The story of Beijing's most famous expat will be hitting the silver screen next month in China and, as its trailers clearly show, the film's subject is so popular that it's also the film's lead actor.

My Other Home (or known by its Chinese name, I Am Marbury) is a biographical film that stars Stephon Marbury as himself as he finds redemption in the wake of a failed exit from the NBA by leading the Beijing Ducks to the first of three championship seasons. 

The film has cast well-known character actor Frankie Faison (The Wire) to help round out its dramatic roles but has also enlisted the services of other real-life basketball stars Baron Davis as well as Allen Iverson in a cameo.

And to appeal to a broader demographic, the cast of My Other Home also include Jessica Yung from K-pop idol group Girls' Generation starring as Marbury's agent.

READ: Marbury Rumored to Return to Beijing and Sign With The Ducks' Crosstown Rivals, The Fly Dragons

The first trailer for the film focused on a lot of man-on-man conflict, but a second trailer suggests that My Other Home will highlight the growing pains that accompanied Marbury's first year in China with multiple characters expressing doubt towards the failed NBA star.

One team member is seen openly discrediting the man who would become Beijing's model citizen during practice while another tells him directly in a close-up, "Championship title? It's impossible to make your teammates believe in that." Furthermore, a coach is heard saying, "I don't approve of his ways."

But, the doubts and suspicions eventually give way to inspirational quotes that accompany the cool courtside camera shots of b-ball action. 

Marbury is heard telling his teammates, "We're going to join them, and we're going to fight them," while a coach is heard exhorting his team: "'Champion' is not just a slogan, it's a belief!" Meanwhile, Marbury's father is heard encouraging his son in a flashback, "You got to believe in yourself, you go to believe in here," thumping at the heart lodged in his chest.

Since there's no surprise as to whether Marbury succeeds or loses, the real appeal of My Other Home (formerly known as A New Yorker in Beijing) is to give audiences a chance to witness Stephon Marbury reacting to own his life for a second time, something that Marbury is acutely aware of.

"When people look at me acting, they don't see someone playing a part," Marbury told the New York Times. "They don't understand that playing this role, it was complicated. I wasn't playing myself. I was playing a role."

If Marbury (the man) is just playing a role in Marbury (the movie), does that mean that Marbury's story is part of a larger story? 

READ: Dear Stephon Marbury: If You Love Your Fans, You'll Retire

We'll have to watch the film to find out, but we find it telling that one of the producers of My Other Home was also the producer for the seminal films on Chinese pride, Founding of a Party as well as Founding of a Republic.

Marbury's may be a big star in China, but the film shows us that he knows who the important people really are.

The trailer also tells us that Marbury is willing to share the spotlight with others, as seen in this still shot that shows Marbury standing on the sidelines, cheering on someone else:

We hope that Marbury is looking at this following shot, one in which years of wire-fu movie magic has shown us that a Chinese man can really fly:

Marbury has signed a deal with Village Roadshow to make four more movies, perhaps giving hope we'll see a return of the Monstars. 

"They're doing a sequel," he said. "I'm down for it."

Watch the trailer below (YouTube mirror here):

My Other Home begins screening in China on August 11. 

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Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: iFeng， Sina Entertainment

While we are excited to lap up the sun (especially at our favorite al fresco spots), Beijing summer isn’t always peachy, with temperatures sky rocketing and humidity on the rise. While you'd think that the best way to spend an unbelievably hot day is to stay home and crank up your trusty air conditioner, sometimes you just need that little extra something to cool you down.

What you eat and drink also plays a large role in regulating your body temperature, and certain cooling foods can make you go from hot and bothered, to comfortable and relaxed. Instead of changing the temperature around you, why not kill two birds with one stone and snack on some of Beijing's delicious foods so as to relinquish hunger and cool your body from the inside?
 

Fruit and Vegetables

Fruit is always refreshing, but not all types are cooling. Water-rich fruits are very effective in reducing body heat and they will keep you hydrated. Watermelon is a great example of a water-rich fruit and one that is abundant throughout Beijing during summer. Other examples of water-rich fruits include mango, honeydew melon, and tomatoes. On the other hand, water-rich vegetables include celery, radish, cucumber, and iceberg lettuce (not quite as satisfying as watermelon).

Other fruits and vegetables that are not rich in water can also be cooling are grapes, bananas, and pomegranate. Green vegetables that are rich in calcium such as kale, pak choi, and spinach will also lower your body temperature. Although not water-rich, some of the aforementioned fruit and vegetables are astringent foods, meaning that they help to increase water absorption in the body, hence their cooling quality.
 

Grains and Seeds

Magnesium is prevalent in almost all types of grains. This magic mineral has the ability to increase your body's absorption of calcium, which is a natural and effective way to keep your body temperature from getting overly warm. Lentils, rye, and quinoa are just a few examples of grains that aid in this process.

Seeds can also reduce body heat and have tons of other benefits. Sesame, poppy, fenugreek, and fennelseeds are the most effective. The former two can simply be mixed with water and drunk directly. As for fenugreek and fennel seeds, you will need to soak them in water overnight, strain the seeds, and drink the remaining water.
 

Hydrate!

The right liquids can reduce body heat and prevent dehydration. Obviously, water is a necessity, but you can switch it up without feeling guilty by drinking coconut water, which has a ton of health benefits besides cooling, such as preventing infections, protecting your kidneys, and controlling the body’s acidity levels. Dairy products such as yogurt and cold milk can also cool you down (despite, just as Ron Burgundy says, it not always being the best choice on a hot day). Lastly, lemon juice can help your body adjust to higher temperatures and also aids digestion. Mix in honey with your milk or lemon juice to boost the internal cooling effect.
 

Avoid …

To stay cool, you should avoid all types of foods that dehydrate. For instance, fried, greasy, and oily foods will raise your body temperature and dehydrate your body. Alcoholic beverages are also dehydrating, so it’s best to avoid them (despite tall mojitos being the perfect summer drink). Stay away from fermented foods such as cheese or sour cream, as they can bloat the body. Moreover, try to cut down your coffee and tea intake and replace all lost liquids with plenty of water.
 

Recipes

If you're looking to get into the kitchen yourself, below are a list of easy recipes that incorporate the aforementioned cooling ingredients to keep you chilled throughout this sizzling summer.

• Yogurt and Cucumber Tzatziki
• Caprese Skewers
• Radish, Mint, and Cucumber Salad
• Cooling Quinoa Salad
• Sesame Pak Choi
• Summer Fruit Bruschetta
• Frozen Watermelon Slices
• Mango Popsicles
• Frozen Bananas
• Strawberry Banana Quesadillas

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Instagram: carmelmoersalim

Photos: ariix, missionquest, totalhealthandfitness, justingredients, rdfitlife, stylepresso, foodandwine

Newly opened on the seventh floor of China World Mall (next to Flo Bistronome and Migas Mercado) is exclusive, modern Japanese restaurant Brick & Wood Boutique. The name will be familiar to fans of Japanese cuisine, as Brick & Wood previously had a location on Qianliang Hutong (opened in 2013), as well as a more casual spin-off in Sanlitun. 

Brick & Wood specializes in what most would identify as kaiseki cuisine, although owner (and erstwhile) head chef Kevin Yang is reluctant to give it that label. The food is classically Japanese but with a modern twist or inventive cooking method here and there. There is no menu; rather, you pick a price point (RMB 380, RMB 680, or RMB 880), tell the chef if you have any allergies or dislikes, and then sit back as the dishes come out. The restaurant only accepts advance reservations (see the bottom of this post for the phone number) and only for groups of a maximum of six people – the better to pace the meal and ensure the highest quality ingredients, says Kevin. 

We recommend the RMB 680 menu, which will leave you full but not over faced. Since the menu changes every day, there's no telling what will be on offer on the day you visit (although if you get to know Kevin you can call in advance and request specific dishes). Our menu included dishes such as tempura Sichuan pepper leaves, charcoal-grilled Australian beef with truffle salt, amaebi (sweet prawn) poached in a soup made from white miso and prawn shells, and a small piece of sea bream topped with crispy skin and a sprinkle of yuzu zest. 

The interior design is minimalistic yet cozy, with just 24 covers. However, the real highlight of the design of Brick & Wood Boutique is their stunning collection of tableware. Hand-picked (and often hand-carried back from Japan) by Kevin himself, Brick & Wood's colorful plates are as much an attraction as the food itself, especially for those with a yen for food photography. We particularly loved choosing our own sake carafe and matching glasses.

Brick & Wood Boutique offers interesting Japanese cuisine at surprisingly accessible prices and is a great choice for those looking for a semi-formal dining experience in the China World Mall. 

Brick & Wood Boutique
Open by appointment. NL-7002, 7/F, China World Mall (north zone), 1 Jianguomen Waidajie (6500 0907)
朝阳区建国门外的街1号国贸三期商城北区NL-7002

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

Photos: Robynne Tindall

When news regarding supposed efforts by Chinese officials to block VPN's entirely by February of next year, many foreigners began frantically sharing those articles on social media and posting about their dismay at the pending end of their online freedom. Troubling as the reports, which were originally published via Bloomberg, seem, many tech experts, both in Beijing and in other parts of the country, have since dismissed them as sensationalist.

A spokesperson and investor at one firewall-defying proxy provider (who spoke to the Beijinger on condition of anonymity, because of the sensitivity of such censorship issues) told us that he's not troubled by such talk because the authorities "have been saying that for years and years now."

Davide Cali, CTO at a Shanghai-based IT consulting firm called Expand, agrees. He says the topic has made headlines on a semi-regular basis throughout his time in China, and no such change has ensued. "Most of these recurring 'block VPN' articles are just click bait," he adds.

As solid as those arguments may sound, they may provide little solace for both foreigners and savvy Chinese netizens hoping to access swaths of content – those websites and apps from beyond China's borders that are blocked by its "Great Firewall" – chief among them Google and social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.

The rhetoric of the anonymous sources in the Bloomberg article might leave many readers especially troubled, given that they say China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom, have been ordered to "bar people from using VPNs" by February 2018 as part of the government's “cyber sovereignty” initiative. Worse still: this all comes on the heels of GreenVPN halting its services earlier this month after “receiving a notice from regulatory departments.”

Regardless of how likely the “cyber sovereignty” initiative is to take place, even the possibility of greater VPN crackdowns is dire news for tech and international business workers and firms in China. For instance, Jake Parker, vice president of the US-China Business Council, told Bloomberg that while individuals will be most affected in the short term, he was quick to point out that “VPNs are incredibly important for companies trying to access global services outside of China ... In the past, any effort to cut off internal corporate VPNs has been enough to make a company think about closing or reducing operations in China. It’s that big a deal."

Parker's sentiment was echoed by a tech insider that works in gaming in Chengdu (and asked to remain anonymous), who adds: "Information available on the global internet is a massive resource for many, many companies inside China. On the subject of Google alone, as many people here know, the alternatives just do not compare."

It is thought that the consequences of losing such access would likely be so devastating to the economy that it is improbable that the Chinese government follows through on such drastic action. At least that's what our anonymous source at the Chinese proxy insists. While he admits that "They could block all VPNs," he quickly added that "It would come at such a massive cost, in terms of money, development, research and global cooperation, that I highly doubt that they [the Chinese government] will do that."

He does however warn that those economic interests won't ensure that the Mainland's Internet users will be able to completely click away without any inhibitions. The government's rhetoric, as described in the Bloomberg piece, does lead him to think that some officials or departments are quite serious, and even if they can't carry out the “cyber sovereignty” campaign fully, their efforts could still greatly affect China's online landscape, even compared to the already tight restrictions.

Our source went on to say that if something is to happen come February, it would be his guess that Chinese VPN providers will be banned. He ends on a note that's sure to be more heartening for those of us hoping to surf the net with ease in China: "The scenario for fully blocking VPNs has so many negative consequences, meaning they will probably crack down to an extent. That means some VPN providers will die off, though I believe many will continue to find loopholes and keep going."

For now, as with everything in the hands of the powers that be, the truth is likely to remain murky until February.

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Email: kylemullin@truerun.com
Twitter: @MulKyle

Photos: Softpedia News, Exaptree

An experiment into prolonged space habitation will seal four Beijing university students inside an artificial environment for 200 days.

The "Lunar Palace-1" project will determine if humans are able to create a sustainable artificial environment in total isolation by recycling their waste matter and reusing a single source of water.

Sunday saw the first group of four volunteers emerge from the closed ecological system after a 60-day test period that began on May 10. The second two-men, two-women group are planning to stay sealed within the capsule for a record-breaking 200 days before the first group returns to complete a total 365-day run.

To emulate the same conditions experienced during space travel, three large capsules have been constructed inside a hall at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics: two are dedicated to growing the plants necessary for the volunteer's food and oxygen supply while the third serves as their living quarters.

Thirty-four types of plants being grown by the volunteers include wheat, eggplant, beans, tomatoes, soybean, taro, and strawberries. To meet their daily requirements for protein, volunteers will incorporate yellow mealworms as part of their diets. 

"We designed it so the oxygen (produced by plants at the station) is exactly enough to satisfy the humans, the animals, and the organisms that break down the waste materials," said Liu Hong, chief designer of the experiment and a scientist at Beihong University.

In line with the country's ambitions to explore the dark side of the moon next year and to put a man on the moon by 2035, Sunday's ceremony to welcome the second group was tied to national pride. Under a flag of the People's Republic of China, the volunteers swore an oath to the Communist Party of China before entering the sealed-off capsule.

Although designed for just four people, the "handover" saw the sealed environment was temporarily used by eight people to see if it could withstand the "shock" to its system. The occasion was also used by the volunteers to perform a "selfie" from outside the capsule's sealed exterior.

China News reports that this is the world's first successful closed, self-sustaining artificial ecosystem that can support four people. Although the experiment has just begun, it follows in the path of numerous similar experiments.

A Russian experiment into closed ecosystems successfully supported three people for 180 days in 1972, while NASA made its own experiments in 1989. And despite assertions by Chinese media that China joins an elite group by performing this experiment, other countries that have worked on closed ecosystems include Canada and a European consortium.

The most well-known experiment into closed ecosystems is the Biosphere 2 project in which eight people were sealed inside a closed ecosystem for two years. Responsible for inspiring the Pauly Shore vehicle Bio-Dome and an episode of Cheers, the Biosphere 2 project was criticized by the public when a crewmember was allowed out for medical treatment.

But although it faced a host of problems that included low oxygen levels that killed of much of its livestock, the biggest takeaway from the Biosphere 2 project was how interpersonal relations affect a crew's productivity.

For the Lunar Palace-1 project, their biggest challenge so face has been the complete lack of sunshine experienced by the volunteers.

"They can become a bit depressed," Liu said. "If you spend a long time in this type of environment it can create some psychological problems."

Despite the lack of sunlight, the volunteers won't suffer from a lack of exposure. TV monitors capture their every movement while porthole windows and transparent ceilings allow outsiders to gawk at the sequestered volunteers.

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: Miaopai, BJ News, Reuters, Weibo

When asked about his upcoming solo album earlier this year, Liam Gallagher made headlines – as the controversial former Oasis front man is wont to do – with a profane statement. He told the British publication Metro that if the LP (titled As You Were and due October 6 on Warner Bros.) isn’t successful he’ll “probably f*ck off forever,” leaving many Oasis fans antsy about the high-stakes release.

However, the 44-year-old Britpop icon says any speculation about retirement is premature. In a short interview with the Beijinger ahead of his China tour (which will see him stop at the National Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium on August 10) Gallagher explains: “I was joking when I said that. I’m never going to f*ck off, you’re stuck with me forever.”

That will likely reassure fans, who have followed Liam closely since he and his brother Noel shot to superstardom with their band, Oasis’, 1995 sophomore album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? After all, it became the UK’s fourth highest selling LP and spawned landmark singles like “Champagne Supernova,” “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” and, of course, “Wonderwall.”

However, Gallagher detractors – of which the abrasive brothers have more than a few – are likely just as eager to see Liam fall short of the now defunct Oasis’ mid-90s glory with his upcoming solo LP.

Yes, whether it’s egging Noel on by slipping curse words into Oasis’ lyrics during concerts, getting into actual fist fights with his brother, or being banned from an airline for smoking on the plane and throwing his belongs at other passengers, Liam has gained quite a bit of notoriety in the years following Oasis’ international breakthrough. But Liam insists such infamy doesn’t bother him, explaining: “It’s none of my business what people think about me; I know who I am and that’s all that matters, not what I’m labeled as.”

One would think the pressure to live up to past triumphs, and prove the naysayers wrong, would also be compounded by Noel’s post-Oasis band, High Flying Birds, which has garnered solid reviews from critics and enthusiastic responses from fans (he announced a new LP of his own in May, saying it would arrive in November). Noel has taken time out from forging his own solo career to trade barbs with his brother in the press over the years but Liam says that hasn’t led to extreme sibling rivalry, at least not in a professional sense.

“I don’t feel pressured into making music,” Liam says of the turmoil, bad press, and high expectations that he has seemingly set for himself between Oasis’ dissolution and his upcoming solo debut. On the contrary, he says: “It’s only rock ‘n’ roll, not heart surgery.”

His confidence might stem from rumblings about some of the new album’s songs. He’s sung a few of them on recent solo tours and at a May 30 benefit concert for victims of the terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert in his hometown of Manchester (Grande is herself set to play Beijing on August 26).

Equally intriguing: in 2015 he headed to the Irish town of Charlestown and strummed one of those tunes acoustically for tavern patrons, which lead to positive buzz in the press. Liam says he wouldn’t describe the occasion as a gig, but instead a fun little sideshow on his way to “visit my mother, who has a house there as it’s where she grew up. Me, my brother Paul, and my eldest son went to the pub to watch the football and had a couple of drinks and spontaneously sang a song with some local musicians.”

In a way it seems like Liam left his heart in that tiny pub, because he talks about his album with the confidence of a barstool bard, holding court in front of a few dozen everymen rather than a much-maligned celebrity with plenty to prove. “I’m proud of every single song on the album,” he tells us with blunt nonchalance, adding: “I’d describe it as honest, heartfelt, and pure rock ‘n’ roll.”

Tickets (RMB 480, 980, 1,480) are now on sale for Liam Gallagher's show on August 10 at the National Olympics Sports Center. Find more info here.

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Email: kylemullin@truerun.com
Twitter: @MulKyle
WeChat: 13263495040

Photos: Courtesy of Yongle

Has this ever happened to you: You're at your job, arduously toiling away, when suddenly you have an urge to sleep? Miles away from home, no bed in sight, you woefully resign yourself to remain alert and conscious for the rest of the day – that is, unless there was some way to make comfy beds available to consumers at a low, affordable price.

Stop your daydreaming, and begin sleep dreaming: the bed-sharing market has finally arrived in Beijing.

The Sinosteel National Mall in Zhongguancun is the newest place in town to catch forty winks in-between your nine-to-five by providing private capsules for clients to sleep in.

Called "Sleepace," the company provides communally-used beds to its clients on a per use basis in much the same way products are shared in China's extremely lucrative share economy.

Sleepace currently has six share-beds available for rental, costing 6 yuan per half hour between the peak times of 11am and 2pm. Customers are charged a maximum RMB 58 per day, and unused time is refunded to the customer at a rate of RMB 1 per five unused minutes (of an hour).

Catered towards the area's white collar workers, the share-beds come under heavy demand when clients want a noon-time nap, work overtime hours and want a brief respite, or are simply too tired to go home and sleep. After starting up in June, Sleepace employees say customers are falling over themselves in order to get themselves a sleep capsule at the 24-hour service.

Measuring 90 centimeters across and two-meters-long, the sleep capsule are accessed by scanning a QR code on your phone which accesses an online payment service like Alipay. The personal sleeping quarters feature recharging facilities, a fan, and a reading light. Disposable bedsheets, pillowcases, blankets, and earplugs are available to customers.

A reporter for China Consumer Net visited Sleepace and offered positive remarks about the new venture. However, the reporter did note that the bed-shares suffered from a few problems: the capsules do not have any sound-proofing, the air inside is described as "stuffy" as well as having "a bad smell."

The reporter also witnessed a client try to enter a capsule only to discover it was already occupied.

Bed-shares are already being offered in Shanghai and Chengdu. The company plans to expand to other Beijing neighborhoods that include Wangjing, Beixinqiao, and Xidan.

We'll have to see if Beijingers take to bed-sharing for their napping needs. For others, a bed is wherever you lay your hat, as this viral photo of a local street sweeper from last week showed us:

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Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: Cameramanplay, CCN, Beijing 49 City, Weibo

Of all the culinary riches that China has to offer, few are as straightforwardly satisfying as a bowl of steaming, wholesome Lanzhou noodles. And while numerous Beijing hole-in-the-wall joints purport to hawk authentic servings of the Gansu capital's claim to fame, a new Cheniandian Hutong restaurant is billing itself as the only real deal in Beijing when it comes to Lanzhou fare.

Dubbed Bun and Noodle, the newly opened, humble little Lanzhou eatery's authenticity comes courtesy of owner Claire Hao, a Lanzhou native who recruited one of her mother's dearest friends to ready her hometown's time-honored recipes here in Beijing. Hao co-owns the joint with husband Edison Liu, who hails from Liaoning, and who encouraged her to open a restaurant after many visits back home to see her parents, during which he was immediately taken by the seemingly simple and delicious local noodles and Ionged to present them to a wider audience in Beijing.

Highlights include the saozi mian (vegetable and pork noodles). The generous bowlful brims with flavorful broth made from a whole chicken and pork thigh bones steamed for hours. The fine morsels of pork, along with cubed carrots and other veggies, ooze with juices thanks to the broth, and the noodles are satisfyingly chewy and stringy, a refreshing change to the comparatively glutinous, bouncy noodles found at any number of other hutong noodle spots. Aside from those ingredients, the bowl is also filled with tofu, potato morsels, and yet another exotic specialty: huang hu cai, a specialty Lanzhou vegetable that is dried in the sun.

At RMB 26, the saozi mian's price is a tad higher that of any nondescript Beijing mom-and-pop shop's noodles, though the imported ingredients by way of Lanzhou and the authentic recipe from Zhao's extended family make the additional expenditure more than worth it.

Other standouts include the wuhua rou, layered and fatty sliced pork steamed in fermented tofu. It's fairly filling thanks to its firm and sturdy texture, and priced at RMB 20, a steal for a great accompanying side to a hearty bowl of noodles.

Better still: order the fatty pork with a side of hua juan steamed buns, which true to their name, feature layers that are twisted into petal-esque shapes, giving them the appearance of doughy, steamed flowers. 



Meanwhile, a 16 kuai bowl of niunai jidan laozao milk porridge, featuring fermented rice, scrambled egg morsels, raisins, and sesame, makes for a light and slightly sweet finish. And yet, an even heavier dessert option comes courtesy of the rice cake, a sticky and firmly packed patty flecked with plump dates and coated with honey. Hao is also excited to be selling Lanzhou treats like huluobo guowei yinliao, essentially a carrot flavored Kool-Aid that she and other friends grew up with. 

Overall, Bun and Noole's rustic presentation and unfussy wholesomeness reminded us of the bowlfuls of Qinghai cuisine served at Gewa, another recently opened downhome eatery. Hao and Liu's proficient English and outright passion for Lanzhou's delights will likely make the restaurant a hit with hutong dwelling foreigners hankering for a distinctive choice. And any Lanzhou hailing Beijingers will also undoubtedly be glad to pop by and stave off their homesickness with these nourishing eats.

Bun and Noodle
Tue-Sun 11.30am-2.30pm (lunch), 5pm-9pm (dinner). 8 Cheniandian Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区车辇店胡同8号

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Email: kylemullin@truerun.com
Twitter: @MulKyle
WeChat: 13263495040

Photos: Kyle Mullin

The most obvious way to deal with the inevitably steamy, hot Beijing summer is to jump into the water, make a splash, and cool down. Here are a few of the Beijinger’s favorite places to go for a dip, including something new, something old, something fun, and – of course – something blue. 

Happy Magic Watercube Park
Best for: Exploring thrilling slides
The former site of the 2008 Olympic water sport competitions, the Water Cube has since been transformed into a water playground. There’s a wave pool, slides of varying intensities, and neverending splash-tertainment. The water is cleaned on a daily basis.

Daily 10am-7pm. RMB 260 (adults), RMB 220 (kids between 1.2m and 1.5m), Free (kids below 1.2m). 11 Tianchen Donglu (in the Olympic Park, near the Bird’s Nest), Chaoyang District (8437 8966)
水立方嬉水乐园：朝阳区北四环中路奥林匹克公园内（近鸟巢）

Dongdan Swimming Pool
Best for: Being the Beijinger’s all-around favorite
This indoor 50m x 25m swimming pool has great facilities and is well-managed. It gets busy in the mornings, but evenings tend to be peaceful. Water here is on a filtration system, and the pool is one of the better Beijing public pools.

Tue-Fri 10am-9pm. RMB 50, RMB 30 (students), RMB 20 (kids).A2 Dahua Lu, Dongcheng District (6523 1241)
东单游泳馆：东城区东单大华路甲2号

Sino-Japanese Friendship Center (21st Century Theater)
Best for: Swimming laps
An Olympic-sized swimming pool popular with serious swimmers, the water here is filtered using a mild salt solution, eliminating chlorine irritation and its distinct smell. This pool can be chilly, so be sure to warm-up first. Bathing caps are mandatory for all swimmers.

Mon-Sun 9am-9.30pm. RMB 98, RMB 66 (kids) for a single use, discount for multi-swim purchases. 40 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (6466 4805)
中日友好交流中心：朝阳区亮马桥路40号

Tuanjiehu Water Park
Best for: Pool-side lounging and daytime drinking
Tuanjiahu Water Park is more centrally located than many other water parks in the city and although it's not that big it boasts both a beach and wave pool. You can lay back, have a drink, enjoy a picnic, play on the slides, and even try and get a tan, all in one place. There are also paddle boats and other entertainment options such as rollerskating. The water facilities are hooked up to a 24-hour filtering device.

Daily 10.30am-8.30pm. RMB 60 (weekdays), RMB 80 (weekends). 16 Tuanjiehu Nanli, East Third Ring Road, Chaoyang District (8597 4677)
团结湖水上乐园：朝阳区团结湖南里16号东三环路

Chenjinglun Middle School
Best for:Best CBD value
This pool belongs to Chenjinglun Middle School opposite Parkview Green. Regardless of the fact that it was actually built 20 years ago, this 1.4-1.6 meter deep indoor pool is clean and attracts lots of crowds from nearby. Many locals and their children learned to swim here.

Daily 10am-9pm. RMB 50. 38 Chaoyai Dajie, Chaoyang District (5703 7535)
陈经纶中学：朝阳区朝外大街38号

Trainyard
Best for: Serious swim training
Rich kids can try the latest addition to the CBD pool scene: This heated indoor swimming pool on the fifth floor of Hotel Jen Beijing. The pool is 25m x 10m with five lanes and a skylight to let in plenty of natural light. The only downside is that you’ll need to become a member of the 24/7 gym to use the pool, which isn’t cheap.

Daily 6am-11pm. One time free trial, one-time one month trial at RMB 999, subsequently 12-month membership at RMB 17,500. 5/F, Hotel Jen Beijing, 1 Jianguomen Waidajie, Chaoyang District (6505 2277)
新国贸饭店：朝阳区建国门外大街1号

Palm Springs
Best for: Hanging out by the pool with friends
Located south of Chaoyang Park, the Palm Springs International Apartment complex has two indoor swimming pools: a large 45m x 20m pool with a maximum depth of 1.8 meters and a smaller heated, round pool. Beach chairs line the main window and the ceiling is painted to look like sky and trick your brain into thinking you’re outside. After hanging by the pool, head over to Napa down the road for healthy salads and sandwiches.

Daily 7.30am-9pm. RMB 5,188 for the season. Palm Springs International Apartment, 8 Chaoyang Gongyuannan Lu, Chaoyang District (6539 8888)
棕榈泉国际公寓园区：朝阳区朝阳公园南路8号

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos courtesy of Trainyard, 21 Hotel, 55tuan

The atmosphere at Joli's is as refreshing as the glassfuls of crisp white wine served at the bar. Yes, while many of us might assume that wine bars are uppity and unapproachable, this humble new hutong venue has a relaxing yet fun and upbeat vibe.

The décor is mostly comprised of lush, foresty shades at Joli, save for the patterned tiles on the stairs that have a touch of Indian flavor. If you follow those steps you’ll reach an airy rooftop terrace with plenty of Instagramable hutong backdrops.

Downstairs at the bar, you can choose from a short list of very affordable by-the-glass choices like Chilean Calcu rosé, a floral choice with a gentle, spicy aftertaste, and white, which is hugely fruity and will quickly relieve you of summer heat; along with a 2009 Spanish Campo Burgo rioja, featuring high acidity and plenty of complexity, while still staying light on your palate. They’re all priced at RMB 50 per glass, while bottles range from RMB 270-455, featuring sauvignon blanc from both Chile and New Zealand, Chilean chardonnays, Italian pinot grigios, and more.

The brains behind this bar is Yo “Yolanda” Li, a Beijing native who opened the now defunct Yolanda’s Secret wine bar near Yashow back in 2015, before going on to open a highly successful jianbing food truck in New York City. Joli’s is poised for greater success than her previous wine bar, mainly because it has a more robust atmosphere and is situated in a quiet hutong rather than a booze-saturated Sanlitun side street. She’ll introduce a small food menu in the weeks to come, along with a greater stock of wine once Joli’s soft opening is well behind her.

For now, the bar has plenty of affordable bottle options, a mood that is relatively unique for the hutongs, not to mention staking claim to a prime spot in a relatively untapped neighborhood when it comes to bars and Western fare (compared to alleys closer to Gulou or Beixinqiao). Together, these elements are as well balanced as the wines she pours out, making Joli’s an excellent spot to raise a glass.

Joli's Wine Bar
4 Ya'er Hutong, Xicheng District
北京市西城区鸦儿胡同甲四号

Photos courtesy of Joli's

You've seen them all over Beijing: elderly volunteers positioned at a strategic point in a neighborhood, armed only with a red band wrapped around their bicep. They may seem docile, but they're actually some of the city's more empowered citizens.

Charged with keeping a watch over every last corner of the city, Beijing's "public security volunteers" continue to grow in massive numbers, illustrating how neighborhood representations of authority help preserve the city's law and order.

Beijing has over 850,000 real-name registered public security volunteers, said municipal comprehensive management office deputy director Xu Jihui. 

Comprising over 4 percent of the city's current registered population of 20 million, signifying that one out of every 25 people in Beijing spends their free time watching their neighbors. There are so many of these people that Chaoyang is able to fill each of its square kilometers with 277 of its own public security volunteers.

Even though China touts itself as being "extremely safe," the use of public security volunteers has continued to grow over the years, drawing close to doubling their number from the Post-Revolutionary Era when they comprised just 2.5 percent of the city's population in 1953. This year's number marks a six percent increase from 2009 when the city enlisted 800,000 public security volunteers to help the city with its National Day festivities.

The importance of self-policing by the public is clear to city authorities like Beijing municipal Party committee secretary Cai Qiru who described the goal to "mobilize the masses to manage the city." And, along with these massive numbers, control has also been kept.

Beijing's public security volunteers have become such a force in the city that each district has been characterized with their own unique name: the "Haidian Netizens," the "Fengtai Advisory Group," the "Dongcheng Watchers," and the "Xicheng Dama" whose 70,000 members comprise one-twentieth of the district's population.

And then there's the "Chaoyang Masses," a group so famed for their role in aiding police that netizens have dubbed them the "world's fifth information gathering organization," ranking alongside such peers as the CIA and Mossad. The Chaoyang Masses are credited with providing information leading to the drug arrests of many of Beijing's celebrity residents, most famously being Jaycee Chan.

You may usually see public security volunteers just standing around, but they do much more than that. The 60,000-strong Chaoyang Masses are responsible for giving local police an average of 20,000 tips every month.

But what are these tips? Do they signify a prevalence of crime in Beijing? To get a small glimpse behind the scenes, the conference provided details behind the Chaoyang Masses app, a way for Beijing residents to report suspicious activity while simultaneously be considered to win a cash prize.

Statistics show that in the first month the Chaoyang Masses app went live in February, authorities received 2,000 tips, 400 of which were deemed valuable. This one-fifth of police tip-off resulted in the arrests of 25 suspects, three people held for administrative punishment, and the elimination of 87 "hidden dangers."

But public security volunteers aren't just used to augment the oversight of the local police. As Tuesday's conference on municipal management and prevention of mass gatherings explained, Beijing is equipped with a standing force of 1.4 million personnel that are available for "mass gathering control."

With the city continuing to prioritize the importance of public security volunteers, it seems we'll continue to see a rise of red armbanded-grannies sitting on Beijing's street corners. And even if the information handed over to police are largely not used, the conference justifies their huge number by calling them "the most effective way of managing control in the city's hutong" due to their ability to quell disagreements and money disputes.

As the Beijing News reports, public security volunteers continue to play a valuable role in the city because "The social situation is becoming increasingly complex, and the security requirements of major events are large."

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: Sina, QQ News, Weibo (2, 3)

Summers in Beijing aren’t easy to deal with thanks to the burning sunshine, steamy-hot temperatures, and that constant fear of getting stuck in a non-air-conditioned taxi on the Third Ring Road. Here are some of the essentials that will make this long season feel slightly more bearable, or for when you're not at the pool.

Sunscreen
I’m infuriated by anyone who claims “it’s smoggy, there’s no need to put sunblock on.” Don’t be stupid, kids. Apply sunscreen regularly whenever you plan to spend time outdoors and choose a waterproof product if you are going swimming. Where to buy: Watsons, Mannings, and 7-Eleven RMB 60-plus Banana Boat After Sun Gel Cooling aloe vera gel is perfect if you’ve caught a little bit of sun while on holiday, and you forgot to slather yourself in that sunscreen we just mentioned. Suitable for all skin types.
Where to buy:shop34050438.taobao.com
How much: RMB 48

Ice Packs
Ice packs are the solution to chilled drinks at your next picnic or rooftop party. We prefer the type where you add water to the plastic bag, which, thanks to the magical powder inside, will become jelly-like to prevent leaking, and then can be put in the freezer to set to solid ice. They should last anywhere from 10 to 24 hours, after which you can simply pop them back in the freezer.
Where to buy:lanzoniab.tmall.com
How much: RMB 30 for 10 packs

READ: Make a Splash This Summer: Beijing’s Best Swimming Pools to Salvage You From the Heat

Ice-Cold Beer
Beer was made for summer and it is so, so accessible. A big, cheap, green bottle of Yanjing or Tsingtao from your local hole-in-the-wall, an imported bottle, or a locally-brewed pint from Great Leap, Arrow Factory, Jing-A, Slow Boat, or NBeer … you name it, you can find it in Beijing. 
Where to buy: Everywhere
How much: RMB 5-plus (depends on how thirsty you are)

Facekini
Want to blend in with the dama on your China beach debut? A facekini can protect you from everything from ruthless UV to dirt and pesky jellyfish. You can find facekinis in every pattern under the sun, including Peking opera masks, reggae prints, comic book heroes, and cats and dogs, making them the perfect choice for those who want to express themselves visually while staying a pristine pasty underneath.
Where to buy:liangqishuishangyd.tmall.com
How much: RMB 9.9-45

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Taobao, JD, dailyqd

Riddle me this: after three proud years in Beijing, your beloved mommy and daddy come to visit. You are marching down the streets with your chin up, presenting the best hot pot and jianbing places and dragging them down “the prettiest hutong.” Suddenly, the cloud of smog surrounds you, the birds stop singing and the air grows cold when they simultaneously point a finger at what remains of an old city wall: "what’s this?”. Your knees go weak, blood rushes to your cheeks, and out pops out, ‘Umm ... it was probably built to protect the city from the Japanese." Well, at least you tried.

While the official edition of Chinese History for Dummies does not yet exist, the good news is that Beijing's (and China's) history is so long and complex that there is always a portion of it bound to interest someone of any interest or background. It's with that in mind that we've rounded up some of our favorite China-related (legally obtainable) reads to keep you company this summer.

'Midnight in Peking' by Paul French
Paul French's Midnight in Peking is perfect for anyone looking to explore Beijing's old legation quarter situated around the Beijing Railway Station,and feast on the unusual sights of European architecture fused with hutong living. The story traces Pamela Werner’s movements up to her murder in 1937 Peking, and while it reads as fiction, the events are very much real. This is a gripping story sure to have you turning pages until the wee hours of the night, with the added bonus of giving you insight into life in the Old Beijing.

You may also want to supplement your reading with French's podcast detailing the same events in the book and which guides you through the places, giving you a first-hand look at where this fascinating, but gruesome, part of history unfolded.

'The Last Days of Old Beijing' by Michael Meyer
Alright, maybe the title doesn't entice as the most exciting read ever, but stay with me. The hottest topic of the summer is the slow demolition of businesses in the hutongs, leaving us fist-shaking and weeping among the piles of bricks and clouds of dust. Well, that change is exactly what The Last Days of Old Beijing explores. Long-time Beijing resident, Michael Meyer compiled stories from his neighbors and watched on as century-old houses were replaced by shopping malls in his Dazhalan-situated courtyard. Meyer's book is an ode to how it's not just houses that are crumbling under the hammers of modernisation but that it's also the relationships and life-long friendships that are forged in the hutongs that are breaking apart on account of forced evictions.

'In Search of Old Peking' by L.C. Arlington
Not only is the search of "Old Peking" a tough undertaking but the search for a copy of this book might also present a rocky road. Often used as a guidebook to peel back the layers of policies that shaped Beijing streets since the 1930s, it offers detailed descriptions of buildings, gardens, and public spaces as they were 80 years ago. If you manage to score an edition that includes the original maps, bury your nose deep into them and follow this marvelous book around less-explored paths of the city to uncover dusty corners of Beijing's past.

'Leftover Women: The Resurgence of Gender Inequality in China' by Leta Hong Fincher
If you’d rather not wade into the annals of Beijing's history but instead want to explore more current and pressing issues, why not read up on China's "leftover" women? You may already be familiar with the term, used to describe those women in their late 20s that have yet to be married, but you may not quite understand the shocking extent to which it actually affects young Chinese women. In addition to original research, Leftover Women dissects modern Chinese society and makes a number of astute observations, including how the same party that empowered and encouraged women in the 1950s is now trying to lure them into their kitchens, as well as how China's current gender imbalance could seem like fertile ground in which to build female empowerment, but is in fact not playing out in women's favor. 

'Beijing Bastard: Into the Wilds of a Changing China' by Val Wang
Is it possible that "change" is the most overused word amongst Beijingers? As Americans wallow in their liberty, it is up to Beijing's residents to accept the constant "change" of their surroundings, lifestyle, and occasionally, change of power. Beijing Bastard is author Val Wang's memoir of being raised in a strict Chinese-American household with all the attributes that are expected to come with it: good grades, nights in, and unending piano lessons. Her parents fled China before the Communist takeover in 1949 and when Wang returned to Beijing in 1998, she expected to be blown away by the significant change since those days of yore. However, the Beijing she encounters is still very much traditional and defined by a steadfast hierarchical society and ubiquitous state-run media. Val seeks out the rebellious and novelty-seeking Beijing outside the old city and witnesses the striving and self-seeking community first-hand.

While you might be able to find some of the above books on Amazon or Taobao, we've found that it's often quicker to simply email the team at The Bookworm to ask if they can point you in the direction of the best outlet. Happy exploring!

Images: Scribd Assets, Amazon, China Rhyming

Sometimes we find a lot of excuses not to stick with eating health, telling ourselves: "It's too expensive!", "I don’t have enough time to prepare a healthy lunch!", or "The portions are so small that I'll just end up at KFC for a second meal."

In our effort to stay on the right track, we found Ebeiguo (贝果轻食), which opened last month and is located on the first floor of Zhaolong Hotel. It's a nice spot near the Third Ring Road and Tuanjiehu Station, and easy for nearby office workers who don’t want to actually go into the center of Sanlitun just to grab some lunch. And another bonus: Nirvana Fitness is upstairs, so you can get a healthy meal and a workout in at the same time if you do so wish.

The shop is fast-food/canteen-style; tell the staff what you want at the counter, then wait for them to prepare it, and pick it up. There are five salads (RMB 38-48), bagel sandwiches (RMB 24-30), bagel pizzas (RMB 15), several desserts (RMB 10-35), a selection of European-style bread, smoothies, juices, coffee, and tea. And of course, a bunch of bagels (RMB 8-25) in different colors which are eye-catching and additive-free. Those that stand out most are perhaps the green bagel prepared with matcha powder, and a red one laced with red wine and cranberry. Of the lot, our favorite was the simple but delicious cinnamon and raisin bagel (RMB 8).

The sizable salads are also sold via Beijing's numerous food apps, including Dianping, which currently offers a salad, glass of fresh-pressed juice, a bagel, and two small cookies for a very reasonable RMB 38. The salads are pleasing to the eye, and filled with enough ingredients – several pieces of sushi, a purple rice ball with a tuna filling, purple sweet potato, carrot, cherry tomato, boiled egg, broccoli, lettuce, corn, pearl barley, some cooked tuna, and some nuts – so as not to bore the palate. There are four dressings to choose from: avocado sauce, Caesar salad, Japanese vinegar, and French-style white sesame. The varied nature of the salad (and the price) means that Ebeiguo would function as a decent detox option if you're looking to diet long-term.

We had a chance to chat with Ebeiguo founder Grace Chen, who was born in Sichuan province, grew up in Yangzhou, and was educated in New York. After traveling and tasting good food all over the world, she decided to pursue her culinary dreams and open a New York-style bagel shop of her own.

The Beijinger (TBJ): What inspired you to open Ebeiguo?
Grace Chen (GC): When I lived in New York, it didn't take long to see that bagels are just as popular there as roujiamo is in China. It also perfectly fits my personal criteria – relatively healthy, delicious, and filling. I also like how bagels look cute and you can eat them in many different ways. If donuts symbolize fashionable movie stars, which are well-dressed, then bagels symbolize sports stars, which are simple and down-to-earth. 

TBJ: How do you design the menu for the people who are looking to get fit or strong?
GC: The essence of the food we serve is based on the mission to find good ingredients. Our team and partners have all been in the food industry for many years and this experience means that we have high standards for quality control. We also work with a number of experienced nutritionists and senior athletes and private coaches to combine professional fitness and dining. Last but not least, we hope to attract people with the same mentality to cooperate with us and to advocate the same lifestyle.

TBJ: Considering the get fit trend in Beijing, do you think you are a leader or a follower?
GC: With more and more people becoming health conscious, looking towards healthy dining and healthy living habits, these aspects are definitely a growing trend. We hope that we are building a healthy platform with our Internet concept, through spreading out our culture, letting more young people know about Ebeiguo and about living a healthy lifestyle. It's just like the shape of a bagel – a cycle of good living.

The food is genuinely good and is also of good value, which makes it stand out in the Sanlitun area, especially for people who work or workout here, and are actively seeking a healthy choice. Ebeiguo is also aiming to cooperate with more gyms and hopes to eventually open 100 stores along with customized meal services to better serve the ever-growing number of health conscious Beijingers.

Ebeiguo
Daily 9am-9pm. 1/F, bldg 4, Zhaolong Hotel, 2 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (152 1077 9808)
贝果轻食: 朝阳区工体北路2号兆龙饭店内4号楼1层

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos courtesy of Ebeiguo, Tracy Wang

Maybe the recent run of successful Street Eats restaurants have misled us slightly, putting us in a world of delicious snacks and nutritious nibbles. Well, apparently it was time to be brought back down to earth, specifically via the food on offer at Artato, a small restaurant tucked in the basement of Sanlitun Soho.  

Well, you can’t blame us for initially getting our hopes up – Artato, what we can only assume to be a portmanteau of art and potato, was still packed on a weekday just after peak lunch hours, which was a good sign when compared to the nearly empty Subway next door. Artato has also garnered five out of five stars from 378 reviews on Dianping, so it has to be good, right?

We can only say that we felt cheated upon stepping into the less than 50-square-meter space, which came off more like a humble and shadowy eatery that we have avoided ever since high school. The restaurant is packed with small wooden tables with plastic flowers and fake grass that covers the walls. Tacky dolls are placed randomly throughout the venue and are joined by three TVs playing cartoons.

Sitting down next to a smattering of lonely strangers, we were brought two "menus" by the owner, informing us to “scan the QR code to order online.” Thanks to this new technology, we'll no longer even have to talk to anyone or bear Beijing's infamous fuwuyuan attitude – hooray! Or so we thought. The ordering system was a complete disaster, and after scanning the code, we were asked to follow their WeChat, at which point we couldn’t find the menu. Frustrated, I looked around and found all my fellow diners to be under 20 years old, how could they find the menu and order? At this point, I seriously started to feel my age, and after another 10 minutes of desperate searching, I gave up and walked to the counter to order in the primitive way.

Artato claims itself to be a master of baked potatoes, but oddly, specializes in baked rice (with little chunks of potato). The baked eel lunch set (RMB 46) came with eel over rice, a salad, and a glass of iced lemon tea. Luckily, after our fervid ordering mishap, the food was served promptly, but the sad appearance and lack of flavor sent us, once again, right back to school. Not even the small plate of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a dollop of Kewpie thousand island dressing could save this meal.

Where the dish failed was that the flavor of grilled eel didn’t shine through and was suffocated by the cloying and sweet soy bean sauce. The layer of cheese was quite thin, and in fact, didn't really add anything but gloop to what is otherwise an unhealthy version on Japanese unadon. The portion comes in a thin, palm-sized tray, which made the accompanying two pieces of broccoli look rather massive. The small pieces of potato were also disappointingly mediocre. And what about that drink to wash it down? Well, the lemon tea was no better than the cheapest option found in any supermarket, and it was obvious that it had been stored warm, the staff scrambling to add a few ice cubes a minute before serving.

The people (teenagers) around us were discussing the results of their college entrance exams with excitement, eagerly planning for their future and realizing their dreams. You could tell that they just needed a place to hang out, eat some (fake) Western food, and recharge before shopping with their affluent friends before going back to school in September. 

Artato is neither art-related nor rice-mastering. With a half-empty belly, we left the restaurant and headed to the nearest 7-Eleven for a "proper" second lunch. Are we likely to return? Perhaps, but only if we can go back to being undiscerning teenagers.

Artato
Daily 10am-10pm. B1-121, Bldg 1, Sanlitun Soho, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (5785 3190)
艺薯家土豆焗饭大师：朝阳区工体北路三里屯SOHO1号商场B1-121

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Tracy Wang, Dianping

If you’re looking for an excuse to dine out this week, why not make it a slap-up meal at a French restaurant in honor of Bastille Day on July 14. Bastille Day (know in France as Fête Nationale or Le 14 Juillet) commemorates the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, which was a turning point in the French Revolution. In the spirit of égalité, we have organized the restaurants by price range, so you can go out and enjoy fabulous Gallic fare, whatever your budget.

Budget

O’Steak
From the team behind the equally wallet-friendly Café de la Poste, O’Steak is a great choice for affordable steaks, which are brought in from Inner Mongolia and available in a range of sizes. The rest of the menu includes classic dishes such as garlic butter snails and savory tartines. Weather permitting, be sure to grab a seat on the patio.

Daily 11.30am-11pm. 1/F, Jiezuo Dasha, 55 Xingfucun Zhonglu, Chaoyang District (8448 8250)

朝阳区幸福村中路55号杰座大厦1层

Café de la Poste
For many people, Café de la Poste will be more associated with late night bad decisions than gourmet food, but they actually serve a pretty mean steak. For around RMB 100 plus change, you can get a good steak, served how you like it, and accompanied by salad and sautéed potatoes. The steak tartare is also a highlight.

Daily 6pm-midnight. 58 Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng District (6402 7047)

东城区雍和宫大街58号

Crepanini
This Sanlitun stalwart (with another location in Parkview Green) serves up some of Beijing’s best sweet and savory crepes. We’re particular fans of the buckwheat galette (as savory crepes are known) with goat’s cheese, apple, and walnuts. They also serve sweet and dry French cider — a nice drink to enjoy on the street-side terrace. 

Daily 9am-22.30pm. 1/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (5208 6093)

朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园1层

Mid-Range

Bistro 108
This low-key bistro in an unlikely location opposite the US Embassy serves top-notch French dishes. Among the best are a delectable filet de boeuf au sauce poivre (made with juicy Australian beef), the mouthwatering fish tartare, a crisp confit duck leg and more. Desserts like creme brulee and chocolate lava cake are also very much worth trying.

Daily 11.30am-10.30pm. 104, Caochang Plaza, 19 Tianze Lu, Chaoyang District (5710 8106)

朝阳区天泽路19号草场商业广场1层104室

F Bistronome
This new, mid-range concept from Maison Flo focuses on classic French dishes to be enjoyed and shared between friends. Menu highlights include smoked veal short ribs and Grand Marnier soufflé. The views over the CBD from the floor-to-ceiling windows are almost as much of an attraction as the food.

Daily 11am-9pm. 7/F, China World Mall (north zone), 1 Jianguomen Waidajie, Chaoyang District (8595 9597)

朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城北区7层
 

High-End

Bistrot B 
Rosewood Beijing’s Bistrot B serves contemporary French bistro cuisine out of an open island kitchen helmed by Boulud protégé Jarrod Verbiak. The menu features a wide selection of French dishes, from homemade charcuterie and pâté to seafood platters to boeuf bourguignon. There is a good value weekend brunch priced at RMB 390 for three (very substantial) courses. 

Daily 6.30-11am, 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10.30pm. 1/F, Rosewood Beijing, Jingguang Centre, Hujialou, Chaoyang District (6597 8888)
朝阳区呼家楼京广中心瑰丽酒店1层

Héritage
Set in that most French of hotels, the Sofitel, Héritage offers classic French dishes with modern touches. The interior is plush and the atmosphere refined, making it a good place to entertain guests or celebrate a special occasion. 

Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-9.30pm. 6/F, Sofitel Wanda Beijing, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District (8599 6666 ext. 6528)

朝阳区建国路93号万达索菲特大酒店6层

Maison Flo
The grande dame of French restaurants in Beijing, Maison Flo has been serving classic French brasserie cuisine (think garlic butter escargots and imported French oysters) to Beijing diners since 1999. Fans come back for the belle époque interior, expansive terrace, and slick service. 

Daily 11am-11pm. 18 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang District (6595 5135)
朝阳区霄云路18号

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

Photos courtesy of the restaurants 

The Chinese Internet is reacting with dismay to the news that the most popular TV and films watched on video streaming sites AcFun and Bilibili have been completely taken offline.

Fans are expressing anger and despair that AcFun and Bilibili have been almost completely gutted of their vast collection of popular overseas movies and television shows from the USA, the UK, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, not even sparing selections that users had saved for future viewing.

Beginning last night, users found a gradual disappearance of access to the content. Though they could previously access a menu selection, users were at first informed that the video selection was unavailable; later, AcFun would remove its "Movies and TV" completely from its interface.

No official explanation or reason has been given for the cull, but it appears to relate to any content on the two platforms that had a copyright claim on it.

It's not consolation for users that the foreign movies still available for viewing are limited to those in the public domain without any copyrights. Although they can't watch the latest Hollywood hits, Bilibili users have been afforded the chance to brush up on their classics, with continuing access to the now century-old Charlie Chaplin films Kid Auto Races at Venice (1914) and A Jitney Elopement (1915).

A few Chinese shows have been affected by the ban, but their removal appears not to have affected Chinese netizens too much.

AcFun and Bilibili had become immensely popular with Chinese users starving for quality content. Even though they brazenly violated copyright claims, users flocked to them in droves for content they were unable to get anywhere else. Bilibili was especially favored for its exclusive content and lack of commercials, and even helped foster a community of translators that worked to provide subtitles for hundreds of hours of overseas content.

The Chinese authority with the power to force these changes, the State Press and Publication Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (formerly known as SARFT), is infamous for its sudden bans that come without explanation.

In 2014, SARFT put forth a law that would force all foreign television and films to submit to a verification process, only to ban the most beloved sitcom among Chinese viewers, The Big Bang Theorythe following year as well as any depictions of smoking. Last year, SARFT went after online content that depicted "improper portrayals" of homosexuality by banning the web drama Addicted while also forcing a period drama starring China's top star Fan Bingbing to censor out any depiction of her cleavage. Earlier this year, South Korean content came under fire as China objected nationwide to the THAAD missile defense system. 

Just recently, diaosi favorite Bojack Horseman was removed just days after it premiered on iQiyi while restrictions have again tightened on online homosexual depictions.

As with before, people will find a way to watch their favorite shows. Until then, there's a lot of complaining to do online.

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: Weibo

Despite the strikingly hot summer, winter has arrived. Well, it has on the continent of Westeros at least. Die-hard Game of Thrones fans have waited for winter to come for more than a year now after the Season 6 finale left viewers excited and hanging on what would come next.

Since then, we've tried hard not to indulge in the murmurings of spoilers (white dragon, anyone?) and speculated where the massive armada of Queen Daenerys Targaryen would head to first, questions that are only compacted by the sad news that the upcoming penultimate season has been clipped to just seven episodes.

The good part? Game of Thrones will hit TV screens this Sunday, July 16, in the US, which means it will be ripe for viewing via entirely legal means at some of our favorite bars and restaurants around the city come early next week.

Monday, 9pm:North Capital
The Beixinqiao-adjacent hutong hangout will be showing Game of Thrones every Monday and reshowing the previous week's episode at 8pm.

Monday, 9pm: Caravan
Caravan will kick off the whole Season 7 shebang with a marathon screening of Season 6 on Monday from 1pm, before showing the new episode at 9pm. There will be (unspecified) drink and food specials on the night.

Monday, 9pm: Ron Mexico
Ron Mexico show Game of Thrones Season 7 at 9pm every Monday, offering buy one, get one free burritos from 6-9pm, and RMB 5 Fireball shots during the show.

Monday, 10pm:Anchor 2.0
A buy two, get one free deal on single malts will be how this recently reopened Xingfucun area bar honors Game of Thrones'new season. They'll show it in HD, and to build anticipation, will run a marathon of the preceding season throughout that afternoon beginning at 4pm.

Monday, 10pm: Q Mex Taqueria
Q Mex's new haunt, their Xinyuanli-located Taqueria, will also show the season premiere on Monday at 10.15pm following Season 6's finale at 9.15pm. The new episodes will then be shown at 9.30pm on all subsequent Mondays. Drink special during the screening include RMB 25 Coronas, RMB 40 margaritas, and RMB 30 classic and Cubano micheladas.

Tuesday, 8pm: Paddy O’Shea’s
Paddy's will screen new episodes of Game of Thrones every Tuesday at 8pm before their regular weekly comedy night.

Saturday, 8pm: A Show of Ice and Fire with Beijing Improv
And for something different before the cold night arrives, you can relive major moments of the popular HBO series with Beijing Improv, who will stage a long-form improv play on Saturday (Jul 15, 8pm) that’s (loosely) based on the GoT universe. What’s more is that the audience will be able to decide the characters, plot twists, and ending. All proceeds from the play will go to Beijing Improv’s NGO partner, Huadan. Don't expect too much gratuitous nudity. Ticket cost RMB 50.

And on that note, valarmorghulis!

More stories by this author here.
Email: andypenafuerte@beijing-kids.com
Instagram: @coolkidandy

Photos: Mindblown (YouTube), EmiliaClarkeNet (Twitter), courtesy of the venues, courtesy of Beijing Improv, Digital Spy (HBO)

Compared to everything else in the news, the weather is always more difficult to report because numbers and statistics never convey the human experience of it. And with a heat wave currently attacking the country, Chinese news organizations are finding the best way to describe the unbearable heat to their readers is to report local weather conditions are responsible for giving an African man a tan.

Yesterday, the Hebei China Fortune Football Club posted a photo of star player Stephane M'Bia to their official Weibo micro-blogging account in which M'Bia is seen acting with dismay as he reveals a tan line on his arm. The team said M'Bia – who is from Africa, according to the post – refused the offer to use sunscreen lotion during practice when temperatures reportedly hit 42.5 degrees Celsius.

The off-color joke quickly went viral, and eventually reached China Dailywho posted the following:

High temperature on the attack! Little African brother, I've been sunburnt black!
The dog days of summer have arrived (according to the Lunar calendar), a heat wave has swept into many cities across China, and fiery heat maps of the country are peppered in colors of red and purple. Just how hot is it? A little brother from Africa says: I've unexpectedly been sunburnt black! He is by far not the first black little brother who has been darkened by the sun. China has been so cooked by the sun, foreign players originating from Africa have been sunburnt black! I have a beautiful dream; I want to plant the sun once I grow up. Ready, everyone ... and sing! Beijing: 37 degrees Celsius, hot enough to turn us into barbecue duck.

Other Chinese news organizations equally amazed that an African man received a suntan include Headline News, Sina News, Global Times, and even China Weather.

To keep with the media frenzy over this story, Hebei China Fortune provided updates to this breaking news item. They then posted a photo comparison of M'Bia with another teammate displaying a tan line with the caption "You can now say we are brothers" before posting a video of M'Bia covering himself with copious amounts of sunscreen while dancing.

China Fortune player Ding Haijun told the first joke in what would prove to be a running gag about black humor, saying: "So, it turns out that you can be blackened" before Chinese netizens joined in. Recurring comments include "a black person has been burned black" and "if a black person can be sunburned black, then I don't have any regrets."

China's obsession with Africans during the summer has been a recurring theme on the Mainland.

In 2015, an international student from Kenya made headlines when he admitted he'd rather go back to Africa than endure Fuzhou's unbearable summer (shown below):

The same summer saw this same story repeated a number of times, like in this Chongqing front page:

There's been a number of these "Africans too fragile for China's summer," but they all seem to originate from this 2011 story from Wuhan:

Skin color remains a defining feature of social class in China. Young women in the cities use umbrellas during this sweltering season to avoid getting a dark complexion, something viewed as a negative trait associated with manual laborers and China's uncultured rural masses.

These feelings may linger when dealing with a poorly represented people in China. Unless they're seen in Guangzhou's diminishing "Chocolate City," Africans and African-Americans are only visible in China on its championships basketball and soccer teams or performing on variety shows. Due to this lack of representation and cultural misunderstandings, some people may have it stuck in their heads that Africa must be the hottest place on Earth.

READ: Crossing the Border: When Does Culture Shock Become Racism?

Chinese media have been next to unrepentent about the country's antiquated views towards race. In the wake of the Qiaobilaundry commercial meltdown, Global Times insisted "racism in not an innate problem" in China because it never engaged in the slave trade.

But, as the Chinese media lack the ability to convey just how hot it is, Africans remain China's go-to metaphor, emphasizing that the differences between us are in fact skin deep.

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: qqtn, sinmeg, 7edown

Are you a Beijing loser with no sense of fashion? Do you have trouble finding a date who accepts you in all your flaws? Cheer up, because you are exactly the type of person preferred by a rising American starlet as seen in a video that has gone viral in China.

US singer and actress "Annie" admits her preference for a rugged Beijing man who is unapologetic about his looks in an interview with iFeng Video:

I have a peculiar preference, I like traditional Beijing men. I especially like this type. They have a bald head ... you know what I mean? Old Beijing ... tall and sturdy, they're dressed in shorts that go down to here (gestures mid-thigh) during the summer, they're wearing a wife-beater [spoken with a Beijing erhua accent], slippers, out walking their dog with a cigarette hanging from the side of their mouths, just walking ... that type. [Laughs] I have always felt that [sighs] ... so sexy, so sexy.

READ: "Beijing Bikini" Successfully Satirizes Chinese Custom of Exposing Beer Bellies

After revealing that her friend doesn't understand her preferences, Annie explains her motives like this:

That is to say, this [Beijing guy] is thinking that "this is my space," or that "this is my family," or that "this is my wife;" this is who I am, and you can't take that away from me. You know what I mean? Sorry. [The guy is saying] "I could be skinnier, I could be stronger, but it doesn't matter. This is me, and you can't take that away. He'll stand there with all his faults ... this kind of man I find to be very attractive. [Laughs]  

Annie stresses that this kind of man is very 屌 diǎo, a reference to China's diaosi culture. At the same time, using this phrase in this way is awkward and uncommon for women since it also refers to male genitalia.

Annie, who is exclusively known in China as Tang Bohu (唐伯虎 Táng Bóhǔ, same as the famous artisan), explained she prefers Chinese men over Western men because they are not so open:

Chinese men are all very good. I especially like that type of man that has a particular way of treating women. [This man] is not like Westerners, who are too open and forward. Sometimes, Westerners are especially frank. They put everyone out into the open after which they have nothing left to the imagination. Right from the start, ai, "I like you, come have a drink with me." [Laughs] What I like about Chinese people is that they allow nature to take its course. 

Annie's remarks have inflamed the Chinese Internet, spreading so fast that the forwarded video contains no mention of her name. Instead, Chinese netizens have focused upon her preference for Chinese men as well as her fluent Mandarin.

"Her Mandarin is better than the Mandarin I have learned in 20 years," complimented one person.

Another person was confused and asked, "Is she a Eurasian, or a foreigner?" while another said highly, "She is a foreigner with a Chinese face."

Some of the comments had an awkward tone to them, suggesting them to be back-handed compliments. One person wrote, "You're alright, you have thoroughly learned the meaning of the word diaosi," while another "praised" her by saying, "Diao is a hard word to understand for foreigners as well to use properly."

Sadly, very few Chinese netizens realized that Annie is a big star in China who got her big break in 2013 on the CCTV talent competition Star Avenue.

Annie is an accomplished singer and songwriter; she co-wrote the song "浓 nóng" (music video here) which she would have been seen singing had it not been cut from the beginning of the viral video. In fact, Annie's talents have led her to star in the lead role of a Chinese TV show called Shanghai Dreams in addition to other Chinese films like The Final Battle (shown above). 

READ: Expat Disrespect of US President Warmly Received in Peking University Valedictorian Speech

But despite all this, even as her video about Beijing diaosi goes viral, Chinese netizens remain largely unaware that Annie is trying to promote herself in China. Instead, she may be known as that girl with a preference for diao.

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath 

Images: Weibo (2) , 5n