This Week in Health and Fitness brings you weekly updates on fitness events, health and wellness news, and healthy eating from around Beijing.

Here at the Beijinger, we’re firmly of the opinion that any and all bodies are “beach bodies,” but nevertheless, we know many people will be keen to get in shape for the summer (if only to cope with the intense ordeal that is cycling a dodgy Mobike or Ofo in 35-degree heat). Should you feel the need to up your energy levels in July, there are plenty of new fitness camps and packages launching in the next few weeks, with something for everyone, no matter what your exercise preferences.

Kickstart your mornings (literally) with Ms. Uptown's Project A.M. morning boot camp, featuring kickboxing and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) classes taught by trainers Sergio and Maria. Starting July 10, the boot camp costs RMB 3,000 for 16 classes held at 7.30am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The promotion also includes a free month membership that can be sued for any of Ms. Uptown's other group classes. Scan the QR code on the poster above or add uptownyoga on WeChat. 

If you prefer to exercise mind and spirit as well as body, why not try an introductory course in tai chi, the quintessential Chinese martial art that is easy to learn but difficult to master. Every Saturday in July, CK Martial Hearts will take you through a beginner's course in the Yang style 24-step tai chi routine that will help to improve your memory, coordination, breathing, awareness, strength, and endurance. The four-week course is suitable for both men and women of all experience and fitness levels. Note that while there will be no fighting, there will be contact. The four-week course costs RMB 788 and is limited to 10 places. The classes will be held at Ms. Uptown. Contact info@ckmartialhearts.com or AJDonnelly on WeChat for more information. 

For a shorter, but equally rewarding, fitness experience, check in to Hotel Jen for their Weekend Warriors package. Priced at RMB 1,850 for two people sharing (including daily breakfast for two), the package includes a "Nightcrawler" boot camp class at Trainyard with coach Gago on the first evening, a "Daybreak" yoga class the next morning, a nutrition workshop led by Tribe, and full access to the pool and all of Trainyard's group classes. You'll also get early check in at 10am and late check out at 4pm so you can really make the most of your stay. 

More stories by this author here.

Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Images courtesy of Hotel Jen, the organizers

In our latest round of exploration of China World Mall's "New Zone," we happened to stumble upon Venchi, a true heaven for chocolate lovers in Beijing.

The sighting happened purely by chance. Upon getting lost in the basement, we couldn't help but notice the gold and shiny shimmer of the store up ahead. Before entering we had a moments to collect our thoughts, leaving us with a multitude of questions: do we deserve this? Probably not. Is this too posh for us? Most certainly so. Do I have enough money left over this month to splash out of chocolate? No way. But the sweet delights beckoned us, and before we knew it, we were like children in a candy shop.

First, some background. This Italian chocolate shop first opened in 1878, but this outlet in the basement of the new China World Mall was just opened in April, and initially reminded us the short-lived experiment that was Max Brenner’s Chocolate Bar at The Place (RIP).

There are various chocolate items to choose from, which are charged by the gram, as well as a selection of gelato. Prices are more than a bit steep – one scope of gelato is just RMB 38, while two to four flavors will set you back RMB 55-68, and additional toppings are RMB 5 each.

If you're going through a breakup or having an ice cream party, you can buy by the kilogram for RMB 358. There are also crepes, which cost RMB 48-70. As for the drinks, coffee is around RMB 45, or there are various teas are RMB 30-60, and hot chocolate for RMB 28-65, the high-end option even coming with a splash of rum.

Despite the slow service, the two scoops of gelato in a cone (RMB 55) was exquisite. In fact, just one bite was all it took to remember just how incredibly slow the service was – the rich flavors were enhanced when the ice cream melted in my mouth. The pistachio scoop was laden with fantastically crunchy shards of nuts, while the caramel ice cream was sweet and particularly creamy.

However, not even the ice cream could salvage the 20-minute wait it took for the Venchi signature hot chocolate (RMB 40), only exacerbated by the steady decline of our initial sugar rush. We saw the waiter place the cup next to the machine, and yet it took a further 10 minutes to eventually shout at us that the machine was broken and they'd return our money, sans apology. The ordeal left us disillusioned, disappointed, and with more than just an intense and unquenchable craving chocolate.

Due to the addictive nature of chocolate, and despite the terrible service, there was still a long and anxious line in Venchi during our visit. If you do decide to go, be patient, take deep breaths, and carry a backup Snickers in your pocket just in case.

Venchi
Daily 10am-9.30pm. NB1030, North Zone, China World Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
闻绮： 建国门外大街1号国贸商城北区NB1030

More stories by this author here.

Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
Instagram: @flyingfigure

Photos: Tracy Wang

Every issue we tally the hits fromtheBeijinger.comand bring you the most viewed blogs from our website. Read on to see which blogs were the most popular.

1. After Told Not to Touch Emergency Door, Passenger Deploys Emergency Chute at Beijing Airport
A Beijing Airport passenger accidentally deployed the emergency chute to her airliner by pulling the lever to its emergency exit right after she was told not to touch it.

A Xiamen Airlines flight had been preparing to leave Beijing Capital International Airport Monday morning. A Weibo user said airline staff had just completed the safety announcement in which passengers were explicitly told “not to touch the emergency doors unless it was an emergency” when a passenger simply opened the door.

2. Traffic-Violating Expats Used by Police to Teach Chinese “Awareness of the Law”
In China, many traffic regulations are broken by both expats and locals alike. And yet, even though Chinese media has shown a preference for focusing on the former, this is done in order to influence the latter.

With green cards being in such short supply, expats only make up a very small proportion of the Chinese public. So why is there such outrage when expats are caught disregarding Chinese law?

3. Cultural Diets: The Reason Why China Thinks Foreigners All Hate Cilantro
Food is, by far, the topic that expats in China are questioned about the most. But, strangely, it always seems to be about the same things. For example, locals will commonly ask expats about their chopstick skills, or grill them over their daily preference for hamburgers.

Another odd generalization gravitates around foreigners’ belief that eating cilantro is equivalent to eating soap.

4. Mandarin Month: How to make Friends With Your Taxi Driver (And Avoid Scams)
The most convenient way to get around Beijing is by taxi (出租车 chuzuche) thanks to the abundance of yellow cabs on the roads and taxi apps like Didi at your fingertips, which now has an English version. Yes, you might get caught in rush hour on the Third Ring Road if you are not careful, but at least you can serenade your taxi driver with Chinese pop songs instead of being squished on a stuffy and smelly subway carriage.

5. Going Solo: The Best Things to Do Alone in Beijing
Life in Beijing moves pretty fast and it can be hard to find a moment to yourself. Yet when we do finally get that time to ourselves we often end up wondering “what should I do now?” Whether you are looking to relax, treat yourself, or simply explore the city, there are plenty of great ways to enjoy Beijing by yourself. 

We look at some of the city’s best things to do when you’re free to spend some you time, and looking to relax.

6. You Voted: Q Mex Crowned Beijing’s Best Burger After Six Weeks of Battle in the Beijinger’s 2017 Burger Cup
Q Mex took the crown following six weeks of intense burger battles as part of our 2017 Burger Cup. On their way to the top, Q Mex slipped past VSports, squished Katchup, took away Fatboy’s lunch money, then eliminated last year’s champ Slow boat before finally squeaking by dark horse Cannon’s Burger to take their much-deserved spot at the top.

7. Bottega Xinyuanli Soft Openings: A Huge Space to Fill With Hungry Patrons Hankering for Some of Beijing’s Best Pizza
Bottega is back! And we are really, really relieved, because we missed the pizza more than we’d like to admit ... during their two-week closure.

After boxing up their original Sanlitun location, and the team’s accompanying Aperol spritz bar Vesuvio, we will soon have two new locations and double the excuse for a reason to drop by one of the city’s most popular Italian restaurants. The smaller, Nali Patio spot is still in development at the time of print, but that barely matters given that it may have already been overshadowed by the new (and massive) branch next to Raffles Medical (previously International SOS) in Xinyuanli.

8. Creamy Crack Time: 6 of Beijing’s Delivered Bubble Milk Teas Rates Just in Time for Summer
Milk tea (naicha), and more specifically, milk tea with pearls/bubbles (zhenzhu naicha), may just be the reason I’ve stayed in Asia for this long (sorry, girlfriend; screw you, friends). Its combination of liquid silk and sweet beige spheres of chewy rabbit poop heaven add up to one of the best experiences you can have in Beijing, which is why we went ahead and reviewed six types in Beijing that you can get delivered to your door.

This article first appeared in the July/August issue of the Beijinger.

More stories by this author here.

Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
Instagram: s.xuagram

Photos: Global times, Weibo, Pixabay, Uni You, Margaux Schreurs, bubbleteaology.com

It takes something special to stay afloat for one year in the choppy waters of Beijing’s restaurant scene, let alone 10, but that is just what veteran Indian restaurant Punjabi has done, celebrating a decade in business this year.

After such a long stint, no-one would blame Punjabi for simply sitting back and serving up the same dishes they have always been known for. Instead owner Gireesh S. Chaudhury has made the brave decision to revamp the entire menu, hoping to differentiate Punjabi from other mediocre Indian restaurants in the Beijing market.

Forget any preconceived notions of dull, cut-and-paste Indian dishes like chicken tikka masala – this is light, modern Indian cuisine. Take the barbecue king prawns, for example. The prawns are marinated in a lightly spiced cream and cheese mixture, allowing their natural flavor to shine through. A freshly made mint chutney adds freshness and spice. Elsewhere, a stickily sweet dish of tamarind-glazed okra (watch out – there’s a kick behind that initial sweetness) demonstrates Punjabi’s new, modern approach to presentation, which has been realized with the help of Lido-based French restaurant Jomi’s Antoine Bunel and Jamie Penaloza, a Beijing-based food creative and vlogger.

The new menu was still being finalized at the time of writing, but is likely to revolve around set menus with four-, six-, and eight-dish options priced from around RMB 128-288. The dishes will change frequently and include options for vegetarians, vegans, and other special diets.

Fans of Punjabi’s older fare needn’t worry; they will be keeping a short menu of old favorites, although even these have had an update to both taste and presentation. Punjabi’s take on the classic vegetarian dish palak paneer (paneer cheese with spinach) is perhaps the best we have tried in Beijing, the sauce rich with the flavor of fenugreek and made with chopped spinach rather than the lurid green purée many restaurants fall back on. So whether you’re hoping for a traditional Indian restaurant experience or craving something new, Punjabi is certainly worth a revisit.

Punjabi Indian Restaurant
Daily 11.30am-10.30pm. 2/F, C-8, Lucky Street, 1 Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District (5867 0221)
本杰比印度餐厅：朝阳区朝阳公园西路1号好运街C-82层

This article first appeared in the May/June issue of the Beijinger.

More stories by this author here.

Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Photos: Uni You

“Mastermind” is a regular magazine column in which we quiz a Beijing personality on general knowledge as well as on a subject in which they consider themselves to be a specialist. Throughout the quiz, "√" is given for a right answer and "×" is given for a wrong answer.

Ji Ming opened Soulgoods sneaker shop in Topwin Center in 2016, after having been a sneaker salesman for 16 years. Such a background has afforded him a hell of a lot of knowledge about the history of sneakers, as is evident in our Mastermind sneaker quiz below.

1. Sneakers got their name because “they were so quiet, a person wearing them could sneak up on someone.”
T  /  F
F ×

2. During the first half of the 20th century, sports shoes were worn mostly to play sports. But in the 1950s, kids began wearing them as fashion statements. Even more teens followed the fad after seeing James Dean in sneakers in the popular movie Rebel Without a Cause.
T  /  F
T √

3. The basketball star Magic Johnson signed a contract to wear and promote Nike shoes in 1984, which made sneaker sales increase to a whole new level.
T  /  F
F √

4. Kobe Bryant has a lifetime contract with Reebok, one that pays him seven million dollars a year.
T  /  F
F √

5. Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars, first marketed in 1917, are the all-time best-selling sneakers, with total sales nearing 600 million pairs.
T  /  F
T √

6. In the 1970s, NBA player Darryl Dawkins was offered money by two brands, Nike and Pony, to wear their shoes and help with promotion. Instead of picking sides, he wore Nike on one foot and Pony on the left. A disgruntled Nike ended up canceling their contract.
T  /  F
T √

7. When Nike signed Yao Ming in 2003, it was the first time that the company won an endorsement battle against Reebok.
T  /  F
F √

8. In 2006, Stephon Marbury first launched his Starbury line of sneakers and they became famous for only costing USD 15.
T  /  F
T √

9. The most expensive pair of sneakers in history were the Air Jordan 12s that Michael Jordan wore during the 1997 NBA Finals.
T  /  F
F ×

10. Adidas recently released a pair of 3D-printed shoes.
T  /  F
T √

Final Score: 8/10

Answer Key
1. True, 2. True, 3. False (it was Michael Jordan), 4. False (it was Alan Iverson), 5. True, 6. True, 7. False (the opposite is true), 8. True, 9. True, 10. True

This article first appeared in the May/June issue of the Beijinger.

More stories by this author here.
Email: kylemullin@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @MulKyle

Photo: Uni You, Gentleman's Journal, Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Footwear News, Sneakerpedia, NY Post, Sole Collector

Following much anticipation in recent weeks, Migas Mercado (pictured above) in China World Mall has officially opened. Departing from the style of the original Migas, this second project is more of a multifunctional space, divided into several different areas: three market stalls inspired by Barcelona’s food markets, a taperia (serving tapas dishes), a bar, a fine dining area, and a 400-square-meter balcony with views of the CBD and the CCTV Headquarters. The first edition of their tasting menu includes dishes like roast Iberian pork belly, grilled foie gras fillet, tuna tartar, and lamb loin.

Speaking of hot off the presses openings, Q Mex is also in the process of launching a second location, a taco and tequila joint by the Liangma River. The food will move away from the crowd-pleasing Tex-Mex that Q Mex is known for, towards more “authentically” Mexican dishes.

Over in the hutongs, Jeff Ji, owner of popular cocktail bars Mai and JW Tailor Bar, has opened a breezy courtyard eatery called Mai Fresh. The menu is light, with plenty of brunch-friendly dishes such as a trio of open bagel sandwiches and a selection of wraps.

As the Great Bricking of 2017 continues apace throughout many areas of the city, we’re happy to report that many displaced F&B businesses are coming out fighting, with new locations or reworked spaces.

One such venue is Sanlitun stalwart Aperitivo, which has relocated from Houjie to the comparably stable confines of Sanlitun Soho. Aperitivo 2.0 is smaller than its predecessor but has a more polished, modern vibe. The menus remain relatively unchanged, highlights being their famous bruschetta and affordable wine list.

Over on Xingfucun Zhonglu, Frost has survived the rash of closures in the area and is back with a newly renovated space and a smartly edited menu that features a number of bowls, rolls, and sandwiches.

Finally, Rager Pie is back with a bakery-only location and delivery business after their storefront was recently bricked up. The way it works is simple: add Rager Pie on WeChat (ID: wilnos), and message them with your order. Alternatively, you can find them on the Meituan and Baidu Waimai apps, or you can pick up from their new spot at 20 Beijianzi Xiang (北剪子巷20号).

This article first appeared in the July/August issue of the Beijinger.

More stories by this author here.

Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Photo: Margaux Schreurs

Whether you are a solo freelancer or trying to get a start-up off the ground, sometimes it pays to have a professional space to work in (i.e. not the couch or your bed). Luckily for us flexible working types, Beijing is awash with quality coworking spaces where you can rent desks by the day or month. Below is a selection of the best-known spaces, with options across the city. 

Prototype, Hotel Jen
Hotel Jen continues on its path towards being the trendiest hotel in Beijing with its third-floor coworking space, Prototype. The 320-square-meter open space has plenty of comfortable seating, individual pods, and power and USB ports. A café called Kitchen-To-Go sells self-service snacks so you can grab a quick bite. You can book a seat on the phone or online through hotel’s official WeChat account (WeChat ID: HotelJenBeijing).

Pricing: From RMB 150 per person per day or RMB 3,500 per person per month. Summer promotion: Four hours use of the space for just RMB 50 per person and free use on weekends
Inclusions: High-speed Wi-Fi, free-flow Western tea, brewed coffee, and cookies. Thursday, 4-6pm, is happy hour with free-flow craft beer. Members also get a 15 percent discount at Jen's F&B outlets
Meeting/Event Spaces: Thirteen rooms, 3-300 capacity, from RMB 260 per room per hour

Related: Six tips for creating a stress-free home office

Naked Hub Jiuxianqiao
Shanghai-based Naked Hub's first Beijing location is located a stone's throw away from 798 Art District. Set in a restored factory space, the design merges original architectural features with contemporary elements. In addition to standard office facilities, Naked Hub also has a ping pong room and free-flow beer, so you can really kick back and relax after a hard day's work. 

Pricing: Hot desk RMB 1,800 per person per month, open office RMB 2,800 per person per month, private office from RMB 3,000 per person per month
Inclusions: High-speed wifi, free-flow tea, coffee, soft drinks, and beer, printing and office services, showers and lockers
Meeting/Event Spaces: Up to 200 capacity
Other locations: Sanlitun (coming soon)

TechTemple Beixinqiao
Perfect for those who want to be a bit nearer to the hutongs, TechTemple is located just 5 minutes south of Beixinqiao subway station. The space is open and airy, with plenty of seating options whether you want to work individually or as a team. TechTemple also offers value-added services such as legal and financial advice, and assistance with marketing and promotion.

Pricing: From RMB 1,700 per person per month
Inclusions: High-speed Wi-Fi, unlimited soft drinks, printing and office services
Meeting/Event Spaces: Five meeting rooms, up to 120 capacity
Other Locations: Sanlitun, Wangjing 

WeWork Guanghua Lu
International chain WeWork has several locations in Beijing, the most central of which is the newly opened Office Park Guanghua Lu location. The light and airy space has plenty of breakout areas for creative thinking as well as close proximity to the greenery of Central Park, if you really need to get out. This location also offers parking, an arcade room, and a wellness room for nursing, prayer or meditation. 

Pricing: Hot desk RMB 2,000 per person per month, dedicated desk RMB 2,750 per person per month, private office from RMB 3,950 per month
Inclusions: High-speed Ethernet and Wi-Fi Internet, free-flow fruit water and freshly roasted coffee, printing and office services
Meeting/Event Spaces: Numerous rooms, 2-25 capacity
Other Locations: Ciyunsi, Wangjing (coming soon)

UrWork Dongsi (5Lmeet)
Founded by Mao Daqing, UrWork is often touted as China's answer to WeWork. With more that 20 locations across Beijing from Haidian to 798, it won't be hard to find a UrWork location that suits you. You can book desks and meeting spaces at all of their locations in Beijing (and the rest of China) via their app. Our personal favorite is the Dongsi location, operated as 5Lmeet. As well as all of the usual benefits of a coworking space, 5Lmeet has the advantage of access to food incubator Hatchery and even trendy short-term let apartments.   

Pricing: Hot desk from RMB 100 per day
Inclusions: High-speed Wi-Fi Internet, free-flow coffee and water
Meeting/Event Spaces: Several for up to 100 capacity
Other Locations: See full list here

DayDayUp Sanlitun
Smack bang in the middle of Sanlitun, with great views over the surrounding area, DayDayUp is a great option for those who want to be close to the action. It must be good because several other Silicon Valley companies are located in the same complex. DayDayUp also helps global companies enter the Chinese market and Chinese companies stay in touch with their global partners, so you will be working in a dynamic environment. DayDayUp members also get discounts at local restaurants and venues. 

Other Locations: Qianmen, Zhongguancun 

More stories by this author here.

Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Photos courtesy of the venues 

Last month, state media buzzed about the restoration of an ancient brook, a long-lost waterway transformed into a beautiful new park in Beijing. The trouble was, the brook didn’t seem to exist on any historical maps of the city. Long-time China watcher, historian, and author Paul French (Midnight in Peking, Tales from the Badlands) wondered on Twitter, “Could this be a pretend brook??”

It turns out the brook was – at one time – quite real, although it hasn’t flowed since the days of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the current park is more a reimagining of an idealized Beijing canal than an attempt to accurately restore a historical waterway. 

The canal was originally named “Sanli He,” and it was constructed in the mid-15th century under Zhu Qizhen, who ruled as the Zhengtong Emperor.* At the time, The Ming empire was in something of crisis mode.** The Oriyad Mongol leader (and later Khan) Esen was threatening the security of Beijing. To counteract this threat, the court ordered repairs and reinforcements of the city’s walls and gates, including the main central gate, Zhengyang Men (A.K.A. Qianmen) and the moat which ran outside the southern wall of the city along what is today Qianmen East Street.

To make the necessary repairs, workers had to dam up the moat, and there was concern that in the event of a rainstorm the water would spill over. The solution was to dig a new channel to draw off any excess water. Later attempts to turn the canal into something more substantial were abandoned when officials determined that the waterway was too shallow to be of much use. As time went on, the canal became mostly a ditch for household waste and refuse. By the time of the Qing Empire (1644-1912), Sanli He was nothing more than an open sewer.

In the 20th century, the local government made attempts to clean up the area. The 1951 play 龙须沟 longxugou ("Dragon’s Beard Ditch") by Lao She describes the government’s efforts to “Serve the People” by paving over a section of the fetid stream.

While it was not a significant waterway, Sanli He did affect the development of the neighborhood. Many of the streets in the area are named for 沟  gou (ditch) or 桥  qiao (bridge). Sanli He also flowed through an area known as 芦草园 Lucao Yuan, named after a thicket of tall grasses which grew in the damp marshy soil of the old canal bed. From there, the brook then turned south, past Xiaoshi Dajie and the Loyalty Temple (Jingzhong Miao, which was turned into a factory in the 1960s and has since ceased to exist) before entering the muddy lakes known as the “Goldfish Ponds” which once ringed the northern boundary of the Temple of Heaven. Finally, the Sanli He joined other canals to east of the Temple of Heaven in the area around Hongqiao (where the eponymous market now stands) and then out of the city by Zuoanmen (Jiangcamen) Gate into the Tonghui River which connects Beijing with Tianjin and the Grand Canal.

The neighborhoods around Sanli He were mostly home to the poor and luckless.  It was a bog, noxious in the summer time and damp in the winter. The protagonist of Lao She's most famous novel, Rickshaw Boy (骆驼祥子 luotuo xiangzi) lived in the area around the Goldfish Ponds. And, yes ... they actually raised goldfish there into the 20th century.

While the Ming-era canal is not on most maps of the city from the Qing and Republican (1912-1949) eras, the new park seems to follow the route described in the Ming dynasty records and signs in the park proclaim the amount of archival research done on the route – if not the actual appearance – of the 15th-century channel.

The reconstruction begins just to the east of the Qianmen Pedestrian Mall in a small park with a dry canal bed. The workers seemed to have gotten everything just so … except the water. Details. Details.

The main park, water and all, begins at the intersection of Xianyu Kou (across from the entrance to the new Xianyu Kou “Old Beijing Snack Street") and Qianmen East Street. The public garden itself is quite lovely and is reminiscent of similar attempts to restore and rebuild the areas around the Jade River north of the Forbidden City.

There’s even a section which recreates the rushes and marsh grass which gave their name to the Lucao Yuan neighborhood.

The park follows what used to be sections of the hutongs Changxiang Toutiao and Defang Dongxiang before ending at Caochang Santiao and the western edge of the Lucao Yuan community. Urban explorers can continue east and southeast from here following what was likely the route of the old stream bed, although nothing of it exists today, south across Zhushikou East Street and down to the Goldfish Ponds. Sadly, the goldfish and ponds are also long gone, replaced by public housing blocks in the 1960s, although the name remains.

This past weekend, an army of “Environmental Protection Volunteers” was on hand to help us all enjoy the park while protecting Beijing’s cultural heritage and while they didn’t do very much when one canal walker chucked their soda bottle and cigarette packet into the water, they did reprimand an overly enthusiastic shutterbug who was trampling the flower bed to get a better photo of swimming goldfish.

(“I don’t know why you are talking to me,” he muttered. “I can go where I want!”)

Depending on tastes, the park might make a nice afternoon ramble when combined with a visit to the Xianyu Kou snack street. After all, nothing pairs nicer with sanitized “Faux Beijing” street snack stalls than a historical waterway reborn as an imagined Beijing brook. 

As the designer Zhu Junfu told Xinhua of the space:

"I wanted the brook to act as a ribbon linking the history, culture, environment, and art within the area."

The redevelopment of the area is another sign that the future of Beijing historic “restoration” will lean more toward the creation of an idealized old Beijing rather than a serious attempt at the preservation (or authentic recreation) of Beijing’s history and historical structures.

As the same Xinhua article notes, perhaps ominously:

As part of the central government's efforts to actively decentralize the city center and expand green areas, it has begun to clear the capital of non-essential functions and upgrade the living conditions for city residents. Many markets and businesses have been moved to the city's suburbs, and residents relocated from decrepit and rundown housing into new residential areas. More parks, greenbelts and water courses will be constructed in downtown areas.

This is not to say that these spaces aren’t pleasant or even, in some cases, an improvement on what was there before – nobody would want to picnic next to an open sewer – but these types of projects and the recent “bricking up” of small businesses throughout the city raise concerns about what historic “restoration” and “reinvigoration” will mean for the kinds of organic communities and historic neighborhoods which are a major part of other global cities.

* Three Mile River, not to be confused with the other Three Mile River, built during the Jin era (1115-1234) in the area near today’s Yuyuantan Park.

** In 1449, the Ming armies – how should I put this – misplaced the emperor during the Tumu Incident. After a period of time as a guest of the Mongolians, Zhu Qizhen was released and sent back to Beijing for no other reason it seems than to mess with the Chinese. After a brief interlude in which his brother was on the throne, Zhu Qizhen resumed power in 1457, becoming the only Ming emperor to have two non-consecutive reigns.

Jeremiah Jenne is a writer, educator, and historian based in Beijing since 2002. He maintains the Chinese history and culture website Jottings from the Granite Studio is also the founder of Beijing by Foot, which offers historical walks, tours, and workshops in Beijing. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram @granitestudio.

Images: Jeremiah Jenne

Whether you're partial to a full-bodied, rich bottle of red, or prefer a cool crisp glass of white wine on a hot summer day, Jim Boyce has done his damnedest to let you know all about Beijing's wide array of grape related happenings and offerings. The lifestyle blogger launched Grape Wall of China 10 years ago as a sister site to his earlier, broader F&B-themed Beijing Boyce blog, in order to zero in on all things wine.

"One goal was to post English-language coverage of China’s wine scene, something no one was consistently doing," Boyce wrote last week in a post announcing Grape Wall's decade-long milestone. He added that another early goal for the site was to "to improve foreign media coverage of that scene by connecting reporters to a list of contributors like locally based wine-makers, sommeliers, producers, and so on. Yet another was simply to find good local wines."

One of the most prominent voices to quickly praise Boyce on his blog's longevity was Cheers Wines' founder Claudia Masüger. She told the Beijinger: "Congratulations to Jim Boyce on the Grape Wall's 10-year anniversary. Jim has done an amazing job covering the wine scene in China. His passion and persistence to promote Chinese Wines is deeply impressive!"

Yes, in the decade since the site's inception, Boyce has seen massive changes in that local wine scene. He tells the Beijinger that, at the time, “A lot of people were asking if there were any good Chinese good wines. Now people are asking which ones are the best. And I can remember struggling to put together a lineup then," which is far from the case now. Indeed, on social media Boyce pledged to write about "the 10 best Chinese wines of the decade, and more" as part of Grape Wall's ongoing coverage.

But aside from that, Grape Wall has also been a place for enthusiasts to dig into the nuances of China's wine scene. For instance, Boyce has not only recently written about the development of the Ningxia wine region, but also how it has been underestimated. He has also written about Changyu, China's biggest producer which has "built massive 'chateaus' across the country with an eye to wine tourism." Sadly, Boyce's coverage revealed that "that business is still yet to take off. My dozen trips to Changyu operations in three regions revealed few visitors save for couples taking wedding photos."

That leads Boyce to wonder if, despite its impressive strides, China's wine industry still “needs to keep up with the consumers. I keep seeing Chinese wineries endlessly plant Cabernet, and I see distributors tell me customers only want red wines,” though the wine tastings he has coordinated revealed far more eclecticism and sophistication among China’s wine enthusiasts.

Furthermore, Boyce insists that smartphones, apps, online commerce and more have "liberated" customers from such tired conventions. "We no longer have to rely on retail managers who only stock their shelves with particular local wines and Bordeaux. And we don’t need to rely on a few experts anymore, because we can find all kinds of wine recommendations online.”

That means Boyce is sure to have plenty more grape related fodder to blog about in the future. So here's to 10 more years of wine guzzling and writing from this sloshed of scribes.

Photos: the Beijinger, Beijing Review, Grape Wall of China

The Beijing public will soon be able to access remote scenic areas in the city's west end quickly and conveniently with its new streetcar line, expected to become operational by year's end.

READ: Beijing Subway Line 12 to Open in 2020, Promises Transfers of Under 100 Meters

Test runs are currently beins performed on the Western Suburban Line (西郊线 xī jiāo xiàn) that begins at Bagou Station on Line 10 and stretches westward, making stops at such famous local tourist attractions such as the Summer Palace and the Beijing Botanical Gardens.

The hybrid light transit, which is part-streetcar and part-subway, will feature a carriage system that can be lengthened to five passenger cars during times of heavy commuter volume.

The nine-kilometer-long line will mostly run above ground, and consist of six stations that allow rapid transit access to such notable sights and landmarks like the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Xiangquan roundabout, the Wan'an public cemetery, Yuquan suburban wilderness Park, and the Old Summer Palace.

The streetcar line offers commuters a chance to explore Beijing's mountainous Western edge where many palaces were constructed. Nearby imperial landmarks include Jingyi Palace, Jingming Palace, Changchun Palace, and Yuanming Palace while mountains found along the streetcar's path include the "mountains" of Xiangshan, Yuquanshan, and Wanshoushan.

The Western Suburban Line is Beijing's first streetcar line to appear in modern history after the city rejected them in the late 50s in favor of trolleybuses. 

After the city's very first tram system was destroyed in the Boxer Rebellion a year after it was built in 1899, it wasn't until the 1920s when foreign interests established a short streetcar line using imported technology that lasted until shortly after modern China was founded.

And yet, the streetcar comeback already began a few years ago. Just in time for the Beijing Olympics, an 845-meter-long stretch of Qianmen was refitted with rails in order to brick back into service the city's retired streetcar, this time to serve as a tourist attraction (shown below). For the princely sum of 20 yuan, tourists can go for a ride upon the ancient streetcar as it lumbered past empty stores at a speed of nine kilometers per hour.

Here's a map of the expect route of the new streetcar line:

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath

Images: People's Daily, BJ News

Our Events Watch series aims to highlight happenings that aren't focused on alcohol and drinking, but instead take a more educational or productive approach. Events include comedy, talks, networking events, markets, dinners and more.

Monday, July 3

Alcoholics Anonymous
What better way to start a dry week than by taking a minute to look back on your weekend and asking yourself if maybe you overdid it a little? AA creates a safe place to discuss your drinking habits no matter how big or small. As the organizers say, "If you want to drink, that's your business. If you want to stop, we can help." Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 7.30-8.30pm. Free. Dongzhimen Terminal

Monday Night Swing
Join Hot Cat every Monday night for a beginners' level swing dance class that focuses on Lindy Hop and Charleston, a lively American dance that began in Harlem in the 1920s and has received renewed interest in recent years, especially in Los Angeles, California, and even here in Beijing. The class will focus on the basics of both styles with a moderate repertoire of moves for both dances. Partner is optional as we rotate leaders frequently. 8-10pm. RMB 20. Hot Cat Club

Tuesday, July 4

NYO-China Performance and Discussion on Music and Music Education in China
If you're not partaking in one of the many July 4 celebrations around town, head to this free English-language event that brings together major figures from Yale, NYO-China, and the Central Conservatory of Music for a discussion on the future of music education in China. China's upcoming generation of musicians promises to transform the landscape of classical music over the coming decades. What obstacles and opportunities will they encounter along the way? How might they serve as a bridge between China and the wider world? 6-8pm. Free (register here). IFC Building, Jianguomen
 

Wednesday, July 5

Walled Village to Huanghuacheng Great Wall hike
Head out of the city and hike the Huanghuacheng Great Wall in Beijing’s Huairou District, starting off on an unrestored stretch and following it over the hills to a restored section and then up, over, and down a mountain to finish at a countryside restaurant near a scenic reservoir. 8am-5.30pm. RMB 420, RMB 380 (members). Beijing Hikers
 

Thursday, July 6

Smart Home Salon
The Internet of Things has changed how we all live, giving rise to new trends in technology for homes, hotels, offices and schools. Join this Chinese-language industry salon and hear from Smart Home company CEOs, investors and makers on what attracts their users, development areas, pain points and how to find opportunities. 1.30-5pm. RMB 50 (register here). Taikoo Technology Incubator

Bootstrap Business Lecture: Learn About Opening a HK Company and Linking to a Mainland Business
A few years ago, opening a Hong Kong company was the easy alternative to opening a Mainland company. Recent legislative changes have made it harder than ever. But for mainland entrepreneurs, that doesn't mean the difficulties outweigh the benefits. Join Cultural Keys for their final Bootstrap Business Lecture to find out what you need to do to open your Hong Kong company, and how it can help your existing business in China.7-9pm. RMB 200. Sanlitun Soho

Friday, July 7

Building an AI Company from Nothing
Tak Lo, director of Techstars London, comes to Beijing to discuss the success behind his company, one of the pioneers of the startup accelerator movement. Lo has worked with over 50 companies from the Asian, European, and NYC startup communities. He has expierience in angel investing, founding, and mentoring startups, and comes to imbue some of his knowledge and experience to those looking to undertake similar tech-focused business ventures in China. 6.30-10pm. RMB 100, RMB 60 (advance). Naked Hub

Saturday, July 8

ICVS "Departing From China With Pets" Free Information Session
It is never too early to begin preparations for overseas travel with pets, even if you are unsure of your final departure date or destination country. Come join the experts from ICVS as they share step-by-step instructions on the newest exit process for 2017, microchipping, vaccinations, rabies antibody titre testing and other requirements to help you prepare for a smooth departure from China and an easy entry to your next destination country. 11am-12.30pm. Free. ICVS

More stories by this authorhere.

Email:tomarnstein@thebeijinger.com
WeChat: tenglish_

Images courtesy of the organizers, ytimg.com

After more than a month of sizzling competition, the 2017 Burger Cup drew to a close on June 15. Now that our stomachs have settled from all the inevitable feasting the occasion provided, we take a look back on how we came to crown a brand new champion as well as the top 12 Beijing burgers overall, as voted by you.

The festivities kicked off with a two-day-long burger binge at Galaxy Soho (pictures here) that drew more than 20,000 hungry Beijingers. Despite the hot temperatures, people stuck around throughout the weekend for live music, a big burger eating contest, tunes by some of the city's best DJs, activities for the kids, and, of course, unlimited burgers and drinks. Check out some exclusive footage from that event below:

Once the Burger Festival finished, the real action began. A six-week battle followed, from which we came away with full rankings of all 102 burger competitors – and now you've got a year to try to eat them all. It's not like you need a lot of additional encouragement: our average voter consumed two burgers a week for the entire duration of the Burger Cup, which means that an average of 12 burgers were scarfed down per voter over the past six weeks. Give yourself 52 weeks and a diligent foodie could easily eat their way through all 100.

However, if you don't have the appetite to chomp your way through them all, then at the very least make the Top 12 your priority. Without further ado, below is your cut-out-and-keep, bookmark-in-your-browser, favorite-on-WeChat list of the very best burgers in Beijing.

No. 12: The Big Smoke
Their must-try burger: Portabello blue cheeseburger served with truffle fries or sweet potato chips (RMB 65)

Why it’s one of Beijing’s Best: This stacked burger comes with a breaded and fried portabello mushroom stuffed with blue cheese on top of an all-beef patty, finished with lettuce, tomato, and chipotle mayo. If you feel like the blue cheese mushroom could be a meal in itself, then you're not alone – you can order the burger without the meat patty and with a double serving of mushroom for just RMB 50. 

No. 11: Katchup
Their must-try burger: Manhattan Monster served with thick-cut fries (RMB 68)

Why it’s one of Beijing’s Best: Katchup’s signature burger magnificently mounts copious portions of fried onion rings onto a beef patty, turning an already toppings-clustered burger (fried egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, homemade beef chili) into something monstrously delicious. Furthermore, Katchup’s massively-cut fries (think potatoes cut in quarter slices) only add to the monster mystique put on by this Gulou eatery.

No. 10: Jing-A
Their must-try burger: Slider trio (RMB 50, add house-cured bacon for RMB 10)

Why it’s one of Beijing’s Best: The first of three Beijing breweries to grace the Top 12 rankings is Jing-A. Their bite-sized all-beef sliders come topped with a thick slab of seasoned Yunnan cheese, arugula, sweet and sour onions, and their "awesome sauce." Most diners (sensibly) choose to add house-cured bacon for an extra RMB 10. 

No. 9: Blue Frog
Their must-try burger: The Montana served with french fries (RMB 98)

Why it’s one of Beijing’s Best: Its heftiness is not only due to its huge all-beef Aussie patty, but also the toppings, including bacon, cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, and, in particular, the thick onion ring served on top. The Montana takes its moniker from the homeland of Blue Frog’s founder. 

No. 8: Plan B
Their must-try burger: Poutine Slopper (RMB 70)

Why it’s one of Beijing’s Best: Trevor Metz, the owner of this Shuangjing-area sports bar, knows all the homestyle secrets needed to grill a truly mouthwatering burger. Of the over 20 different burgers on Plan B's menu, perhaps the most interesting creation is the Poutine Slopper. To make this joyous mess, half a bun is piled with two beef patties, American cheese, hand-cut fries, mozzarella cheese, and a smothering of gravy. The second half of the bun is then used to mop up what is left of the homemade beef bone gravy.

No. 7: Fatboy’s The Burger Bar
Their must-try burger: The Fat Basterd (RMB 118)

Why it’s one of Beijing’s Best: With two huge beef patties topped with a fried egg, smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, and their homemade barbecue sauce, the Fat Basterd is more than just an eyeful, it’s a mouthful. The Fat Basterd's sauce has a special twist – rather than the smoked hickory taste of typical barbecue sauce, theirs appeals to the Asian palate with a tinge of chili. The Singapore-based chain boasts a fine array of enticing burgers and with the Fat Basterd leading the way, expect this burger chain to be a mainstay on our list for years to come.

No. 6: The Local
Their must-try burger: The Dry Rub Avocado Burger served with a small salad and a choice of fries, onion rings or sweet potato fries (RMB 75)

Why it’s one of Beijing’s Best: The Local rose up the rankings this year from 10th to sixth place. Combining a unique blend of house salsa, slightly spicy dry rub, and of course, perfectly ripe avocado, The Local’s signature Dry Rub Avocado Burger demonstrates just how delectable burgers can be when the perfect pairing between condiments and toppings complements a beef patty. Owner/manager Kenn Bermel attributes its popularity to the quality of its eponymous ingredients, noting that only 100 percent Australian beef is used and avocados are sourced daily to ensure freshness. 

No. 5: Home Plate BBQ
Their must-try burger: The Ba-Donk Burger (RMB 128)

Why it’s one of Beijing’s Best: This southern-style barbecue stalwart is a three-time holder of the Burger Cup top slot, and although they might have slid a few spaces in the ranking over the years, their buns-and-patties are still widely regarded as the gold-standard by which other, lesser burger joints aspire to. Home Plate’s arsenal of burgers includes the hulking Ba-Donk Burger. This burger behemoth contains a beef patty, cheddar cheese, two slices of bacon, Home Plate's original sausage, pulled pork, barbecue beef brisket, jalapeños, onions, fried pickles, and barbecue sauce. This is the kind of burger which, should you choose to eat it for lunch, will require a significant afternoon nap.

No. 4: Slow Boat Brewery and Taproom
Their must-try burger: The Fryburger, served with a pickle (RMB 50)

Why it’s one of Beijing's best: The Fryburger’sunique placement of a stack of french fries on top of the juicy beef patty have kept legions offoodies in utter adulation. Dressed with homemade aioli, in what Slow Boat Owner Chandler Jurinka has described as “a nutty and fragrant East-meets-West family recipe,” and buns which are light, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and delivered fresh daily, the Fryburger has undoubtedly buoyed this brewery’s credence as one of Beijing’s best.

No. 3: Great Leap Brewing #12 Brewpub
Their must-try burger: The Cheeseburger, served with french fries or onion rings (RMB 60)

Why it’s one of Beijing’s Best: Stop by this brewpub restaurant at nearly any point during its opening hours – be it a weekend evening or a weekday afternoon – and you’ll find it jam-packed. That popularity can be attributed to its excellent range of craft beers and also to its sizzling, savory cheeseburger. With a recipe written by top-notch chef Kin Hong (of Taco Bar fame), there’s little wonder why this burger has been such a hit with pub-grub lovers, or why it has cracked the Final Four in our Burger Cup year after year.  

No. 2: Cannon's Burger
Their must-try burger: Cannonnator (RMB 49)

Why it’s one of Beijing's best: The true success story of this year's Burger Cup was the rise of Cannon's. The then-new Gaobeidian eatery debuted in last year's Burger Cup at number 74. After a successful appearance at the Burger Festival, Cannon's skyrocketed all the way to second place this year, even coming within a hair's breadth of the title. Their Cannonnator burger features supple, homemade buns, two diner-style Angus beef patties encased in American cheese, fried mushrooms and onions, bacon, and a fried egg. Keep an eye out for this burger as Cannon's are set to open their new outlet on Xingfucun any time soon.

No. 1:Q Mex
Their must-try burger: Double burger, served with potato wedges and coleslaw (RMB 68)

Why it’s the best burger in Beijing: Q Mex truly stepped up their game this year, moving from last year's second place to claim the top spot. While their chorizo burger has brought something new to the table with its double-grilled and spicy beef chorizo patty, it's the double burger that keeps us coming back thanks to two special beef patties, a double helping of cheese, mayonnaise, and "special dressing." Coupled with a wide-ranging menu of strong drinks and regular promotions and events, Q Mex has rightly claimed its place at the top of Beijing's most popular burger spots.

More stories by this author here.

Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Images: the Beijinger, courtesy of the venues, Carmel Moersalim

Below you'll find some of the most important dates and exciting events in the coming two months. Remember that you can find a comprehensive list of all the city's best happenings in our Events section here.

Jul 21

Yen 13th Anniversary Party
One of Beijing’s longest-running mega-party crews celebrates 13 years in the business with an array of local stars on the decks at Migas. Things are bound to get steamy.

Jul 22

Chelsea vs Arsenal in Beijing
London soccer teams Arsenal and Chelsea meet for the first time ever outside of London at Beijing’s National Stadium. A pre-season friendly match not to miss.

Jul 28

While She Sleeps
This socially conscious British metalcore crew earned rave reviews with their latest album, You Are We. One critic called it the “best album so far about post-Brexit anxiety.” You can headbang along to those heavy political anthems at Yugong Yishan.

Aug 18-20

Sister Act: The Musical
Based on the hit 1992 comedic flick of the same name, this Tony nominated play features music written by veteran composer Alan Menken (famous for Beauty and the Beast and various other Disney films). Beijingers can see Sister Act at the Century Theater.

This article first appeared in the July/August issue of the Beijinger.

More stories by this author here.

Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
Instagram: s.xuagram

Photos courtesy of Yen, nusantaran.com, courtesy of Sharp Tone Records, courtesy of Sister Act

Good news teeny boppers, Ariana Grande is set to rock Beijing's LeSports Center, formerly Wukesong Arena, on August 26 (early bird tickets go on sale July 5 at noon, but unfortunately only for American Express holders, see more in Chinese here; a far broader range of purchasing options will be available after July 9). The show marks Grande's China debut, as part of a world tour that very well might prove that she's more than "just another pop star." Although dismissed as such throughout much of her burgeoning, chart-topping career, Grande has shown herself to be as resilient as triumphant as they come. That is of course because she has famously dealt with the most tragic of circumstances as of late – returning to the stage in Manchester in early June a mere two weeks after a suicide bomber killed 22 attendees at her concert in that city.

During that moving gig – which was dubbed One Love Manchester – the 23-year-old, Florida-born musician invited a children's choir from local Parrs Wood High School onstage, after she saw their rendition of her hit "My Everything," in a social media fundraising video for those affected by the attack. Those spirited youngsters shone brightest in a star-studded show that also featured performances from some of Grande's biggest pop peers like Justin Bieber and Katy Perry, along with Marcus Mumford (frontman of the folk-pop troupe Mumford & Sons), and elder Mancunian boy band Take That, among others.

It was a resolute moment against adversity for a popstar who, prior to that, appeared to be blessed with a fairy tale life. Grande got her start as a children's theater performer at the age of 13 showcasing not only showbizz chops but also a keen marketing eye, Tweeting about her amateur stage escapades to quickly growing following. Before long, she had scored an acting gig on a Nickelodeon children's series, and by 2013, at the age of 20, she had released her debut album, Yours Truly, gaining critical acclaim for the catchiness of her songs as well as her four octave vocal range, which lead one magazine to dub her the next Mariah Carey. And even though her mainstream musical appeal, flashy fashion sense, romance with young rapper Mac Miller and other superficial facets left uppity music buffs to sell her short, Grande was always determined to prove her talents run deep.

Case in point: Grande spoke to Cosmopolitan a few months before the Manchester show, an excerpt of which reads:

"It’s important to the former Nickelodeon start to prove that there’s more to her than just being a ponytailed pop icon. 'A lot of times, women are labeled as a bitch or a diva for having a vision and being strong and using their voice, and it’s just not the case. You can be strong and be friendly. [We] don’t have to be just one thing, you know?'"

More recently, Grande has enticed her fans with news about a forthcoming album featuring input none other than producer de jour Pharrell (a mere year after the release of her blockbuster third album, Dangerous Woman, which featured the top-five Billboard Hot 100 single "Side to Side"). Aside from that she has also embarked on a world tour, which included a June 30 gig in Rio where she unveiled clever gimmicks like performing on a stationary bicycle.

But as fun as it is to read about Grande's accomplishments, it's best to let the her music speak for itself. To that end, we've rounded up our top five favorite Ariana Grande tracks to help you find "The Way," before he Beijing gig – from chart-topping singles, to deep cuts, to collaborations with some of her fellow platinum selling stars.

"The Way," feat. Mac Miller
This early cut from Grande's debut features her beau, rapper Mac Miller, and a supple, mid-tempo instrumental in the vein of her idol, Mariah Carey. Catchy and effective as it is, it wouldn't be long before Grande further capitalized on her potential and revealed a style all her own.

"Bang Bang," feat. Jessie J and Nikki Minaj
A dynamic and upbeat earworm of a track, "Bang Bang" was released on Grande's sophomore album and was not only vibrantly fun, but also a deft balance of three very distinct talents. Rapper Nicki Minaj's elastic, ever-unpredictable flow proves to be a surprisingly strong fit for British starlet Jessie J and Grande's thunderous pop singing.

"Into You"
From the slowly escalating, finger snap-esque percussion on the bridge, to the stratospheric synths on the chorus, this glossily produced second (and arguably best) single from Grande's latest album, Dangerous Woman, is as much a testament to Grande's ear as her voice, considering she picked an instrumental that's every bit as dynamic as her singing.

"Heatstroke," feat. Ariana Grande, Pharrell, Young Thug (produced by Calvin Harris)
Aside from her work on her own albums, Grande is also a talented guest performer, ceding the spotlight to fellow stars like Pharrell, and Young Thug on this track from EDM star Calvin Harris' recently released Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1. That humility on Grande's part is admirable (wait, isn't she supposed to be a pop diva?), but she more than holds her own with a chorus that's showstopping yet gentle to the point of cooing. But above all, this track is noteworthy because it offers us a glimpse of the chemistry between Grande and Williams, who is said to play a major role on her next album.

"My Everything"
This ballad (from her eponymous sophomore album) was always noteworthy because it features the whole gamut of Grande's impressively wide vocal range. But it took on a timeless resonance at the One Love Manchester show, when grande joined a local school choir who had made a viral video shortly before that in an effort to raise money for the victims of the terrorist attack at Grande's earlier Manchester gig. The song begins not with the pop star, but with the students having the limelight all to themselves, and when Grande joins the youngsters, takes one of them by the hand, and sings along with them, there isn't a dry eye in the entire amphitheater. It's a moment of generosity, classiness and resiliency, setting Grande apart from her current pop peers.

Ariana Grande will perform at LeSports Center on August 26. Tickets range from RMB 380 to RMB 1,680.

More stories by this author here.
Email: kylemullin@truerun.com
Twitter: @MulKyle

Photos: Hollywood Life,Vibe,Fuse, BBC Music, Viral Flows, 2048

Casual Xingfu Ercun eatery Home Grounds have launched a series of daily specials, so there's no excuse not to treat yourself mid-week. Tuesday is seafood day, with 50 percent off seafood dishes such as New Zealand mussels and Tsingtao-battered fish and chips (pictured below); Wednesday gets you 50 percent off roast beef sandwiches, steak sandwiches, and beef burgers; and Thursday is all about half-price chicken dishes, from the indulgent (crispy chicken nuggets) to the relatively virtuous (grilled chicken burger). As an added incentive, all cocktails and wines by the glass are buy-one-get-one-free every weeknight from 5.30-8pm. See the Home Grounds WeChat for more information.

CBD types also have access to some good new deals this week, with the new RMB 88 lunch sets at Beersmith Gastropub. There are eight different main courses to choose from, all of which come with a starter of wild mushroom soup and a drink (coffee, tea, soft drink or pilsner). Main course options include grilled salmon salad (pictured at top), Wagyu beef burger, and pils-battered fish and chips.

If you prefer your calories in liquid form, there is plenty to satisfy you this week, too. Juice by Melissa have relaunched their signature cold-pressed cocktails just in time for the hottest days of the year, with five brand new cocktails priced at RMB 50 each. We've got our eye on the Vita Sangria, made with orange, apple, and strawberry juices, chia seeds, acai powder, and a healthy measure of white wine. The cocktails are sold in handy bottles – did someone say "picnic?" 

Speaking of wine, the Hatchery has put together an evening of free-flow wine in celebration of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Month this Saturday, July 8, which they have dubbed "Electric Vines." From 7-10pm, you'll be able to taste 40 different New Zealand wines, alongside beats from DJ Ted Dancin' and canapés by Hatchery chef Simone Thompson. Entry to the event costs a very reasonable RMB 148 per person; you'll need to pre-purchase via Yoopay. 

More stories by this author here.

Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Photos: Robynne Tindall, courtesy of Hotel Jen, Juice by Melissa, Hatchery

Grab your best red, white, and blue outfit and slap on your "Make America Great Again" caps because it's time to celebrate the Fourth of July. Venues around town are marking the occasion with parties and events; we'll be updating this blog as and when the events come in, or you can find the most up to date list of July 4 events in our Events Section here.

Jul 1-4: Independence Day Weekend at Ramo
Independence Day celebrations are all about comfort food and Ramo is celebrating everything that makes American cuisine great with an all-American menu featuring pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw, baked beans, and potato salad, strawberry shortcakes, and hard lemonade (just so things aren't too wholesome). The menu will be available throughout July 1-4, when they'll also be screening classic American movies.

Jul 4: Barbecue Whole Hog Buffet and Live Music at Home Plate
What restaurant in Beijing says "America" more than Home Plate? They'll be honoring the picnics, carnivals and backyard barbecues held across America on July 4 with a hog roast and buffet, including smoked chicken wings, potato salad, ranch beans, and more. Steve Mac and The Mac Daddies will be on hand to provide some live music from 9pm. Buffet priced at RMB 138 per person, from 6-8pm. 

Jul 4: Quiz and Cookout at The Local
Better brush up on your US trivia because from 8.30pm on July 4, The Local's Kenn and Martin will be hosting a one-off themed quiz. Expect prizes for the winners of each round, as well as a prize for the overall winner. Before the quiz, they'll be hosting a classic cookout, with burgers and hot dogs on the grill (from RMB 50, served as a set with jalapeño :popper" potato salad, spiced corn on the cob, potato chips, mojito-basted pineapple and watermelon, and a bottle of Firestone Walker or Boulevard beer). 

Jul 4: July Fourth Barbecue at the Project Pengyou Courtyard
Project Pengyou is hosting their annual Independence Day celebration at their courtyard, offering all-you-can-eat barbecue and drinks for RMB 100 (veggie options are also available). There will be a special performance by JingSing Acapella. Register via EventBrite here.

Jul 4: Carne Pop-up at Cantina Agave
This July 4, slider providers Carne (usually operating out of Yu on Chunxiu Lu) will be popping up at Cantina Agave, serving their signature mini burgers alongside an all-night happy hour.

Jul 4: Free Beer for US Citizens at The Brickyard
The founders of Mutianyu retreat The Brickyard are celebrating their fellow Americans this Independence Day, giving away a free beer for any US citizen who eats with them on July 4. Note that you'll need to present your passport as proof.

Rager Pie Freedom Pie
Finally, if you're looking to stay in over the holiday period, or just want to guzzle on some delicious and patriotic pie, Rager have created a special Freedom Pie for the occasion. Order via their WeChat (ID: wilnos).

More stories by this author here.

Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
Twitter: @gongbaobeijing
Weibo: @宫保北京

Images: Flickr, courtesy of the organizers

It's all about the numbers lately for The Local. Having just celebrated the fourth anniversary of the former Brussels rechristening as The Local Bar and Grill, proprietor Kenn Bermel is taking the reins for the Courtyard Four outlet's Fourth of July quiz, complete with, surprise surprise, an American theme, specifically American history. As American Independence Day celebrations now appear that they will be conducted indoors this year, we asked Kenn four questions about Tuesday evening's special edition quiz.

READ: Where to Celebrate America in Beijing This July 4

What did you learn while researching the quiz?
Kenn Bermel (KB): Well, I learned a lot of interesting facts about US history that made me proud of of my home country, but overall what I found most interesting is that the roots of civil rights, women's suffrage, and so on started much earlier than I'd thought. There were champions of those movements who died before the end of the 1800s.

What's your favorite period of American history?
KB: Pre-World War I history. It was a terrible time to be alive in a lot of ways, but also the most interesting to read about. The US was still figuring itself out and was on shaky ground. The foundations of modern American thought, folk heroes, and myths are rooted in that era.

What is the biggest misconception about the United States among people you meet in China?
KB: The average person's influence on American politics and military decisions. There seems to be this idea that every American could have stopped the war in Iraq, or that every American shares the attitude/views on foreign policy of whoever is currently in power.

Who is buried in Grant's Tomb?
KB: I prefer not to answer it publicly. I'm going to save it for a tie-breaker question for the most outstanding teams.

The Local's Fourth of July quiz starts 8.30pm on Tuesday, with teams up to six people permitted. Hot dogs and hamburgers are available on the grill from 4-8pm, weather permitting. See more July 4 celebrations around town here.

Photo: Fourth of July Specials, the Beijinger 

If you’re looking to take your grandfather somewhere in Beijing, then you’re in luck.

That’s because the newly opened Dongzhimen branch of small local bar and restaurant chain Wiggly Jiggly’s seems tailormade for elderly gents. The venue (whose most well known counterpart being on Nanluogu Xiang) features wooden walls and furniture on both the first and second floor, along with the plush animal images etched onto the backs of its chairs, all hark back to a log cabin from the late 70’s. Sure it’s a bit tacky, but the owners have certainly gone all-in with a rustic retro vibe that'll engross if for nothing more than because of their sheer degree of the commitment.

Wiggly Jiggly’s menu very much reflects that venerable woodsman’s theme, going heavy on simple sandwiches, burgers, and other common Western pub grub, along with a handful of bottled beers, standard cocktails, and spirits.

The RMB 50 avocado beef burger packed quite a wallop thanks to its hearty, generously portioned patty. Its fresh avocado slices balanced well with the meat, which was just juicy enough to not be overly greasy, a tricky balance to strike, though I wish they’d had more success with the texture, which lacked the sturdiness needed to keep it from falling apart too readily and becoming a sloppy mess. The side of chips, thankfully, were more successful in that regard (as you would hope), thanks to their crispy outer layer and fluffy potato insides.

What really makes Wiggly Jiggly's stand out, however, are the desserts, including tiramisu cheese cake, classic red velvet cake, chocolate brownie cake, matcha peach moose, chestnut cake, and many others (priced between RMB 30-35). Sweeter still: the chocolate hot pot (RMB 48), essentially a chocolate fondue made with Belgian chocolate, fresh seasonal fruit, cotton candy, biscuits, and cookies, a surefire hit among selfie takers and chocolate lovers alike.

Wiggly Jiggly's might not be doing anything new but its unabashedly quirky decor, distinctively old-school bar, and lack of competition nearby for quick burger give it enough personality to warrant a visit.

Wiggly Jiggly’s
Daily 10am-10pm. 6-8 Dongzhimen Neidajie, Dongcheng District (8402 9588)
东城区东直门内大街6-8号

Photos: Kyle Mullin

Football fans, brace yourself for some bad news: the China Arena Football League's second season won't take place this fall as expected (and unlike the the debut season, which began in the autumn of 2016). Instead, this season will be delayed all the way until the spring of 2018.

"By moving to a spring/summer season, our research shows that we can better attract the Chinese fans to our arenas, and to our video platforms," said Marty Judge, the CAFL founder and chairman, via Life In the Huddle.

However, already established fans eager to glimpse their favorite players toss the ol' pig skin can take heed in some potentially thrilling, albeit far from confirmed news. As consolation, Judge excitedly speculated: “I have always dreamed of a true World Championship for professional arena football. By moving our CAFL season to the spring, we will mirror the season of the United States Arena Football League, the 30-year established leaders in the sport, which could make that game possible.”

The thought of such a large scale football tourney would surely excite the sport's burgeoning China fanbase. And while that's only a larger possibility at this point, some more solid good news comes from the league's newly announced leap from six teams to eight for the new season, "as no doubt the extra time off will allow the league to prepare for such an expansion.“

This comes on the heels of previously announced changes like the replacement of the Dalian Dragon Kings and Shenzhen Naja with the Shenyang Black Rhinos and Wuhan Gators, the former two teams finishing at the bottom of the table in the league last season. Though news about the forthcoming seventh and eighth teams in the league is still scant, fans won't have to wait until the new season next spring for updates, seeing as the draft will be held far earlier, on July 11 at 8am.

For more information on the draft, check the CAFL's official website. That page bills the league as "China’s only Professional American Football League," adding that each of its teams has 22 players, each evenly divided between 11 Chinese and 11 foreign players, most of the latter being American. Nevertheless, that regulated split should certainly help spurn on local talent in the ensuing years. The league is officially partnered with China’s Sports Bureau’s China Rugby Football Association (CRFA).

News about the two new teams will surely make the second season worth the wait for China's still small, but eagerly involved and steadily growing football contingent.

More stories by this author here.
Email:kylemullin@truerun.com
Twitter: @MulKyle
WeChat: 13263495040

Photos: Life in the Huddle

China's frustration with its pop idols has finally boiled over in a meme that exposes these worshiped celebrities as a sham.

"Do you freestyle?" (有freestyle吗?) has become an immensely popular phrase on the Chinese Internet lately, and it focuses its ridicule upon young, popular male pop stars, mostly towards singer and actor Kris Wu (吴亦凡).

Wu recently appeared on the reality TV show competition The Rap of China (中国有嘻哈, or "China's Got Hip-Hop") where he served as a judge. During the course of the show, Wu repeatedly grilled all the contestants with this same question. Unfortunately, by using his authority as a pop star to ask such a question, Wu invited fans to scrutinize his legitimacy as a rapper.

Needless to say, the Chinese Internet could no longer hold back its tongue and has since exploded into a torrent of memes that ridicule Wu and other Chinese pop idols that fashion themselves as R&B and hip-hop artists.

Chinese Internet users have taken to mockingly question legitimacy by asking "Do you freestyle?" while others have been inspired to pen simplistic rap lyrics that resemble nursery school rhymes in order to ridicule Wu. Others still are answering this question in increasingly creative ways, ranging from feudal gentlemen crying to this cute duck slamming back the jams.

"Do you freestyle?" has also branched out into other memes. Here are Confucius' famous words about daily introspection, but re-worded to ask three times a day: "Have you freestyled?"

Elsewhere, the meme shows members of China's Foreign Ministry saying: "Please commence with your freestyle."

China may not be leading the world's hip-hop scene any time soon, but like every Spring Festival Gala ever televised, Chinese audiences know bad when they see it. Wu's lack of talent as a rapper and "freestyle" artist has always been apparent in China because it's how he entertains his fans. 

Wu's demonstrates a glaring lack of hip-hop authenticity when he tries to freestyle rap about making noodles on a Chinese variety show, something played up for laughs. Not only does he begin repeating himself and stop after just 30 seconds, but Wu raps in a stilted delivery without any flow or groove. Wu's hip-hop skills have been tacitly praised by JJ Lin as: "(He) says all of his 'yeah's' perfectly."

But the backlash against China's hip-hop celebrities has affected other people besides Wu, most notably South Korean-"inspired" stars Lu Han, and China's version of Bam Magera, Huang Zitao, who has been ridiculed for his invention of the phrase "狗带" (literally "dog belt") whose pinyin sounds a lot like the English for "go die."

READ: What You Need to Know About Lu Han, China's Top Androgynous Celebrity Endorser

Even though these celebrities may convince their fans that they are tip top on hip hop, they are mostly known as being celebrity endorsers. For as stoic as Wu looks on The Rap of China with his steely gaze, he's still better known as a spokesperson for women's cosmetics maker Maybelline.

Sadly, as much as hip-hop continues to get popular in China, it doesn't have any place to grow.

Censorship constraints are particularly heavy on Chinese rap artists, culminating in the banning of 120 rap songs from online distribution in 2015. Rap artists that flourish in China tend to focus their content to be align with national interests, such as CD Rev's attacking of Western media with their song "This is China."

But that doesn't mean that hip-hop doesn't have a positive effect on China. Arriving years behind the rest of the world, the "thug life" meme immortalizes China's rich and elite for being shamelessly rich and elite.

Even if if its pop idols don't know how to freestyle, we can see that China's leading class understand the meaning of the hip-hop term "gangsta."

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: Weibo (1, 2), ChinaPR, JZSL, DDXia, rmzxb, Bilibili