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To Try List: New Indonesian, Ethiopian & Eritrean, Tacos & More

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New restaurants, dining deals, drinks discounts, guest shifts, pop-ups, and more happenings on our to try list this week.


Indonesian Restaurant Warisan Opens in Langyuan Station

There is a new Indonesian restaurant in town in Langyuan Station named Warisan (lead image), and it's now in soft opening. They’ve got an array of classic dishes on their soft opening menu including satay, soups, rice dishes and more. The space itself is beautifully decorated with touches of Indonesian artwork and other knick-knacks. It’s currently only open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday and you can find out more information in this post

Warisan
3D7-3, Shouchuang Langyuan Station, 53, Banjieta Cun, Chaoyang District
朝阳区半截塔村53号郎园Station D7栋
Hours: Wed-Sun, 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-9.30pm
Phone: 010 6437 8913


Eritrean and Ethiopian Food Specials Now Available at CODED+

CODED+ has been bringing a great range of African dishes to Beijing since it opened last year and now they’ve got even more delights from the continent with new weekly specials. They have just started serving Eritrean and Ethiopian dishes every Wednesday from 6-9pm and Friday from 6pm. The menu is created by Habisha Kitchen and has offerings like Beef Tibs (RMB 68) and Firfir (RMB 55), you can see the full menu below. The Eritrean and Ethiopian dishes join their South African specials, which they’ve been offering for a little while now and are available every Thursday and Saturday. Aside from food they’ve also recently added a new Comedy Show Night on Wednesday to their events roster. 

CODED+
203, 2/F, Caochang Commercial Plaza, 19 Tianze Road
朝阳区天择路19号草场商业广场2层203号
Hours: Sun-Thu 6pm-4am, Fri-Sat 6pm-6am
Phone: 137 1603 2294


Pebbles Courtyard Launches New Taco Deal

With the recent announcement of our second ever Taco Fest, it should come as no surprise that tacos are never far from our mind! We’re always on the hunt for new taco spots and new taco specials, so were delighted to hear that Pebbles has a brand new deal up for grabs. You can now get six tacos for only RMB 99 from Tuesday to Thursday, it’s a perfect deal to share with friends or enjoy all to yourself! Pebbles rooftop is also now open, so what better way to embrace the warmer weather than indulging in some tacos and taking in the beautiful hutong view.

Pebbles Courtyard
74 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区五道营胡同74号
Hours: Tue-Fri 5-10pm, Sat-Sun noon-2pm, 5-10pm
Phone: 010 8404 0767


New Tex-Mex Restaurant Q Bistro Opens in East Chaoyang

We’ve got even more taco related news for you with new Tex-Mex restaurant Q Bistro opening up recently. Located right by Meijie Park – a brand new skate park – out in east Chaoyang, Q Bistro serves up a range of Tex-Mex like hard and soft shell tacos, nachos, quesadillas and more. They’ve also got a whopping eight burgers on the menu plus other dishes such as hot dogs, pizzas and even a few pasta dishes. 

Q Bistro
Opposite the East Gate of Bacui Bilingual School, Pingfang Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区平房路拔萃双语学校东门对面
Hours: 10am-8pm
Phone: 187 4005 0607


Spring Drinks Menu Launch Party at Zarah

Today (Mar 22) Zarah is officially launching their Spring Drinks Menu and as per tradition, they’re throwing a special launch party bash to celebrate. Kicking off at 7pm, all their new drinks will be available at the special happy hour price of RMB 50 accompanied by live DJ sets. On the new spring drinks menu they’ve got some non-alcoholic offerings like a Lavender Latte and an Iced Hibiscus Mint Tea which sound like perfect, fresh flavors for spring. On the alcoholic cocktail front, they’ve got some new bold flavors such as an Osmanthus Sour and the tropical sounding Pineapple Coconut Mojito.

Zarah
46 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District
东城区鼓楼东大街46号
Hours: Mon-Thu, 10am-12.30am, Fri-Sun, 10am-1.30am
Phone: 010 8403 9807


Great Leap’s Terraces Are Officially Open to Welcome Spring

There’s good news for those who enjoy a pint in the sun with Great Leap announcing that the terraces at their #12, #45 and Lido locations are now open. But that’s not all, from now until Apr 20 anyone who visits the terrace will get their first beer free! Ladies can get a free Grapefruit Flood Hazy IPA and men can get a free Daredevil Dream Hazy IPA

Great Leap #12
1/F, Zi Ming Mansion, 12 Xinzhong Jie, Dongcheng District
东城区新中街12号
Hours: Sun-Thu 11-2am, Fri-Sat 11-3am
Phone: 010 6417 0018

Great Leap #45
45-1 Xinyuan Jie, Chaoyang District
大跃啤酒45号新源街店
Hours: Sun-Thu 11-2am, Fri-Sat 11-3am
Phone: 010 5947 6984

Great Leap Lido
Rm 103, Nuo Center, A2 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区将台路甲2号诺金中心一层103室
Hours: Sun-Thu 11-2am, Fri-Sat 11-3am
Phone: 010 6434 7221


Taylor Swift Party Comes to Beermith

Swifties rejoice! Although Taylor Swift isn’t hitting up China on her Eras Tour, you can catch the next best thing at Beersmith this Saturday (Mar 23) instead. Beersmith’s house band Soul Shake will be performing a range of Taylor Swift’s best hits from across her career so that you can shake it off on the dance floor. The show starts at 9pm and tickets are RMB 100 which includes a free drink! 

Beersmith
1/F, Hotel Jen Beijing, 1 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街1号新国贸饭店1层
Hours: 11-2am
Phone: 010 8647 1098

READ: To Try List: Alimentari and Bosco Open, Free Flow Steak & More

Images: courtesy of the venues, Dianping

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Jingkids International School Expo Unveils Exciting Lineup for This Weekend’s Event

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As parents, our collective aim is to give our children the best possible start in life. A crucial part of achieving this goal involves selecting a school that meets our children’s unique needs and aspirations. While it’s tempting to assume that all international schools are similar, the reality is much more nuanced. Each institution offers distinct curricula and strengths that can greatly influence a child’s education and future career paths.

Enter the Jingkids International School Expo (JISE), an annual event that serves as a guiding light for parents navigating their child’s educational journey. JISE goes beyond being just a gathering of major international schools; it’s a transformative experience that enhances the process of selecting a school.

What makes JISE stand out is its innovative approach, which goes beyond traditional school fairs by incorporating intimate discussion sessions. These sessions provide a platform for parents to interact with educators and experts on topics of genuine importance. JISE is more than just a platform for school connections; it’s an educational hub that keeps parents updated on the latest trends in education. Additionally, it provides a safe space for parents to address their questions and concerns with experienced professionals.

This year, JISE takes it a step further with PechaKucha-style presentations from Beijing’s top international schools. These concise presentations allow schools to showcase their proudest achievements in 20-second-long slides, ensuring efficiency and directness.

As the excitement builds for the upcoming JISE this weekend, we’re thrilled to announce that the first round of speakers for the PechaKucha-style presentations has been selected. These dynamic speakers represent some of the top international schools in Beijing, ready to showcase their unique strengths and educational philosophies in concise and engaging presentations. With their expertise and passion, they will offer valuable insights into what sets their schools apart and why they could be the perfect fit for your child’s educational journey. Stay tuned for more updates as we unveil the full lineup of speakers, promising an event filled with inspiration and informative discussions.

There's more to this story! This article originally appeared on our sister site, Jingkids International

Click here to continue reading

READ: Celebrate Easter With These Eggciting Events and Deals, Pt. 1

Images: Jingkids

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Don’t Miss LA's “Hidden Gem” DJ Mesmé at DADA Mar 23

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As the cold dissipates it’s not just the weather that’s warming up: the capital’s music scene is heating up with the arrival of acts from all over the globe. This weekend, Dada stokes the flames with the arrival of Mesmé, an LA-based DJ who’s been described by Boiler Room as a “hidden gem” in the City of Angels.

Mesmé is one of two aliases – the other being Giselle – of Ghazal Marvi. Born in Iran in 1992, she moved with her family to Singapore in 1997, where she developed an interest in the arts.

This interest would grow and develop over the years until it morphed into DJing, something that’s propelled her to become one of LA’s most sought after young artists in the industry today. Now Mesmé has brought her signature sound with her on tour in Asia. Having stopped off in Kunming and Shanghai, we here in Beijing are going to get a taste of her tunes tonight (Mar 23).

Before Mesmé’s gig at Dada Beijing, we caught up with the artist to ask about her thoughts on China’s scene, a bit more about her music, and whether or not she’ll be vinyl hunting during her time here.

How does it feel being in China for the very first time, and how did your set at Dada Kunming go?
It’s been such a culturally rich and rewarding experience. I’ve also been enjoying putting my Chinese to use. I grew up in Singapore and studied Chinese in school so I have decent conversational skills. That’s been super helpful in terms of getting around. Dada Kunming was a really fun club to DJ at. They have a balanced crowd and great resident DJs. I could tell that they had a keen ear for music but also liked to have fun. It’s the sort of crowd I appreciate.

So before we look forward to Beijing, we’d like to go all the way back to the beginning. How’d you first get into DJing and electronic music?
I’ve been doing music and dance since childhood. I studied piano and ballet. I fell in love with electronic dance music in my teens, because it combined both of these worlds. I started learning how to DJ at around 19 years old.

Your music has been described as “vinyl-heavy blends of moody, atmospheric electronica with acid, electro, trip-hop, and experimental influences.” How did you develop your signature sound and what sort of things are you always looking to incorporate into your sets?
When I was playing classical piano, I was drawn to music that was written in minor keys. A lot of Chopin, Franz Liszt, Rachmaninov and other great composers of the Romantic period. There is just this richness, depth and seriousness to music written in minor scales that spoke to me. A lot of music written in major keys sounded frivolous in comparison, to my ears at least, and I wasn’t really interested in playing them. The exception for me was Debussy—he favored modes rather than conventional Western major/minor scales but his music was complex, and multidimensional, which all worked to stimulate my imagination. Anyway, I think my taste in classical music transferred over when I switched formats to electronic music. I’m drawn to tracks that aren’t necessarily dark but have a rich mood. So, imagine a room that isn’t pitch black, but with dim lights, like a speakeasy or bar. I’m really fond of ambiance and atmosphere. That’s where the magic happens. When I select tracks for sets, that’s what I pay attention to, rather than genres, but it’s always interesting to hear how others describe me.

What’s been the most memorable set or all-around experience of your music career thus far?
I’ve been lucky to have had a few. My first gig after lockdown with Ben UFO was a massive experience. The Wall of Sound with DVS1 and Centrific about a year and a half ago in LA was also an incredible show and one that was really meaningful for me.

Before you set foot in China, did you have any idea of what the electronic music scene would be like here? What stands out for you the most, if anything?
I’d come across the Instagram page of some clubs like Lantern, which I know has since closed, and I am familiar with the work of some Chinese artists such as Ma Haiping. Beyond a few familiar names however, I knew very little about the scene in China, so I was curious to see everything first hand, talk to people on the ground, and learn more. I’ve found the local resident DJs at the venues I’ve played at so far to be very skillful.

So you’ve got an affinity for vinyl thanks to exposure while you were in college in the Midwestern US. Do you plan to do any vinyl hunting while in Shanghai and Beijing? If so, what’ll you be on the lookout for?
Yes, I was really interested in finding some local record stores and someone actually pointed me towards Uptown RnB in Shanghai, which apparently has a selection of house and techno music as well. I’ll be popping by there to see what I can find. I’m not looking for anything specific. I usually like to just dig through the bins and pick out whatever I’m drawn to. Then I just listen to them all and filter my selections from there. The cool thing about digging for music at record stores around the world is that you’ll find a lot of unexpected gems. When I dig for records online it tends to be a lot more targeted.

Now, looking forward to the set on Saturday, what can people expect to hear when you step up to the turntable?
Lots of thumping drum work paired with vocals and atmospheres. It will be peak time so I want it to be banging but also true to my style.

You can catch Mesmé tonight, Saturday, Mar 23 at Dada Beijing. The show kicks off at 10pm with Mesmé set to take to the tables from 1-3am. Tickets, available at the door, are RMB 90 before 11pm and RMB 120 after 11pm.

DADA
Ritan International Trade Center, Block A, floor B1 (Nanyinfang Hutong @ Chaowai Shichang Jie), Chaoyang District
朝阳区日坛国际贸易中心A座B1层(南营坊胡同@朝外市场街 )

READ: 65 Events and Happenings in the 'Jing This Weekend (Mar 22-24)

Images courtesy of Toxic Entertainment

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12 Bands Selected to Battle it Out May 5 at Modernista

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In a rocking display of Beijing’s burgeoning high school music scene, 12 local bands were selected to compete in the highly anticipated International High School Battle of the Bands on May 5 at Modernista.

The bands, comprised of members enrolled in 13 different schools across the city, were selected by a discerning panel of local musicians and industry insiders. Ultimately, all those who made the cut were chosen for their diverse styles and musical skills.

The eclectic mix of genres these bands represent promises a fantastic show at Modernista on May 5. From the raw energy of classic rock to the soulful harmonies of indie folk, the lineup is a testament to the distinctive tapestry of sounds cultivated in Beijing’s high schools.

As the countdown to the main event begins, the selected bands are fine-tuning their sets, each eager to claim their spot in the limelight and support Our Learning House– a school dedicated to aiding children with special needs in Beijing. The stage is set for a showdown that’s about more than just music; it’s a celebration of youthful creativity and community spirit.

Here is the list of bands who have been selected to compete:

Alu* from Beijing City International School (BCIS)

Jenny, G11 (Vocals), Haolin, G10 (Guitar), Peter, G10 (Guitar), Chris, G10 (Drums), Derek, G10 (Bass)


Carterfly from International School of Beijing

Lucy, G10 (Bass), Grace, G10 (Vocals, Keyboard), Rachel, G10 (Guitar), Kylie, G10 (Vocals, Guitar), Joseph, G11 (Drums)                         ‘


The Cyclops from French International School of Beijing

Tate, G10 (Drums), Leïla, G10 (Vocals, Guitar), Andréas, G10 (Bass), Angelina, G9 (Keyboards), Alexis, G12 (Guitar)

There's more to this story! This article first appeared on our sister site, Jingkids International

Click here to continue reading

READ: To Try List: New Indonesian, Ethiopian & Eritrean, Tacos & More

Images: courtesy of the bands, Jingkids, Pexels

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Talks, Performances & Fun at “Ain’t I A Woman?” This Sunday, Mar 31

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This Sunday (Mar 31), join the Hopelessly Tatiana community for an evening of guest speakers and performers to conclude this year’s Women’s History Month. Titled “Ain’t I A Woman?” after the famous Sojourner Truth speech of the same name, the event aims to showcase the experiences of different women here in Beijing as well as provide an evening full of fun, inspiration and even some prizes. 

Organized by Tatiana, who created and runs the podcast and WeChat group Hopelessly Tatiana, this is one of many enlightening events that Tatiana has organized in recent years. To find out more about just what the evening will entail we got the full lowdown from Tatiana herself. 

Firstly, what can the audience expect at the event?
As with all of my events, the audience can expect to be entertained and also educated. My original idea for this event was to have a panel with five speakers and a Q&A afterwards, but that didn’t feel like a Hopelessly Tatiana Women’s Day event. I want everyone to hear all of our stories, but I also want the audience to be able to be a bit more involved and energized. So I’ve added performers and a pretty extensive lucky draw. 

Why did you choose the famous “Ain’t I A Woman?” speech as the event name?
Sojourner Truth is one of my favorite abolitionists because her speech has always resonated with me and so many other black women. When it comes to women’s rights, we are often not included in the discussions. The combination of our gender and race is often used to discredit our perspectives leading to our needs being either overlooked or categorized as racial issues and ignored.

Even now when we think of the gender pay gap, the number most commonly used is that women earn 80 cents for one dollar a man makes, but that’s not true. For black women it’s 69 cents and for Native American women it’s 59 cents. And that’s just in the United States, depending on the country you’re from the disparity can be even greater. Over 150 years ago, Sojourner Truth made this point and we are still trying to make it today. 

Can you introduce who the other speakers are?
Absolutely, the speakers for this event will be Song Wang, Jessica Medhurst, Diva, Amber, and myself. Each speaker will talk about feminism and gender bias from their life’s perspective and since we’re from different countries and cultures, this will prove most interesting. It wouldn’t be a Hopelessly Tatiana event without some creative flare, so there will also be performances by Indi, Dorrit Ariel, Emilia Bywaters, Patience, and Miss Divine. Seeing as how this is a rather large grouping of talented women the best person I know to Host such as feat would be Fenia who recently published a book of poetry and will be one of the performers as well. It promises to be a time to remember. 

What do you hope to achieve with the event?
I hope to shine a spotlight on so many of the talented women here in Beijing and to explain that feminism looks different all over the world. And I also want to unify with creativity and passion. Plus, I want it to be fun. Serious conversations are necessary, but so are love, joy, and connection. These things do not have to be mutually exclusive.

Lastly, do you have any other events planned for the future?
I have a few others plan before the summer comes. I’m currently organizing a Masquerade Ball at the end of June. Nothing says summer fun like well dressed fun and dance. Other than that, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. 

“Ain’t I A Woman?” will be taking place at Jinshang Yuan this Sunday, Mar 31 from 7-9pm. Tickets are RMB 158 and can be purchased by scanning the QR code in the posters above.

JinShangYuan
20 Xinyuanli West, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新源里西20号

READ: Spring has (Finally) Sprung! Here's Where to See Blossoms in Beijing

Images: Unsplash, courtesy of Tatiana

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Wonders for Wine Lovers: Weekly Wine Happenings in Beijing

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Wine: the nectar of Bacchus, the grape juice for adults, the beverage that can help you make a dinner or to look classy while getting wasted – we’d have to admit we’re fans of it. And there are a number of deals and specials with which to kick off or end the week with a little red, white, and rosé.

Just FYI, most of these shindigs take place on Wednesday, so it’s a good excuse to try something new each week going forward. Mark your calendars for Wine Wednesday and find your favorites from the following happenings…

Every Tuesday

Wine Down Tuesdays @ Zarah

Red, white, and sparkling wines from all over the world are available from RMB 50 per glass and 50 percent off for the bottle at the longstanding Gulou café and bar. What’s more, each bottle of wine purchased comes with a complimentary appetizer, from croquetas to bruschetta and other bites and nibbles. Click here to read more

Zarah
46 Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District
东城区鼓楼东大街46号
Hours: Tues-Thurs, Sun, 10am-11pm; Fri-Sat, 10am-1am (Closed Mon)
Contact: 010 8403 9807


Beef Burgundy & Wine Tuesdays

It might be getting into spring, but that doesn’t make a bit of comforting Beef Burgundy any less tantalizing when looking for something a little hearty. French restaurant Panorama has a special on their iteration of the dish: enjoy 20 percent off the comforting stew and 20 percent off any wine by the bottle every Tuesday – a perfect dinner combo if you ask us.

Panorama 葩诺
81 Sanlitun Courtyard No. 4, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯机电院81号
Hours: Mon-Thurs, Sun, 10am-11pm; Fri-Sat, 10am-1am
Contact: 010 6506 1893


Every Wednesday

Via Roma Wine Buffet Wednesdays

Embark on a vino voyage with Wine Buffet Wednesdays at the Kempinski Hotel Lufthansa Center’s Via Roma. The restaurant’s expert sommelier will guide guests through a free flow of curated wines, with optional “Wine Bites” available to enhance the experience.

Via Roma
1/F, Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu
朝阳区凯宾斯基饭店亮马桥路50号
Hours: Daily, 11.30am-2.30pm; 5.30-10pm
Contact: 010 6465 3388


CHEERS Wine Buffet

Our favorite wine and spirits specialists CHEERS make Wine Wednesday cheery with this buffet. Each hump day from 7pm to midnight, enjoy all-you-can-drink on five selected wines plus a smorgasbord of eats and bites and fun with friends old and new.

CHEERS Wines (In Street branch)
06A, Level 6-1, Bldg 10, Yard 5, Shuguangxili
朝阳区曙光西里甲五号院10号楼-6-1层06A号商铺
Hours: Daily, 10am-11pm (unless stated otherwise)
Contact: 138 1163 2507; 130 1120 5933


Vino & Vinyl at Voyage by HUI

Voyage by HUI, the sleek and ambient cocktail and wine bar near TRB Hutong in the Temple Dongjingyuan (Temple东景缘) complex, is pairing wine with music from records every Wednesday. Sip on discounted glasses of wine while your ears are serenaded by songs put to vinyl. This event is Bring Your Own Vinyl (BYOV), so feel free to bring your records along to share.

Voyage by HUI
23 Songzhuyuan, Shatan Beijie, Dongcheng District
东城区沙滩北街嵩祝院23号
Hours: Wed-Sun, 6pm-1am (closed Mon-Tues)
Contact: 185 0132 4877


uh-huh Winyl Night

Also doing a vinyl and wine thing is uh-huh, which opened its doors last year near the National Art Museum. Also a BYOV event, guests can listen to records all while indulging in 10 percent off on all cheese, cold cuts, and food.

uh-huh 嗯哼
146 Jiaodaokou Nandajie, Dongcheng District
东城区交道口南大街146号
Hours: 6.30pm-late, closed on Tue
Phone: 185 1594 1500


Every Saturday

Georgian Wine Day at Georgia’s Feast

Along with being the city’s premier purveyor of Georgian cuisine, Georgia’s Feast is also home to a great array of wine from the country, which is considered to be the birthplace of wine making. Saturday is the day to try Georgian wine – or go back to it if you’ve had some already – with 30 percent off selected Georgian wines.

Georgia’s Feast 格鲁·秀色西餐厅
9 Dongzhimen Neidajie, Dongcheng District
东城区东直门内大街9号院
Hours: 11.30am-midnight
Phone: 010 8448 6886

READ: Five Beijing Cafés Serving Up Good Cups of Joe

Images: Unsplash, courtesy of the venues

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Skyline Gazing: The Most Iconic Modern Buildings of Beijing

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Though a trip through Beijing has plenty of historical architecture to offer, the city’s skyline also holds many feats of modern design. However, unlike Shanghai, where most of the great structures are gathered around the Pudong bend to be viewed all at once, Beijing has spread out its contemporary landmarks throughout the city, making it difficult for architectural enthusiasts to sneak a gander at all of them. Therefore, we decided to gather them all into one place. Here is our list of Beijing’s most iconic modern buildings:

CCTV Headquarters

The “Big Pants,” as it is more commonly known, is one of just ten buildings in the city over 200m tall. Designed by Rem Koolhaas and Ole Schreeren, the towering loop of two leaning towers connected at the top and bottom by horizontal off-shoots is now such an iconic structure that it is often used in film and television to establish that the story is set in Beijing.

CITIC Tower

Standing at 528m, CITIC tower is Beijing’s tallest building and the tenth tallest skyscraper in the world. It also goes by the name Zhōngguó Zūn (中国尊) due to its distinctive skinny-waist shape that bears a resemblance to an ancient Chinese wine vessel. The office building serves as the headquarters of CITIC Group, but the basement level will soon contain a large shopping center and subway station.

Daxing International Airport

In an effort to alleviate the unceasing growth in traffic to and from Beijing Capital International Airport, Daxing was built just about as far south as you can go while still technically staying within the boundaries of Beijing. This star-shaped mega building was the last one designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid. The terminals, which cover a massive 700,000 square meters, feature an abundance of art, shopping, and dining, so visitors won't be nearly as bored as they are at Capital Airport.

Phoenix Center

Is it a smushed doughnut? A double helix? Perhaps a sort of Mobius strip? Lying at the southwest corner of Chaoyang Park, the Phoenix Center is an award-winning building that leaves much up to the imagination of the on-looker. It was built to house Hong Kong broadcaster Phoenix TV and occasionally opens to the public for exhibitions that show off the work of artists in addition to the stunning view from inside.

National Library North Area

The original National Library building, built in 1987, would not look out of place in the China of old. Just after the Olympics, however, a sleek new building was added to the library campus. Appropriately, it somewhat resembles a giant silver book, or less appropriately, a ship from Star Trek, especially when the front windows are lit up at night (though you’ll have to venture to Fujian province to see a real USS Enterprise shaped-building). As it is a public facility, you can go see the inside of the building, and foreigners can obtain a reader card using their passport.

National Center for the Performing Arts

It’s not hard to see how this theater earned the nickname of the "Giant Egg.” With an opera hall, music hall, several art exhibition halls, and restaurants, the National Centre for Performing Arts is also the largest theater building in Asia. Besides the shape, its most distinctive feature is that its exterior transitions from glass to titanium and the surrounding reflection pool.

People’s Daily Headquarters

Not far from the Big Pants, the People’s Daily Headquarters caught a lot of flack in the design world while it was under construction due to its rather phallic appearance. Upon completion, though, it was able to shed the laughter and hold the city in awe with its shiny new façade that makes it look more like a wind sail. The original design included a helipad and planned for large satellite dishes to be placed within its hollow tip, but we like it just the way it turned out.

China World Tower

In contrast with the vase-like CITIC Tower, the second tallest building in Beijing has a chubby waist and thins out at both ends. Its crowning feature is, of course, its crown, which catches the eye when gazing across the skyline. Atop sits Atmosphere Bar, which may just have the best view of the city of any bar in town.

China World Trade Center Phase 3B

Completed in 2017, the third tallest building in Beijing takes a cue from it's aforementioned counterpart, with it's chubby waist making it look more like a big stalk of corn jutting out of the ground than anything. Home to offices and hotel space, CWTC 3B is best known as the building where boutique Hotel JEN and beer bar Beersmith are located.

National Stadium

Better known by its nickname the "Bird’s Nest,” the National Stadium is recognizably by its steel beams that intersect and criss-cross like a bamboo forest. The stadium, which seats 91,000 spectators, was built for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Since then it has been used for major football games and other sporting events, and even saw reuse for the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics (for the opening and closing ceremonies only this time around).

National Aquatics Center

Another famous Olympic facility with a catchy nickname, the “Water Cube” is defined by its bubbly façade and was used for the Olympic swimming competitions and afterward was opened to the public as an indoor water park. It was recently renamed "Ice Cube" for the 2022 Winter Olympics, during which it was used for curling events.

Digital Beijing Building

This giant data center, too, was erected to serve the needs of the 2008 Olympics and sits adjacent to Pangu Plaza and the National Stadium. From the west-side view, fittingly, the Digital Beijing Building's horizontal and diagonal lines evoke the circuits of a computer chip. From the south, one can see that the building is actually four separate sections, unequally divided and spaced.

Olympic Tower

Overlooking Olympic Park, the Olympic Tower is made up of four connected towers that bloom into circular observation decks at the top. The tower was built to commemorate the 2008 games coming to Beijing, and its only functional purpose is to get a nice view of the city.

Wangjing Soho

Wangjing Soho was designed by architect Zaha Hadid and features three separate shark fin-like buildings of varying heights and widths. At 200 meters, the tallest tower is notable as the world's fifth tallest building designed by a woman. 

Galaxy Soho

This massive Soho is another work of the late Hadid, and similarity can be seen in the vertical lines around the curvilinear buildings. Between its four towers lies a courtyard that has been known to host more than a few of our festivals.

Leeza Soho

Zaha Hadid's final impression on Beijing, the Leeza Soho (丽泽) in Fengtai was completed at the end of 2019 and is a continuation of her fascination with curvilinear elements and design. At nearly 200-meters-tall, the atrium is the biggest in the world and is cleverly designed so that its 45-degree angle allows sunlight into all of its 46 floors, which mostly hold office space.

Beijing Poly Theatre

Built in 2000, Dongsishitiao's imposing Poly Theatre and sprawling bronze mural is likely one of the first buildings to catch the attention of visitors. The 1,400-seat theater houses plays, music, and opera throughout the year. 

Bank of China Beijing Branch

Designed by the late Guangzhou-born architect I.M. Pei, who died in 2019 at the age of 102, the Bank of China Beijing Branch (not to be confused with the headquarters in Fengtai) is situated in Xicheng. Completed in 1982, the bank marked Pei's first China-based project, 40 years after his initial departure, and eschews a skyscraper-type design for something more subdued so not to overshadow important low-lying structures in the heart of the Chinese capital such as the Forbidden City. Pei also leaves behind the Fragrant Hill Hotel in Beijing's northwest.

READ: Beijing's Five Architectural Colors, and the Symbolism Behind Them

Images: Ice Pan (via Unsplash), Wikimedia, WongTung, Achitizer, Dingman, Archspace, Yahoo News, Arch Daily, Opera World, Pinterest, China Daily, Trip Advisor, 163.com, qq.com, tkhunt, SOM

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24 for ‘24 #3: Goose Island Taproom With Revamped Menu

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24 for ‘24 is a series showcasing 24 of Beijing’s best places to drink, eat, and relax in 2024, to help folks get out of the house and into all these great F&B spots around the city.


Since opening at the end of 2022 Goose Island Taproom has been bringing banging brews, burgers and more scrumptious food to Beijing from its Solana digs. Its larger terrace area makes it a particularly great spot now that the warmer weather is settling in. Plus, they’ve recently added some fantastic new dishes to their menu that are perfect for enjoying with a pint in hand while soaking in some rays. 

First up, we have to take a look at some of their new sous-vide dishes. For those who don’t know sous-vide– also known as low-temperature, long-time cooking – is a technique where vacuum sealed food in a bag is cooked in a 60-80 degree water bath for several hours. 

On the menu at Goose Island, they’ve got the decadent Sous-Vide Beef Short Rib (RMB 268), where the meat is grilled and then basted with a rich jus and served with potato pave, vine tomatoes and black truffle. The sous-vide cooking technique leaves the short rib incredibly tender, juicy, and packed full of flavor. Along with the short rib, another great choice is the Sous-Vide BBQ Pork (RMB 198), which is slathered in Goose Island Porter BBQ sauce and comes with wedges and coleslaw.

Moving to other meaty offerings, the new Goose Island BJ Chicken Wings (RMB 68) are exclusive to Goose Island Taproom Beijing. Chicken wings are covered in a homemade sweet and sour sauce, which hits the perfect balance of sweetness. The dish comes served with haw jelly on the side for a truly Beijing twist. 

Now, we couldn’t talk about Goose Island without delving into their burger offerings, and we’ve got some great news for burger fans! They’ve added four brand new burgers to their menu to tantalize your taste buds. One of the most interesting concoctions is undoubtedly the Caramel Peanut Butter Burger (RMB 98) which sees a 200g Angus beef patty topped with a chunky slice of grilled pineapple, crispy onion, and a smear of caramel peanut butter. The sweet and salty topping combo really works to compliment the beef patty.

There are two other new burgers which both feature a 200g Angus beef patty, the Black Truffle Beef Burger (RMB 138), completed with smoked tomato, Cheddar cheese, mushrooms, and slices of black truffle; and the Hell's Kitchen Burger (RMB 108) which adds Cheddar cheese, smoke chili pepper, chili beef capsicum sauce, and avocado. Finally, they’ve added some sliders to the menu: Goose Island Seal Mini Burgers (RMB 108) which consists of three burgers – a beef burger, a fried chicken burger and a fish burger. 

Their pizzas have also seen a recent shake up, with them swapping out their previous pizza offerings for three brand new ones. Of these our top pick has to be the California Beef Meatball Pizza (RMB 108) which takes one of their thin crust bases and tops it with tomato chili beef paste, Swiss meatballs, tomato sauce, and mozzarella. 

For those who are more health conscious, they’ve got a new super healthy salad, the Cereal Grain Salad (RMB 78). This combines black bean, quinoa, papaya, barley kernel, couscous, corn, and figs all drizzled with a honey lemon dressing. If you fancy adding something extra they’ve got a few toppings available like Grilled Chicken (RMB 20) or Smoked Salmon (RMB 28). 

Finally, they’ve got a new sweet treat to finish off your meal, a classic Apple Pie (RMB 58). Slices of apple come layered inside a crispy, pastry shell with a crumble topping, all finished with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. 

In the drinks department they’ve always got fresh beers on the go and with over ten beers on tap, the choice can sometimes be a little overwhelming. That’s why we’d recommend ordering one of their Brewmaster's Beer Flight (RMB 120 for 6x150ml, RMB 240 for 12x150ml) so you can try out a whole range of different beers. Each beer comes accompanied by a super useful card containing information like tasting notes, types of hops used, etc. to give you a proper beer-tasting experience. If it’s a pint you're after though, you’ll be happy to hear that they’ve extended their happy hour – it now runs Monday to Sunday and you can get 50 percent off your second pint for designated beers all day long!

The happy hour deal isn’t the only deal they’ve got going though, they’ve got four different daily deals on food too. On Mondays burgers are 50 percent off, on Tuesdays tacos are 50 percent off, on Wednesdays pizzas are 50 percent off and on Thursdays the Sausage Platter is 50 percent off. 

Lastly, we are excited to announce that Goose Island will soon be opening up a second location here in Beijing! Yes, preparation of the new digs, located near the Olympic Park, is underway and we for one can’t wait to see what Goose Island has in store.


The Beijinger’s Fan Addicts Dining Club will be having a small get together (16 seats) for a tasting at Goose Island on the evening of Wednesday, Apr 10. If you’re interested in attending and want more details, then add tbjhelper on WeChat by scanning the QR code below and let us know you'd like to join the dinner!

Goose Island Taproom
BS-06-1F-2F, Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾BS-06-1F-2F
Hours: 10.30am-midnight
Phone: 010 5905 6802

READ: 24 for '24 Restaurant Series

Images: Uni You, courtesy of Goose Island

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Celebrate Easter With These Eggciting Events and Deals Pt.2

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Easter weekend is almost upon us and there are numerous brunches, egg hunts, egg painting and more activities happening here in Beijing. We’ve already taken a look at some Easter events in this post, and now we’ve got even more for you!

Easter at The Ritz Carlton

What: Easter Themed Family Brunch Buffet 
When: Mar 31, noon-3pm
Where: Aroma
Price: RMB 628/adult, RMB 314/child
Booking: 010 5908 8161

What: Legendary Easter Brunch Set
When: Mar 31, 11.00am-2.30pm
Where: The Lounge
Price: RMB 528
Booking: 010 5908 8180


Easter at Mandarin Oriental 

What: American Style Easter Brunch by Chef Christophe
When: Mar 30 and 31, 11.30am-2pm
Where: Mandarin Grill
Price: RMB 688, add two hours free flow for an additional RMB 158
Booking: 010 8509 8888

What: Easter Treats
When: Now
Where: Mandarin Cake Shop
Price: RMB 28-88
Booking: Scan QR code in poster


What: Easter Brunch Sets
When: Mar 31, 10.30am-5pm
Where: The Local
Price: RMB 188
Booking: WeChat ID: localKenn
Click here to read more


What: Masehoun Ka Tehwar Easter Brunch
When: Mar 31, noon-3.30pm
Where: Dastaan
Price: RMB 178/adult, RMB 78/child
Booking: 150 0135 8663


What: Easter Family Day
When: Mar 31
Where: Eudora Station
Booking: 010 6437 8331
Click here to read more


What: Cafe CHA Easter Celebration
When: Mar 31
Where: Cafe CHA, Shangri-La Beijing
Price: RMB 698/adult, RMB 399/child (aged 4-12)
Booking: 010 6841 2211
Click here to read more


What: Lunch Buffet and Easter Activities
When: Mar 31, 11am-2pm
Where: The Orchard
Price: RMB 398/adult, RMB 198/child (aged 5-11)
Booking: 139 1121 1965
Click here to read more


What: The Market Easter Weekend Brunch Buffet
When: Mar 30 and 31, noon-3pm
Where: The Westin
Price: RMB 528/adult, RMB 264/child
Booking: 010 6629 7810


What: Easter Menu and Egg Hunt
When: Mar 31
Where: La Maison Lyonnaise
Price: RMB 888 (serves 3-4 people)
Booking: Scan QR code in poster


What: Easter Buffet Brunch and Egg Painting Activities
When: Mar 31, 11.30am-2pm
Where: Greenfish, The Ritz Carlton Financial Street
Price: RMB 388
Booking: 010 6629 6990

READ: Celebrate Easter With These Eggciting Events and Deals Pt.1

Images: Unsplash, courtesy of the venues

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Grab Your Early Bird Tickets for Taco Fest 2024!

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What time is it!? It’s taco time, for a second time! Taco Fest is back for its second year, coming to Tiantongyuan Culture and Arts Center from Apr 20-21. Now it’s time to grab your tickets, with early bird tickets on sale from today!

Tickets

Ticket packages are just like last year, standard and VIP, with a few new goodies up for grabs in the VIP package like new bandanas and swag featuring our Taco Fest mascot, Rong Momo the axolotl!

Standard Early Bird Ticket: RMB 20
Includes:
— Taco Fest wristband (RMB 30 value)
— Taco Fest sombrero (RMB 30 value)

VIP Early Bird Ticket: RMB 148
Includes:
— Taco Fest wristband (RMB 30 value)
— Taco Fest sombrero (RMB 30 value)
— Taco Fest bandana (RMB 20 value)
— Rong Momo figurine (RMB 69 value)
— Taco Fest eco-friendly themed bag (RMB 10 value)

Onsite Tickets: RMB 30
Includes:
— Taco Fest wristband (RMB 30 value)

What are you waiting for!? Get your tickets now!

For those of you with kids, we also have a special offer where kids under 1.4 meters get in for FREE before 2pm. The venue is also pet friendly so feel free to bring your furry friends along too!

We’ll also be giving away free tickets to three lucky readers! All you have to do to win is comment below with your favorite taco topping by tomorrow (Mar 28) at noon. We’ll choose the best of three answers out of the top five!

Chances for Swag

Getting an early bird ticket or VIP package isn’t the only way to snag some swag. We’re also bringing back Taco Passports. Fill it out with stamps and win prizes! The first 50 people to fill out their passports on the first day will win a special Rong Momo fridge magnet (RMB 30 value, pictured above).

There’s a lot more in store for Taco Fest this year, like a whole lineup of live music and entertainment, activities and games with prizes.

Along with all this is of course the tacos, with 28 vendors to choose from serving Mexican, Yunnan, Indian, German, African, and Lao Beijing takes on the portable eats. We’ll also have plenty of newbies, plus, TACOLICIOUS is making a return from Shanghai for the Fest – and judging how popular they were last year, they’re sure to be a hit for round two.

Oh, and of course there will be  alcoholic drinks, ice cream, and non-alcoholic beverages to cool off and keep your thirst quenched as well.

Location

The Taco Fest will be taking place at Tiantongyuan Culture and Arts Center (天通苑文化艺术中心), located just north of the Olympic Park, and a mere 30 minutes by subway from Liangmaqiao.

Tiantongyuan is one of the densest housing communities in all of Beijing, with over 300,000 residents. At the core of this community is the Tiantongyuan Culture and Arts Center, which happens to be one of the most wanghong spots in the city.

Tiantongyuan Culture and Arts Center (天通苑文化艺术中心)
Area G, Tiantong Zhongyuan Peitao Gongjian, Taipingzhuang Zhongyi Jie, Changping District
昌平区太平庄中一街天通中苑配套公建G区G-la号


If you'd like to stay up to date with everything taco-related in the capital, join our dedicated Beijing Taco Fans group chat! Simply add TBJHelper on WeChat by scanning the QR code below and request to become a member.

READ: 24 for ‘24 #3: Goose Island Taproom With Revamped Menu

Images: the Beijingers

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