyang friendly service. Looking good after a ing classes as well. Nyonya Kitchen (Malaysian, Nyonya) Park Road, Chaoyang 朝阳公园西路6号蓝色港 recent rennovation and very available on > Daily 10am-10pm; 19 Rm 0260, 2/F, Bldg D, This chain specializes in Nyonya style cook- 湾3号1层 SA-48 ( 5905 6106) > SOHU Shangdu JinShiSong online delivery. Chaowai SOHO, 6B Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, ing – ostensibly Malaysian but with a mix 朝阳门外大街乙朝外座层 Branch: SH1112, SOHO Shangdu, 8 Dongdaqiao Lu, > Daily 11am-2:30pm, 5:30-11pm, 2/F 2 Sanlitun Chaoyang 6 SOHOD 2 朝阳区东大桥路号尚都 Chaoyang District 8 SOHO of Chinese, South-East Asian and European Beixiaojie, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北小街2号2楼 0260 (5900 1288) 号 SH1112 (5900 3112); La Pizza Buffet: 4F, Sanlitun influences resulting in lots of bold flavors (6462 7255) > Additional location in Wudaokou (see www. 3.3 Mall, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯3.3服装大厦4层 and bright colors. online.thatsmags.com for details) (5136 5990) > CBD: EB105, B1/F, China World Mall Phase Japanese 1, 1 Jianguomen Wai, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门 Veggie Table (Western, Asian) * Tube Station 外大街1号国贸商城一期地下一层EB105 (6505 Hatsune ¥ * (California Japanese) Proving that Beijing-style vegetarian cuisine Nowhere does gigantic toppen-laden pizza 0376); Taiyanggong: Unit 10-11, 4/F, CapitaMall As much a California roll joint as true is by no means the exclusive preserve of quite like Beijing, and these guys claim to Taiyanggong, Chaoyang 朝阳区凯德Mall太阳宫4层 Japanese, Hatsune is now an old favorite Buddhist monks and soppy Jack Johnson be the biggest in town. 10/11号 (8415 0863,www.nyonyakitchen.com) among the sake-swilling, sushi-swallowing fans, this superbly honed eatery offers some > Sanlitun 3.3 Branch: Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat/Sun of the very best sandwiches – vegetarian or 10am-11pm, delivery Mon-Thu 11:30am-10:30pm, Malacca Legend set, though less so among sashimi purists. > Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm; 2/F, Heqiao Bldg otherwise – found anywhere in the city. Fri-Sun 11:30am-11pm 3/F, 3.3 Building, No. 33 > Daily 10.30am-11.30pm (last order 10.30pm); 19 Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang 三里屯北街33号3.3服 C, 8A Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华路甲8号和乔大厦C座2层 (6581 3939) >Additional locations Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区五道营胡同装大厦3层3008号 ( 5136 5571, delivery 8989 177) 19号 (6446 2073) > Additional branches in Gongti, Beida, Beitai, in Sanlitun Tai Koo Li South; Kerry Centre Mall (see Yayancun, Solana and Weigongcun, see www.on- www.online.thatsmags.com for details) line.thatsmags.com for details) Inagiku * BARS African/Middle Eastern This Beijing branch of one of Tokyo’s oldest and most celebrated restaurants is as near TOP 40 BARS AND CLUBS Al Saﬁr 阿拉伯餐厅 to perfection as you’re likely to find. About This guide represents our editors’ Deceptively simple yet finely crafted, > Daily 11.30am - 10pm, Shop 6-12, 35 Food Street, top 40 picks, and includes some That’s the handmade Inaniwa udon (RMB80) Ocean Express Building, 66 Xiaguangli, Chaoyang Beijing advertisers. Bars rated(*) have 朝阳区霞光里66号远洋新干线美食街35号6-12铺 is not to be missed. (5130 4243) > Daily 11am-3pm, 6-10.30pm; Rm 315, 3/F, been personally reviewed by our experts, Park Life, Yintai Centre, 2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, and scored according to the cuisine, 1001 Nights Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街2号银泰中心悦生 experience and affordability. There’s no missing this beast of a Middle 活3层315室 (8517 2838) Eastern on the way into Sanlitun. The whole Arabic dining package is on offer Sake Manzo * Arrow Factory here, from kebabs, to shisha to belly danc- Malaysian food with a view, this spacious The barmen here are serious about The newest craft beer taproom on the ing shows between courses. and airy restaurant sits on the banks of their sake. Boasting one of the best block, Arrow Factory is a rustic hideaway > Daily 11am-2am, 3-4 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳 Shunyi’s Roma Lake and at a new unit in stocked drinks cabinets in town with brimming with good Anglo-Scandinavian 区工体北路3-4号 (6532 4050) the heart of the city at The Place, making a over 60 different sakes on offer, this vibes (courtesy of the brew-masters) and great spot for their beef rendang or green super-cool little eatery is the perfect the brand’s distinctive Chinese brewed ales. Pinotage ¥ (South African) * curry prawns. place to unwind after a hard day’s toil. A winning combination A seasonal blend of Dutch, English and > Daily 11am-10pm; 6 Roma Lake: 6 Luodong Lu, The sashimi is fresh to the cut, and the > 38 Jianchang Hutong, Dongcheng District 东城区箭 regional African influences, this contem- Luogezhuang Village, Hoshayu Town, Shunyi 顺义 beer-marinated chicken is out of this 厂胡同38号(6407 6308) porary and stylish eatery has an impressive 区后沙峪镇罗各庄村罗马湖东北三路6号C院 (8049 world. One of the very best and least selection of fine import-quality meats, and 8902); Signature: Shop L203, 2/F, The Place, 9 appreciated restaurants in town. 8-Bit wines to match. The traditional borewor Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华路9号世贸天阶2 > Daily 6pm-midnight. 7A Tuanjiehu Beisantiao, Drinking alongside multiplayer retro gam- ground beer-sausage (RMB100) is tender 层L203 (6587 1393) Chaoyang 朝阳区团结湖北三条甲7号(6436 1608) ing – why didn’t anyone do this sooner? and sweet, while the red-wine pork ten- Megadrive, Super Nintendo, N64... some Purple Haze (Thai) derloin makes the trip out to their Shunyi Sui Ka real gems make up an ever-growing col- Given Beijing’s lack of white sand beaches branch worth it. Is this what after-work hangouts are lection. Draft Kirin goes for a reasonable and backpacker bars, Purple Haze has to > Dongmen Building, 12 Dongzhimen Wai, like in Japan? We’re not sure, but we RMB25 a glass. Chaoyang 朝阳区东直门外大街12号东门下楼 (5785 make do for the best Thai experience in hope so: This charming izakaya nails > Daily 1pm-2am; 13 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng 东 3538) > Additional location in Shunyi (see online. town. Has all the classics like veggie spring it when it comes to sake selection and 城区北锣鼓巷13号 (159 1025 6538) thatsmags.com for details) rolls (RMB40), papaya salad (RMB46) and fried delights to munch alongside it. curries (RMB44-180) – but our pick’s the >Daily 5pm-1am, Ichibangai First Avenue Food BBC (Bottle, Boot & Cigar) Biteapitta * seafood pad Thai (RMB45). Court, Zaoying Nanli, Maizidian, East 3rd Ring The brainchild of local spirits professional Enjoyed by vegetarians (hummus, falafel) > Daily 11am-11pm, 55 Xingfu Yicun, Chaoyang 朝 Road, Chaoyang朝阳区东三环农展馆北路宾都苑 Douglas Williams, this bar provides the and 58 kuai kebab-lovers alike, Biteapitta 阳区幸福一村55号 (6413 0899) 东侧一层底商一番街内 (137 1692 7543) discerning Beijing drinker with a peerless has the Middle-East mid-range market all selection of liquor for sale, cocktails and Susu (Vietnamese) wrapped up in a fluffy pitta. Sushi Yotsuba ** coming soon, shoe shines, cigars and The first step is finding it. Follow that up > Daily 11am-11pm, Second Floor, Tongli Studio, It doesn’t come cheap (tasting menu straight-razor shaves. Sanlitun Houjie, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯后街同里2 with a dreamlike renovated courtyard, ex- RMB1,000), but what would you expect

74 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM LISTINGS

> 1pm-late. 1 Taipingzhuang Nanli (At Xingfucun, 40) with intriguing flavors – their Sichuan Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路11号院1号楼 (6417 6688) Dongcheng 东城区交道口南大街东棉花胡同7号 (6401 between Frost: Coffee, Nails & Cocktails and Commix peppercorn ale was memorably good. 5269, site.douban.com/jianghujiubar, jincanzh@ Bar), Chaoyang 朝阳区太平庄南里1号 (1861 405 7407, Reservations used to be recommended Maggie’s ¥ gmail.com) www.bbcbeijing.com) for their original hutong brewhouse, but A notorious sausage fest (we refer, of the opening of a wildly popular new pub course, to the hot-dog stand outside), Dusk Dawn Club (DDC) 黄昏黎明俱乐部 The Brick on Xinzhong Lu has shifted most drinkers Maggie’s has been providing its special Great little livehouse near Meishuguan A Cheers-style atmosphere ensures you’ll there instead. comforts for so long, it’s practically a time- with a focus on jazz, folk and indie rock. find this neighbourhood drinking hole-in- > Gulou: 5pm-late, Tue-Fri, 2pm-late Sat-Sun 2-10pm, honored Beijing brand – although it’s also a Craft beer and whisky means you won’t get the brick-wall faux dive bar either cliquey 6 DouJiao Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区豆角胡同6号 bastion of Mongolian culture. bored of the drinks list quickly. or inclusive. The heavy-duty cocktails (5717 1399) ; Sanlitun: Daily 11:30am-2pm; Sun-Thu > Sun-Thur 8pm-4am, Fri-Sat 8pm-5am, Ritan Park > Tue-Sun 1pm-2am; 14 Shanlao Hutong, (including the devastatingly boozy RMB80 5pm-midnight, Fri /Sat 5pm-1am, B12 Xinzhong South Gate, Chaoyang District 朝阳区日坛公园南 Dongcheng 东城区美术馆后街山老胡同14号 (6407 Terminator) are probably needed for the Street 新中街乙12号 (6416 6887, www.greatleap- 门 (8562 8142) 8969) bizarre Wednesday pub quiz. brewing.com) > Daily 4pm-late. Unit 2-11, Bldg 2, Tianzhi Jiaozi, 31 Mai Bar * Hot Cat Club 热力猫 Guangqu Lu (northeast corner of Shuangjing Qiao), Glen ¥ Understated hutong hideaway with a long A true stalwart of the Beijing scene, Hot Chaoyang 朝阳区双井桥东北角广渠路31号院天之骄子 Experiences can vary at Glen (we’ve list of some of the best cocktails in town. Cat is the type of hard-working venue that 2号楼底商2-11 (134 2616 6677) endured poor service and drinks that are > Daily 5pm-late, 40 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng 东城 helps cement a city’s music scene. From scandalous at the price), which is located in 区北锣鼓巷40号 (6406 1871) Afro Funk to Math Rock to painful open-mic Capital Spirits a decidedly downbeat compound. But whis- nights, this everyman’s club breeds good A team of non-China natives doing a baijiu ky lovers have been known to swear by its Parlor vibes. Decent drinks, lots of loungy seats bar? Brave and, luckily, brilliant. Lovely selections and dark, intimate atmosphere. Learn a few quotes from Gatsby before and plenty of space. hutong setting, friendly owners and great See for yourself. heading to this 20s Shanghai-style speak- > Daily 10am-late, 46 Fangjia Hutong (just south bottle collection. >Daily 6.30pm-2am. 203, 2/F, Taiyue Suites Hotel easy and you’ll fit right in. of Guozijian Jie), Dongcheng 东城区方家胡同46号 > Tue-Sun 8pm-late; 3 Da Ju Hutong, Dongcheng 东城 Beijing, 16 Nansanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区南三里屯 > Daily 6pm-2am, 39-8 Xingfuercun, Chaoyang 朝阳区 (6400 7868) 区大菊胡同3号 (6409 3319; www.capitalspirits.com) 路16号泰悦豪庭2楼203室 (6591 1191) 新东路幸福二村39-8 (8444 4135) MAO Livehouse 光芒 * China Bar ¥¥ Glen Classic ¥ Revolution * From the denim-jacketed doorman to the Top views from the 65th floor and flash Tucked away in the grounds of Face hotel, Sanlitun doesnt really do hipster bars but well-grafittied walls, Mao leans on every drinks are the attractions on offer at this Glen Classic is a Japanese-owned whisky if it did, this cramped ode to Maomorabilia Hollywood rock club cliché without feeling hip hotel bar. bar where discerning drinkers can sink would be it. The East may be red but their scripted. Besides boasting the worst bar in > Sun-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5pm-2am. 65/F, Park into an arm-chair, glass in hand, and while cocktails (RMB45) are fit for a Chairman. town, Mao delivers with great sound and Hyatt, 2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国 away the hours. Huge range of whiskies > Daily, 12pm-late, west of Yashow, Gongti Bei Lu, 朝 the best billings of heavy metal, punk hit- 门外大街2号柏悦酒店65层 (8567 1838/40) and rums are personally selected by expert 阳区工体北路雅秀市场西侧 (6415 8776) ting this side of the Drum Tower. owner Daiki Kanetaka – let him recommend > 111 Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng District 东城区鼓楼东大街111号(6402 5080, www.maolive.com) CICADA Ultralounge ¥ you something special. Salud 老伍 * The latest – and perhaps only – ultralounge > Mon-Sat, 7pm-2am, reservation required, A Nanluoguxiang institution, with every- The Post Mountain 后山 in Beijing is fast becoming one of Sanlitun’s minimum spend RMB200, Face Hotel Courtyard, 26 thing from cheap beer to (loud) live music Built into a man-made hill in the center of trendiest bars. A Shanghai style lounge Dongcaoyuan, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体南路东草园26 and low beams. The rum infusions are a the MOMA Complex, this new addition to bar with mixology credentials, the Whisky 号 (6551 6788) particular favorite on cold nights. Latest Beijing’s growing livehouse empire is The Sours and Smoky Havana’s are worth the branch in WDK a welcome addition to sur- Hobbit meets Manhattan. With as much cost. Heaven Supermarket rouding student dives. > Mon-Sat, 6pm-late, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang A purgatory of bottles, bongs and bedrag- > NLGX: Mon-Fri 3pm-late, Sat-Sun noon-late. 66 vibe as a sterile modern-art gallery. Its District 朝阳区三里屯路11号三里屯太古里北区N4-33 gled English teachers, Heaven sells the Nanluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District 东城区南锣鼓巷 imported sound system and ramped floor (6418 9898) cheapest alcoholic takeaways in town. You 66号 (6402 5086)；Wudaokou: 2/F, Qijixin Building, makes for decent sound and sightlines. can also hang around and appreciate the Zhanchunyuan Xilu 展春园西路奇蓟鑫大厦南侧2层 > Bldg T8, MOMA, 1 Xiangheyuan Lu, Cu Ju afterlife (clientele) if you want. Caveat: the Dongzhimenwai, Dongcheng (next to MOMA Moroccan-inspired bistro, cocktail destina- food is straight from Hell’s own kitchen. The Irish Volunteer Cinemateque) 东城区东直门外香河园路1号当代 MOMA园区T8楼北百老汇电影中心北侧 (8400 4774) tion and sports fan’s manna all rolled into > Daily 11-4am. 14 Xindong Lu (next to The James Everything – from the red-faced owner to one, Renaissance man Badr Benjelloun’s Joyce), Chaoyang 朝阳区新东路14号 (6415 6513) the grub – is authentically Irish: tinged Temple 坛 * hutong gem is constantly evolving. Offering with alcoholism, doggerel and drunken Probably the manliest venue in town, this North African food with an international Hidden Lounge * regret. A good place to down a pint and a dimly lit and unventilated space is owned cocktails, Beijing’s widest selection of rums Although frustrating to find, Hidden pizza before heading into town, then. and sports broadcasts from basketball to Lounge rewards the intrepid with good art- > Daily 9pm-2am. 311 Jiangtai Lu (opposite Lido by rockers (Gao Xu, Gao Jian and Clement cricket, Cu Ju is truly one of the city’s best work and comfortable seating, suggesting Hotel East Gate), Chaoyang 朝阳区将台路311 Burger) and known for late sets of hard all-around bar-restaurants. a Kasbah, plus well-made drinks at great 号 (6438 5581) rock, punk and ska, with weekend gigs > Sun-Tue, Thu 5-11pm ;Fri-Sat 5pm-late ; closed Wed. prices (wine from RMB100 a bottle, mix and DJ sets every fortnight. It offers a long 28 Xiguan Hutong (Hutong entrance is 300m north of drinks from RMB25). You’ll probably have The Tree drinks menu, with plenty of cheap pastis subway line 5, Zhangzizhong Lu stop), Dongcheng 东 to call them to find it, though. A cozy stalwart of the Beijing bar scene, and shooters, but you’ll probably stick to 城区细管胡同28号(6407 9782, www.cujubeijing.com) > Daily 6pm-1am. Room 101, Bldg 8, CBD Apartments, you’ll find wood-fired comfort pizza, beer the RMB15 draught. Shuanghuayuan Nanli Erqu, Chaoyang 朝阳区双花园 aplenty and a hearty, mature atmosphere. > Daily, 7pm-late. Bldg B, 206 Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区鼓楼东大街206号B楼202 (131 Daily Routine 日常生活南里二区CBD公寓8号楼101屋 (8772 1613) Has two neighborhood offshoots: By the 6107 0713) This cozy bar is a diamond in the rough. Tree (brickwork, pool, old man’s pub) and Owner Travis is a cocktail aficionado, and Ichikura ¥ Nearby the Tree (live music, two floors). Yugong Yishan 愚公移山 * the drinks at this establishment change sea- One of the best-known ‘secrets’ in town, > Daily noon-2am. 100m west of Sanlitun Bar Street, We’ve lost more body weight than we’d sonally according to ingredient availability. this Japanese whisky bar tucked behind Youyi Youth Hostel, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯酒吧街往 care to remember in YY’s mosh pit. Fortu- Light cafe fare is available during the day. a theater also offers terrific cocktails. 西100米友谊旅馆后面三里屯医院东面 (6415 1954) nately, almost all the acts – usually hip-hop > Daily 11am-11pm. 34 Wudaoying Hutong, Although less expensive than several rivals, DJs, emo rocks and obscure indie outfits Dongcheng 东城区五道营胡同34号 (8400 1159) you’ll want to indulge. Trouble Bar from across the globe – were worth it. The > Daily 7pm-2am. 2/F Chaoyang Theater, 36 Beijing’s leading venue for imported craft upstairs bar area is a refuge from the sweat El Nido * Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环北路36 beers. Stocks a large draft selection and glands below. The first hutong hang-out to patent the 号朝阳剧场南侧 (6507 1107) an even larger selection of bottles. Also > Daily 7pm-late. 3-2 Zhangzizhong Lu (100m west fridge-full-of-cheap-imports formula, El does a nice line in creative cocktails, if of Zhangzizhong Lu subway station), Dongcheng 东 Nido inspires a loyal following, particularly Jane’s & Hooch ¥ * brews aren’t your thing. Conveniently 城区张自忠路3-2号(6404 2711） in summer. The roast leg of mutton place Acclaimed by some foreign press as one located next to Gung-Ho, hosts a full-sized next door is one of the best locally. of the best bars in the world (cough), this foos-ball table, darts, and plenty of TV’s to Sports Bars > Daily 6pm-late, 59 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng 东 not-so-plain Jane has been at the vanguard accommodate any event, meetings, and 城区方家胡同50号(158 1038 2089) of the South Sanlitun gentrification. It gatherings. The Local * serves RMB60-80 measures of your favorite > 2-101, China View Building, 2B Gongti Donglu, Formerly Brussels, this beery bar has come Enoterra Prohibiotion-era hooches in a fanstastic Chaoyang (Next To Gung-Ho) 朝阳区工人体育场东 into its own, with large (yet strangely Looking for an affordable glass of wine speakeasy atmosphere, with attentive staff 路乙2号中国红街2-101叫板比萨隔壁 (8590 0390, unobtrusive) screenings of sports and with that date? Look no further than Nali and unimpeachable cocktails. [email protected], www.trouble.bar) political events, a pub quiz, quality fare and Patio’s wine center. Although the food > Daily 8pm-2am, Courtyard 4 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang Slow Boat Brewery Taproom ** a nice selection of draughts and cocktails. leaves a bit to be desired, the selections are 朝阳区工体北路4号院 ( 6503 2757) This popular microbrewery has its own Try the Bourbon Street Ice Tea – you won’t vast, and if anything, you can enjoy a nice pub hidden away in Dongcheng’s hutongs. need another. cheese plate with that tart glass of vino. Jing-A Taproom ** Quality ales that change depending on > Daily 11-2am. 4 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工 > Daily 10am-2am, 4/F Sanlutun Nali Patio, 81 In just a few years, these guys developed the season, heated floors and a great little 体北路4号院 (6591 9525) Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园 from shady guerrilla brewers to upstanding kitchen round out the deal. D405室 (5208 6076) Paddy O’Shea’s * publicans with their own range of souvenir > Mon Closed, Tues-Wed: 5pm-midnight, Thu 5pm- T-shirts. Their bar is a peach: a bricks-and- 1am, Fri 5pm-late, Sat 2pm-late, Sun 2-10pm; 56 An entire Irish-themed pub, which could First Floor mortar taproom, which is large, warm and Dongsi Batiao, Dongcheng 东城区东四八条56号 easily been trasnsported, untouched, from First Floor is like that friend who’s too sociable, and has up to 16 different beers (6538 5537) a back alley in Limerick and gently depos- popular to properly enjoy their company. on tap. ited in central Beijing. With plenty going At weekends, it gets aggressively full, with > Building B, 1949 The Hidden City, Courtyard 4, on, including pub quiz and sports. regulars and the passing tourist trade all Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路4号院 10 Best Livehouses > Dongzhimen: Daily 10am-late, 28 Dongzhimen- baying at the bar. A good place to meet wai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区东直门外大街28号 (6592 new friends, perhaps. Mao Mao Chong ** School Bar 学校酒吧 * 6290); Sanlitun: 2/F, Tongli Studio, Sanlitun Back > Daily, 4pm-late, Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang 朝阳 The cocktails at Mao’s – such as their Crap drinks and regular, unscheduled Street 三里屯北路43号同里二层 (6415 0299) 区三里屯北小街 (6413 0587, first.floorbeijing.com) sublime ‘Mala’ Mule, a Sichuan peppercorn- fights: no wonder the cool kids adore this V Sports infused vodka drink that’s a long way from alternative livehouse/ DJ bar, founded by Spacious, comfortable, huge screens and Fubar Moscow – are unique infusions using Beijing and Shanghai rock n’ rollers. no rowdy drunken cretins, V Sports makes Slightly past its prime, this basement bar is local ingredients and know-how. Grungey > Daily 8pm-late. 53 Wudaoying Hutong, Chaoyang a claim for the champion of Beijing sports trying to rediscover the speakeasy pretence 朝阳区五道营胡同53号 (6402 8881, 6406 9947) without being grimey, Mao’s eschews flash bars. that made the place its name. Live lounge while still keeping it real. And those pizzas. Jianghu 江湖酒吧 > Daily 5.30pm-6am, Gongti North Gate East side, music and a vast amount of pours are start- > 12 Banchang Hutong, Jiaodaokou, Dongcheng 东 Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北门内东侧 (5293 0333) ing to persuade people it’s succeeding. 城区交道口南大街板厂胡同12号 (6405 5718, www. This former Qing Dynasty courtyard home > 6pm-2am Sunday to Thursday, 6pm-4am Friday maomaochongbeijing.com) is exactly where you’d take that friend from Nightclubs and Saturday. 8 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District, out of town to prove you’re cool. Its cozy ’ Workers Stadium East Gate, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体 Mesh ¥ atmosphere is also its downfall – any show The Bar at Migas * 北路8号工人体育场东门内 (6593 8227) Whether it’s an early evening cocktail or a with under 40 people and you’re stuck A place to dance and prowl, perhaps, rather late-night infusion, Mesh’s moody interior looking through the windows. Hip and Great Leap Brewing 大跃啤酒 ¥ * than a drinks destination, TBAM, as no one and underground soundtrack draws the casually familiar, the jazz and folk bookings The bar that began the whole Beijing mi- calls it, focuses on upscale local DJs to get bright young things (and on LGBT Thurs- keep things low-key enough for the get- crobrewing frenzy (yes, frenzy) specializes the party started. Good-enough cocktails days, quite a few old things, too). home-for-the-babysitter crowd. in idiosyncratic, local-style brews (RMB25- range from RM55-70 but mostly it’s about > Daily 5pm-1am. Building 1, 11 Sanlitun Lu, > 7 Dongmianhua Hutong, Jiaodaokou Nan Dajie, the music, man.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 75 > Sunday to Wednesday 6pm-2am, Thursday to Friday Wangjing: 11am-9pm, Rm T5, 3/F, BOTAI International 阳区三里屯工体北路世茂购物中心3层E-301号(8590 Center, this indoor club boasts a complete 6pm-late. 6/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang Building, 36 Guangshun Bei Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳 0569 ); Ginza store: Daily 10am-10pm, Shop B1-11H, state-of-the-art air-supported structure for District 朝阳区三里屯路81号 (5208-6061) 区望京广顺北大街36号博泰国际商业广场3层T—5 Ginza Mall, Dongzhimen, Dongcheng 东城区东直门东 all-weather year-round indoor tennis, with (8472 2855) 方银座Mall B1-11H号(8447 7178) ; CapitaMall Crystal an advanced lighting system and controlled Chocolate store: Daily 10am-10pm, Shop B1-09,CapitaMall climate. Ideal for peeps looking to perfect It’s impossible to discuss Chocolate without Alona Pilates Studio Crystal, Haidian 海淀区复兴路51号凯德晶品购物中心 their service and batting a few balls. B1-09号(8819 7078); CapitaMall Wangjing store: Daily mentioning gold leaf, dwarves, cabaret Pairing up traditional Pilates with an in- > Nongzhan Nanlu, Chaoyang 朝阳区农南路1号朝 10am-10pm, Shop K01, 2/F, CapitaMall Wangjing dancers and oddly-friendly Russian women. novative, full-body workout, Alona Pilates 阳公园网球中心(400 6406 800/ 6595 8885, www. store, Guangshun Beidajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区广顺北大 Timed right, a visit can be raucous fun, with offers classes designed to tone and whip broadwell.cn1) bottles of spirits from around RMB200, you into shape fast. It also provides a 街凯德望京购物中心2层02-K1(5602 0736) ; Carrefour personalized experience for all its students, Siyuanqiao store: Daily 10am-10pm, Shop 08, 3/F, cocktails under RMB50 (including the Carrefour Siyuanqiao store,Yiju Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区 absinthe-based Flaming Armageddon) and regardless of fitness, strength and 四元桥家乐福购物中心3层08号(647 71889) HAIR SALONS regular floor shows. flexibility levels. Laurent Falcon > Daily 7pm-6am. 19 Ritan Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区日 > Daily, 7.30, late. 5/F at Heavenly Spa by Westin, 1 Beijing Hikers 坛北路19号 (8561 3988) Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang 朝阳区新源南路1号威斯汀 Want to experience the wild, unrestored 酒店五层 ( 139 1029 0260, www.alonapilates.com) Great Wall, away from the tourist masses? Dada * Brad Clinic Or do you just want to get out of the city It hasn’t been on the Beijing scene for for some exercise? Beijing Hikers offers too long, but already Dada is the hippest Welcome to Brad Clinic, Beijing’s unique skincare and anti-aging center. Our hikes in the countryside of Beijing every hangout in town. Their cosy Gulou confines week all year round. Hikes for all fitness lev- under rock house Temple offer an intimate professional and personalized treatments rejuvenate the skin safely, naturally and els! Regular hikes are priced from RMB380, place to nod along to an eclectic range of with discounts for members. Cost includes all things electro from the best names on most effectively while restoring your skin’s natural beauty and health. We offer: skin hiking guide, transportation, tickets, food the underground scene. and water. We’ve also got adventures all > Daily 9pm-late, Rm 101, Bldg B, 206 Gulou Dong rejuvenation and re-firming, hair removal, over China. Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区鼓楼东大街206号B栋101室 acne and sun spots treatment, and wrinkle > For more information, visit www.beijinghikers.com (183 1108 0818) reduction. >Tue-Sat 9am-6pm, Room 2103, Tower E1, The 泽尔丽格医疗美容 Lantern * Towers, Oriental Plaza, 1 East Chang’An Ave, Dong ZELL BeauCare Clinic Founded by now-defunct Acupuncture Cheng 东城区东长安街1号东方广场东方经贸城E1办公 Overseen by Fellow of the American Soci- Records, Lantern is a beacon of light in the 楼2103室 (8518 2103/ 5688, [email protected]) ety for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), ZELL strip of truly ghastly nightclubs and bars cosmetic clinic provides state-of-art com- known as ‘Gongti.’ Serious about its music, Daisy’s Beauty Salon prehensive minimal invasive procedures, it also makes good drinks and attracts including, Botox, dermal filler, fractionated international electronica DJs. laser skin resurfacing, Ulthera skin tighten- > Thurs-Sat 9pm-6.30am. 100m north of Worker’s ing and lifting, professional skin care Stadium West Gate, Chaoyang 朝阳区工人体育场西 treatment (acne, pigmentation, aging), and 门向北100米 (139 119 77989) plastic surgery (including double eyelid, rhynoplasty, among others). MIX > Unit 2002, 1/F, Vantone Center, 6A Chaoyangmen A bit like a trip to the Forbidden City, Mix Wai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳门外大街甲6号万通 is one of those places in Beijing you have 中心AB座一层2002 (5907 3390,186 1248 3390, www. to experience before you leave. Not much zellbeauty.com) is forbidden in this underground hip-hop disco palace and if you don’t leave with Sport hook-up in tow then you’re doing some- Cycle China Inc. 北京非常之旅 thing very wrong. Cycle China provides organized cycling and > Daily 8pm-6am, Inside Worker’s Stadium North Gate, Chaoyang 朝阳区工人体育场北门内 (6506 9888, hiking tours in and aroundBeijing as well 6530 2889, 150 1138 2219, [email protected]) as longer tours throughout China. Some of their more popular tours take cyclists Vics through the Olympic Green, Tian’anmen Since 2001, Daisy’s beauty salon has Square, and Beijing’s traditional hutongs. Separated at birth from its identical twin catered to thousands of Beijing expats and The salon is a cut above, thanks to skills of brother, Mix, this is the definition of Gongti >12 Jingshan East Street, Dongcheng 东城区景山东街 experienced French stylist Laurent Falcon. locals and is renowned for its premium 12号 (6402 5653 ,139 1188 6524) sweatbox meat-market chic at its very waxing services and imported wax that Guys/girls. Blow-dry, up-dos, highlights, finest. The Chinese love it – as do moody coloring available. L’Oreal, Schwarzkopf, smells like hot chocolate. If waxing isn’t California Fitness Beijing Club Russians and jailbait students – helping Vics your thing, the salon also specializes in KeraSraight, Inoa. RMB165-980 women, to become one of the most infamous clubs California Fitness Beijing’s Group X program RMB115-468 men. an array of other treatments including IPL is among the best in the region, and with in the capital. Facial Rejuvenation and lifting, a 90-minute > 209 2/F, zoon3 China World Trade Centre > Daily 8.30pm late, Inside Worker’s Stadium North membership you have access to over 150 treatment that uses a laser to stimulate Shopping Mall. 国贸商城区域3二楼209 (8535 1002, Gate, Chaoyang 朝阳区工人体育场北门内 (5293 weekly Group X classes and a team of 131 4667 9913); 43 Sanlitun Beijie Nan,Chaoyang. 0333) collagen production and soften lines. Laser professional personal trainers in Asia. Your 三里屯北街南43号楼 (6409 4243, 135 0137 2971) and IPL permanent hair removal treatment membership also includes free towel usage Hotel Bars is also proving popular and effective. and a fitness assessment. Catherine de France > Daily, 10am-8.30pm, Rm301, Building >South Tower, L4, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang (4008 Atmosphere ¥¥ B,Sunshine100 International Apartment, Guanghua 100-988,www,californiafitness.com) Beijing’s highest bar, on the 80th floor of Donglu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华东路2号阳光100国际公寓B座301室 (5100 0556 / 0557, www.daisysbeau- Heyrobics the 1,082-ft China World Tower, offers 300+ tysalon.com) swanky cocktails from RMB65 with 360-de- “Sweat like a Swede!” they say with annoyingly smug grin and toned abs. gree views of the 700AQI PM2.5. Luxura Tanning Center The only fitness craze worth following in > Mon-Fri noon-2am, Sat and Sun noon-4am. 80/F, This tanning salon has some of the city’s China World Summit Wing, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Beijing, Heyrobics is all about a punish- best state-of-the-art tanning beds, all Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街1号北京国贸大酒店80 ing full-body workout set to pumping imported from Europe. For the sexiest tan (6505 2299 ext. 6433) beats – not forgetting the fluores- possible, get custom-made tanning tips cent spandex. Differing classes for all from the well-trained staff. Centro ¥ abilities, check online for the full schedule. > Daily, 10am-10pm. Rm 307, Bldg 4, Jianwai Soho 39 Although it’s no longer quite the go-to > www.heyrobics.com, [email protected] place for beautiful people it once was, Cen- Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环中路建外SOHO西区4楼307室(5900 0427, www.luxura. Yihe 42° Hot Yoga tro still draws a cute crowd with its nightly net); 5005, 5/F, 3.3 Sanlitun, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯 jazz performaces, spacious and recently 3.3大厦5层5005号 (5136 5186, www.luxura.net) renovated lounge areas and classic drinks like the blue-cheese martini. Lily Nails > Open 24 hours. 1/F, Kerry Hotel, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华路1号北京嘉里大饭店1层 Awarded best expat salon in 2014/ 2015, (6561 8833) with a trained team of international and local stylists, colorists and beauticians, this MEI salon welcomes all ages and budgets in One of the livelier hotel bars in town, a modern and relaxed atmosphere for a MEI has a nightly band, serves creatively wide range of hair and beauty treatments, delicious cocktails and overlooks the CCTV include manicure, pedicure and waxing. ‘trousers.’ Don’t leave without trying the Wella, SP, INOA, TIGI frightfully delicious Panjiayuan Bramble. Language: French, English, Spanish, Chi- Mon-Wed 6pm-2am, Thu-Sat 6pm-3am, Sun 5pm- nese, Russian. midnight; 5F Rosewood Beijing, Jing Guang Centre, > East Avenue BLD Ground Floor, No.10 Xindong Lu, Hujialou, Chaoyang District朝阳区呼家楼一号京广中 Chaoyang 朝阳区新东路10号逸盛阁首层(8442 5120, 心北京瑰丽酒店3层 (6536 0083) 135 2147 3492, [email protected], Wechat: CDFSalon, www.catherinedefrance.com) 2 locations in Beijing: the best Yoga for Be- BEAUTY & FITNESS ginners! No previous experience necessary SPA & MASSAGE - and if your body is a bit stiff – that’s okay! Black Golden Tanning Studio Ann Jema 古铜日晒中心 Yihe knows it can be a little intimidating to A long-time favorite among locals and begin your journey into Yoga, so they are Trailblazing French spa institute Ann Jema Beijing is hardly the best place to pick up expats alike, Lily Nails is much more than a Spa uses special Arabian oil ingredients for a natural tan. When it finally reaches the available to answer any questions you may nail spa; they eyelash services, of pamper- have. It’s a great workout for the body and a one-of-a-kind experience. The ‘superior warm summer, the sun’s rays struggle ing treatments and waxing too. life energy experts’ offer a wide range of to penetrate the smog. Thankfully, Black calming for the mind. Call them today on >3.3 Flagship store: Daily 11am-11pm, Shop 5009, (5905 6067, 8599 7395) luxurious treatments for all ages. Golden Tanning Studio is on hand to give 5/F, 3.3 Fashion Plaza, Sanlitun, Chaoyang 朝阳区三 > 162-166, F/2, Bldg 1, No. 6 Yard, Chaoyang > Daily 10am-8pm. 3/F, No. 2 South Building, Blue you that golden glow with its quick, safe 里屯3.3大厦5层5009号(5136 5919); 3.3 Star store: Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号 Castle, Dawang Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区大望路蓝堡国际 Daily 11am-11pm, Shop 2049, 2/F, 3.3 Fashion Plaza, 蓝色港湾国际商区1号楼Solana商场2楼162-166号 and effective technology. With a member- 中心南写字楼2座3层 (8599 7395/96, www.yh42.com); Sanlitun, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯3.3大厦2层2049 (5905 6227) ship card, enjoy a 50-minute session for 3/F, Bldg. 14, Solana, No. 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu 号(5136 5829); Yashow shopping mall: Daily 10am- RMB400 and come away with natural, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳公园西路6号,蓝色港湾14号,三层 10pm, Shop 22, 4/F, Yashow shopping Mall, Sanlitun, healthy-looking color. (5905 6065/67, www.yh42.com) Dragonﬂy Therapeutic Retreat > Sanlitun: 11am-9pm, 2/f, Bldg 3, Sanlitun SOHO, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯雅秀购物中心4层22号(6416 Created as a contemporary urban retreat, Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路三里屯Soho3 6441); Shimao store: Daily 10am-10pm, Shop E301, Dragonfly is an oasis of peace and tranquil- 3/F, ShiMao shopping center, Sanlitun, Chaoyang 朝 Broadwell International Tennis Academy 号楼2层217 (5785 3711, [email protected]); Located inside Chaoyang Park’s Tennis ity in the midst of the hectic city.

76 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM LISTINGS

> Daily 10am-late. 60 Donghuamen Dajie (near The Beijing HarMoniCare Women and Chil- accepted. Dongcheng 东城区朝阳门外潘家坡胡同1号东城区 Peninsula Hotel and Oriental Plaza) Dongcheng 东 dren’s Hospital 北京和美妇儿医院 >Mon-Fri 9am-8pm. NB210, 2/F, CBD, Guomao, China 职工大学208办室 (6525 9932/6526 7539) ; Gucheng 城区东华门大街60号(近王府饭店和东方广场) (6527 World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie建外 Village, 15 Huosha Lu, Houshayu Town, Shunyi 顺义 9368, www.dragonfly.net.cn); 1/F Eastern Inn, Nan 大街1号国贸商城地下2层 (6505 9439/31/93, www. 区后沙峪镇火沙路古城段15号 (8049 0307) Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang朝阳区南三里屯路逸羽酒店一 sdmdental.com); Mon-Fri 9am-8pm.Olympic Area,F- 层 (6593 6066); Grand Summit Plaza, 19 Dongfang 0186B, Sunshine Plaza, 68 Anli Lu(east of Sunshine The Frontiers School Donglu (100m north of Lufthansa Center), Chaoyang Plaza)亚运村安立路68号阳光广场东侧 (6497 朝阳区燕莎桥东方东路19号外交会所1层(燕莎中心路 2173,6498 2173) ; Mon-Sun 10am-19pm.LB07-08, 北100米) (8532 3122) Euro Plaza, No.99 YuXiang Road,Shunyi 北京顺义区天竺镇裕翔路99号欧陆广场LB07-08号 (8046 6084); Orchid Spa Mon-Fri 9am-8pm. FC222, 21st Century Hotel, 40 Purify your mind, body and soul at Orchid Liang Maqiao Lu,Sanyuanqiao 亮马桥40号21世纪饭 Spa, an authentic Thai spa in the heart of 店2层 (6466 4814, 6461 2745); Mon-Fri 9am-8pm. Sanlitun. Orchid’s Thai massage therapists 4076B, 4/F, New Yansha Mall, Yuanda Lu,Haidian 远 use quality hand-made oils to deliver an 大路金源燕莎购物中心Mall4层4076B (8859 6912/13); extraordinary experience. Services include Mon-Sun, 10am-7pm, Rm 5, 3/F, North Tower, China wifi, complimentary tea and dessert, and Overseas Plaza, 8 Guanghua Dongli 北京朝阳区光华东里8号中海广场北楼3层05号(5977 2488) on-site underground parking. > Daily noon-midnight, Sanlitun SOHO Tower 5, B1- IDC Dental 532, 8 Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工人体育北路 >Daily: 9am-6pm, Room 209, Bldg 7, Richmond Park 8号三里屯SOHO五号商场B1-532 (Reservation only: Clubhouse, Fangyuan Nanli, Chaoyang 朝阳区芳园 5785 3123, [email protected]) > Wi-Fi available. Chaoyang: 2 Xiaoguan Beili, 南里丽都水岸会所209 (6538 8111, info@idcdentalbj. Angel Hands Massage Center Beiyuan Lu 北苑路小关北里甲2号 (6499 0000. con- com) [email protected], en.hmcare.net) Joinway Dental Join the friendly and professional team at Hongkong International Medical Clinic, A reputable and trusted dental practice, Frontiers, who’ve been teaching Mandarin Beijing 北京港澳国际医务诊所 Joinway Dental provides the perfect com- for 11 years. > Dongsishitiao: 9/F, Office Tower, Hongkong Macau bination of cutting edge technology and > 3/F, Bldg 30, Dongzhongjie, Dongzhimenwai, Center-Swiss Hotel, 2 Chaoyangmen Bei Dajie 朝阳门 comfortable treatment, while maintain- Dongcheng 东城区东直门外东中街30号三层 (6413 北大街2号港澳中心瑞士酒店办公楼9层 (6553 9752, ing the strictest sanitary and sterilization 1547, www.frontiers.com.cn, frontiers@frontiers. 6553 2288/2345/6/7; [email protected]; www. processes. The clinic uses high-quality com.cn) hkclinic.com) imported materials, and its professional, US-trained staff offers a personalized and Beijing Mandarin Language School Raﬄes Medical private service. Established in 1998, Beijing Mandarin International SOS and Raffles Medical > Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm; 11D, Building D, Oriental School is the city’s top institute for teaching Group have formed a joint venture to en- Kenzo Plaza (Ginza Mall), 48 Dongzhimen Wai Dajie, spoken and written Mandarin as a second hance and expand the services of its China Dongcheng 东城区东直门外大街48号东方银座D座 language. More than 5,000 students Clinics. From March 30 the International 11D (8447 6092/93, mobile:1326 181 6708, join- from over 66 countries and more than 80 SOS clinics in China will be branded and [email protected], www.dentalcn.com) companies and embassies have successfully operated by Raffles Medical with expanded learned with us each year. services to all patients and privileged access > Guangming Hotel School: Room 0709, 7/F for International SOS members. Patients of EDUCATION Guangming Hotel (near the U.S Embassy) 朝阳区 Let us release your stress and make you the clinic will continue to have access to 光明饭店7层0709 (8441 8391; info@beijingmanda- smile wherever you go... Aroma Soothes the same doctors, the same facilities and International Schools rinschool.com; www.beijingmandarinschool.com; Therapy Massage, Rose Oil (RMB 280/min); same level of high quality care. Skype: beijingmandarinschool1998) Aroma Relaxation Massage; Aroma Lomi Raffles Medical Group is a leading medi- The British School of Beijing 北京英国学校 Lomi; Deep Relaxation Massage; Happy cal provider in Singapore and has been The British School of Beijing, established in The Bridge School Hour at weekend, all services are 20% off. operating for 40 years with over 100 clinics 2003, has campuses in Shunyi (primary & 北京桥汉语言学校 Our masseuses will know how to pamper and hospitals in Asia. The joint venture is secondary) and Sanlitun (primary). BSB of- >The Bridge School Head office, Room 503, 5/F, you and attend to your every need. committed to maintain the high standard fers an enhanced English National Curricu- Guangming Hotel, 42 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路42号光明饭店5层503室(153 2179 3321 > Room 301, Building 5, JianwaiSOHO, CBDGuomao, of quality with a focus on innovative and lum to 1,500 expatriate students, aged 1 to Chaoyang 朝阳区国贸建外SOHO, 5号楼301 (138 expanded clinical services and excellent 18, beginning with Early Years Foundation Grettchin) 1182 1008) patient care. Stage, Primary, Secondary, IGCSE exams in > Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, No.16 Year 10 and 11 and the International Bac- Kindergartens calaureate (IB) Diploma programme in Year Xinyuanli, Chaoyang 朝阳区新源里16号琨莎中心1座 House of Knowledge International Kinde HEALTH SERVICES 105室(6462 9112/ 6462 9100, www.internationalsos. 12 and 13. Admission & Fees: RMB102,993- com) 246,057. Contact our Admissions team to garten (HOK) Amcare Women’s & Children’s Hospital House of Knowledge International kindergar- With a zero waiting-time policy, top-quality arrange a school tour. OASIS International Hospital > Mon-Fri, 8am-4.30pm, South Side, 9 An Hua Street, ten (HOK) has locations in both Shunyi and inpatient facilities, home visits, night ser- OASIS International Hospital specializes in Shunyi 顺义区安华街9号南侧 (8047 3558, www.brit- Chaoyang. Both locations offer a Kindergar- vices and transportation assistance, Amcare serving the expatriate community with the ishschool.org.cn, [email protected]) ten program for children aged 10 months to provides a trustworthy experience. English- latest world-class technology and a broad 6 years (Pre-school). Students are treated as speaking services include pediatrics, range of services, all in a pristine facility de- competent learners and the school empha- Canadian International School of Beijing sizes critical thinking and collaboration skills, gynecology and obstetrics. signed to provide patients with the utmost 北京加拿大国际学校 > 9 Fangyuan XiLu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区芳园西 in an environment where children “Lean to comfort, care and privacy. Located in the Third Embassy Quarter of Learn”. In additional, the Shunyi location also 路9号 (6434 2399, 24hr hotline 800 610 6200, www. > Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5.30pm; Sat-Sun, 8.30am- downtown Beijing, the Canadian Interna- amcare.com.cn) has a elementary school starting from grade 12.30pm; 24 Hour Emergency Bldg C1, 9 Jiuxianqiao tional School of Beijing (CISB) opened its Beilu Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥北路9号C1栋 (400 876 1 in September 2014. doors in September 2006. This world-class > Quanfa Gardens Campus: North gate of Quanfa American-Sino OB/GYN/Pediatrics Ser- 2747, 5985 0333, www.oasishealth.cn) vices 北京美华妇儿医院 facility offers an internationally recognized compound, 15 Maquanying, Chaoyang District 朝阳区马泉营15号泉发花园北门(6431 8452, www. > 18 anyuan road,chaoyang district,Beijing 北京市朝 Canadian & IB PYP, IB MYP and IBDP educa- hokschools.com);Victoria Gardens Campus: 15 阳区安苑路18号 (8443 9666, bj.americanobgyn.com) DENTAL tion. The Canadian International School of Beijing develops the whole child in an Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District 朝阳 Arrail Dental environmentally sensitive school within a 区朝阳公园西路15号维多利亚花园公寓(6538 2624, Beijing International Medical Center www.hokschools.com) (IMC) Affiliated with the University of Pennsyl- kind, caring community to become a citizen Established in 1993, the International Medi- vania, Arrail Dental has access to top-class of the world. equipment. Its well-trained staff, multiple > 38 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路38 EtonKids International Kindergarten cal Center-Beijing counts on an expert team 伊顿国际幼儿园 locations across town and excellent facili- 号 (6465 7788,www.cisb.com.cn) of foreign doctors, offering a wide range of > LidoRoom C103 Lido Country Club, Lido Place medical services, including family medicine, ties make it one of the best dental provid- Jichang Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区蒋台路机场路丽都广场 Springboard International Bilingual psychological services, dental, ob/gyn, ers in Beijing. English-speaking staff. Dental (6436 7368 www.etonkids.com) ;3/F, Block D Global pediatrics and TCM. Drop-in services for services including examinations, whitening, School 君诚国际双语学校 Trade Mansion Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华 travelers; x-rays and ultrasounds are also root-canal treatment, orthodontics and Springboard International Bilingual School 路世贸国际公寓D座3层 ( 6506 4805) ; Southwest cor- available. English, Farsi, Japanese, Chinese, implants. is a place where children, staff and parents ner of Beichen Xilu and Kehui Lu, Chaoyang District Arabic and Russian spoken. >Rm 201, the Exchange-Beijing, 118B Jianguo Lu, work in partnership to enable all their 朝阳区北辰西路与科荟路交汇处西南角(8437 1006); Chaoyang 朝阳区建国路乙118号国贸桥东南角京 Kehui Lu, Chaoyang, Beijing 朝阳区科荟路大屯里 > 24hours. Room S106/111 Lufthansa Center, 50 students to realize their full potential. They 汇大厦201室 (6567 5670); Rm 208, Tower A, CITIC 社区(8480 5538) ;Bldg 19, Central Park, 6 Chaowai Liangmahe Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路50号燕莎 are offering a stimulating and full inter- Building, 19 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳 Dajie Chaoyang 朝阳区朝外大街6号新城国际19号楼中心写字楼1层S106 (6465 1561/2/3, 6465 1384/28, national curriculum as well as an exciting 区建国门外大街19号国际大厦A座208室 (6500 6473); (6533 6995); Palm Springs International Apartments www.imclinics.com) after school program, which will include Rm 308, Tower A, Raycom Info Tech Park 2 Kexueyuan Kung Fu, calligraphy, health and fitness and 8 Chaoyang Park Nanlu Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳公 Nanlu, Haidian 海淀区中关村科学院南路2号融科资讯 football. 园南路8号棕榈泉国际公寓 (6539 8967); Bldg 21, Beijing United Family Hospital and Clin- 中心A座308室 (8286 1956); Rm 101, Bldg 16, China Guangqu Jiayuan, Guangqumen- wai, Dongcheng东 > 15 Gucheng Duan, Huosha Lu, Houshayu Town, ics 北京和睦家医院 Central Place, 89 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国城区广渠门外广渠家园21号楼 (6749 5008); Baoxing Shunyi 顺义区后沙峪镇火沙路古城段15号 (8049 > Wi-fi internet. Lido, Emergency Room is open 路89号华贸中心公寓16号楼101室 (8588 8550/60/70); International Phase 2, Wangjing Chaoyang朝阳区望 2450; www.sibs.com.cn, [email protected]) 24/7/365, Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm; 2 Jiangtai Road, 1/F, Somerset Fortune Garden, 46 Liangmaqiao Lu, 京宝星园国际社区2期 (8478 0578); Block 1, Arcadia Chaoyang District, 朝阳区将台路2号. (5927 7000 / Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路46号燕莎东侧盛捷福景苑 Villas, Houshayu Shunyi 顺义区后沙峪罗马环岛北侧 5927 7120 Emergency Hotline);United Family CBD 1层 (8440 1926) Western Academy of Beijing 天北路阿凯笛亚庄园1座(8047 2983); 20A Xidawang Clinic和睦家朝外诊所 Mon-Sat, 9.30am-6.30pm, 京西国际学校 Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区西大望路甲20号首府社 Suite 3017, Building AB, Vantone Center, 6 Chaowai United Family Shunyi Dental Clinic The Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) is 区内 (5870 6779) Street, Chaoyang, 朝阳区朝阳门外大街6号万通中心 The Beijing United Family Dental Clinic in a creative and innovative IB World School AB座2层3017室(5907 1266); Jianguomen Health and Shunyi is a satellite of the main hospital built upon a solid foundation of core 3e International 北京3e国际学校 Wellness Center和睦家建国门保健中心, Wi-fi internet, in Lido (which has its own dental clinic values and our mission to Connect, Inspire, >9-1 Jiangtai Xilu Chaoyang 朝阳区将台西路9-1号(四 Mon-Sun 8:30am-5pm, 21 Jianguomen Dajie, B1, The onsite). A comprehensive range of services Challenge; Make a Difference. Our students 德公园旁) (6437 3344 , www.3eik.com) St. Regis Residence, St. Regis Hotel朝阳区建国门外大 exemplify these values through their aware- 街21号北京国际俱乐部饭店 ( 8532 1221 / 8532 1678 are at hand, including restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. Call ahead for all ness of the world around them, service to Bookstores Immigration Clinic ); Shunyi Clinic和睦家顺义诊所, others, can-do spirit and commitment to Wi-fi internet, Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5.30pm, Sat and Sun, appointments. > 818 Pinnacle Plaza, Tianzhu Real Estate excellence. WAB graduates are accepted The Bookworm * 9.30am-4.30pm.Pinnacle Plaza, Unit 806, Tian Zhu into world-class colleges and universities Real Estate Development Zone, Shunyi District, 顺义区 Development Zone, Shunyi 北京和睦家医院牙科诊所, This glass cube looks over Sanlitun Village, 天竺开发区荣祥广场806号(8046 5432); Shunyi Dental 顺义区天竺开发区荣祥广场818 (8046 1102) across the globe. providing a cozy atmosphere for browsing Clinic顺义牙科诊所, Wi-fi internet, Mon-Sat, 9.30am- > 10 Lai Guang Ying Dong Lu, Chao Yang 朝阳区来广 bibliophiles. The Western bookstore, li- 营东路号 7.30pm, Pinnacle Plaza, Unit 818, Tian Zhu Real Estate SDM Dental 固瑞齿科 10 (5986 5588) brary, film house, bar, bistro-cafe and event The full spectrum of dentistry. Services Development Zone, Shunyi 顺义区天竺开发区荣祥广 Mandarin Schools space always has a cultured evening on its 场818号 (8046 1102) ; Liangma Clinic亮马诊所 , Wi-fi include teeth cleaning, root-canal treat- shelves for both adults and kids. internet, Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm, 2nd Floor Grand ment, porcelain crowns, dental implants, Beijing Juncheng Language School > Daily 9am-2am. Building 4, Nan Sanlitun Road, Summit, 19 Dongfang East Road朝阳区东方东路19号 orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, fillings, Chaoyang District, Beijing 三里屯南街4号楼 (6586 1号楼会所27号外交人员公寓B区官舍16号 (5927 7005 北京君诚语言学校 pediatric dentistry, extraction, teeth- > Room 208, 1 Panjiapo Hutong, Chaoyangmenwai, 9507, www.beijingbookworm.com) www.ufh.com.cn, [email protected]) whitening and veneers. Credit cards

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 77 CLASSIFIEDS ACCOMMODATION also within easily reach of CBD, embassy BUSINESS CENTER China Life – West area, Financial Street and other urban 北京中国人寿大厦-西 West, 5/F, China Life Tower, No.16 Ascott Raffles City Beijing commercial,shopping and recreation areas. Regus Serviced Office 雷格斯服务式办公室 Chaoyangmenwai Street, Chaoyang District Located in Dongzhimen, one of the most Fully equipped apartments with impeccable •Flexible office leases from 1 day to 1 year quality offer you a cozy living system and 北京市朝阳区朝阳门外大街16号中国人寿大 vibrant areas, Ascott Raffles City is near the •Quick and easy to set up for 1-200 people 厦5层西区 second embassy district, which is rich in will meet all of your requirements for room •Prices from RMB180 per month cultural heritage and is only a 15 minute decoration, furniture, electric appliances •Find more on Regus.cn etc.. IFC drive to The Forbidden City. •Tel: 400 120 1207 北京财源国际中心 Unique sky garden with golf practice field Other nearby leisure attractions include 10/F, IFC East Tower, No.8 Jianguomenwai Food Street (Gui Jie) and Sanlitun nightlife and barbecue area is another symbol of >> BEIJING (20 LOCATIONS) << Street, Chaoyang District district. GTC Residence. 北京市朝阳区建国门外大街甲8号财源国际中 Lei Shing Hong Plaza [New] > No.1-2 Dongzhimen South Street > E-mail: [email protected] 心东座10层 website: www.gtcresidence.com 北京利星行广场 Dongcheng District 5/F, Tower C, Lei Shing Hong Plaza, No.8 Tel: 8405 3888 Tel:56756666 Prosper Center Wangjing Street, Chaoyang District 北京世纪财富中心北京市朝阳区望京街号利星行广场座层 Ascott Raffles City Chengdu Lanson Place 8 C 5 6/F, Tower 2, Prosper Center, No.5 Guang > No. 3, Section 4, South Renmin Road, Lanson Place Central Park Serviced Hua Road, Chaoyang District Sun Dong An Plaza [New] Wuhou District, Chengdu 610041, China Residences, located in the Central Business 北京市朝阳区光华路5号世纪财富中心2号楼6 District of Chaoyang, offers spacious 北京新东安广场层 Post code: 610041 7/F, Office Tower 2, Sun Dong An Plaza, Telephone:(86-28) 6268 2888 apartments in two, three and four bedroom configurations as well as penthouses No.138 Wangfujing, Avenue, Dongcheng Financial St. Excel Centre Facsimile:(86-28) 6268 2889 District overlooking a charming landscaped garden. 北京金融街卓著中心 GDS Code: AZ 北京市东城区王府井大街138号新东安广场写 The interiors are contemporary and restful 12/F, Financial Street Excel, Centre, No.6 Reservations Telephone:400 820 1028 字楼座层 2 7 Wudinghou Street, Xicheng District (China toll-free) ;(86-512) 6763 1021 while marble-clad bathrooms and kitchens 北京市西城区武定侯街6号卓著国际金融中心 Email:[email protected] are fully equipped. Zhongyu Mansion [New] 12层 > Website: www.lansonplace.com 北京中宇大厦 Lusongyuan Hotel Lanson Place Central Park Residences 6/F, Zhongyu Mansion, No.6 North Workers A traditional compound of quadrangle Tower 23, Central Park, No.6 NCI Centre Stadium Road, Chaoyang District 北京新华保险大厦中心 composing of 5 courtyards which lies in Chaoyangmenwai Avenue,Chaoyang 北京市朝阳区工体北路甲号中宇大厦层 6 6 15/F, NCI Tower, No.12A Jianguomenwai District, Beijing the "hutong" area of Beijing. The hotel Street, Chaoyang District building is famous for its imperial living Tel: 8588 9588 Fax: 8588 9549 Diplomatic [New] 北京市朝阳区建国门外大街甲12号新华保险北京亮马桥外交办公大楼 taste of the Qing Dynasty with a history of 大厦15层 nearly 170 years. The original owner of this Marriott Executive Apartments 17/F, Tower E, Liangmaqiao, Diplomatic Ideally located in the center of Wangfujing large private house was the Grand General Office Building, 3rd Embassy District, Taikang Financial Tower area where the prestigious business, SenggeRinchen, who lived here while he Chaoyang District 北京泰康金融大厦北京市朝阳区第三使馆区亮马桥外交办公大 carried out top official duties, such as commercial, entertainment, and shopping 23/F, Taikang Financial Tower, No.38 East 楼座层 defense minister. center of Beijing. The Imperial Mansion, E 17 Third Ring Road, Chaoyang District > Tel: (86 10) 6404 0436 Beijing – Marriott Executive Apartments 北京市朝阳区东三环北路38号泰康金融大厦 Kerry Centre - South Tower [New] Fax: (86 10) 6403 0418 reflects an exceptional level of luxury. 23层 > Gate, No. 1 Xiagongfu Street, Dongcheng 北京嘉里中心-南楼 Address: 10/F, South Tower, Kerry Centre, No.1 No.22 Banchang Lane , Kuanjie, Dongcheng District Zhongguancun Metropolis Tower Tel: 6564 9999 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District 北京中关村欧美汇大厦 District 北京市朝阳区光华路号嘉里中心南楼层 1 10 7/F, Metropolis Tower, No.2 Dongsan Street, 东城区宽街板厂胡同22号 The Millennium Residences of the Beijing www.the-silk-road.com Zhongguancun Xi Zone, Haidian District Fortune Plaza Landgent Building [Coming Soon] 北京市海淀区中关村西区东三街2号欧美汇大 E-mail: [email protected] 北京乐成中心 The Millennium Residences of the Beijing 厦7层 5/F, Block A, Landgent Center, No.20 East Lee Garden Service Apartments Fortune Plaza is located in the heart of Middle 3rd Ring Road, Chaoyang District Servcorp A newly renovated high-end premier living the Beijing CBD which bears the most 北京市朝阳区东三环中路20号乐成中心A座5 Smart businesses understand that flexibility residence in a central location next to the momentously potential of development 层 is the future of the workplace. They choose shopping and cultural sites of Beijing’s and value elevation. While 25 minutes away the world's finest Serviced Offices to grow Wangfujing, suites range from studios to from the Beijing International Airport, the China World Tower 3 their businesses, run critical projects and 4-bedroom apartments (60-610sqm in size) Millennium Residences is walking distance 北京国贸三期 give their people flexibility. and are tastefully furnished with specially from nearly all Embassies. 15/F, China World Tower 3, No.1 Level 26 Fortune Financial Center, 5 selected materials. > 7 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu Chaoyang Jianguomenwai Street, Chaoyang District Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang 朝阳区 > 18 Jinyu Hutong, Wangfujing, Dongcheng District. 北京市朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸中心3座东三环中路5号财富金融中心26层 (Servcorp. (100m East of Sun Dong An Plaza) 东城区 Tel: 8588 2888 15层 com.cn; tel: 5775 0310; fax: 5775 0350) 王府井金鱼胡同18号 (新东安东侧100米); Oakwood Residence Beijing 24hr front desk: 6525 8855, Fax: 6525 8080, Lufthansa Centre Oakwood Residence Beijing offers 406 北京燕莎中心 Need flexible and affordable ready work- [email protected], www. fully equipped luxury apartments ranging C203, Lufthansa Centre, No.50 Liangmaqiao space to enhance your business or register lgapartment.com) from studios to four bedroom penthouse Road, Chaoyang District a representative office for your temporary and terrace apartments, all exquisitely 北京市朝阳区亮马桥路50号燕莎中心C203 projects in Beijing? We have the perfect FraserResidence CBD East Beijing solution. Located within a Grade-A building Our location on the Fringe of the CBD with furnished in elegant and stylish decor. Each Kerry Centre in the popular Lufthansa Business Area, excellent connections to the subway line apartment is fitted with a state-of-the-art our work-spaces provide you, or your air purification and air conditioning system 北京嘉里中心 1 (Sihui station), BRT Lines (Ciyunsi) and 11/F, North Tower, Kerry Centre, No.1 company, with the ideal business identity, public bus system mean that wherever your which ensures 99.9% pure, triple filtered air, and most importantly, come with the most so you can trust in Oakwood and breathe Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District intern needs to be in the city, getting there 北京市朝阳区光华路1号嘉里中心北楼11层 competitive rates to minimize your cost and is relatively fuss free! easy. risks. > No. 8 Dongzhimenwai Xiejie, Chaoyang One bedroom deluxe: RMB16,000 /month Pacific Century Place District, Beijing 100027, China Two bedroom Executive: RMB26,000 / 北京盈科中心 Please contact: month [email protected] 14/F, IBM Tower, No.2A North Workers > Gateway Plaza, Tower A, Suite 16D , NE Three bedroom Deluxe: RMB33,000 /month Website: www.oakwoodasia.com/resbeijing Stadium Road, Chaoyang District 3rd Ring Road, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环 Email: sales.frbeijing@frasershospitality. Tel: 5995 2888 Fax: 5995 2999 北京市朝阳区工体北路甲2号IBM大厦14层北路霞光里18号佳程广场A座16D T:010- 84400606 M:15910782518 Cynthia LU com THE WESTIN EXECUTIVE RESIDENCES > Website: http:>beijing-east China Central Place CSO (Singapore) Beijing Business Center The Westin Executive Residences at The 北京华贸中心 frasershospitality.com Beijing Financial Street offer an array of We have 10 years experience in Tel: 010-58709188 / 400-881-6988 9/F, Tower 2, China Central Place, No.79 world-class cuisine options and Westin’s Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District managing serviced offices in the Asia and Pacific region, and our headquarters FraserSuite CBD Beijing signature amenities designed to elicit 北京市朝阳区建国路79号华贸中心2号楼9层 is in Singapore. CSO Beijing is our first The ultimate luxury in apartment living, personal renewal. Just 40 minutes from the business center in China . We are mainly Fraser Suites CBD Beijing epitomizes style airport, the Westin Executive Residences Parkview Green providing fully renovated and equipped and comfort, that surpasses the service provides direct access to Beijing’s business, 北京侨福芳草地中心 offices to clients for immediate use, and level of many Beijing hotels. The 357 entertainment and shopping district and 15/F, Office Building A Parkview, Green, all the serviced offices can be used as Gold-Standard Beijing apartment features close proximity to cultural landmarks such No.9 Dongdaqiao Road, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区东大桥路8号芳草地办公楼A座 incorporation purpose, and we offer contemporary concepts designed for luxury as The Forbidden City and Tiananmen 15层 maximum flexibility and complete smart living. Square. Each apartment is also fitted with office system to help our clients save > 12 Jintong Xilu Chaoyang District Beijing contemporary furnishings, fully equipped China Life Tower cost. We also provide virtual offices, Tel: 5908 6000 kitchens, state-of-the-art appliances, home entertainment system and LCD flat screen 北京中国人寿大厦中心 meeting room and conference room, video 5/F, China Life Tower, No.16 GTC RESIDENCE BEIJING televisions. conferencing, incorporation services and Chaoyangmenwai Street, Chaoyang District One of the top residences in Beijing, GTC > Email: [email protected] many other services. 北京市朝阳区朝阳门外大街16号中国人寿大 Add.: Level 6, Sun Palace Building, Residence is located beside the third ring Website: www.westin.com/beijingfinancial 厦5层 road with 5 minutes’ walk to subway line Tel: 6606 8866 Taiyanggong, Beijing 5 , 10 minutes’ drive to Hou Hai . It is Ms. Stephanie Yan, Mobile: 18210080591

78 | JUNE 2016 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM LISTINGS

Email: [email protected] Harris Corporate Services Ltd Beijing EX-PATS Service > A-1509,Xiaoyun Center, No.15 of Xiaoyun Website: www.csochina.cn Healty, reliable, experienced, English- Road, Chaoyang District Beijing Tel: 86 10 64697000 Beijing | Shanghai | Guangzhou | Hong speaking housemaid/ nanny. Free agency Tel: 84467119 Fax: 84467577 Kong and 24- hour English service. Medical BEAUTY SERVICES and Accident insurrance covered. EXPATS Silk Road Travel Management Ltd. Established since 1972 Life Group also serves with Mandarin, car Silk Road Travel is a pioneer in organizing Black Golden Tanning Salon Sanlitun leasing, English-speaking driver, Chinese Silk Road tours and other classic routes in Branch Grand Opening WFOE & Rep. Office Set Up driving license, vehicle registration. China. Founded in 1997, we are specialized Black Golden Tanning Salon is the only five- Accounting & Tax Compliance [email protected] in tailor making travel packages that star China flagship store by Ergoline. As Payroll, HR & Visa Solutions Website: www.expatslife.com allow travellers to truly experience the the 2011 model of Ergoline Esprit 770’s, Hong Kong & Offshore Company Tel: 64381634 local cultures and explore the amazing Registration Mobile: 13501237292 to bring a continuous tanning effect 25% heritages. Whether you are a small group Hong Kong & China Bank Account Opening above standard machines with unique of 2-9 persons or a corporate group, our aquacool and aroma functions, we provide MOVING AND SHIPPING professional staff will tailor make the tour customers with the safest and most Serving all your business needs for investing programme based on your needs. comfortable tanning space. in China. Call us for a free consultation. Email: [email protected] > Open time:11:00-21:00 Sanlitun SOHO Branch Tel: (86)10-6591 8087 www.the-silk-road.com Add: 2rd Floor Building 3, Sanlitun Mobile: 186-019-43718 TUI China SOHO,Chaoyang District Email: [email protected] An affiliate of World of TUI, the world’s Tel: 57853711 Wangjing Branch Beijing: leading tourism group, TUI China was Add: Room T5 3rd Floor, BOTAI International Room 2302, E-Tower, No.12 Guanghua established in late 2003 as the first joint Building, No. 36 North Guangshun Street, Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, PRC. venture with foreign majority share in the Wangjing, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区光华路12号数码01大厦2302 Chinese tourism industry. Its headquarters Website: www.bjtanning.com 室 are in Beijing whilst its operations reach Tel: 84722855 deep into the far corners of China. World of Shanghai: TUI generated approx.50,000 predominantly LA BELLEZA Suite 904, OOCL Plaza, 841 Yan An Zhong western tourists to China yearly and La Belleza means Beauty and Aesthetics in Road, Jing-An District, Shanghai, PRC. provides M.I.C.E services for renowned Spanish. Professional hair-designers from 上海市静安区延安中路841号东方海外大厦 companies worldwide. Hong Kong ,Korea and China gather here. 904室 Asian Tigers Mobility > Add: Bright China Chang An Building, Tower LA BELLEZA is the hairdressing salon for Is an international relocation specialist 2, Unit 921-926, 7 Jianguomen Nei Avenue you with its pleasant atmosphere, excellent Guangzhou: started in 1988 handling visa and service, and finest products. Room D-E, 11/F., Yueyun Building, 3 (Fax: +86 (0)10 6517 1371; Email: sales@tui. immigration, orientation, home finding, cn; Website: www.tui.cn; Tel: 8519 8800 New haircut! Good mood! Excellent life! Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, PRC. international, domestic and local moves Add: F4 No.408, Jinbao Place .Jinbao Street 广州市中山二路3号(东山口)粤运大厦11楼 and settling in services in China. We are No88,Dongcheng District, Beijing, china. D-E室 FAIM & ISO 9001-2008 accredited, members CATERING SERVICES Website: www.labelleza.com.cn of the OMNI and FIDI which gives us the Hong Kong: Tel: 010 8522 1626 global representation. Aurora Catering 7/F., Hong Kong Trade Centre, 161-167 Des An 100% authentic Italian experience MegaSun Tanning Salon Contact us: Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong. whether tasting a mouthful Lasagna or a As the only flagship store for this popular Tel: (8610) 6415 1188 香港德辅道中161-167号香港贸易中心7楼 juicy Carpaccio. Our international team German tanning salon, megaSun Tanning E-mail:[email protected] brings to you the authentic freshness and will provide for each client the finest sun Website: www.asiantigers-mobility.com tidbit of an Italian Espresso or a homemade tanning experience. MHI China LTD tastiness of a Mozzarella. Our center has prepared the newest 凯特威（北京）咨询有限公司 STORAGE We offer a full range of catering and event functional 7900 alpha and pureEnergy Room 971, 9/F，Poly Plaza，No.14， planning services for all types of business chamber systems, combined with easyCare Dogzhimen Nan Dajie，Dongcheng 东城区 China Self Storage Co. Ltd and personal functions that are tailored for optical testers. At megaSun, enjoy our 东直门南大街14号保利大厦写字楼9层971室 As a member of SSA and SSAUK, China Self you. The best service, at your service. professional UV and tanning services. (6551 0663) Storage Co. Ltd. introduces an international Contact Jacopo Tomé at 137 1794 0458 > 8 Dongdaqiao Road, sShangdu SOHO industry standard to professionally [email protected] North Tower, Rm. 2302 Beijing Office-TMF Group developed Self Storage for private, family Chaoyang District, Beijing In order to enable clients benefit from and business. Safe, clean, air-conditioned, the increasing globalization of the Zone de Comfort Website: www.imegasun.com 24h access, flexible size. To learn more, visit With our professional service, you can focus e-mail: [email protected] worlds economy, TMF Group offers www.selfstorageinchina.com. To make a a comprehensive range of corporate 100% on your event at Zone de Comfort, Sina Weibo: @麦肤堂 reservation, contact 400-600-6378 info@ every single assignment is unique for us. Tel: 5900-2236/2238 administrative outsourcing services in 67 selfstorageinchina.com. counties across the globe. With a genuine Our experience helps us understand your Jin’an Building, Tianzhu Garden West Rd., objectives with thorough planning, and global network and qualified staff, TMF Shunyi District, Beijing. CAR RENTAL SERVICE group provides an array of accounting, of course, exquisite food with elegant corporate secretarial and HR administrative Koala Ministorage presentation. Beijing First Choice Car Rental Service Co., outsourcing services. Koala Ministorage is the first professional In the past 5 years, we have handled Ltd > [email protected] self-storage provider in Beijing. To learn numerous catering projects covering We offer short and long term vehicle Website: www.tmf-group.com more, visit our website www.koalaministor- diplomatic/business functions for leasing services for both business and CCTV Tower and Kerry Centre age.com. To make a reservation, call us embassies, high-end cocktail receptions for sightseeing. Our commpany could provide Suite 3107, Tower A Beijing Fortune Plaza,7 toll free at 400-017-8889, email us at luxuries brands, automobiles and month- the latest elite, high-end vehicles such as Dongsanhuan Zhong Road, Chaoyang [email protected], or visit long hospitality center services. Find out Mercedes Benz S300, BMW S5 and more! District one of our stores. more from our Website: www.zdc-catering. Contact our friendly representatives for Tel: 65330533-860 com more information. REAL ESTATE AGENTS Tel: 138 1015 6525/6434 0778 FURNITURE HEALTH FOODS www.fccars.cn JOANNA REAL ESTATE RELOCATION [email protected] Crossover SERVICE E & L Healthy E & L Healthy provides safe and fresh Beijing TOP-A Vehicle Service Co., Ltd Crossover Center Flagship Store, is mainly We are one of China’s leading real estate vegetables of your choice up to twice a Beijing Top-A Vehicle Service provides: marketing international super home agencies boasting an extensive database week (Monday/Thursday) together with *English -speaking driver furnishing brand products. of high-end properties for rent. We have fresh, handmade tofu, sesame oil, peanut *Long-short term leasing Our agent brands include Poltrona Frau, helped thousands of expatriates find their oil or free-range eggs direct to your home. *Airport-Pick up/Drop off Cassina, Fritz Hansen, Moroso, Cappellini, homes as well as hundreds of companies Call Ellen to try our free trial box at *Sedan, Van and Bus Timothy Oulton, Tom Dixon etc, over re-locate their employees. Once we have 189 1178 0063, or email: customer@ We, ES-PATS Life Group, also serves with 20 international super home furnishing found you your ideal home we will be on ailinhesheng.com Mandarin, housemaid, Visa, driver, driving brands. hand to deal with any post move issues Our products are covered with all of fields license, vehicle registration service. and our dedicated after sales team will be TRAVEL SERVICES Tel: 6438 1634, 1350 123 7292, service@ in daily-life home furnishing, including contactable 7 days a week to help you with furniture, furnishing, lighting, dinning, and expatslife.com any queries you have throughout your stay office supplies etc. Beijing Trans-World Air Service Co.Ltd. www.expatslife.com in our country. Website: www.crossovercenter.com Established in February 2005 and approved Beijing Top Rate Car Rental Service Co., Ltd NO.81 North Road San-Li-Tun Bar St. Chao- > For more information please contact us: by the Civil Aviation Administration *Long/Short term leasing Yang District.Beijing.100027,P.R.C. Email: [email protected] of China, we are an aggregator of *Daily car service Tel: 5208 6112/6113 Fax: 8610-5208 6123 Website: http:>beijing.joannarealestate. international and domestic air, global *Sifht-seeing car service, Tailor-made car com.cn/ (Tel: 84585667 ; 13501358971) hotel reservations and big business travel. service With sales rankings in the top ten and HOUSEKEEPING Replus-Benchmark *Airport-Pick up/Drop off having earned the title of major proxies *Sedan (Audi A6, Audi A6L, VWPassat, “Replus-Benchmark” is one of the leading JNY Home Service of worldwide airlines, we are well-known Accord, Lacross 2.4, Benz MB100, Benz Vito, real estate agencies and relocation service JNY Home Service was established in for our top-notch service. We offer online Hyundai) and Buses provider for expatriates in Shanghai, 2007, supplying foreign families with booking, hotel inquiry and reservations and *Native drivers with good English Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu and English speaking/non-English Speaking a varity of travel-related services. *More information please contact nannies(maids), either daily or live-in. Shenzhen. > G8, First Floor, China Resources Building, Tel:6504 7266/6504 7256 As a part of our service,we make sure all • Residential Home Search Service 8 Jianguomenbei Avenue, Chaoyang FAx:6504 7256 references and ID cards are thoroughly • Visa Application 朝阳区建国门北大街8号华润大厦一层G8 www.sxsdcar.com checked to guarantee the safety and health • Commercial Office Space Search Service tel: 8519 2468/2469/2470/2471/2472; Email:[email protected] of your family. • Buying and Selling Property Service fax: 6518 2589; [email protected]; Email : [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] www.viptkt.com; WeChat: twas08314854 CONSULTING SERVICE Mobile: 13426362833(24h) Website: www.replus-benchmark.com

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | JUNE 2016 | 79 Start Here What do you like to Spend time with More friends or more family? do for fun? friends and family

Explore local culture Family Friends shop

What kind of local Where do your kids culture? WHICH PART OF like to hang out?

Where? BEIJING SHOULD YOU LIVE IN?

by Noelle Mateer Football fields Art museums Hutongs

Louis Vuitton Uh, no? Gulou Shunyi Lido

Have you ever called Gulou “sooo 2013”? Where do you get all that money? What do your Yes Dashilar friends do?

I moved to a My parents’ jobs – Sanlitun remote artists’ colony Study Work in small businesses Take tequila shots I just party ages ago

My job as a high- CBD Tongzhou Wudaokou Shuangjing Gongti powered exec