High-speed train passengers in China now have the option of traveling with more privacy by booking tickets for individual sleeping compartments.

Debuting this past weekend on the D311 train scheduled between Beijing and Shanghai, the personalized compartments are designed for a single passenger. Each bunk provides space for passengers and their luggage, and is equipped with an electrical recharging outlet and its own window.

The double-stacked bunks are laid end-to-end with the head and feet of the passenger pointing towards the front and back of the train, with an aisle running down the middle of the passenger compartment.

The D311 marks a departure from the previous design in which four passengers shared a closed compartment with their beds arranged perpendicular to the direction of the train.

READ: Mandarin Monday: How to Buy Tickets and Take a Train in China

The individualized soft sleepers on the D311 are not enclosed, but offer a curtain for privacy. Each compartment also has a table, a clothes hanger, a reading light, safety railing, and an adjustment control for air flow. Optimized for passengers who bring their own personal computer and smartphone, a personal TV screen does not appear to be part of the new design, as was previously offered.

Every ticket on the D311 is reported to be a personalized soft sleeper compartment, the likes of which extend right up to the locomotive train car. 

Although it has been in operation for just a few days, the newly-designed high-speed train compartments have also received a number of complaints.

READ: Keepin' it Rail: Streetcars Return to Beijing After a Half-Century Absence

Passengers say the luggage space, described as being able to accommodate two 25-inch suitcases, is non-adjustable. Furthermore, passengers say only the upper berth passenger can stand up in the case of an emergency. 

By nearly doubling passenger capacity, the D311 can now take 880 travelers at once, signifying that the more private train compartments may paradoxically in fact bring a more crowded and noisy travel experience.

The D311 is scheduled to leave Beijing at 9.16pm and arrive 11 hours, 52 minutes later in Shanghai at 9.08 the next morning, cruising at a speed of 250 kilometers per hour. Qunar lists the price of a soft sleeper ticket on the D311 as RMB 732 (USD 108).

The debut of the personalized sleeping compartments coincides with the unveiling of a faster high-speed train earlier last month that may allow passengers to travel from Beijing to Shanghai in just three hours.

Now that extremely fast trains – which don't require sleeping arrangements and personalized compartments designed for long-distance use – have been introduced to the the Beijing-Shanghai railway, it's not known which kind of travel will be prioritized.

The Beijing-Shanghai corridor is the only profitable high-speed railway in China. The country will spend RMB 3.5 trillion (USD 503 billion) by 2020 to expand its railway system at the same time the China Railway Corp has incurred a debt worth over RMB 4 trillion.

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Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: iFeng (2), PCOnline, CCTV, Global Times

Following a particularly strong need to satiate recent sugar cravings (perhaps on account of my recent less than admirable experience at Venchi), I was lead straight to Strasbourg patisserie on Xiaoyun Lu.

At a massive 250-square-meters, and occupied by an open kitchen and al fresco area seating, the space is airy and comfortable, and decked out with the requisite modern furnishing and jazz music, making it a perfect spot to hang out with friends or work remotely.

Was it sugary intuition, or sweet destiny that brought me there? I have to confess that it was neither, given that I stumbled in after a drink at nearby Yun Brew. The giant plastic baumkuchen, a variety of German cake, out front was what lured me in and I was not disappointed by what its excessive size promised, as I was immediately greeted with hundreds of cheese baum (RMB 15 each, or RMB 85 for a box of six), fresh out of the oven.

There's also a large shelf stacked with cookies, a dozen varieties of sliced cake (RMB 30-55), the aforementioned baumkuchen (RMB 32-36 per slice, RMB 120-160 for a whole), as well as salads and brunch (RMB 52-58), and coffee and juices (RMB 30-50).

The cheese baum (RMB 15) are a combination of the store's two specialties: cheese cake and baumkuchen, and with its crispy crust and a flaky buttery and cheesy center they reminded me of a classic Hong Kongese egg tart. However, these are baked with more of a Japanese palate in mind, meaning that the resulting flavor is mild and not overly sugary.

The cheese baum may be what Strasbourg is known for, but trust us, it's the lava chocolate cake (RMB 38) that will win you over; layers of soft but sturdy chocolate sponge cake with a rich smothering of cream between each, covered with a thick outer chocolate ganache (French style glaze), and sprinkled with chocolate powder, chunks of chocolate, and flakes of gold foil. Need I say more?

Then there's the Mont Blanc (RMB 46), a dessert homage to the highest mountain in Alps. It's made of noodles of sweetened chestnut puree on a cake base and topped with whipped cream. Sadly, this one didn’t taste as good as it looked given that its strong chestnutty flavor was actually superceded by the notes of soap. No, you didn’t read me wrong; something must have gone terribly wrong in the kitchen because this actually smelled and tasted like soap, albeit of the luxury variety that you might find in a five-star hotel. If you do end up buying this one, please let us know if you encounter the same.

The first Strasbourg opened in Yokohama, Japan, in 1997, before expanding across the country, and is notable for popularizing baumkuchen. This location on Xiaoyun Lu is the first in China and it will be interesting to see if it can have the same affect on the Mainland's burgeoning bakery scene as it did in the Land of the Rising Sun. We say: go for the creamy cheese baum, but leave if they start to foam.

Strasbourg
Daily 8am-midnight. 15 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang District (8069 8402)
思特堡: 朝阳区霄云路15号

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Tracy Wang, Dianping

After going on to win the Beijinger 2017 Burger Cup, the team behind popular Mexican restaurant Q Mex in Sanlitun's Courtyard 4 has not taken a minute to catch their breath. Instead they've speedily opened Q Mex Taqueria, north of Sanlitun at Xinyuanli, on the same strip as the new Bottega, which opened just a few weeks ago.

The new spot differs from the original Courtyard 4 branch in that it takes focus on perfecting the sacred pairing of tacos and tequila. The space is bright and fun and although smaller than their first venue, feels substantially bigger thanks to an abundance of sunlight and a color scheme that smacks of summer.

One of the best ways to get the most out of your visit, and a great idea for group dining, is through the DIY taco set (pictured at top), which comes with a range of fillings so you can mix and match. You can even DIY your DIY set, with fillings costing between RMB 75-98 per portion, and RMB 5-35 for add-ons like sauces, pickles, and cheese.

The lazy among us can leave our taco fate up to the kitchen staff and pick from their extensive menu (RMB 60-72 for three of the same, or pick one of the three-set combos). Of those we tried, the jalapeño butter shrimp (RMB 72 for three) were high up on our list, the creamy and fresh filling leaving a warm tingle as a result of the accompanying chopped red onions and cilantro. The sour cream mushroom taco, a sort of taco stroganoff, makes for a great alternative for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

Offerings of course do not end here, with starters like ceviche and guacamole, salads, nachos, habanero chicken, sirloin steak, salmon enchilas suizas, burritos, and fajitas to choose from, too.

One thing you'll notice is that the drink menu is bigger than the food menu. It's a purist's dream, including only tequilas that are 100 percent agave tequila, which can be ordered in carafes and enjoyed as shots. You can also of course try one of their many cocktails, which, you guessed it, also rely heavily on tequila.

The guava margarita, a smooth and not overly sweet blend (RMB 55 for a glass, or get a pitcher at RMB 175), had us weaving our way back up to the bar on several occasions, or at least we would have been had the staff not been so attentive, thankfully coming to us. Q Mex's original margaritas are also intact, including the mango (also RMB 55 per glass, RMB 175 per pitcher), a personal favorite for its rich flavor and all-around summery feel. For something different, grab a refreshing michelada, that'll knock your tastebuds awake with a healthy mix of beer, tomato juice, and chili (RMB 45-60).

As with Q Mex, Q Mex Taqueria has awesome weekday deals worth putting time aside for: Mondays are half-price burritos, Tuesdays are half-price tacos, Wednesdays are half-price nachos, and Thursdays are half-price on steak and chicken dishes.

Add to those their daily happy hour that runs from 11am to 9pm, with discounts on cocktails and beers, and you're set for a fun evening no matter when you pass through.

Q Mex Taqueria
Daily 11am-1am. Room 106, Jinshang Shouceng, 20 Xinyuanli Xili, Chaoyang District (8435 3601)
朝阳区新源里西里20号楼金尚首层106

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

Images courtesy of Q Mex, Margaux Schreurs

Commuters looking to take the taxi home after a night out in Sanlitun may be forced to take a roundabout route this summer.

Major road construction will begin on the East Third Ring Road on Wednesday, July 5, shutting it down nightly for road maintenance.

The affected area will begin at Sanyuanqiao West (三元桥西) and stretch 10.86 kilometers southward to Fenzhongsi Bridge East (分钟寺桥东), affecting the entire highway inbetween Sanyuanqiao Station and Siheli Station on Line 10 of the Beijing Metro.

The majority of construction work is scheduled nightly between midnight and 6am,shutting the highway down at that time.

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

The local traffic authority expects the construction to be finished by October, said the Beijing Youth Daily, while other reports give a longer estimate, lasting until December.

The road construction may have an impact on people who live or travel to Sanlitun, Guomao, Shuangjing, or Liangmaqiao neighborhoods, to name just a few.

Here's a representation of the affecting area from Google Maps:

And here it is in Chinese:

To circumvent the construction, road traffic will be forced to use the Second or Fourth Ring Road or make their way through the city's sidestreets. Just announced last year, the highly-touted "3.5 Ring Road" has yet to be built.

READ: Ride the Beijing Metro by Swiping Your Phone ... As Long as It's Not an iPhone

The Third Ring Road also happens to be Beijing's most congested road. CCTV reported in 2015 that the speed of the traffic on the north section of the Third Ring Road averaged just 22.6 kilometers per hour.

With no overnight service provided for buses and subways, you may have to get creative in order to avoid using the East Third Ring Road. Here are a couple of north-south streets that may come in handy when trying to navigate a route with your driver:

READ: Mandarin Month: How to Make Friends With Your Taxi Driver (and Avoid Scams)

• Dongdaqiao Road (东大桥): Located to the west of the Third Ring Road, this road ends at Jianguomenwai Boulevard to the south, and transforms into Xindong Road in the north before splitting up.
• Xidawang Road (西大望路): Located to the east of the Third Ring Road, this road closely follows the north-south axis of Line 14 to the south, but gets cut off by Chaoyang Park to the north.

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: Bendibao, Beijing Youth Report 

Now that we've breached July, it's probably only just dawning on you that we're halfway through 2017. Wasn't it just yesterday that we made New Year resolutions to eat healthier? I, like you, am trying to find the places to make up for a more than lax first six months, and find healthy food to balance out my overindulgent drinking habits (see: my weekly What's Up in Beer column). To that end, I visited Nooxo on the second floor of The Crib on Chunxiu Lu, looking for the promise of a healthier lifestyle via a preview of their new revamped menu.

These new dishes sucessfully carry on the restaurant's core theme: that healthy eating, or even being vegetarian or vegan, doesn’t mean that you must sacrifice the pleasure of taste, which is to say that dairy and meat-free dishes can also please the carnivores among us.

Their Sumo Broccauliflower (RMB 48) is a mix of grilled broccoli and cauliflower, roasted sweet potato, brown rice, coix seeds, raisins, sunflower seeds, black and white sesame seeds, dressed with a Japanese miso-ginger sauce, which can be skipped for those following a gluten-free diet. If you just can't bear to go meatless, you can also add a portion of grilled chicken for RMB 15. The sweet potato had a pinch of cinnamon, which brought the entire flavor of the sizable bowl of vibrant greens to another level.

If we had to choose a favorite dish, it would be the Lost in Thai (RMB 48) with grilled beef (RMB 18). This bowl is made with cauliflower in a yellow curry coconut sauce, quinoa, red rice, coix seeds, coconut chips, semi-dried cherry tomatoes, corn, coriander, capsicum, chili and spices. The sauce was particularly rich and creamy as well as fresh so as to not appear too calorific, and the grilled beef was perfectly cooked. After mixing the bowl, every bite featured a different texture (quinoa, coix seeds and coconut chips), combining with spices and a spicy chili kick, to evoke the deep flavors found on the best of Thailand's food streets.

Among the new smoothies (RMB 32), there’s the Caribbean Summer with coconut cream, lime juice, coconut, and agave syrup; and Just-in-Lime with a whole lime, ginger, agave syrup, and some bitterness courtesy of a little lime peel thrown in for good, healthy measure. Our favorite was the zesty with tropical Virgin Pineapple Julep (above), featuring pineapple, lemon juice, and agave syrup.

Staring down the desserts, it's worth saying again that eating healthily doesn’t mean you have to live a pious life. Nooxo most popular is their almond cake (RMB 16) , the base a sweet, nutty layer that reminds of a hearty carrot cake, while the gratings of coconut and lemon zest offer a creamy, fruity, and citrusy blend. 

They've also added three new desserts to the menu, including the vegan-friendly crispy quinoa and sunflower bite, coconut-mango flan, and The Fig Bomb with dried figs, pineapple juice, cashew, watermelon seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, ginger powder and agave syrup.

I have to confess that sometimes, after a strictly healthy meal, the naughty side of me wants to run to McDonald's and undo all the hard work as revenge for my unsatisfied appetite. But Nooxo's light eats didn't leave me feeling that way in the slightest. And I felt all the better for it, forfeiting that quick, greasy hit for a warm buzz from their generously-sized portions and tailored balance of fruit, veg, and nuts.

Nooxo
Tue-Sun 10.30am-9.30pm. 2/F, The Crib, 1 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (8069 8604)
朝阳区工体北路1号院育膳房二楼

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Tracy Wang, courtesy of Nooxo

Along with the rapid closure of Beijing's favorite markets, the city has lost another of its longtime institutions: the last Golden Jaguar buffet, at Cuiwei Lu, closed on July 1. Famed for the abundant variety of food at its buffets, Golden Jaguar was unable to hang on following the shutting of its other branches across town, including at The Place, Wangfujing, Zhongguancun, and Yayuncun, according to Beijing News.

“Over a dozen suppliers went to the [Golden Jaguar] Cuiwei location to ask for a payment of debt, which reached an outrageous RMB 20 million. Only one of the 29 Golden Jaguar outlets around China remained as of June 28,“ Beijing Newsreports. “This wasn’t a one-off; over 10 suppliers also gathered outside the Yayuncun outlet to demand payment in May 2016, at which point the company's debt stood at over RMB 16 million. Golden Jaguar claimed that they were undergoing internal auditing, and were unable to pay suppliers due to a temporary freeze of their finances.”

It wasn't just the suppliers who were demanding their money back. Angry customers who had placed credit on the restaurant's membership card were also attempting to retrieve their cash. The company has said that people who registered with the restaurant will now be able to recoup that cash at the Cuiwei location, and it will take no longer than 45 working days for the money to return to their accounts.

Golden Jaguar, which opened its first branch in Taiwan in 1991 before coming to Shanghai in 2003 and up north shortly after, gained notoriety for its massive buffet-style feasts and self-defined “international cuisine collection.” The all-you-can-eat melding of Western and Chinese cuisines (think steak, sushi, oysters, abalone, and even crocodile) for around RMB 200 gave the restaurant a luxurious edge without breaking the bank.

READ: Beijing's Unrepentant Queen of Freeloading Gets Serious Jail Time After 14th Dine-and-Dash

By the end of 2014, there were 29 locations across 19 cities in China. However, between 2010 and 2014 the company was only achieving a turnover of HKD 957 million (approximately RMB 833 million), at a HKD 230 million loss after tax (approximately RMB 200 million). Coupled with rising costs, the chain was unable to bring in enough funds to stay afloat. Now only one branch remains in all of China, in Shanghai.

The restaurant was also affected by healthy diet trends. Recognizing the downside of gluttony, much of the public no longer wanted to eagerly stuff their faces with as much food as humanly possible anymore.

The final nail in the coffin was the increasing number of bad reviews circulating across Chinese review sites. Many reviewers complained about the “decreasing quality of food” and “lack of service” as well as the fact that Golden Jaguar “no longer provides Haagen Dazs.” To deal with decreasing appetites and to battle food wastage, some of the buffets across Beijing also began to ask for an extra RMB 100 as a deposit, a cheap move and unnecessary restriction in the eyes of many a seasoned all-you-can-eater.

With tastes edifying and becoming more refined, diners nowadays prefer restaurants that offer special dishes at good value, instead of the large and have-it-all restaurants with lesser quality food. All of these factors mean that there's much less room in China's lavish dining market for the free-for-all food frenzies of the past.

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Beijing News, xltklj

Beijing is looking to make its street intersections safer by introducing optical illusions to help convince its drivers to slow down for pedestrians.

The pilot project has "enhanced" white pedestrian markers at two busy Beijing intersections with blue and yellow "sides," giving the illusion of three-dimensional form. As the Beijing Dailyreports, this makes the crosswalk more noticable to drivers.

A section chief for the municipal traffic management bureau Liu Shupeng said the new measures are part of a national standard to make crosswalks across the country safer for pedestrians.

The optical illusion crosswalks are located at the intersection of Fangzhuang Road and Pufang Road in Fengtai District, and at Linglong Road and Beiwan Road in the Qixiancun area of Haidian. Their appearance earlier this week coincides with a traffic crackdown that began two weeks ago that has seen the city dole out some 27,700 fines of RMB 200 and deductions of three demerit points to drivers failing to give the right of way to pedestrians.

"Due to so many cars turning right that steal the right of way from pedestrians, it's very easy to cause an accident," one unidentified middle-aged woman told the Beijing Daily. "I hope that this kind of 3D pedestrian road markings can help remind drivers to be more careful."

The idea of "reminding" drivers of their legal responsibilities goes hand in hand with the view people violate the law in China due to their "ignorance" of it. At the same time, drivers may feel compelled to slow down at these intersections due to psychological reasons, having been confused into believing there is an obstacle on the road ahead of them where in reality, there isn't.

Beijing Daily quotes one traffic warden who says the optical illusion crosswalk has been "effective" in slowing down drivers.

Although Liu called the use of optical illusions at city intersections "new," they have appeared before in China, even in Beijing.

A crosswalk in Taizhou, Zhejiang added "sides" to its traffic markers in 2010, sparking a trend that slowly began spreading throughout the country. Optical illusion crosswalks appeared in Lanzhou in 2012, Liuzhou in 2014, in Luoyang and Changsha (both shown above) in 2015, and in Handan and Hohhot last year.

They even appeared for a short time on a road near the People's University in Beijing in 2013 (shown below) after local authorities were initially resistant to the idea.

"We want the new crosswalk to become a real safety belt for pedestrians and vehicles,"explained a traffic offical in Taizhou.

Optical illusions are the latest measure to help improve China's roads that are largely populated by chaotic drivers to whom "the right of way" goes to whomever can hold it. The country's crowded city streets are a free-for-all that have left authorities desperately scrambling for ways to preserve order.

READ: Traffic-Violating Expats Used by Police to Teach Chinese "Awareness of the Law"

Jaywalking pedestrians have been penalized with everything from wearing green hats (representative of the wearer having been cuckolded) to threats of lowering credit scores to being publicly shamed by giant televisions screens and vigilante expats. Drivers have been urged to slow down by having children dance in the middle of busy streets, and have had to deal with a short-lived law that made crossing an amber light into a traffic violation.

As much as these 3D crosswalks are designed to restrain drivers, they may also serve to help pedestrians refrain from jaywalking by providing a distraction during their wait for the light to change, as demonstrated by these crosswalks:

Optical illusions require its viewer to maintain an ideal distance in order to be effective, leading to questions on which vehicle speeds can these 3D crosswalks provide safety for pedestrians. As well, prolonged exposed to an optical illusion may reduce its effectiveness.

READ: "Lawful Laowai" Teaches Proper Driving to Chinese by Shaming Them

Liu said the use of three-dimensional crosswalks will spread throughout the city if they are found to be effective.

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath

Images: The Guardian, South Money, Qianlong, Huanqiu, Coolzone, 16888, guancha, Chinanews

Sometimes, it's not worth being first: Baidu's impressive display of its self-driving technology chauffeuring CEO Robin Li on a busy Beijng highway is being investigated by local police.

In what may be an unprecedented move by a company head, Li was seen being driven by a Baidu autonomous car in a livestreamed video shown to a live audience at the Create 2017 Artificial Intelligence Conference on Wednesday.

Using a system called "Apollo" that was created in conjunction with Bosch, Baidu's autonomous car was driving on Beijing's Fifth Ring Road in traffic Li described as "extremely heavy." The minute-long video, to which received thunderous applause, demonstrated the car was driving itself as Li sat in the passenger seat.

But as courageous as Li is to commit his personal safety to a machine, local traffic police say automated cars are illegal in China. Beijing Youth Dailyquoted an unnamed police officer who said current traffic laws and regulations do not yet allow driverless vehicles on the roads.

A reporter with XCar China said local traffic authorities have confirmed they are investigating Baidu over the incident.

Baidu responded to the police investigation by saying that Li was accompanied by Baidu smart car general manager Gu Weihao in the driver's seat. Though Gu is barely visible in the video, seen only by the tops of his knees and the side of his face, it is clear that Gu's hands never touch the steering wheel any time during the broadcast.

The Baidu response did not acknowledge if the self-driving demonstration had been approved by the government.

Baidu's brashness to move forward without official authorization is indicative of a number of Chinese companies that say the government is too cautious when it comes self-driving cars, urging them to relax restrictions.

"If China can adjust the rules to allow more qualified companies to participate in mapping, it will improve the overall competence of the country's autonomous driving industry,"said Geely chairman Li Shufu.

Former R&D head for GM Motors Larry Burns said that China may beat the rest of the world to market in this incredibly lucrative and competitive industry because it "doesn’t necessarily have to have the debate to reach a conclusion."

Baidu first tested its self-driving cars on Beijing's Fifth Ring Road in 2015, having collaborated with such Chinese companies as Chang'an and Chery and used cars like the BMW 3 series and the Geely eQ.

Baidu has said it will publicly debut its autonomous cars by 2021.

A video of the presentation can be seen here or here.

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: Weibo, XCar

As much as it pains me to tell you, Chris Brown, one of pop music’s most infamous figures, will be performing in Beijing at the LeSports Center (formerly Wukesong Arena) on September 30 at 7.30pm (see our even listing here, click here for tickets, which range from RMB 380-1,680).

Now that that’s out of the way, I’ll also list off the reasons why I would never go to a Chris Brown show. The most obvious reason – if it's not already obvious – is because he was charged in 2009 with felony assault and making criminal threats against his then girlfriend, and fellow popstar, Rihanna. Horrific photos of her visible injuries dominated the news cycle shortly after incident. Brown accepted responsibility, releasing a statement to the media that read: "Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired,” before apologizing via a YouTube video. The couple temporarily resumed their relationship in 2013, after which Rihanna said in an interview that was published in The Telegraph that she forgave him, before saying, “We don't have those types of arguments anymore. We talk about shit. We value each other."

Yet Brown’s alarming controversies didn’t end there. This past February his then girlfriend Karrueche Tran, a fashion model, filed for five-year restraining order against Brown, which the court granter her. Brown did concede to an allegation of stalking Tran, though he denied her claims that he made threats on her life

These aren’t the only instances of Brown’s erratically violent behavior. In early 2013 he and (arguably infinitely more talented) R&B artist Frank Ocean clashed over a parking space in Los Angeles. Brown alleged hit Ocean during the altercation before threatening to shoot him, and Ocean says that one of Brown’s bodyguards called him a “faggot.” Brown purportedly used similar homophobic slurs later that year. While taking a photo with two female fans, a pair of male fans attempted to get in the picture as well, and one of those men said Brown then told them: "I’m not into this gay shit, I’m into boxing," before Brown his bodyguard attempted to punch one of the men. This lead to Brown being charged with a misdemeanor, though he maintains he didn’t throw the first punch.

As much as his behavior may appall, it can’t be denied that Brown is one of the most commercially successful artists of his era. He’s released chart-topping singles like “Run It,” and “Kiss Kiss,” since the beginning of his career in the mid-00s. What's more, Brown's fans and much of the music industry seemed to forgive him of his transgressions in 2011, when his album F.A.M.E. topped the Billboard200 lead to his first Grammy win for Best R&B Album.

Many may argue that art should be separated from the artist, and that a song shouldn’t be judged by a singer’s personal life, but even before Brown's myriad of controversies his music seems uninspired. That opinion is only multiplied when his output is compared to the hypnotic grooves and melodies created his contemporary Ne-Yo, the tongue-in-cheek fun to be found in the music of fellow chart topper Bruno Mars, and the distinctive creativity showcased by younger R&B stars like the aforementioned Frank Ocean and Miguel.

News of Chris Brown’s Beijing gig comes on the heels of two other major pop engagements in the capital – Arianna Grande (also at the LeSports Center, August 26) and T-Pain (at Sir Teen, July 21).

For more information on the Brown show, click here.

Photos: Baidu,waleg.com

This post comes courtesy of our content partners at China Film Insider.

This must-see gem of a comedy from sophomore writer and director Sam Voutas is about father and son projectionists who stick together through hard times in Beijing, making ends meet by pirating movies.

Honed in the forge of dishonest dealings, their street savvy reflects the calculus of two thieves arrived at a tipping point in China’s recent past: how to survive when it becomes clear that everybody else is playing by different rules and change is necessary?

King of Peking is set in China’s capital 20 years ago, in the summer of 1997, just as the mainland was reunited with Hong Kong – the rule-of-law British colony from which Chinese-language cinema spread around the world while for decades Communist censors blunted the work of filmmakers north of the border.

Voutas and wife and producer Melanie Ansley – whose first film together was the equally charming Red Light Revolution– are, as expatriates who grew up in China, at the vanguard of a hopeful, if small, opening-up of China’s still rigidly controlled movie industry. Though raised in Beijing and Shanghai, respectively, Voutas, who is Australian, and Ansley, Canadian, bring an international storytelling sense to a distinctly Chinese scenario.

Even if their new film, which premiered at Tribeca in April, is subtitled over dialogue in marble-mouthed dialect (in which they’re both fluent), and takes place in a dusty sprawl yet to sprout the iconic glass and steel structures that associated with Beijing today, global moviegoers tuning in on streaming platforms will relate to the sheer entrepreneurial drive of the divorced and single father striving for his kid’s love and paying a price for overdoing it.

After watching his projector overheat and go up in flames, father projectionist “Big Wang,” played by actor Zhao Jun as a big-faced, big-bellied, bighearted softie, must stoop to work as a janitor in a big city theater. There he can’t quite make cash enough to pay child support and keep “Little Wang” (Wang Naixun) in his relatively stationary care and away from his mother (Han Qing) who lives life on the move, literally, working selling snacks from a pushcart in the sleeper car on the long-haul railroad.

Two decades into its policy of reform and opening up, China in the late-1990s is undergoing massive growing pains as some sectors such as the movie business invite competition and chaos, while others, such as the railways, remain state-owned and operated, and relatively stable if dead-end.

If the train is the collective mode of moving about in China, then Big Wang’s driving his own three-wheeled motorcycle with a cab is symbolic of his, and the country’s, nascent individualism.  Putting about the alleys and broad highways of the outskirts of Beijing, father tests son, quizzing him on his knowledge of the soundtracks of foreign films blaring through tinny speakers in the house on the back of the bike.

Big Wang calls himself “Murtaugh” and nicknames Little Wang “Riggs,” both after the 1987 Hollywood cop thriller Lethal Weapon, starring Danny Glover and Mel Gibson. They talk about Westerns and monster movies and all the icons of Tinseltown long-banned from China but now trickling in from overseas. Little Wang buys into his father’s plot to steal these films from the cinema where they live underneath the auditorium stage and copy them en masse to DVD machines set up in the kitchenette.

Little Wang is a natural salesman and gets a thrill making his neighborhood rounds and pleasing his dad. But when his state-employed mom points out that his dad the entrepreneur is exploiting his labor, and then Little Wang begins to suffer at school after so many late nights out on the job, son rebels, less because of the work and mostly, it turns out, because dad can’t seem to find the time to help him build a paper Mache volcano.

The father’s dream is not the child’s. The father’s dream is to remain a child and at the same time keep his child. The actual child is caught between parents, caught between the comfort and certainty of the past and the rocky open road of the future, where he must insist upon his own dreams. The tender father-son rapport between actors Zhao and Wang on screen is as sweet as the scenes between Zhao and Han, playing his ex-wife, are sour.

The lesson learned as father is called to the mat by his son and told that he’s passing down bad habits, is a lesson that the film subtly seems to suggest as a current running under many aspects of life in China today: actions speak louder than words and one can only talk one’s way out of taking illegal actions for so long.

Photo courtesy of China Film Insider

Following the success of their Common Burger concept and after an extended hiatus that had us biting our fingernails in anticipation, the talented Hatchery team is back and bringing a new concept to Beijing: Bird on a Wire.

Bird on a Wire is a popular free range rotisserie chicken brand with three restaurants based out of Auckland, New Zealand. This co-op represents a first for both parties – the first time Hatchery has partnered with an international SME and the first time Bird on a Wire has expanded outside of their native New Zealand. Why Bird on a Wire? Hatchery co-founder Alex Worker explains that "we love what Bird on a Wire do as leaders for ethically-sourced chicken in New Zealand and believe there is an exciting market opportunity for them here in China." 

In addition to introducing a new concept to Beijing, Hatchery are also hoping to educate the city's diners about the importance of free range chicken. "What qualifies as a free range chicken?" you ask. Standards and definitions do vary by country but the general consensus is that free range chickens are allowed to roam outside to the hearts' content during the day, rather than being cooped up in a cage like battery chickens. They can also root out their own food, which reduces the amount of processed feed they need to consume, as well as the steroids, hormones, and antibiotics that often come along with it. Free range chicken is not yet mainstream in China but both sides are passionate about doing what they can to change that. As Bird on a Wire co-founder Ben Grant says: "If we can help China progress in their ethically-sourced food journey and share some of our knowledge from New Zealand, that's a big tick in our books for our international strategy."

Bird on a Wire's chickens are brined for two days and roasted for 1.5 hours. Diners can order a quarter (RMB 55), half (RMB 100), or whole (RMB 190) bird, all of which come with your choice of "baste," such as mushroom-truffle butter, Korean barbecue, or just plain chicken gravy. Back in New Zealand, Bird on a Wire have also become known for their healthy, creative salads and sides, and you can choose to have your bird with said salad, as well as fries, in a variety of meal combos serving one to eight people.

Aside from the rotisserie chickens, the rest of the menu also has a distinctly avian focus, with dishes such as panko-crusted chicken schnitzel (RMB 80), chicken noodle soup (RMB 25), and a pulled chicken burger with tarragon mayo (RMB 45) available at both lunch and dinner. 

Hatchery is open 8am-10.30pm, seven days a week, serving all-day breakfast from 8am-5pm; mains, burgers, and everything else from 11am-close, and weekend brunch from 11am-5pm (shout out to those extra long brunch hours). Note that the rotisserie chickens are only available from 5pm. For full menu details, check out Hatchery's WeChat (ID: HatcheryIncubator). 

Of course, it wouldn't be an opening without a promotion and as such, Hatchery is offering all diners who spend RMB 50 or more per person a free beer, house wine, house mixer or mocktail.

Not only that, but if you share their post about free range chickens on your WeChat moments you will be entered into a draw to win a Big Bird meal for four people, valued at RMB 300. A good excuse (if you needed one) to share the love for ethically raised, better tasting chickens. 

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos courtesy of Hatchery/Bird on a Wire

It rarely rains in Beijing, but when it rains, it pours. Some people prefer to spend rainy days in the comfort of their home, but your options are not just limited to being cooped up all day. In this roundup, we show that Beijing is just as exciting in the rain as it is on a sunny day. Whether you prefer to stay home, embrace the damp, or find a balance in between, a little water never hurt anyone, no much your new shoes might disagree.

READ: Flood Warning For Beijing as Worst Storm in 6 Years to Arrive June 22

Get cultured

Beijing is blessed with an abundance of museums and art spaces that are just waiting to be explored. Museums like the National Museum of China, the National Art Museum of China or the Capital Museum have extensive collections and are also free. Also make sure to visit the many galleries situated in Beijing’s 798 Art District. Renowned galleries such as the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) and Pace Gallery are both located there. With Beijing’s best galleries clustered in one location, it's highly likely that you'll run out of time before you run out of things to see.

Shopping

The mall is a safe haven when it’s pouring cats and dogs outside. Beijing’s largest malls such as Wangfucing’s APM, Chaoyang Park’s Solana, or Sanlitun’s Taikooli have all the stores a shopaholic could ever hope to find. Retail giants such as Zara, H&M, Bershka, and Under Armour, to name a few, have branches in all the malls mentioned above. If you’re looking for more high-end shops, venture to Guomao’s China World Shopping Mall (there's a skating rink here, too) or Sanlitun’s Taikooli North. Beijing’s best malls also have plenty of dining options; just because it's raining doesn't mean you have to order in.

Cinema

Sometimes there’s nothing better than disappearing into the cinema for an hour or two. As China continues to expand imports from Hollywood, the movie scene in Beijing is better than it’s ever been. A surge in the number of moviegoers means better cinema amenities and quality. Catch the latest local or Hollywood movies at Beijing’s top cinemas such as Megabox or UME. For a unique movie-going experience, visit Cinker Pictures in Sanlitun, where you can grab movie-inspired cocktails and dinner while enjoying art house or foreign films on their silver screen. Another option is Pop-Up Beijing’s weekly movie screenings of old Hollywood movies.

Restaurants

Rainy days tend to be a little chillier, and we all know what chilly weather means: comfort food. Lucky for us Beijingers who can’t be bothered to whip up a meal ourselves, there is tons of comfort food scattered around the city. If you’ve got a hankering for Chinese food, we suggest hotpot. Places such as Xiaoyun Lu’s Celadon Hotpot or one of Xiangcao Xiangcao Yunnan Hotpot’s branches serve satisfying hotpot that’s guaranteed to leave you scrambling for a nap after the meal.

If you want Western comfort food, we suggest visiting the newly opened F Bistronome at China World Mall. The restaurant serves heartwarming French cuisine and its breathtaking venue will let you watch the rain come down on parts of Beijing’s CBD area, including the CCTV tower and the Third Ring Road. Another option is to enjoy a pan of paella with a side of Spanish wine at Saffron in the Lama Temple area. Saffron has an indoor rooftop area with large windows, so you can enjoy your meal with a full view of the rain, without getting wet.

Cafés

If you’ve got some work assignments that need to be done, but need to get a reason to get yourself up and out of bed, consider spending the day in one of Beijing’s many quaint cafes. Changing locations can be refreshing and may help motivate you to finish whatever is next on your to do list.

There are a lot of charming yet lesser-known cafes across the city that even the most experienced Beijinger probably hasn’t heard of. For instance, Jiaodaokou’s Metal Hands serves quality hand-drip coffee with their comforting wooden interiors. If you want something to snack on while working, pick a café with a dessert selection. TiensTiens in Gongti Beilu has a fantastic assortment of cakes and pastries, as well as beverages. The spot is also very charming with lots of natural light. Other cafes worth checking out include Théatre Tea in China World Financial Centre or Wudaokou’s The Bridge.

Exercise

READ: Drop it Like a Squat: Beijing's Best New Fitness Studios

Refuse to let rainy days get in the way of your fitness routine? Fear not, we’ve got your back. Instead of taking an off day, why not try these exercise classes that will definitely turn a lazy day into a productive one. F45 Studio in Shangdu Soho offers 45-minute classes focusing on intense HIIT, circuit and functional trainings. At RMB 99 per class, you are definitely getting your money’s worth. Alternatively, women can consider going to female-only gym Ms. Uptown for yoga, pilates, and dance classes. Don't worry guys, there are lots of options for you to choose from too: If you’re looking to burn some cardio, try taking a cycling class at Space Cycle or GuCycle. Both gyms have a DJ on deck to pump you up during workouts.

Spa Day

Shield yourself from the rain and pamper yourself instead. Whether you need a spa, facial or just a massage, these places are just some of Beijing’s most relaxing places. The Opposite House’s Kocoon offers sleek designs with natural lights and greenery, as well as a complete list of treatments, waxing, and meditation workshops. The Westin’s Heavenly Spa is also a favorite for its service and professionalism. If you want a more out-of-the-box experience, consider going to Xindong Lu’s Premedion for their beer spa. You can sip on a glass of beer whilst bathing in beer.

READ: So Zen: The Best Way to Relax in Beijing

Another cool alternative to the usual beauty treatment is Awa Health’s sensory deprivation tanks. Salt floating therapy is believed to relieve joint pain, cure certain illnesses such as insomnia, and also help get you into a meditative state.

Don't mind getting soaked? Embrace the rain.

If getting wet is not a problem for you, why not embrace the rain? One of the things you can do is turn a rainy day into a photography day. Take snapshots of the city’s moody skyline imbued in rolling clouds or visit Beijing’s artifacts and capture a unique perspective of the city drenched in rain.

Not a big fan of photography? Why not channel your inner child and play in the rain instead? You can visit famous parks such as Taiyangong Park, Iris River Park, Chaoyang Park, or Fragrant Hills Park. These parks are guaranteed to be emptier on rainy days, so you get to reenact Gene Kelly’s Singin’ in the Rain scene shamelessly.

Read more articles by this author here.

Instagram: carmelmoersalim

Photos:  tieba, timg, chinasspp, lumdimsum, Margaux Schreurs, Robynne Tindall, sciencenet

The opening of Nina earlier this month couldn’t have been better timed, given the owners’ passion for Spritz. That shouldn't come as a surprise, seeing as it's the “it” drink of this summer, which various Beijing venues are clamoring to offer patrons eager for its hot weather nullifying, fizzy quality.

Given the cocktail’s popularity and ever-increasing availability around town, many Beijingers may assume that they’re well versed in all things Spritz, but Nina aims to stir up such preconceived notions by serving a substantially greater variety of the cocktail, instead of settling for the conventional Aperol take that can be found just about anywhere.

Sure, sweetly satisfying Aperol Sprtiz is readily available on the new Beiluogu Xiang bar and restaurant’s menu. But bartenders Kai Wang and Mattia Beradi have also reached deeper into the Italian cocktail’s repertoire, serving lesser-known options that might induce a double-take of the menu, such as their artichoke Spritz. Priced at RMB 50 and made with artichoke flavored Cynar liqueur, soda, olives, an orange slice and of course Prosecco Italian sparkling wine (a Spritz prerequisite), this variety is far more bitter than its Aperol counterpart. Meanwhile, Nina's vermouth spritz (RMB 60), features Punt e Mes and is also a bitter, albeit drier, take.

Those and other Spritz options go down well with Nina’s bar snacks, which further the venue's Italian theme all the more because they are readied in the nation's cartoccio-style grab-it-and-go bitesized eats. The delectable Italian snacks, characterized in part by coming in a paper cone that help to preserve the moisture and intensity of the natural flavors, were first introduced to Beijing by burgeoning Chef Giuseppe Epifanio in early 2016, which he would prepare for El Nido and Fang Bar, as well as other Fangjia Hutong venues. Through that endeavor he befriended Wang and Beradi, who worked at nearby Jiao bar at the time.

“At the beginning of this year we started thinking about doing something together, because I thought their drinks and my food would really go well together,” says Epifanio, who is more commonly known in the hutongs by his nickname Peppe. That inkling has proven to be true, especially when you begin nibbling the flavorful delights to be had from Nina's cold cuts platter (RMB 65 for a small, RMB 130 for a large). Featuring a range of meats like parma ham, fiery spianata salami, hearty finotonia (essentially a mix of ham and salami from Tuscany), a flavorful Mortadella flecked with bits of black pepper, and more, this platter will more than amply line your stomach while also leaving you thirsting for a Spritz to wash all that devilishly salty meat down.

Same goes for the the cartoccio platter (RMB 75 for a small, RMB 100 for a large). It includes mashed potato croquettes, both seafood and vegetarian arancini (stuffed rice balls coated with bread crumbs and then deep fried), and much more. If you’ve never tried the chewy, pillow-soft fried croquettes then brace yourself for the most delectably addictive bar bites you could imagine.

Peppe goes on to explain the cartoccio culinary tradition: “The word is Italian for paper cone, the original flatware used back in the days in Italy after WWII. Very few people had a house or a kitchen then, leading them to eat this kind of street food.” 

Peppe's certainly right about that low, on-the-go nature of the cartoccio snacks; however, Nina guests are also likely to remember these bites for their opulent quality, amounting to a fun yet rare Beijing bar snack, especially in the hutongs.

All that, along with the venue’s low-key atmosphere (the bar is simply adorned with one huge neon sign with the bar’s name and some of the latest hip-hop hits pouring from the speakers) make Nina an approachable venue, and one that’s primed to attract cocktail lovers and curious foodies deep into the hot summer nights.

Nina
Mon-Fri 6pm-2am, Sat-Sun 11am-1am. 66 Beiluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District
东城区北锣鼓巷66号

Photos: Kyle Mullin, courtesy of Nina

Throwback Thursday takes a look back into Beijing's past, using our nine-year-strong blog archives as the source for a glance at the weird and wonderful of yesteryear.

We like our apples in whatever colors they come. Let them be green or red or yellow, but our favorite varieties come in Space Grey or Rose Gold; or so the market would suggest. That explains why the world currently holds its breath, waiting for the even more special than the other special editions iPhone 8, released on the 10th anniversary of the first iPhone, and poised to break sales figures this fall.

But while its earth-shattering functions thus far only exist as nebulous rumor, the relative calm before the storm gives us a breather to look at the first wobbly steps Apple took into China's market back in 2007.

In July 2007, Mainland China was looking longingly at Hong Kong for the package of iPhones that were “due to arrive in Beijing any day.” Even with the anticipation, it's likely that no one could have imagined the amount of love that Apple was to receive from Chinese customers over the following decade. At least for a short time at least.

That's because the first imported iPhones in Mainland China were said to be selling for a ridiculous RMB 7,000 (more than 150 percent the marketplace elsewhere). On top of the astronomical price, it had not even been confirmed whether iPhones would be able to be unlocked so as to work on Chinese mobile networks, threatening to make them nothing more than a pricy pocket toy.

READ: Those Ubiquitous iPhones – An Estimated 1 Million in China

From then, the anticipation only built, even though our beloved Apple Store in Sanlitun (which also was the first official Apple store in China) did not have the phones on display when they opened in July of 2008. However, curious visitors could still get their hands on a full range of other Apple products so as to show their unwavering dedication.

That bumpy start, as we all know, didn't hinder Apple's eventual growth in China. But that's not to say that their reign was always guaranteed, with Apple currently occupying a not-so-satisfying fifth place amongst China’s mobile phone manufacturers, with the Chinese brand Huawei proudly standing as number 1. On top of this uncomfortable ranking, Apple is also experiencing an 18 percent drop in sales in China's market. 

One problem marring Apple from the beginning: the corporation's questionable conditions and treatment (long hours, low wages, and minimal overtime pay) of its factory staff via their suppliers Pegatron and Taiwanese-owned but Mainland China-based Foxconn. Although controversial, these factors have hardly affected the iPhone's popularity at home or abroad.

The biggest reason for die-hard Beijing Apple fans to get uppity about currently is the lack of functionality iPhone's have with the city's subway ticketing system, while Android users are scanning happily away.

So, while July seems to be a big month for Apple in China, their loosening grip on the country's market may be an indication that although a decade old this month, the iPhone may be a relic of the past come Throwback Thursday in July 2027. Make sure to check back with us then.

Images: Unplash, iDownload Blog, CNBC

Beijing Beats brings you the best in Beijing nightlife each weekend. Its aim: to help you soothe the woes of a long and stressful week with some out-of-body gyrating and some experiences you'd rather forget come Monday. Check the weekend's full list of nightlife events here.
 

Friday, July 7

Vicetone 
For those in search of lighter and more mainstream dance tunes, two old childhood friends-- Ruben Den Boer and Victor Pool, going under the name of Vicetone-- might be just the right set. A product of Holland’s rich dance scene, this duo has toured almost every continent and collaborated with Nicky Romero, Cozi Zuehlsdorff, and others. Their current biggest tracks to date, "Nevada" and "No way out" have already 17 and 13 million plays on Spotify, respectively. 9pm. Price TBA. Tango 3F

Underground Movement
With “We are underground” as their slogan, this Friday Lantern welcomes the second Underground Movement party, tailormade for Lantern's unbeatable techno nights. Comprising of two rooms, the beats will delve deep into the night courtesy of Mickey Zhang, Nigls, and Huang Wei Wei. 11pm. RMB 50. Lantern

Sound From the South
Three female DJs take over the decks at Dada this Friday night. Headed by Pei from Bye Bye Disco (pictured at top), DJ Su (of Atmen) and DJ Blue (of Chengdu's Dusk Till Dawn), will be showing off their best techno, tech-house, and minimal techno all night long. 10pm. Price TBA. Dada

July 7-9: Pop-Up Disko Grassland Edition at Echo Valley Barbecue Festival
Feeling deprived of music festivals taking place in lush green fields, mountains, and amid swooshing bodies of water? Pop-Up Disko is here to help, mixing funk among the grasslands for a whole three days. The festival will also have movie screenings, hang gliding, horse riding, and other grassland-suited attractions. The best part? It's all for free (unless you don’t own a tent, in which case you can simply rent one from the organizers). Free (reserve tickets here). Gu Yuan Grasslands.
 

Saturday, July 8

Club Sync Night
Modernsky Lab is never one to shy away from experimental music, and this Saturday is no different, as the Galaxy Soho venue hosts an event of “underrepresented experimental artists.” The common thread between these acts is their desire to express something emotional and beautiful. Expect experimental club music ranging from R&B, hip-hop and pop thrown in from Rosa Maria, contemporary trap, echoes of Bby Angel's Greek heritage, and clashing rhythms with romantic melodies from Sacrifices. RMB 80, RMB 50 (advance). 10pm. Modernsky Lab

Prajnasonic 'Sub Beats' Release Party
Prajnasonic release a series of new EPs under the name Sub Beats this summer, taking aim at the dark corners of "pure" techno. The fun starts with this release party at Dada on Saturday, and apart from live sets from the label's top producers Infinity, VU, Fencha, and PUNX, they've also invited old friends Noise & Noise and Zaliva-D to join in on the fun. Price TBA. 10pm. Dada

Images: Christopher Adams (Flickr), courtesy of the organizers

A torrential rainstorm has resulted in a number of weather warnings issued today, July 6, for parts of Beijing as widespread flooding occurs throughout the city.

A red alert for rain was issued for the northeast Beijing suburb of Miyun this afternoon at 4.40pm after precipitation reached 150 millimeters. The rain was so heavy that fish have been spotted swimming in the flooded water at Miyun Rainbow Park.

An orange alert remains for the adjoining district of Huairou after levels of precipitation reached 96.8 millimeters in the 18 hours preceding 2.40pm this afternoon. A video posted on Weibo shows one Huairou underpass completely flooded. 

The rest of Beijing currently sits under a yellow alert as numerous streets have flooded, causing pedestrians to wade in knee-high water. The storm has brought 70 millimeters of precipitation to the Beijing districts of Mentougou, Fangshan, Changping, and Shunyi.

The storm has caused havoc for commuters and travelers throughout Beijing, and is responsible for the cancellation of 278 Air China flights at Beijing Capital International Airport.

The heavy rains are forecast to continue in Beijing into the night with scattered lightning and the heaviest precipitation coming in the north end. Tomorrow will see overcast skies and also more scattered thunderstorms; the heatwave is set to continue with temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celcius.

The evening rush hour is expected to be terrible in Beijing, and some people are taking too well to it, as seen in this photo taken on Beijing Second Ring Road:

UPDATE July 7 7:40pm: In the 22 hours before 7pm today, the local weather department says Beijing has received an average of 58.8 millimeters of precipitation while Miyun hit with rainfall measuring 172.1 millimeters. Over 100 local weather stations have recorded precipitation in excess of 100 millimeters.

How bad is the storm? Here's a video that shows a blown-open manhole with rainwater flying upwards out of it:

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: Weibo (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

Each month our sister magazine beijingkids rounds up all the market, bazaar, and fair news that Beijing has to offer. Summer is proving to be a bit slow on the market scene, but there are still sellers and makers around this time of year to enjoy.

News from the market

• One of our most trusted bakers and sellers Jennie’s Oven is leaving Beijing and will leave an empty space in our bellies. Her amazing baked goods have pleased many and she will be missed. Make sure to catch her at some of her last markets for a taste of home-baked goods.
• Rumble in the Jumble is taking a short break during the month of July, but will be back with bells and whistles in August.
• Time for some celebration as Farm to Neighbors is turning three years old. One of our favorite ongoing markets, F2N has brought a lot of sellers to our attention over the past three years and always has a surprise up its sleeve in terms of new sellers at each event (see more details below).
• Finally, a new face on the market scene is Emilie (pictured above), who makes and sells embroidered bags and clothes under the moniker Emilie Idea. Keep an eye for her at various markets across town.

July 9: Art Garden Festival 
Art Garden Festival is back at 77 Park on Meishuguan Houjie next month for its third run, with loads of fun vendors for adults as well as art, photography, workshops, and ephemereal gardens (whatever those are). Noon-6pm. Free. 77 Park

July 16: Farm to Neighbors
Help celebrate Farm to Neighbors’ three-year anniversary, while shopping for the same healthy organic produce you've come to expect. Noon-6pm. Free. Grand Summit

July 29: The Beijing Flea Market 
The Beijing Flea Market is always a popular choice among Beijingers, and we're happy to see that the summer heat hasn't scared them away from bringing us their usual range of food, clothes, and goodies. Noon-6pm, Pop-Up

This blog originally appeared on our sister sitebeijingkids.

Images courtesy of Emilie Idea, the organizers

Beijing's Temple of Heaven (Tiantan Park) is a historical landmark, famous for its use as a temple by the Ming and Qing imperial dynasties. And, it's become a place for Beijing residents to receive "therapeutic treatment" by lying on a rock they believe to have "restorative powers."

A nightly ritual during the summer regularly sees scores of people come to the culturally-important site and lie upon the white marble median strip at Danbiqiao, the boulevard that stretches out in front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, so that they can absorb its solar heat.

According to the Beijing Morning Report, the practitioners believe the marble rock has "physiotherapeutic abilities," claiming it can cure illnesses and strengthen their bodies.

"This is white marble, and they say that acupuncture and moxibustion aren't as good as this," one elderly man was heard in a video, adding that "Some people have been doing this for six or seven years." 

READ: Furor in China After Wikipedia Calls Acupuncture "Pseudoscience"

"I am 72 years old this year, my health is very good, and I still have my wits about me from being heated by this rock," explained another man.

The majority of these "rock mobsters" are older visitors, though some families are seen taking their children to enjoy the benefits of this "rock of salvation." However, some jaded Beijing residents are calling balderdash on the practice, insisting it has no scientific merit and negatively impacts upon the city's image. 

Chief among these critics is the park itself. An unnamed park representative confirmed to Beijing Evening Report on Monday that the practice is still going strong among locals after 11 years.

The representative described the marble as being "just normal rock" that does not have any restorative or medical properties. "The so-called "medical properties" of Danbiqiao is completely false,"said the representative. "If visitors have illnesses they want to treat, then they should go to a hospital."

READ: Community Hospitals Across Beijing to Use TCM as a Preventive Treatment for Disease

The representative wasn't afraid to call out the facts. "It's just a rock that has been heated up by the sun after a day," said the representative. "It's just that some people who suffer from leg or back pain may find it comfortable because it acts like a hot compress."

The park representative criticized the "uncivilized behavior" of the practitioners for interfering with other park visitors, warning that their actions violate the "Beijing City Park Ordinance."

However, previous warnings have had no effect. "According to regulations, it's not permissible to lie down at Danbiqiao, but it's difficult to persuade visitors from doing so," said one park security guard.

Tiantan Park is reported to have increased its patrols on Saturday, but have been largely unsuccessful in dissuading against the prevalence of "slow cooked ribs."

Elderly people seen enjoying the hot rocks explain that they aren't bothering anyone, and that they don't come out during the park's daytime peak time for tourists. "The park is a place for rest and is open to everyone," said one old man with a stone cold demeanor. "I've been doing this for over 10 years, so by what right can they say that I'm uncultured?"

The median features a slight arch to it, resembling something not unlike a speedbump as it runs down the 360-meter-long boulevard of Danbiqiao. By lying over this hump, practitioners are able to stretch out their backs, something that may possibly explain how this practice originated.

READ: Temple of Heaven Proudly Confirms it Will Continue to Provide Free Toilet Paper for Patrons to Steal

Beijing residents are known to enjoy the free services offered by the Temple of Heaven. Earlier this year, the park was forced to install an automated dispenser with "face-scanning" technology in its public bathrooms after visitors began abusing its free toilet paper policy.

Beijingers have shown themselves to be susceptible to trends based on traditional Chinese medicine. This past January, a leading expert in Chinese traditional medicine advised the public to stay away from "anti-smog teas" after they were popularized as a way to combat the harmful effects of air pollution.

Although the "rock basking" phenomenon has appeared in other Chinese cities like Xi'an, this time we may have finally hit rock bottom when it comes to bizarre Chinese health practices. By turning a stone-made tourist landmark into a prone convalescent center, Beijing will be forever famous as the town for "bedrock," a page right out of history.

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: k618, Sina Blog,zol, China Youth Daily

It's been a tough year for Beijing foodies and barflies, what with all the longtime favorites that have succumbed to chai-ing and bricklaying. Yet there's plenty of reason to still celebrate, especially given the number of venues that we bid adieu to only to see their tenacious owners quickly turn around and reopen in one form or another. Below we've rounded up some of our favorites, from low-key bars to dessert experts and more.

Anchor 2.0
Where it was: Xingfucun Zhonglu
Where it has now reopened: Yolee Plaza
The lowdown: Long known as being a low key, fun, LGBT friendly hangout near Sanlitun. The original bit the dust back in April as part of the commerce killing brick laying that began sweeping the city. While that may have troubled longtime regulars, it may have all worked out for the best: earlier in June, the owners secured a spacious spot in Yolee Plaza next to Groove Cafe, a considerable upgrade from the original (which, let's face it, was a real dive). The drink menu has also gotten a true boost, thanks to the tea flavored cocktails made by its new bartender. Read our recent review about it here.

Andy's Craft Sausages
Where it was: Next to Yashow
Where it has reopened: As an in-house kitchen at XL Bar
The lowdown: Patrons loved stopping by this streetside grab-it-and-go New York-style sausage stand. But once one of the early waves of 2017 demolition struck that bustling street, owner Andy Horowitz found himself looking for new digs. Fortunately, he found an ample new home at the casual XL Bar, and has been serving sausages, burgers and other greasy goodies there in recent weeks.

Aperitivo
Where it was: Dirty Bar Street (just north of Taikoo Li)
Where it has now reopened: Sanlitun Soho
The lowdown: A mainstay of the Sanlitun restaurant scene for over a decade, this restaurant's closure in the spring of 2017 practically marked an end of an era for those who frequented that street to nibble on Aperitivo's famous bruschetta and enjoy its laidback café vibes. Its new location in Sanlitun Soho isn't as breezy and airy (bye bye, beloved Dirty Bar Street terrace *sob*), but at least it has some outdoor seating at the new location, and a sleeker, more modern ambiance (which, let's be honest, was sorely needed at the original). Read our recent review of their new digs here.

Bungalow Tiki
Where it was: Jiaodaokou Bei Santiao
Where it has now reopened: Practically right across the street; a south-facing entrance on Jiaodaokou Beisantiao as part of the Fangjia 46 complex.
The lowdown: Tiki's closure this past spring was so sudden that its owners didn't even have a chance to throw a farewell party. After scouring the city for a new location, the owners were happily surprised to be approached by the owners of Peiping Brewery, their old neighbors, who hoped to stimulate the community's business by partnering with the Tiki tribe to draw back its considerably large clientele. The new Tiki has the same menu as before, and its space is a bit smaller, but it has one long bar that should make patrons a bit more comfortable than the somewhat awkward Iguana room that they opened earlier this year just prior to shutting down. Read our recent writeup about the new Tiki here.

Frost
Where it was (is):Same as before, essentially, on Xingfucun Zhonglu (in the alleyway across from April Gourmet), though it has swallowed the space that once occupied the now-defunct BBC.
The lowdown: This veteran Western diner and bar took the opportunity to renovate during the heavy Xingfucun "brickening" this past spring that saw the closure of neighboring spots like the aforementioned Anchor, Rollbox, and more. The new digs have an industrial vibe. Their equally revamped menu not only features Frost's famous pub grub favorites, but also healthier fare like power bowls. There's also exotic new Asian items like Japanese tamagoyaki (RMB49; essentially an omlet with ham and bonito fish flakes), as well as Japanese udon (RMB 39), and Singaporean curry noodles (RMB 39).

Moxi Moxi
Where it was: Fangjia Hutong
Where it has since reopened: 22 Beixinqiao 3 Tiao
The lowdown: This popular Israeli eatery saw its original location bricked up recently, but found a silver lining by opening at a much bigger spot at Beixinqiao. The menu has expanded, and their opening hours follow more of a conventional, daytime and evening schedule (as opposed to the bar-centric hours they maintained on Fangjia). Stay tuned for a review of the new space and expanded menu.

Vineyard Café
Where it was: Wudaoying Hutong
Where it has now reopened: Chaowai Soho
The lowdown: Vineyard Cafe was one of the first successful Western restaurants to open in the hutongs, and it certainly was one of the longest running. Yet, over a decade after its opening, the popular British style café and eatery had to close its doors early in the spring of 2017. Owner Will Yorke seemed pretty nonchalant about it though, which shouldn't be a shocker when you consider how successful his other venture, Arrow Factory Brewing, has been. He hopes to have similar success with his new Vineyard Café kitchen. It's quite different from the original, focusing more on high quality but reasonably priced takeout dishes, along with a few sit-down tables. He also plans to sell pre-readied meat that customers can easily order up and grill for barbecues at home, as well as shoot how-to cooking videos at the new location's kitchen. Read our recent writeup about it here.

Rager Pie
Where it was: Fensiting Hutong
Where it has now reopened: 20 Beijianzi Xiang
The lowdown: Rager Pie's old Fensiting spot also fell to the overzealous bricking policy that has scarred Beijing's F&B scene. They were however able to maintain their steady output of delicious sweet and savory pies via their new bakery-only location. To get a slice of the action, 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. Read more about this new setup here.

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

Photos: Kyle Mullin, Andy's Craft Sausages, MoxiMoxi, Uni You, Rager Pie

Esteemed residents of Beijing, are you prepared to receive quality entertainment that will increase the rate of your pulses? The time of the "Monster Jam" is upon us!

Beijing will host a gathering of "monster trucks" that include four-wheeled behemoths like Blue Thunder and Scooby-Doo, which will perform for the pleasure of invited dignitaries, important personages, and the general masses. 

The event will take place 7pm on Sun ... uhh, Saturday, July 29 at the Beijing National Stadium, otherwise known as the Bird's Nest Stadium.

Tickets are already on sale and are priced between RMB 180-680, the cost of which includes the entire seat to allow spectators to sit in comfort. However, the level of entertainment at this event is expected to be of such high quality that ticket purchasers will only require seat edges as their bodies lean forward in anticipation of the unfolding drama. 

The automobiles featured at the "Monster Jam" are modified to exaggerate their "monstrous" characteristics but do not actually feature monsters or any horror content, so as not to overstep the government's strict policing of such nefarious make-believes. It should also be noted that these trucks are known in Chinese as "big-footed monsters" (大脚怪 dà jiǎo guài) for their oversized tires that measure some 1.6 meters in diameter and not named after any creature of superstition that does not exist.

To promote the event, a 2.5-meter-high, 4.5-ton monster truck named "Dragon" appeared Monday in front of the Bird's Nest, its name taken from the Chinese mythological creature that symbolizes auspiciousness.

According to American engineer Dan Evans, these powerful trucks can reach a speed of 100 kilometers per hour from an idling position in just three seconds and are able to jump incredible distances of 40 meters.  

Although this is the first time that monster trucks have officially appeared here, China has long celebrated its heavy machinery and the unremitting efforts of their highly skilled mechanics and engineers. Chinese spectators love watching trucks and racing as well as international competitors in which cranes are used to play basketball and pour champagne.

Again, a gentle reminder: The Monster Jam is scheduled for Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, July 29 at the Bird's Nest. Buy tickets here or our event listing here.

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: Weibo (1), 21CN, Sina Sports