That's Beijing - November 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 11 月份国内统一刊号: CN 11-5232/GO China Intercontinental Press

ISSN 1672-8025

NOVEMBER 2017

How One Company is Selling Dreams and Dish Soap in China

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主管单位 : 中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室 Supervised by the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China 主办单位 : 五洲传播出版社地址 : 北京西城月坛北街 26 号恒华国际商务中心南楼 11 层文化交流中心邮编 100045 Published by China Intercontinental Press Address: 11th Floor South Building, HengHua linternational Business Center, 26 Yuetan North Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100045, PRC http://www.cicc.org.cn 社长 President of China Intercontinental Press 陈陆军 Chen Lujun 期刊部负责人 Supervisor of Magazine Department 邓锦辉 Deng Jinhui 编辑 Editor 朱莉莉 Zhu Lili 发行 Circulation 李若琳 Li Ruolin

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, Sky Thomas Gidge, Yuka Hayashi, Vivian Liu, Zaruf Ezhan, Qinxin Lu, Holly Baer, Gabriel Clermont, Tan Siok Siok, Marco Costantini

HK FOCUS MEDIA Shanghai (Head office) 上海和舟广告有限公司上海市蒙自路 169 号智造局 2 号楼 305-306 室邮政编码 : 200023 Room 305-306, Building 2, No.169 Mengzi Lu, Shanghai 200023 电话 : 021-8023 2199 传真 : 021-8023 2190 (From February 13)

Location: 08-10 Podium Floor W3 Building Oriental Plaza, Wangfujing Behind the Elevator at W3 Lobby

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Beijing 广告代理 : 上海和舟广告有限公司北京市东城区东直门外大街 48 号东方银座 C 座 9G 邮政编码 : 100027 48 Dongzhimenwai Dajie Oriental Kenzo (Ginza Mall), Building C, Room 9G, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100027 电话 : 010-8447 7002 传真 : 010-8447 6455 Guangzhou 上海和舟广告有限公司广州分公司广州市越秀区麓苑路 42 号大院 2 号楼 610 房邮政编码 : 510095 Room 610, No. 2 Building, Area 42, Lu Yuan Lu, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, PRC 510095 电话 : 020-8358 6125, 传真 : 020-8357 3859-800

Happy Hour 18:00--20:00 Everyday Craft Beer Buy 1 Get 1 Free

Shenzhen 广告代理 : 上海和舟广告有限公司广州分公司深圳市福田区彩田路星河世界大厦 C1-1303 C1-1303, Galaxy Century Building, Cai Tian Road, Futian District, Shenzhen 电话 : 0755-8623 3220, 传真 : 0755-8623 3219 Office Manager Vivid Zhu Sales Manager Emma Cao Sales Jessica Zhou, Anita Wang, Betty Wang National Operation

Location: 11-15 Podium Floor W3 Building Oriental Plaza, Wangfujing

TEL :010-56075290

CEO Leo Zhou Sales Project Director Henry Zeng Head of Communication Ned Kelly Financial Manager Laura Lu HR/Admin Director Penny Li Head of Digital Vickie Guo Digital Content Manager Bridget O'Donnell Digital Miller Yue, Amanda Bao, Orange Wang, Yu Sun, Elsa Yang, Jimmy Mi General enquiries (010) 8447 7002 Editorial (010) 8447 6455 bjeditor@urbanatomy.com Events (010) 8447 6455 bjevents@urbanatomy.com Distribution/Subscription (010) 8447 7002 bjdistribution@urbanatomy.com Marketing (010) 8447 7603 bjmarketing@urbanatomy.com Advertising (010) 8447 7073 bjadvertising@urbanatomy.com

广告经营许可证 : 京海工商广字第 8069 号法律顾问 : 大成律师事务所魏君贤律师 Legal Advisor: Wei Junxian, Dacheng Law Firm 国际标准刊号 ISSN 1672-8025 国内统一刊号 CN 11-5232/GO 定价 : 25.00 元邮发代号 : 2-930 部分非卖品 , 仅限赠阅 2 | NOVEMBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

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Editor’s Note

NOVEMBER 2017

DEALS We're giving away tickets to some of

I stumbled upon this month’s cover story because I wanted a donut. I was at the newest branch of Dunkin Donuts, you know, “checking it out for the magazine,” when I noticed something strange: I was the only one there. And yet Rich & Jay, the cafe next door, was packed. I’d heard of neither Rich nor Jay, but their faces were everywhere – on the cafe’s walls, to-go cups and merch. It was… creepy. The more I explored this wing of Sanlitun’s new Pacific Century Plaza, the more I found to be creeped out by. Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel are the founders of Amway, the massive American direct-selling company, that’s frequently been accused of being a pyramid scheme. The Rich & Jay cafe is inside Beijing’s first Amway Experience Center, where on-site tour guides lead visitors through museum-like displays about the company with an almost cult-like fervor. Again, creepy. Amway, which stands for American Way, has a rocky history in China – the government banned it, along with other companies it deemed pyramid schemes, in 1998, but allowed it back in 2005, under strict regulations. With the Chinese government threatening a new pyramid scheme crackdown this year, I wondered – how will Amway get around this? Do these massive Experience Centers have anything to do with it? And what is the ‘American Way,’ anyway? Read about all of this in this month’s cover story (p. 42). Elsewhere in the magazine, Dominic Ngai details the surprising history behind China’s pretty-boy pop stars (p. 10); Erica Martin talks to ‘desert blues’ legends Tinariwen (p. 34); and Dominique Wong takes us both to Singapore (p. 24) and a creepy-as-hell teddy bear restaurant (p. 59). Until next month,

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 A BIKER’S HIGH(WAY) Beijing’s highway for bicycles gets the go-ahead

8 PLEBS VS CELEBS Young and old Beijingers on whether they follow celebrities

10 THE FRAGILE STARS The link between Confucius and xiaoxianrou

18 LIFE & STYLE 21 SCENE & HEARD

This month’s new openings are in Sanlitun, obviously

20 ONE FOR ALL A guide to the Formula One x Asia

28 KEEP IT UNDER WRAPS 21

Cool scarfs to keep you warm this winter

30 ARTS 34 THE BLUES CREW Introducing Mali desert blues rockers Tinariwen

36 HIS DARK MATERIALS

DJ Josh Cheon on catharsis and The Cure

37 SOUNDS GOOD A closer look at new China album releases

52 EAT & DRINK 57 THE BARBECUE KING Jing-A’s new brewpub is a game changer

58 NO FILTER The man behind Beijing cafe guide Black White Filter

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59 CHARLIE CHAPLIN …strikes again with Chaplin Bar & Kitchen

42 THE AMERICAN DREAM The dramatic past – and future – of direct-selling schemes in China

14 HUTONG CALLING Beijing’s alleyways, before the bricks

P40

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CITY

ANOTHER TIME

A photo book captures the city's hutongs before the bricks, p14

Generation Gap p8

Robocops p8

Chinese Urban Dictionary p17

TALES OF THE CITY

BEIJING’S “BICYCLE HIGHWAY” GETS THE GREEN LIGHT by Justine Lopez

Beijing may soon be home to its first-ever “bicycle highway” – a two-lane roadway that will be completely dedicated to cyclists. The proposed expressway will stretch 9km and connect the northwest areas of Huilongguan and Shangdi with tech hub Zhongguancun. Although the project is still in its research phases, construction is expected to begin next year, China Daily reports. The announcement was made by Beijing city center deputy director Gan Feng early last month, but plans have been in the works since last year. Although the specifics of the project are yet to be released, initial plans show that the road will have two lanes, be 5 to 7 meters wide and consist of both elevated and ground-level tracks. The issue with existing ‘bicycle-only’ paths and lanes in the capital is that they are often overrun with cars and motorbikes. The proposed bicycle highway will avoid this by being built away from other streets and highways. In addition, e-bikes and motorbikes will be strictly prohibited from using the road. Beijing isn’t the first Chinese city to devise such an idea. A 7.6km elevated bike path was completed in Xiamen in February. The difference is that Xiamen’s path (pictured above) is intended for exercise and leisure,

whereas the capital’s bicycle expressway is being built specifically for commuters. Traffic between the areas of Huilongguan, Shangdi and Zhongguancun has become notorious in recent years, and it’s estimated that one-fifth of residents living in Huilongguan work in Zhongguancun and 16 percent work in Shangdi. The new expressway would help ease traffic and reduce commute times. So far, the bicycle highway is welcome news to locals. “Of course I will use it,” Hu Xia, a resident of Huilongguan who works in Zhongguancun, tells That’s Beijing. “I found out about this news last year. [I think it's a good idea] because it will shorten my time to work, and I liked traveling by bike in my spare time before I had a baby. So when I heard the news, I was excited.” It will only take 20 to 30 minutes to cycle from Huilongguan to Zhongguancun via the expressway, whereas the commute currently takes roughly one hour by car. The new road will also ease traffic on public transportation – such as buses and subways – much to the relief of commuters. “You know, it's very crowded when you go to work by subway during rush hour," Hu says. In addition to easing traffic congestion,

Beijing officials also hopes this will promote green modes of transportation in a smogriddled city. With the bicycle highway, Beijing is capitalizing on the current shared-bike trend that has swept the capital in the past year. There are currently 2.4 million shared bikes in Beijing – so many that the local government banned new shared bikes from entering the city in September. The bicycle expressway is just one of many bike-oriented projects currently underway in the capital. Beijing also plans to construct 600km of pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes by the end of this year and 3,200km of pedestrian and bicycle paths by 2020.

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THE BUZZ GENERATION GAP

ZHANG, 17

Do you follow celebrity news and gossip?

FALLIN' FOR YOU A woman captures autumn foliage in Sanlitun last month. photo by Frank Verburg

“No, I don’t follow celebrity gossip, and I never really cared to either. I feel like celebrities have literally no connection to me, and what they do in their private lives is none of my business. Besides, to me, they are living very abnormal, unordinary lives with little to no actual societal contribution. I’d rather know more about the lives of scientists who actually contribute to society in countless ways.”

LIU, 75

A COP OUT

“I do, but only those of the actors that I like, such as [Anhui actor] Li-li Liu. I usually like celebrities with very good acting skills, so I’m interested in knowing more about them besides their acting talents.” As told to Yuka Hayashi

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Police robots were out in force during last month’s Golden Week. Stationed near Tiananmen Square, the bots were equipped with facial recognition software and an extendable electroshock arm, reports The Daily Mail. A voice emanating from a speaker attached to each machine reminded tourists to “please queue in an orderly fashion and cooperate with security inspections. Please produce your identification documents and do not push or shove.” The robots were reportedly used as part of a trial, with the aim of easing police officers’ workloads.

E D I T E D B Y D O MINI Q UE W O N G / bj e di t o r @ ur b a n a t o m y.c o m

‘Snow affairs work team’ (n): … is the length, in kilometers, that two university students rollerskated from Jining, Shandong, to Beijing during last month’s National Holiday. The trip took the two men more than five days to complete, with about eight hours of skating each day. After meeting at a university roller-skating club, Xing Jiarui and Men Dengqiang discovered a mutual desire to travel long-distance on skates, according to Beijing Youth Daily. In Beijing, the duo visited attractions like Tiananmen Square, National Stadium and… a big skating rink.

A group of experts from snow-abundant countries, such as Finland and Canada, that have been appointed by the Beijing Organizing Committee to help research ways to make and preserve snow for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games to be held in Beijing, according to a ‘2017 Beijing Fact File’ produced by the municipal government last month, according to The Associated Press. The team aims to solve Beijing’s lack of snowfall problem before the capital hosts the games.

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CIT Y | F E AT URE

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F E AT URE | CIT Y

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CIT Y | F E AT URE

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F E AT URE | CIT Y

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CI T Y | P HO T O E S S AY

Beijing-Based Photographer Documents Dongcheng’s Hutongs Before Their Transformation photos by Tan Siok Siok

hotographed by Beijing-based photographer Tan Siok Siok, the narrow hutong alleyways near Lama Temple don’t entirely exist. At least, not as shown here. For her photo book Ren Zai Beijing, Tan accidentally created a time capsule. She captured everyday scenes along Fangjia Hutong and other nearby hutongs with her iPhone, not knowing they’d be bricked over – or as official parlance goes, ‘beautified’ – just a few months later. The Singapore-native has taken photos of her neighborhood as a “creative challenge,” daily for the past five years. As Tan tells That’s Beijing: “What fascinated me was the impermanence of everything in the hutongs.” The past few months of construction have made Tan’s point all too clear. “It feels like the timing was fortuitous and now I’ve captured a tiny slice of history,” the photographer says. “Within the span of seven years, I’ve seen Fangjia Hutong go from a quiet alley to ‘hipster grand central’ with bars, restaurants and cafes and now back to being a quiet hutong. “I miss my old haunts that have moved out of Fangjia since the city renovation. [But] I’m curious to find out how the hutong will be transformed. I hope the efforts will be creative and imaginative and we’ll see a revitalized hutong.” But for now, Tan’s stark black-and-white images depict the area as many of us came to know it – and are unlikely to see again.

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P HO T O E S S AY | CI T Y

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CITY | PHOTOGRAPHY

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CHINESE URBAN DICTIONARY | CITY

We live in a divided world, and China is no exception. Chinese modern life comes with any number of opportunities for us to disagree. Is milk powder good? Is Facebook bad? Is buying knockoffs on Taobao more ethical than shopping at H&M? Is ordering Sherpas on a rainy day helping or harming the delivery men? Any position on any detail of modern life can invite attack and offend those around you, including those you call friends. Sometimes such disagreements are so insurmountable that your friend might say: “I just can’t be friends with someone who holds such beliefs. We are youjin from now on.” Meaning: “Our friendship has ended.” There are many brilliant poetic expressions of youjin on the Chinese Internet, from “now you’re just somebody I used to know” to “the fountain of our friendship has run dry.” But they all mean the same thing: you were friends until you ran up against some irreconcilable difference, which makes the friendship impossible and now you must end it. Besides political views, other things that are known for leading to youjin include: borrowing money, not liking your friends’ WeChat moments, setting up a WeChat group chat that doesn't include your friends and posting photos of your friends that haven't been beautified by Meitu Xiuxiu yet. However, there is a more optimistic exception, where youjin means a new romantic relationship is about to start where an old friendship ended. (Think Monica and Chandler in Friends.) If someone declares youjin with you, it is possible that he or she simply has too many romantic feelings about you to remain friends. If that’s the case, you two are youjin no matter whether it works out or not. But this happier version of youjin seems to happen to TV show characters way more than the rest of us. If someone claims they are youjin with you, it’s probably because of something like them refusing to eat gluten, while you don’t believe that’s a thing. Mia Li

Youjin/ Yǒujìn / 友尽 phrase, “our friendship has ended” How can you watch Harvey Weinstein films? I like Shakespeare in Love. But you are supporting an alleged rapist!

I can like his movies without endorsing his behaviors.

No you can’t. We are youjin. Don't call me ever again.

SHANDONG SPECIALTIES From now till 30 November

6 7

Known as one of the eight Chinese cuisines, Shandong is renowned for its bold and imperial flavors. Traced back to its history of the Ming and Qing dynasties, Chef Kent Jin prepares his tribute to Shandong cuisine at our award-winning Made in China. LOBBY LEVEL, GRAND HYATT BEIJING AT ORIENTAL PLAZA 1 EAST CHANG AN AVENUE, BEIJING PLEASE CALL +86 10 6510 9024 OR EMAIL TO RESERVATION.BEIGH@HYATT.COM.

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LIFE &

STYLE THE RACE IS ON

Tales from the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix, p24

New Openings p21

Bookstore Design p22

Scarves p28

SPOTLIGHT

GRANT PEARCE

Editorial Director, sia acific Interview by Dominic Ngai

Since starting his media career at Condé Nast almost two decades ago, Grant Pearce has been an important voice in the fashion world. The editorial director for G Asia Pacific since 2008, Pearce is responsible for guiding the direction of the brand’s China and Japan editions, and has also advised on the launches of GQ Thailand, GQ Style Korea and Condé Nast Traveller China. Can you tell us about how you became interested in fashion, and how you started your career in media? My career started in Sydney when I took a job as a storeman and packer at a textile company. I met many fashion designers and boutique owners and was quickly attracted to fashion. One thing led to another, and I was offered a fashion assistant role with Mode magazine and soon became the fashion editor. In 1998, I was offered to join Condé Nast in a marketing role for Vogue Australia. Soon after I launched GQ Australia, and almost 10 years ago, I was asked to be part of the launch of GQ China and to take the role of editorial director for G Asia Pacific. The rest is history.

What are some of the most memorable photo shoots that you’ve been involved in recently?

What are your responsibilities as the edio i i o o i ii

I am excited to see so many emerging Chinese designers who are carving out a unique place in the fashion world. A few that have made an impact on me are Xander Zhou, Pronounce and Uma Wang. My favorite store, Dong Liang, has supported the rise of emerging Chinese designers and has an excellent selection: I always find something that catches my eye there.

I have different responsibilities in different markets, but the main influence is on the overall visual image and fashion direction, including photo shoots that take me all over the world. This is definitely one of my favorite parts of the job. With the ever-changing media landscape, I work closely with the publishers on business solutions and client relationships. This is super important, as all the digital and social platforms need to be a part of the brand for it to be successful. However, print will always have a place in the fashion market and it is the cornerstone for our brands.

The recent ones that I love include the fashion story I shot with celebrity F1 driver Lewis Hamilton on The Great Wall for GQ China, and the one I shot with Akira [from Japanese super group Exile] in New York’s Polo Bar for GQ Japan. These guys were true gentlemen and really loved the clothes, styling and experience, which made it a pleasure to produce. Who are some of your favorite young Chinese designers and labels?

What are some of your favorite fashion items at the moment? The perfect cashmere track pants, a bikerstyle leather jacket and skinny denim jeans. The older I get the more important classic pieces become.

What are some important menswear trends to watch this winter? Coats are key this season, and there are many different styles on offer, from the newest oversized silhouette to a classic trench with a twist. Checkered prints are a must-have, and the most dynamic trend is ‘athleisure,’ which combines the practical applications of sportswear with luxury fabrics and modern styling. Which menswear trend or fad do you wish to never see again? I am a little tired of seeing skirts on the menswear runways, as I do not believe it will ever become a mainstream trend. Obviously, there have been excellent examples where it has had a true place and meaning, like the amazing collections created by Comme des Garcons and Rick Owens. You travel a lot for work… what are a few of your travel essentials? On every trip, I travel with Rimowa luggage, a Louis Vuitton keepall, a vintage Rolex watch… and good eye drops. Bloodshot eyes on arrival is not a good look! Find out more at gq.com.cn

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STYLE RADAR UNDER THE LENS

UNDER THE LENS

DIOR X ANGELABABY, CARINA LAU AND ZHAO LIYING

DOE / Levi’s TYPE III Truck Jacket

“And you, what would you do for love?” ask actors Angelababy, Carina Lau and Zhao Liying in English in a short Dior video ad published last month. But instead of generating more buzz for the brand’s #DiorLoveChain campaign, the focus of the media coverage and comments from netizens are on Zhao’s heavy accent and awkward delivery of these eight simple words. Days after the video was published, Dior pulled the ad from their official channels, but remnants of the footage can still be found on various video streaming sites. https://v.qq.com/x/page/v0562c3qoz3.html

A longtime collaborator of DOE, Levi’s has recently partnered again with the Shanghai-born streetwear brand to roll out a special edition of their classic TYPE III Truck Jacket (RMB1,299). First introduced 50 years ago in the US, this newest crossover item is available in two colors – ‘indigo’ (blue) and ‘noir’ (black). There’s also a third color – ‘peachy’ (pink) – but it’s only for friends and family and is not available to the public. Find these jackets in DOE outlets and on their official website. doeshanghai.com

OVERHEARD

“We can show the world how powerful Chinese scalpers are”

…writes one Weibo user following the news that the 2017 Victoria's Secret fashion show will take place in Shanghai, for the first time ever, at the end of this month. While it has always been an invitation-only event, one seller on Taobao is advertising tickets for RMB90,000 apiece, and claims he has six of these to sell. Taylor Swift and Harry Styles are rumored to be part of the performance lineup, and the event will be broadcast on CBS in the US on November 28. Another commenter adds, "RMB90,000 for a ticket? Guess I'll be watching this on TV instead."

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E D I T E D B Y D O MINI C N G A I / bj e di t o r @ ur b a n a t o m y.c o m

COVET

ZEST FOR LIFE The harsh reality is that most offthe-shelf skincare products are packed with harmful ingredients (yes, including the body wash you bought yesterday from Watsons). But lately we’ve noticed more and more natural products available in Beijing. Like Zest. Handmade by Beijing resident Swannie Virapin, Zest products (RMB25-75) are made from ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter, and include lip balms, deodorant, coffee scrub and body wash. Bring in your used containers to receive a discount. Add WeChat ID: ninisnowy

SCENE&HEARD

SUPERFIT Do we even need to write a description for this? The name says it all: coffee, antiques. The space next to the old American Apparel in Nali Patio (RIP) now houses old leather sofas, coffee tables and cabinets. It also serves third-wave coffee, because who doesn’t these days? Ironically for a furniture shop, the decor is pretty bare. But we’ll give them points for letting us sit on their furniture, undisturbed, for as long as we wanted.

Superfit is like a gym on ’roids: there are two boxing rings, cardio machines for days, an entire upstairs level dedicated to different types of yoga and a meditation room, plus an ‘NBA-standard’ basketball court (or so we are told by an employee). The 10,000sqm gym is in soft opening, due to ongoing construction of the outdoor pool. But, apart from the pool, the rest of the gym looks pretty legit. Exercise classes are held daily and an onsite restaurant-cafe serves up meals like salads (of course) and beef sirloin. Additional activities include cosmetics classes and community events. Online, the gym tags itself as a “movement” and an “ideology.” You decide.

Daily, 10am-8pm; 1/F Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北街 81号那里花园1/F

50 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工人体育场西路50号 (6551 9880 www.superfiteast.com)

COFFEE X ANTIQUE

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LIFE & STYLE | INTERIORS

HOLE IN THE WALL The Design Behind a Fireworks-CompanyTurned-Bookstore words by Dominic Ngai, photos by Zhang Zheming

Project name Reedom Bookstore Location Changsha, Hunan Building area 60sqm Designer Cao Pu Studio The brief Completed in 1992, Changsha’s Firework Mansion once served as a dormitory for workers at the now-defunct Firecrackers & Fireworks Import and Export Company. While it used to be the city’s tallest building, the 17-story structure is now overshadowed by numerous skyscrapers, and what’s left behind are retired workers and elderly residents. In 2016, a two-bedroom apartment on the top floor of the building was taken over by a group of local writers, artists and poets. They commissioned Cao Pu Studio to convert their regular haunt into an independent bookstore to share their favorite reading materials with the general public, while also acting as a place for their neighbors to hang out.

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Reedom’s WeChat QR code is incorporated into Firework Mansion’s mosaic exterior. Guests can scan the code through the windows and multiples openings within the walls of the store.

INTERIORS | LIFE & STYLE

Bookcases create partitions and private spaces for reading. The extra shelving allows Reedom to stock nearly 5,000 volumes of books within the 60sqm space. The original two-bedroom apartment was built with thick concrete walls and had very little natural light coming through its tiny windows. To make it more suitable for reading, the team at Cao Pu decided to enlarge the windows, and also created several openings to allow light to flow naturally throughout the space.

Large French windows face the city, mimicking the view from the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rooftop.

Wooden frames surrounding holes in the walls also serve as desks. During summertime, these holes also allow cool air from the A/C to travel from one room to another.

Wall holes also add layers and depth to the space, making it seem more spacious and visually appealing.

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LIFE & ST YLE | F E AT URE

It’s always sunny in Singapore – especially when you get to watch the Formula One, Dominique Wong discovers. About an hour before the race, it starts to rain. At first, just a little bit – nothing major. But, soon enough, the event staff starts handing out flimsy ponchos to the spectators gathered on the terrace. “It’s fine,” a media colleague tells me, as we hastily throw on our ponchos before continuing to watch the glistening racetrack below. “This won’t affect the race.” (The back of my pass literally reads ‘RAIN OR SHINE EVENT.’) ‘The race’ is the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix. Held at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, this year marks the 10th year of the Singapore edition. Part of the FIA Formula One World Championship – the revered single-seat series of auto races – the Singapore event is the world’s inaugural Formula One night race and the first street circuit in Asia. Somehow, I, the person with the least knowledge of motor racing in my F1-mad family, luck out with a round-trip business class flight and Grand Prix Sky Suite pass, courtesy of Thai Airways. I had been to Singapore once before and thought it humid and clean. But mention the sovereign state to others and they are quick to write it off as any or all of the following: unexciting, sanitary and strict. You can’t chew gum or jaywalk, they say. But that’s simply the price you pay for a spotless city-state. The Lion City is terrifically comfortable and, contrary to what Instagram would have you believe, offers plenty besides Marina Bay rooftop pools. Like street hawker stalls and even Starbucks food that doesn’t suck. That being said, my weekend visit is strictly on the ‘fancy’ side. From my relaxed stay at Concorde Hotel Singapore on Orchard

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oad to the Thai Airways flight and F1 tickets, it’s a lavish trip. I discover that the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix is more than just a race. It’s a massive festival spread across multiple stadiums, including performances by Calvin Harris and Ariana Grande – though I skip both, too far away – as well as ageless rocker Seal. And it’s a buffet and open bar – in the Sky Suite, anyway; which, by the way, has a great view of the Seal set. Yet, despite the international-level entertainment, and despite having close to zero knowledge about F1 (other than a Wiki dive into racing legend Ayrton Senna beforehand due to family pressure), I’m most excited about the race. It helps that I have the best view possible of the track right in front of me – the first corner turn. Fast fact time: The first corner is one of 23 turns on the 5.065km Singapore track. That’s more turns than any other current Formula One circuit. Drivers are scheduled to complete 61 laps, with temperatures inside cockpits reaching a scorching 60 degrees Celsius. The nature of the street circuit means that, over a six-day period surrounding race day, wide swaths of central Singapore are affected by road closures, disrupting the daily lives of locals. When I talk to

F E AT URE | LIFE & ST YLE

Left page: Singapore Grand Prix staff take a selfie; a spectator views the F1 from the Sky Suite Terrace; This page: Ferrari driver Räikkönen rounds the first corner; the crowd watches the race (all photos by Josh Cahill)

Singaporean friends about the Grand Prix, they complain that their commute has been doubled because of it, but then they also ask, “Hey, can you sneak me in?” On the Sky Suite terrace, my media friends and I make a faux bet about the winner: Either the favorite, Sebastian Vettel, four-time winner of this very Grand Prix, or Lewis Hamilton, who is, well, Lewis Hamilton, touted as the best driver of his generation. By the start of the race, the rain has stopped, but it doesn’t take long for the bet to implode. On the first lap, just before the first corner, Ferrari driver Vettel and his teammate Kimi Räikkönen collide with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, resulting in a barrier crash (that also collects a fourth driver). It’s painful to watch. The drivers emerge unscathed but are forced to retire from the race. Afterwards, 20-year-old Verstappen says that it was Vettel’s fault (“He started squeezing me”). Video footage of the two Ferraris sandwiching the Red Bull car becomes an Internet meme. The Ferrari team blames Verstappen. Yet race officials clear all three from fault. Post-crash, a safety car (I had never heard of this term before)

is brought out to drive in front of the pack for a few laps, before Hamilton’s green and silver Mercedes takes the lead. The race continues for almost two more hours, but compared to the first exciting minutes, these are largely unremarkable. Cars lap the track, more drivers smash out and Hamilton continues his lead – eventually winning. During the final lap, fireworks light up the Singapore skyline. The crowd cheers on Hamilton, the Grand Prix and their hundreds (or thousands, depending on the ticket) of dollars spent. But it’s not really the end. On the first day of the 2017 Singapore event race, organizers signed a four-year contract extension with Formula One Management, until 2021. So, what was sold as maybe the final Singapore Grand Prix merely turns out to be another spectacle. How grand. Thai Airways provided our flights; the airline offers flights daily from Beijing to Singapore via Bangkok. Our hotel stay was courtesy of Concorde Hotel Singapore, the airline's hotel partner, providing guest rooms for cabin crews of Thai Airways in Singapore.

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LIFE & ST YLE | F E AT URE

PHOTO BY SHAWN ONG

FORMULA ONE x ASIA If you want to catch the F1 in Asia but aren’t so keen on Singapore, here are your other options (at the time of writing):

CHINESE GRAND PRIX Shanghai International Circuit: 2004-present When 2018 dates are April 6-8. Where Shanghai, China. Did you know It was the most expensive Formula One circuit facility at completion in 2004 (US$240 million). It’s since been surpassed by Abu Dhabi (US$6 billion).

JAPANESE GRAND PRIX Suzuka Circuit: 2003-present When 2018 dates are October 5-7. Where Suzaka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Did you know The Suzuka Circuit is one of the most iconic in Formula One due to its storied history: The longstanding feud between Brazilian hero Ayrton Senna and Frenchman Alain Prost, both considered the best at the time, played out multiple times at the venue. Its placement as one of the last races of the season means that it is often a title-decider for racers.

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BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX Bahrain International Circuit: 20042009; 2011-present When 201 dates are April 13-15. Where Sakhir, Bahrain. Did you know The Bahrain Grand Prix was the first Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East. The race was cancelled in 2011 due to the 2011 Bahraini protests.

ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX Yas Marina Circuit: 2009-present When 201 dates are November 23-25. Where Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Did you know The inaugural race was Formula One’s first ever day-night race, with a 5pm start (local time).

PHOTO SUPPLIED BY CONCORDE HOTEL SINGAPORE

AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX Baku City Circuit: 2017-present When 2018 dates are April 27-29. Where Baku, Azerbaijan. Did you know The inaugural race at the circuit, in 2016, was named the European Grand Prix. According to a statement last December by Baku City Circuit executive director Arif Rahimov: “We wanted to position our country as a part of Europe and to showcase our European mentality to the world. [However] we now feel it is the right time to rename our race.” Note: Azerbaijan is a ‘transcontinental’ country, as it’s located in both Europe and Asia.

MID-AUTUMN DELIGHTS AT OAKWOOD RESIDENCE DAMEI BEIJING Beijing’s premier ser viced residence offers more than just luxury housing. Last month the Residence’s long term guests enjoyed a festive Appreciation Dinner. In addition to getting to know their neighbors the guests were treated to a tea ceremony, traditional arts and crafts as well as a lucky draw. Live Chinese music set the mood.

LIFE & STYLE | FASHION

Complete Your Winter Look and Stay Comfortably Warm compiled by Dominic Ngai

Scarves can be a utilitarian accessory to keep you warm during the winter, but they can also spice up your look. From classic to playful, here are a few of our top picks.

4 FOR HER

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Burberry, RMB3,900

Gap, RMB299

H&M, RMB99.90

Louis Vuitton, RMB6,150

Beams, RMB890

burberry.cn

gap.cn

hm.com

louisvuitton.cn

beams.co.jp

FASHION | LIFE & STYLE

FOR HIM

Gap, RMB249

Gucci, RMB3,750

H&M, RMB149

Beams, RMB1,780

gap.cn

Gucci.cn

hm.com

beams.co.jp Louis Vuitton, RMB4,750 louisvuitton.cn

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ARTS

ART DECO

A look closer at Shanghaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art deco architecture, p38

DJ Josh Cheon p36

New Music p37

Pick of Six p40

DRUMROLL

PAUL VAN DYK The Grammy-winning DJ Returns after a Near-Death Injury interview by Erica Martin

One of the world’s most recognized DJs, Paul van Dyk practically invented trance music. He then went on to win a Grammy and the No. 1 spot on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJ List twice. But at a performance in The Netherlands last year, van Dyk fell through a gap in the stage and suffered severe spinal and brain injuries, putting him out of commission for months. We caught up with PvD before his first postrecovery China tour. Tell us a bit about your upcoming album, From Then On. How does it connect to your time recovering from injury? This is the most personal album I have made in my career. All these songs are close to my heart and were made in the months following the accident. There was a time when I wasn’t sure if I’d walk again, let alone make music, so the joy I experienced in the sessions while making these tracks was like none other. There was no A&R manager pushing certain songs or a particular direction for this album. Instead it’s a collection of songs that are extremely meaningful to me. I hope my fans enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it. What is it about trance music that causes so many people to become lifelong fans? To me, trance is one of purest and most euphoric types of music. I’ve always made hightempo, melodic electronic music throughout my career. From Then On is certainly much more of a true trance record than a lot of the

pop EDM music you hear these days. I think fans of trance will always be attracted to the primal energy of the music and uplifting, inclusive nature of trance shows. n u o o i i n Will we see this in the visuals at your China shows? A lot of the visuals – in terms of the music videos and artwork – are very futuristic and revolve around the theme of finding your utopia. The album is very interconnected with my new live show, AEON by Paul van Dyk. You’ll have to check out the show to see how it all works together! But basically, it is about learning how to let go in order to find happiness. What do you think about the gap between EDM shows at major festivals versus more underground electronic music? Well I think it’s more than just a divide between the underground and the mainstream. When I first started my career, electronic music was always part of the underground. Today, what is considered ‘electronic dance music’ is essentially pop music that borrows elements of electronic music, and is very mainstream. I think the line between electronic and pop music has been blurred, and so has the line between underground and mainstream. There are varying degrees to whether music is electronic or pop, mainstream or underground – it’s not as black and white as it once was.

Looking back on your career, how does i o n on o i o in in n ion o o o ou in o in in changed since you were starting out? I am very humbled, because when I first started there were literally a couple hundred people in all of Berlin who appreciated this music! I never expected to play outside of Germany, let alone around the world. This was such a niche genre when I first started my career. I don’t think anyone would have expected it to grow into the massive commercialized industry that it is today. While I’m grateful for the success I’ve had, I think I’d still be making music and DJing even if electronic music never took off like it had. I do this for the love of the music rather than the fame that comes along with it. Sun Nov 12,9pm; tickets TBD; Elements Club, 58 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工人体育场西路58号 (tickets via www.gopiaowu.com)

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COLLAGE CANVASSED

COMING SOON

Stephen Chow, Tsui Hark, Ang Lee Named Most Powerful Filmmakers in China NOVEMBER 10

Murder on the Orient Express Murder on the Orient Express is one of Agatha Christie’s most famous novels, featuring iconic detective Hercule Poirot. Kenneth Branagh directs and stars as Poirot in this sumptuous, slightly campy film adaptation, sporting his best Belgian accent and the most dramatic silver mustache ever depicted onscreen. Penelope Cruz, Johnny Depp, Daisy Ridley and Judi Dench also play some of the passengers Poirot suspects of having committed murder on a luxurious train trip across Europe. Scheduled for a simultaneous release with the US, this film marks the fourth time in which Christie’s novel has been adapted for the screen since it was first published in 1934.

Justice League

NOVEMBER 17

Justice League is the latest celebrity-packed superhero blockbuster and the fifth installment in the DC Extended Universe. The film picks up after the tragic events at the end of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (no spoilers, though if you watch the Justice League trailer you’ll get some), and sees Wonder Woman (Gal Godot) and Batman (Ben Affleck) assemble a team of ‘metahumans’ including the Flash (Ezra Miller) and Aquaman (Jason Momoa) to take down Steppenwolf (Ciar n Hinds), an immortal from the nightmarish planet of Apokolips who leads an army of parademons.

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Last month, popular WeChat platform Yiqipaidianying released a list ranking the 100 most ‘powerful’ filmmakers in China. In order to decide on the rankings, the publication analyzed each filmmaker’s score on major domestic film rating websites like Douban, their media coverage and their box office totals from 2005 onward. Stephen Chow landed at the top, still riding off the success of 2016’s The Mermaid, while Vietnamese-Chinese director Tsui Hark and Taiwan’s Ang Lee took the second and third spots. Other highly ranked directors included Jiang Wen (No. 4), Feng Xiaogang of I Am Not Madam Bovary (No. 5), Zhang Yimou of Red Sorghum and The Great Wall (No. 6), Chen Kaige of Farewell My Concubine (No. 7), and Wu Jing of Wolf Warrior 2 (No. 10). Noticeably absent from the top 10 were several directors who have massive followings in the West, like Wong Kar-wai, who clocks in at No. 19, and Jia Zhangke, who is far lower on the list at No. 61.

Hao China’s film festival scene is booming, and the latest addition is the Pingyao Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Festival, which runs through November 4. Founded by leading Sixth Generation filmmaker Jia Zhangke and marketed as China’s answer to Cannes, the festival will be held in Pingyao, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jia’s home province, Shanxi. Ang Lee gave Jia permission to name the festival after his celebrated film, and there will be “Crouching Tiger” and “Hidden Dragon” segments of the program, which focus on genre films and emerging directors, respectively.

Bu Hao After the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced last month that Wolf Warrior 2 was China’s official Oscar contender for the Best Foreign Language Film category, debate raged online. Many argued that the commercial action film lacks the level of artistic merit needed for consideration, while some viewers said it makes sense that the nation’s highest-grossing film of all time would be put forth as the best. The official Oscar nominees will be announced on January 23.

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

上海

北京

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

瞪大眼

DIRTY FINGERS

0ME "VOUJFT

老阿姨

Ugly

Girls

GIG POSTER OF THE MONTH Chicago TV dance show Chic-a-Go-Go visits China for the first time ever this month. The popular show is inspired by American Bandstand and is known for featuring a range of artists and dancers. For the Beijing leg of the tour, the group stop off at School Bar for a live punk dance party featuring punk legends Subs, Demerit and the Sino Hearts. Fri Nov 10, 9.30pm; RMB80; School Bar (see Listings for details)

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

‘Still Life’ (2016) Mechatok

Straight up classical (the producer is classically trained) until just after the one-minute mark, when it turns into a classic techno-house track.

‘It’s Only Real’ (2015)

‘Always Like This’ (2013) HVOB

Duo Her Voice Over Boys’ cover of the Bombay Bicycle Club’s track is less frenetic indie band, more synth-infused and chill.

‘Tiwàyyen’ (2017) Tinariwen

Rock ’n roll never sounded so desert – or so good – in this rollicking blues-infused track by the Grammy-award-winning Mali band.

Denis Sulta

‘Hey Moon!’ (2009)

‘Pelican’s Flight’ (2016)

A deceptively simple-sounding ou u from Glasgow: Growling snares showcase a moody undercurrent that’s both exultant and ominous.

The Swedish singer’s love song to the moon sounds like it could’ve been a track off The O.C. with its charming lyrics and folk-tinged vocals.

Ten minutes of deep house is layered with electronics – equal parts heavy, sinister and majestic, and in that order.

Molly Nilsson

Baikal

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ARTS | MUSIC

The Spotify bio for most bands is fairly uninspiring. Guitarist X met Vocalist Y at private school, where they bonded over a mutual love for skinny jeans and distortion. But for the musicians of Tinariwen, their origins are more meaningful than that: They are a story of survival. Formed in 1979 in Algeria by a group of Tuareg musicians from Mali, Tinariwen began as a local collective that performed at weddings and gatherings of friends while much of the Tuareg community was in exile or in refugee camps due to the political climate in Mali. This community named the band Kel Tinariwen, or ‘Desert Boys’ in the Taureg language Tamasheq, which they later shortened to just Tinariwen, or ‘Deserts.’ Their music, low-key and folksy while also emotionally and politically charged, came to be described as ‘desert blues.’ In the 90s, during a more stable political climate for Mali, Tinariwen began focusing on music full time, catching the attention first of the French music community, and then, gradually the rest of the world. “On the one hand, we are influenced by old traditional Tuareg music such as imzad, tinde [a Tuareg bow instrument and drum] and traditional Arab music,” says Tinariwen bandmember Abdallah Ag Alhousseyni. “But, on the other hand, we are influenced by American blues and rock musicians like Robert Johnson, Jimi Hendrix and Mark Knopfler.” Tinariwen make a point to keep their culture central to

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their aesthetic, and perform wearing traditional Tuareg clothing, though some members have been known to don leather jackets and jeans when not performing. Though a few of the members have achieved fame individually – mainly Ibrahim Ag Alhabib for being the founder of the band – the group is a musical collective who regularly introduce new players and rotate their roster. The same group of musicians has never toured twice, which keeps the emphasis on the music above all. While ‘desert blues’ is used to describe them most often to the outside world, Tinariwen describe their brand of melancholic, guitar-driven blues-rock as ‘assouf,’ a style of Tuareg music based in nostalgia. Similar concepts exist in musical cultures around the world, according to Alhousseyni. “Assouf can be compared to Saudade in Brazilian or Fado in Portugal,” he says. “It’s a feeling of nostalgia about the old days when the Tuaregs were the free people of the desert, without borders.” The delicate melancholy of assouf evokes strong feelings in anyone who misses home or a bygone era, despite the fact that the group sings primarily in Tamasheq, a language few can speak outside the Sahara region. This universality has played a major role in Tinariwen’s growth from a community group to an internationally award-win-

ning act. The group won a Grammy for their 2012 album Tassili, has played major festivals the world over and collaborated with everyone from TV on the adio to Kurt Vile. Even so, the band is still largely categorized and oversimplified by Westerners as ‘world music,’ an umbrella term applied to a vast swath of different genres – essentially any type of music that’s developed outside the Western world (the band’s Grammy award was won in the Best World Music Album category). “World music doesn’t really mean anything to us,” says Alhousseyni. “This is just some label music industry people put on non-Occidental music.” It makes sense, then, that the musicians of Tinariwen are looking forward to debuting in China, another culture often misunderstood by the Western world. “It is a great honor for us,” says Alhousseyni about the chance to tour here. “We have never been to China before, and it is a culture we’re not familiar with, so we are looking forward to meeting people there.” If nothing else, it’s an opportunity to spread their music, which honors the universal concepts of home, freedom and nostalgia. Thu Nov 16, 8pm; RMB260 (advance), RMB300 (door); Tango 3F/Hit FM Live, 3/F, 79 Hepingli Xijie, Dongcheng 东城区和平里西街79号糖果3层 (tickets via yoopay.cn)

MUSIC | ARTS

The Forefathers of Desert Blues on Nostalgia, ‘World Music’ and Their First Foray Through the Mainland by Erica Martin

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ARTS | MUSIC

JOSH CHEON The DJ on Chasing Musicians and Catharsis by Erica Martin

“Dancing is cathartic, and when you throw in a dramatic vocal that people can sing along to, it becomes church” Josh Cheon has always run a decade or two behind schedule. “It is so hard to know exactly where it all started,” he says. “But when I was young, my dad had a huge record collection that I would always get into. So I grew up listening to lots of classic rock and other music that was not of the time. Then as a teenager, I was listening to 80s music in the 90s – while my younger brother was into the Breeders, Offspring and all those indie bands at the time, I was buying The Cure cassettes, which I would make my brother memorize by album color.” Cheon’s fascination specifically with 0s synth and goth rock planted the seeds for the launch of his San Francisco-based record label Dark Entries, which re-releases rare and out-of-print albums from the period. He named the label after the 19 2 song by English band Bauhaus, the track he and his friends listened to over and over as they drove around his native New Jersey as teenagers.

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It’s often tricky to track down the artists Cheon wants to re-release, many of whom are now much older and no longer work in music. But the same stamina that helped him get his brother to memorize Cure albums by color has served him well in this arena. “It took over five years to get a response from Jordi Guber of Velodrome, Metropakt, Lineas Aereas,” he says, citing a recent example of a long and laborious artist chase. “I was in Barcelona for a week, renting an apartment on the same street as his business office. I walked five minutes down the block and introduced myself. I was in total disbelief that I was finally talking to him.” Cheon’s DJ sets span a wide range of influences and sounds, but they are always irresistibly danceable. He’s also one fourth of gay nightlife collective Honey Soundsystem, who are known for throwing some of the most vibrant and refreshingly inclusive queer parties in San Francisco. Cheon’s frequent companion is Honey Soundsystem cohort Bezier, a pro-

ducer who deals in dark, otherworldy disco and who will be performing with Cheon during his China tour at Beijing and Shanghai’s Dada. “I like melody and rhythms and have been listening to music with my ear tuned in since I was a kid,” Cheon says. “Dancing can be cathartic, and when you throw in a dramatic vocal that people can sing along to and remember easily, it becomes church – the freedom to express yourself through music.” Cheon first dropped into Shanghai in 2013. Since that time, he’s incorporated tracks from a few contemporary Chinese producers into his sets, including Tzusing and Mr. Ho. For this month’s trip, he hopes to reach back a few decades and find some vintage Chinese records for his collection. Should they make their way into his Dada sets, it’s all the better for the dance floor. Fri Dec 1, 10pm; Dada (see Listings for details)

MUSIC | ARTS

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

VANISHING CINEMA by Hyph11e

As a core member of Shanghai electronic music collective Genome 6.66MBP, Hyph11e’s debut EP marks an important moment for the local club scene. She named the album after a dream that inspired her to quit her day job and devote herself to music. The opening moments of ‘Black Pepper ’ are comprised of solemn gongs followed by a single animalistic whoop. Then a slow pendulum of bass starts descending, punctuated by occasional bullet-fast beats. The futuristic ‘Speak to Me ’ featuring Sharon Stewart, is another memorable track, blending mumbling female vocals, with glitches, beeps and one notable hawk shriek. All of the tracks explore sound. While bass-heavy, they are slow and sometimes sparse, making use of the contrast between silence and grinding industrial bass. emixes by Tzusing, M.E.S.H. and Kid Antoine round things out by orienting the tracks more toward the dance floor. Listen at https://svbkvlt.bandcamp.com

WE ARE SHANGHAI VOL. 5 by Various Artists

The fifth installment of this Shanghai music showcase founded by expat musician Ivan Belcic was compiled by members of thrash metal band Hitobashira and pop-rockers Pinball City. At 40 tracks, it’s an exhausting listen, but the compilation gains strength from the vein-bulging metal, dubstep, hip-hop, pop-rock and country. ou never know quite what you’re going to hear next. Some of the tracks we found most memorable include ueen of Shanghai and MC Jado’s dub reggae banger ‘ aga Muffin Soldier,’ Ugly Girls’ snarky punk track ‘Fuck Boss’ and ‘Edible Clouds,’ Parachutes on Fire’s breezy ode to edibles. The most apparent takeaway from We Are Shanghai Vol. 5 is that this particular slice of Shanghai’s music scene is as pointedly male as ever, but if you listen closely, there are more diverse and interesting roots gradually spreading. Listen at https://svbkvlt.bandcamp.com

YISHUNQIANJI by Tzusing

Tzusing’s Stockholm Syndrome club night at The Shelter in Shanghai have led to him becoming perhaps the city’s most famous underground DJ and producer. Now based between Shanghai and Taipei, Tzusing dropped his latest release last month on Dubai-based label Bedouin ecords, which also released a record by erstwhile Shanghai producer Pan Daijing earlier this year. On the opening track, ‘Flow State,’ featuring Stockholm Syndrome co-founder Illsee, a loop of zombified throat singing is punctuated by a driving industrial beat and nasal droning. Tzusing is rather adroit at coming up with evocative song names, and ‘Shame’ has a reverberating hum that for some reason calls to mind that exact emotion. Several great moments take a left turn just when you think you’ve figured the track out, like in ‘ ’ (or ‘Mr. Smug’), when shrill, creepy-crawly instrumentation enters about a minute in. As is always the case with Tzusing, every track on the album would invigorate a dance floor. Listen at https://bedouinrecords.bandcamp.com/album/tzusing

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | NOVEMBER 2017 | 37

ARTS | BOOKS

The Hungarian Architect Behind Shanghaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Iconic Art Deco Buildings by Ned Kelly

38 | NOVEMBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

V I R T U A L R BE AOLOI KT SY | A R T S

Hungarian photographer and filmmaker Nicky Almasy, based in Shanghai from 2006-2016, recently documented the buildings designed by his countryman: architect Laszlo Hudec, who was active in the city from 191 to 1945. The result is his new book, Hudec – and some stunning photos of Shanghai’s iconic Art Deco buildings. We caught up with Almasy to find out more about the project. What was the most challenging part of shooting for this book? We knew from the beginning that this was not going to be easy. Some of these buildings have been closed, and even the ones that are open – functioning now as banks, hotels, residential buildings – are not easy to photograph from the inside. You can’t just walk into a bank and start snapping away. You need permits, which we all know, in China, are very difficult to get. There are a lot of questions asked and you need a good reason and, more importantly, good contacts.

Do you have a favorite Hudec building? Of course, and it’s the Park Hotel. It has this gothic, Art Deco dignity that is just irresistible. I remember back in 2006, when I moved to Shanghai and I didn’t know anything about the city or its architecture, that was the first building that I stopped and marveled at. Are there any buildings you wish you could bring back? All the ones that have been knocked down! There was a church where a Hilton is today. I mean, of course, every city needs a Hilton, but why don’t you build it a block down if there’s a church in your way? Destroying old treasures is unforgivable. What does it mean to you as a Hungarian that a countryman did so much to build the Shanghai we know today? It means a lot and it made Shanghai special to me from the very beginning. I’m proud of doing this book. I always say that I’m happy that a Hungarian workaholic got to document another Hungarian workaholic’s work. I always loved Hudec’s architecture and it was the perfect full stop to my Shanghai years. Hudec by Nicky Almasy is out now with the help of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and the Consulate General of Hungary in Shanghai

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | NOVEMBER 2017 | 39

ARTS | PICK OF SIX

Group exhibition, ‘27’

Through Nov 28; Pékin Fine Arts

Carlos Garaicoa, ‘Bestiary’ Through Dec 17; Galleria Continua

Koh Sang Woo, ‘Wild in Blue’

Through Nov 12; Asian Art Works

For gallery information visit www.thatsmags.com/beijing

Xin Yunpeng, untitled

Through Nov 12; de Sarthe Gallery

Barthélémy Toguo, ‘Fragile Body’

Through Dec 31; Hadrien de Montferrand

Nimue, ‘If You Ask Me’

Through Nov 21; MOUart Gallery

40 | NOVEMBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

ARRAIL DENTAIL oun er o ert ou e ects on entristry Success at Annual Golf Tournament

“He went to Wharton the same time Trump did ” says Dr. Denis Kinane, with a big laugh. “Oh, a few years later,” replies obert Zou, smiling. “I’m not that old.” As evident in their affable rapport, Kinane and Zou are longtime friends. And now they’re happily reunited, at Arrail Dental’s Annual Golf Tournament, at Chaoyang’s Tian'an Holiday Golf Club. With a theme of “Wave Hands, Let Love Fly,” the tournament aims to raise awareness for the oral diseases that affect orphans and disabled children in China. Zou and Kinane enjoy a day dedicated to charity and celebration in Beijing’s beautiful early-fall weather, and are happy to joke with one another at the occasion. But don’t let that fool you – when it comes to oral health, both men are very serious. And they have the credentials to prove it. Zou is the founder of Arrail group, China’s advanced dentistry chain, with over 90 clinics across the country in 15 different cities. The company consists of two popular brands, Arrail Dental and ytime Dental, known for their high-quality services and international standards. (Says Zou, “We don’t disclose the names, but we have many first-tier celebrities at our dental clinics!”) Zou is nothing less than a pioneer of China’s dental industry. After graduating with an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School of Business and working in Hong Kong, he returned to the Mainland in 1999. At that time, dental clinics of Arrail’s standard were simply nonexistent in China. Since then, demand in China has grown massively for boutique dentistry – and much of that has to do with Zou’s tremendously successful business. Says Dr. Kinane, Dean of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine, Zou’s contributions to his field are remarkable. Kinane, along with some of his dentistry school colleagues, travels frequently to China to make sure Arrail is always up-to-speed with American dental practices. But, he says of China’s dental industry: “Now we’re teaching them, but one day, they’ll be teaching us.” Both Kinane and Zou believe strongly dentistry is about more than pretty smiles. This philosophy drives Arrail group, who approach oral health from a holistic approach. As Kinane explains: “It’s holistic in two ways. Of course, we make the patient feel like a special customer, but more than that – it’s about a holistic approach to health. Oral health is so important, and it’s important to prevent oral cancer. Both most of all, says Kinane: “When you look healthy, you not only look great, but you feel great.” For more information about Arrail Dental, or to book an appointment visit www.arrail-dental.com or call their National Hotline at 400 880 1900

words by Noelle Mateer, additional reporting by Vivian Liu, Qinxin Lu, Iris Wang, Jocelyn Richards, Sky Thomas Gidge and Yuka Hayashi; graphics by Iris Wang

How One Company is Selling Dreams and Dish Soap in China

ui Ning posts Moments on WeChat five times per day. Sometimes they’re re-shares, taken from her friends’ timelines. Sometimes they’re photos of her with colleagues at a cooking class sponsored by eSpring ® Water Purifier. Other days it’s a selfie with the latest shade of ARTISTRY® lipstick. If she’s really excited about something, she’ll post photos of it multiple times in one day, like with the ARTISTRY Intensive Skincare Advanced Vitamin C & HA Treatment. I often receive personal messages from Cui, though I suspect they’re also being sent to others. Some days, she drops a line to say “nihao” or “you’re great!” Once, she wrote: “Buy RMB1,500 worth of Amway products, get one package of sanitary pads for free.” No matter what, her grating online presence is about one thing: American mega-corporation Amway. But Cui is more than a fan. She’s a convert and an evangelist. She is, in Amway speak, an Independent Business Owner (IBO). Amway sells soap, vitamins and makeup, but what it really sells is the American dream. Through seminars, motivational speakers and aggressive recruiting, the company tells anybody who will listen how they, too, can become rich – by purchasing an inventory of Amway products and working as an independent salesperson. It’s what Amway stands for: the American Way. The corporation is a pioneer in the direct-selling industry (sometimes known as ‘door-to-door sales’) for its ‘multilevel marketing’ (MLM) structure. In an MLM, sales reps can make money from selling soaps, sure – but they can make even more from recruiting more sales reps. This has led to widespread aggressive recruiting tactics that lead some critics to call Amway a pyramid scheme, or worse, a cult. In the US, a 1979 court ruling determined that Amway was legal. China, though, did not: after Amway and other MLMs entered the Mainland market in the 90s, hundreds of local copycat schemes exploded – causing widespread riots when they later collapsed. In 1998, the government responded by banning MLMs outright, calling the worst of them “evil cults, secret societies and superstitious and lawless activities.” Amway was banned for years, but China’s 2005 ‘anti-MLM’ regulations, ironically, allowed the company to muscle its way back in. By codifying China's definition of an MLM, the regulations

Above: the Amway Experience Center in Guangzhou; Right: the Amway Experience Center in Beijing; Opposite Page: displays in Beijing's ‘Amway Culture’ hall

laid out all the steps Amway could take to not be considered one. And so, to sidestep its MLM status (while still operating as an unabashed MLM scheme in nearly every other country it sells in), Amway opened brickand-mortar stores and and tweaked its payment scheme. Then, Amway stepped up its guanxi game. The company established the Amway Charity Foundation, working in collaboration with the Shanghai Charitable Fund and the Communist Youth League of China. It sponsored China’s team at the 2012 Olympics. And it sent hundreds of Chinese officials to study public management at Harvard (and tour Amway’s headquarters in Ada, Michigan) in a program called ‘Amway Fellows.’ Today, China is by far the company’s largest market. Still, Amway’s rocky history in China impacts its image – and now, Amway has invested heavily in massive, museum-like Amway Experience Centers, currently opening in cities nationwide. Shenzhen’s Amway Experience Center is still under construction, but last year, a Center was unveiled in nearby Guangzhou. Shanghai’s 7,500spm Experience Center opened in 2014. Beijing’s first Amway Experience Center, meanwhile – a steel and glass behemoth in the center of Sanlitun, the capital’s cosmopolitan heart – debuted just this spring. Designed to distance the company from the toxic ‘MLM’ tag, these couldn’t be timed better. China is currently experiencing a fresh wave of illegal pyramid schemes, and the government is threatening another MLM crackdown.

“This is remarkable. China is the first country that appears to be a showing a willingness not to let this ravage its nation” 45

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Only a good, big, established company would receive that kind of attention, and have other people be jealous of it. Some people are saltyâ&#x20AC;?

Above: Rich & Jay, the cafe in the Amway Experience Center; Below: Home Living, a kitchen space showcasing Amway products;

“Hello,” says a woman the minute we step inside the Beijing Amway Experience Center, whisking us away on a tour of the complex. Not that we asked for a tour. This is simply what happens – Amway representatives wait for visitors, greet them enthusiastically, and before they know it, they’re 90 minutes deep in Amway lore. It’s a high-wattage, multi-sensory experience, bouncing throughout the building’s many display rooms: ‘SMART SHOPPING,’ where all-purpose floor cleaners are displayed behind plexiglass like precious objects in a gallery; the eSpring® room, where short films about Amway’s air and water purifiers play to a Pirates of the Caribbean-style soundtrack; and the Nutrilite hall, where an actual John Deere tractor sits among artificial flowers in an ode to Nutrilite’s organic-farm origins. (Nutrilite is a brand of nutritional supplements Amway took over in 1994.) Here we gaze upon a bronze statue of the Nutrilite founder, and peruse black-and-white photos of his time spent studying in Shanghai in the 1910s and 20s. “Nutrilite and China have a rich history together,” says our guide. Flattering depictions of nondescript Western men are everywhere in the Experience Center, but especially within ‘AMWAY CULTURE.’ After watching a short film about founders Rich DeVos’ and Jay Van Andel’s perfectly average middle-class upbringings, we come across a photo of former US President George W. Bush, onstage at Beijing’s own Wukesong Arena. In 2015, Amway flew Bush to Beijing to speak at Amway China’s 20th anniversary. Over 12,000 Amway IBOs were in attendance. Bush and Chairman Steve Van Andel spoke onstage about leadership. “The US government likes Amway very much,” says our guide. “I’ll send you a picture later of Betsy, on WeChat.” Betsy DeVos is the wife of Doug DeVos, Amway’s current co-CEO and the son of its founder. The billionaire couple have donated roughly USD$200 million to Republican causes and campaigns over the years. In December, Trump named her as his pick for Secretary of Education. This, of course, is largely skipped over in an Amway Center tour. (At a tour of the Experience Center in Guangzhou, meanwhile, guide Sun Rong says, “One of the founders was definitely influential in the Republican Party® in finance... or something.”) Anti-pyramid scheme expert Robert FitzPatrick knows Amway’s lobbying practices by heart. The activist has been fighting against the company – which he personally considers a pyramid scheme – for decades. So when China banned direct selling in 1998, he was thrilled. “I thought, ‘This is remarkable,’” he says. “‘This is the first country that appears to be a showing a willingness not to let these [MLMs] ravage its nation.’” In the run-up to China’s 2005 anti-MLM legislation, Chinese officials allegedly sought out FitzPatrick’s expertise. He met with professor Yang Qian and his translator in Washington, DC. FitzPatrick says the professor was consulting for Chinese officials drafting the 2005 regulations. (That’s was unable to independently confirm this.) “It appears to us that MLMs have very little affect economically,” said Yang through his translator, at the meeting. FitzPatrick

says this was an astute observation. “Very little product is actually moved through MLMs,” he explains. “If MLMs went away tomorrow, it would have no effect at all in terms of getting products to the public.” After all, he says, it’s not like China would run out of allpurpose floor cleaners. Instead, he believes that Yang and his colleagues understood that MLMs have “very little economic value, but an incredible social purpose.” Their real product isn’t makeup or supplements – it’s hope. “People invest in MLMs because they see them as an alternative to low-paying jobs, debt and the rising cost of education,” he says. “They believe they can truly get rich.” On the second floor of the Experience Center, the tone of our tour changes. Our guide is no longer selling Amway products, but the Amway lifestyle. We watch a slideshow of Amway China staffers on vacation in Alaska, taking selfies with glaciers from the deck of their cruise ship. Here we learn the benefits of life as an Amway employee – top sellers get all-expenses-paid vacations to destinations like Bali and Australia. Then our guide raises the stakes. “Would you like to meet our manager?” she asks. Yes, we would. She whisks us downstairs, where we promptly shake hands with him. I begin to ask if he has time to answer some questions, but he’s too busy leading us elsewhere. This choreographed dance takes us to Rich & Jay, a cafe named for Amway’s founders, where he seats us by a massive poster of the two men. Their faces are everywhere – on the shop’s logo, on each styrofoam cup, on the Starbucks-style merch that pairs their logo (faces) with icons of Beijing. A personality cult is a weird marketing strategy for such normal-looking dudes, I think. But they are rich, white, corporate American men, and perhaps that is reason enough for many to adore them. Here is where we first meet Cui Ning. Cui is writing down a series of numbers on a sheet of white paper, and the numbers keep getting larger and larger. These are our fortunes, and they’re growing the more we invest in Amway. Our That’s intern, Vivian, turns to me and whispers: “That’s a lot of money.” That money can be ours, Cui says, if we sign on to become Independent Business Owners today. Once we’re IBOs, we can buy Amway products at wholesale prices, and then sell those at retail prices to our friends, family members, colleagues and WeChat contacts. The more we buy, the more we can sell. We’ll be rich in no time. (Elsewhere in the world, IBOs make money by recruiting more people to sign up, and then making commission off their sales. But that’s unabashed multilevel marketing, which is illegal in China, so Cui can’t do that. She can, however, get a bonus for signing us up.) The two men at our table, both in their 20s, sign up immediately. Then Cui turns to Vivian and asks, “How old are you?” She’s 17. “Oh, when’s your 18th birthday?” she asks. “You can join then.” When I look at the other tables in Rich & Jay, everyone is having this same conversation. The brand-new Dunkin Donuts next door is empty.

Former US President George W. Bush poses onstage at Beijing's Wukesong Arena for Amway China's 20th Anniversary, in 2015

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have

nothing to do with politics. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just a companyâ&#x20AC;?

“People invest because they see it as an alternative to low-paying jobs, debt and the higher cost of education. They believe they can truly get rich” Clockwise, from top left: Ouyang Wenzhang, the director of China's Direct Selling Network; Beijing's new Amway Experience Center; a display about the history of Nutrilite; rooms in the Amway Experience Center where Nutrilite employees offer health exams and fitness classes to Amway members

Dong Chao, a blogger from Shanghai who writes regularly about Amway, says his father has been an IBO for decades, but hasn’t made any profit. “The worst part, for me, is that their sinister intentions are disguised by benevolent appearances,” he tells That’s. Still, Dong’s father believes in the American Way: “He sees himself as the deliverer of health. And the friendly atmosphere in Amway’s classes makes him happy. It makes him want to stay in it. Because of those meetings, he’s always absent from home.” It’s this devotion to the brand over all reason – even after years of no success – that leads critics to brand Amway as a cult. Indeed, IBOs regularly gather at Experience Centers to listen to motivational speeches, not unlike sermons, about the value of hard work. Last month, Cui posted a photo of someone who’d experienced a miracle: The week’s speaker was an old, handicapped woman who, after attending a Nutrilite talk on healthy living, found herself able to walk again (for five minutes at a time, anyway). “[Amway] evokes a reaction from people that is like religious fervor,” says FitzPatrick. “It operates like a cult. “That was the big concern about pyramid schemes in ’98, when they shut them all down. It was a concern from a security point of view. It caused riots.” This past July, protests erupted in Beijing. Hundreds of people, some from far away, demonstrated against a government crackdown on Shanxinhui, an MLM that it has since been branded in state media as a ‘business cult.’ Since then, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce announced it will work with the Ministry of Public Security to further combat pyramid schemes in China, which are on the rise. Police investigated over 2,000 pyramid scheme cases in 2016, nearly 20 percent more than in 2015, according to Xinhua. A September New York Times article connects this rise in illegal pyramid selling to China’s slowing economy. But Ouyang Wenzhang, director of China’s national Direct Selling Network, believes otherwise.

“This is not related to unemployment, because in China, unemployment is not very high,” he says a rich, slow Beijing accent. “According to government departments, the unemployment rate is 4 to 4.3 percent. In 2012, America claimed that it was 6.5, and in 2013, 6.4. So actually, some foreigners will misunderstand that the unemployment rate in China is high. This is not the main reason for the proliferation.” Ouyang represents China’s official attitude towards direct-selling corporations today. He is quick to condemn illegal pyramid schemes like Shanxinhui – but equally quick to defend licensed corporations like Amway. “Amway has many positive influences on Chinese society,” he reads, from a stack of printouts he’s brought to our interview. “They have become a model for direct selling in China. Amway has also formed a specific and unique way to promote trade corporation between the US and China.” If it’s not unemployed people who are joining these companies, then, I ask who is. He reads a list consisting of three types of people: those who want to start their own business, those who are employed in companies that “operate in the traditional way, but who met some challenges that were extremely difficult to overcome, and therefore turned to direct selling,” and finally, “young people who have dreams and want to achieve something big.” I ask if there’s anything Ouyang would like to say off his prepared script, but no, he says, he would prefer to read. When I contact Amway China’s public relations department later, I’m told no one is available to comment. A week later, I get a call from an Amway China PR representative, imploring me to send her my piece before I publish it. I refuse. She says, “Are you interested in politics?” Yeah. “We have noth-

ing to do with politics,” she tells me. “We’re just a company.” Later that afternoon, I finally get an official statement: “In China, pyramid fraud is called ‘MLM.’ Amway is not a pyramid scheme.” Included in the statement are a list of reasons why: Amway’s ultimate goal is the sale of products; to join Amway, IBOs do not have to pay ‘entry fees’ (they do, however, have to invest in Amway products); IBOs are compensated based on their sales performance; Amway has over 50 years of history and operates in over 100 countries; and also, employees can quit at any time. Applauding one’s company for allowing employees to quit of their own free will seems a bit bizarre to me. But luckily for Amway China, IBOs are doing a lot of the PR work for them. When I ask Cui what she thinks of people who consider Amway a pyramid scheme, she tells me: “Only a good, big, established company would receive that kind of attention, and have other people be jealous of it. Some people are bitter or salty.” Two weeks later, I’m back at the Experience Center. I wander through the displays, this time without a guide, but with my colleague, Iris, instead. Behind us, a group of women talk about Nutrilite. One says her husband’s kidney problems cleared up after he took the supplements. Another mentions an elderly friend of hers who’s unusually energetic, thanks to the brand. Iris turns to me and whispers. “People in China are so afraid of dying now,” she says. “Before, life was hard. Even just 10 or 15 years ago, life was much harder. But now, people see that things are getting better and better. They want to be around for the future. I think that’s why things like Nutrilite do so well here.” Amway’s best product, after all, is hope. And I get the feeling Cui still hopes that I’ll buy her products. When I get back to the office that afternoon, I have a notification from WeChat. It’s a message from Cui saying, “Hey, you’re great!”

EAT &

DRINK

MIFAN OR MAFAN

We tell you if the rice is worth the hassle at these new openings, p55

Jing-A Brewpub p56

Shanghainese Food p57

Bars-Turned-Restaurants p59

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

GETTING MODERATELY DEEP WITH... A Pickle Seller interview by Yuka Hayashi

This month, we meet Zhang at his shop, where he sells smoked duck and pickles. i ou o

in ou o nin

o u o ou

ion

I’m happiest during the Chinese New Year in my hometown with my family. This is the only time of the year that I get to have such a long break and go have fun without worrying about my business.

i in

I’m rarely surprised. If my profit at the end of the year is more than I expect, then I’ll be surprised. i i

o o

ijin i

i o in

The Qing dynasty, because it was the most prosperous era in Chinese history. oi

F&B entrepreneurs. Running a food-related business is tiring, and it’s hard to make a good profit. i

i in

on o ou

Warren Buffett. He’s the ultimate gushen (‘stock god’). His talent for prediction is downright incredible. Zhang's shop, Jiujiuya, is on Chunxiu Lu.

My son, definitely my son i

o ou on i n

Exhausted. I woke up at 3am just to set up my business early, which is what I’m supposed to do, but fail to do most days [laughs, then sighs]. One of our employees got sick today, so I had to replace him instead of going back home and sleeping. n n

n i

My 10-year-old son. My motivation to earn money stems from him. I want to do anything I can for him.

u o

My job, for sure. I’d want to own a malatang shop, because there are a lot of people in Beijing who eat malatang, so it would be [profitable] to run one. i

I once had a drunk customer that I didn’t want to sell anything to, but he kept on insisting, and ended up trying to fight me. All of my customers lined up out front were watching. o

u o

Anyone chill. oi

o i

When I don’t have to go to work, because then I can sleep in. That’s literally all I want to do right now. I’m so sleepy that I feel like I’m sleepwalking. oi

I’ve never thought about this. I don’t have the time and energy to think about hypothetical questions. My time and energy are limited. Finishing work each day takes up most of the space in my mind. ou ou

ou i

I thought, I’m going to set up shop early today! Since I usually open my business later than everyone else. i

o ou

u in

A good sense of morality. I’m sad to say it, but nowadays there are very few people who actually have this. i i

i i

There are countless things I hate. If I were to pick just one: my job. ou

I’m always laughing or smiling! I’m a very positive person.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | NOVEMBER 2017 | 53

GRAPE VINE SNACKS IN THE CITY

OFF THE BEATEN PLATE

is ruthless. Kidding, TRB’s fantastic. Have you taken your mom to lunch there yet? You should – TRB is the best place in Beijing to take your mom to lunch. It’s also one of the best places in Beijing, period. But the legendary restaurant – which, let’s be real, is now a series of legendary restaurants and dining concepts strewn across Dongcheng – has just expanded into Chaoyang in a cutthroat way: taking over n in ’s Taikoo Li space. Yes, that’s exactly why Cantina shut down so abruptly last month. TRB will move into the space for its new concept, u u. (We have no idea what this concept will be yet.) Cantina Agave, meanwhile, will simply continue shaking up margaritas at its Shanghai location. We have our fingers crossed that Hulu will be worth the loss. Another loss we’re sad to report this month is o i o i, who are calling it quits after not one, but two of its shops were shut by Beijing’s citywide renovations. On a brighter note, n has resufaced from that very ‘beautification campaign’ with a new, improved spot on Jiaodaokou. Yo u , the high-end sushi joint that is not remotely impacted by any of this, has also opened a new location, in tech hub Zhongguancun. Meanwhile, the train heads southward, first with an upcoming location in Guomao, and then way south, to Shanghai. Speaking of Shanghai, its most popular brewery has come northward to us: o in is hosting a pop-up in 1949, Courtyard 4, through the end of the year. (But we hear they’re looking for a permanent location.) Finally, has a new Autumn/ Winter menu (shout out to TRIBE for designating their menus ‘Autumn/ Winter’ like a designer at Fashion Week). NM

“I tried banana and jujube. It was like chewing on a pregnant flying cockroach that had just eaten a stinkbug”

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…comments one disturbed netizen after trying China’s first ‘viral flavor combination.’ It all began when a screenshot appeared online of friends discussing their experiences of eating banana and jujube together, with one claiming it had made her fall to her knees in disgust. Soon after, over 41,000 people shared the special ‘recipe,’ many with tasting notes. The ideal ratio is four parts banana, two parts jujube. Now you know. NM

NEWS BITE

PEKING, PAPERS AND PROMOS A barbecue restaurant near Xizhimen opened by a group of medical students from Peking and Tsinghua Universities found itself trending on social media last month after a special promotion was picked up by Chinese media, reports What’s on Weibo. The deal offers customers a discount, provided they’ve had an academic paper published in a scientific journal in the past five years. According to a blog post by the owners, the promotion is meant to encourage research and celebrate academic success. The calculation is: “Total Bill – Impact Factor * 10 = Discounted Price,” with the impact factor being the ratio of citations to articles published. So, if you’ve been published or just fancy some chuanr, check out ‘The Lancet BBQ’ (named after the famous medical journal) on 1 Jiaotong Duxue Lu, Haidian. DW

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

Mplus Coffice Coffice: It’s a portmanteau of ‘coffee’ and ‘office.’ Horrifying, we know. While we award its name no points, the cafe itself fares significantly better – chic ambiance, cute primaryschool-style desks, obligatory single-origin beans. Plus there’s a co-working space next door, so at least the name is appropriate. No f*cking clue what Mplus is, though. Daily, 9am-9pm; 7 Banqiaonanxiang, Beixinqiao, Dongcheng 东城区北新桥板桥南巷7号

Simply Fresh Simply Fresh is the latest joint in a Beijing mall to hawk its chef’s exMichelin credentials. What exactly was the chef doing in his previous Michelin restaurant? We do not know. What we do know is that Simply Fresh is a simply good lunch option in Guomao, where imported Italian ingredients come without the imported Italian prices. Daily, 10.30am-10pm; 2/F, North Tower, China Overseas Plaza, 8 Guanghuadongli, Chaoyang 朝阳区光华东里8号院中海广场北楼2层 (5290 3887)

Afandi Afandi, whose alarming slogan is ‘MUSLIMDELICIOUS,’ is the best restaurant on Gui Jie. If that sounds like a bold proclamation, consider the following: Gui Jie is sh t, and that makes Afandi more like a five out of 10 in the scheme of things. But we might be willing to slide that up to a six on weekends, when a belly dancer performs for uncomfortable table guests. Is it gaudy? Absolutely. But there are worse places to eat chuanr. Daily, 11am-4am; 162 Dongzhimen Neidajie, Dongcheng 东城区东直门内大街162号 (6403 5580)

Baker & Spice Baker & Spice (AKA the more mature version of Wagas – they’re owned by the same people) keeps things classy at its second location in Taikoo Li North. In fact, the new spot is so similar to the first one in Liangmaqiao, it even has the same neighbor, Starbucks. Think open-plan interior, baked goods and sandwiches, good coffee and bottles of wine. Yes, please. Daily, 10am-10pm; LG1, Sanlitun Taikoo Li North, 19 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北路19号三里屯太古里北区LG1层 (6462 8760)

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JING-A BREWPUB Bigger and Better by Dominique Wong

When it comes to the Beijing Craft Beer Scene, Jing-A is one of the OGs. And, perhaps, the most ‘G’ – they do have a Wu Tanginspired beer called Hutong Clan. But it says a lot about the scene that Jing-A only opened its now-famous taproom in 2014, after a stint operating out of the space formerly home to Big Smoke. Now, they’re back to their old fermenting grounds with location No. 2: Jing-A Brewpub, Xingfucun. For anyone who frequents its first taproom – we’re guessing most of you, judging by the number of drinkers there every night – this can only be good news. There is a lot to like about the new spot: it is damn big, with dining tables in the front, a taproom in the middle and a bar near the back. There’s even hallway seating, because why the hell not? Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better – except in this case, it kind of does. Essentially, the brewpub takes all the good stuff from the original taproom – delicious beer, red bricks – and adds a heap of other great stuff, like Texas-style barbecue, room to move and double the number of bathrooms. Beer varieties include the usual suspects (Flying Fist IPA, Koji Red Ale) as well as small batch and seasonal brews. But if you’re not into beer, there’s whisky, rum, wine and even cocktails on tap (RMB50, includ-

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ing mixes by Mao Mao Chong and the Tiki Bungalow). What may seem gimmicky is actually so fresh and on point – the Mala Mule is a tingly ginger sensation. But really, we’re here for the food, and you should be too. The star-spangled banner of the menu is the barbecue meat (RMB70-400). Slow-smoked, the meat comes with plenty of accompaniments, including grilled mantou – an inspired choice. If the pork ribs are good – and they are – then the sandwiches are great. We have heretofore anointed the BBQ brisket sandwich (RMB70) the ‘Best in Beijing.’ Other dishes are hit or miss. The mac’n’ cheese (RMB40) is revelatory, but the crispy Brussels sprouts (RMB30) are deep-fried within an inch of their lives. Definitely don’t order them under any pretense of being ‘healthy.’ With all the other OGs seemingly upping their game this past year – Slow Boat’s Sanlitun taproom just turned one, and even Shanghai's Boxing Cat has made its Beijing debut – it was about time that Jing-A joined the big bois with a big brewpub. Mon-Wed, 5pm-midnight, Thu 4pm-midnight, Fri 4pm-2am, Sat 11am-2am, Sun 11am-midnight; Lee World Building, 57 Xingfucun Zhonglu, Chaoyang 朝阳区幸福村中路57号楼利世楼 (152 1090 7612)

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

BOILING POT That Fish Cray by Noelle Mateer

Alright, full disclosure: It’s a bit weird to get a bill for RMB750 when you’re wearing a bib smothered in garlic sauce. That kind of money in Beijing normally gets you a white tablecloth, or at least royally f*cked up. But at Boiling Pot, it gets you a series of large plastic bags, plastic gloves, garish plastic bibs and one round of Coronas for the table. But if you think this is about to be a bad review, you, my friend, are wrong. For Boiling Pot is serving a truly noble purpose in Beijing. Have you ever walked down Gui Jie, seen all the long lines, and wondered what all the fuss around crayfish is about? Have you ever, upon expressing interest in trying said crayfish, been silenced by people around you, piping up to share gastrointestinal horror stories from their own visits to Ghost Street? Do you still, just a little bit, kinda wanna eat some crayfish? Boiling Pot does so much for the humble seabug by serving it in its most perfect form: a New Orleans-style boil. All that entails, really, is tossing it in a big ugly bag with but-

WULIXIANG Shanghai School by Noelle Mateer

ter and hot sauce. Here’s how it works: Go to Boiling Pot’s new Sanlitun location, and order a drink off their Comic Sans cocktail menu (stick with Coronas). Then, switch to the food menu (both are laminated, smart) and go to town on crustaceans. Order crayfish, clams, shrimp, lobster and crab by the pound. But be warned: the premium seafoods (like our King crab legs) come at premium prices. That’s because, if you dare, your server will lead you to the tanks, where you can choose which animal you want slaughtered and smothered in butter sauce. Fun! Ultimately, this is how you get a bill as expensive as ours. This is also how you get damn delicious crab legs. I don’t know what to tell you, really. It’s your

decision. After picking your favorite creature to kill, you can choose the spice level and the sauce. Your server will recommend the signature sauce (whose name we’ve forgotten, but is something like ‘Boom’ or ‘Pizazz’), but we’re partial to the garlic-butter stuff. You can also add vegetables – it’s like hot pot, but in a bag. They should really change their name to Boiling Bag. There are also sides – French fries, fried chicken, sandwiches (?!) – but don’t waste your time with those. You’re here for the seafood. And damn, that fish cray.

Here in Beijing, the cuisine is made to sustain us through long, cold winters. In Shanghai, meanwhile, its for long, elegant banquets. The latter is undoubtedly worse. What with all the baijiu toasts, rigid codes of table etiquette and constant pressure to impress senior businesspeople, we’d take a Beijing winter over a Shanghai banquet any day. And yeah, that applies to the food, too. Authentic Shanghainese cuisine is not for the faint of foreign palates – it’s sweet, fishy, often goopy and frequently not the temperature you expect. ‘But I love xiaolongbao,’ you say. Duh, everyone loves soup dumplings, but those are just the dainty showgirls of Shanghai food. Do you love wheat germ soaked in sweet wine? Do you love cold chicken? What are your feelings on tongue? Shanghainese food is one of the greats, and it is equally rich in both nutrients and history – but long story short, its flavors can take some getting

used to. Where do you begin? You begin at Wulixiang. The Shanghainese restaurant is fit for both China gastronomy nerds and the freshest of the fresh off the boat. With excellent service and a welcoming environment (Sanlitun!), Wulixiang sets a new standard for Shanghainese food in Beijing. While laowai will learn a lesson or two from its menu, Wulixiang’s cuisine is far from elementary. The eight-treasure duck (RMB480) practically has a PhD – deboned, cooked three times, stuffed with all manner of sweets and savories (sounds crazy, we know, but we promise it’s delicious). Their red braised pork (RMB108) glistens. But our favorite is the perfect scallion oil noodles (RMB28), the best dish we had in Beijing all month. We know it’s uncool to go to a nice restaurant and like the noodles best. But it’s the truth. Wulixiang’s aesthetic, meanwhile, has all the elegance of a banquet and none of its clamor. And while it’s certainly nice enough to take your boss to, it’s also reasonably priced enough to visit for pleasure – which is exactly what we’ll be doing, during this long, cold Beijing winter.

Daily, 11am-1am; Courtyard 4 (next to Home Plate) Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang 工体北路4号院机电院内

Daily, 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10pm; 1/F, Pacific Century Place, 2A Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工人体育场北路甲2号盈科中心临街底商1/F (6539 8660)

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THE COFFEE WHISPERER

ne at s ission to ocument ei in s o ee Renaissance interview by Noelle Mateer, photos provided by Marco Costantini

Just 15, 10, even five years ago, coffee in Beijing was drastically different than it is today. But now, more third-wave (read: hipster) coffee shops open per month than we have room for in this magazine. Marco Costantini picks up our slack. The Italian-New Zealander expat is the founder of Black White Filter, a new online guide to independent cafes in Beijing, featuring stories about the people that make the scene. It’s a love letter to Beijing coffee. We caught up with the Coffee Whisperer himself. i

I had visited Beijing many years ago, and couldn’t find a good coffee anywhere. When I moved here last year, it was a pleasant surprise to find that many cafes had opened and were serving great coffee. But I couldn’t find a comprehensive guide of these small independent cafes, with maps and directions in English, that included all the information I was after – so I created one. o

ou in o o

I have been working in hospitality for almost 20 years, and spent most of that time behind a coffee machine, either in Europe or New Zealand. I was born and raised in Italy, where coffee is mainly stovetops and espresso, and usually a quick affair at the bar counter. I spent more than 10 years in Wellington, New Zealand, where there’s a very strong coffee culture, and it’s possibly the birthplace of the flat white [Ed. note: Australians contest this]. Now, in China, I have become accustomed to light roasts and pour overs.

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ijin

n Beijing’s coffee scene seems to be still in its infancy, trying to work out a formula of expansion. It’s a great time to be involved in it, as many cafes are trying to grow and introduce coffee culture to the masses. Most cafe owners know each other, and there is a very tight community, which is a big change from the stiff competition one might witness in Western countries. There is the feeling that possibly some ‘big players’ might get into the market soon, but at this stage there is still plenty of room for everyone. i u ion o

i o

ijin

o o

oo in o-

I would recommend starting like I did, along Wudaoying Hutong, with either i or n . They were the first, and are still two of the most popular, offering great service and a wide selection of beans. Barista is where most of [Beijing’s] baristas have actually started their career, while Metal Hands seems to have inspired the aesthetics of other cafes in town, with its Nordic-style approach of wood and exposed concrete. i , u , and i n o (behind the Lama Temple) are also good starting points. They focus not only on coffee, but also on creating a community where everyone feels welcome.

on n on

ou o ijin

o o

o oo

i o in Guomao brews its own Nitro [cold-brew coffee served on tap], that is well worth trying, along with all the different single origin and blends roasted on site. For a more comprehensive tour, Dashilar offers three of the best: o , o oi and i in oo . They all roast their own beans, have their very own styles and brands, and are great places to relax. To see the guide, check out www.bwfbeijing.com

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CHAPLIN BAR & KITCHEN

A Restaurant in Train-ing by Dominique Wong

You may know Charlie Chaplin Bar, Sanlitun, or Charlie Chaplin Bar, Chunxiu Lu, but have you heard of their little bro Chaplin Bar & Kitchen, Shilipu? (Have you even heard of Shilipu?) Chaplin Empire’s latest opening is something you never knew you wanted or needed: a place that serves up Charlie Chaplin Bar’s stellar cocktails alongside full-on meals. This definitely isn’t Sanlitun (read: the location is whack) but with little else going on in the ’Pu other than a Maan Coffee and a Japanese izakaya, junior Chaplin at least stands out from its neighbors.

Spread over three elaborately decorated floors, the new space is big and fabulous. The first floor resembles a train, the second floor looks like the backstage of a theater and the third houses the bar proper. (There’s also a basement, but don’t drink there – it’s creepy.) Drinks ordered from the lower floors arrive via ‘trolley service’ – the server literally makes drinks off of a trolley. It’s fun watching the cocktails being made, but even better downing them. Chaplin makes dope drinks, blah, blah, blah. Tell us something we don’t know, you say. OK, so the food is mostly good, but skip

the snacks – the calamari is best forgotten – and go straight for the ‘classic American combo’ meals. Presented on silver dining trays (like on a train, get it?), the combo meals include a main, appetizer, salad, bread, and beer or wine. They’re a delight – the New York-style burger, especially – and the sets are a steal at RMB125-145. CBK is a solid addition to the team. Sure, it’s a little ‘out there,’ but if you’re a Charlie Chaplin fan, this matters not. Daily, 5pm-midnight; 1/F, Bldg 10, 129 Courtyard, 107 Balizhuang Beili, Chaoyang 朝阳区八里庄背北里 129号院10楼1层107号 (8584 6880)

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TEDDY BEAR THEME RESTAURANT Grin and Bear it at 3.3’s Latest Oddity words and images by Dominique Wong

When we hear there’s a new restaurant in 3.3 Mall jam-packed with teddy bears, we accept it, no questions asked. After all, this is a mall where passersby take selfies next to hot-pink Ferraris outside Costa Coffee, while the car owners themselves (“Fu’erdai,” Costa staff say wisely) drink mochas inside; a mall where myriad identical clothing stores, like ‘I Love Pretty,’ sit beside hip vintage shops and speakeasies. It’s a weird place. And now, Teddy Bear Theme Restaurant. Despite being named after the children’s toy (that itself was named after former US president Teddy Roosevelt, after he refused to kill a bear caught during a hunt), the restaurant has a pretty loose definition of ‘teddy bear’ – literally hundreds of soft toys, not limited to the Ursidae family, line the walls of the restaurant’s three ginormous dining spaces. It’s an ambitious project. Pet project, if you will. There are special edition bears. Panda bears. Rilakkuma, Paddington and Pooh Bears. ‘Bears’ that aren’t really bears. But, we digress. Apart from a somewhat random page dedicated to Korean cuisine, the menu offers generic Western grub: pizza, steak and sandwiches. Our beef burger (RMB78, including salad and fries) is quickly devoured in the company of an oversized rabbit and lion. Whether this is off-putting or not depends on your tolerance for strangeness – or, we suppose, your age. Us? We watch the TV, screening an oddly arresting documentary about a bear in the wilderness. Paddington follows, demonstrating an admirable commitment to theme. Still, we’re left with doubts. The burger itself isn’t bad, but in an area full of great burger options, why settle for mediocrity? Why would anyone visit essentially a toy museum for the food, anyway? And, furthermore: who is actually going to this place, other than intrepid reviewers or people looking for teddy bear photo ops? Daily, 11am-11pm; 3.3 Mall, Shop 5006, 5/F, Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯路5 层5006商场3.3 (5136 5886)

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CITY SCENES Oktoberfest festivities at Kempinski Hotel Beijing include a dance-oﬀ.

Woman fulfills dream of becoming Marilyn Monroe at O’Bar, NUO Hotel’s second birthday celebration.

New calligraphy exhibition at Du Xiao Yue gets the coordinated thumbs-up.

Eudora Station’s Sunday Latin dance party has (almost) everyone throwing their hands in the air like they just don’t care.

Chef at the Four Seasons’ Taste of Artistry event smiles at a cheesy joke.

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EVENTS

Japanese Breakfast / Gig

HVOB Gig

HEAR

Sam Binga DJ Syndicate is bringing Sam Binga to Beijing – again. The Bristol native is the rare imported-British-DJ who actually knows something about China – he studied in Shanghai in the late 90s. Anyway, you’re not going to his show for that. You’re going for his bangin’ up-tempo electronic set. Sat Nov 18; tickets TBD; Dada (see Listings for details)

Japanese breakfast tastes good. Japanese Breakfast sounds good too – we’re talking about the synth-pop project by Michelle Zauner (who is probably sick of these jokes by now). She’s currently touring her killer album Soft Sounds From Another Planet, so we mean it when we say her songs are out of this world (sorry). Make sure to check the deets below though – this is a ‘special brunch show,’ so that means a 1.30pm start. Sat Dec 2, 1.30pm; RMB100 (presale), RMB140 (door); Yue Space, 7 Banqiao Nan Xiang, Dongcheng 东城区北新桥板桥南巷7号

Denis Sulta / DJ

HVOB is short for ‘Her Voice Over Boys.’ The feminist within us salutes the name, and everyone everywhere salutes the music. HVOB’s latest release, Silk, has been touted by American Thump as a contender for album of the year. The Austrian electronic duo have performed a Boiler Room set, and now they’re bringing that same energy to Omni Space. Fri Nov 10; Omni Space, B103 Tianqiao Arts Center, Xiachen Square, Xicheng 西城区天桥艺术中心下沉广场B103

Itzhak Perlman Recital

Mabang Gig

This will not be your average rock show at Yugong. Mabang are a band from Guanxi who fuse folk music from Southern China with rock, reggae and ska. If that last sentence just made you go, “Wait, what?” then go check them out. Tue Nov 7, 8.30pm; RMB80 (presale), RMB100 (door); Yugong Yishan (see Listings for details)

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How did the up-and-coming Glaswegian DJ get his name? He says: “I have another Alias called 'Atlus' that focuses more on a darker and angry sonic aesthetic. When I was a bit younger, I was quite an angry young man and my music reflected that. On my 21st birthday I had a change of heart and became a little more hopeful. Sulta is just Atlus backwards, as my angst and frustration had turned on its head. As for the Denis, well, it was originally spelt 'Dennis' and was inspired by Disco Stu from 'The Simpsons.’” To see the rest of our interview with the prodigy producer, see thatsmags.com/beijing. To see the show, peep below. Fri Nov 17; tickets TBD; Dada (see Listings for details)

Quite possibly the most famous violinist on Earth, Itzhak Perlman and his very skilled fingers are in the capital this month for a solo show. Prepare to be blown away. Thu Nov 9, 7.30; RMB600-1,200; NCPA (see Listings for details)

EVENTS

Virtual Reality Art / Exhibition

Open Mic Night Comedy

Every night is a Smash night at 8-Bit, but Wednesdays are more about smashing out laughs. Following its former longstanding gig at Hot Cat Club, Comedy Club China has relocated its open-mic night to 8-Bit. Come and listen to amateurs and veterans alike try their luck at the mic, and, if you’re feeling frisky, you can take a chance too. Who knows, your mom may not be lying when she says you’re hilarious. Wednesdays, 9-11pm; free; 8-Bit, 13 Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng 东城区北锣鼓巷13号 (www.comedyclubchina.com)

Bazaar of the Dead Market Beijing’s monthly Rumble in the Jumble is a treasure chest full of vintage goods, books, natural skincare and delicious food. At the last one we enjoyed Fairtrade Ethiopian coﬀee, homemade nut butters, craft beer and more. This month’s jumble is especially killer because as well as the usual goods, the ‘Bazaar of the Dead’ market includes face-painting, a photo booth and cider apple bopping. Sat Nov 4, 12-6pm; Modernista, 44 Baochao Hutong, Dongcheng 东城区宝钞胡同44号 (for more info add WeChat ID: RumbleBJ)

Virtual reality gets the art treatment at Faurschou Foundation’s VR Art exhibition, ongoing until February (see That’s Beijing's October issue for our first-hand account). This month, artist Paul McCarthy takes over the gallery with eerie works featuring doll-like figures and neon colors. Through Nov 24, Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm; free; Faurschou Foundation, 798 Art District, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区酒仙桥路2号798号798艺术区 (5978 9316, www. faurschou.com)

Gabriel Azoulay Yoga

Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall / Hike

Visual Chronicles Workshop

Do you love scrapbooking? Well this is the class for you. Create your own visual diary by compiling photos and documents in an artful way. The S Lab provides photo printers and scrapbooking materials for your projects. Instructors are also on hand to share ideas and tips on layout and decoration. Fridays, 7-9pm; RMB150 (class), RMB1,000 (8 class bundle); The S Lab, Room 103, Bldg 5, 15 Dongzhimen Wai Dajie, Dongcheng 东城区东直门外大街 15号楼5单元102室 (156 0120 1550)

Winter is coming, and the last hikes of the season are calling. For the walled village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike, Beijing Hikers will take you to a walled village near the former Ming dynasty army barracks. From there, you’ll hike through fields and see chestnut orchards. Bring your camera and maybe a bit of experience: the hike is rated 3+, meaning a reasonable level of fitness is required. Although it’s only just over 5km long, it’s steep, so hikers beware. If you’re up for the adventure, join Beijing Hikers for a walk filled with both beauty and history, and see a part of China your guidebook didn’t tell you about. Finish it up with a meal, included in the price, and feel smug when you win WeRun for the day. Sat Nov 25, 8.30am-5.30pm; RMB400 (RMB360 for members); Beijing Hikers (email info@beijinghikers.com)

If you’re looking to deepen your yoga practice and meet likeminded people, check out this one-oﬀ yoga program taught by renowned yoga teacher Garbiel Azoulay. Comprised of both weekend workshops (Nov 4-5, Nov 11) and weekday classes (Nov 6-10), each class focuses on a diﬀerent style of yoga such as yin and Ashtanga. The program includes refreshments plus a free TCM session by DDSY Health. Nov 4-11, times vary; RMB3804,600; Dadeshengyi Health Center, 1/F, Jianwai DRC No. 15 Building, Chaoyang 建国门外交公寓15号楼底商大德盛意健康管理中心 (8532 5007)

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EVENTS

Hairy Crab Season Dining

8x8 Beer Festival / Beer

TA S T E

Thanksgiving at V Sports Holiday V Sports has all your Thanksgiving needs covered. With two menu options, you can have a traditional Thanksgiving meal with plenty of pumpkin (here’s to the creamy pumpkin soup and pumpkin pie). If you have the numbers, go in together for a whole roasted turkey. Thu Nov 23, 5-11pm; RMB159-179, Whole turkey RMB980; V Sports (see Listings for details)

With Autumn comes the return of the hairy crab, and Rosewood Beijing has you covered on all fronts. Featuring two restaurants serving their own twists on the fall classic, both House of Dynasties and Country Kitchen oﬀer something seasonal for every mood. Country Kitchen and House of Dynasties, Rosewood Beijing (see Listings for details)

Let’s die and go to beer heaven. This month, Jing-A hosts a craft beer festival featuring eight breweries from the Pacific Northwest collaborating with eight breweries from Greater China. At four diﬀerent free-flow sessions, try international beers made specifically for the festival, as well as some cross-Pacific collaborations for a truly global beer experience. Talk to brewers and get tastefully sloshed as you indulge in 136 unique beers. Fri Nov 3-Sat Nov 4; RMB300-1,188; UCCA (see Listings for details and 8x8brewingproject.com for tickets)

Boxing Cat Brewery Pop Up / Beer

Turkey Taxi by The CUT Holiday

Thanksgiving at Kerry Holiday

What’s Thanksgiving without good food and children running wild? Kerry’s Kitchen oﬀers a buﬀet of traditional Thanksgiving dishes, as well as some creative twists for an updated take on the holiday. Children can run about the Adventure Zone and remember their Thanksgiving in Beijing for years to come. Thu Nov 23; Kerry’s Kitchen (see Listings for details)

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If you want the taste of Thanksgiving dinner at home without all the prep, call Turkey Taxi. Get a 7 or 9-kilo turkey, plus gravy and cranberry sauce, and then add two sides of your choosing. Mon Oct 9-Sun Dec 31; RMB1,588 (orders require 48-hour notice, call 8507 3618 to book)

Craft beer is still decidedly in so satiate your thirst for a good one at the Boxing Cat Brewery Pop Up. A long time Shanghai staple, Boxing Cat is coming to Beijing in style. You may know the name from their collab with the ever popular Great Leap Brewing, now come and enjoy their own brews and see how a decade’s worth of craft beer experience pays oﬀ on the palate. Don’t be afraid to experiment: Boxing Cat prides itself on its innovation – you’re obliged to experiment with them. Through Sun Dec 31; Mon-Fri, 5pm-late, Sat-Sun, noon-late; 1949, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路4号院1949会所

Fertile Mud / Calligraphy

DPRK Artworks Exhibition

SEE

Rice Dance Cloud Gate Dance Theatre presents Rice, a dance performance, at NCPA’s Opera House. The show is inspired by the scenery and history of Chihshang in the East Rift Valley of Taiwan. What used to be a farming village using chemical fertilizers is now an area championing organic farming. Inspiring. Thu Nov 2-Sun Nov 5, 7.30pm; RMB280-680; Opera House of NCPA, 2 Xi Chang'an Jie, Xicheng 西城区西长安街2号 (tickets via sales@theatrebeijing.com)

Taiwanese restaurant Du Hsiao Yueh and Taiwanese artist Xu Zhifang have linked up for a special exhibition showcasing Xu’s calligraphy works. The exhibition, held at the restaurant’s Taikoo Li branch, is inspired by Taiwanese food culture. Originally showcased in the Yongkang Street branch in Taiwan last year, the exhibition’s elegant works add a nice touch to the Taikoo Li spot’s charming traditional environment. Du Hsiao Yueh is a veritable institution, at 122 years old. The restaurant’s danzaimian, a simple combination of springy noodles, braised minced meat, vinegar and fresh shrimp, is the stuﬀ of legends. Yet its superstar status belies a humble beginning: Du Hsiao Yueh was a fisherman by trade who sold noodles during typhoon season. Four generations later, branches of the restaurant can be found not only in Taiwan but also the Mainland and Hong Kong. Xu Zhifang is a calligraphy artist who specializes in seal cutting and pottery carving. Through Dec 19, Mon-Thu, Sun, 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm; Du Hsiao Yueh (Sanlitun); B1, Taikoo Li South, 19 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang 朝阳区三里屯北路19号太古里南B1 (6417 8078)

Nick Bonner, co-founder of Koryo Tours, has collected a number of original graphic design works over the course of his 20 years of travels to-and-from the DPRK. A selection of these curious works is being exhibited – and is even available to purchase – at Pop-Up Beijing this month. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to check out or buy a historical artifact from the DPRK. Daily, through Nov; Pop-Up Beijing, Bldg 22, Courtyard 4, Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang 朝阳区工体北路4号院22号 (6502 5725)

Aterballeto Ballet

Chieftain Book Talk

American writer Mike Tucker visits Beijing’s preeminent literary spot for a reading from his book Chieftain. The reading will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. Tucker’s 17th book is set in the guerrilla war in North China in the late-1930s and is a mercenary saga about justice. The Sunday Times compared the writer to Hemingway for his book Spartacus Did the Right Thing. Wed Nov 8, 7.30pm; RMB50 (includes a drink); The Bookworm (see Listings for details, tickets via https:// yoopay.cn/event/17092371)

Prepare to be awed by the sheer athleticism of Italian dance company Aterballetto. The company likes to incorporate every aspect of art in its choreography: fine arts, drama, poetry and music. And despite its Italian roots, Aterballeto is comprised of dancers from all over the world. Sat Nov 25-Sun Nov 26, 7.30pm; RMB100-500; Drama Theatre of NCPA, 2 Xi Chang'an Jie, Xicheng 西城区西长安街2号 (tickets via sales@ theatrebeijing.com)

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | NOVEMBER 2017 | 65

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

MIDDLE 8

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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)

Far From Middle-of-the-Road When it comes to Yunnanese cuisine, Beijing has a long tradition of chefs cranking out the classics in tiny hutong restaurants. Why? We have no idea. We love those hutong haunts, but still, we’ll admit we’re grateful for the following: Middle 8 is in a very convenient location. Situated on the fourth floor of Taikoo Li (just above Hatsune), Middle 8 serves quality Yunnan fare in the heart of Sanlitun. And what excellent Yunnan fare it is – squeaky goat cheese, elegantly cooked mushrooms, pineapple rice. The restaurant has been churning out the hits here for years, but now we’re happy to report that they’ve updated their menu with even more winners. Classic rice noodles, served simply with an array of toppings and sauces to the side, are the perfect belly-warmer for Beijing’s cooling temperature. Slices of fatty pork, fried lightly, crackle delightfully with chili flakes. Fine mushrooms – brought in directly from Yunnan – come wrapped tenderly in banana leaves, making for a dish that’s pleasing to both the palette and the eye. Whether you’re looking for something hearty or light, Yunnanese cuisine has it – and when it comes to Yunnanese, Middle 8 knows their stuﬀ. > Middle 8 (see Listings for details)

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)

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 >Daily 11am-9.30pm, Sanlitun:Beijing Daily 11:00amCuisine HongLu 10:00pm, 60 Meters Of No. 6 Building Sanlitun South Road Chaoyang 三里屯店: 朝阳区三里屯南路6号楼南侧60米 (6595 9872; 6593 8970) Raﬄes: Daily 11:00am-10:00pm, 5 Floor Of Raﬄes shopping center Dongzhimen Dongcheng 来福士店: 东城区东直门来福士购物中心5层 (8409 8199; 8409 8234)

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

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

LISTINGS 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 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 *

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.

OPEN DOOR

>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）

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. > 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). 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,

> Daily 10.30am-11pm; Inside 7 Xingfuyicun, opposite Workers’ Stadium North Gate, Chaoyang 朝阳区工人体育场北门对面幸福一村7巷内 (6415 5741)

WESTERN 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

CAFE FLATWHITE Because You Can Drink Coffee With Dinner, Too Flatwhite’s new menu offers up tasty treats to indulge in. An all-new tapas menu features a wide range of delectable options. Try the Spicy BBQ Pork Ribs (RMB45) for a rich, flavorful experience. With a mix of Sichuan and Mexican spices, the ribs are more sweet than spicy and the perfect dish to start you off. Then try our personal favorite, the Mussel Cooked with Spicy Broth (RMB68). The mussels are fresh and light, but filling and utterly satisfying. They swim in a delicious broth that’s nuanced and a little sour. Both the mussels and the pork ribs come from New Zealand, and we can taste the quality of island-bred and -caught meat. Don’t want to share? Flatwhite’s brought more to the menu than shareables. Order the lamb shank for fall-off-the-bone deliciousness. Served with mashed potatoes and veggies, enjoy a savory and decadent dish that leans on authentic, quality flavor instead of gimmicks. Top it all off a coffee or a cocktail. And thus we announce that Flatwhite is now a solid dinner option: its new menu transforms the popular breakfast and lunch spot to an all-hours establishment. > Cafe Flatwhite (see Listings for details) WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | NOVEMBER 2017 | 67

LISTINGS

OPEN DOOR

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)

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)

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. >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)

Café Flatwhite

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 / 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)

HOME GROUNDS Make Yourself at Home Since opening earlier this year chill Aussie-inspired cafe Home Grounds has fast become a go-to spot. We love the cafe’s wide-ranging menu – from colorful poke bowls to lip-smacking fish and chips, and its location underneath BaseFit gym also makes it a prime pre- or post-workout fueling station. During a recent weekend visit we devour the limited edition velvet pancakes (the cafe oﬀers special weekend treats to keep things fresh) and the roast vegetable salad (RMB40). The decadent yet nourishing mix was killer – and we’ve already marked down the HG BIGG brekky (RMB80) – sourdough, homemade pork sausage, bacon, eggs, baked beans, hash, mushrooms and spinach – for next time. Throw in quality coﬀee and wine and Home Grounds feels just like, well, home. > Tue-Sun, 8am-9pm; 39-3 Xingfu Ercun Chaoyang 朝阳区幸福二村39-3 (5747 5511) 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 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)

COMBAL盉by Tiago

>127-129, 1/F, Tower C, Cofco Plaza, 8 Jianguomen Neidajie, Dongcheng District 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)

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. 68 | NOVEMBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

>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)

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)

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. > 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

Awfully Chocolate

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. > 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)

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.

> 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)

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,

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)

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. > 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)

LISTINGS 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. > 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)

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

> 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)

American/BBQ/Grill Eudora Station 亿多瑞站

> (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)

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)

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 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)

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)

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

> 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)

Tube Station Nowhere does gigantic toppen-laden pizza quite like Beijing, and these guys claim to

be the biggest in town.

> 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)

German 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). > 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 experience 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 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

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LISTINGS 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.

Indian Kitchen

it when it comes to sake selection and fried delights to munch alongside it.

>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)

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)

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号东隅酒店1层 8414 9815

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.

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 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)

> 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)

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)

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.

> 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 70 | NOVEMBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

> 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)

Vegetarian Lotus 莲花空间

> 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)

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

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)

Singapore Seafood

> 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. >NL5008, 5/F, North Phase, Bldg 17, China World Mall, 1 Jianguomen Wai Dajie, Chaoyang District 朝阳区建国门外大街1号院17号楼国贸商城北区五层 NL5008 (8415 0863)

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)

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)

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. > 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.greatleapbrewing.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

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

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

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 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)

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

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. >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)

BEAUTY & FITNESS 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.

> 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)

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 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 Deep Facial Cleaning- 880rmb/once

> 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)

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. > 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)

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LISTINGS Lily Nails

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

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.

>U Town store: Daily 10am-22pm, Shop 19B, 4/F, U town Plaza, Chaoyang朝阳区悠唐购物中心一期 4层19B号 8561 5875 ; Fulllink store: Daily 10am22pm, Shop 29/B1, Fulllink Plaza, Chaoyang朝阳区丰联广场B1-29 6588 3633 ; Yansha store: Daily 10am-22pm, 09/B1, Ping An International Finance Centre, Chaoyang朝阳区平安国际金融中心商业B1层9号 5601 9664 ;WDK store: Daily 10am-22pm, Shop16/F4, WDK Shopping store, Haidian海淀区五道口购物中心4层1415号 6266 6070 ; Heshenghui store: Daily 10am-22pm, Shop B1-19, Heshenghui Mall, Chaoyang朝阳区合生汇B1层19号 5601 9664 ; Pingan store: Daily 10am-22pm, Shop 09/B1, Ping An International Finance Centre, Chaoyang朝阳区平安国际金融中心商业B1层9号 8444 2483 ; Taiyanggong store: Daily 10am-22pm, Shop B1-09, CapitaMall Taiyanggong, Chaoyang朝阳区太阳宫凯德购物中心B1-15A号 8443 0619 ; WeLife store: Daily 10am-22pm, WeLife store, Shop B1/F, WeLife Shopping store, Chaoyang朝阳区远洋未来汇购物中心B1-116号 8588 6896 ; Wanliu store: Daily 10am-22pm, Shop 19/F4, Wanliu BHG, Haidian海淀区华联万柳购物中心4层 8258 9517 ; Hongmei store: Daily 10am-22pm, Shop 3824-1, Shanghai 上海市长宁区老外街虹梅路3824-1号 021-6215 5192

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. >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)

Laurent Falcon

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 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)

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 72 | NOVEMBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.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 medical 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.

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)

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)

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)

> 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)

Vista Medical Center 维世达诊所

Beijing HarMoniCare Women and Children’s Hospital 北京和美妇儿医院

Beijing New Century Harmony Pediatric Clinic

> 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 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. >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

> 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)

> 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

LISTINGS 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

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)

beijingmandarinschool.com, Skype ID: beijingmandarinschool1998)

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.

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.

> 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 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,

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). > 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

> 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)

>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)

Kindergartens

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.

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.

> 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.

> 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)

LEMBA The Leadership EMBA from the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business is a unique learning experience in Beijing. The program oﬀers world class executive and leadership education from some of the best professors the world has to oﬀer. Every month one of the professors from the University of Maryland comes to Beijing to instruct the class for 4 consecutive > days (Thurs – Sun). The program lasts 18 months; the impact lasts a lifetime. (8526 2528/29, beijing@ rhsmith.umd.edu)

GALLERY 798 Art District Picks Galleria Continua * In the often-insular 798, Galleria Continua is the international gallery. Their warehouse space is a forum for high-caliber artists from nearly every continent, including several of China’s artistic nobility. > Free. Tues-Sun 11am-6pm. 798 Art District, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区酒仙桥路2 号798大山子艺术区 (5978 9505, www.galleriacontinua.com)

Long March Space Founder and curator, Lu Jie abides by exacting standards from both the 20-odd Chinese artists he represents and the overall design of his topical and uncompromising exhibitions. International clout was inevitable. > Free. Tues-Sun 11am-7pm. 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District 朝阳区酒仙桥路4号798艺术区 (5978 9768, www.longmarchspace.com)

Pace Beijing With locations in New York, London and Beijing hosting the likes of Zhang Xiaogang, Yue Minjun, Robert Rauschenberg, Mark Rothko, Kiki Smith and Sol LeWitt, Pace inhabits Bauhaus-style buildings 798 is idealized for. Go there! > Free. Tues-Sun 10am-6pm.798 Art District, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区酒仙桥路2号大山子艺术区 (5978 9781, www.pacegallery.com)

Space Station Not often shown in 789’s sea of elites, Space Station presents a younger generation of domestic artists. Exhibitions tend to have a good curatorial understanding of space and high-quality 2D work.

> Free, Tues-Sun 10am-6pm. 4 Jiuxianqiao Rd798 Art District, Chaoyang District 朝阳区酒仙桥路4号798艺术区中一街 (5978 9671)

Ullens Center for Contemporary Art Filling the largest factory space in 798 with Chinese and international art, the UCCA has the curatorial power and financial backing to put together some of Beijing’s most impressive exhibitions.

> RMB10, free Thursdays. Tues-Sun 10am-7pm. 798 Art District, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区酒仙桥路4号798艺术区 (5780 0200, www.ucca.org.cn)

Tang Contemporary Art Stressing cutting-edge exhibition installation and curatorial theory. With locations in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Beijing, Tang focuses on promoting artistic exchange throughout East Asia.

> Free. Tues-Sun 10.30am-6pm. 798 Factory, 2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District 朝阳区大山子酒仙桥路798工厂2号入口前行300米 (5978 9610, www. atngcontemporary.com)

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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) 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 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

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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 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 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.cnWebsite: http:>beijing. joannarealestate.com.cn/ (Tel: 84585667 ; 13501358971)

Replus-Benchmark “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 Annie’s Catering We provide exceptional Italian food supported by a friendly and professional international team, ready for every occasion. We are focused on making your special occasion the way you want it to be, and our dishes are all prepared with great ingredients, skill and passion. Let’s talk about your event and let us tailor a special service for you and find personalized solutions! Our service experience let us cater for different events, both casual or high-end, from cocktail or wedding receptions, tea time, BBQ, business lunches/diplomatic events for embassies and private dinners right at your home. Relax, tell us the location and we will do the rest! Contact Rain at 136 6116 5838 or Marlon at 185 1098 8846；Email: catering@annies.cc 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

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tj Tianjin reviews, events and information

EVENTS

Yoga Meditation

Tianjin has a rep for being a chill, some would say ‘slow,’ city. While this may be true, especially compared to its neighbor Beijing, living, it ain’t easy, and sometimes even Tianjinren need a little something to calm down and relax. Thankfully WE Brewery is looking out for you: The craft beer purveyors hold weekly yoga sessions on their building’s top floor. Practicing yoga is fun at WE Brewery, with its brightly colored walls and energetic teachers. Even better? Classes are free. We told you the bar was looking out for you. Thursdays, 10.30am; WE Brewery, 4 Yiheli, Xi’an Dao, Heping 和平区西安道怡和里4号 (186 3088 8114)

Thanksgiving Dining

It’s Thanksgiving time and Sheraton Tianjin Hotel is giving thanks by offering diners a special Thanksgiving dinner set and buffet. The former is a traditional feast including roast turkey with cranberry sauce and Champagne, while the latter includes a chestnut-stuffed turkey, gammon ham and seafood feast (oyster, scallop, South American shrimp, New Zealand mussels, sashimi and more). Thu Nov 23, 6-9.30pm; RMB268 (buffet, per person), RMB488 (set dinner, two persons); Sheraton Tianjin Hotel, Zijinshan Lu, Tianta 天塔区紫金山路

Iran Streets: Tales of Iran Photography

Liu Ruiqi Gig

Shanghai-based singer Liu Ruiqi (AKA Richael) found fame through reality TV show The X Factor in 2013. Since then she’s been melting hearts with her sultry voice and guitar playing. Liu hits up Tianjin as part of her 2017 National Tour, where she’ll play a mix of classics and new songs. Fri Nov 10, 7.30pm; RMB380-580; The Hall of Dongli, 59 Yuejin Lu, Dongli 东丽区跃进路59号 (tickets via piao.damai.cn)

The Shake Mary / Drinking

We always love to relax and enjoy the view at River Lounge, at the St. Regis Tianjin. But we’re especially looking forward to it this November, with a special drink: the Shake-Mary. An innovative new Bloody Mary creation, the Shake-Mary is a fun twist on the classic tomato-based drink. River Lounge’s mixologists are serving several variations, with a special menu created by St. Regis hotels in destinations around the world – all to relaxing backdrop of live jazz music. There are six – yes, six – diﬀerent Shake-Marys for you to try. So bring your friends and enjoy the view. And then, say ‘Cheers.’ River Lounge, 1/F The St. Regis Tianjin, 158 Zhangzizhong Lu, Heping 张自忠路158号天津瑞吉金融街酒店1/F (022 5830 9958)

Jianghu College Theater

A series of works showcasing vivid photos of the streets of Iran, taken by Tianjin-based photographer Mattia Gobi. In the photographer’s own words, the exhibition is “a portrait of a Developing Freedom.” The exhibition runs indefinitely. Sun-Tue, 5pm-midnight, Fri-Sat, 5pm2am; WE Brewery, 4 Yiheli, Xi’an Dao, Heping 和平区西安道怡和里4号 (186 3088 8114)

A comedy drama about a ragtag group of students – which includes a ‘fake’ fu’erdai and a girl looking for a real fu’erdai – at the eponymous university. The college typically accepts five new cohorts each year, however, this year six invitations are mysteriously sent. Which student is a liar and conned their way in? A raucous show with themes of deception, martial arts and education, Jianghu College is a must-see. Thu Nov 16-Sun Nov 19, 7.30pm; RMB80-1,080; Binhu Theater, Huanhuzhong Dao, Hexi河西区环湖中路 (tickets via piao.damai.cn)

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A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE The St. Regis Tianjin GM Dario Pithard Brings Passion and Expertise to the Iconic Location Welcome to Tianjin! Have you had time to explore the city? Since I started working at The St. Regis Tianjin, my highest priority has been working closely with my team of fantastic talented staff in order to fully understand how the hotel is operating and how we can improve our product and services for [our] guests. Besides this, I’m sure that my family and I will find the time to explore the city in the weeks ahead. You have decades of hospitality experience in both China and abroad. What trends have you noticed about China’s hospitality industry compared to elsewhere? I am of the opinion that the hospitality industry is growing extremely fast in China. The number of Chinese tourists is growing from year to year and

due to their enlarged travel experiences, their expectations are getting higher. We have to be very creative and at the same time consistent in order to increase the number of new customers that we can convert to loyal guests in the future. What changes will you bring to The St. Regis Tianjin? At The St. Regis Tianjin I have the exciting opportunity to further develop all areas of the hotel. I will build and inspire a strong team of talented staff around me, so that together we are able to meet and exceed all our stakeholders’ expectations. Many Beijingers head to Tianjin for a getaway. Why should they choose The St. Regis Tianjin? I can proudly say that we have the best location in Tianjin – just beside the famous Hai River. A number of important historic and cultural locations as well as high-end dining and entertainment venues are also within walking distance. Nearby cultural locations include Ancient Culture Street, Porcelain House and Italian-Style Town. The address – so close to the railway station – and creative packages [offered by the hotel], ensures that every customer will enjoy The St. Regis Tianjin. Do you have any special events or offers coming up at The St. Regis Tianjin you can share with our readers?

GLASS HALF FULL Half Bed and Terrace is Your Best Bet For Quality on a Budget

Located in the center of Tianjin, Half Bed and Terrace offers a taste of the Mediterranean. Half Bed and Terrace is the hot girl we never thought would talk to us on holiday: beautiful, playful, and put together in such a way we stop to say, “Just how does she do it?” Half Bed and Terrace feels like home, if home is a pretty villa in the heart of the city. Half Bed and Terrace is everything we want in a holiday stay: convenient, attractive and accessible. The surrounding area has plenty of yummy dining options, and transport to and from the hostel is easy, as it’s just off Line 3 of the metro. A fiveminute saunter gets you to Wudadao, but don’t be surprised if you’re tempted to spend the night in. The terrace bar is perfect for a beverage and a good chat. Half Bed and Terrace hosts parties regularly, so mingle with friends and enjoy the ambiance. When you’re finally ready to stumble to your room

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for the night, you just might forget you’re in China. With Mediterranean decor this convincing, you can almost feel the Aegean breeze brush your cheeks. 120 Harbin Dao, Heping 和平区哈尔滨道120号 (022 2723 0606)

We offer great Room Packages, like the River Cruise Autumn Escape. We also have an amazing Family Fun Room Package for parents and their children. The joyous tradition of the Christmas tree lighting ceremony is an anticipated event – it marks the beginning of the festive season in Tianjin where we will offer a Christmas Hamper, Christmas-themed Afternoon Tea, Christmas brunch and much more. The team at The St. Regis welcomes every reader to come and celebrate with us. The St. Regis Tianjin; 158 Zhangzizhong Lu, Heping 和平区张自忠路158号 (022 5830 9999)

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NOVEMBER

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

Scorpio

10.24~11.22 It’s Scorpio season. Live your best life with a new winter wardrobe, or just a nice pair of socks. They sell them at the Dongzhimen subway station sometimes.

Pisces

2.20~3.20 If you board a rickshaw on the 13th you will fall off the back of it. If you board a rickshaw on the 25th you will fall in love with the driver.

Cancer

6.22~7.22 Relax. Fall is your season. All your relationships are fine. You know what? Drink more. Dawdle. Your Didi driver will wait for six minutes without yelling at you.

80 | NOVEMBER 2017 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Sagittarius

Capricorn

11.23~12.21

12.22~1.20

Aquarius

You will have an incredibly fortuitous November if you sign up for our email newsletter at thatsmags.com/beijing. Yeah, we just plugged ourselves in our own horoscopes. Don’t wear red on a full moon.

Don’t go to Tianjin on a Wednesday. Only travel to Chengde on weekends. Don’t book sleeper trains if you don’t plan on sleeping. Best to avoid travel this whole month, actually.

Something from your past will haunt you – your past life boozing in Wudaokou, that is. Romeo, your partner on that project about the Qing dynasty you did for study abroad, will make a sudden reappearance.

Aries

Taurus

3.21~4.20 Don’t paint your nails on days when the AQI is above 150.

Leo

1.21~2.19

Gemini

4.21~5.21

5.22~6.21

You will receive several calls from kuaidi delivery men – even though you haven’t ordered anything. These packages are inauspicious – never touch them.

Naughty Gemini – you swapped germs with a sweaty stranger at Dada’s Halloween party again this year! This is why you’re currently suffering from a sore throat and head cold. Take it easy at Thanksgiving.

Virgo

Libra

7.23~8.23

8.24~9.23

9.24~10.23

You’re the type of person who will walk out on Houhai even when there’s just a tiny veneer of ice. Stop being that person. Do not interpret this month’s cold snap as an opportunity for you to show off.

You’re feeling sad and overwhelmed. Here’s what the stars prescribe: A night under blankets, with a glass of Great Wall red wine and Wolf Warrior 2 .

You’ve been single for a very long time. So long, that it’s time to ask your neighborhood busybody if she knows of any eligible matches. You will go on several dates at which she will be present.

SHANGHAI RUMOURS

and the challenges they face in China.

An Expatriate’s Journey to China and Beyond Written by Christine Velde

Shanghai Rumours explores a 10-year period in the life of ‘Kristen,’ an Australian expatriate in Shanghai. Living in a foreign country is a transformative experience, which brings opportunities for discovering new things about other cultures and oneself. However, living abroad presents many challenges. Shanghai Rumours emphasizes the importance of the freedom to choose and create one’s life, to take risks and to live outside the box. This literary memoir explores the reasons why the Australian protagonist, and others from Australia, Europe and the UK choose to live and work in a very different culture from their own,

Although there have been discussions about challenges of East to West migrations, few have written about the difficulties of moving from the West to the East. Yet these migrations are becoming more frequent due to globalization and advancements in technology. Shanghai Rumours helps to shed a light on this subject. This book illustrates the experiences of both Chinese and Western expatriates and their contributions to life and work in Shanghai. Philosophical and literary themes such as loss, attachment to place, freedom and transformation are highlighted throughout, along with photos depicting the daily life and history of Shanghai. Poetry was considered integral to the writing of the memoir because it provides a more layered and visual meaning than prose alone could express. Interviews were carried out with expatriates (strategists, entrepreneurs, artists, architects and writers) in Shanghai and Hong Kong during May 2012, and are reported in narrative form to include events and people that shaped the city. These stories reveal what it’s like to live there as Westerners, and how this experience transforms them on a personal level. For Velde, writing this memoir was a cathartic process that helped her see the experience of living abroad in a new light.

To Purchase these books, please call 010 8200 5927

62 | november 2017 | www.thatsmags.com

24 SOLAR TERMS FAIRY TALE A Talking Picture Book Translated and Edited by Berenice Zandonai

Two years ago, Chinese friends of French writer Berenice Zandonai sent her some illustrated postcards about the 24 solar terms in Chinese culture, and she was immediately inspired by their fantastic story. By following the journey of the young protagonist, she felt like she traveled through the four seasons and felt the magic of each change in the weather throughout the year. After sending some of these postcards to her friends in France, she decided to search for the entire collection, and managed to contact Jorsir, a young and talented Chinese illustrator who created the postcards and proposed to translate the content into English. Later, the two of them decided to make these beautiful illustrations of 24 solar terms into a Chinese-English bilingual picture book, so that people around the world could learn more about traditional Chinese culture and the wonderful stories behind the different seasons. Thanks to the help of China Intercontinental Communication Press, the book is now available in both Chinese-English and Chinese-French versions.