Put a Japanese restaurant, a sexy cocktail bar and a dimly-lit comfy lounge together in Beijing and what do you get? RBL! Chef Dan believes that food is an art as much as a science—marvel at his precisely-cut sushi and well-presented Dalian scallop sashimi. But the Nagasaki suckling pig in kumquat sauce and the Shandong eel soaked in oils and spices is to die for. Fresh ingredients are added into these dishes, which is evident by the taste. For dessert, relax over a green tea cheesecake or the miso crème brûlée before you head over to the laidback lounge section for a chat with pals.
This is Beijing's most famous Peking Duck restaurant, and also one of the oldest, having been established in 1864. The huge, plush dining hall is filled with diners eager to try this dish in its most authentic setting. A basic duck starts at CNY108, but the pancakes, scallions and sauces are extra. For CNY168 you can choose your bird before it is roasted, and get all the trimmings "for free". The menu also has dishes made from every other part of the duck, save the quack. Beers, spirits and soft drinks are served, and there is a separate fast-food section.
This night market has to be seen to be believed. Eager crowds jostle alongside red and white stalls, responding to the calls of vendors or the sight of something delicious or extraordinary to behold. Food comes on skewers, in soup bowls, wrapped in tortillas, or even in half a pineapple, and includes familiar fried and roasted meat, fish, seafood, vegetables and fruit, alongside hearts, brains, stomach and other innards. Try baby sparrows, scorpions, crickets and silkworm grubs. Glutinous and sticky, savory and sweet rice dishes are filling and cheap. Vegetarians can eat corn, broccoli, mushrooms and noodles.
Previously rated as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world by Conde Naste magazine, The CourtYard has a heralded reputation in Beijing as a first-class dining establishment. It is certainly designed to impress, making it ideal for a romantic rendezvous or important business dinner. Coolly elegant, spacious and airy, the CourtYard has modern airs featuring candles, glass, white walls and contemporary Chinese artwork. The kitchen specializes in nouveau fusion cooking, combining pan-Asian and Western touches. The result is an innovative and varied menu. The wine list is impressive and there is also an exceptional selection of after-dinner drinks and desserts.
When you go shopping in the Qian Men commercial area, two majestic towers greet your eyes. They are the Gate of True Sun and Arrow Tower, dubbed as Qian Men (front gate), which stand on the south side of Tiananmen Square. Originally built in 1419, the gate was the south entrance of the Beijing inner city during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911). It is the largest well-preserved city gate in Beijing. The gate has become a museum of local customs, and visitors can see Beijing's old city wall, streets, markets and houses through historical photos and relics.
This massive mausoleum and memorial hall was built right in the center of Tiananmen Square—the center of Beijing and metaphorically of the whole of China; shortly after Mao's death in 1976. For nearly thirty years he was the center of the Chinese universe, and however the future judges him he is certainly still revered today. The queues that file into the building and pass his glass sarcophagus are long but fast moving, and visitors often get the feeling they are being whisked away before they can get a good look at the mummified corpse. Admission is free.
Popular Hakka dishes prepared in a casual setting at the edge of Houhai keep the patrons coming back for more. Lao Hanzi's "three cup duck" and sizzling perch cooked in tinfoil also make for a dramatic dinnertime display. Service can get a bit slow, especially during dinnertime, so be prepared for a long drawn-out meal. This is fine, if and when the beer is cold.
Wang Fu Jing Avenue, or the "walking street", is lined with shops selling everything from women's fashions to eyeglasses and Chinese tea. There are several shopping centres like the Beijing Department Store, Sun Dong An Plaza, and Wang Fu Jing Department Store. Running parallel to Wang Fu Jing Avenue are Dong Dan Bei and Dong Si Nan Avenues, with a high concentration of small restaurants, shops and boutiques. Evening shoppers should not miss Dong An Men Avenue where a variety of street food-stalls sell everything from noodles to dumplings. If feeling brave, try the Deep-Fried Scorpion or Grasshopper.
Arty, minimalist and hip, it's hard not to feel a bit like a bon vivant here, eating fashionably small portions of flavorful, spicy, Yunnan cuisine. Try the tree bark—yes, tree bark—salad with its delectable dressing. The food is a joy to look at and eat.
Boasting dark wood paneling and floor to ceiling windows offering an eyeful of Houhai, this small jazz dive defines rugged sophistication. Started by Liu Yue, Cui Jian's former saxophonist, it's the most authentic jazz joint in town, featuring top acts from Thursday to Sunday. Perfect for those tired of glitz but hungry for jazz.
Originally built in the days of Kublai Khan, this park was used for recreation by the emperors of post-Kublai Khan dynasties. The famous White Dagoba standing above the Jade Islet sets an exotic scene. It is a memorial to a visit by the Dalai Lama in 1651. Other famous features include the Nine-Dragon Screen, built to ward off evil spirits, and the Five-Dragon Pavilion. The park is enjoyable in every season, especially in summer when graceful lotus blooms cover the surface of the lake.
Built in 1694, the Lama Temple (or Palace of Peace and Harmony) was the residence of Prince Yin Zhen, a son of Emperor Kang Xi of the Qing Dynasty. After the prince came to the throne, half of the residence was used as an imperial palace and the other half was converted to a lamasery. It features five large halls and five courtyards with beautifully decorative archways, upturned eaves and carved details. It houses a treasury of Buddhist art, including sculptured images of gods, demons and Buddhas, as well as Tibetan-style murals.
Also known as the "Former Palace," this was the imperial residence of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties. The complex has 70 structures and more than 9,000 rooms. It is surrounded by a high wall and encircled by a moat. Turned into a museum in the early 20th century, it houses a great collection of fine treasures. The Nationalist Party took a large number of these treasures to Taiwan in 1949, but 900,000 relics remain. Behind the palace is a delightful royal garden.
This renovated hutong is filled with unique shops, cozy cafes and tasty restaurants. Despite the somewhat gentrified feel, local men strolling in their pajamas prove this is is still a great place to observe everyday life in the capital.
The Chang An Avenue, stretching 38 kilometers and running east-westward through the Beijing city proper, is known as the first street and façade of the capital. It is definitely a must-see for first-time visitors. Both sides are lined with famous high-rise buildings. The avenue offers a rare opportunity to reflect on the city's past, present and future. The Tiananmen Square, located in the middle reach of the street, is filled with historic relics and legends, and the flag raising and lowering ceremonies there often attracts a large crowd of observers.
Another one from the Hyatt stable, this hotel will offer you luxury beyond imagination. Steeped in Oriental traditions, yet very modern in design and amenities, the Grand Hyatt ensures a comfortable stay. Apart from the regular luxury features present in all the 825 rooms and suites, this hotel also has a swimming pool, a spa, a fitness center and a business center. It even provides limousine services, sight seeing tours, secretarial services and more.
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