That's Beijing - October 2017 by That's - Pulse of The City

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4 0 0 8 2 0 8428 城市漫步北京英文版 10 月份国内统一刊号: CN 11-5232/GO China Intercontinental Press

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OCTOBER 2017

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Editor-in-Chief Noelle Mateer Deputy Editor Dominique Wong National Arts Editor Erica Martin Digital Content Editor Justine Lopez Designer Iris Wang Contributors Dominic Ngai, Jocelyn Richards, Mia Li, Yuka Hayashi, Vivian Liu, Zaruf Ezhan, Matthew Bossons, Lena Gidwani, Bailey Hu, Frances Chen, Qinxin Lu, Holly Baer, Zhang Zheming, Li jianguo, Gui Zixuan, Yan jing, Zhou Weizhen

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Editor’s Note

OCTOBER 2017

DEALS We're giving away tickets to some of

October is a weird time in Beijing. Maybe you won’t be here for most of it. Maybe you’re one of the bajillion people who’s booked flights to somewhere sexy and exciting, like Bali or Koh Samui or Tokyo. Maybe you and your lover are renting motorcycles and driving the length of Vietnam. Wherever it is you’re going, know that I hate you. Sorry, is it bad form to start an Editor’s Note by admonishing our readers? I take it back. It’s just that I wish you all were here over Golden Week. The national holiday is one of the best weeks of the year in Beijing – and I’ll miss you, damn it. If you’re still in town and off work, it’s a magical week of good weather and long naps. The China Open is happening (see p. 69). Bars offer hefty discounts to get the few of us homebodies who aren’t traveling outside. And I have yet to discover a restaurant that stops it regular brunch service over the holiday, so cheers to that. But if Halloween is your preferred October holiday, then boy, oh boy, do we have the cover story for you. Read China’s most gruesome horror stories, in illustrated graphic-novel form, starting p. 40 (you’ve been warned: it’s not the most family-friendly read). Elsewhere in the magazine, Dominique Wong attends an English-language debate competition for Chinese high schoolers (p. 10); Erica Martin shares her pick of the month’s album releases (p. 35); and Yuka Hayashi goes gonzo… by waiting in a two-hour line for milk tea (p. 54). Happy Golden Week, Mid-Autumn Festival, Halloween and whatever else you’re celebrating,

the very best Beijing parties, openings, shows and talks all month, alongside free meals, drinks, discounts and prizes. All you have to do is scan the QR code below, follow us on WeChat and keep an eye out for your chance to win. You'll get some other great stuff on your phone too.

Noelle Mateer Editor-in-Chief

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6 CITY 7 BRICK BY BRICK Beijing’s ‘beautification’ continues to wreak havoc on small businesses

8 ONE FOR THE AGES Young and old people on what they hate about Beijing

15 URBAN DICTIONARY Why cunzaigan is the perfect

word for the social media age

16 LIFE & STYLE 19 SCENE & HEARD

This month’s new openings: a salon and a gym

20 OFF THE MALL The changes in store for China’s shopping centers

24 A HOSTEL ENVIRONMENT 19

The design behind a campsiteinspired youth hostel

28 ARTS 29 STEALING THE SHOW The Candle Thieves prepare for another China tour

32 ROCK ON

Two post-rock bands head in new directions – together

34 FACE THE MUSIC The best new China album releases

50 EAT & DRINK 54 NOT OUR CUP OF TEA What’s the deal with crazy-long lines at milk tea places?

56 THE BURGER KING Cannon’s burgers rule them all

57 DUCK YEAH 57 4 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Sheng Yong Xing is Beijing’s latest and great duck joint

10 THAT’S DEBATABLE The Chinese teens learning to argue in English

40 SCARED SILLY Your illustrated guide to China’s best ghost stories

36 VIRTUAL REALITY CHECK Is VR technology the future of Chinese art? WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 5

CITY A HOT DEBATE

Meet the Chinese teens who shout and conquer, p10

Generation Gap p8

The Big Picture p9

Chinese Urban Dictionary p15

TALES OF THE CITY

BEIJING BRICKED: AN UPDATE words by Justine Lopez, additional reporting by Vivian Liu

It’s been months since the start of Beijing’s citywide ‘beautification campaign,’ but instead of winding down, construction has ramped up. By the end of July, almost 24,000 unauthorized windows and entrances around the capital had been bricked up, Straits Times reports. The demolitions began last October, when Baochao Hutong was bricked, but began in earnest in March, when some of Beijing’s most popular spots fell victim to the citymandated construction. Bulldozers razed Sanlitun’s notorious ‘Dirty Bar Street’ in April. A month later, expat favorite Fangjia Hutong was bricked up. And in July, 4,000 sqm of illegal structures in the Shichahai area were torn down. Later this summer, renovations reached beyond Dongcheng and Chaoyang, much to the distaste of businessowners elsewhere who thought their less-trafficked neighborhoods might be spared. Jun Trinh, of Houhai restaurant 4corners, thought his Xicheng district address might work in his favor – until bulldozers tore through Gulou Xidajie, just behind his place. “It’s like a virus,” Trinh tells That’s Beijing, as demolition begins in the area. “It’s hitting the main streets first, but will probably stretch into smaller hutongs like this one. We don’t know.” And while much attention has been given

to closures of expat-oriented bars, the renovations have hit far-away locations and private residences, too. Entire communities in suburban neighborhoods of Tongzhou district have been ‘beautified.’ Down south in Panjiayuan, formerly busy shops have been smashed and paved over. Meanwhile, signs are still being posted on hutong walls, informing residents and business owners that the bricks will be coming soon. Many business owners scramble to sell the last of their inventory before construction workers close their shops. Despite controversy surrounding the construction, many believe that the campaign will ultimately benefit Beijing residents by making the city more modern, clean and livable. Even Trinh, of 4corners, admits: “There are some structures that are unsafe, [so] what the government is doing may help with safety hazards.” According to the Beijing Overall Urban Development Plan, released in March, the plan is to transform the capital into a worldclass city. Efforts began last year and will continue until 2030, Straits Times reports. The capital also aims to cap its population at 23 million by 2020, which will improve overcrowding and congestion. In addition, 15 new parks are being created this year alone,

meaning that 77 percent of residents will soon have a park within 500 meters of their home. City authorities also plan to clean up a total of 1,700 alleys – roughly two-thirds of Beijing’s hutongs. In August, a series of guidelines were announced to ensure that all ancient residential blocks in Dongcheng are restored in a manner that preserves their traditional character. The 12-article guidelines detail how the buildings will look, from the architecture and aesthetic to the landscaping and the color of the walls (gray). Photos portraying pristine-looking structures dot the walls of bricked up hutongs, advertising what neighborhoods will look like once the renovations are complete (basically a squeaky-clean, less-chaotic version of how the areas currently appear). A visual plan for what was once known as Sanlitun’s ‘Dirty Bar Street’ has also been circulating, revealing an immaculate, yet sanitized, pedestrian street. Love it or hate it, the renovations are a work-in-progress. Progress? That remains to be seen. There’s only one thing we can say for sure: Beijing is changing fast.

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THE BUZZ GENERATION GAP

ZHANG, 27

What do you dislike about living in Beijing?

TAKE ME OUT Food delivery workers wait for an order to come through on their phones in Wangjing.

photo by Li Jianguo

“I don’t like the fact that I’m constantly putting on so much weight because of Waimai [food delivery]. Sure, I could control myself if I wanted to, but it’s just too convenient and fun choosing between all the yummy options. Ordering Waimai – all the time – is my guilty pleasure, but the guilt outweighs the pleasure these days. That’s why I sometimes wish the Waimai apps on my phone would automatically delete themselves when I feel like ordering one. [Laughs].”

MENG, 53

THE BEIJING BLUES

“Air pollution, for sure! It makes me cough so much and it also irritates my asthma, especially during wintertime. Not only does it negatively impact my health, but it also affects my mood and how I’m feeling that day. The only thing I feel when it’s polluted outside is languor. But I guess summertime in Beijing is pretty good. It’s hardly polluted, and besides, I mostly just stay indoors with the AC on, so the air never really affects me.” As told to Yuka Hayashi 8 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

According to a recent study by Tsinghua University, Beijingers are among the least happy people in the country. Researchers analyzed social media posts from 2016 and, based on whether they featured positive or negative words, ranked all of China’s major cities using a “happiness index.” The study also examined the correlation between wealth and happiness, finding that people in areas with a GDP of less than RMB45,000 (per person) were happier than those living in places where the average GDP was higher. Ranked 273rd, Beijing was near the bottom.

LUZHOU, SICHUAN BEIJING

E DI T E D B Y D OMINIQ UE W ONG / bj e di t o r @ ur b a n a t o m y.c o m

“Once extreme weather or an emergency happens at the airport, punctuality will fall like dominoes, causing delays” President of Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA), Han Zhiliang, on the reasons behind the airport’s plans to increase the amount of ground resources and decrease the number of daily flights. The airport hopes to curb its all-too-frequent delays. Along with these changes, BCIA also plans to increase the number of international flights in the near future. BCIA had 94 million passengers pass through last year – though it was only built to handle 82 million. It’s also been ranked the second busiest airport in the world for the past seven years.

...is the length of time, in minutes, that has been cut from the high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai. As of last month, the new Fuxing trains on the Beijing to Shanghai line will operate at speeds of 350km/h, making the journey four and a half hours instead of five. Most trains previously ran at speeds of 300km/h. WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 9

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F E AT URE | CIT Y

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CIT Y | F E AT URE

“Where is the money going to come from?” a Chinese teenager shouts. “The government can print more money!” her opponent replies fervently. It’s day one of the National High School Debate League Competition (NHSDLC) championship, and two high schools students are arguing over whether the US should implement a Universal Basic Income, in a high school classroom in west Beijing, in English. They are just two of the nearly 500 students participating in the biggest English debate league competition in China, from places as far-flung as Ningxia and Liaoning. For these young people, it’s the culmination of months of research and success in regional tournaments. The championship is a long weekend. Teens cram on seats between endless debates, their parents waiting anxiously nearby. Almost 100 judges assess eightodd debates each day, with additional staff tabulating the results. Dressed smartly in shirts and suits, teenagers carry laptops worth thousands of RMB and plastered with stickers reading “I CAN’T KEEP CALM, I’M A DEBATER.” With some of the brightest – and wealthiest – kids in China forming arguments in their non-native language, the finals are mind-boggling. I watch teens far more eloquent and smarter than I ever was at their age (and, in some cases, am now). Split into two divisions – one for ESL students, the other, an ‘international’ one for

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both ESL and international school students – the championship brings together teenagers from every province in China. There are kids from experimental and international schools as well as public high schools. Some speak immaculate English, others less so. But all have invested the time and money into learning how to debate. Organized debate sees teams taking sides on a topic, conducting research beforehand and arguing their position in front of a judge. It’s a well-established hobby in the US and UK. And while Chinese-language debate does exist – although usually in a different format – it’s English-language debate that’s currently most prestigious among China’s elites. Now, NHSDLC and other debate organizations are exposing Chinese teens to completely new forms of expression. Yet, issues of inequality, and clashes with China’s traditional educational system, remain. As recently as five years ago, high school leagues of this scale didn’t exist in China, according to NHSDLC president David Weeks. “There wasn’t an eco-system in China. There’s a lot of Chinese debate that goes on, but it’s run on an ad hoc basis, by schools or municipal governments.” NHSDLC is now the largest foreign language debate league in the world. More than 15,000 students compete annually in over 75 NHSDLC tournaments across China. “We’re not teaching kids to shout at each other. We’re trying to teach them a little more nuance than that,” says Charles Barton,

a visiting judge from a prestigious US college (hint: it rhymes with ‘kale’). “A couple of rounds ago, I judged a team that said the [Universal Basic Income] is good because loggers would be able to get an income without working and so they would stop cutting down trees. So, the UBI would stop climate change. That was an [imaginative] one.” Deabte is surging in popularity, league president Weeks tells me as results are tallied. In the past, he says, “there were a handful of schools that did [English debate], like Xi Jinping’s daughter’s high school. It’s mostly an elite activity, but it’s making its way down to more grassroots levels.” Weeks says the increase in popularity is partly because more wealthy Chinese students are going abroad at younger ages and enrolling in international schools. But it’s not always for prestige. Taijia International Education, a private education consultant institute in Beijing, introduced a debate program last year to boost students’ confidence, school founder Julia Zhao says. “Chinese students are more introverted. They know a lot, but it’s hard for them to communicate.” Most of the teens I meet at the national competition hope to attend university overseas and see debate as a good way to differentiate themselves in their college applications. But for others, debate goes beyond a “resume check box,” as Weeks calls it. It offers them the chance to gain critical thinking and creative skills – skills that

“Employers don’t want their employees to be good at arguing. I’ve had experiences where potential employers were like, are you a very aggressive person and like to fight a lot?”

F E AT URE | CIT Y

some say China’s education system neglects. During a break at the NHSDLC finals I chat with Jiangsu public school debaters Wang and Zhang in the school’s main foyer. They see debate as an alternative to Jiangsu’s – and to a certain extent, China’s – harsh education system. The two start dropping truth bombs like: “China’s education system is rubbish.” (“You can write your article about this,” Wang says.) Zhang elaborates on what they mean: “You’re just educated on what the teacher says. They give a lecture and you take it all in without even thinking about whether it’s right or wrong. And even if you have other thoughts, these won’t get you a higher score in the gaokao [university entrance exam], so there’s no point.” Wang, meanwhile, sees debate as a chance to break out of his bubble. “NHSDLC is awesome because we now have contact with all these people who are going abroad,” he says. “Whereas at our high school, we wouldn’t have had the chance.” Wang explains that many of the students at the championship are either from an international school, or an international program at a public school. “But we aren’t. Some of these students have studied abroad for years.” This difference gives international students a clear language advantage, which is demonstrated in their presentation and ability to formulate quick replies. Wang’s debate partner Zhang agrees. “I know what I want to say, and it might be a better idea, but I can’t…” Zhang stumbles. “Express it?” I offer. “…Express it very clearly. I was thinking about that word. That’s why we get stuck in the debate sometimes. But my English has gotten much better since I joined debate,” Zhang says. “At our school they only teach you grammar, words or how to write some short sentences.” Biing-biing-biing. A bell rings and the boys head off to their next debate. Public school students are particularly driven, Weeks says. “To take on extra work on top of their average homework load takes something special. We notice really, really motivated kids from public schools.” But the effects of gaokao-style learning are obvious when working with Chinese students, says former debate coach Aaron Kruse. With a decade’s worth of debate experience in the US and China, Kruse has coached and judged students from both countries. “I’ve found that a lot of Chinese students want to go straight to the bottom of [an argument]. They think that, in the end, one side definitely has it right,” Kruse says over a beer one evening. “But I try to teach them a process about thinking about arguments in general, not just in this argument.” Yet there are areas where these Chinese students excel, Kruse says, in particular, research, rewriting and revision. Ultimately, Kruse is effusive about China’s young debaters. “They’re not doing it in their native language and they’re also rocking 4.0 [grade point averages]. People who succeed at [debate] in China will go on to do awesome stuff because they’re determined.

“I feel bad as a judge, writing ‘you could have done this thing better,’ when I’m like, Jesus, I couldn’t have done any of this.” Although past winners of NHSDLC’s national championship have come from all over China, from Shenyang and Chongqing to Guangzhou (“Beijing has never won it,” Weeks says, amused), certain areas tend to excel at debating more than others. While cities like Shanghai and Beijing have the numbers, schools in cities like Guangzhou and Tianjin supported debate from its early stages, thus building up a strong community. Accompanying her daughter at the finals tournament, Tianjin parent Hu Zhijie says: “Debate teaches children to have more points of view. It’s a great activity. Besides, [my daughter] likes debating.” Yet, many regions lack adequate resources and funds to even enter the debate arena, let alone compete, thus turning debate into a moneyed pursuit. American debater Kruse says: “There’s inequality in the debate community in the US, but nowhere near as large as it is in China. It’s extraordinarily unequal.” The gap between regions is apparent at the NHSDLC finals. On the third day, I watch a debate featuring partners Hu and He. Speaking in a measured British accent – an anomaly in a sea of American English – Hu argues that a UBI frees people “from the stigma of poverty. A vote for pro is a vote for progress.” It’s eloquent and affecting. It’s also the Kunming team’s 11th round in the last couple of days, Hu tells me. According to his debate partner, He, the two are the only students from Yunnan province to compete in the finals. “Kunming isn’t a strong debate area. Shanghai is really intimidating because they've got tons of students from the same school. We don’t have a coach, so we do all of our own research,” Hu says.

Previous page: Two teams face off in the NHSDLC championship finals These pages, from left: Judges consider the merits of a debater’s speech (image by Dominique Wong); Participants attend China Debate Association’s inaugural Beijing Women’s Debate Cha;lenge (image by Zhou Weizhen)

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CIT Y | F E AT URE

“There’s inequality in the debate community in the US, but nowhere near as much as in China. It’s extraordinarily unequal”

NHSDLC’s parent company, Sunrise International Education, is trying to correct this imbalance. The company offers free training sessions to any school that asks for them. A former coach at Sunrise, Kruse recalls taking part in the group’s outreach program. “One time I had to take a long distance bus from outside Rizhao in Shandong province to Laizhou, which is a tiny town, near the coast. The bus dropped me off outside [Laizhou] and I had to hitch a ride into town in a suit. I’m the only foreigner within miles of this place, and I was like, this is the smallest place I’ve ever been. “[But] the kids turn out in droves to see you. Some of them are playing on their phones and don’t give a sh*t, but to reach some kids, for even an hour [is invaluable],” Kruse says. “Every single student in the middle of Rizhao had the opportunity, once in his or her life, to stand up and use English to argue with somebody about a topic. That might be the extent of their interaction with debate, but it’s more than they ever would have had before.” There are other organizations trying to make debate more open. China Debate Association, for instance, targets university students. The recently formed group aims to make events more accessible by setting lower entry costs, says co-founder and experienced debater Wei Xinyue. “Overall the [university] tournaments in China are becoming really expensive. I don’t know where the money goes.” CDA’s inaugural competition was the Beijing Women’s Debate Challenge. Held at the beginning of July, the oneday event cost a mere RMB100 to enter and included debates and workshops on themes related to women and feminism (as well as a meal and goody bag). The event was a success, and CDA hopes to hold a similar one in Shanghai later this year. The organization also aims to increase debaters’ career opportunities in China. “In other countries, debate is a prestigious activity. But not in China,” Wei says. “In Asian cultures, employers don’t want their employees to

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be good at arguing. I’ve had experiences where [potential employers] were like, are you a very aggressive person and like to fight a lot? This is a misunderstanding about what debate is.” Pop culture may also have a hand in lessening these misunderstandings. Now in its fourth year, iQiyi show Qi Pa Shuo (also known as U Can U Bibi) sees Chinese celebrities debate a range of topics in a talk-show fashion. The program is a hit with Chinese audiences, racking up more than 300 million views in its second season, according to the blog What’s on Weibo. Once you get past the blatant product placement of yogurt cartons atop every desk and the sentimental background music, it is, in essence, individuals speaking about an issue in front of a judge. Although Wei laments the show’s subjects, which skew towards emotions rather than current events – like whether people should believe in love at first sight – she admits that the show is helpful in the wider scheme of promoting debate. “People start to understand more about debating – they see it’s not about fighting with each other. It’s about understanding key issues.” Back at the NHSDLC championship, the three-day event ends with a ceremony held in the school auditorium. A line of clear, sparkling trophies sits atop a long table on the stage. Music that sounds like it was ripped from the climax of a Disney film booms triumphantly. The debaters with the highest speaking scores in the international division are announced (mostly boys, up until the third-best) and a team from Shanghai wins. The runners up are also from Shanghai. But all the students congratulate each other, taking selfies on stage and shaking each other’s hands afterwards. Top to bottom: Two teams prepare to debate each other; Debaters shake hands after a combative round

CHINESE URBAN DICTIONARY | CITY

Cunzaigan/ Cúnzàigǎn / 存在感 n. the feeling that others acknowledge that you exist; the sense that you are not ignored by others in a society; a validation of your existence Oh my god, Lily put naked photos of herself on WeChat Moments again.

She would do anything for cunzaigan.

I don't understand. Where is the fun in having a bunch of horny dogs follow you all day?

She is a cunzaigan addict.

Humans are not born equal. Some are the center of attention wherever they go. People greet them whenever they walk into a room. People ask them what is wrong when they are silent. But there are also those of us who are never noticed. When we get left behind by our group, no one notices. At restaurants, all the dishes are ordered without anyone asking us what we’d like. At the dinner table, we try to make conversation but no one listens. No one is rude to us, but being routinely ignored is almost worse than being treated badly – it makes us feel as if we don’t exist. Turns out being ‘invisible’ is one of the worst feelings, if not the worst. Sociologists now say that the lack of cunzaigan, a sense of existence, is at the root of many of our bizarre behaviors – we start fights, do provocative things, tell lies or just behave badly in general,

because we want to get noticed and milk some cuinzaigan out of the oblivious people around us. Cunzaigan makes us feel validated, alive and less alone – and we will do anything to get it. We will tell others embarrassing tales about ourselves if it means we can get their sympathy. We expose our vulnerabilities to get pity. We go on talkshows and air our dirty laundry on TV just to garner shocked reactions. Cunzaigan is the ultimate drug. The age of social media doesn’t make getting cunzaigan any easier. Since our attention is constantly being pulled in different directions by 300 cat gifs at any given moment, we have to constantly up the ante if we want cunzaigan. Photos of Instagram-worthy lunches are not enough anymore. We need nudity, obscenity and ever-more shocking images to get hits and likes. And that cunzaigan, when we get it, is fleeting. You can get 10,000 likes within the hour, but minutes later, your followers’ attention is onto to the next shocking thing (or cat gif). The thing is, cunzaigan is not something we can generate ourselves. We have to rely on others to get it. So if you’re are hooked on cunzaigan, it’s best to wean yourself off – because life is too short to put your happiness in someone else's hands. Mia Li

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LIFE &

STYLE

IN TENTS

Photo by Zhang Zhemin

The groundbreaking design behind a Beijing hostel, p24

New Openings p19

The Future of Malls p20

Totes for Fall p23

SPOTLIGHT

CINDI LEUNG Creative Director of WeWork, Asia Pacific interview by Dominic Ngai

Born in Hong Kong and raised in New York, Cindi Leung worked for WeWork in the US for more than five years before taking up her current role as the creative director for Asia Pacific in Shanghai. An architect by training, Leung applies smart design principles to the company’s popular co-working spaces.

How would you describe the overall feel of a WeWork space? We want to provide a very homey, cozy environment for our members, because people spend more time at work than they do at home. While the furniture is very residential, a lot of pieces are customized to have the look and durability that we need for our operations. It’s not just about putting pretty things everywhere; we also pay attention to the dimensions of different furniture pieces. For example, we customize the height of our coffee tables to match the seat height so it’s more comfortable for those who are working on their laptops in a lounge setting. When designing a co-working space, what are some of the most important features? Besides all the basic needs of an office – meeting rooms, common areas, pantries and printing services – we also want the interior

design to foster a sense of community. The programming, layout and furniture arrangement are all designed to inspire and empower our members, in addition to satisfying their functional needs.

Can you walk us through how you came up with the design concept of your spaces in Beijing? WeWork is a global company with a local playbook, so while some features are rolled out globally, each location starts with a local design concept, which draws inspiration from the building, the neighborhood or the city itself. The architectural mood of our first two locations in Beijing [Guanghua Lu and Ciyun Si] are based on the way you travel through a Chinese garden and how the scenery is framed by an architectural opening – you’ll find these features in the nooks and the artwork of these spaces. Which design features were tailored specifically for the Chinese market?

The typical back-to-back office layout [used] in the US is not desirable in China’s office culture, so we used a face-to-face layout here. For amenities, we’ve added more hot water machines in the pantry. In other markets,

WeWork offers conference rooms with capacities ranging from three to 10 people, but we find that larger meetings happen more often in China, so we eliminated the small rooms and created extra-large spaces just for this market. We added benches and movable seating for these rooms as well. WeWork has more than 160 locations across the globe. Which design features work well everywhere?

Working in the in-house design team is interesting because we’ve built so many locations worldwide. Our R&D team go back into the open buildings to see what the members like and don’t like through surveys. Also, they look at the data in our sensor systems to track the activities of our members and to analyze which rooms are most frequently used. All of this qualitative and quantitative feedback is rolled back into the design process when we create a new building. It’s about constantly improving ourselves and ensuring that each new building is better than the last. Find out more about WeWork at www.wework.com

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 17

STYLE RADAR COVET

UNDER THE LENS

FENTY BEAUTY

UNIQLO X JW ANDERSON For autumn/winter 2017, Uniqlo and UK fashion label JW Anderson are working together on a 33-piece collection that includes outerwear, sweaters and accessories. The collaboration aims to bring together timeless British design with Japanese functionality. Designer Jonathan Anderson said of this partnership: “Working with Uniqlo is probably the most incredible template of democracy in fashion, and it’s nice that my design can be accessible to anyone, on all different levels.” Highlights include trench coats (RMB1,299) and beautiful striped scarves (RMB149). Available in Uniqlo stores across China. www.uniqlo.cn

18 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Rihanna’s buzzed-about Fenty Beauty line launched worldwide last month. So far, the makeup line has received rave reviews for its inclusiveness (40 foundation shades!), functional packaging (magnetic cases!) and ethical practices. Because not only are the brand’s products paraben-, sulfate- and phthalates-free (basically, free of crap that’ll mess with your skin), but they're also cruelty-free, meaning they’re not tested on animals. Great! But don’t expect to be able to buy any of the products here, as skincare and makeup lines must be tested on animals before they get the go ahead on the Mainland. Luckily, the brand is available at Hong Kong Sephora. We say it’s worth the trip. www.fentybeauty.com

OVERHEARD

“Past scholars studied to improve themselves; today’s scholars study to impress others”

This famous quote by Confucius is printed on the insoles of the new CLOT x Converse One Star sneakers, which are part of the two labels' serenity-themed fall 2017 collection. The masterminds behind the black-and-white suede shoes aim to marry the age-old Chinese philosophy of yin and yang with contemporary street fashion to achieve a sense of balance and harmony. In an interview with Hypebeast, actor, singer and co-founder of CLOT Edison Chen said that the collaboration with Converse is in line with his label’s plan for a global expansion. www.converse.cn

E DI T E D B Y D OMINIC NG A I / bj e di t o r @ ur b a n a t o m y.c o m

COVET

Closing Up Shop The iconic Tianyi Market closed last month, making it the latest Beijing market to shut shop amid the capital's efforts to cap its population and move non-essential businesses to Hebei. The market operated for 25 years and was the largest of its kind in the capital. Tianyi is just one of many markets that has been forced to close in the past year. In July, the Beijing Zoo wholesale market also bit the dust. The city government is planning on shutting all wholesale markets within the Fourth Ring Road by 2020. Authorities say that Tianyi vendors are being compensated and relocated to Hebei. City planners hope the vacant space will be replaced with technology and financefocused businesses in the future. JL

SCENE&HEARD

10+10 NAIL LAB AND YOUNGFO DEEP CLEANSING CENTER Sanlitun’s chicest new nail salon is more than a nail salon. It offers manicures, pedicures and the now-ubiquitous nail-art binders – but you can also have a ‘deep cleansing.’ Not sure what this is? Neither were we, until we tried it. Now we know: It's an intensive hour-long facial using some serious technology. No effort is spared in cleansing our faces, and man, do they cleanse them. Expect tiny suction cubes on your cheeks, dentist-style water guns and layers upon layers of aromatic oils. It may seem intense, but hey – our skin was looking mighty fresh at the end of it. The best part? You can get a facial and a manicure at the same time. Now that’s pampering.

Daily, 10am-9pm; 3/F, Bldg 2, Taikoo Li North, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北路18号太古里北区2号楼3层 (6464 6989)

B ACTIVE Popular workout spot B Active opened its third Beijing branch in Dongzhimen. Like its other locations in Sanlitun and the CBD, the gym is equipped with top-notch equipment and offers a range of fitness classes including body pump, bootcamp and flow yoga. The new location has got it all: showers, lockers, friendly staff and experienced trainers (we recommend body pump with Karo – it’s killer). And if you’re more of a gym-rat than class bunny, even better, as B Active is open 24 hours – perfect for those 3am leg sessions or late-night treadmill runs. The gym prides itself on its no-contract deals, allowing gymgoers to enjoy its facilities and classes, without the RMB commitment.

Daily, 12am-12pm; 1/F, 107, 56 Dongzhimen Waixie Jie, Dongcheng 东城区东直门外斜街56号1层107

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 19

LIFE & ST YLE | F E AT URE

t’s a h So Wls? . g min g Mal o o B ppin s i e erc a’s Sho m m in E-Co For Ch t Nex nic Ngai mi

o by D

One of my favorite places to work is a restaurant in a shopping center not far from my office. Besides having good food, comfortable seating and fast wifi, its main draw is that it’s always quiet and empty – just like the rest of the mall. Signs marked ‘closing sale’ can be found all over this complex, while bored-looking shopkeepers linger nearby. These are increasingly common sights in China, where a boom in online retail threatens to eradicate the country’s obsession with shopping malls. Almost half of the world’s shopping centers built in 2016 are in China, according to an annual report by commercial real estate giant CBRE. The same report also found that seven of the world’s 10 most active markets for retail property are Chinese cities. And yet China is also home to online e-commerce giants, like Alibaba, and tech companies pioneering the future of online payments, like Tencent. So what does this mean for the future of China’s malls? Is the mall craze about to end? Earlier this year, the closure of Pacific Department Store’s 20-year-old branch in Shanghai – an institution on one of the city’s busiest intersections – made headlines across the country. But warning signs surfaced as early as 2011, when the company’s two Beijing branches shuttered due to poor performance. “In China, department stores reigned supreme in the 1990s and early 2000s, but for the past five or six years, they’ve been on a gradual decline,” says Warner Brown, Associate Director of Research at JLL. In order to survive, China’s malls are shifting their strategies. Brown sees a global pivot towards “experiences” – things that involve in-person interactions and can’t be purchased online. “Malls are no longer framing themselves as a place for people to buy things, but rather positioning themselves as destinations where people can spend an entire day with family and friends,” says Brown. “Five to eight years ago, retail property developers had a ‘build it and they will come’ attitude. Now they understand there are risks.” Having the right mix of tenants can help. A few years ago, malls were mostly fashion and luxury-driven. But today, they’re taking a different approach. Take Guomao’s China World Mall as an example. The old section, built several years ago, is almost entirely dedicated to luxury brands. But the new one, completed this year, is almost all restaurants. This is consistent with trends across the country. Five years ago, 15 percent of mall space went to restaurants and cafes. Now, on average, it’s between 30 and 50 percent. Shanghai’s K11 Art Mall took a different approach, by branding itself as an ‘artistic’ shopping center. Its layout and displays are similar to those of a museum, and back in 2014, its Claude Monet art exhibition attracted more than 350,000 visitors. 20 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

F E AT URE | LIFE & ST YLE

“Five years ago, developers had a ‘build it and they will come’ attitude. Now they understand there are risks”

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 21

LIFE & ST YLE | F E AT URE

“There’s definitely a science behind retail property management and development,” says a spokesperson for K11. “We did a lot of research, both before and after we opened, to understand who our customers are and what they want.” Other malls are staying relevant by embracing technology. And they'd be wise to – on last year’s Singles’ Day, Taobao recorded RMB120.7 billion in sales, a 32 percent increase from the previous year. “Most malls have realized that the best way to deal with the rapid changes in technology is to embrace them,” says Brown. He says that properties and brands should view customers’ phone habits as a great business opportunity. Wifi and Bluetooth integration, he points out, are particularly useful for analyzing customers’ behavior. A spokesperson for the Shanghai shopping complex HKRI Taikoo Hui echoes this: “The use of big data can help operators figure out market trends and tailor features that suit the needs of shoppers.” Indeed, technology can be a boon for shopping centers. “The increasing popularity of online shopping does not obviate the need for shopping malls,” says Maureen Fung, director of the property development firm Sun Hung Kai Properties. “The future of retail will depend on a harmonious integration of online and offline features” Brown believes that developers are “optimistic about the opportunities, but also equally concerned about the competition.” Although the number of projects under construction in China is still high, he predicts that it will decline in the long term. “Local governments may also tweak zoning laws to reduce the supply of land designated for shopping malls, as it’s not in their best interest to have poorly performing malls in their cities,” he says. “We’ve also seen some struggling properties being converted for other uses – such as co-working spaces – in Beijing and Shanghai. This is also something to watch.” A study by JLL predicts China’s consumer class will grow by 70 percent over the 2015-2020 period, taking it to 220 million people. As Brown puts it: “It’d be overkill to say investors are losing hope in shopping mall development. Income levels are rising, while officials have said they want consumption to play a bigger role in economic growth – all of which point to retail being a big part of China’s future.”

22 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

FASHION | LIFE & STYLE

TOTES ADORBS Stylish and Functional Bags for Your Daily Needs

FOR HER

compiled by Dominic Ngai

2 Not a fan of packing? Just throw all your crap in one bag. Here are a few of our

recommendations.

Beams, RMB190,

beams.co.jp

Zara, RMB599 zara.cn

Stussy, RMB240 stussy.com

Porter, RMB810 yoshidakaban.com

Beams, RMB195 beams.co.jp

Monocle, RMB350 monocle.com

Porter, RMB1,220 yoshidakaban.com

Zara, RMB599 zara.cn

F OR HIM

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 23

LIFE & STYLE | DESIGN

Wooden tents feature prominently throughout the floor’s indoor “camping space.” The smaller tents – equipped with sockets, extension cords and a reading light – are for leisure and rest.

Project name Together Hostel

Location You’anmen Waidajie, Fengtai, Beijing Building area 1,600sqm

Designers ttg team, Cao Pu and Shan Muzihong

Architects Zaowo Building Decoration Engineering Company

The brief ttg team and Cao Pu’s studio were tasked with creating a casual living space on the second and third floors of a hotel. While the third floor of the hotel was kitted out as a traditional hostel, the lower floor (pictured on these pages) was made into an open space for young people, with the design inspired by music festivals. 24 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

RENT-A-TENT

The Woodstock-Inspired Design Behind a Beijing Hostel words by Dominique Wong, images by Zhang Zheming

DESIGN | LIFE & STYLE

The largest tent hosts a bright communal dining and living area where guests can share meals, chat and socialize.

Stepped seating creates a amphitheater-like atmosphere, with additional room for backpackers and their bikes in front.

A birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-eye view of the hostel shows the small tent and large tent areas side by side. Minimalist decor is offset by bursts of color.

Several small tents are grouped together to form a semi-enclosed space. WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 25

LIFE & STYLE | ADVERTORIAL

A Q&A WITH... Andy Qian, General Manager of Oak Chateau

Andy Qian is a busy man. As the General Manager of Oak Chateau, the luxury serviced apartments in the heart of Beijing, he works tirelessly to ensure his guests and residents are satisfied. We sat down with Qian – in one of Oak Chateau’s suites, of course – to get a behind-the-scenes look at his residences. Tell us about your background.

I’ve worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. I got the opportunity to join the Oakwood brand in 2006, and I helped open the property. I love it here, and I love what I do. What’s your favorite part of working here?

We have many long-term guests, and I’m always happy to offer detailed service to them. I love getting together with my associates to look for the best solution to a guest’s request. It’s important that our guests are 100-percent satisfied. How do you maintain good relationships with your residents?

CHILL, YOU GOT THIS

Relationships are so important to us. Every time new long-term guests check in, I’m waiting in the lobby with my name card, to say hello and tell them that if there are any problems they can call me, at any hour.

Every staffer knows each long-term guest’s name, and we make sure to greet them very warmly whenever they come back from work. We also host activities. In the spring, we have outings to the Great Wall and other sights of Beijing. Every month, we do workshops on how to cook Chinese food, and we have lucky draws and parties.

How do you like to spend your free time? Always with family [laughs]. I’m also interested in cooking, both Chinese and Western food, and I love to travel. What’s on the horizon for Oak Chateau?

Oak Chateau has three properties open in China – Dalian, Beijing and another one near Hangzhou. We plan to open five new brands in first-tier cities over the next five years. A new property in Hangzhou will open next year, and Shanghai will get one in 2019. But that’s not enough – and so we plan to have more in other cities in the future, like Xi’an and Tianjin. Come and stay some time!

Oak Chateau Beijing; Block D, Ocean Express, 66 Xiaguang Li, Third East Ring Road, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环北路霞光里66号远洋新线D座 (8446 5888, ww.oakchateau.com)

Treat Yourself at Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat Beijing is full of surprises. You never know what’s around the corner. Will your favorite bar get bricked up tomorrow? What if you run into your terrible Tinder date at your next spin class? The uncertainty of it all is distressing, and sometimes you just need to chill out and forget about your expat problems. Our go-to spot for a bit of R&R – and one we can rely on to be there tomorrow – is Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat. Whether it’s a lush foot massage, pampering facial or invigorating body scrub, there’s a lot to like about Bodhi – including its moneyfor-value prices. The spa wants you want to pamper yourself, but not at the expense of your bank account. “Bodhi was born in 2004. It was a time when there were only cheap Chinese massage joints or expensive hotel spas,” founder 26 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Michelle Hemsin tells us. “Bodhi met the niche market of a clean, affordable middle ground, where Chinese therapies blended with aromatherapy spa treatments.” It’s a formula that’s proved remarkably successful, as Bodhi’s 13 years of operation shows. And to celebrate its anniversary this month, the spa is offering complimentary massages to its loyal customers, available at both branches. Check out Bodhi’s birthday deals: • Purchase a RMB3,000 membership card and receive eight complimentary Chinese body or foot reflexology vouchers • Purchase a RMB5,000 membership card and choose between 17 Chinese body mas-

sage vouchers or six aromatherapy vouchers • Purchase a RMB10,000 membership card and choose between 38 Chinese body massages or foot reflexology vouchers and a burner gift set, or 12 aromatherapy vouchers • Purchase 10 aromatherapy or Thai traditional massages, or five facials, and get one free Wish Bodhi a happy birthday by treating yourself.

Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat, 17 Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路17号 (6417 9595); Bodhi Sense, 2/F, Fortune Serviced Apartment, 46 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路46号 (8440 1495) www.bodhi.com.cn

ADVERTORIAL

BEST. LAYOVER. EVER. How Istanbul’s Turkish Airlines Lounge Makes Air Travel Fun Again The Turkish Airlines Lounge in Istanbul is bigger than some airports. The 6,000-square-meter space can accommodate over 1,000 travelers at any given time, and it offers everything from massages to world-class dining. Whether you’re waiting for takeoff or just landed, the Turkish Airlines Lounge defines ‘hospitality.’ Read on to learn why this just might be the best airport lounge in the world.

Entertainment

There’s more to do here than read newspapers (though those are available, too). Play video games with your friends, relax in the lounge’s cinema, try your hand at pool – even test out the golf simulator. You’ll hardly notice the time passing.

High-Speed Internet

Take advantage of the Lounge’s free wifi, either on your own device or at one of the many computers available.

Child Care

Several children’s play areas are on site, all overseen by expert supervisors. You can confidently leave your children to play as you head off to explore the rest of the lounge.

Private Suites and Showers

All passengers using the Lounge Istanbul have the opportunity to take a shower and freshen up. Guests who have a flight of eight hours or more and a layover of four to seven hours can also recover from their travel fatigue by relaxing in a hotel-standard private suite.

Delectable Dishes

Only have a layover in Istanbul, and no time to see the city? No worries – you can sample the best of Turkish cuisine right here, alongside dishes from around the world.

Massages

Recuperate with a relaxing massage in the Lounge’s massage room, or even just in the Lounge’s comfortable chairs.

The Lounge is accessible to Business class and Elite-plus travelers. The Lounge opens at least two hours earlier than the first scheduled international flight and stays open until the departure time of the last scheduled flight.

ARTS

PAINT IT BLACK

Our guide to this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best exhibitions, p39

A Post-Rock Tour p32

New Music p34

VR Art p36

DRUMROLL

THE CANDLE THIEVES

The UK Pop Duo on Wild West Theme Parties and Letting Go by Frances Chen

The Candle Thieves, a UK-based duo comprised of songwriters Scott McEwan and The Glock (seriously, that’s what he goes by), make sunny pop that belies darker, contemplative lyrics about life and its foibles. We caught up with The Glock ahead of The Candle Thieves’ extensive China tour. What is the story behind your band’s name?

I used to play piano at wedding receptions. Toward the end of the night, there would always be half-burned candles lying around. I’d sneak one or two into my bag each week when it was time to go. This went on for a while. One day, [my bandmate] Scott came to my house and asked why there were 50 candles in my lounge… It was a fair question. I said, “Oh yeah, I’m a bit of a candle thief.”

What songs from Details are most meaningful to you? ‘Carry On, Farewell’ is the most meaningful, as it's the closest thing I had to saying goodbye to my father. It’s just saying that you don’t have to forget, but it’s OK to move on. Could you tell us about your song ‘China on My Mind’? Is it based on your past experiences touring here?

Absolutely! But it’s more than that, too. We agreed not to make any more music after our third album. Shortly after, we were invited to perform in China. We had such an amazing time that we couldn’t give up on the band. China is the reason The Candle Thieves still exist.

What’s the inspiration behind your new album, Details?

Your music is known for being winsome, yet with darker undertones. Which musicians influence you the most?

I lost my father last year. A lot of the songs are about how we choose to live our lives in the world, trying to keep our minds safe when things get hard, and letting go. We also had very little money when we started Details, so the whole album was made in four days. We found this time constraint exciting, as it gave the record some urgency. Most of the recording was made live and in one take. We had to plan, practice and work hard.

Yes, we do write about some dark things, but life is about all the different shades of color. However tough things get, there is always a light. We have lots of inspirations. In the early days we used to love a band called Eels. The singer had a hard life, but managed to write about it in a positive way. We also love The Beatles and classic pop music. These days, we’re largely inspired by the things we see. The world is in a very weird place.

You have performed in unusual locations – in a fan’s kitchen, on a boat and in someone’s back garden. What’s the oddest situation you’ve found yourselves in? [Laughs.] Yes, we have performed in some strange settings. The weirdest was probably a ‘Wild West’ cowboy-themed party. Everybody had their shirts off and was dancing around. That was interesting. The wildest experience was probably coming to China for the first time. We had no idea what to expect. But to travel the other side of the world to people that care about us was amazing, and something we’re incredibly grateful for. Thu Oct 12; tickets TBD; Yugong Yishan (see Listings for details)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 29

COLLAGE CANVASSED

COMING SOON

Girls II

Tencent and Alibaba Team Up to Expand Their Streaming Catalogues

OCTOBER 20

Following the success of its 2014 prequel, Girls II takes besties Xiwen (Ivy Chen), Kimmy (Fiona Sit) and Jianan (Janine Chang, a new member of the cast) to Vietnam, where Xiwen plans to celebrate her final days of freedom before her wedding. A comedic adventure ensues when the trio runs into trouble with local gangsters. Mike Tyson makes an appearance along their journey as well.

Youth

SEPTEMBER 30

Award-winning director Feng Xiaogang’s latest theatrical release is an adaptation of Yan Geling’s novel of the same name (the author also wrote the screenplay for the film version). This period drama, set in the 1970s and 80s, follows a group of youngsters chasing their dreams while navigating an era of change in modern Chinese history. With the exception of male lead Huang Xuan, the director opted to use unknown actors for the entire main cast. 30 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Tencent, owner of China’s three biggest music-streaming companies, QQ, Kugou and Kuwo, has inked a landmark deal to exchange music licensing with its only major competitor in the market, Alibaba. Tencent has a monopoly on music by many Western musicians, from Taylor Swift to Katy Perry, thanks to its exclusive licensing deal with Sony and Universal Music. But Alibaba has a much stronger catalogue of Chinese and Japanese songs, which many of its users prefer. The two tech giants have agreed to share some of the rights to these songs, with Tencent giving up exclusive rights to Western pop songs in exchange for Alibaba’s catalogue of Asian music. This means that more songs will be available to users on both platforms.

Hao Exciting new projects from several of China’s most revered auteurs are underway. Chen Kaige, director of acclaimed Palm d’Or winner Farewell My Concubine, announced that his newest film, a supernatural mystery story called Legend of the Demon Cat, will hit domestic theaters this December. Meanwhile, Wong Kar-Wai has announced that he’s signed on as the director of an upcoming Amazon TV series called Tong Wars, rumored to be a drama series about gangsters.

Bu Hao

The Chinese Film Distribution and Screening Association recently named 26 cinemas around the nation as “egregious offenders” of committing box office fraud. The report shows that box office fraud, especially doctoring ticket sale figures, is most common in China’s smaller cities, with 21 out of the 26 offenders found in third- and fourth-tier cities. Authorities are yet to take any action, but cinemas named in a similar announcement in March were fined and temporarily closed.

E DI T E D B Y E R IC A M A R T IN / bj e di t o r @ ur b a n a t o m y.c o m

GIG POSTER OF THE MONTH Sitar-playing Rudra’s Sage, formerly known as Raymond, includes The Rolling Stones, The Doors and The Beatles among his influences. The artist comes from a musical family in the Philippines – his grandma played the double bass and his mom played the piano. Check out Sage’s folk-rock sound at Moguspace this month. Wed Oct 18, 9pm; RMB60 (advance), RMB80 (door); Moguspace, 66 Jiaoda Donglu, Haidian 海淀区交大东路 66号 (6224 9830)

Our favorite tracks from artists playing in Beijing this month. For full nightlife and gig listings, visit www.thatsmags.com

‘While I’m Alive’ (2013)

‘Tabula Rasa’ (2007)

‘Empathy’ (2015)

This oddly satisfying track worms its way into your head with its retro-electronic beat – and the music video is pretty nuts too.

This isn't your typical jazz, but rather modern jazz spliced with rap. Perfect for a chill workout or classy drinking sesh.

Static noise quickly turns into five minutes of unadulterated bass and electronic bliss – a legit banger from the Chinese DJ and producer.

‘The Sunshine Song’ (2010)

‘The Parting Glass’ (2009)

‘Ausencia’ (2017)

Combining playful vocals with an upbeat tempo, this, well, sunny song is bound to get your feet tap-tap-tappin’.

The beloved Irish folk singer is at her sentimental best here, with a masterful combination of haunting vocals and piano.

STRFKR

The Candle Thieves

Bconnected

Cara Dillon

Sulumi

Lula Pena

A sparse acoustic guitar track by the Portuguese singer and composer. We can see why she describes herself as a “musical wanderer.”

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 31

ARTS | MUSIC

Two of the Genre’s Biggest Figures, MONO’s Taka Goto and Wang Wen’s Xie Yugang, Team Up for a China Tour by Zaruf Ezhan

Creating music that moves people has nothing to do with the type of instruments you use

32 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

In 1994, British music writer Simon Reynolds coined the term ‘post-rock’ to describe a genre of music “using rock instrumentation for non-rock purposes, using guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures rather than riffs and power chords.” Twenty-three years later, the tag has fallen out of favor, especially among post-rock bands. Some say it has been used to describe such a wide range of styles that it has lost its meaning. Others say the term is pretentious. “I don’t think it’s necessary to limit yourself to a genre, but if I had to categorize, ‘instrumental, alternative and experimental’ would be it,” says Takaakira ‘Taka’ Goto when asked what he would rather call his music. The Tokyo-based guitarist and composer is one of the founding members of MONO, who released their ninth album in 2016.

MUSIC | ARTS

Formed in 1999, the band’s plethora of studio releases and nonstop touring have made them one of the most buzzed-about names in the post-rock circuit, whether they like the label or not. Yet, without the band behind him, Goto might escape the genre name-calling. His new solo venture, Behind the Shadow Drops, tinkers with ambient, industrial minimalism and modern classical. “I write music pretty much every day, but there are songs that are formed completely differently [from my work with] MONO – songs that [differ from] the band’s sound,” he says. “There is some unreleased electronic music in my back catalogue. Behind the Shadow Drops was born from them.” Previously unreleased music from Goto’s solitary creativity finally saw the light of day in 2017. H a r m o n i c s, mixed by legendary producer John McEntire (Tortoise, Yo La Tengo) features drum machines, noise loops and strings – worlds away from MONO’s wall of guitar and pounding drums. So, will the guitar player trade in his six-string for a laptop and some knobs? “Creating music that moves people, or music that takes them to a place where they have never been before, has nothing to do with the type of tools or instruments you use. Music that incorporates a lot of computer or electronic instruments can be some sort of ugly sample music. I often feel bored by it,” he says. “With MONO, I try not to mimic what someone else has done, and I always try to create something new and original. I think that’s the most important thing.” This pursuit of originality explains Taka’s rejection of the post-rock label. It is a sentiment shared by Xie Yugang (guitarist of leading Chinese post-rock band, Wang Wen) who will join Taka on his Behind the Shadow tour this month. Hailing from Dalian in China’s northeast, Xie recalls his hometown’s golden age of music. All three years of it. “In the past couple of years, there’s a feeling that many young people left the city for the south because of the economic recession of China’s northeast,” says Xie. “In my opinion, the most active period of the Dalian music scene was 2005-08. There were so many great bands in distinctive styles, but later on most bands disappeared. The few musicians that stayed in the city were quite talented, with a focus on the music itself. But there is a lack of planning in things like writing albums and holding shows.” Ironically, remaining in Dalian was what gave birth to Xie’s first major musical endeavor outside of Wang Wen. His own solo album, 2016’s Echo Library, is a collection of 11 songs written at a music library of the same name, run by his wife. The record’s ambient soundscapes reflect the scenery of a deserted winter countryside, not unlike the style of music icon Brian Eno. “In the early days, I had a tape of Brian Eno, and I always put it in my Walkman and fell asleep with the music,” says Xie. “Of course, I didn’t know anything about atmospheric music at that time. I just thought it was hypnotic. Later, when I learned more about atmosphere and minimalist music, it didn’t put me to sleep.” But how does Xie feel about the post-rock label? “Style tags are designed to facilitate music classification and finding music,” he says. “But you will find that most great postrock bands do not sound the same at all, except for the fact that they rarely have lyrics.” Post-rock it is. Because ‘instrumental alternative experimental rock’ just doesn’t have the same ring to it. Fri Oct 27, 9pm; RMB120 (advance), RMB150 (door); Yugong Yishan (see Listings for details)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 33

ARTS | MUSIC

FOR THE RECORD

Three New Homegrown Albums on Our Radar This Month by Erica Martin

BEFORE THE APPLAUSE by Re-TROS

Re-TROS have been one of the leading post-punk bands in Beijing ever since they moved here from Nanjing in the early 2000s. Before the Applause is their first album in eight years, and reveals a completely new sensibility. Less punk and more electronic, many of the tracks have a techno-inflected sound that would be as at-home in a nightclub as at a live show. Frontman and guitarist Hua Dong told That’s in April that the band was debuting a “remodeled” sound, and that their biggest influence toward the change had been listening to NYC art-rock band Battles. This influence is apparent in the vocals and some of the composition, but the band has actually managed a truly unique collection of sounds throughout the album. ‘Red Rum Aviv’ retains a bit more of Re-TROS’ punk past while still incorporating the new electronic sensibility, and the standout closing track ‘At Mosp Here’ is a freewheeling 12 minutes of techno-inflected krautrock. Listen at https://re-tros.bandcamp.com

WELCOME TO THE SUCK by Ugly Girls

A brand-spanking-new band that has still only played live a few times, Ugly Girls have injected Shanghai’s music scene with a much-needed dose of riot grrrl punk. Formed by several veteran musicians, including former music blogger Andy Best, Ugly Girls have released a full-length album recorded live at Shanghai livehouse Yuyintang. Welcome to the Suck opens with a bang, displaying vocalist Elsa’s wry, deadpan delivery and appealing high-pitched rasp as she repeats the refrain: “You ain’t God, you’re just a fuck boss.” As with all the best riot grrrl music, the punk melodies take a backseat to the lyrics, which are impeccable throughout: ‘Cellulite Riot’ is a cheeky feminist anthem, while ‘Potato Face’ is a truly inspired takedown of mediocre Western expats (“What’s it like to play the victim when your family once owned slaves?”). ‘Butch Barbie’ is a surprisingly touching love song despite its crass delivery. We could go on. China needs more bands like this. Listen at https://uglygirls-shanghai.bandcamp.com

HUNGRY CROWS by Spill Your Guts Shanghai-based ‘black’n’roll’ hardcore band Spill Your Guts have just released their latest album. The band has come a long way in the last few years, and this first full-length effort expands their sound beyond full-throttle aggressive hardcore, with songs that explore more melodic genres. Some of the more interesting tracks include ‘Praise the Fire,’ which opens in typical rumbling hardcore but then slows down into a heavy metal-esque tempo, and the closing song ‘Satan 3 (some),’ which features a catchy, nostalgic rock guitar riff punctuating the screaming vocals. A few witty track names (‘No Visas for the Wicked’) and a music video featuring a montage of disaster videos that recently went viral also add to the appeal. The album is likely even better performed live, with vocalist Dima’s wild-eyed grin and onstage charisma. Listen at https://spillyourguts.bandcamp.com

34 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

T HME UA TS EI CR | A R T S

PRIDE AND

PREJUDICE Chapterhouse Theatre Adapts Jane Austen’s Best-Loved Novel for the Stage by Erica Martin

As a follow-up to acclaimed theatrical adaptations of novels like The Jungle Book and Wuthering Heights, the UK’s Chapterhouse Theatre reaches for one of the most beloved works of British literature, debuting its China tour of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice this month. Part romantic drama and part razorsharp comedy of manners, Austen’s classic novel immortalized the characters of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy as one of the most famous romantic pairings of all time. Chapterhouse Theatre’s adaptation by playwright Laura Turner coincides with the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s passing, commemorating the timelessness of the author’s themes. “Austen’s popularity is largely due to the fact that [her novels] could have been written yesterday. Themes of love, passion, guilt and jealousy all make up the foundations of modern literature,” says Chapterhouse’s artistic director Richard Main. Turner and Main have collaborated on several other adaptations of Austen novels prior to Pride and Prejudice, and this newest show promises all the wit, subtle irony and slow-burning passion of Austen’s original work. Founded in the UK in 1999, Chapterhouse Theatre has expanded from a modest local company to an international touring troupe. It got its start performing intimate plays in unusual venues throughout the English countryside – in castles, country houses and outdoor spaces – before expanding to tours abroad. Main has no shortage of fond memories from this early period, involving everything from a flock of onlooking sheep to interrupting cows. However, the tours through China have been memorable in their own right, both for Chapterhouse’s actors and Main himself. “China is widely considered to be one of the cultural [centers] of the planet, so as soon as we were offered the opportunity,

there was never any doubt as to whether we would want to come,” he says of its first tour. “People in the United Kingdom are, on the whole, quite reserved in their appreciation of [theater], so the response from young people in China has been something that the actors really appreciate.” The popularity of Austen’s classic work and Chapterhouse’s wealth of experience in adapting British literature ensures that this latest adaptation will be one of its best, but Main is also looking ahead to the company’s future projects. His favorite Jane Austen novel is Sense and Sensibility, which the company is touring next summer, and Main also has a long-term goal of adapting the classic C.S. Lewis novel The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe for the stage. The company has a prodigious touring schedule, with several stints throughout China each year. And this work ethic, paired with a knack for choosing novels that have timeless resonance, ensures that the company’s profile throughout China will only continue to grow. “All great literature, no matter what country it is from, touches the heart of the reader,” says Main. “I think the resurgence of these works is in part due to their reimagining in popular culture. We are part of that and are very lucky to be so. We are, to some extent, adding our own definition of these works with our adaptations, but as with all great novels, their themes are universal.”

Thu Oct 19-Sat Oct 21, 7.30pm; RMB180-380; TNT Theatre, 17 Jintaili, Chaoyangmenwai, Chaoyang 朝阳区金台里朝阳门外 (tickets via sales@theatrebeijing. com)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 35

ARTS | VIRTUAL REALIT Y

Beijin gâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vir tua First Foray l Real I by No elle M ity Ar nto ateer t

36 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

VIRTUAL REALIT Y | ARTS

Our first impression of virtual reality art: it’s creepy as hell. Put on the headset and you’re in another world – or in the case of artist Christian Lemmerz’s latest VR piece, face-to-face with a burning, golden crucifix, where Jesus’ deformed body crackles with embers like a wildfire. Beijing’s first virtual reality art exhibition is not for the faint of heart. But it is a one-of-a-kind experience. Or as some call it: the future. Here’s how it works. Walk into Faurschou Foundation Beijing (just across from that weird North Korean gallery in 798 Art District) and you’ll enter a high-ceilinged white hall, cordoned off into smaller, equally minimalist sections. These are the viewing rooms, which give you enough space to walk around in the virtual world you’re about to enter. An attendant will help you put on the headset, and then you’re elsewhere – far, far away from the quiet gallery in Beijing. Each month, Faurschou is showing a different VR artwork. The exhibition is in collaboration with the Faurschou Foundation’s studio in Copenhagen and the creative company Khora Contemporary, which has worked with the artists to produce these exhibits. While this month’s pieces have already been shown in Denmark, Beijingers have something special to look forward to – the world debut of VR art by acclaimed Chinese artist Yu Hong, in January.

Some works run for three minutes; others are infinite. In some instances, viewers will be given handle bars that enable them to interact with the piece. In others, they just watch, mesmerized. Perhaps the strangest part of the whole experience is its ending – when we remove our headsets and re-enter the sterile, ultra-plain ambiance of the gallery. For a moment, the real world feels like the one that’s fake. This month: Erik Parker (Oct 1-27) and Paul McCarthy (Oct 29-Nov 24); Future months: Tony Oursler (Nov 26-Jan 5) and Yu Hong (Jan 7-Feb 3); Free admission; Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm; Faurschou Foundation, 798 Art District, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路2号798艺术区 (5978 9316, www.faurschou.com)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 37

ARTS | DESIGN

by NOELLE MATEER

Your Guide to the Best of the 2017 Beijing Design Week (BJDW) is back with its usual packed schedule of talks, exhibitions, installments and more. It should already be underway by the time you read this, but the name Design Week is misleading – much of it stretches well into October. So here’s our pick of this year’s most promising ‘design hops,’ the neighborhoods that will be transformed into living, breathing design expos over the next few weeks. There’s more happening than we could realistically hope to include, so check out www.bjdw.org for the full rundown.

Baitasi One of the most important ‘design hop’ neighborhoods, Baitasi (White Pagoda Temple) is a traditional hutong community sandwiched between bustling areas like Xicheng’s Financial Street and Fuchengmen’s commercial zone. The Baitasi Remade project features exhibitions and installations about alternative paths to development, with its theme ‘Baitasi: Towards New Neighborhoods.’ Until October 7.

Dashilar Beijing’s Dashilar neighborhood, just south of Tiananmen, has been a fixture of Beijing Design Week since 2011. This year’s exhibits, as part of the theme ‘Revivial of the Historical Capital,’ will discuss design’s relationship with Beijing’s growing geopolitical importance. That means exhibits will touch on – you guessed it – the Belt and Road Forum. Dashilar will also host design forums, an art festival and pop-up stores by independent vendors. Until October 7.

751 D-Park Each year, BJDW sets up camp in 751 (no, not 798, but right next to it) for its Design Carnival, a series of exhibitions, forums, workshops and markets. This year’s market features everything from pottery workshops and handicrafts to displays from China’s ubiquitous ‘Time-Honored Brands.’ Until October 6. 38 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

PICK OF SIX | ARTS

Cheng Ran, ‘Diary of a Madman’ Through Oct 22; Galerie Urs Meile

Danwen Xing, ‘Captive of Love’ Through Oct 29; Red Brick Art Museum

Tang Maohong, ‘Riverbed’

Through Oct 29; ShanghART

For gallery information visit www.thatsmags.com/beijing

Dai Guangyu, ‘Making Traces: The Arts of Participation and Refusal’

Through Oct 20; INK Studio

Liu Yushan, ‘Chasing Demons’ Through Oct 10; Ying Space

Group exhibition, ‘The Uncanny’

Through Oct 20; Mouart WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 39

cover story

040

Tales from the Chinese Crypt

hat scares you? The answer depends on who you ask. What terrifies us comes from within – our experiences, our neuroses,

our beliefs. You find dogs scary because you were bitten by one. Your sister loves dogs but has this weird fear of goats. It’s personal. But it’s also cultural. Different societies view different things as scary, disturbing or… perfectly normal. Superstitions, in particular, are hyper-local, and often language-specific. In China, many phrases and numbers are unlucky simply because they sound like ominous Mandarin words. But when researching urban myths – the sometimes-scary, always-bizarre legends that are shared in Chinese cities – we found more common ground between China and the West than we could have imagined. As it turns out, we all love a good ghost story – it’s just that China’s ghosts are, sometimes, in Qing dynasty apparel. And thus, a project to compile the most gruesome of China’s urban myths results in a surprisingly heartwarming conclusion: We’re all just human beings who love a good yarn, enjoy feeling the occasional chill and are, overall, still pretty confused about this whole afterlife thing. Read our pick of China’s favorite horror stories – starting from the next page – at your own peril.

041

cover story

beijing

The Last Bus to Fragrant Hills by Matthew Bossons

n a November night in 1995,

story goes, their faces were white as

a young man boarded a bus

snow.

heading to Beijing’s Fragrant Hills – or so begins one of

Beijing’s best-known ghost stories. Shortly after, two older men waved

All was quiet until an old woman

"The wind blowing through the window raised their robes, and I saw they didn't have feet," she told him.

abruptly accused the young man of

The following morning, the bus was

stealing her wallet, kickstarting an

reported missing. According to legend,

intense argument. She insisted the two

it was discovered three days later in

the bus down. The driver, a college

of them get off the bus and go to the

a reservoir, miles away from Fragrant

student at the time, was initially

nearest police station immediately.

Hills. Inside were three decomposing

reluctant to pick up the men because

He was furious. They were nowhere

they weren’t waiting at a designated

near a police station, and it was the last

stop, but decided to let them on, since it

bus of the night.

was the last bus of the night. The two men – one with long,

But when they disembarked, the woman explained. She had just saved

corpses – one with lengthy, unkempt hair. Some say the gas tank was filled with blood instead of petrol. Disclaimer: Security footage from

unkempt hair – silently boarded,

his life. The two men in robes, she said,

cameras around the reservoir shows

wearing Qing dynasty robes. As the

were Qing dynasty ghosts.

nothing out of the ordinary.

042

guangzh

Liwan ‘Corpse’ Plaza by Lena Gidwani and Jocelyn Richards

he character ‘guang’ (广) on

mall in the shape of an octagon, to

Guangzhou’s Liwan Plaza

resemble the Taoist symbol called the

resembles the one for corpse (尸)

Bagua.

– and many believe this is no

coincidence. Since 2004, about a dozen suicides

Eventually, a Taoist priest informed the building’s landlords that the empty coffins had originally been buried there

have occurred on the premises, and

to thwart evil, and that they should have

some locals claim that supernatural

lain undisturbed for a thousand years.

forces are pushing victims over the railings. They say the deadly curse began

Since the mall’s opening, several ‘accidents’ have been reported – many on the fifth floor. It is alleged that at

years ago, when the mall was first

least two of the building’s landlords

constructed on a sacrificial chamber

have died suddenly of unknown causes.

from the Qing dynasty. As the legend goes, inspectors

Many claim that it’s always suspiciously cold in Liwan Plaza. Just

failed to notice eight empty coffins

walking through the building at night

when erecting Liwan Plaza, now a

can give some locals chills.

large jewelry market. Some say strange

Skeptics argue that the high suicide

noises emanated from the coffins,

rate could be due to Liwan Plaza’s

unearthed during construction. To

infamous reputation – now a self-

counteract the evil, architects built the

fulfilling prophesy.

043

cover story

shangh

The Yan’an Gaojia ‘Dragon Pillar’ by Dominic Ngai

illions of people drive past Shanghai's

were building the pillar, they had trouble drilling

Yan’an Elevated Road (or Yan’an Gaojia

to the required depth. Work came to a grinding

Lu) on a daily basis. Getting stuck in

halt.

traffic on this 15-kilometer expressway

is a part of life in the city. Ever since Yan’an Gaojia Lu opened to

consulted feng shui masters, but they were unable to help. Eventually, a monk from Shanghai’s Jade

the public in the mid-1990s, a tale about one

Buddha Temple performed a religious ceremony

specific par t of the expressway – the ‘dragon

at the site. He then asked for the pillar to be

pillar’ – has circulated among locals. Located

decorated with nine dragons, because it was

at the cross section with Nanbei Gaojia Lu

sitting on the resting place of the city’s guardian

near People’s Square, the ‘dragon pillar’ isn’t

dragon.

jus t larger and thicker than the other pillars

When the ceremony was finished, workers

– it’s also decorated with nine large bronze

were able to install not just one, but seven pillars

dragons and several smaller ones on its

at the spot. The monk was said to have died of

metallic surface.

unknown causes a few days after. Many believed

But why? A local legend has emerged to answer this very question. The most widely known version of the story goes like this: Back when construction workers

044

Government officials and contractors

his death was a punishment for ‘spilling the secret’ of the dragon’s home. Shanghai officials have repeatedly dismissed this as fiction.

Inner Mongolia

The Mongolian Death Worm by Matthew Bossons

t’s rumored to exist in the rocky and unforgiving

Czech cryptozoologist Ivan Mackerle claims

Gobi Desert. It’s red, thick as a man’s arm and

the worm’s underground movements can still be

between two and five feet long. It is the mythical

“detected from above via the waves of sand that it

Mongolian death worm, unquestionably one of

displaces.”

China’s strangest cryptids. Locals say that the worm can shoot venom

While most observers conclude that the Mongolian death worm is simply a beast of legend (including

powerful enough to kill a camel or horse. Some

Markerle, who mounted three separate expeditions

say it can attack hapless passersby with electrical

in 1990, 1992 and 2004), others have suggested that

shockwaves.

it may be an undiscovered species of sand-dwelling

Many curious speculators have headed out on

snake. This suggestion is more plausible than it

expeditions to find the mythical worm – including the

sounds, as snakes do come in various shades of red

popular TV mystery show Destination Truth – but all

and some species have the ability to spit venom up to

have returned empty-handed.

two meters.

Those who believe the legend blame trekkers’

Regardless, the Mongolian death worm has

inability to find the worm on the Gobi’s strenuous

garnered considerable attention in pop culture – in

desert conditions. They also claim that the worm

books, television shows and even a 2010 American TV

spends most of the year underground, only surfacing

movie, Mongolian Death Worm . So whether or not it’s

when it rains, which – this being a desert and all – is

slinking beneath the sands of the Gobi, it’s earned a

not so often.

place in history.

045

cover story

hong

kong

The Hello Kitty Murder

t’s May, 1999. A teenage girl in Hong

When the story hit the press, horrified

Kong reports that a murdered woman

Hong Kong residents dubbed it ‘The Hello

is haunting her. She says she sees a

Kitty Murder.’

woman being tortured mercilessly

while bound with electrical wire. When police search the teen’s third-

But here’s where gruesome facts end and the eerie myths begin: In the months following the killing, Hong Kongers

floor flat on Granville Road, they

claimed to see Fan’s ghost. CCTV cameras

discover something chilling: a Hello

reportedly captured a shadowy female

Kitty doll s tuffed with the head of

form lurking near the Granville Road

23-year-old nightclub hos tess Fan Man-

apartment, sometimes standing inside

yee.

stores on the building’s ground floor.

Fan had been missing for roughly a

Apartment residents also reported

year, having been abducted for allegedly

unnerving sounds and even ‘ghostly

failing to repay a HKD20,000 debt.

flames,’ which eventually pushed some to

According to media reports, Fan was held

move out. The building was demolished in

captive for more than a month, during

2012 for reasons still unknown.

which time she was tortured daily. After

The three men convicted for the

killing Fan, the perpetrators chopped her

murder were sentenced to life in prison

body into little pieces and threw them in

for their crimes and won’t be eligible for

the trash.

parole until 2020.

046

by Matthew Bossons

h shenz

The ghosts among us by Bailey Hu

engeful, decades-old ghosts

over with auspicious, rose-tinted

worms he’d been using were noodles. He

roam the hallways of Zhongyin

windows.

woke up the next day with mud on his

Building, near the heart of

Zhongyin is, undoubtedly, an

Shenzhen. Or so the

offensively pink monstrosity. But is its

rumors go.

ghastly reputation deserved?

The spirits are blamed for the

Naysayers point out that the

face and the unsettling realization that he ate a bowl of squirming fish bait. Another superstition says that spirits are to blame for people getting

failures of Zhongyin’s businesses,

stories serve the business interests of

lost in the area. Some say the best way

which are said to have preternaturally

Zhongyin’s competitors. The color may

to ward off their interference is by

short lifespans. Locals blame their

just be an unfortunate design quirk,

hitting a gong with nails.

otherworldly influence for the complex’s

and the cheap rent a self-fulfilling

rock-bottom rents.

prophecy.

The ghosts haunting Zhongyin are

But the ghost stories date way back.

Despite her knowledge of local lore, Wen remains dubious. After all, if Zhongyin is haunted, why aren’t the

said to date back to the bloody days of

According to Shenzhen resident Wen

coastal properties on Shenzhen's shores

China’s Cultural Revolution, when the

Miaozhang, back when the area was still

– where hundreds, if not thousands,

site was used as an execution ground.

just a village, Zhongyin was a dumping

perished while trying to swim to Hong

As Shenzhen grew, some say that

ground for those too poor to afford a

Kong from the 50s to the 80s – haunted

developers decided to capitalize on the

proper burial.

too?

cursed plot of land, hiring a specialist

Local legends circulated about the

for advice on how to put the ghosts

unhappy spirits said to reside there.

to rest. Per his suggestions, the office

In one story, the ghosts hoodwinked a

building ended up with two pointy

man on his way home from a fishing

towers that resemble candles, plastered

trip, tricking him into thinking that the

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it’s a sobering thought.

047

The Unexplained Disappearance of 3,000 Chinese Troops ng

nanji

by Matthew Bossons

uring the horrors of the Second

the defensive line were not responding

incident, various theories and tall tales

Sino-Japanese War, almost

to calls or signals. An investigation

have emerged to explain the mass

3,000 soldiers are said to have

team was formed, but upon arrival, it

disappearance.

disappeared in the rolling hills

found the site completely abandoned.

around Nanjing. According to folklore, the incident began in December 1939, when Colonel Li Fu Sien stationed 2,988 troops in

The easiest explanation is that the

There were no signs of struggle. Heavy

whole event never happened. Online

weapons were still in place and ready

retellings of the story are abundant,

to be fired, but nobody was there.

but wildly inconsistent. The story is

Troops stationed at the bridge

completely absent from historical texts.

Nanjing’s hills to defend a bridge on the

claimed that no one had slipped by in

And while a Google search for ‘Nanjing

Yangtze River from Japanese attacks.

the night. They, too, were puzzled by the

soldier disappearance 1939’ or ‘Colonel

missing soldiers.

Li Fu Sien’ turns up myriad conspiracy

One morning, Colonel Li was told by his assistant that the soldiers at

048

In the decade since the alleged

theories, the myth is likely just... a myth.

cover story

Chinese Superstitions: a Cheat Sheet The number four (sì)

...sounds like the Mandarin word for ‘death’ (si)

Wearing someone else’s jewelry

...means inheriting the misfortune of the owner

The color white ...is a symbol of death

Houses that face north ...signify darkness and evil

Gifting a clock

...is taboo, because ‘gifting a clock’ sounds like the phrase ‘attending a funeral ritual’ in Mandarin

Cutting noodles on your birthday ...cuts short your longevity

Hitting someone with a broom ...w ill bring misfortune into your life

Cleaning the house on the first day of the Chinese New Year ...sweeps away your good fortune along with the dust

Walking directly under others’ hanging clothing ...w ill anger the spirits who reside there

Sticking chopsticks straight down in rice ...resembles the incense sticks used to mourn the dead Art by Shadday Studios, WeChat: shadymonkey

049

EAT &

DRINK

TICKLE YOUR FANCY When mall restaurants go high-end, p58

Milk Tea p54

Burgers p56

Hutong Bars p60

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

GETTING MODERATELY DEEP WITH... A Chef at a Craft Brewery image and interview by Yuka Hayashi

This month, we speak with Deng, a chef at Great Leap Brewing #12. He likes climbing mountains and making money. How are you feeling today?

So far so good! My work has been going well, and I haven’t made any mistakes so I don’t have anything to worry about. What’s the first thing you thought when you woke up this morning? I thought: Oh my god, I need to check the alarm! Please don’t tell me that I’m late for work… with my eyes barely opened and fingers crossed. What is your idea of the perfect day?

A day in which I don't have to work and can climb a mountain, because let me tell you, if you haven’t climbed a mountain in Beijing, I think you’re making a big mistake. It’s the best activity in Beijing. Who are your best customers?

I enjoy those who are very open and talkative, because that makes the whole conversation interesting and worthwhile. Who are your worst customers?

Those who complain, or react over trivial matters. People who are hard to please.

Which living person do you most admire?

What trait do you most value in a person?

Definitely our head chef! He already does an amazing job, but he still constantly looks to innovate and further develop his cooking. Not only is he a wonderful chef, he also is an amazing person.

Morality.

When and where were you happiest?

It might sound weird, but I was happiest at the hospital. It was when my child was born. I was indescribably happy. I’ll never forget how happy I felt. Which talent would you most like to have? Cooking talent that would enable me to be a chef abroad. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Not having to worry about the prices when I go shopping. It feels so liberating! If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

Definitely the relationship between my mother and my wife [smirks]. They fight a lot and I always have to be the mediator. It’s so tiring. What is your most treasured possession? My family. Blood is thicker than water.

What is it that you most dislike? People who are deceitful and sly. What is your motto?

It’s better to be hated than to be pitied.

What's the most surprising thing that's happened to you? I was a bit surprised when I first got my salary. I told myself in disbelief that I now have so much money to spend. What always makes you laugh?

I guess... things that are funny? Oh and also, when I get my salary [laughs]. Which era of Beijing's history would you most like to have lived in? The Qing dynasty.

Who is your hero? Zhou Jielun, because I love, love, love his songs. Great Leap Brewing #12, 12 Xinzhong Jie, Dongcheng 东城区新中街乙12号

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GRAPE VINE SNACKS IN THE CITY It’s officially fall. You know what that means, right? The opposite of spring, you say? The onset of your seasonal affective disorder? The yearly, chilling reminder of your own mortality? No, it means new menus! Fall and spring are the seasons of change, and in the restaurant world, both seasons mean the same thing: new menus. Because there are so many dishes and deals this month, and I want you to know about them all because I care about you, I’m temporarily abandoning the guiding hand of my pithy narration and listing them in bullet points. Reader, this is for your own good. Sexy new menus are as follows: • Mosto is 9 years old now, and has unveiled a sultry new look and menu to celebrate, • Jing Yaa Tang has slick new a la carte options, and we’ve never felt so excited about peas, • The Georg’s new fall menu is simple and perfect, like everything they do there, • Xian at EAST Beijing is offering hot deals on hot wings, • Country Kitchen at Rosewood Beijing is churning out high-end renditions of Shaanxi food starting October 12… • …and downstairs, Rosewood’s Bistrot B has a bangin’ brunch, with more high-end French food than you could ever eat (that is a challenge), • Arrow Factory has a host of new menu items, • And literally every place ever is having an Oktoberfest party (check out Paulaner Brauhaus and Brotzeit, full details on our website). As always, there’s way more happening than I have room for. You can check thatsmags.com/beijing for the full listings – but you know that already, right? NM

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Everything We Know About China’s Cheese Ban So Far Last month saw an un-brielievable announcement: certain cheeses have been banned from China. This is certainly not gouda news for those who camembert life without their favorite dairy product. Here’s everything you need to know about the Great Cheese Ban of 2017.

1. It doesn’t include all cheeses. Relax guys, not all cheese is banned. But do stock up on certain kinds while you still can, as the leftovers will likely start flying off the shelves soon. Among the types confirmed to be banned are mold-ripened and “soft cheeses” (AKA “smelly cheeses”), nearly all from France – Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, certain goat cheeses and blue cheeses (including Stilton, from the UK). They join the Italian blue cheese variety Gorgonzola, which was initially blocked from the country last year. According to Shanghai-based supplier Cheese Republic, the types of cheeses not impacted by the ban include Comté, Beaufort, Gruyère, Emmental, Tomme, Monk’s Head, manchego, Murcian, raclette, Tartare, Saint Môret, mozzarella and cheddar. Phew. An official list of blocked cheeses is unavailable. That means importers essentially have to go to the regulator with the list of cheeses they want to bring in, and then wait for approval. 2. It’s temporary. The ban isn’t permanent, according to a letter obtained by That’s reportedly sent from Sinodis (one of China’s leading distributors of imported food) to multiple F&B establishments around Shanghai on August 28. The letter reads: “We received an announcement from the Chinese official authorities saying that [...] cheese products containing certain molds cannot temporarily be imported (sic) into China,” adding that the firm stopped importing the cheeses in question on August 23. It is unclear when the ban will be lifted. 3. It’s been in effect since July. Word of the ban started hitting social media on Thursday, September 7, when Cheese Republic first posted about it on its official WeChat account. But as the Financial Times notes, the ban actually started in July, and at least one importer was informed of the ban by government regulators in June.

“It’s not possible [to] import to any city in China,” Cheese Republic founder Vincent Marion confirmed to the FT. When the ban first went into effect, the State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) rejected or destroyed a total of 5.465 tons (nearly 5,000 kilograms) of cheese imports, mostly from France or the Netherlands, at various ports around the country.

4. The reason for the ban is bacteria. Per the FT: “The ban […] was launched after health authorities informed quarantine officials that bacteria colonies such as the penicillin found in blue cheese were not on an approved import list, according to an importer.” Cheese Republic was a little more blunt about the official reason: “Too much bacteria.” The AQSIQ, meanwhile, justified its dumping of five tons of cheese back in July due to its “excessive” bacteria and coliform, microbial contamination, passed expiration dates and use of food additives. 5. It might be part of a larger tightening on imports. Cheese may not be the only foreign food product under closer scrutiny. Earlier this year, reports emerged – to the condemnation of officials from several countries around the world – that Chinese regulators were seeking tighter controls over items imported into the country, including intensive inspections on wine and chocolate. The new controls, rumored to go into effect in October, would require importers to include a certificate from a foreign inspector stating that their food shipments comply with Chinese standards for quality. Ironically, the FT notes, last week’s cheese ban news came just days after Xi Jinping alluded to cheese during a keynote speech at the BRICS summit in Xiamen, declaring: “The development of emerging market and developing countries won’t move anyone’s cheese, but instead will diligently grow the world economic pie.” BO

E D I T E D B Y NOE L L E M AT E E R / bj e di t o r @ ur b a n a t o m y.c o m

MIFAN/MAFAN

We Tell You if the Rice is Worth the Hassle

Two Tablespoons Is the peak 2000s dessert – the cupcake – making a comeback? Maybe, if Two Tablespoons has anything to do with it. Offering classic flavors, like red velvet and tiramisu, and Asian-inspired flavors, like black sesame and red bean, the Dongzhimen cupcake shop is a real treat. And one you can feel OK-ish about eating at, thanks to a lighter cake mix and frosting (but don’t worry guys, it’s still dessert). Daily, 11am-8pm; 1/F, Tower A, East Gate Plaza, 9 Dongzhong Jie, Dongcheng 东城区东中街9号东环广场A座1层

Bei 27 Hao It’s a big claim to say somewhere has The Best Lanzhou Noodles in Beijing, we know. But the following is a fact we can’t deny: Bei 27 Hao serves our favorite hand-pulled noodles in the city. Formerly a hole-in–the-wall in Sanlitun North with an average wait of 30 minutes, Bei 27 Hao is now a slightly larger restaurant in Sanlitun North... with an average wait of 30 minutes. Its new space features one long table for communal dining, and a short-and-sweet menu of Lanzhou favorites: minced noodles with black fungus and soft tofu, chewy niangpi with sesame paste and, for dessert, sticky glutinous rice and eggs. It’s so good, it’s worth the wait – which, by the way, will be 30 minutes.

Daily, 11am-11.30pm; 1/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园1层 (8418 5849)

BigSmall Coffee BigSmall Coffee has a thing for hutongs – even if hutongs don’t have a thing for BigSmall. (Its original location, on Xiang’er Hutong, was recently bricked amid district renovations.) BigSmall has returned with a new shop in an undertrafficked hutong near the Forbidden City, and we couldn’t be happier – BigSmall is one of the few cafes that tastes as good as our Instagrams look, and also one of the few whose tea is as good as its coffee. (Try the honeybush latte, RMB25.) Daily, 8am-8pm; 16 Shatan Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区沙滩后街16号

Heaven Supermarket Heaven Supermarket is back… 30 meters away from the original. And no, the original has not closed. This means there are two Heaven Supermarkets right next to each other (and then another five minutes away, on Gongti Xilu). Heaven 3.0, however, is the only one with a dance floor. Are we scratching our heads? Yes. Are we complaining? No. Daily, 24 hours; B1, Bldg 3, 12 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区新东路12号3号楼地下一层

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E AT & DR INK | F E AT UR E

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH HEY TEA?

We Spend Hours (and Hours) In Line To Find Out by Yuka Hayashi and Noelle Mateer, additional reporting by Jocelyn Richards

Hey Tea is a Guangdong-based milk tea chain making headlines and long lines. Images of the shops’ storefronts went viral for their consistently winding queues, filled with customers willing to wait hours for their zhishi jinfeng chawang (cheese-topped tea). The first Hey Tea opened in Jiangmen, Guangdong, a wee village of 4 million, before the chain moved northward. Its first location in Shanghai spawned knockoffs across the city, including a ‘Hi Tea’ and a ‘Hey Juice.’ It was even rumored online that one savvy Shanghairen waited in line all day, every day to buy and resell Hey Tea at a markup – and made RMB50,000 in one month. Alas, this good fortune does not await us. The capital’s first branch of Hey Tea debuted in Taikoo Li South last month, and as expected, lines snaked around the building. But wait – there’s controversy. Some say Hey Tea pays people to wait in line and drum up buzz, and that this is all an elaborate publicity stunt. Others say its tea is substandard, and that it’s a boring, run-of-the-mill tea place from Guangdong that had a clever rebrand. There is only one way to find out.

open the cap’s flap and swig both layers – the cheesy top and the tea – simultaneously). To our astonishment, we see that some customers, upon receiving their teas, get right back in line for another round. That means being in line for three to four hours altogether. This is because Hey Tea follows a strict code. One cannot purchase more than three drinks per order. One must select from a detailed list of milk tea characteristcs: added sugar or no added sugar, ice or no ice, cheese foam or no cheese foam. Hey Tea staffers are quick to share what they believe to be the ideal formula: 50-percent ice and no sugar, definitely cheese foam. A fleeting moment of reprieve comes halfway through the wait, in the form of a bench. We sit for a few minutes, before the line slogs onward and it is someone else’s turn. We recommend wearing sneakers. Ideally, you’d also bring a friend, or someone you can talk to. Very few people come alone. At the front of the line, hangers-on ask if anyone is ordering fewer than three drinks, and offer to pay to get in on others’ orders. Almost everyone orders three drinks. They don’t ask us, though. Weird.

THE LINE

It’s a Thursday afternoon, not even a weekend. But the line is as long as a Disneyland ride’s on a Saturday. We were expecting a 30-minute wait. A staffer tells us we’re in for two hours. We have underestimated Hey Tea. We see no evidence of paid line-waiters – everyone we speak to appears to be trying it out for the first time. “We decided to stop by because we saw that people are obsessed with Hey Tea on Weibo, and we were curious,” says the girl just ahead of us, waiting in line with her friend. “We didn’t really have anything else in mind for our meet-up, so, yeah…” They give up 30 minutes later. The line moves slowly – it truly is a twohour wait. Crowds are messy and frustrated. But the staff is incredibly patient, informing customers of wait times and explaining the best way to drink the teas (use a straw to

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THE TEA

Take a big gulp. The cheese on top is so sweet and creamy (no need to add sugar) that it’s best with the tea, not as a mush at the bottom. Altogether, it’s surprisingly filling – and most of all, rewarding. After two hours of waiting, it tastes heavenly. Even the cute logo tickles us: a tiny cartoon man having a cuppa, totally unfazed by this whole circus. And the RMB20-30 price tag for drinks is cheaper than Starbucks. Not bad. Maybe we’re delirious after waiting so long, but we’re tempted to say this was all worth the mafan. (Seriously though, bring comfortable shoes.)

F E AT UR E | E AT & DR INK

THE COMPETITION

There’s a Hey Tea rival in town. Enter Yidiandian. Yidiandian feels like a low-rent version of Hey Tea. Literally – its Beijing locations are tucked away in forlorn corners of retail spaces that have seen better days. We visit the one in Shangdu SOHO. (Yes, we’re knocking Shangdu SOHO.) Yidiandian’s line looks paltry in comparison to Hey Tea’s. Twenty people? Pshh. And yet again, we underestimate. What looks like morning-rush-at-Starbucks ends up costing us 45 minutes. What with its slow-moving line and the store’s blaring hip-hop soundtrack, we feel like we’re waiting for coatcheck at some brightly-lit nightclub. In Shangdu SOHO. A building which, we repeat, sucks. But here’s the good part: Yidiandian’s teas are dirt cheap. We grab our basic lemon variety for RMB6. (We were going to try something more exciting, but that’s all the cash we had, and Yidiandian doesn’t take WeChat. Who doesn’t take WeChat?) Our tea, albeit basic, is undeniably delicious. And at RMB6, it’s practically free – just with the soul-crushing additional cost of spending the entirety of our lunch break in line. We later found out they had delivery the whole time.

Find Hey Tea locations in Sanlitun’s Taikoo Li South and Chaoyang Joy City. Yidiandian is in Shangdu SOHO, Chaowai SOHO and Zhongguancun.

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E AT & DR INK | R E S TAUR A N T S

CANNON’S

Make Burgers Great Again words and images by Noelle Mateer

Burgers are objectively ugly, turd-colored patties sandwiched between beige carb pillows, but people love burgers, and their love blinds them. People take photos of burgers like they are Victoria’s Secret Angels, and they take pictures with burgers to prove just how fun and laidback they are. After all, in modern America, there is only one thing worse than being fat, and that is conspicuously worrying about being fat. An ugly, greasy burger is a magical break from your #fitfam all-organicand-paleo kale-and-quinoa life, and therefore must be documented. This is the modern Western cult of burgers, in which a hunt for the Best Burger Ever has become the yuppie version of finding Jesus. But unfortunately for non-yuppies, this cult has resulted in… expensive burgers. To make matters worse, in China, Western imports are often extra-fancified. And now burgers – which ought to be the great equalizer, the food of the masses, the American Dream – come slathered in foie gras and accompanied by an overpriced vintage. Have you been to Let’s Burger? Theirs are 100 kuai. Someone drain the swamp! That someone is Will Cannon. Cannon is the Cannon behind Cannon’s, Beijing’s latest and greatest burger joint on Xingfucun Zhonglu, and not only does he come from America – he comes from the

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South, which is America on steroids. He has crafted his own mind-bogglingly delicious take on American fast-food – at American fast-food prices. But Cannon’s is no Burger King; it is the King of Burgers. For as low as RMB32 a pop, Cannon’s thin, greasy patties burst with flavor, squeezed between fresh house-made buns and slathered lovingly with cheese. The pimento burger comes drenched with Cannon’s own pimento (RMB42), buffalo chicken sandwiches with classic blue cheese sauce (RMB37). Round out your arteryclogging meal with a RMB30 milkshake and fries, and you’ll still struggle to spend a full hundo-kuai bill. Just how God – and his promised land, America – intended it. It’d be remiss not to shout out the decor here, which nails its over-the-top retro US diner vibe – black-andwhite floor tiles, plush red counter seats, a goofy striped facade. But frankly, we’d be down to chow on Cannon’s burgers even if the place

were ugly. Because that’s exactly how the burgers are – ugly, greasy, fatty… and utterly delicious.

Daily, 8am-2am; 55 Xingfucun Zhonglu, Chaoyang 朝阳区幸福村中路55号

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SHENG YONG XING A Ducking Great Place words and images by Noelle Mateer

When it comes to understanding Beijing food, it helps to be a Beijinger. We cannot overstate this. There have been a few instances in which we’ve discovered a ‘new’ restaurant, and reviewed it as such, only to learn later that it’s had locations in Fengtai, Xicheng or Haidian all along. So goes the expat world – we think we know everything, but really we just know Sanlitun, our favorite hutongs and where the best free-flow champers deals are. So, Sheng Yong Xing isn’t new. But it is new to those downtown. The Peking duck restaurant quietly debuted its first joint within the Third Ring Road earlier this summer. And while, sure, maybe you already knew about it in Haidian – we’re willing to bet you didn’t. Where are you reading this magazine anyway, Moka Bros? If you don’t know it already, then you should: Sheng Yong Xing is among the very best Peking duck restaurants in the city. Yep, right there alongside Siji Minfu and Da Dong – we stand by this. Go on, fight us. Sheng Yong Xing occupies a rare, beautiful space in duck world: It is neither too expensive, nor too cheap. A full duck here goes for RMB198, and it’s among the best in Beijing, which has the best Peking duck in the world… sh*t, did we just claim Sheng Yong Xing is the best duck in the world? Maybe that’s too bold. But you can hardly blame us – Sheng Yong Xing’s got a lot going for it. For one, its atmosphere is chic and classy while still feeling casual. Plus, it’s got all the side dishes you could possibly want – we love the crispy Zhejiang-style shrimp (RMB72) and the cabbage served in a tree trunk (RMB26). Stay away from the Western dishes – waiters will try to recommend a mediocre salmon salad – and you’re guaranteed a great meal. We rarely consider going out for casual duck – we usually save it for when Mom’s visiting. But Shen Yong Xing has us re-thinking. Friday night plans, anyone? Daily, 10.30am-10pm; 5 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区新东路甲5号 (6464 0968)

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E AT & DR INK | R E S TAUR A N T S

COMBAL BY TIAGO Not Afraid of Culture Shock by Qinxin Lu

You must know Tiago Home Kitchen already, the family-style Italian restaurant that’s slowly but surely conquering malls across Beijing. We’d venture a guess that there’s a Tiago within 2km of you right now, serving woodfired pizzas and hefty tiramisus to hungry neighborhood shoppers. Tiagos abound, and now the team behind Tiago is opening – you guessed it – another restaurant. But here’s the twist: this is no Tiago Home Kitchen. No, this is Combal by Tiago. If Tiago Home Kitchen takes us to Italy, then its younger sister Combal takes us somewhere altogether different – a newly discovered land, somewhere unbound by geographical menu limitations – with a menu that blends distinct cultures to pleasing effect. There are many things you’ll recognize from existing Tiagos: a Mediterranean focus, an upper-mid-range dining atmosphere. But Combal has its own character. Our first impression? Romance, the aesthetic Europeans do so well. Combal’s decor, decked out with dimmed lights, dainty vases and small candles, nails the ‘fine dining’ look. But a color scheme of black and white gives it a modern edge. But enough about decor – you’re here for the food, which elegantly integrates cuisines both Western and Eastern. While our go-to is a sous-vide Australian filet (RMB218), we also enjoy a Japanese-style egg yolk sabayon with grapefruit nitrogen foam (RMB68). The rest of the menu features the stars of the importedingredient world: Spanish prawns, Italian truffles, New Zealand scampi, Australias Angus. Those less excited about meat have dessert to look forward to, creative takes on sweet treats including light potato ice-creams and scrambled egg with chocolate. Altogether, fans of Tiago will get a different experience than they’re used to. But hey, it’s not Tiago – it’s Combal. 127-129 L1 Tower C, Cofco Plaza, 8 Jianguomen Jie, Dongcheng 东城区

建国门内大街8号中粮广场C座一层127-129单元 (6528 2280)

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R E S TAUR A N T S | E AT & DR INK

WHAT’S THE CURRY?

Two New Southeast Asian Restaurants Go Head to Head by Noelle Mateer and Qinxin Lu

We’re officially done saying Beijing doesn’t have good Southeast Asian food. Because lime is money, the city’s time-honored mall-stitutions – Taikoo Li and China World Mall – have entered the game with a new Thai restaurant and a new Vietnamese restaurant, respectively. Here, a rundown.

What You’re Drinking

Thai tea. Not exactly the most authentic version, but tasty nonetheless.

The Highlight

The curries – sweet and fresh with just the right amount of spice.

The Downside

Sanlitun crowds. This is Taikoo Li South, so prepare to wait.

Daily, 11.30am-10pm; S2-32, 3/F Taikoo Li South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北路19号三里屯太古里南区3层S2-32 (8435 3631)

U US ES TL LIT

AI TH ME HO What You’re Eating

Thai classics – papaya salad, curried prawns and mango sticky rice.

What You’re Eating

Vietnamese classics – pho, fish, curry and lunchtime banh mis.

What You’re Drinking

Cocktails on the weekend, lime sodas on weekdays (this is Guomao, so likely the latter).

The Highlight

On clear days, the view over the CCTV Headquarters.

The Downside

On smoggy days, the uninspiring interior. We prefer Susu’s original hutong location for charm. Daily, 11.30am-9.30pm; NL5014, 5/F China World Mall, 1 Jianguomen Wai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城北区5层NL5014 (8599 7757)

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E AT & DR INK | B A R S

NINA

Spritz the Town words and images by Holly Baer

Nina feels like three bars in one. First, your classic hutong bar – outside seats in the smoggy, scooter-riddled alleyway, the quintessential Beijing ambiance. But stepping into Nina, then, is like stepping out of the hutongs – it’s a simple, intimate lounge, built for conversations over wine and flirtatious glances. A couple meters in, the decor changes yet again, chic neon signage making it feel like the classiest (and cleanest) dive bar this side of Houhai. What do all of three of these bars have in common? They’re for talking. The music is soft. The drinks are Italian. Nina is a place to fall in love or stay in love. Nina is the lovechild of two Fangjia Hutong refugees, popular French hangout Jiao Bar and Italian pop-up Cartoccio, who aren’t letting the bricking of their beloved former ’tong stop them from serving European food and drinks at laudable prices. Nina marries Jiao’s wine and spritzes with Cartoccio’s Italian street food, and the menu offers plenty of options to help you forget the sounds of construction. Start with a Nina Spritz (RMB60), a bittersweet twist on a classic, and a

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Cartoccio platter (RMB75-150), which we can only describe as next-level delicious: crispy arancini served with a variety of dipping sauces. (Pro tip: Spritzes are RMB30 during happy hour.) Nina also has mini pizzas (RMB55-60), which are both terrific and tiny – avoid them if you're starving, indulge when you’re snacking. Finish with a negroni (RMB40) and you’ll be ready to dance the night away at a sleazy nearby Gulou bar of your choosing. Or just order another and talk instead.

Mon-Fri 6pm-2am, Sat-Sun 11am-1am; 66 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng 东城区北锣鼓巷66号

CITY SCENES Hospitality professionals suddenly subjected to TV-style dating show at the grand opening of Hampton by Hilton Beijing Fangshan.

Calm, euphoria, existential dread â&#x20AC;&#x201C; bar patrons cycle through the Three Stages of Binge Drinking at the opening party for Heaven Supermarketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new location.

Important dignitaries celebrate signing an international edict designating ma la spice as the best spice, at the 7th Slow Food International Congress.

Managers of the InterContinental Tianjin Yujiapu Hotel & Residences arrive at the disappointing realization that they will not fit on their boat.

Amateur yogis mistake very tall Wake Yoga owner for international supermodel, ask for photo with him.

The staff of Four Seasons Tianjin hold accidental menswear fashion show at their Taste of Artistry event.

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EVENTS

Maybe Mars 10th Anniversary / Gig

Javiera Mena Gig

HEAR

Chilean songwriter and producer Javiera Mena is known for her critically acclaimed electro pop, which garnered her a nomination for ‘Best Alternative Song’ at the 2015 Latin Grammys. Support comes from Beijing’s own Juhstynn. This will be one danceable show. Sun Oct 8; RMB50 presale, RMB70 at the door; Yugong Yishan (see Listings for details)

Fabrizio Mammarella

Italian DJ Fabrizio Mammarella is out to redefine house. Catch his boundary-pushing music at his Spazio Terra Release Party, presented by Italian Dance Wave Asia, where he promises to play a mix of everything from acid to Middle East-inspired beats. Fri Oct 27, tickets TBD; Dada (see Listings for details)

Knxwledge Gig

Norman Nodge DJ

Legendary Berlin club Berghain can be pretty tough to get into. Lantern, on the other hand? They’re pretty chill. Check out Berghain’s resident DJ without Berghain’s resident pretension in Beijing this month, thanks to dART. Nodge plays some of the greatest, most serious techno on the planet – so get ready to go Euro. Wed Oct 4, tickets TBD; Lantern (see Listings for details)

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It’s been a decade, yes. A decade since Maybe Mars – China’s king of indie music – launched in Beijing with the aim of supporting talented Chinese artists. In those 10 years, Maybe Mars has become one of the largest and most respected independent record labels in the country. This month, they’re celebrating with a star-studded multi-day birthday party featuring all your faves. The wild week warms up on Tuesday with Dirty Fingers and Lonely Leary. Wednesday sees AV Okubo, Backspace and Dream Can. On Friday punk gods Carsick Cars share a stage with Hiperson and Birdstriking. Then Saturday, the legendary P.K. 14 play alongside Chui Wan and Fazi. Are you geeking out yet? If not, then you should be. Tue Oct 3, 9.45pm; RMB60; School Bar (see Listings for details) Wed Oct 4, 9.45pm; RMB80 (advance), RMB100 (door); Yue Space, 7 Banqiaonanxiang, Dongcheng 东城区北新桥街道板桥南巷7号人民美术印刷厂内 Fri Oct 6, 9.45pm; RMB120 presale, RMB150 at door; Yugong Yishan (see Listings for details) Sat Oct 7, 9.45pm; RMB120 presale, RMB150 at door; Yugong Yishan (see Listings for details)

Knxwledge has produced for none other than rap god Kendrick Lamar (on To Pimp a Butterfly, if you must know). A member of highly respected hip hop label Stones Throw, Knxwledge is bringing his L.A. beats to Beijing this Golden Week. Mon Oct 2, 9pm; tickets TBD; Yue Space, 7 Banqiaonanxiang, Dongcheng 东城区北新桥街道板桥南巷7号人民美术印刷厂内

EVENTS

Rocky Horror Halloween Extravaganza / Party

Belt and Road Tennis Cup Sports

The Silk Road Cities Alliance, together with the Beijing Tennis Association, is holding a Belt and Road Tennis Cup (BRTC, because the Silk Road loves acronyms). The competition is for amateur players, and participants include foreign embassy and consulates’ staff, as well as members of Chinese cities’ administrations. The aim of the event is to “promote Belt and Road mass sports development and cooperation.” A cool – and cost-free – alternative to the China Open. Fri Oct 6, 10am-6pm; free; Beijing Tennis Administration Center, 1 Guangcai Lu, Fengtai 丰台区光彩路 1 号

Public Halloween Ghost Tour Walk If you’re looking to get a little freaky this month – and our cover story didn’t scare you away – check out Newman Tours’ special Halloween ghost tour. The popular tour will take you around haunted hutongs and Prince Gong’s Palace. This month, all proceeds will go to the ICVS Humane Animal Welfare Programs. Dress up in costume for extra spook points. English language guide available. Sun Oct 29, 7-9pm; RMB260 (RMB190, children under 14); Newman Tours (138 1777 0229, www.newmantours.com).

Celebrate Halloween in style at Migas’ Disco Extravaganza, a raucous party reveling in all things fabulous. This month, in a nod to Halloween, the disco theme is The Rocky Horror Picture Show. There will be drag queens, club beats and special drinks on offer. Dress up, get your booty down to The Bar at Migas and boogie down with the fiercest queens and funkiest people in town. It’ll be killer. DJs TBA. Sat Oct 28, 10pm-late; The Bar at Migas (see Listings for details)

Home Yoga Meditation

Art Revolution / Workshop

Night Biking Tour

Stuck in Beijing for National Holiday? It’s not all bad. With an empty city, it’s the perfect time to get out and explore. Try Beijing Experience’s Bike Night Tour – an event designed especially for the holiday, as many of the city’s important monuments will be lit up. The tour will start in the hutongs before heading out to the main avenues. Tue Oct 3, 5.15pm; RMB250; meeting point at Bike Beijing, 81 Beiheyan Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区北河沿大街81号

Constructivism is a 20th-century art movement that originated in Russia. Its philosophy is that art should be ‘constructed,’ rather than created or copied mindlessly. At its core is the idea of practicing art for social purposes, with function favored over aesthetic. The movement greatly influenced other artistic styles, such as Bauhaus, and can be seen in architecture, graphic design, the performing arts and fashion. Atelier Shunyi is holding a workshop on the artform during Golden Week. During the workshop students will learn about the movement and its prominent artists, paint in the form of constructivist artist Malevich and sculpt art representative of the Contructivism style. Russian fashion and cinema will also be studied. Mon Oct 2-Fri Oct 6, 10am-4pm; RMB1,800; Atelier Shunyi, 204-205 Bldg 2, Central Park, 16 Yufeng Lu, Shunyi 顺义区裕丰路16号院会展誉景2号楼204-205 (5686 4243, shunyi@atelier.cn.com)

Check out Yiyang’s home yoga practice this October Golden Week. Yoga classes include Ashtanga Vinyasa and Hatha and are held in Yiyang’s apartment. Thanks to the intimate setting (four students maximum), you are guaranteed a personalized experience with handson teaching. An experienced yoga instructor, Yiyang credits her scoliosis as helping guide her practice as well as her students’. Prices are for Golden Week only. Sun Oct 1-Sun Oct 8, 10-11.15am and 4-5.15pm; RMB70 per class (sevenclass pass), RMB85 per class (fourclass pass), RMB100 (drop-in, pay one day in advance); Dongzhimen (exact location to be shared post-booking, WeChat 18610049568 to book)

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EVENTS

Slow Boat Anniversary Party Beer

Oktoberfest at Paulaner Brauhaus / Party

TA S T E

Wings Wednesday Deal Xian has debuted a special new menu of chicken wings to heat things up just as the weather gets colder. For just RMB3 per wing (or RMB7 for a large one), get messy with flavors running the gamut from cajun-inflected spice to Vietnamese lemongrass. Every Wednesday; Xian, EAST Beijing (see Listings for details)

It’s now been one year since Slow Boat’s massive Sanlitun brewpub first opened, and they’re throwing an equally massive party to celebrate. On the final Saturday of Golden Week, drop by for an all-day happy hour, discounts on food and merch, and – best of all – a free pint of Monkey’s Fist IPA (until it runs out, which we reckon it will). Sat Oct 7, all day (free beer from 4pm); Slow Boat Sanlitun Brewpub, 6 Nan Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区南三里屯路6号 (6592 5388)

Oktoberfest at Brotzeit Party

Tickets for 8x8 Brewing Festival Beer

Tickets are on sale for the capital’s most hotly-anticipated craft beer fest, the 8x8 Brewing Festival, which will take place November 3-4. The festival is the culmination of a project spearheaded by Jing-A, which will see brewers from the American-Canadian Pacific Northwest team up with Chinese brewers to make special-edition beers. RMB238-1188; on sale all month; available for purchase at 8x8brewingproject.com

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When it comes to Beijing brauhauses, Brotzeit’s a new one. But it’s also a good one. The German restaurant and pub recently unveiled a slick new location atop China World Mall (just next to Migas) with a view to kill. This Oktoberfest, they’re offering free-flow imported German beer for just RMB150 a head. As always, there will be plenty of traditional German food to snack on: think schnitzel, pork knuckle and so much more. Sorry vegetarians, this menu’s not for you. But at least the beer is vegetarian? Daily, through Oct 12; RMB150 per person; Brotzeit; Liangmaqiao: F109, Bldg 5, Grand Summit, 19 Dong Dongfang Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东方东路19号楼一层F109 (8531 5166); Guomao: 7/F China World Mall, 1 Jianguomen Wai Dajie, Chaoyang 建国门外大街1号国贸商城北区7层 NL7006 (6505 6068)

Beijing has an inordinate number of German brauhauses. Seriously, it’s insane. What with Beijing’s massive population, there are probably just as many steins of lager consumed here as there are in some German cities. Yeah, we said it. No hate mail, German expats. Mediocre bratwurst is everywhere. But there’s nothing mediocre about Paulaner Brauhaus, one of the city’s finest German pubs. And as one of the longest running beer halls in Beijing, Paulaner knows a thing or two about Bavarian-style boozing – and that’s why their annual Oktoberfest celebration is one of the most rollicking events of the year. For over two weeks, the Brauhaus will serve freshly-brewed beer alongside classic Bavarian food in a traditional German tent. An original Oktoberfest band will be on hand to entertain with dances and lively music. Revelers can get a special treat on Sundays, when Paulaner will offer a special Oktoberfest Sunday Brunch, featuring a massive variety of German dishes and – you guessed it – free-flow German beer. Thu Oct 12-Sun Oct 29; Sun brunch on Oct 15 , 22, 29 (RMB290 per person, RMB428 with free-ﬂow beer); Paulaner Brauhaus, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center (see Listings for details)

Tianqiao E Life / Beijing Design Week

China Open Tennis

SEE

The Dawns Here Are Quiet Opera An opera commissioned by the NCPA, The Dawns Here Are Quiet is based on the eponymous book by former USSR writer Boris Lvovich Vasilye and sees five female soldiers fighting German troops during WWII. Expect an atmospheric production: dark forests, big battles and the coming-of-age of young people. Sat Oct 21-Tue Oct 24, 7.30pm; RMB280-880; Opera House of NCPA, 2 Xi Chang’an Jie, Xicheng 西城区西长安街2号 (tickets via sales@theatrebeijing.com)

Beijing Design Week is massive this year. There’s so much going on, we don’t know where to even begin (that’s a lie; see our feature on page 38). Go to the Hops, see the lights in Taikoo Li, hell, head to Tianjin (page 77) if that’s your thing. Closer to home, we recommend Tianqiao E Life. Held at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Area, Tianqiao E Life consists of exhibits showing the relationship between design and the performing arts, intangible heritage and community. The performing arts section includes performances such as ‘Beyond the Bridge’ and ‘Beyond the Stage.’ The intangible heritage life section is a platform integrating traditional and modern design. Lastly, the community design is all about urban renewal methods – how to combine public spaces with innovative living. Through Sat Oct 7; Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Area, 30 Beiwei Lu, Xicheng 西城区北纬路30号 (www.bjdw.org)

It’s that time of the year again. We’re not talking about Golden Week, or Halloween, we’re talking about something far more important: China Open. This year sees some big names gracing the National Tennis Center courts: last year’s men’s winner Andy Murray, Venus Williams, Maria ‘Meldonium’ Sharapova and 16-time Grand Slam champ Rafael Nadal. Through Oct 8; ticket from RMB100 upwards; National Tennis Center, 2 Lincui Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区林萃路2 号 (tickets via https://tickets.chinaopen.com or 400 707 6666)

A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains Art

Shoot the Moon Ballet

Shoot the Moon with the Nederlands Dans Theater 1, a premier contemporary dance company. The renowned Dutch troupe brings its graceful dance to NCPA’s Opera House this month. With folk songs in Hakka, one of the oldest existing Chinese dialects, and arias sung in Western-styles as well, Shoot the Moon is a special production that’s sure to impress. Fri Oct 27-Sun Oct 29, 7.30pm; RMB180-680; Opera House of NCPA, 2 Xi Chang’an Jie, Xicheng 西城区西长安街2号 (tickets via sales@theatrebeijing.com)

We try to avoid visiting the Forbidden City unless we’ve got family in town, but we might yet make an exception for this art exhibition. Painted in 1113 by Wang Ximeng when he was just 17 years old, A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains is one of China’s most famous artworks, it’s so special that it’s only been shown three times since the 1949. The priceless scroll requires special care, hence the few number of times it’s been unrolled and displayed. Through Dec 14; Forbidden City, Dongcheng 东城区故宫

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LISTINGS OPEN DOOR

Expensive...................................¥ Expense Account ....................¥¥ Highly Recommended ..............* Top Ten ....................................**

RESTAURANTS The Hot One Hundred

About This guide represents our editors’ top 100 picks, and includes some That’s Beijing advertisers. Restaurants rated(*) have been personally reviewed by our experts, and scored according to the cuisine, experience and affordability.

CHINESE Contemporary & Mixed Cuisine 8 Qi Nian 祈年8号 (Cantonese/Sichuan) The New World Hotel’s flagship restaurant has classic Chinese cuisine in abundance, as well as some vitality-restoring medicinal soups. (Their decent wine list is just as effective.) > Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:15pm, 5:30-9:30pm, Sat/Sun 12-2:45pm, 5:30-9:30pm; 2/F, New World Hotel, 8 Qinian Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区祈年大街8号新世界酒店2层 (5960 8822)

Din Tai Fung 鼎泰丰 ¥ (Taiwanese) This Taipei-based franchise impressed Ken Hom enough to call it one of the best 10 eateries in the world, back in 1993. Famous for its dependably delicious xiaolongbao 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

Jing Yaa Tang 京雅堂 (Chinese, Peking Duck) Resembling something between a nightclub and a theater, the Opposite House’s basement restaurant proves to be more than just style over substance with their range of expertly prepared classic dishes.

> Daily 12-10:30pm, B1/F, The Opposite House, Sanlitun Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路11号院1号楼瑜舍酒B1楼 (6410 5230)

Peking Duck The Horizon 海天阁 (Cantonese Beijing Duck) ** Kerry Hotel’s Chinese restaurant has widened its predominantly Cantonese and Sichuan horizons to include dim sum, double-boiled soups and Peking duck – and the roast bird here really is fabulous. > Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5:30pm-10pm 1/F, Beijing Kerry Hotel, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华路 1号嘉里中心1层 (8565 2188)

Honglu 红炉

>Daily 11am-9.30pm, 5/F Beijing Raffles City, 1 Dongzhimen Nan Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区东直门南大街1号北京来福士购物中心05层01号(8409 8199 / 84094310); Daily 11am-10pm, 6 Sanlitun Nanlu, Chaoyang朝阳区三里屯南6号楼南侧60米(6595 9872 / 6593 8970)

EUDORA STATION New Dishes, Same Great Vibes Eudora Station – the Lido favorite you already know for its massive terrace and fun live music – has debuted new dishes for fall. And while they may be new to Eudora’s menu, they won’t be new to your tastebuds. These are classics, comforting Western-style dishes that will have you reminiscing about home. Try the mushroom chowder, served in a house-made cornbread bowl. Or the cod steak, 180g of deep-sea cod marinated in teriyaki sauce and accompanied by sauteed mushrooms. The seafood selections continue with a classic paella, featuring fresh shrimp, and mussels braised in Chardonnay. Get back on land with beef – or, more specifically, double beef, with Eudora Station’s double beer burger, featuring not one, but two Australian patties. Whatever your flavor, Eudora Station’s got something for you. And even if you’re not hungry – they always keep the beers flowing. > Eudora Station (see Listings for details)

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Country Kitchen The name ‘Country Kitchen’ may sound like a diner, but a diner this is not. Rosewood Beijing’s resplendent Northern Chinese restaurant serves elegant Hebei fare unlike you’ve ever had. Excellent peking duck is on offer as well. > Daily 11.30am-2.30pm and 5.30-10:30pm; 3F Rosewood Beijing, Jing Guang Centre, Hujialou, Chaoyang 朝阳区呼家楼一号京广中心北京瑰丽酒店 3层 (6597 8888)

Da Dong 大董 Among the city’s most famous haunts, Da Dong guarantees slick cuts of Beijing-style roast duck and delectable wrap fillings. The venue’s a class act and the plum sauce is hard to follow.

> Daily 11am-10pm; 22 Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng 东城区东四十条甲22号 (5169 0328); see www.dadongdadong.com for more locations

Duck de Chine 全鸭季 ¥ * Good duck is meant to show your guests how wonderful you are, as much as the food. Duck De Chine does that in spades, with fantastic presentation of its crispy, succulent duck (RMB188).

> Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm; Courtyard 4, 1949 The Hidden City, Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路4号院 (6501 8881) ; 98 Jinbao Jie, Dongcheng 东城区金宝街98号 (6521 2221)

Xihe Village Restaurant and Bar > Mon-Fri Lunch: 11am-2.30pm; Dinner: 5-9pm; Sun: 11am-9pm, S9-33, 3/F, South Area of Sanlitun 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)

Shanghai Shanghai Min 小南国 Many swear this chain has the best Shanghai-style hongshaorou north of the Yangtze. The jury’s out, but its popularity remains. > 0505, 5/F Raffles City Mall, 1 Dongzhimen Nan Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区东直门南大街1号来福士购物中心5楼0505号铺 (400 820 9777)> Additional branches in Financial Street; Jinbao Jie; Oriental Plaza; Sanlitun Soho; Xinyuan Nan Lu (see www. online.thatsmags.com for details)

Wang Jia Sha 王家沙 Modern Shanghai cuisine – popular with Hong Kong celebrities – famed for its crabmeat dumplings. Try the spiced-salt ribs (RMB62) for a bit of Adam action. > Daily, S1-30a Taikoo Li Sanlitun (on the third floor of i.t shop) 朝阳区三里屯路19号院太古里1号楼3层 S1-30a号商铺 (6416 3469)

Sichuan/Hunan Chuan Ban 川办 * This bright, modestly decorated dining hall is frequently cited as Beijing’s best Sichuan restaurant. > Mon-Fri 7-9am, 10.50am-2pm, 4.50-9.30pm; SatSun 7am-10pm; 5 Gongyuan Toutiao, Jianguomennei Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区建国门内贡院头条5号 (6512 2277, ext. 6101)

Karaiya Spice House 辣屋 * Bold and fiery Hunan cuisine in the most serene of restaurant interiors. Don’t miss the dry roasted duck with a dozen spices and stir fried bullfrog with shiso leaves and ginger. Peanut milk is there to soothe the palate: you’ll need it. > Daily 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-10pm; 3/F, Sanlitun Taikoo Li South, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯太古里19号院南区三层S9-30 (6415 3535)

South Memory 望湘园 This restaurant chain is the Hunan staple in the capital. The trademark shilixiang niurou (fragrant beef), duojiao shuangse yutou (dual-colour spiced fish head) and meltingly tender frog dishes are among the favorites with locals. > Daily 11am-10pm; 2/F, 230-232, Fenglian Plaza, 18 Chaoyangmen Wai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝外大街 18号丰联广场2楼230-232号 (6588 1797); see www. southmemory.com for more locations

Yu Xin 渝信川菜 Open since 1993, Yu Xin’s authentic Sichuan dishes have earned a loyal fanbase. Their liangfen – a jelly-like substance cut into chunky strips and dressed in an addictive spicy sauce – hits the spot. The rustic, intimate setting of bamboo cubicles and swift, friendly service complete the experience. > Daily 11am-10pm; 5A Xingfu Yicun Xili, Chaoyang 朝阳区幸福一村西里甲5号 see www.yuxin1997.com for other locations.

Transit 渡金湖 ¥¥ ** Sichuan is known for its blazing spices and hot climate. While the latter isn’t able to be replicated, the creative minds at Transit have made some fiery additions to the classical, chili-thumping canon, and they will charge you for that knowledge. But unlike many equally expensive joints, this is highend Chinese dining at its best. > Daily 12-2.30pm, 6 -10pm; N4-36, Sanlitun Taikoo Li North, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路11 号三里屯太古里北区N4-36号 (6417 9090)

Yunnan Dali Courtyard 大里院子 * If you like authentic Yunnanese food, you’ll have to trust the staff: there’s no menu, it all just arrives in an intimate courtyard setting. The price (RMB120/person) matches the rustic ingredients. > Daily 12-2pm, 6-10.30pm; Gulou Dong Dajie, 67

LISTINGS Xiaojingchang Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区鼓楼东大街小经厂胡同67号 (8404 1430)

Lost Heaven 花马天堂 (Yunnan, SE Asian) An emphasis on Yunnan characterizes this menu’s fresh journey through the SE Asia passage, with a grandiose yet dark teak interior.

> Daily noon-2pm, 5pm-10.30 (bar open till 1am). Ch’ien Men 23, 23 Qianmen Dongdajie, Dongcheng 东城区前门东大街23号(8516 2698)

Middle 8 Restaurant 中8楼 *

Da Gui (Guizhou) Guizhou’s famed hot-and-sour cuisine nestled into a charming traditional alleyway. Munch happily into pickled greens and don’t miss the salty-sweet deep-fried black sesame balls. They’re sensational.

OPEN DOOR

> Daily 10am-2pm, 5-10pm; 69 Daxing Hutong, Jiaodaokou, Dongcheng 东城区交道口大兴胡同69 号 (6407 1800)

Makye Ame (Tibetan) Determined to prove that Tibetan cuisine consists of more than just yak-butter tea, the Beijing branch of this nationwide chain serves up nomadic classics such as curried potatoes and roast lamb.

> Daily 10-midnight; 11A Xiushui Nanjie, Jianguomenwai, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外秀水南街甲11号 (6506 9616)

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 dapanji (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)

An oasis at the top of Taikoo Li, Middle 8 is the go-to destination for fresh authentic Yunnan cuisine. The restaurant, stylish yet understated, has plenty of flavorsome wellpriced dishes and a killer view to boot.

> Sanlitun: Daily 11am-10pm, Taikoo Li Sanlitun South South Area F4, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯太古里南区4层(6415 8858); Indigo: Daily 11am-10pm, Jiuxianqiao Road No.20 Indigo F2 , Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路20号颐堤港2层(8420 0883); Zhongguancun: Daily 11am-10pm, Zhongguancun Plaza Pedestrian Street, No.R17, Haidian海淀区中关村广场步行街R17 号(5172 1728); Fenglan: Daily 11am-10pm, Xizhimen North Street No.32 Maples International Center Blok B, 1 Floor, Haidian海淀区西直门大街32号枫蓝国际中心B座1层(6223 5583)

Youyun

> Daily, 10am-11pm, 63 Babaokeng Hutong, Beixinqiao, Dongcheng 东城区北新桥八宝坑胡同63 号 6407 2050 / 185 1092 0709

Yun’er Small Town 云洱小镇 Folksy and affordable Yunnanese fare on Beiluoguxiang. Fragrant dishes including the jasmine bulbs with scrambled eggs, lemongrass shrimp and banana leaf wrapped bolete mushrooms will keep us crawling back. > Daily 10am-11pm, 84 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng 东城区北锣鼓巷84号 (8404 2407)

Dumplings Baoyuan Jiaoziwu 宝源饺子屋 Famous for their rainbow of dyed dumplings, Baoyuan have their jiaozi (six, under RMB10) wrapped in a larger yuanbao silver-ingot shape, with creative vegetarian options and authentic Sichuan food. > Daily 11am-10pm; north of 6 Maizidian Jie, Chaoyang 朝阳区麦子店街6号楼北侧 (6586 4967)

Mr Shi’s Dumplings 老石饺子馆 Since recieving a Lonely Planet recommendation the prices have risen and the walls are covered in backpackers’ scribbles, but the fantastic dumplings – boiled and fried – are still fantastic. > 74 Baochao Hutong, Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区鼓楼东大街宝钞胡同74号 (8405 0399, 131 6100 3826)

Regional Crescent Moon (Xinjiang) * Roast mutton enthusiasts go over the moon at this reputable Xinjiang Muslim restaurant. Eastern European and Central Asian influences are evident throughout, with peppery and cumin-spiced dishes livening up traditional Chinese favorites. > Daily 10am-11:30pm; 16 Dongsi Liutiao, Dongcheng 东四六条16号 (6400 5281)

Jia Chinese Restaurant禾家中餐厅 (Cantonese) Featuring modern Ming elements with inspired paintings from Xu Wei, a painter, calligrapher and food and wine connoisseur, the quintessentially authentic house of agriculture produces, Jia Chinese restaurant serves exquisite traditional Cantonese specialties in their purest form with chefs hailing from Hong Kong. Using the freshest ingredients from NUO’s very own green farms, NUO Hotel Beijing provides an alternative green gourmet option in town. >Mon-Fri: 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm; Sat-Sun: 11am2.30pm, 5.30-10pm; 1/F, NUO Hotel Beijing, 2A Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区将台路甲2号北京诺金酒店一层（5926 8281）

WESTERN Fine Dining Barolo ¥¥ (Italian) * Average Italian abounds in Beijing: not here, though. Quite the opposite, in fact, meaning Barolo is as well-regarded as the Piedmont wine it is named after.

> Mon-Sun 11.30am-2pm, 6pm-10pm. Ritz Carlton Hotel, China Central Place, 83A Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国路甲83号华贸中心丽思卡尔顿酒店内 (5908 8151)

Maison Flo ¥¥ (French) * Marble slabs, mosaic floors and brass fittings establish the Parisian bona fides; dishes like snails (RMB78), oysters (RMB48 each) and steak tartare (RMB158) confirm. The grandeur is matched only by the service, and the prices reflect the authenticity of the experience.

> Daily 11am-midnight; 18 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区霄云路18号 (6595 5135)

The Georg ** This hutong mansion has an elegant restaurant, leather-couched lounge area, sleek bar and sick location near Houhai. But most importantly, it has some of the most thoughtful, innovative cuisine in town. Go for a dinner you won’t forget. >10.30am-midnight (dinner 6-10.30pm), closed Mondays; 45 Dongbuyaqiao Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区东不压桥胡同45号 (8408 5300)

Capital M ¥ (Contemporary Western) ** The Art Deco interior, swish staff and breathtaking views over the archery towers from Qianmen ensures the pinnacle of al-fresco dining, with world-class modern European stylings and deliciously posh afternoon tea. > Daily 11.30am-10.30pm. Floor 3, 2 Qianmen Buxingjie, Dongcheng 东城区前门步行街2号3层 (6702 2727)

Héritage ¥¥ A French country-style chateau in the heart of Beijing. A chef de cuisine with Michelin star restaurant experience and an extensive wine cellar make this Sofitel Hotel restaurant one of the best French dining experiences in town. > 6F Sofitel Wanda Beijing, Tower C, Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国路93号万达广场 C座索菲特酒店6层 (8599 6666)

Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) ¥¥ ** Setting is everything here, especially if it’s fashioned inside a restored Buddhist temple. The bold contemporary European cuisine is fitting in majesty and the service alone is worthy of worship.

> Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 6-10pm; 23 Songzhusi Temple, Shatan Beijie, Dongcheng 东城区沙滩北街嵩祝寺23号 (8400 2232)

Mio ¥¥ Glitzy Italian fare at the Four Seasons, with a mobile Bellini cart, wheeled straight to your table.The Chef crafts a superb squash tortellini by hand, and pampers diners with desserts like the deconstructed tiramisu. >Daily lunch 11.30am - 2.30pm, dinner 5.30pm -10.30pm, Four Seasons Hotel, 48 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang, 朝阳区亮马桥路48号北京四季酒店 (5695 8888)

Grange Grill ** Located in the Westin Beijing Chaoyang, Grange Grill serves up some of the city’s best steak, seafood and grill offerings. The

THE ENGLISH TEAROOM Just Our Cup of Tea The English Tearoom is Shunyi’s de facto British Embassy. But they’ve got more than tea and crumpets. Heck, they’ve got a lot more. Are you with a big group, or your family? You’re in luck. The English Tearoom makes it easy to have your Sunday Roast with its English Assorted Platter. Featuring homemade truffle bread, English breakfast sausages, garlic prawns, grilled chicken breasts and cherry tomatoes, it’s plenty for your group of three or four. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, try the pita bread with hummus, roasted vegetables, tomato, lettuce, and your choice of chicken or beef. A satisfying, healthy lunch. Then again, there’s the classic: The English Tearoom’s Fish & Chips are authentically British – a chunky hand-battered fillet of sole served with thick-cut chips, traditional tartar sauce and baked beans. To wash all that down, The English Tearoom has the Pimm’s ready. Enjoy this classic refresher in Beijing’s blissful autumn weather – you deserve it. > The English Tearoom is open daily, 10am-9.30pm; 101-10, North Complex, Shine Hills, Yard 9, Antai Dajie, Shunyi 顺义区安泰大街9号院中粮祥云小镇北区10 号楼101 (8047 9661)

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LISTINGS restaurant’s welcoming decor provides a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy a cocktail or a glass of fine vintage from the extensive wine collection. Be sure to try the ‘luxurious oyster feast,’ where you can enjoy the delicacy raw, grilled or with cheese. > Lunch: Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm, Sat and Sun 11.30am-3.pm; Dinner: Daily 5.30-10.30pm; The Westin Beijing Chaoyang 7 North East Third Ring Road, Chaoyang 东三环北路7号 (5922 8888)

Contemporary Western Chi (Organic, Fusion) Hutong set-menu dining par-excellence, with organic ingredients all locally sourced. From the owners of neighboring Saffron. > Daily, opens 10:30am, last order 9:30pm, 67 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区五道营胡同 67号 (6445 7076)

Lin’s Dinning

> Daily 11am-10pm, 2/F, New Grand Dynasty Hotel, 58 Maizidian Jie, Chaoyang 朝阳区麦子店街58号新大宗饭店二层(6500 6766)

Feast (Food by East) Bustling café with a philosophy of ‘Simple things, done well’. International favorites, using freshest ingredients , cooked on the spot.

>Daily 6am-10.30pm, 2/F, EAST Beijing, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu,Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路22号东隅酒店2层 8414 9820

C Pearl (Oysters, Seafood) ¥ * This slick oyster restaurant imports fresh shells from Canada, South Africa, France, USA and more – and they are well worth the price. The fries are the best we’ve had in Beijing, beer and wine selection also excellent. > Tue-Sun 5.30pm-2am; 14-2, Bldg 14, Shunyuanli, Xinyuan Jie, Yansha Qiao, Chaoyang 朝阳区燕莎桥新源街顺源里14号楼14-2号 (5724 5886)

Alﬁe’s ¥ (British) What’s all this about, then? British gastropub classics, (like pukker fish and chips, RMB188), a swanky gentleman’s club interior, and located in a chic modern art gallery-cum-mall. That’s what, mate. > Daily, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-10pm, brunch served on weekends; Parkview Green, 9 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东大桥路9号芳草地L1-22 (5662 8777)

Bistrot B Rosewood Beijing’s exquisite French restaurant is the sort of place chefs like to eat. Expect lavish luxury. > Daily, 11.30am-2.30pm and 5.30-10:30pm; 1F Rosewood Beijing, Jing Guang Centre, Hujialou, Chaoyang 朝阳区呼家楼一号京广中心北京瑰丽酒店 3层 (6536 0066)

Caribeño (Latin) Heavy Cuban influence, but there are dishes from all over the Latin continent here. The Ropa Vieja (shredded beef on potato) is excellent – as are the Mojitos. > Daily 11:30am-9:30pm, 1/F, China Overseas Plaza, 8 Guanghua Dongli, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华东里8号中海广场北楼1层 (5977 2789)

Grill 79 (Steak) With views this good, Grill 79 would probably make it onto the list even if the food was terrible. It’s something of a bonus then that the kitchen is superb, and supported by one of the most extensive wine lists in town.

> 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)

Miss K Cafe (Xing Fu Cafe) Whether it’s a rainy morning or a sunny afternoon, relax with your favorite novel and a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Experience a quiet moment of serenity amid the hustle and bustle of Beijing. >Daily, 8am-8.30pm; 1/F, Tower A, East Gate Plaza, Dongzhimen, Dongcheng 东城区东直门东环广场A座一层幸福咖啡馆 (6418 1096)

JF Royal Teahouse

>Daily 10am-9:30pm;B215 China World Trade Center Tower 3, Jintong East Road,Chaoyang Beijing 北京市朝阳区国贸商城区域3 地下二层B215(8535 1625)

Mosto (European, South American) ¥ * A perpetually busy lunch and evening spot, thanks to chef Daniel Urdaneta’s skill for modernising South American-style dishes like ceviche and risotto in his open kitchen. > Sun-Thu noon-2.30pm, 6-10pm; Fri-Sat noon2.30pm, 6-10.30pm. 3/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园3层 (5208 6030)

The English Tearoom英国茶房

>Daily 10am-9.30pm; 101, Bldg 10, North area of Xiangyun Town, 9 Antai Dajie, Shunyi 顺义区安泰大街9号院中粮祥云小镇北区10号楼101(8047 9661

68 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

/ 8047 9661); Daliy 10am-7pm Creativity Garden,1 Shunhuang Lu，Sunhe xiang,Chaoyang 朝阳区孙河乡顺黄路甲1号创意园内(8459 4407)

Sizzler Sizzler invented ‘casual dining’ in Australia when it introduced the first soup, salad, pasta and fresh fruit concept. Since those pioneering days, it has expanded its ‘classic grill’ to include, not only steak and seafood, but also delicious chicken dishes, BBQ ribs, combination meals and burgers. ‘Variety’ and ‘freedom to choose’ set Sizzler apart from other dining experiences. At Sizzler customers are free to control the volume, nutritional balance and variety of each meal by ordering from the grill and helping themselves to our famous soup, salad, pasta and fruits. >All stores open daily, 10am-10pm ;Wangfujing Oriental Plaza Store 王府井东方广场店 (8518 6315); Chongwenmen Glory Mall Store 崇文门国瑞购物中心店 (6714 0399); Wangjing Capital Mall 望京凯德购物中心店 (6471 3876); Wanliu BHG 万柳华联商场店 (8258 9405) Wan Shoulu Crystal Capital Mall 万寿路凯德晶品店 (6826 086); Xizhimen Capital Mall 西直门凯德购物中心店Mall (5830 2199); Sanlitun Shimao Gongsan 三里屯世茂工三店 (8400 4014); Changying Paradise Walk 常营龙湖天街店 (8539 0438); Tianjin Joy City 天津大悦城店 (8728 1620)

Tomacado Tomacado is indeed a mash-up of ‘tomato’ and ‘avocado’ – and while you’ll certainly find these ingredients on the menu, you can also expect pleasant drinks, light soups and heartier main courses from this charming cafe. Fowers are also available for sale.

> Daily 10am-10pm (Lunch start from 11am, Only afternoon tea served on Mon-Fri 2.30-5pm), No. 19/20, B1/F, Jia Ming Center, 27 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环北路27号嘉铭中心地下一层 19/20号(6500 3354)

VIC Not to be confused with the notorious nightclub of the same name, this VIC is the Sofitel Beijing’s casual dining restaurant. All the major world cuisines are in attendance here – make sure you pay special attentions to the French-inspired breads and pastries – as is the customary Sunday champagne brunch.

区秀水街1号建国门外外交公寓7-1-11 (8532 2633 / 18701092189); FFCStore:-107,B1/F,Fortune Financial Center,5 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu,Chaoyang District 朝阳区东三环中路5号楼财富金融中心1层107 (6596 9108); China Central Mall Store:L315,China Central Mall,Chaoyang District朝阳区华贸中心写字楼三层 L315单元 (8588 7978)www.cafeflatwhite.com, cafeflatwhite@hotmail.com, WeChat username: CafeFlatwhite

The zesty carrot-and-zucchini cake is a crowd pleaser.

Awfully Chocolate

Eudora Station 亿多瑞站

Home Plate BBQ * Scruffy looks and laid-back staff belie the popularity of this entry-level brick-smoker barbecue joint, that blossoms in the sunny months. Pulled-pork sandwiches are the favorites, followed by baby-back rib racks. Beer and bourbons are taken care of, too. > Daily 11am-10pm. 35 Xiaoyun Lu courtyard (20m north of Xiaoyun Lu intersection, first right), Chaoyang District 朝阳区霄云路35号院过霄云路路口, 往北走20米,到第一个路口右转(5128 5584) > Additional location in Sanlitun Nan Jie (see www. thatsmags.com for details) 完美巧克力蛋糕的首选新加坡品牌，Born

in Singapore, made by hand, using the finest ingredients.

>Daily 9am-10.30pm, 1) Sanlitun: Opposite to BHG, B1/F, Southern area of Taikooli, Sanlitun, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯太古里地下一层华联超市对面 (8468 3802); 2) Indigo: B1/F, Indigo Mall, 18 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路18号颐堤港地下一层 (8426 0917); 3) Joy City Chaoyang: 5/F Joy City Chaoyang, Qingnian Lu, Chaoyang Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳北路青年路朝阳大悦城5楼悦界区 (8582 2677); 4) Raffles City: B1/F, Raffles City, Dongzhimen, Dongcheng 东城区东直门来福士地下一层 (8409 8038)

Element Fresh (Contemporary Western) Chain of restaurants and one of the longest running with quality ingredients and good service. One of the mainstays in Beijing. > Daily Mon-Fri 10am-11pm, Sat-Sun 7am-11pm. 833, Building 8, 19 Sanlitun Taikoo Li South, Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯太古里南区 8号楼833 (6417 1318)

Maan Coﬀee漫咖啡文化体验馆

>Daily 9am-20:00pm;The south gate of Jiangfu Park,Half tower road,Chaoyang 朝阳区半截塔路将府公园南门西侧(5949 8336)

Yi House (Contemporary Western) Nestled in the confines of 798, Yi’s great tasting brunch is bettered only by their wide range of cocktails. Sundays offer jazz brunches with lobster and champagne.

MOKA Bros (Contemporary Western) * Power bowls, salads and wraps are the kind of fare on offer at this trendy Nali Patio space, which also has a great selection of cakes and pastries if you’re feeling more indulgent.

Wood

>Daily 10.30am-11pm, Lakeside Gourmet Street, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾南边湖畔美食街近南边地面停车场 5726 8255

Stuﬀ’d (Contemporary Western) The concept of Stuff’d is to simply stuff one kind of food in another. From sausage calzone pizzas (RMB68) to scotch eggs – it all works. On-site micro brewery a bonus.

> Wed-Mon, 11:30am-2:45pm, 6-10pm, 9 Jianchang Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区箭厂胡同9号 (6407 6308)

Café/Deli/Sandwich Café Zarah (Café) * A smart new interior and menu for this longstanding cafe has propelled it from hipster hangout to Gulou institution. Large, airy and with a terrace for summer, the only downside is it’s always packed. > Daily 9.30am-midnight，42 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng 东城区鼓楼东大街42号 (8403 9807)

> Sanlitun: Sun-Thu 11am-10:30pm, Fri/Sat 11am11:30pm, B101b Nali Patio South, 81 Sanlitun Beilu Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路81号B101B南楼 (5208 6079) ; Solana: Solana Lakeside Dining Street, 6 Chaoyang Park Road, Chaoyang 朝阳区湖畔美食街朝阳公园路6号院蓝色港湾 (5905 6259)

Ricci Named after a 17th century Italian Jesuit (duh), this creative café has a funky, kookymeets-organic vibe and serves up some of the best casual western food in town, and a great brunch at the Wudaokou location (Chaoyang branch closed weekends).

> 1/F, Building D, Tsinghua Science Park, 1 Zhongguancun Donglu, Haidian 海淀区中关村东路1 号院清华科技园D座1楼 (8215 8826 )

The Rug (Contemporary Western, Organic) * With ingredients supplied by local organic farms like Dahe and De Run Wu, and an emphasis on sustainability, this café’s wide ranging menu has something for everyone, especially green types, bored foreign moms and freelance Macbook types.

Domain 域 A blend of café, business center and lounge, it has a gentle buzz all of its own. For privacy, Domain also provides workstations equipped with computers and ipads.

> Mon-Fri 7.30am-10:30pm, Sat/Sun 9:30am10:30pm; Bldg 4, Lishui Jiayuan, Chaoyang Gongyuan Nanlu (opposite Chaoyang Park South Gate), Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳公园南路丽水嘉园4 号楼(朝阳公园南门对面) (8550 2722) > Additional location in Sanlitun Nan Jie (see online.thatsmags. com for details)

Café Flatwhite Hailing from New Zealand, Café Flatwhite uses fresh and healthy ingredients in its tasty selection of sandwiches, pizzas, salads and brunch options, all served alongside some of the best coffee in Beijing.

TRIBE * Salads, wraps and sandwiches, and noodle and grain bowls are as tasty as they are holistic, and there are more superfoods in one single dish than we even knew existed. Come hungry, leave basking in the warm glow that comes from knowing that you are eating well. Kombucha is the icing on the (organic, locally-sourced) cake.

>Daily 7am-8pm, 2/F, EAST Beijing, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu,Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路22号东隅酒店2层 (8414 9830)

> Open Daily, Mon-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am-9pm; 798 Dashanzi Art District Store: D09-1, No.4, 798 Dashanzi Art District, Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路4号 798艺术区D09-1 (5978 9067 / 13051771436); Jianguomenwai Media Center Store: No.13 Bldg, Jianguomenwai DRC, 1 Xiushui Street, Chaoyang 朝阳区秀水街1号建国门外外交公寓13 号楼1层东北角 8532 2633 ；Jianguomenwai DRC Store: Building 7-1-11, 1 Silk Street, Chaoyang 朝阳

American/BBQ/Grill > (Near Lidu place))No 6,Fangyuanli Chaoyang 朝阳区芳园西里6号(丽都广场对面)(6437 8331, 6437 8334)

> Sofitel Wanda Beijing, Tower C, Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国路93号万达广场C座索菲特酒店6层 (8599 6666)

> Daily 11am-3pm, 6pm-12am; 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, 798 Yishu Qu, No.1 706 Houjie, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路2号院798艺术区706后街1号 (6436 1818)

> Daily 8am-10pm; S8-33, 3/F, Bldg 8, Taikoo Li South, 19 South Sanlitun Street, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯太古里南区三层 (6416 5829) > Additional locations in The Kerry Centre, Raffles Mall Dongzhimen (see www.thatsmags.com for details)

> Daily 8am-10.30pm, 1/F, Building 3, China View Plaza, 2A Gongti Dong Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体东路甲2号中国红街大厦3号楼1层大厅入口南侧 (8587 1899)

Wagas (Contemporary Western) Quality eats with minimal pretension. This stylish, no-fuss Shanghai rival to Element Fresh offers some of the best and most affordable Western lunch options in town.

NOLA N’Orleans finds a dark-wood home in the leafy embassy area, with a jazz soundtrack, shrimp and grits, gumbo, fried chicken, jambalaya and decent-enough po’boys – yes’m. Excellent Cajun snacks, craft beers and cocktails also make NOLA a popular watering hole. > Mon-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat-Sun 10.30am-11pm. 11A Xiushui Nanjie, Chaoyang 朝阳区秀水南街11号 (8563 6215)

The Big Smoke * Taking the Home Plate BBQ concept and upscaling was a gourmet masterstroke. Full menu evenings only (also delivers rotisserie chicken via Uncle Otis).

> Daily Mon-Sat 11am-midnight, Sun 11am-10pm. First Floor, Lee World Building (opposite Frost Nails), 57 Xingfucun Zhong Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区幸福村中路 57号楼利世楼 (6416 5195, 6416 268, www. uncle-otis.com)

The Woods * New York native-owned, Manhattan-style restaurant, tucked in amongst the skyscrapers of CBD: you can’t get more Big Apple than that. > Daily 12pm-10pm, Central Park Tower 1, Suite 101, No. 6 Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝外大街6号新城国际1号搂101 (6533 6380)

Burgers Blue Frog Blue Frog is pleased to introduce a creative new Drinks Menu. As the new year begins, this new menu will wake up everyone’s taste buds with a bevy of specialty and original cocktails, mocktails, shots, beer, wine and healthy drinks inspired by popular ingredients.

> All open Daily 10am-late; S2-30, Level 3, S2 Tower, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯太古里南区三楼S2-30 (6417 4030) ; No.167, 1/F, 18 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路 18号1层167号 (8426 0017) ; No.125, 1/F, Bldg 1, Sanfeng(North), Chaoyang 朝阳区三丰北里1号楼1层 125号 (8561 2665) ; Unit 15-16, 1/F, Bldg AB, Ocean International Center, 10 Jintong Xilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区金桐西路10号远洋光华国际中心AB座一层15 16单元 (8590 3168)

Mexican/Tex Mex Cantina Agave (Tex-Mex) Great selection of burritos, tacos and 80+ imported tequilas. Spice up dishes with the walk-up salsa bar and don’t leave without a bite of the custardy flan. >Sun-Thurs 11am to midnight. Fri–Sat 11am to 2am, S4-32 South Block, Sanlitun Taikoo Li, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里太古里南区 (6416 5212)

Taco Bar Rising from the ashes of its deceased hutong location, the new Taco Bar is hip, popular and able to produce some of the most authentic Mexican fare in town. Only RMB45 for three and great cocktails to complement.

> Tue-Thu 5.30pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5.30pm-2.30am, Sun 11am-1am; 1/F, Unit 10, Electrical Research Institute, Sanlitun Nan Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯南路机电研究院内10号1层 (6501 6026)

Palms L.A. Kitchen and Bar * (KoreanMexican fusion) Tucked away near Gulou, this hip little hutong concept is truly one of a kind in Beijing. Quesadillas with kimchi and bibimbaps with melted cheese and hot sauce. Guess what? It works. Killer range of classic Cali’ cocktails, too. > Daily 11:30am-midnight (closed Mondays); 14 Zhangwang Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区旧鼓楼大街

LISTINGS 张旺胡同14号 (6405 4352)

Q Mex Bar & Grill

> Sanlitun Courtyard (across from Salsa Caribe, nearby Bookworm), Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路4号院机电研究院餐饮街内 6585 3828

Steak Morton’s of Chicago (American) ¥¥ * Meat so tender the knife falls through it: ritzy Morton’s deserves the worldwide praise. Expensive, but where else are you going to get steak this good? (Try the RMB550 set menu if you want to save cash) > Mon-Sat 5:30-11pm, Sun 5-10:30pm; 2/F, Regent Hotel, 99 Jinbao Jie, Dongcheng 东城区金宝街99号丽晶酒店二层 (6523 7777)

O’Steak A well-cooked steak in Beijng isn’t all that rare anymore, and here we have affordable but quality cuts. Don’t be fooled by the Irish sounding name, it’s an authentic French bistro – not a Guinness in sight.

> Daily midday-midnight, Xingfu: No.55-7 Xingfucun Zhonglu, opposite of April courmet, Chaoyang 朝阳区幸福村中路55-7杰作大厦底商绿叶子超市斜对面 (8448 8250) ; Central Park: No.o103 building 20, Central Park, No.6 Chaowai Avenue, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝外大街6号新城国际20号楼103 (6533 6599); 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号楼102 (8048 5080)

29 Grill (Contemporary Western) * Top-notch steak, along with just about every other cut of meat found in the barnyard in this well-priced meat-eaters’ mecca. > Mon-Fri lunch: 11.30am-2.30pm; Mon-Sat dinner: 6-10.30pm (closed Sundays); Conrad Beijing, 2/F, 29 North Dongsanhuan, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环北路9 号2层 (6584 6270)

Italian Annie’s ¥ * Now a certified Beijing institution, Annie’s serves up the city’s most reliable Italian fare. Delivery is free anywhere between Line 5 and the the Fifth Ring Road (call for delivery prices outside this area), and can be ordered in English between 10.30am and 10.30pm from www.annies.com.cn. Alternatively, drop in to your local branch.

> All open Daily,10.30am-11pm; Beijing Riviera: opposite west gate of Lane Bridge Villa, Shunyi 朝阳区来广营东路5号长岛澜桥别墅西门对面尚古城一楼 (8470 4768); Lido: Jiangtai Lu, opposite United Family Hospital 朝阳区将台商业街4号楼2楼和睦家医院对面 (6436 3735); Wangjing: 2F, beside the Daimler Tower, LSH Plaza, 8 Wangjing Jie 朝阳区利星行广场A座戴勒姆大厦裙楼2层近望京商业中心 (8476 0398); Chaoyang Park: West Gate of Chaoyang Park 朝阳区朝阳公园老西门南侧 (6591 1931); Sanlitun: China View Building, opposite East Gate of Workers’Stadium 朝阳区工体东门对面中国红街一楼 (8587 1469); Ritan Park: Ritan High Life, 3F, north of Ritan Park 朝阳区神路街39号日坛上街3-108号 (8569 3031); The Place: East of the Place, south of Central Park 朝阳区金桐西路10号远洋光华国际中心AB座1 层 (8590 6428); Guomao: Ruisai Business Building (southest of Guomao subway) 朝阳区东三环南路2 号瑞赛大厦商务楼1层 (6568 5890); Sunshine 100: Guanghua Lu, opposite Sunshine 100 Building 朝阳区光华路阳光100公寓对面首经贸南门 (858 98366)

Assaggi ¥ * This fine Italian spot in the leafy embassy district has one of Beijing’s best terraces for summer dining. The tagliata steak is worth a return visit.

> Daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6pm-11:30pm. 1 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北小街1号 (8454 4508)

Bene ¥ * Chef Ricci will have you singing like a soprano with his pork ravioli and prize-winning tiramisu. Excellent set menus (RMB588) and extensive wine selection. > Daily 11am-2.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm. Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng, 36 Northeast Third Ring Road, Dongcheng District 东城区北三环东路36号(5798 8995)

BOCCA DELLA VERITA¥ Good-value homestyle Italian is the order of the day at this little-known spot in Beixinqiao.

> Dinner: 5-10pm; Lunch: 10am-3pm; 3/F, 277 Dongzhimen Nei Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区东直门内大街277号三楼雍和宫大街和北新桥头条交叉处的四层商业楼三楼 (6455 3832, 1391 0969 240)

Cepe ¥ In a city inundated with Italian offerings, Cepe manages to stand out thanks to its attention to the smallest detail – everything from the vinaigrette to the Parma ham is import quality, and the wine is superb. > Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 6-10.30pm. The RitzCarlton Financial Street, 1 Jinchengfang Dongjie, Jinrong Jie, Xicheng 西城区金城坊东街1号北京金融街丽思卡顿酒店大堂 (6601 6666)

Florentina 翡冷翠意大利餐厅 Florentina serves authentic Italian fare in

low-key, yet elegant surrounds. Cuisine is high-end, the environment is relaxed. A beautiful outdoor terrace makes this place a godsend for Lido residents.

> Daily 11-late (Kitchen serves until 10pm), 1/F, Bldg 2, No. 6 Yard, Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区芳园西路6号院2号楼1层(8431 0027)

Mercante ¥ * Old World family charm in an intimate hutong setting. Time (and, occasionally, service) slows with a rustic menu from Bologna offering an assortment of homemade pastas and seasonal mains. > Tue-Sun 6-10.30pm. 4 Fangzhuanchang Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区方砖厂胡同4号 (8402 5098)

Tiago Home Kitchen Even the most exacting palettes are delighted by TIAGO, whose team prepares globally sourced ingredients and sustainably grown produce. TIAGO’s dining experience is distinctly Italian, but its menu also offers such classics as Australian steaks and Boston lobster - plus a wide selection of salads, pizza, pasta and desserts. >Indigo: Daily 11.30am-10pm, Shop L173, Indigo Mall, 18 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路 18号颐堤港购物中心L173商铺(6438 8772); Chaoyang Joy City: Daily 11am-10pm, 5F50/6F, Chaoyang Joy City, 101 Chaoyang Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳北路 101号朝阳大悦城5F50/6F(8558 3892)

Opera Bombana ¥ Head chef Umberto Bombana boasts three Michelin stars to his name, earned at his wildly successful Hong Kong restaurant Otto e Mezzo. He’s the only Italian chef to do so outside of his native land, and certainly the only to have opened a restaurant in Beijing. > Daily, 12pm-10:30pm; LG2-21 Parkview Green Fangcaodi, 9 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东大桥路9号侨福芳草地地下2层21号 (5690 7177)

Pizza La Pizza Among the upper echelons of Beijing pizzerias is this Sanlitun goldfish bowl with a wood-fired oven and Neapolitan manners. Further branches in Solana and pasta/salad/mains-buffet restaurant in Sanlitun 3.3

rience with authentic German cuisine and world famous German beers in a casual environment. Coupled with its contemporary setting and unique brand appeal, Brotzeit is distinct from the traditional-style German restaurants still seen in Germany and other parts of the world. > Daily 11am-late; F109, Grand Summit, bldg 5, 19 Dongfang Donglu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东方东路19号楼(DRC外交办公大楼)一层F109 (8531 5166, www. brotzeit.co)

Spanish Agua ¥ * Occupying the high end of Nali’s Spanish invasion, Agua excels with reasonably priced classics like suckling pig, chorizo and jamon. Winner of the 2014 Golden Fork Editors’ Pick for best restaurant. > Daily Midday-2pm, 6pm-10pm. 4/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园 (5208 6188)

Casa Talia by Tiago

>Daily 11.30am-9pm, 01B, 4/F, Raffles City, 1 Dongzhimen Nan Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区东直门南大街1 号来福士购物中心4层01B 8409 4009

Niajo ¥ * With homely Mediterranean influences and a charming management, Niajo is prime Sanlitun smart-casual dining. Order the paella (their star dish) together with some tapas and be automatically transported to Spain (minus the constant sunshine). > Daily noon-10.30pm. 3/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园3层 (5208 6052)

Migas ¥ * The boys at Migas have turned a concept bar into a thriving Mediterranean restaurant, bar and party venue, and one of summer’s rooftop destinations.

> Daily 10am-3pm, 5pm- late. 6/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园 6层 (5208 6061)

Asian Indian

German

> Daily 11am-2am. 1/F, Bldg 5, China View, Gongti Donglu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体东路中国红街5号楼1 层(6503 5555)

Hacker-Pschorr Brauhaus If you’re looking for authentic German fare and, most importantly, German-style beer, then you can’t go wrong with HackerPschorr Brauhaus. Made from centuries-old recipes – and in accordance with the 1516 German Beer Purity Law – the brews here are some of the finest in Beijing. Prost! > Room 3, Building 3, No 12 ,Xindonglu Chaoyang 朝阳区新东路12号院3号楼3门(5323 3399)

Paulaner Brauhaus The grand old man of Beijing brauhauses, Paulaner delivers the Teutonic goods in the hands of lederhosen-clad staff from the provinces. It can be pricey but is usually worthwhile, especially during Oktoberfest.

> Daily 11am-1am. Kempinski Hotel, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路50号凯宾斯基饭店 (6465 3388 ext. 5732)

Brotzeit German Bier Bar & Restaurant 博璨德国啤酒餐厅 Brotzeit offers its customers a unique expe-

> Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30-10pm; 2/F, Heqiao Bldg 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 in Sanlitun Tai Koo Li South; Kerry Centre Mall (see www.online.thatsmags.com for details)

Inagiku * This Beijing branch of one of Tokyo’s oldest and most celebrated restaurants is as near to perfection as you’re likely to find. Deceptively simple yet finely crafted, the handmade Inaniwa udon (RMB80) is not to be missed.

> Daily 11am-3pm, 6-10.30pm; Rm 315, 3/F, Park Life, Yintai Centre, 2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街2号银泰中心悦生活3层315室 (8517 2838)

Sake Manzo * The barmen here are serious about their sake. Boasting one of the best stocked drinks cabinets in town with over 60 different sakes on offer, this super-cool little eatery is the perfect place to unwind after a hard day’s toil. The sashimi is fresh to the cut, and the beer-marinated chicken is out of this world. One of the very best and least appreciated restaurants in town.

> Daily 6pm-midnight. 7A Tuanjiehu Beisantiao, Chaoyang 朝阳区团结湖北三条甲7号(6436 1608

Saveurs de Coree This upmarket Korean bistro has undergone several changes in recent years, not least its move away from the hipper-than-thou confines of Nanluoguxiang. Fortunately, the menu remains largely intact. The Shin Ramyun is among the best in Beijing, while the Wagyu barbecued beef is almost too good to be true. > Daily noon-11pm; 128-1 Xiang’er Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区香饵胡同128-1号(5741 5753)

> Dongcheng: Tue- Sun 11.30am-11pm. Sanlitun branch: 2 Sanlitun Bei Xiaojie, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北小街2号 (6464 2365); Lido branch: 2F, No.9-3, Jiangtai Xilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区将台西路 9-3号2层 (8420 0998)

Sui Ka Is this what after-work hangouts are like in Japan? We’re not sure, but we hope so: This charming izakaya nails it when it comes to sake selection and fried delights to munch alongside it.

Tube Station Nowhere does gigantic toppen-laden pizza quite like Beijing, and these guys claim to be the biggest in town.

Drei Kronen 1308 * Authentic (truly – when they say 1308 they mean it) displays of armour and brewing kits draw regular evening crowds for the superb pork knuckle and heavy-duty helles (pale lager), wheat and dark beer (brewed on-site).

Hatsune ¥ * (California Japanese) As much a California roll joint as true Japanese, Hatsune is now an old favorite among the sake-swilling, sushi-swallowing set, though less so among sashimi purists.

Yotsuba ** It doesn’t come cheap (tasting menu RMB1,000), but what would you expect from some of the best sushi in town? Buttery and meaty fatty tuna sashimi is a cut above.

Indian Kitchen

> Sanlitun Branch: daily 10.30am-3pm, 6-11pm. 1/F, 3.3 Mall, 33 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路33号3.3服装大厦西北角底商(5136 5582); Solana Branch: SA-48, 1/F, Bldg 3, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Park Road, Chaoyang 朝阳公园西路6号蓝色港湾3号1层 SA-48 ( 5905 6106) > SOHU Shangdu Branch: SH1112, SOHO Shangdu, 8 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区东大桥路8号SOHO尚都 SH1112号(5900 3112); La Pizza Buffet: 4F, Sanlitun 3.3 Mall, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯3.3服装大厦4层 (5136 5990)

> Sanlitun 3.3 Branch: Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat/Sun 10am-11pm, delivery Mon-Thu 11:30am-10:30pm, Fri-Sun 11:30am-11pm 3/F, 3.3 Building, No. 33 Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang 三里屯北街33号3.3服装大厦3层3008号 ( 5136 5571, delivery 8989 177) > Additional branches in Gongti, Beida, Beitai, Yayancun, Solana and Weigongcun, see www.online.thatsmags.com for details)

店1层 8414 9815

The go to curry house among Beijing’s homesick Indian community, this ever popular no-nonsense restaurant has built up a solid reputation thanks to its wide range of quality dishes and particularly friendly service. Looking good after a recent rennovation and very available on JinShiSong online delivery. > Daily 11am-2:30pm, 5:30-11pm, 2/F 2 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北小街2号2楼 (6462 7255)

Raj Tucked away in musty old building just underneath the drum tower, this curryhouse may look Chinese but everything on the menu is authentic Indian, espcially the rather fine naan. > Daily 11am-2pm, 5pm-11pm, 31 Gulou Xidajie Dongcheng 东城区鼓楼西大街31号 (6401 1675)

Ganges Conveniently located above popular Irish sports bar Paddy O’Sheas, this solid Indian curry house provides the perfect post-match culinary accompaniment. Or put another way: it’s what you’ll be craving after eight pints of beer. > Daily 11am to 10.30pm; Dongzhimen Branch: 2/F, 28 Dongzhimen Wai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区东直门外大街28号2层 (6417-0900) > Additional branch in Sanlitun, see online.thatsmags.com for details.

Japanese HAGAKI 叶书 * Serves up a selection of signature maki rolls, as well as classics like tonkatsu, tempura and udon, Hagaki specializes in Californian-inspired Japanese cuisine and has a lively sushi bar.

>Daily 11am-2.30pm, 1/F, EAST Beijing, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu,Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路22号东隅酒

>Daily 5pm-1am, Ichibangai First Avenue Food Court, Zaoying Nanli, Maizidian, East 3rd Ring Road, Chaoyang朝阳区东三环农展馆北路宾都苑东侧一层底商一番街内 (137 1692 7543)

South-East Asian 4Corners (Vietnamese, Fusion) The definitive hutong bar/restaurant? Chef Jun Trinh took a break from his celebrity TV work to host this part-Vietnamese venue, serving up steaming bowls of pho with zesty, fresh rolls, as well as a great bar, with frequent live indie performances. > Tue-Sun 11am-2am, 27 Dashibei Hutong (near west end of Yandai Xiejie), Xicheng 西城区大石碑胡同27号烟袋斜街西口附近) (6401 7797)

Cafe Sambal (Malaysian) When it comes to Malay-style food in a hutong, nowhere does it better. Admittedly, it’s something of a niche category, but then so is the food on offer. The spicy Kapitanstyle chicken is pricey, but worth it. > Daily 11am-midnight. 43 Doufuchi Hutong (just east of Jiugulou Dajie), Xicheng 西城区豆腐池胡同43 号旧鼓楼大街往东走(6400 4875)

Purple Haze (Thai) Given Beijing’s lack of white sand beaches and backpacker bars, Purple Haze has to make do for the best Thai experience in town. Has all the classics like veggie spring rolls (RMB40), papaya salad (RMB46) and curries (RMB44-180) – but our pick’s the seafood pad Thai (RMB45). > Daily 11am-11pm, 55 Xingfu Yicun, Chaoyang 朝阳区幸福一村55号 (6413 0899)

Greyhound Café (Modern Thai/Fusion) Greyhound Café originated in Bangkok offering Thai food with a twist and served in a fashionable surrounds. Perfect for Taikoo Li Sanlitun then. > Daily 11am-11pm, S1-30B, Building 1, Sanlitun

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LISTINGS Road 19, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路19号1号楼 S1-30B (6416 3439)> Additional branch in Shin Kong Place (see online.thatsmags.com for details)

Nyonya Kitchen (Malaysian, Nyonya)

Chaoyang. Great range of veggie fare, reasonably priced and they offer cooking classes as well. > Daily 10am-10pm; 19 Rm 0260, 2/F, Bldg D, Chaowai SOHO, 6B Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳门外大街乙6朝外SOHOD座2层 0260 (5900 1288)(see www.online.thatsmags. com for details)

Veggie Table (Western, Asian) * Proving that Beijing-style vegetarian cuisine is by no means the exclusive preserve of Buddhist monks and soppy Jack Johnson fans, this superbly honed eatery offers some of the very best sandwiches – vegetarian or otherwise – found anywhere in the city. > Daily 10.30am-11.30pm (last order 10.30pm); 19 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区五道营胡同 19号 (6446 2073)

BARS This chain specializes in Nyonya style cooking – ostensibly Malaysian but with a mix of Chinese, South-East Asian and European influences resulting in lots of bold flavors and bright colors. The interiors are just as loud as the flavors – this place is colorful – and we love it. Nyonya goes beyond the requisite laksa and satay.

> CBD: EB105, B1/F, China World Mall Phase 1, 1 Jianguomen Wai, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城一期地下一层EB105 (6505 0376)

Malacca Legend Malaysian food with a view, this spacious and airy restaurant sits on the banks of Shunyi’s Roma Lake and at a new unit in the heart of the city at The Place, making a great spot for their beef rendang or green curry prawns.

> Daily 11am-10pm; 6 Roma Lake: 6 Luodong Lu, Luogezhuang Village, Hoshayu Town, Shunyi 顺义区后沙峪镇罗各庄村罗马湖东北三路6号C院 (8049 8902); Signature: Shop L203, 2/F, The Place, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华路9号世贸天阶2 层L203 (6587 1393)

Makan Kitchen A unique restaurant offering varied Southeast Asian flavors and Chinese cuisines. Tuck into a buffet featuring regional Asian stations, a dedicated fresh juice bar and live stations to whet your appetite. With a beautiful private dining room for functions or meetings in comfort and style, Makan Kitchen is the perfect venue for a relaxing get-together or a delightful weekend brunch.

>Mon-Fri, Breakfast: 6-10am, Lunch: 11.30am2.30pm, Dinner: 6-10pm; Sat-Sun, Breakfast: 6-11am, Lunch: 12-2.30pm, Dinner: 6-10pm, 2/F, Main Tower, Hilton Hotel, 1 Dongfang Lu, Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环北路东方路1号北京希尔顿酒店2层 (5865 5020)

Singapore Seafood

> China World Shopping Mall Branch: Daily 11am10pm, NL4010, North Area of China World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomen Wai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城北区NL4010 (8595 0251/8595 0361); Parview Green Branch: Daily 11am-10.30pm, 1/F, Tower C, Parkview Green, 9 Dongdaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东大桥路9号侨福芳草地购物中心C 座1层(东大桥地铁站) ( 8518 8811)

Susu (Vietnamese) The first step is finding it. Follow that up with a dreamlike renovated courtyard, extensive wine list and a listing of top-notch Vietnamese curries, banh mi sandwiches, stews, soups and la Vong fish. > Tue- Sun 11.30am-11pm; 10 Qianliang Hutong Xixiang, Dongcheng 东城区钱粮胡同西巷10号 (8400 2699)

Korean Ai Jiang Shan This upscale seafood restaurant proves that chargrill and composure can go together. Their RMB58 bibimbap lunch is an absolute bargain. > Daily 11am-10pm, Sat and Sun until 9.30pm; 5/F, LG Twin Towers (East Tower), 12 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街乙12号双子座大厦东塔5层 (5109 6036/6037) see www.thatsmags.com for other locations)

TOP 40 BARS AND CLUBS

About This guide represents our editors’ top 40 picks, and includes some That’s Beijing advertisers. Bars rated(*) have been personally reviewed by our experts, and scored according to the cuisine, experience and affordability. Arrow Factory The newest craft beer taproom on the block, Arrow Factory is a rustic hideaway brimming with good Anglo-Scandinavian vibes (courtesy of the brew-masters) and the brand’s distinctive Chinese brewed ales. A winning combination > 38 Jianchang Hutong, Dongcheng District 东城区箭厂胡同38号(6407 6308)

8-Bit Drinking alongside multiplayer retro gaming – why didn’t anyone do this sooner? Megadrive, Super Nintendo, N64... some real gems make up an ever-growing collection. Draft Kirin goes for a reasonable RMB25 a glass.

> Daily 1pm-2am; 13 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng 东城区北锣鼓巷13号 (159 1025 6538)

BBC (Bottle, Boot & Cigar) The brainchild of local spirits professional Douglas Williams, this bar provides the discerning Beijing drinker with a peerless selection of liquor for sale, cocktails and coming soon, shoe shines, cigars and straight-razor shaves.

> 1pm-late. 1 Taipingzhuang Nanli (At Xingfucun, between Frost: Coffee, Nails & Cocktails and Commix Bar), Chaoyang 朝阳区太平庄南里1号 (1861 405 7407, www.bbcbeijing.com)

Capital Spirits A team of non-China natives doing a baijiu bar? Brave and, luckily, brilliant. Lovely hutong setting, friendly owners and great bottle collection.

> Tue-Sun 8pm-late; 3 Da Ju Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区大菊胡同3号 (6409 3319; www.capitalspirits.com)

China Bar ¥¥ Top views from the 65th floor and flash drinks are the attractions on offer at this hip hotel bar.

> Sun-Thu 5pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5pm-2am. 65/F, Park Hyatt, 2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街2号柏悦酒店65层 (8567 1838/40)

Daily Routine 日常生活 This cozy bar is a diamond in the rough. Owner Travis is a cocktail aficionado, and the drinks at this establishment change seasonally according to ingredient availability. Light cafe fare is available during the day. > Daily 11am-11pm. 34 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区五道营胡同34号 (8400 1159)

El Nido * The first hutong hang-out to patent the fridge-full-of-cheap-imports formula, El Nido inspires a loyal following, particularly in summer. The roast leg of mutton place next door is one of the best locally. > Daily 6pm-late, 59 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区方家胡同50号(158 1038 2089)

> China World Shopping Mall Branch: NL4006, North Area of China World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomen Wai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城北区NL4006 (8527 4868); Financial Street Branch: Daily 11am-9pm, L220, 2/F, Seasons Place Mall, 2 Jinchengfang Jie, Xicheng 西城区金城坊街2号金融街购物中心2层东侧L220 (6622 0515)

Great Leap Brewing 大跃啤酒 ¥ * The bar that began the whole Beijing microbrewing frenzy (yes, frenzy) specializes in idiosyncratic, local-style brews (RMB2540) with intriguing flavors – their Sichuan peppercorn ale was memorably good. Reservations used to be recommended for their original hutong brewhouse, but the opening of a wildly popular new pub on Xinzhong Lu has shifted most drinkers there instead.

Tianchu Maoxiang (Asian) Like many arrivals to Beijing, this place started out in Wudaokou and it’s since made a successful migration to

> Gulou: 5pm-late, Tue-Fri, 2pm-late Sat-Sun 2-10pm, 6 DouJiao Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区豆角胡同6号 (5717 1399) ; Sanlitun: Daily 11:30am-2pm; Sun-Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri /Sat 5pm-1am, B12 Xinzhong Street 新中街乙12号 (6416 6887, www.greatleap-

Vegetarian Lotus 莲花空间

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brewing.com)

First Floor First Floor is like that friend who’s too popular to properly enjoy their company. At weekends, it gets aggressively full, with regulars and the passing tourist trade all baying at the bar. A good place to meet new friends, perhaps.

> Daily, 4pm-late, Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北小街 (6413 0587, first.floorbeijing.com)

Heaven Supermarket A purgatory of bottles, bongs and bedraggled English teachers, Heaven sells the cheapest alcoholic takeaways in town. You can also hang around and appreciate the afterlife (clientele) if you want. Caveat: the food is straight from Hell’s own kitchen. > Daily 11-4am. 14 Xindong Lu (next to The James Joyce), Chaoyang 朝阳区新东路14号 (6415 6513)

Hidden Lounge * Although frustrating to find, Hidden Lounge rewards the intrepid with good artwork and comfortable seating, suggesting a Kasbah, plus well-made drinks at great prices (wine from RMB100 a bottle, mix drinks from RMB25). You’ll probably have to call them to find it, though.

> Daily 6pm-1am. Room 101, Bldg 8, CBD Apartments, Shuanghuayuan Nanli Erqu, Chaoyang 朝阳区双花园南里二区CBD公寓8号楼101屋 (8772 1613)

Jane’s & Hooch ¥ * Acclaimed by some foreign press as one of the best bars in the world (cough), this not-so-plain Jane has been at the vanguard of the South Sanlitun gentrification. It serves RMB60-80 measures of your favorite Prohibiotion-era hooches in a fanstastic speakeasy atmosphere, with attentive staff and unimpeachable cocktails.

> Daily 8pm-2am, Courtyard 4 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路4号院 ( 6503 2757)

Jing-A Taproom ** In just a few years, these guys developed from shady guerrilla brewers to upstanding publicans with their own range of souvenir T-shirts. Their bar is a peach: a bricks-andmortar taproom, which is large, warm and sociable, and has up to 16 different beers on tap. > Building B, 1949 The Hidden City, Courtyard 4, Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路4号院

Mao Mao Chong ** The cocktails at Mao’s – such as their sublime ‘Mala’ Mule, a Sichuan peppercorninfused vodka drink that’s a long way from Moscow – are unique infusions using local ingredients and know-how. Grungey without being grimey, Mao’s eschews flash while still keeping it real. And those pizzas. > 12 Banchang Hutong, Jiaodaokou, Dongcheng 东城区交道口南大街板厂胡同12号 (6405 5718, www. maomaochongbeijing.com)

Mesh ¥ Whether it’s an early evening cocktail or a late-night infusion, Mesh’s moody interior and underground soundtrack draws the bright young things (and on LGBT Thursdays, quite a few old things, too). > Daily 5pm-1am. Building 1, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路11号院1号楼 (6417 6688)

Maggie’s ¥ A notorious sausage fest (we refer, of course, to the hot-dog stand outside), Maggie’s has been providing its special comforts for so long, it’s practically a timehonored Beijing brand – although it’s also a bastion of Mongolian culture. > Sun-Thur 8pm-4am, Fri-Sat 8pm-5am, Ritan Park South Gate, Chaoyang District 朝阳区日坛公园南门 (8562 8142)

Parlor Learn a few quotes from Gatsby before heading to this 20s Shanghai-style speakeasy and you’ll fit right in.

> Daily 6pm-2am, 39-8 Xingfuercun, Chaoyang 朝阳区新东路幸福二村39-8 (8444 4135)

Mai Bar * Understated hutong hideaway with a long list of some of the best cocktails in town.

> Daily 5pm-late, 40 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng 东城区北锣鼓巷40号 (6406 1871)

Revolution * Sanlitun doesnt really do hipster bars but if it did, this cramped ode to Maomorabilia would be it. The East may be red but their cocktails (RMB45) are fit for a Chairman.

> Daily, 12pm-late, west of Yashow, Gongti Bei Lu, 朝阳区工体北路雅秀市场西侧 (6415 8776)

The Brick A Cheers-style atmosphere ensures you’ll find this neighbourhood drinking hole-in-

the brick-wall faux dive bar either cliquey or inclusive. The heavy-duty cocktails (including the devastatingly boozy RMB80 Terminator) are probably needed for the bizarre Wednesday pub quiz.

> Daily 4pm-late. Unit 2-11, Bldg 2, Tianzhi Jiaozi, 31 Guangqu Lu (northeast corner of Shuangjing Qiao), Chaoyang 朝阳区双井桥东北角广渠路31号院天之骄子 2号楼底商2-11 (134 2616 6677)

The Irish Volunteer Everything – from the red-faced owner to the grub – is authentically Irish: tinged with alcoholism, doggerel and drunken regret. A good place to down a pint and a pizza before heading into town, then. > Daily 9pm-2am. 311 Jiangtai Lu (opposite Lido Hotel East Gate), Chaoyang 朝阳区将台路311 号 (6438 5581)

The Tree A cozy stalwart of the Beijing bar scene, you’ll find wood-fired comfort pizza, beer aplenty and a hearty, mature atmosphere. Has two neighborhood offshoots: By the Tree (brickwork, pool, old man’s pub) and Nearby the Tree (live music, two floors).

> Daily noon-2am. 100m west of Sanlitun Bar Street, Youyi Youth Hostel, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯酒吧街往西100米友谊旅馆后面三里屯医院东面 (6415 1954)

Slow Boat Brewery Taproom ** This popular microbrewery has its own pub hidden away in Dongcheng’s hutongs. Quality ales that change depending on the season, heated floors and a great little kitchen round out the deal. > Mon Closed, Tues-Wed: 5pm-midnight, Thu 5pm1am, Fri 5pm-late, Sat 2pm-late, Sun 2-10pm; 56 Dongsi Batiao, Dongcheng 东城区东四八条56号 (6538 5537)

Glen ¥ Experiences can vary at Glen (we’ve endured poor service and drinks that are scandalous at the price), which is located in a decidedly downbeat compound. But whisky lovers have been known to swear by its selections and dark, intimate atmosphere. See for yourself. >Daily 6.30pm-2am. 203, 2/F, Taiyue Suites Hotel Beijing, 16 Nansanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区南三里屯路16号泰悦豪庭2楼203室 (6591 1191)

Glen Classic ¥ Tucked away in the grounds of Face hotel, Glen Classic is a Japanese-owned whisky bar where discerning drinkers can sink into an arm-chair, glass in hand, and while away the hours. Huge range of whiskies and rums are personally selected by expert owner Daiki Kanetaka – let him recommend you something special. > Mon-Sat, 7pm-2am, reservation required, minimum spend RMB200, Face Hotel Courtyard, 26 Dongcaoyuan, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体南路东草园26 号 (6551 6788)

Trouble Bar Beijing’s leading venue for imported craft beers. Stocks a large draft selection and an even larger selection of bottles. Also does a nice line in creative cocktails, if brews aren’t your thing. Conveniently located next to Gung-Ho, hosts a full-sized foos-ball table, darts, and plenty of TV’s to accommodate any event, meetings, and gatherings. > 2-101, China View Building, 2B Gongti Donglu, Chaoyang (Next To Gung-Ho) 朝阳区工人体育场东路乙2号中国红街2-101叫板比萨隔壁 (8590 0390, troublebar@gmail.com, www.trouble.bar)

10 Best Livehouses Dusk Dawn Club (DDC) 黄昏黎明俱乐部 Great little livehouse near Meishuguan with a focus on jazz, folk and indie rock. Craft beer and whisky means you won’t get bored of the drinks list quickly. > Tue-Sun 1pm-2am; 14 Shanlao Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区美术馆后街山老胡同14号 (6407 8969)

School Bar 学校酒吧 * Crap drinks and regular, unscheduled fights: no wonder the cool kids adore this alternative livehouse/ DJ bar, founded by Beijing and Shanghai rock n’ rollers.

> Daily 8pm-late. 53 Wudaoying Hutong, Chaoyang 朝阳区五道营胡同53号 (6402 8881, 6406 9947)

Jianghu 江湖酒吧 This former Qing Dynasty courtyard home is exactly where you’d take that friend from out of town to prove you’re cool. Its cozy atmosphere is also its downfall – any show with under 40 people and you’re stuck looking through the windows. Hip and casually familiar, the jazz and folk bookings keep things low-key enough for the gethome-for-the-babysitter crowd.

> 7 Dongmianhua Hutong, Jiaodaokou Nan Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区交道口南大街东棉花胡同7号 (6401

LISTINGS 5269, site.douban.com/jianghujiubar, jincanzh@ gmail.com)

Stadium West Gate, Chaoyang 朝阳区工人体育场西门向北100米 (139 119 77989)

Hot Cat Club 热力猫 A true stalwart of the Beijing scene, Hot Cat is the type of hard-working venue that helps cement a city’s music scene.

MIX A bit like a trip to the Forbidden City, Mix is one of those places in Beijing you have to experience before you leave. Not much is forbidden in this underground hip-hop disco palace and if you don’t leave with hook-up in tow then you’re doing something very wrong.

> Daily 10am-late, 46 Fangjia Hutong (just south of Guozijian Jie), Dongcheng 东城区方家胡同46号 (6400 7868)

The Post Mountain 后山 Built into a man-made hill in the center of the MOMA Complex, this new addition to Beijing’s growing livehouse empire is The Hobbit meets Manhattan. With as much vibe as a sterile modern-art gallery. Its imported sound system and ramped floor makes for decent sound and sightlines.

> Bldg T8, MOMA, 1 Xiangheyuan Lu, Dongzhimenwai, Dongcheng (next to MOMA 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)

Temple 坛 * Probably the manliest venue in town, this dimly lit and unventilated space is owned by rockers (Gao Xu, Gao Jian and Clement Burger) and known for late sets of hard rock, punk and ska, with weekend gigs and DJ sets every fortnight. It offers a long drinks menu, with plenty of cheap pastis and shooters, but you’ll probably stick to the RMB15 draught. > Daily, 7pm-late. Bldg B, 206 Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区鼓楼东大街206号B楼202 (131 6107 0713)

Yugong Yishan 愚公移山 * We’ve lost more body weight than we’d care to remember in YY’s mosh pit. Fortunately, almost all the acts – usually hip-hop DJs, emo rocks and obscure indie outfits from across the globe – were worth it. The upstairs bar area is a refuge from the sweat glands below. > Daily 7pm-late. 3-2 Zhangzizhong Lu (100m west of Zhangzizhong Lu subway station), Dongcheng 东城区张自忠路3-2号(6404 2711）

Sports Bars The Local * Formerly Brussels, this beery bar has come into its own, with large (yet strangely unobtrusive) screenings of sports and political events, a pub quiz, quality fare and a nice selection of draughts and cocktails. Try the Bourbon Street Ice Tea – you won’t need another. > Daily 11-2am. 4 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路4号院 (6591 9525)

Paddy O’Shea’s * An entire Irish-themed pub, which could easily been trasnsported, untouched, from a back alley in Limerick and gently deposited in central Beijing. With plenty going on, including pub quiz and sports.

> Dongzhimen: Daily 10am-late, 28 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区东直门外大街28号 (6592 6290); Sanlitun: 2/F, Tongli Studio, Sanlitun Back Street 三里屯北路43号同里二层 (6415 0299)

V Sports Spacious, comfortable, huge screens and no rowdy drunken cretins, V Sports makes a claim for the champion of Beijing sports bars. > Daily 5.30pm-6am, Gongti North Gate East side, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北门内东侧 (5293 0333)

Nightclubs Chocolate It’s impossible to discuss Chocolate without mentioning gold leaf, dwarves, cabaret dancers and oddly-friendly Russian women. Timed right, a visit can be raucous fun, with bottles of spirits from around RMB200, cocktails under RMB50 (including the absinthe-based Flaming Armageddon) and regular floor shows. > Daily 7pm-6am. 19 Ritan Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区日坛北路19号 (8561 3988)

Dada * It hasn’t been on the Beijing scene for too long, but already Dada is the hippest hangout in town. Their cosy Gulou confines under rock house Temple offer an intimate place to nod along to an eclectic range of all things electro from the best names on the underground scene. > Daily 9pm-late, Rm 101, Bldg B, 206 Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区鼓楼东大街206号B栋101室 (183 1108 0818)

Lantern * Founded by now-defunct Acupuncture Records, Lantern is a beacon of light in the strip of truly ghastly nightclubs and bars known as ‘Gongti.’ Serious about its music, it also makes good drinks and attracts international electronica DJs. > Thurs-Sat 9pm-6.30am. 100m north of Worker’s

> Daily 8pm-6am, Inside Worker’s Stadium North Gate, Chaoyang 朝阳区工人体育场北门内 (6506 9888, 6530 2889, 150 1138 2219, mixclub@sohu.com)

The Bar at Migas * A place to dance and prowl, perhaps, rather than a drinks destination, TBAM, as no one calls it, focuses on upscale local DJs to get the party started. Good-enough cocktails range from RM55-70 but mostly it’s about the music, man. > Sunday to Wednesday 6pm-2am, Thursday to Friday 6pm-late. 6/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区三里屯路81号 (5208-6061)

Vics Separated at birth from its identical twin brother, Mix, this is the definition of Gongti sweatbox meat-market chic at its very finest. The Chinese love it – as do moody Russians and jailbait students – helping Vics to become one of the most infamous clubs in the capital. > Daily 8.30pm late, Inside Worker’s Stadium North Gate, Chaoyang 朝阳区工人体育场北门内 (5293 0333)

Hotel Bars Atmosphere ¥¥ Beijing’s highest bar, on the 80th floor of the 1,082-ft China World Tower, offers 300+ swanky cocktails from RMB65 with 360-degree views of the 700AQI PM2.5. > Mon-Fri noon-2am, Sat and Sun noon-4am. 80/F, China World Summit Wing, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街1号北京国贸大酒店80 (6505 2299 ext. 6433)

Centro ¥ Although it’s no longer quite the go-to place for beautiful people it once was, Centro still draws a cute crowd with its nightly jazz performaces, spacious and recently renovated lounge areas and classic drinks like the blue-cheese martini. > 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 (6561 8833)

MEI One of the livelier hotel bars in town, MEI has a nightly band, serves creatively delicious cocktails and overlooks the CCTV ‘trousers.’ Don’t leave without trying the frightfully delicious Panjiayuan Bramble. Mon-Wed 6pm-2am, Thu-Sat 6pm-3am, Sun 5pmmidnight; 5F Rosewood Beijing, Jing Guang Centre, Hujialou, Chaoyang District朝阳区呼家楼一号京广中心北京瑰丽酒店3层 (6536 0083)

personalized experience for all its students, regardless of fitness, strength and flexibility levels. > Daily, 7.30, late. 5/F at Heavenly Spa by Westin, 1 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang 朝阳区新源南路1号威斯汀酒店五层 ( 139 1029 0260, www.alonapilates.com)

Narcisse Beauty Brands Encompassed One of a kind! A 600 m2 brand-new concept of beauty salon——Narcisse, encompassed with professional brands on skincare, manicure and hair removal. Not only can we guarantee to give you the highest quality of products and treatments, but also an impressive one-stop beauty experience. Brands inside Narcisse： Youngfo: Facial Cleansing Center Clean Out What’s Deeply Buried In Your Skin 10+10: Minimal-Design Nail Chic Workaholic’s Luv! Edelweiss: Laser Hair Removal Latest Technology, Safe&Permanent

> Daily, 10am-8.30pm, Rm301, Building B,Sunshine100 International Apartment, Guanghua 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.daisysbeautysalon.com)

Beijing Hikers Want to experience the wild, unrestored Great Wall, away from the tourist masses? Or do you just want to get out of the city for some exercise? Beijing Hikers offers hikes in the countryside of Beijing every week all year round. Hikes for all fitness levels! Regular hikes are priced from RMB380, with discounts for members. Cost includes hiking guide, transportation, tickets, food and water. We’ve also got adventures all over China. > For more information, visit www.beijinghikers.com

Shang Xia

>L118 & 119, L1 China World Mall, China World Trade Center 1, Jianguomen Waidajie, 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 (6505 3446)

Lily Nails

As China’s first REAL French hair salon we promise each and every one of our customers that we’ll treat your hair like it’s our own. We use only the finest imported products to guarantee that your experience with us is as relaxing and professional as possible. Come in and meet our specialist stylist and visit our facilities. Your hair deserves a true touch of French sophistication. Man cut 115RMB up; Women cut 165RMB up; Color 500RMB up; Highlight 610RMB up. > SanLiTun salon: No.43 Building, SanLiTun Beijie South, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北街南43号楼 (6409 4243, 1350 137 2971); GuoMao Salon: 209, 2/F, Phase 3 China World Shopping Mall, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城北区3L209(8535 1002, 1314 667 9913)Catherine de France

>Daily 5pm-2am, 1/F, EAST Beijing, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu,Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路22号东隅酒店1层 (8414 9810)

Alona Pilates Studio Pairing up traditional Pilates with an innovative, full-body workout, Alona Pilates offers classes designed to tone and whip you into shape fast. It also provides a

Laurent Falcon

Daisy’s Beauty Salon Since 2001, Daisy’s beauty salon has catered to thousands of Beijing expats and locals and is renowned for its premium waxing services and imported wax that smells like hot chocolate. If waxing isn’t your thing, the salon also specializes in an array of other treatments including IPL Facial Rejuvenation and lifting, a 90-minute treatment that uses a laser to stimulate collagen production and soften lines. Laser and IPL permanent hair removal treatment is also proving popular and effective.

Xian 仙 Bold multi – element bar Xian on the ground floor mixes a pub, whiskey bar, live music venue and games room into one vibrant entertainment hotspot.

> Sanlitun: 11am-9pm, 2/f, Bldg 3, Sanlitun SOHO, Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路三里屯Soho3 号楼2层217 (5785 3711, jusonghao@hotmail.com); Wangjing: 11am-9pm, Rm T5, 3/F, BOTAI International Building, 36 Guangshun Bei Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区望京广顺北大街36号博泰国际商业广场3层T—5 (8472 2855)

>3/F 3.3 Mall, 33 Sanlitun Lu, Sanlitun, Chaoyang朝阳区三里屯路33号3.3服3/F (for appointments, call 5136 5432)

Deep Facial Cleaning- 880rmb/once

>Sun-Thr:6pm-1am;Fri-Sat:6pm-2am;2 Jiangtai Lu,Chaoyang朝阳区将台路甲2号(5926 8888)

BEAUTY & FITNESS

HAIR SALONS Blow+Bar This salon is equipped with more than shampoo – the team here provides haircuts, dye, updos, hair treatments and more. With prices for almost everything listed under RMB1,000, Blow+ is a haven of reasonably priced good taste in Sanlitun’s 3.3 Mall. They have champagne and a wellstocked bar, so bring your friends and make a night of it.

> 10.30am-10.30pm, Bldg. 1,No.6 West Fangyuan rd, Chaoyang (inside Narcisse Beauty Brands Encompassed)朝阳区芳园西路6号院1号楼水仙美容品牌集合店内(5365 9418)

O’Bar With both a fantastic cocktail menu and one of the finest terraces in the city, NUO Hotel’s O’Bar is a sure bet for classy evening drinks in the city.

Black Golden Tanning Studio 古铜日晒中心 Beijing is hardly the best place to pick up a natural tan. When it finally reaches the warm summer, the sun’s rays struggle to penetrate the smog. Thankfully, Black Golden Tanning Studio is on hand to give you that golden glow with its quick, safe and effective technology. With a membership card, enjoy a 50-minute session for RMB400 and come away with natural, healthy-looking color.

阳区蓝色港湾M层120号 (5905 6723)

A long-time favorite among locals and expats alike, Lily Nails is much more than a nail spa; they eyelash services, of pampering treatments and waxing too.

>3.3 Flagship store: Daily 11am-11pm, Shop 5009, 5/F, 3.3 Fashion Plaza, Sanlitun, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯3.3大厦5层5009号(5136 5919); 3.3 Star store: Daily 11am-11pm, Shop 2049, 2/F, 3.3 Fashion Plaza, Sanlitun, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯3.3大厦2层2049号(5136 5829); Shimao store: Daily 10am-10pm, Shop E301, 3/F, ShiMao shopping center, Sanlitun, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯工体北路世茂购物中心3层E-301号(8590 0569 ); Ginza store: Daily 10am-10pm, Shop B111H, Ginza Mall, Dongzhimen, Dongcheng 东城区东直门东方银座Mall B1-11H号(8447 7178) ; CapitaMall Crystal store: Daily 10am-10pm, Shop B1-09,CapitaMall Crystal, Haidian 海淀区复兴路51号凯德晶品购物中心B1-09号(8819 7078); CapitaMall Wangjing store: Daily 10am-10pm, Shop K01, 2/F, CapitaMall Wangjing store, Guangshun Beidajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区广顺北大街凯德望京购物中心2层02-K1(5602 0736) ; Carrefour Siyuanqiao store: Daily 10am-10pm, Shop 08, 3/F, Carrefour Siyuanqiao store,Yiju Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区四元桥家乐福购物中心3层08 号(647 71889) ;Solana store: Daily10am-22pm, Shop M120, Solana Shopping Mall, Chaoyang 朝

Catherine de France Awarded best expat salon in 2014/ 2015, with a trained team of international and local stylists, colorists and beauticians, this salon welcomes all ages and budgets in a modern and relaxed atmosphere for a wide range of hair and beauty treatments, include manicure, pedicure and waxing. Wella, SP, INOA, TIGI Language: French, English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian.

> East Avenue BLD Ground Floor, No.10 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区新东路10号逸盛阁首层(8442 5120, 135 2147 3492, eastavenue@catherinedefrance.com, Wechat: CDFSalon, www.catherinedefrance.com)

Sport Broadwell International Tennis Academy Located inside Chaoyang Park’s Tennis Center, this indoor club boasts a complete state-of-the-art air-supported structure for all-weather year-round indoor tennis, with an advanced lighting system and controlled climate. Ideal for peeps looking to perfect their service and batting a few balls. > Nongzhan Nanlu, Chaoyang 朝阳区农南路1号朝阳公园网球中心(400 6406 800/ 6595 8885, www.broadwell.cn1)California Fitness Beijing Club

California Fitness Beijing’s Group X program is among the best in the region, and with membership you have access to over 150 weekly Group X classes and a team of professional personal trainers in Asia. Your membership also includes free towel usage and a fitness assessment.

>South Tower, L4, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang (4008

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | OCTOBER 2017 | 71

LISTINGS 100-988,www,californiafitness.com)

Cycle China Inc. 北京非常之旅 Cycle China provides organized cycling and hiking tours in and aroundBeijing as well as longer tours throughout China. Some of their more popular tours take cyclists through the Olympic Green, Tian’anmen Square, and Beijing’s traditional hutongs.

>12 Jingshan East Street, Dongcheng 东城区景山东街 12号 (6402 5653 ,139 1188 6524)

Heyrobics “Sweat like a Swede!” they say with annoyingly smug grin and toned abs. The only fitness craze worth following in Beijing, Heyrobics is all about a punishing full-body workout set to pumping beats – not forgetting the fluorescent spandex. Differing classes for all abilities, check online for the full schedule. > www.heyrobics.com, info@heyrobics.com

Yihe 42° Hot Yoga 2 locations in Beijing: the best Yoga for Beginners! No previous experience necessary - and if your body is a bit stiff – that’s okay! Yihe knows it can be a little intimidating to begin your journey into Yoga, so they are available to answer any questions you may have. It’s a great workout for the body and calming for the mind. Call them today on (5905 6067, 8599 7395)

> Daily 10am-8pm. 3/F, No. 2 South Building, Blue Castle, Dawang Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区大望路蓝堡国际中心南写字楼2座3层 (8599 7395/96, www.yh42.com); 3/F, Bldg. 14, Solana, No. 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳公园西路6号,蓝色港湾14号,三层 (5905 6065/67, www.yh42.com)

HEALTH SERVICES American-Sino OB/GYN/Pediatrics Services 北京美华妇儿医院

> 18 anyuan road,chaoyang district,Beijing 北京市朝阳区安苑路18号 (8443 9666, bj.americanobgyn.com)

Beijing International Medical Center (IMC) Established in 1993, the International Medical Center-Beijing counts on an expert team of foreign doctors, offering a wide range of medical services, including family medicine, psychological services, dental, ob/gyn, pediatrics and TCM. Drop-in services for travelers; x-rays and ultrasounds are also available. English, Farsi, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic and Russian spoken. > 24hours. Room S106/111 Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmahe Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路50号燕莎中心写字楼1层S106 (6465 1561/2/3, 6465 1384/28, www.imclinics.com)

Amcare Women’s & Children’s Hospital With a zero waiting-time policy, top-quality inpatient facilities, home visits, night services and transportation assistance, Amcare provides a trustworthy experience. Englishspeaking services include pediatrics, gynecology and obstetrics. > 9 Fangyuan XiLu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区芳园西路9号 (6434 2399, 24hr hotline 800 610 6200, www. amcare.com.cn)

Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics 北京和睦家医院

> Wi-fi internet. Lido, Emergency Room is open 24/7/365, Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm; 2 Jiangtai Road, Chaoyang District, 朝阳区将台路2号. (5927 7000 / 5927 7120 Emergency Hotline);United Family CBD Clinic和睦家朝外诊所 Mon-Sat, 9.30am-6.30pm, Suite 3017, Building AB, Vantone Center, 6 Chaowai Street, Chaoyang, 朝阳区朝阳门外大街6号万通中心 AB座2层3017室(5907 1266); Jianguomen Health and Wellness Center和睦家建国门保健中心, Wi-fi internet, Mon-Sun 8:30am-5pm, 21 Jianguomen Dajie, B1, The St. Regis Residence, St. Regis Hotel朝阳区建国门外大街21号北京国际俱乐部饭店 ( 8532 1221 / 8532 1678 Immigration Clinic ); Shunyi Clinic和睦家顺义诊所, Wi-fi internet, Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5.30pm, Sat and Sun, 9.30am-4.30pm.Pinnacle Plaza, Unit 806, Tian Zhu Real Estate Development Zone, Shunyi District, 顺义区天竺开发区荣祥广场806号(8046 5432); Shunyi Dental Clinic顺义牙科诊所, Wi-fi internet, Mon-Sat, 9.30am7.30pm, Pinnacle Plaza, Unit 818, Tian Zhu Real Estate Development Zone, Shunyi 顺义区天竺开发区荣祥广场818号 (8046 1102) ; Liangma Clinic亮马诊所 , Wi-fi internet, Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm, 2nd Floor Grand Summit, 19 Dongfang East Road朝阳区东方东路19号 1号楼会所27号外交人员公寓B区官舍16号 (5927 7005 www.ufh.com.cn, patientservices@ufh.com.cn)

Raﬄes Medical International SOS and Raffles Medical Group have formed a joint venture to enhance and expand the services of its China Clinics. From March 30 the International SOS clinics in China will be branded and operated by Raffles Medical with expanded services to all patients and privileged access for International SOS members. Patients of the clinic will continue to have access to the same doctors, the same facilities and same level of high quality care. Raffles Medical Group is a leading medi72 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

cal provider in Singapore and has been operating for 40 years with over 100 clinics and hospitals in Asia. The joint venture is committed to maintain the high standard of quality with a focus on innovative and expanded clinical services and excellent patient care.

> Suite 105, Wing 1, Kunsha Building, No.16 Xinyuanli, Chaoyang 朝阳区新源里16号琨莎中心1座105 室(6462 9112/ 6462 9100, www.internationalsos.com)

OASIS International Hospital OASIS International Hospital specializes in serving the expatriate community with the latest world-class technology and a broad range of services, all in a pristine facility designed to provide patients with the utmost comfort, care and privacy. > Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5.30pm; Sat-Sun, 8.30am12.30pm; 24 Hour Emergency Bldg C1, 9 Jiuxianqiao Beilu Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥北路9号C1栋 (400 876 2747, 5985 0333, www.oasishealth.cn)

Beijing HarMoniCare Women and Children’s Hospital 北京和美妇儿医院 > Wi-Fi available. Chaoyang: 2 Xiaoguan Beili, Beiyuan Lu 北苑路小关北里甲2号 (6499 0000. contact@hmcare.org, en.hmcare.net)

Hongkong International Medical Clinic, Beijing 北京港澳国际医务诊所

> Dongsishitiao: 9/F, Office Tower, Hongkong Macau Center-Swiss Hotel, 2 Chaoyangmen Bei Dajie 朝阳门北大街2号港澳中心瑞士酒店办公楼9层 (6553 9752, 6553 2288/2345/6/7; service@hkclinic.com; www. hkclinic.com)

DENTAL Arrail Dental Affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, Arrail Dental has access to top-class equipment. Its well-trained staff, multiple locations across town and excellent facilities make it one of the best dental providers in Beijing. English-speaking staff. Dental services including examinations, whitening, root-canal treatment, orthodontics and implants.

>Rm 201, the Exchange-Beijing, 118B Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国路乙118号国贸桥东南角京汇大厦201室 (6567 5670); Rm 208, Tower A, CITIC Building, 19 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门外大街19号国际大厦A座208室 (6500 6473); Rm 308, Tower A, Raycom Info Tech Park 2 Kexueyuan Nanlu, Haidian 海淀区中关村科学院南路2 号融科资讯中心A座308室 (8286 1956); Rm 101, Bldg 16, China Central Place, 89 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国路89号华贸中心公寓16号楼101室 (8588 8550/60/70); 1/F, Somerset Fortune Garden, 46 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路46号燕莎东侧盛捷福景苑1层 (8440 1926)

PrettySmile Dental If you are looking for professional and comfortable dental care, PrettySmile Dental ishighly recommended by many patients. The clinic is standing out because of the professional team, all doctors are from the dental hospital of Peking University and most of them got professional training in USA. The strictest sterilization processes and high-end imported equipment and materials all help guarantee the highest quality of all dental services.

店2层 (6466 4814, 6461 2745); Mon-Fri 9am-8pm. 4076B, 4/F, New Yansha Mall, Yuanda Lu,Haidian 远大路金源燕莎购物中心Mall4层4076B (8859 6912/13); Mon-Sun, 10am-7pm, Rm 5, 3/F, North Tower, China 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)

United Family Shunyi Dental Clinic The Beijing United Family Dental Clinic in Shunyi is a satellite of the main hospital in Lido (which has its own dental clinic onsite). A comprehensive range of services are at hand, including restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. Call ahead for all appointments.

> 818 Pinnacle Plaza, Tianzhu Real Estate Development Zone, Shunyi 北京和睦家医院牙科诊所, 顺义区天竺开发区荣祥广场818 (8046 1102)

Vista Medical Center 维世达诊所

> 24hours. Wi-Fi internet. 3/F Kerry Center. 1 Guanghua Lu 光华路1号嘉里中心商场3层 (8529 6618, vista@vista-china.net, www.vista-china.net)

Beijing New Century Harmony Pediatric Clinic

> Shunyi, K-01, Building No.19, Harmony Business Centre, Liyuan Street, Tianzhu Town 天竺镇丽苑街荣和商业中心19号楼K-01 (6456 2599; harmonypeds@ ncich.com.cn, www.ncich.com.cn)

Beijing Passion International Medical Center This full-service international clinic provides 24-hr general medical care and a patient-centered attitude. Beijing Passion International Medical Center is equipped with the latest in medical technology and is designed to support the comfort, safety and privacy of patients.

> 24hours, B1/F, Borui Building, 26 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环北路26号博瑞大厦B1层 (6517 7667, www.passion-medical.com)

Parkway Health Clinic

> Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm; CBD, 1-2/F, Vantone Center, 6 Chaowai Street 朝阳门外大街甲六号万通中心AB 座一二层 (4000 662 -882, 24hrs; enquiry@parkwayhealth.cn; www.parkwayhealth.cn); No.101-201, Beijing link, block2, No.6 Yuan, Jing Shun Dong Street, Chaoyang 朝阳区京顺东街6号院2号楼北京 Link101-201室

IDC Dental

>Daily: 9am-6pm, Room 209, Bldg 7, Richmond Park Clubhouse, Fangyuan Nanli, Chaoyang 朝阳区芳园南里丽都水岸会所209 (6538 8111, info@idcdentalbj.com)

EDUCATION Mandarin Schools Gloria Chinese School Focusing on teaching Chinese, making sure your improvements, organizing taskbased. practical activities and providing 180-day student visa.

>R202 East Building, No.78 Maizidian Street, Chaoyang 朝阳区麦子店街78号一幢二层202室(6500 8201. WeChat:1381 186 4656,www.gloriachinese.com)

The Frontiers School

>Mon-Fri, 9.30am-6pm (closed Thu); 5-105-1, Building 5, Sanlitun SOHO Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯SOHO 5号商场1层5-105 (5785 3689/5785 3898, www.prettysmiledental.cn, psd3898@163.com)

Joinway Dental A reputable and trusted dental practice, Joinway Dental provides the perfect combination of cutting edge technology and comfortable treatment, while maintaining the strictest sanitary and sterilization processes. The clinic uses high-quality imported materials, and its professional, US-trained staff offers a personalized and private service.

> Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm; 11D, Building D, Oriental Kenzo Plaza (Ginza Mall), 48 Dongzhimen Wai Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区东直门外大街48号东方银座D座 11D (8447 6092/93, mobile:1326 181 6708, joinway@dentalcn.com, www.dentalcn.com)

SDM Dental 固瑞齿科 The full spectrum of dentistry. Services include teeth cleaning, root-canal treatment, porcelain crowns, dental implants, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, fillings, pediatric dentistry, extraction, teethwhitening and veneers. Credit cards accepted.

>Mon-Fri 9am-8pm. NB210, 2/F, CBD, Guomao, China World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie建外大街1号国贸商城地下2层 (6505 9439/31/93, www. sdmdental.com); Mon-Fri 9am-8pm.Olympic Area,F0186B, Sunshine Plaza, 68 Anli Lu(east of Sunshine Plaza)亚运村安立路68号阳光广场东侧 (6497 2173,6498 2173) ; Mon-Sun 10am-19pm.LB07-08, 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); Mon-Fri 9am-8pm. FC222, 21st Century Hotel, 40 Liang Maqiao Lu,Sanyuanqiao 亮马桥40号21世纪饭

and recommended by BBC News as one of the most professional Chinese language school. Also awarded as the ‘the best Mandarin school in Beijing’ by That’s Beijing magazine. >E-Tower School(Guomao Area): Room 904-905, 9/F E-tower building 数码01大厦904-905 (6508 1026/1126); Guangming Hotel School (embassy area): Room 0709, 7/F, Guangming Hotel (near US embassy) 光明饭店7层0709室美国大使馆附近 (8441 8391, info@beijingmandarinschool.com, www. beijingmandarinschool.com, Skype ID: beijingMandarinschool1998, Wechat: BJMS-Etower)

The Bridge School 北京桥汉语言学校

>The Bridge School Head office, Room 503, 5/F, Guangming Hotel, 42 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路42号光明饭店5层503室(186 1244 1282 Grettchin)

Beijing Juncheng Language School 北京君诚语言学校 > 1) Room 208, 1 Panjiapo Hutong, Chaoyangmenwai, Dongcheng District 东城区朝阳门外潘家坡胡同1号东城区职工大学208办室 (6525 9932/6526 7539) 2) Gucheng Village, 15 Huosha Lu, Houshayu Town, Shunyi District 顺义区后沙峪镇火沙路古城段15号 (8049 0307)

The Bridge School 北京桥汉语言学校 > (The Bridge School Head office)Room 503, 5/F, Guangming Hotel, 42 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区亮马桥路42号光明饭店5层503室 (15321793321 Grettchin)

International Schools Canadian International School of Beijing 北京加拿大国际学校 Located in the Third Embassy Quarter of downtown Beijing, the Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) opened its doors in September 2006. This world-class facility offers an internationally recognized Canadian & IB PYP, IB MYP and IBDP education. The Canadian International School of Beijing develops the whole child in an environmentally sensitive school within a kind, caring community to become a citizen of the world. > 38 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路38 号 (6465 7788,www.cisb.com.cn)

Springboard International Bilingual School 君诚国际双语学校 Springboard International Bilingual School is a place where children, staff and parents work in partnership to enable all their students to realize their full potential. They are offering a stimulating and full international curriculum as well as an exciting after school program, which will include Kung Fu, calligraphy, health and fitness and football. > 15 Gucheng Duan, Huosha Lu, Houshayu Town, Shunyi 顺义区后沙峪镇火沙路古城段15号 (8049 2450; www.sibs.com.cn, office@sibs.com.cn)

The British School of Beijing 北京英国学校 The British School of Beijing, established in 2003, has campuses in Shunyi (primary & secondary) and Sanlitun (primary). BSB offers an enhanced English National Curriculum to 1,500 expatriate students, aged 1 to 18, beginning with Early Years Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, IGCSE exams in Year 10 and 11 and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programme in Year 12 and 13. Admission & Fees: RMB102,993246,057. Contact our Admissions team to arrange a school tour.

> Mon-Fri, 8am-4.30pm, South Side, 9 An Hua Street, Shunyi 顺义区安华街9号南侧 (8047 3558, www.britishschool.org.cn, admissions@britishschool.org.cn)

Join the friendly and professional team at Frontiers, who’ve been teaching Mandarin for 11 years. > 3/F, Bldg 30, Dongzhongjie, Dongzhimenwai, Dongcheng 东城区东直门外东中街30号三层 (6413 1547, www.frontiers.com.cn, frontiers@frontiers. com.cn)

Hutong School Learn Mandarin with Beijing’s best Mandarin school, Hutong School. Our experienced teachers will customize your classes and help you learn in a fun environment. >Room 1501, 15/F, Zhongyu Plaza, A6 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路甲6号中宇大厦1501室

Beijing Mandarin School Established in 1998, Beijing Mandarin school is the city’s top institute for teaching spoken and written Mandarin as a second language, more than 5,000 students from over 66 countries and more than 80 companies and embassies have successfully learned with us each year. Also recognized

Western Academy of Beijing 京西国际学校 The Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) is a creative and innovative IB World School built upon a solid foundation of core values and our mission to Connect, Inspire, Challenge; Make a Difference. Our students exemplify these values through their awareness of the world around them, service to others, can-do spirit and commitment to excellence. WAB graduates are accepted into world-class colleges and universities across the globe. > 10 Lai Guang Ying Dong Lu, Chao Yang 朝阳区来广营东路10号(5986 5588)

Beijing City International School 北京乐成国际学校 Located in Beijing’s Central Business District, Beijing City International School (BCIS) lives by its motto: “Empowering and Inspiring through Challenge and Compassion.” This non-profit, independent co-educational day school offers an international curriculum under the International Baccalaureate (IB) World School system and is authorized to teach all three IB programs (Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programme).

LISTINGS > 77 Baiziwan Nan’er Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区百子湾南二路77号 (8771 7171, www.bcis.cn)

Beijing BISS International School 北京BISS国际学校

> Building 17, Area 4, Anzhen Xili Chaoyang 朝阳区安贞西里4区17楼 (6443 3151 www.biss.com.cn)

3e International 北京3e国际学校 >9-1 Jiangtai Xilu Chaoyang 朝阳区将台西路9-1号(四德公园旁) (6437 3344 , www.3eik.com)

The International Montessori School of Beijing 北京蒙台梭利国际学校 Founded in 1990, MSB is Beijing’s first fully registered international Montessori school. The school also boasts an unsurpassed dual Mandarin/English program geared towards helping students achieve fluency in either language from an early age. Curriculum aside, MSB boasts spacious classrooms, a high teacher-student ratio and impressive staff longevity. Tuition: RMB98,000 - RMB177,000/year. > Bldg 8, 2A, Xiangjiang Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区香江北路甲2号院8号楼 (6432 8228 ext. 800, www.msb. edu.cn, admissions@msb.edu.cn)

Beijing World Youth Academy 北京世青国际学校 Beijing World Youth Academy (BWYA) is an international school for students of all nationalities ages 6 to 18, offering programs on its campuses conveniently located in Wangjing and Lido. An IB World School since 2001, BWYA values holistic education and seeks to give students ample opportunity to develop as globally-aware critical thinkers. A wide varity of co-curricular activities are offered to further enrich student life. Graduates of BWYA have been accepted at prestigious universities around the world. Age range: 6-18. Tuition: RMB 100,000- 140,000/year.

> Mon-Fri, 8am-4.30pm. 18 Huajiadi Beili, Wangjing, Chaoyang Inside 94 Middle school 北京市朝阳区望京花家地北里18号(6461 7787 ext.32, 8454 3478/0649, admissions@ibwya.net, www.ibwya.net)

Beijing Mandarin School Established in 1998, Beijing Mandarin School is the city’s top institute for teaching spoken and written Mandarin as a second

language, more than 5,000 students from over 66 countries and more than 80 companies and embassies have successfully learned with us each year. Also recognized and recommended by BBC News as one of the most professional Chinese language school.

> E-tower School(Guomao Area): Room 904-905, 9/F E-tower Building E数码世界9层904-905(6508 1026/1126); Guangming Hotel School (Embassy Area): Room 0709, 7/F Guangming Hotel(near U.S Embassy) 光明饭店7层0709室美国大使馆附近 (84418391, info@beijingmandarinschool.com, www. beijingmandarinschool.com, Skype ID: beijingmandarinschool1998)

La Maison Montessori de Pekin 北京中法双语蒙氏儿童之家 The first bilingual French-Chinese Montessori kindergarten in Beijing, it welcomes children between ages 2 to 6 years old. The kindergarten is located in a beautiful courtyard in the hutongs. Schedule: Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 3:30pm. After class activities also offered.

> 50 Dongsi Shisitiao, Dongcheng 东城区东四十四条50 号 (131 2025 0341/ 8401 3974; lamaisonmontessoripk@ gmail.com; www.lamaisonmontessoridepk.com)

Harrow International School Beijing 北京哈罗英国学校 www.harrowbeijing.cn Harrow International School Beijing prides itself on its high academic standards, a close-knit school community, a rich extracurricular activity program and the quality of its pastoral care provision. Leadership skills are promoted school-wide, with a range of enrichment activities to help students develop teamwork and creative thinking skills, as well as independence and responsibility. Students graduating from Harrow Beijing have won places at a range of universities across the world including Princeton, Yale, Oxford and Cambridge. > Address: 287, Hegezhuang, Cuigezhuang County, Chaoyang 朝阳区崔各庄乡何各庄村 287 号 (8610 6444 8900 Ext. 6900 Fax: 10 6445 3870 ,enquiries@ harrowbeijing.cn)

Yew Chung International School 耀中国际学校 Located in downtown Honglingjin Park since 1995, Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing) offers a truly international curriculum for children of foreign

nationals in China. The school follows the National Curriculum for England but also integrates an extensive Chinese language and culture program, allowing foreign nationals to get the best out of their time in China. YCIS Beijing is one of only five schools in China accredited by three separate accreditation organizations and has a 100 percent pass rate within the IGCSE and IB programs. In addition, YCIS Beijing is the only international school in China to receive the Cambridge Award for Excellence in Education from the University of Cambridge International Examinations. > Honglingjin Park, 5 Houbalizhuang, Chaoyang 朝阳区后八里庄5号红领巾公园 (8583 3731,www. ycis-bj.com)

Kindergartens House of Knowledge International Kinde garten (HOK) House of Knowledge International kindergarten (HOK) has locations in both Shunyi and Chaoyang. Both locations offer a Kindergarten program for children aged 10 months to 6 years (Pre-school). Students are treated as competent learners and the school emphasizes critical thinking and collaboration skills, in an environment where children “Lean to Learn”. In additional, the Shunyi location also has a elementary school starting from grade 1 in September 2014. > Quanfa Gardens Campus: North gate of Quanfa compound, 15 Maquanying, Chaoyang District 朝阳区马泉营15号泉发花园北门(6431 8452, www.hokschools.com);Victoria Gardens Campus: 15 Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区朝阳公园西路15号维多利亚花园公寓(6538 2624, www.hokschools.com)

EtonKids International Kindergarten 伊顿国际幼儿园 > LidoRoom C103 Lido Country Club, Lido Place Jichang Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区蒋台路机场路丽都广场 (6436 7368 www.etonkids.com) ;3/F, Block D Global Trade Mansion Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华路世贸国际公寓D座3层 ( 6506 4805) ; Southwest corner of Beichen Xilu and Kehui Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区北辰西路与科荟路交汇处西南角(8437 1006); Kehui Lu, Chaoyang, Beijing 朝阳区科荟路大屯里社区(8480 5538) ;Bldg 19, Central Park,

6 Chaowai Dajie Chaoyang 朝阳区朝外大街6 号新城国际19号楼 (6533 6995); Palm Springs International Apartments 8 Chaoyang Park Nanlu Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳公园南路8号棕榈泉国际公寓 (6539 8967); Bldg 21, Guangqu Jiayuan, Guangqumen- wai, Dongcheng东城区广渠门外广渠家园21号楼 (6749 5008); Baoxing International Phase 2, Wangjing Chaoyang朝阳区望京宝星园国际社区2期 (8478 0578); Block 1, Arcadia Villas, Houshayu Shunyi 顺义区后沙峪罗马环岛北侧天北路阿凯笛亚庄园1座(8047 2983); 20A Xidawang Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区西大望路甲20号首府社区内 (5870 6779)

Beanstalk International Bilingual School 青苗国际双语学校 > Kindergarten: 1/F, Tower B, 40 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区亮马桥路40号B座一层 (6466 9255); Primary School: Block 2, Upper East Side, 6 Dongsihuan Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东四环北路6号阳光上东二区 (5130 7951);Middle & High School : 38 Nan Shiliju, Chaoyang朝阳区南十里居38号 (8456 6019)

Ivy Schools 艾毅幼儿园

> www.ivyschools.com ; East Lake Campus C-101, East Lake Villas, 35 Dongzhimenwai Main Street, Dongcheng 东城区东直门外大街35号东湖别墅C座101室(8451 1380/1) ; Ivy Bilingual School 艾毅双语幼儿园 Ocean Express Campus: Building E, Ocean Express, 2 Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环北路2号远洋新干线E座 (8446 7286/7) ;Orchid Garden Campus: Orchid Garden, 18 Xinjin Lu, Cuige Xiang, Chaoyang 朝阳区崔各乡新锦路18号卓锦万代 (8439 7080); Wangjing Campus: Kylin Zone, Bldg 11, Fuan Xilu, Wangjing, Chaoyang 朝阳区望京阜安西路11号楼合生麒麟社内 (5738 9166/1332 110 6167) ; Rm106, warehouse4, 653 Waima Lu, by Wangjia Matou Lu 外马路653 号4库106室, 近王家码头路 (3376 8308)

MBA & EMBA Schools Rutgers International Executive MBA

> 5/F China Life Tower, 16 Chaowai Dajie Chaoyang 朝阳区朝阳门外大街16号中国人寿大厦 (5877 1706, www.rutgersinasia.com)

BBA at BFSU-SolBridge 北京外国语大学国际商学院

> 19 Xisanhuan Beilu, Haidian, 海淀区西三环北路19号 (solbridge.bfsu.edu.cn, 8881 6563/8881 6763/8881 8537)

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CLASSIFIEDS ACCOMMODATION

Ascott Beijing >No.108B Jianguo Road,Chaoyang District,Beijing 北京市朝阳区建国路乙108号 (6587 0888) Ascott Raffles City Beijing Located in Dongzhimen, one of the most vibrant areas, Ascott Raffles City is near the second embassy district, which is rich in cultural heritage and is only a 15 minute drive to The Forbidden City. Other nearby leisure attractions include Food Street (Gui Jie) and Sanlitun nightlife district. > No.1-2 Dongzhimen South Street Dongcheng District Tel: 8405 3888 Ascott Raffles City Chengdu > No. 3, Section 4, South Renmin Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu 610041, China Post code: 610041,Telephone:(86-28) 6268 2888 ,Facsimile:(86-28) 6268 2889 ,GDS Code: AZ, Reservations Telephone:400 820 1028 (China toll-free) ;(86-512) 6763 1021 Email:enquiry.china@the-ascott.com Ascott Riverside Garden Beijing With a stunning east-meets-west architecture, the residence provides spacious studios, stylish one-bedroom apartments as well as unique two-bedroom penthouses and luxurious three-bedroom premiers. The lifestyle amenities and unparalleled recreational facilities offer the residents various options for relaxation and entertainment > No.33A Zhou Zhuang Jiayuan Dongli, Chaoyang District, Beijing Telephone Number: (86-10) 8783 1666 Website: www.ascottchina.com Email:enquiry.beijing@the-ascott.com Beijing Kerry Residence Whether you’re a single business executive or a busy family, Beijing Kerry’s fullyfurnished 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments will feel just like home. As well as enjoying all the comforts of modern living – including a well-equipped kitchen, entertainment systems, high-speed broadband and much more – residents are just moments away from the Kerry Centre’s shopping mall and sports facilities. The rest of the CBD is on your doorstep too. >1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华路1 号 (8535 6888, www.beijingkerryresidence. com) Lusongyuan Hotel A traditional compound of quadrangle composing of 5 courtyards which lies in the "hutong" area of Beijing. The hotel building is famous for its imperial living taste of the Qing Dynasty with a history of nearly 170 years. The original owner of this large private house was the Grand General SenggeRinchen, who lived here while he carried out top official duties, such as defense minister. > Tel: (86 10) 6404 0436, Fax: (86 10) 6403 0418 , Address:No.22 Banchang Lane , Kuanjie, Dongcheng District 东城区宽街板厂胡同22号 www.the-silk-road.com, E-mail: webmaster@the-silk-road.com Lee Garden Service Apartments A newly renovated high-end premier living residence in a central location next to the shopping and cultural sites of Beijing’s Wangfujing, suites range from studios to 4-bedroom apartments (60-610sqm in size) and are tastefully furnished with specially selected materials. > 18 Jinyu Hutong, Wangfujing, Dongcheng (100m East of Sun Dong An Plaza) 东城区王府井金鱼胡同18号 (新东安东侧100米); 24hr front desk: 6525 8855, Fax: 6525 8080, general.manager@lgapartment.com, www. lgapartment.com) FraserSuite CBD Beijing

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The ultimate luxury in apartment living, Fraser Suites CBD Beijing epitomizes style and comfort, that surpasses the service level of many Beijing hotels. The 357 Gold-Standard Beijing apartment features contemporary concepts designed for luxury living. > 12 Jintong Xilu Chaoyang District Beijing Tel: 5908 6000

GTC RESIDENCE BEIJING One of the top residences in Beijing, GTC Residence is located beside the third ring road with 5 minutes’ walk to subway line 5 , 10 minutes’ drive to Hou Hai . It is also within easily reach of CBD, embassy area, Financial Street and other urban commercial,shopping and recreation areas. Fully equipped apartments with impeccable quality offer you a cozy living system and will meet all of your requirements for room decoration, furniture, electric appliances etc.. Unique sky garden with golf practice field and barbecue area is another symbol of GTC Residence. > sales@gtcresidence.com, website: www. gtcresidence.com Tel:56756666 Marriott Executive Apartments Ideally located in the center of Wangfujing area where the prestigious business, commercial, entertainment, and shopping center of Beijing. The Imperial Mansion, Beijing – Marriott Executive Apartments reflects an exceptional level of luxury. > Gate, No. 1 Xiagongfu Street, Dongcheng District Tel: 6564 9999 The Millennium Residences of the Beijing Fortune Plaza The Millennium Residences of the Beijing Fortune Plaza is located in the heart of the Beijing CBD which bears the most momentously potential of development and value elevation. While 25 minutes away from the Beijing International Airport, the Millennium Residences is walking distance from nearly all Embassies. > 7 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu Chaoyang District. Tel: 8588 2888 Oak Chateau Beijing Oak Chateau Beijing has 236 stylish and contemporary fully serviced apartments from studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four bedroom suites available, measuring 64 to 260 square meters. There is a 24-hours guest reception, and housekeeping is offered twice a week. Nestled within the landscaped gardens of the Ocean Express commercial and residential complex, Oak Chateau Beijing is very close to the third Embassy Area and shopping and dinning services at the Beijing Lufthansa Center. There are only 19 kilometers to the Beijing Capital Airport. >北京市朝阳区东三环霞光里66号远洋新干线 D座邮编 100027 Block D, Ocean Express, 66 Xiaguang Li, Third East Ring Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027, P.R.C Tel: (86-10) 84465888 Fax: (86-10) 84465999 Email oak.chateau@oakchateau.com Website: www.oakchateau.com Oakwood Residence Beijing Oakwood Residence Beijing offers 406 fully equipped luxury apartments ranging from studios to four bedroom penthouse and terrace apartments, all exquisitely furnished in elegant and stylish decor. Each apartment is fitted with a state-of-the-art air purification and air conditioning system which ensures 99.9% pure, triple filtered air, so you can trust in Oakwood and breathe easy. > No. 8 Dongzhimenwai Xiejie, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027, China reschaoyang@oakwoodasia.com Website: www.oakwoodasia.com/resbeijing Tel: 5995 2888 Fax: 5995 2999 Oakwood Residence Damei Beijing The only serviced apartment in the city that

has its own in-house supply of natural hot spring water supply. Expansive city views are available from floor to ceiling windows with the apartments situated from level 23 to 35 in the building complex. The 171 stylish contemporary serviced residences range from studios to threebedroom apartments and offer an elegant range of amenities and facilities to ensure each resident’s stay is comfortable and well taken care of. Building No.1 Damei Center, 7 Qingnian Road, Chaoyang District Beijing北京市朝阳区青年路7号达美中心1号楼 Tel: 86-10 8585 2211 (8:30am-5:30pm) 86-10 8585 2888 (5:30pm-8:30am) Fax: (86-10) 8585 2666 website OakwoodAsia.com THE WESTIN EXECUTIVE RESIDENCES The Westin Executive Residences at The Beijing Financial Street offer an array of world-class cuisine options and Westin’s signature amenities designed to elicit personal renewal. Just 40 minutes from the airport, the Westin Executive Residences provides direct access to Beijing’s business, entertainment and shopping district and close proximity to cultural landmarks such as The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Each apartment is also fitted with contemporary furnishings, fully equipped kitchens, state-of-the-art appliances, home entertainment system and LCD flat screen televisions. > Email: reservation.beijing@westin.com Website: www.westin.com/beijingfinancial Tel: 6606 8866

BUSINESS CENTER Regus Serviced Office 雷格斯服务式办公室 •Flexible office leases from 1 day to 1 year •Quick and easy to set up for 1-200 people •Prices from RMB180 per month •Find more on Regus.cn •Tel: 400 120 1207 >> BEIJING (20 LOCATIONS) << Lei Shing Hong Plaza [New] 北京利星行广场 5/F, Tower C, Lei Shing Hong Plaza, No.8 Wangjing Street, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区望京街8号利星行广场C座5层 Sun Dong An Plaza [New] 北京新东安广场 7/F, Office Tower 2, Sun Dong An Plaza, No.138 Wangfujing, Avenue, Dongcheng District 北京市东城区王府井大街138号新东安广场写字楼2座7层 Zhongyu Mansion [New] 北京中宇大厦 6/F, Zhongyu Mansion, No.6 North Workers Stadium Road, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区工体北路甲6号中宇大厦6层 Diplomatic [New] 北京亮马桥外交办公大楼 17/F, Tower E, Liangmaqiao, Diplomatic Office Building, 3rd Embassy District, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区第三使馆区亮马桥外交办公大楼E座17层 Kerry Centre - South Tower [New] 北京嘉里中心-南楼 10/F, South Tower, Kerry Centre, No.1 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区光华路1号嘉里中心南楼10层 Landgent Building [Coming Soon] 北京乐成中心 5/F, Block A, Landgent Center, No.20 East Middle 3rd Ring Road, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区东三环中路20号乐成中心A座5层 China World Tower 3 北京国贸三期 15/F, China World Tower 3, No.1 Jianguomenwai Street, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸中心3座 15层 China Central Place

北京华贸中心 9/F, Tower 2, China Central Place, No.79 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区建国路79号华贸中心2号楼9层 Lufthansa Centre 北京燕莎中心 C203, Lufthansa Centre, No.50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区亮马桥路50号燕莎中心C203 Kerry Centre 北京嘉里中心 11/F, North Tower, Kerry Centre, No.1 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区光华路1号嘉里中心北楼11层 Pacific Century Place 北京盈科中心 14/F, IBM Tower, No.2A North Workers Stadium Road, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区工体北路甲2号IBM大厦14层 Parkview Green 北京侨福芳草地中心 15/F, Office Building A Parkview, Green, 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 15层 China Life Tower 北京中国人寿大厦中心 5/F, China Life Tower, No.16 Chaoyangmenwai Street, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区朝阳门外大街16号中国人寿大厦5层 China Life – West 北京中国人寿大厦-西 West, 5/F, China Life Tower, No.16 Chaoyangmenwai Street, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区朝阳门外大街16号中国人寿大厦5层西区 IFC 北京财源国际中心 10/F, IFC East Tower, No.8 Jianguomenwai Street, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区建国门外大街甲8号财源国际中心东座10层 Prosper Center 北京世纪财富中心 6/F, Tower 2, Prosper Center, No.5 Guang Hua Road, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区光华路5号世纪财富中心2号楼6层 Financial St. Excel Centre 北京金融街卓著中心 12/F, Financial Street Excel, Centre, No.6 Wudinghou Street, Xicheng District 北京市西城区武定侯街6号卓著国际金融中心12层 NCI Centre 北京新华保险大厦中心 15/F, NCI Tower, No.12A Jianguomenwai Street, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区建国门外大街甲12号新华保险大厦15层 Taikang Financial Tower 北京泰康金融大厦 23/F, Taikang Financial Tower, No.38 East Third Ring Road, Chaoyang District 北京市朝阳区东三环北路38号泰康金融大厦23层 Zhongguancun Metropolis Tower 北京中关村欧美汇大厦 7/F, Metropolis Tower, No.2 Dongsan Street, Zhongguancun Xi Zone, Haidian District 北京市海淀区中关村西区东三街2号欧美汇大厦7层 Servcorp Smart businesses understand that flexibility is the future of the workplace. They choose the world's finest Serviced Offices to grow their businesses, run critical projects and give their people flexibility. Level 26 Fortune Financial Center, 5 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环中路5号财富金融中心26层 (Servcorp. com.cn; tel: 5775 0310; fax: 5775 0350) Need flexible and affordable ready workspace to enhance your business or register a representative office for your temporary projects in Beijing? We have the perfect solution. Located within a Grade-A building in the popular Lufthansa Business Area, our work-spaces provide you, or your

CLASSIFIEDS company, with the ideal business identity, and most importantly, come with the most competitive rates to minimize your cost and risks. > Gateway Plaza, Tower A, Suite 16D , NE 3rd Ring Road, Chaoyang 朝阳区东三环北路霞光里18号佳程广场A座16D T:01084400606 M:15910782518 Cynthia LU CSO (Singapore) Beijing Business Center We have 10 years experience in managing serviced offices in the Asia and Pacific region, and our headquarters is in Singapore. CSO Beijing is our first business center in China . We are mainly providing fully renovated and equipped offices to clients for immediate use, and all the serviced offices can be used as incorporation purpose, and we offer maximum flexibility and complete smart office system to help our clients save cost. We also provide virtual offices, meeting room and conference room, video conferencing, incorporation services and many other services. Level 6, Sun Palace Building, Taiyanggong, Beijing Ms. Stephanie Yan, Mobile: 18210080591, Email: sales.beijing@ corporateso.com, Website: www.csochina. cn, Tel: 86 10 64697000

BEAUTY SERVICES Black Golden Tanning Salon Sanlitun Branch Grand Opening Black Golden Tanning Salon is the only fivestar China flagship store by Ergoline. As the 2011 model of Ergoline Esprit 770’s, to bring a continuous tanning effect 25% above standard machines with unique aquacool and aroma functions, we provide customers with the safest and most comfortable tanning space. > Open time:11:00-21:00 Sanlitun SOHO Branch 2rd Floor Building 3, Sanlitun SOHO,Chaoyang District Tel: 57853711; Wangjing Branch Add: Room T5 3rd Floor, BOTAI International Building, No. 36 North Guangshun Street, Wangjing, Chaoyang District, Website: www.bjtanning.com Tel: 84722855 LA BELLEZA La Belleza means Beauty and Aesthetics in Spanish. Professional hair-designers from Hong Kong ,Korea and China gather here. LA BELLEZA is the hairdressing salon for you with its pleasant atmosphere, excellent service, and finest products. New haircut! Good mood! Excellent life! Add: F4 No.408, Jinbao Place .Jinbao Street No88,Dongcheng District, Beijing, china. Website: www.labelleza.com.cn Tel: 010 8522 1626 MegaSun Tanning Salon As the only flagship store for this popular German tanning salon, megaSun Tanning will provide for each client the finest sun tanning experience. Our center has prepared the newest functional 7900 alpha and pureEnergy chamber systems, combined with easyCare optical testers. At megaSun, enjoy our professional UV and tanning services. > 8 Dongdaqiao Road, sShangdu SOHO North Tower, Rm. 2302 Chaoyang District, Beijing Website: www.imegasun.com e-mail: 1019771453@qq.com Sina Weibo: @麦肤堂 Tel: 5900-2236/2238

STORAGE China Self Storage Co. Ltd As a member of SSA and SSAUK, China Self Storage Co. Ltd. introduces an international industry standard to professionally developed Self Storage for private, family and business. Safe, clean, air-conditioned, 24h access, flexible size. To learn more, visit www.selfstorageinchina.com. To make a reservation, contact 400-600-6378 info@ selfstorageinchina.com. Jin’an Building, Tianzhu Garden West Rd., Shunyi District, Beijing. Koala Ministorage Koala Ministorage is the first professional self-storage provider in Beijing. To learn more, visit our website www.koalaministorage.com. To make a reservation, call us toll free at 400-017-8889, email us at questions@koalaministorage.com, or visit one of our stores.

CAR RENTAL SERVICE

FURNITURE

Beijing First Choice Car Rental Service Co., Ltd We offer short and long term vehicle leasing services for both business and sightseeing. Our commpany could provide the latest elite, high-end vehicles such as Mercedes Benz S300, BMW S5 and more! Contact our friendly representatives for more information. Tel: 138 1015 6525/6434 0778 www.fccars.cn fccars@live.cn

Crossover Crossover Center Flagship Store, is mainly marketing international super home furnishing brand products. Our agent brands include Poltrona Frau, Cassina, Fritz Hansen, Moroso, Cappellini, Timothy Oulton, Tom Dixon etc, over 20 international super home furnishing brands. Our products are covered with all of fields in daily-life home furnishing, including furniture, furnishing, lighting, dinning, and office supplies etc. Website: www.crossovercenter.com NO.81 North Road San-Li-Tun Bar St. ChaoYang District.Beijing.100027,P.R.C. Tel: 5208 6112/6113 Fax: 8610-5208 6123

Beijing TOP-A Vehicle Service Co., Ltd Beijing Top-A Vehicle Service provides: *English -speaking driver *Long-short term leasing *Airport-Pick up/Drop off *Sedan, Van and Bus We, ES-PATS Life Group, also serves with Mandarin, housemaid, Visa, driver, driving license, vehicle registration service. Tel: 6438 1634, 1350 123 7292, service@ expatslife.com www.expatslife.com Beijing Top Rate Car Rental Service Co., Ltd *Long/Short term leasing *Daily car service *Sifht-seeing car service, Tailor-made car service *Airport-Pick up/Drop off *Sedan (Audi A6, Audi A6L, VWPassat, Accord, Lacross 2.4, Benz MB100, Benz Vito, Hyundai) and Buses *Native drivers with good English *More information please contact Tel:6504 7266/6504 7256 FAx:6504 7256 www.sxsdcar.com Email:car-rental@live.com

CONSULTING SERVICE Harris Corporate Services Ltd Beijing | Shanghai | Guangzhou | Hong Kong Established since 1972 WFOE & Rep. Office Set Up Accounting & Tax Compliance Payroll, HR & Visa Solutions Hong Kong & Offshore Company Registration Hong Kong & China Bank Account Opening Serving all your business needs for investing in China. Call us for a free consultation. Tel: (86)10-6591 8087 Mobile: 186-019-43718 Email: info.bj@harrissec.com.cn Beijing: Room 2302, E-Tower, No.12 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, PRC.北京市朝阳区光华路12号数码01大厦 2302室 Shanghai: Suite 904, OOCL Plaza, 841 Yan An Zhong Road, Jing-An District, Shanghai, PRC.上海市静安区延安中路841号东方海外大厦904室 Guangzhou: Room D-E, 11/F., Yueyun Building, 3 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, PRC.广州市中山二路3号(东山口)粤运大厦11楼D-E室 Hong Kong: 7/F., Hong Kong Trade Centre, 161-167 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong.香港德辅道中161-167号香港贸易中心7楼 MHI China LTD 凯特威（北京）咨询有限公司 Room 971, 9/F，Poly Plaza，No.14， Dogzhimen Nan Dajie，Dongcheng 东城区东直门南大街14号保利大厦写字楼9层971室 (6551 0663) Beijing Office-TMF Group In order to enable clients benefit from the increasing globalization of the worlds economy, TMF Group offers a comprehensive range of corporate administrative outsourcing services in 67 counties across the globe. With a genuine global network and qualified staff, TMF group provides an array of accounting, corporate secretarial and HR administrative outsourcing services. > Colin.Zhang@TMF-group.com Website: www.tmf-group.com CCTV Tower and Kerry Centre Suite 3107, Tower A Beijing Fortune Plaza,7 Dongsanhuan Zhong Road, Chaoyang District Tel: 65330533-860

HOUSEKEEPING JNY Home Service JNY Home Service was established in 2007, supplying foreign families with English speaking/non-English Speaking nannies(maids), either daily or live-in. As a part of our service,we make sure all references and ID cards are thoroughly checked to guarantee the safety and health of your family. Email : jieniyou@hotmail.com Mobile: 13426362833(24h) Beijing EX-PATS Service Healty, reliable, experienced, Englishspeaking housemaid/ nanny. Free agency and 24- hour English service. Medical and Accident insurrance covered. EXPATS Life Group also serves with Mandarin, car leasing, English-speaking driver, Chinese driving license, vehicle registration. service@expatslife.com Website: www.expatslife.com Tel: 64381634 Mobile: 13501237292

MOVING AND SHIPPING Rex Service Moving and Relocation Is a dedicated and professional removals company based in China, Established in 1995, which operates worldwide. •Free of Charge Pre-Move Survey •Professional Packing Material •Professional Packing & Loading •Special Crating •Efficient Customs Clearance •Shipment Forwarding •Destination Delivery •Unpacking and Set-up •Transit Insurance for "All-Risks" •Global Network in more than 200 Countries As a respected member of global organisations such as the International Association of Movers (IAM), Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux (FIDI) and Japan International Movers Association (JIMA), we have sought and established relationships with over 2000 companies from around the world which gives us successfully logistics network worldwide. Contact us: Hotline: 400 8821 060 Tel: (86) 18222169211/ 15010058549 E-mail: sales1@rexmovers.com; ew@ rexmovers.com Website: www.rexrelo.com

REAL ESTATE AGENTS JOANNA REAL ESTATE RELOCATION SERVICE We are one of China’s leading real estate agencies boasting an extensive database of high-end properties for rent. We have helped thousands of expatriates find their homes as well as hundreds of companies re-locate their employees. Once we have found you your ideal home we will be on hand to deal with any post move issues and our dedicated after sales team will be contactable 7 days a week to help you with any queries you have throughout your stay in our country. > For more information please contact us: Email: paulquin@joannarealestate.com.cn Website: http:>beijing.joannarealestate. com.cn/ (Tel: 84585667 ; 13501358971)

“Replus-Benchmark” is one of the leading real estate agencies and relocation service provider for expatriates in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shenzhen. • Residential Home Search Service • Visa Application • Commercial Office Space Search Service • Buying and Selling Property Service E-mail: marketing@replus-benchmark.com Website: www.replus-benchmark.com > A-1509,Xiaoyun Center, No.15 of Xiaoyun Road, Chaoyang District Beijing Tel: 84467119 Fax: 84467577 Silk Road Travel Management Ltd. Silk Road Travel is a pioneer in organizing Silk Road tours and other classic routes in China. Founded in 1997, we are specialized in tailor making travel packages that allow travellers to truly experience the local cultures and explore the amazing heritages. Whether you are a small group of 2-9 persons or a corporate group, our professional staff will tailor make the tour programme based on your needs. Email: travel@the-silk-road.com www.the-silk-road.com TUI China An affiliate of World of TUI, the world’s leading tourism group, TUI China was established in late 2003 as the first joint venture with foreign majority share in the Chinese tourism industry. Its headquarters are in Beijing whilst its operations reach deep into the far corners of China. World of TUI generated approx.50,000 predominantly western tourists to China yearly and provides M.I.C.E services for renowned companies worldwide. > Add: Bright China Chang An Building, Tower 2, Unit 921-926, 7 Jianguomen Nei Avenue (Fax: +86 (0)10 6517 1371; Email: sales@tui.cn; Website: www.tui.cn; Tel: 8519 8800

CATERING SERVICES Aurora Catering An 100% authentic Italian experience whether tasting a mouthful Lasagna or a juicy Carpaccio. Our international team brings to you the authentic freshness and tidbit of an Italian Espresso or a homemade tastiness of a Mozzarella. We offer a full range of catering and event planning services for all types of business and personal functions that are tailored for you. The best service, at your service. Contact Jacopo Tomé at 137 1794 0458 jacopo.tome@gptinternational.com Zone de Comfort With our professional service, you can focus 100% on your event at Zone de Comfort, every single assignment is unique for us. Our experience helps us understand your objectives with thorough planning, and of course, exquisite food with elegant presentation. In the past 5 years, we have handled numerous catering projects covering diplomatic/business functions for embassies, high-end cocktail receptions for luxuries brands, automobiles and month-long hospitality center services. Find out more from our Website: www.zdc-catering.com

TRAVEL SERVICES Beijing Trans-World Air Service Co.Ltd. Established in February 2005 and approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, we are an aggregator of international and domestic air, global hotel reservations and big business travel. With sales rankings in the top ten and having earned the title of major proxies of worldwide airlines, we are well-known for our top-notch service. We offer online booking, hotel inquiry and reservations and a varity of travel-related services. > G8, First Floor, China Resources Building, 8 Jianguomenbei Avenue, Chaoyang 朝阳区建国门北大街8号华润大厦一层G8 tel: 8519 2468/2469/2470/2471/2472; fax: 6518 2589; renwoxing26@viptkt.com; www.viptkt.com; WeChat: twas08314854

Replus-Benchmark

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tj Tianjin reviews, events and information

EVENTS

Shame of the Iron Fist Theater

This popular dramedy makes its way to Tianjin – so dress up and get ready for a night of incredible performances. Fri Oct 20-Sat Oct 21, 7.30pm; RMB180 and up; Tianjin Grand Auditorium, 24 Youyi Lu, Hexi 河西区友谊路24号 (for tickets visit damai.cn)

Tianjin Open Sport

Poetish Arts

Feeling creative? Poetish is the perfect opportunity to unleash your inner artist, whether you’re a writer, rapper or guitar player. The open-mic style event is a must for any creative types in Tianjin – and best of all, it’s at WE Brewery. Tue Oct 10, 8.30pm; WE Brewery, 4 Yiheli, Xi’an Dao, Heping 和平区西安道怡和里4号 (186 3088 8114)

A Taste of Street Food / Festival

Street food is an indispensable part of life for any foodie in China. If this foodie is you, then make sure to attend ‘A Taste of Street Food,’ a festival at the Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin. Whether you’re based in downtown Tianjin or not, this one’s worth the trip to experience freshly prepared street dishes in an atmosphere you can trust (read: is hygienic). Taste all of Tianjin’s local delicacies from its 20 best street food stalls. Your all-time favorite – jianbing, of course – will be there, as well as other classics like pear cakes, green bean jelly, steamed rice rolls and sesame cakes with red bean filling. Fancy a bit of competition? You’ll even get to vote on your favorites. Sat Oct 14–Sun Oct 15, 11.30am-9pm; The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin, 167 Dagu Beilu, Heping 和平区大沽北路167号 (022 5857 8888)

Beijing Design Week Arts

Former World No. 1, five-time Grand Slam winner and certified doper Maria Sharapova will participate in the Tianjin Open this month as a wild-card entry. But don’t worry tennis fans, plenty of other (better) players will be hitting balls at the open. Go and catch them. Mon Oct 9-Sun Oct 15; Tianjin Tuanbo International Tennis Center, Tianjin Tuanbo New Town, Tianjin Health Industrial Park, Jinghai 静海县团泊湖西侧团泊新城西区天津健康产业园 (for more information or for tickets, visit http://www.tianjinopen. com/en)

Beijing Design Week is hosting a series of exciting events all over Tianjin. Get inspired by some of China’s most visionary creatives at one of over 20 events, including exhibitions, lectures, markets and workshops. Grab your camera and sketch book and go. For information on events and venues, visit www.bjdw.org

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022-88370588

Browns' brand new autumn menu is at your service now! Egg Benedict Shakshuka Muesli with Fresh Fruit Pan-Fried Hokkaido Scallops Braised Australian Short Ribs House wine from only 128/blt

78 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

78 78 88 88 138

勃朗斯英式餐厅 Fish&Chips ｜ Brunch｜ Afternoon Tea｜Steak&Wine

天津市和平区重庆道民园广场西楼108-111（常德道与衡阳路交口） Add: West Wing 108-111 Minyuan Stadium,Heping District,Tianjin

5 THINGS WITH... JULIAN JEFFREY The Master of Wellington College International Tianjin Talks Education in China and Family-Friendly Fun

How is working in education in China different from working in education in Britain? I love the variety of the opportunities here in China. Wellington College has absorbed many of the best parts of the Chinese curriculum for our new Bilingual Nursery, allying it to an overtly international program of allaround education.

What is the best part of being Master at Wellington College? The best part is seeing the children, our parents and staff united in a common purpose – a shared determination to raise pupil achievement across all elements of a child’s education. I am restless in my desire to see the life chances of our people improved by excellence in examination results, in sporting achievement and in the arts, music and drama.

How do you spend your free time in Tianjin? I like visiting some of the famous sites across our city – my recent favorites include a tour of the memorial to Premier Zhou Enlai and his wife Ding Yingchao, as well as some happy moments spent at the Pingjin Battle Memorial. Tianjin is so open and accessible

that I find it easy to take long walks and enjoy the architecture of the ages. Do you activities you’d recommend for expat families in Tianjin?

I would recommend an afternoon walk around the stadium in Wudadao, a trip out to the Tianjin section of the Great Wall, or in winter, a day out at one of the ski centers gearing up for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, all of which are readily accessible from Tianjin.

What is your educational philosophy?

My philosophy is quite simple. Young people have the right both to a first class education, and also to a fully-realized childhood. We support our young people through their learning to make them resilient and independent young adults, capable of leading happy and fulfilled lives. Wellington College offers its pupils an education that is rooted in academic excellence, as well as providing a safe and nurturing environment in which to learn more about themselves and their place in the world. For more information about Wellington College International Tianjin, visit www.wellingtoncollege. cn/tianjin/

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OCTOBER

ing ’s Beij

That

Horoscopes

Finally, a horoscope that understands your life in Beijing. by N o e l l e M a t e e r

Libra

9.24~10.23 Invest in a pair of those big scooterriding gloves that look like oven mitts, but do not wear one on your left hand. Honk at all red cars.

Scorpio

10.24~11.22 A kuaidi will arrive at your door unexpectedly. Open the package – what’s inside will change your life. Eat cabbage on the 19th.

Sagittarius

Capricorn

11.23~12.21

12.22~1.20

You will be challenged to a duel outside Temple Bar. Your opponent will be swathed in tattered Beijing Guo’an scarves. You will ultimately win by spitting Yanjing draft into his eyes.

Join a local fitness club, but beware of any group of legging-clad exercisers referring to themselves as a ‘fit fam.’ Small, smelly gyms in the basements of malls and apartment complexes are your best bet.

1.21~2.19

2.20~3.20

3.21~4.20

Aries

Taurus

Buy dumpling wrappers in bulk. Store them in a cool, dry place. Plan a dumpling-making party, and then cancel it. Forget about the dumpling wrappers forever. A hutong weasel will find them and eat them.

You will slip on a rogue fish at your local wet market and sprain your ankle. One day you will look back on this fondly, as the man who will help you up is your future husband. He’s gonna be great for your Chinese.

For Halloween, go as a parking Bao’an and make your boyfriend be a hutong grannie. But no hutong bars – only house parties for you.

Buy red fruits to show your patriotism this Golden Week or misfortune will befall you. Only drink local IPAs (for the rest of your life).

Aquarius

Gemini

Pisces

Cancer

Leo

4.21~5.21

Virgo

5.22~6.21

6.22~7.22

7.23~8.23

8.24~9.23

Befriend an old person in your neighborhood this month. But do not give your WeChat to anyone who lives outside of the Fifth Ring Road.

Your lover will drop your favorite tiny replica of a Terracotta Warrior into Houhai. Make them dive in to find it. If they succeed, buy them three virgin mojitos at the nearest bar. If they don’t, break up with them.

A series of unfortunate events will lead you to Wudaokou, where you will get food poisoning or alcohol poisoning – or both. Avoid young men in basketball jerseys.

Leave town. Just because you missed Golden Week travel rush doesn’t mean you can’t go somewhere. There are still weekends in October, and you keep saying you’re “dying to visit Dalian” – now prove it.

80 | OCTOBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM