Work today, fly tomorrow • February 2016
Six reasons to stay on in Beijing
A fascinating fusion of ancient villages and ultra-modern towers, China’s capital city can be confusing for a visitor to navigate. BA’s man on the ground, and Beijing resident, Kobe Zhang gives the insider’s view on places to make the most of your trip
The perfect plates of Peking
When it comes to food, you can’t visit Beijing without trying Peking Duck; no city does it better. My restaurant of choice is Da Dong (above). It’s well known, and not cheap, but the duck is in a class of its own. I also love the mutton hot pot at Dong Lai Shun – another popular Beijing haunt. It’s close to the Forbidden City so makes for a great stop-off.
Shopping in the know
Panjiayuan Market (above) is the best place to buy traditional arts, crafts and antiques – you’ll find beautiful pottery, jade statues and necklaces. Watch out for fake copies. If something is cheap, it’s almost certainly not a genuine antique. Nanluoguxiang Street is also fun: a winding shopping street lined with willow trees and night lanterns in the evenings. Both areas are ideal for souvenir hunting.
Enjoying the views
The best view of Beijing is from Grill 79, the restaurant at the top of the Shangri-La hotel. On a clear day you can see all the famous sights, including Tiananmen Square. For something unusual, check out the 798 Art Zone (pictured), an old military factory now home to young artists, designers and musicians.
Local knowledge
Beijing’s hutongs (narrow alleyways, pictured) are fascinating to visit. They are the original residential areas of the city and some have been there for nearly 1,000 years, with families living in the area for generations. The lakeside neighbourhood of Hou Hai is very trendy. Stroll alongside the lake before dropping in on one of the many cafés and restaurants that line the waterfront.
Ancient operatics
For a show to remember, head to Chang’an Grand Theatre to watch the Peking Opera. The plays tell ancient stories from China’s past and are beautiful, with lots of flowing dances, acrobatics and colourful costumes.
After dark
In the evening I enjoy hanging out in the Wudaokou zone. It’s popular with students from the prestigious Peking and Tsinghua universities, and is within walking distance of the Old Summer Palace and its expansive gardens. There are plenty of places to eat and you can sample food from all over the world. In my younger days I used to go dancing in Propaganda.
This article has been tagged Destination, Travel Tips