Many foreigners were spooked by a spate of drug raids that hit several popular Beijing bars earlier this year, though even the most cautious among us chalked that up to heightened security surrounding the One Belt, One Road summit. However, even more extensive measures have been taken in the months following, according to a pair of recently deported foreigners who are left to warn their fellow expats to be extra cautious.

“People should know that they’re willing to go into your office, and it doesn’t matter how respectable your work is,” one of the deported expats, who hails from Canada and spoke on condition of anonymity, tells the Beijinger about how China’s anti-drug efforts extend far past random bar raids.

Officers arrived at the Canadian expat’s office, where he works in middle management, last month, telling him that they “knew” for certain that he “did drugs.” When he denied, the officers escorted him to the nearest bathroom, and he says they “Forced me to do a urine test. No other explanation.”

However, it didn’t take long for the Canadian to surmise why the authorities had tracked him down: The night before he had sent two text messages to a friend who is a suspected drug dealer.

After that, the officers promptly brought him to the Chaoyang District central police station, where they had him do another urine test for which he tested “weak positive” for marijuana.

“I had pleaded a lot up to that point, explained that I'm a positive contributing citizen with a good job and I don't do drugs,” he recalls, before adding that the officer wanted to go to his home to search for drug paraphernalia, and if none was found he’d be free to go. They found nothing, and “I was off the hook. I nearly peed myself, and was massively relieved.”

To his dismay, though, his troubles didn’t end there. That weekend he invited over a few friends, including an American expat, over to help another pal assemble a computer. They were expecting more company and weren’t surprised to hear a knock at the door, until they opened it to find 12 plainclothes officers, who quickly entered. Everyone inside, including the Canadian expat’s Chinese girlfriend, were ordered to take urine tests. The Canadian and his American friend both failed that drug test.

“The officers tried to make a deal with me: if I help them catch the dealer, I'd be off the hook,” the Canadian says, adding that he complied and “sold out my friend” whom he had received text messages from a few nights before. Of the suspected dealer who had texted him, the Canadian said: “He had not been caught, they knew his messages remotely without his knowledge. They knew I was in touch with him, but he didn’t know.”

Having failed the drug test, both the Canadian and the American were then taken from the apartment to the police station. The Canadian recalls being questioned by the officers, during which, “I admitted to being given some narcotics by him, but denied buying them, insisting it was in return for paying for drinks at a bar.” He then signed a written statement to that effect and underwent a full criminal record profile that took his finger prints, palm prints, weight, and height. After that, the authorities said they would give him five days of attention, with no mention of further punitive action.

A similar spiel was given to the American, who told TBJ(he also granted an interview on the condition of anonymity): “I was told I would serve five days and then be able to return to my apartment. But after three or four days, they told me I was deported and banned.”

The Canadian was surprised to be given the same grim news in that period, along with a formal notice from the Beijing Public Security Bureau (PSB; 北京市公安局 in Chinese) that said he was deported and banned from returning to the Mainland for five years. Here’s that document in full, in Chinese, with his private information blurred:

The tumultuous experience has prompted the deported American to warn other expats: “Really my advice would be to walk on eggshells. Avoid trouble altogether.”

The Canadian agrees, adding that he is having as much trouble contending with his future job prospects as having to leave to China, where he resided for a decade. He is now worried about finding other work and not being able to get references from his former employer because of his arrest and deportation. The ordeal also leads him to believe that detained expats can’t hide behind or rely on status or anything else to stave off such consequences. He says “I’m a mid-level manager at a big company, and that didn’t matter. I was also detained with a fellow Canadian that worked for a media agency, and he was cuffed and taken away.”

Bruce Fan, a lawyer at the Join-Win Shanghai law firm – which has numerous expat clients – says "the general rule is 'zero tolerance'" when it comes to drug crime on the Mainland. He goes on to describe the authorities here as being very restrictive and adds that both expats interviewed for this story may very well have enjoyed leniency, as difficult as that is for them to see, because "Violating laws or regulations by expats may face deportation and even worse, prison time."

What's more, Fan says: "The deportation decision is an administrative decision subject to no judicial review. Once it's made, you are gone."

Now that that sentiment has been lived out for both of the deported expats interviewed for this story, they hope that other foreigners keep it in mind, and remember that raids and busts don’t just happen rarely and randomly at bars. Or, as the American expat puts it: “I just hope this story helps someone.”

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

Photos: everythingpr.com, Wikimedia Commons, courtesy of the interviewee, phys.org

After a beef embargo in 2001 on European steaks following a mad cow disease scare, China later imposed a ban on American steaks in 2003 for the same reason. At that time, an official at the quarantine bureau of China's Ministry of Agriculture said that the ban would last "until the United States takes measures to assuage concerns about the safety of its beef and beef products."

China and the United States agreed to resume their beef trade in May after a 14-year ban. That's important for consumers because “similar quality cuts of US beef are expected to be cheaper than Australian meat because of low US grain prices, a large component of the cost of raising cattle,” as Reuters reported. 

China remains “the world’s second biggest beef buyer [behind the US], and the imports grew roughly 10 times between 2010 and 2015. Australia, Uruguay, and New Zealand are the top exporters of beef to China,” according to CNN.

Opening last September, Char Dining Room and Lounge on the third floor of InterContinental Hotel Sanlitun acted fast on the news that the embargo was to be lifted, pouncing on the opportunity to bring fresh-off-the-boat US steaks to the table.

We were recently invited to Char to try their new imports, which come in fresh from America daily, and are so far limited to 16 steaks per day, including eight ribeye steaks (RMB 488 for 200g), eight sirloin steaks (RMB 468 for 200g), alongside their premium Australian Blackmore 600-day Wagyu beef, stockyard tomahawk, and Cape Grim grass-fed cuts.

To provide us with our own personalized dining experience, each diner is asked to choose their preferred knife from a set of six, including utensils from Zwilling and Schmidt Brothers. We then selected the American ribeye steak served on a Chinese ink-stone-style plate, along with a cup of black pepper sauce. The steak was tender and featured a nice glaze, a nice seared pattern, and a little blood pooling on top, just the way we like it. The spread also included some seasonal vegetables, such as tomatoes, baby carrots, mushrooms, and peppers.

The small details don't go unnoticed either, with diners treated to an assortment of seven different infused sea salts, including varieties with rosemary, mushroom, chipotle, and Himalayan sea salt; as well as eight different sauces, such as homemade pesto, thousand island dressing, mustard, and mayonnaise.

It's these additions, and Char's dedication to the art of steak making, that make the restaurant a good choice for anyone wanting to explore the first wave of American beef making its way into China after a long 14-year absence.

To make a reservation, call 8516 0065, and the kitchen opens at 5.30pm.

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos courtesy of InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun, Tracy Wang

Beijing music fiends may soon be flocking to Wukesong. That’s because a new Mao music venue, officially named Mao Livehouse, is set to open in the west end Haidian neighborhood's Hi-Up with a debut roster of gigs August 18-19.

The new venue will kick things off on Aug. 18 with an eclectic lineup that includes Planet Tree who specialize in brawny Americana with Mandarin lyrics (hear them here), Britpop group The Diagon Alley, and the snarling punk of Brain Failure (check out their music here). The night will conclude with esteemed house producer and founder of Pampa records, DJ Koze, as well as one of the godfathers of Detroit techno, Kevin Saunderson.

The Sunday lineup sees local Britpop devotees She Never Sings Our Songs and Elenore warming up the crowd for the swaggering disco infused anthems of 星号69 (check them out here), and then the ska and reggae sets of DJ Dizzy, Mr. Sea Turtle (listen to them here), and Jiang Liang (links to their music here).

The opening of this 1,000-attendee capacity venue will surely be warmly received by west-end-dwelling gig regulars that have grown weary of hiking it Gulou, where much of the city music scene has been situated in recent years. What’s more: operators Shiji Lemeng Culture Communication Co. have a solid reputation across China, having run a chain of similar Maos in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Kunming.

Despite those promising aspects, this new Mao isn’t free of its detractors. That’s because the long-running Mao Livehouse on Gulou Dajie (the one that's been under threat of closure for over a year) has no affiliation with this Wukesong venue or any of the other Shiji Lemeng branches across China, thanks to a bitter falling out and lingering tension over usage of the Mao name.  

Nevertheless, both sides traded gracious well-wishers when the Beijinger first asked them about Shiji Lemeng’s plans to open the livehouse this past spring. Spokesperson Piao "Tina" Dongmei now says she and her Shiji Lemeng team are thrilled to finally unveil their Beijing branch.

That enthusiasm was shared by many of the acts set to play to on the opening weekend in August, including Elenore guitarist and singer Wang “Howie” Yu, who told the Beijinger he and his Britpop bandmates are “always excited to play in a new venue like Mao. We are really looking forward to the gig, trying the new gear, and having a new location to play.”

Details about showtimes and ticket availability for the August 18-19 debut are still to be finalized, though Piao says it will be sorted before week’s end. We will fill you in and update this blog accordingly.

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

Photos courtesy of Mao Wukesong, Kungfuology, Wikimedia, Kaiguan

Beijing footy fans went wild this afternoon (Jul 24) when Real Madrid star forward Cristiano Ronaldo made an appearance at 798 Art District.

The world-famous Portuguese player is in China as part of Nike's Active Schools Innovation Awards, described by Yahoo News as a campaign that honors the "Mainland's most inspiring and innovative physical education (PE) teachers."

Lin "Harry" Pin was among the lucky Beijing members of the Real Madrid Football Fans Association who attended Ronaldo's 798 appearance. The young fan then took to WeChat this afternoon with few photos of the football legend spray painting one of the art zone's brick walls and meeting fans, along with snaps of his newly autographed Ronaldo jersey. Lin tells the Beijinger that Ronaldo was being "kind and friendly," during the meet-and-greet, and though he seemed a little tired and overwhelmed by the crowd, he was nonetheless still tanned and up to the job.

This 798 engagement was preceded by a tour through Shanghai, including a photoshoot on a helipad in 40-plus Celsius degree heat, as well as an event last night at Beijing's Water Cube National Swimming Center, where Ronaldo and fellow mega-famous athletes Li Na and Liu Xiang took to the stage to praise China's top PE teachers. Yahoo News described the ceremony as part of a joint effort between "Nike and the Chinese Ministry of Education that aims to encourage children to get active both inside and outside the classroom." Among the honored educators was Lv Shaowu, a PE teacher from Gansu who purchased sports gear for his students out of pocket and designed a soccer curriculum for those youngsters.

As a reward for his tireless efforts, Ronaldo gave Lv a pair of special Nike CR7 Mercurial Campeões boots. Ronaldo then told the PE teacher: "I'm thrilled to be here and to celebrate all of the PE teachers who are inspiring young athletes in China. The work you do is very important. Congratulations on this award, and thank you for all that you're doing with the kids at your school. You are making a difference in their lives."

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

Photos courtesy of Lin "Harry" Pin

With the recent boom in taphouses (check here for our exploration of the phenomenon), we decided to push our expedition a bit further from the already overheated hutongs and Sanlitun to the more residential locale of Shuangjing. The (soft) opening of this new bottle shop Naughty Beer (accompanied by Salute Wine for a strange but convenient juxtaposition) adds yet another option for those southeastern Beijing residents who want to avoid heading to the hustle and bustle of the city center for a drink.

Originating in Suzhou, Naughty Beer headed north and opened this Beijing bottle shop back in May. Walking in, you'll find several fridges on the left filled with brews, as well as wooden tables in the middle, and more tables and sofas in the private rooms in the back.

Naughty Beer stocks more than 400 brands of beer from over 30 countries. Among the usual players found at similar international bottle shops – Flying Dog, Dogfish Head, Hitachino, Hoegaarden, Harviestoun, Rogue, Brewdog, Ballast Point, Goose Island, Samuel Smith, Elysian, Stone, North Coast, Mikkeller, Lindemans, Duvel, Halve Maan, La Chouffe, and Vedett (RMB 30-55) – they also have a number of Chinese varieties, such as Harvest, Wenshan, Master Gao, and Buzz, as well some rarer ones, including one of my favorites, the Yeti Imperial Stout (RMB 45), Barrel Ages Yeti (RMB 128), Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout (750ml for RMB 128), both from Great Divide; Midtfyns Chili Tripel Ghost and Barley Wine (both RMB 66).

Most exciting perhaps is the entire fridge dedicated to over three dozen beers from Spain and Italy, most of which are particularly rare to find in Beijing, such as Elements Orange and Lemon Blonde Ale, and Elements Pedro Ximenez from Dawat, Diablos Joe! Red Ale, VIPA, Paquita Brown Ale, CCCP, Lemonzilla (RMB 39-55) from Tyris, also in Spain. The prices are reasonable too, with the aforementioned Yeti Imperial Stout normally running RMB 88 at some local bottle shops, sold here for only RMB 45. But pace yourself – it will knock you down with its boozy 9.5 percent ABV.

Naughty also offers Doppo Weizen, Doopo Dunkel, Doopo Muscat Pils, and Doopo Peach Pils from Japanese Miyashita Sake Brewery, the prices range from RMB 78-85 with a daily buy one, get one deal. We even found bottles of Taedonggang #2 from the state-owned Taedonggang Brewing (대동강맥주) in North Korea (RMB 50).

As for food, the bar offers salads (RBM 24-28), a burger (RMB 48), pizzas (RMB 45), quesadillas (RMB 39), and a sausage platter (RMB 58). There are also two big TVs hanging on the wall, and an al fresco area with a projector – good for watching sports once the chilly weather rolls back around.

For this reason, and the fact that there are no draft options, it might be best to consider Naughty a Heaven Supermarket-esque bottle shop instead of an all-out bar. Friendly staff are also on hand to help choose from a wall of imported wines, making it a great bet for a one-stop shop for your weekend drinking needs and presents a dangerous and naughty detour on your way home from work.

Naughty Beer
Mon-Fri 5.30pm-3am, Sat-Sun 12pm-3am. 1-01, Bldg 4, Shidai International Community, 10 Dongbo Jie, Chaoyang District (139 1021 6957)
顽啤世界进口酒水体验馆：朝阳区东柏街10号院时代国际嘉园4号楼1-01

More stories by this author here.

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

Photo: Tracy Wang, Michael Wester

We're sure you're feeling the burn of summer by now, and yes, we know the pain of enduring the unbearable heatwave before achieving your so-called “bikini body.” We also know that you're probably drinking a few too many cold and boozy gin and tonics to beat the heat once the weekend rolls around, but hydration is a matter of safety in this sweltering heat. While drinking eight glasses of water is boring, these detox waters could help you find a balance between hydrated and satisfied, flushing your liver and benefiting your body.

How easy is it to do that? According to WikiHow, it’s easy than you could ever imagine:

1) Slice cleaned fruits and vegetables of your choice and put them into a mason jar
2) Add water
3) Place in the fridge and wait for a couple of hours before serving

Below are some tried-and-tested combinations for the best results:

Strawberry, Lime, Cucumber, and Mint
Cucumber is a great vegetable to keep you hydrated, whereas cucumber and lime will lift the water and make it refreshing, and strawberries will help add a touch of sweetness. You could also throw in some raspberries for an added sour kick.

Watermelon and Mint
These two ingredients couldn’t be more summery and this drink is perfect for if you got overexcited and bought too much watermelon to guzzle before it turns. Cut the melon into cubes, place them in the pitcher with some mint, and fill with water. Allow them to soak for two to eight hours in the fridge. You can mix it up with lemon and mint as well.

Orange and Blueberry
Consider infusing blueberries with water to add to their already exceptional nutritional value. Add two oranges, cut into wedges, and put a handful blueberries in six cups of water, then leave in the fridge for two to 24 hours.

Strawberry, Kiwi, and Lemon
This combo is good for anyone with a sweet tooth, helping you to resist the temptation of your nearby convenience store's ice cream freezer. Cut the fruits into bite-sized bits, fill with water, and store in the fridge until serving. The combination of strawberry, lemons, and kiwis can boost your body's stores of vital nutrients, vitamins, and essential minerals. This one's sweet, citrusy, cool and refreshing.

Apple with Spice
If you are a fan of apple pie, try this apple spice detox water, incorporating sliced apple, cinnamon, and star anise. The water tastes complex and is reminiscent of Glühwein, transporting you back to the cooler temperatures of the winter holidays. The spices will aid your digestion and keep your heart and brain hydrated, making this particular choice a powerful and healthy drink!

Or alternatively, try one of the additional recipes above. You can drink them at home, take them to the gym, or bring them to your office, but don't forget to share the love.

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: eat-drink-love, buzzfeed, greenblender, diyncrafts, wholefully, thesilverpen, theyummylife

A massive sinkhole that opened up on the west side of the North Third Ring Road in Beijing this morning caused headaches for commuters and drivers, but it may signal something far more sinister.

The sinkhole opened up at the northwest corner of a Lianxiangqiao auxiliary road, located just west of Dazhongsi Station on Line 13. Explaining that some of the sewage pipes in the area constitute a "hidden danger," the Beijing drainage group sent out emergency vehicles and personnel to fix the hole.

Life should return to normal when repairs are expected to be completed by today noon, but sinkholes remain a constant problem in the city that may get a lot worse.

A sinkhole suddenly appeared underneath a parked car in Beijing's Fengtai District in 2015 (shown above), nearly devouring it while a 25-meter-wide sinkhole that opened up at a construction site for the Beijing Metro Line 14 led to attempts to bribe a local reporter not to write about it.

The year before, a massive five-meter-wide sinkhole opened up in the Fuhuajia neighborhood in Chaoyang while a sinkhole measuring some 20 meters in diameter shut down Guangqu Road in Shuangjing.

Things became so bad that sinkholes were responsible for swallowing an entire truck in 2011 as well as four pedestrians in Beijing's Xicheng District in 2012 (shown below), killing one victim.

These sinkholes could be caused any number of reasons like illegal digging, subway construction, or in the case of the Xicheng pedestrians, broken heating pipes. But whatever the reason, the phenomenon of sinkholes in Beijing should be a daily reminder to us that the entire city is sinking– literally – at a rate of 11 centimeters per year.

The problem lies with the city's reliance on extracting groundwater for its drinking water, estimated at 3.5 billion cubic meters each year. With the soil crumbling away from the city's foundations, cracks have appeared throughout the city such as one 800 meters wide and measuring 25 kilometers long that was considered a threat to the Beijing Capital International Airport in 1998.

The city has since tried to wean itself off the use of local wells, instead utilizing the "South-North Water Transfer Project" to bring water to country's arid northern areas.

But, if you're still worried about holes, you can be reassured that the city is addressing the issue. In 2013, the city set up 1,000 safety nets to catch anyone unlucky enough to fall down any one of its open holes.

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath
E-mail: charlesliu1@qq.com

Images: NetEase, CSein, China Radio International, QQ News

We know that we go on about Q Mex Taqueria quite a lot in this column but with good reason. If somehow you still haven't managed to make it to this funky new eatery then this Saturday (Jul 29) is a great opportunity to do so, as they team up with Beijing LGBT Center for their latest Dining Out event. Connect with other people in the community while enjoying delicious Tex-Mex dishes like tacos, burritos, and fajitas, as well as an extensive menu of strong, tequila-based drinks (we strongly recommend the coconut margarita). Best yet, Q Mex Taqueria will donate 20 percent of the proceeds from the evening to Beijing LGBT Center. 

A little earlier in the week (Thursday, Jul 27), Ramo is hosting their third Chef's Table event. The Chef's Table event series aims to give home cooks a platform to showcase flavors from around the world. They have previously hosted an all-vegan dinner and a rustic Italian feast, and this time they are planning to spice things up – literally – by holding an authentic Guizhou-style dinner prepared by Ramo's very own Paca Lee. The nine-course menu, full of classic Guizhou-style dishes such as spicy ribs and stir-fried sweet rice balls with pickles, costs RMB 298 per person, including plenty of quality rice wine. 

From one Italian venue to another. Bottega's new Nali Patio location (the second of their two new locations since they moved from their original spot) has been open for a couple of weeks now and is already attracting plenty of buzz (and crowds). Stop by at lunch time when the space is (relatively) quieter and they offer a good value two-course set lunch menu for RMB 88. The lunch menu has lots of fresh, summery options, with appetizers including grilled shrimp and avocado salad and entrées including asparagus and chicken risotto and fusilli with slow-roasted cherry tomatoes. We won't judge if you order one of their Beijinger Pizza Cup-winning pizzas on the side as well ...

Last week we were given the opportunity to try a special tasting menu of Sureño's new summer dishes and were rendered immobile thanks to the sheer heft and breadth of these meaty additions. Courses that particularly stuck out were Gillardieau oyster covered in a fine layer of butter and dusted with spinach powder, chives, and bacon – is there was ever going be an oyster-in-a-meal this would be it. The Angus beef tenderloin was also cooked to perfection, and the accompanying rich lentil puree and beef jus ensured that the plate went back spotless. The battered and bouncy sweetbreads (pictured above) will cater to the more adventurous and worked very well with the helping of crunchy celery and a creamy white bean puree.

For a boozier option, the Hatchery team will be holding a Whisky Weekender from Friday to Sunday (Jul 28-30), which includes three full days of the good stuff and great food to pair it with. The event is a collaboration with XIX Spirit, and is composed of three distinct events: a whisky tasting with canapés on Friday (RMB 100), whiskies plus a three-course family-style meal on Saturday (RMB 380), and whisky long table including four courses on Sunday (RMB 500). Choose your poison and settle into what promises to be a weekend of refined dining.

Finally, for anyone wanting to celebrate the fine foods of Switzerland (of which there are too many to count – chocolate and cheese anybody?), the Swiss Embassy will be holding a Swiss Day celebration come Friday by their garden and pool. Attendees will be able to enjoy wine and food courtesy of Nuo Hotel as well as a bonfire at sunset and a raffle. Tickets to the event cost RMB 450 or RMB 300 for Swiss Club members and RMB 150 for kids. Find out more about the event here.

More stories by this author here.

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

Images courtesy of Q Mex, the organizers

Guilt-free, grab-it-and-go – that'll be the phrase resounding in your mind as you eagerly gobble up the last flavorful bite of Avocado Tree's new menu items like overstuffed quesadillas, chicken burrito rice bowls, and more.

Of the new offerings, the chicken burrito bowl might very well be the biggest hit, thanks to its quinoa rice, guacamole and soft egg (RMB 28 for the chicken bowl with quinoa rice on its own; add RMB 2 for extra quinoa rice, and an extra RMB 15 for guacamole, while the soft egg is an additional RMB 8). Its combination of light yet protein-rife ingredients will defeat your hunger without bogging you down. Opting for tofu instead of chicken is a great choice for vegetarians, especially considering the fresh hand-picked beans added to the mix (instead of the sodium-addled canned beans used as standard at many similar restaurants, which end up undercutting the healthy properties of any dish they're included in).

The overstuffed quesadillas (RMB 40) are even heartier and crunchier, thanks to their crisply toasted center, the proceedings being rounded out by equally crunchy barbacoa nacho and guacamole. Its beef is slow-cooked and juicy, and the usage of cooking with bone marrow instead of adding oil and sugar makes it a simpler, healthier choice than your average red meat lunch item (co-owner Nemanja Maric, pictured at top, learned that trick from his grandma back in Bosnia).

Such a straightforward approach makes their smoothies (comprised of avocado, spinach, and bananas; RMB 26), and especially their new yogurt, wholesomely nourishing. Maric seemed especially proud of that RMB 18 yogurt when he invited us for a recent visit, saying "it's difficult to find sugar-free yogurt in China. So we make ours with fresh milk, filter it with cheesecloth, and don’t use any additives to make it thick." The addition of honey, fruit, and granola is a better way to tickle the tastebuds, he and co-owner Chelsea Fan believe.

The restaurant chain has been a fixture in Beijing's F&B scene for a few years now, having opened branches in Liangmaqiao, Xiaoyun Lu, Pinnacle Plaza, Riveria Plaza, and Sanlitun's Topwin Mall. It occupies a unique niche by slinging fast food that's healthy and cheap. That can, at times, leave some customers a little befuddled given that many might surmise the need to indulge in beer and tequila when partaking in Mexican food, and handcrafted and healthy dishes often leaves most of us picturing strictly organic, fairly pricey fare.

But Avocado Tree balances these disparate elements to suit lunch patrons hankering for something nutritious before they have to dart back to the office. The natural fats, lack of sugar, and straightforward preparation of their food makes that possible, and the sheer number of their branches around town help keep suppliers happy enough to readily provide fresh ingredients at lower rates that trickle down to the customer's affordable bill. Sure, you'll find more elaborately savory tacos, burritos, and so on at Taco Bar and Q Mex, but AT's ultra-casual, California-style quesadillas and other Chipotle-esque grub make for a simple, tasty, and wholesome midday meal.

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

Photos: Kyle Mullin, courtesy of Avocado Tree

This post comes courtesy of our content partners at TechNode.

Bikes, bikes, and more bikes. China’s streets have been invaded by bike rentals of every hue. More and more Chinese entrepreneurs are sparing no effort to jump on the sharing bandwagon.

Now, when you walk around the streets or hang around shopping malls, there’s a high chance that you’ll come across a slew of shared items – bikes, cars, umbrellas, basketballs, power banks, karaoke booths, washing machines, nap capsules, massage chairs and, oh yes, refrigerators. The sharing economy fad has taken China by storm over the past year, and people in the business are making everything “shareable.”

However, it’s not really sharing … it’s more or less rental businesses. Users rent these items for a short period of time at a low and affordable price. For instance, the bike-rental startup Mobike charges users RMB 1 for a single half-hour ride. Also, most of the power bank rental startups charge nothing for the first hour of rental, and charge RMB 1 per hour or so after that. This is nothing like the ride-hailing business where people use their private car to ferry around passengers; these are companies exchanging use of their assets for money.

Shared refrigerators

Shared refrigerators are actually not so much different from vending machines. These fridges are mostly placed in office buildings. Customers scan the QR code on the top of the refrigerator to pay for the items they want and open the door to get the food. The problem is that there’s no lock installed on the fridge, meaning that anyone can easily get the food without paying. A “fridge-sharing” company Xianmiao told local press that the fridges are now in testing phase and they plan to install electronic locks (in Chinese) in the near future.

There is another type of shared fridge that does some public good by encouraging local residents and enterprises to donate and share spare food to help those in need. People don’t share the fridge itself but the food in it. Simply by inserting a card linked to the fridge and key in the numbers associated with the items, users are able to get access to the food. These fridges were set up in Beijing’s outskirt areas by community-based non-profit organizations that give out cards for people in need (in Chinese), most of whom are migrant workers.

Shared napping

Popular in Japan for quite some time, China is now seeing a similar solution for sleep-deprived office workers to take a nap during the mid-day rush.

Xiangshui Space (享睡空间), a Beijing-based start-up in May launched nap capsule services in Beijing and has opened up in Shanghai and Chengdu as well. With a mobile phone scan, users can book a nap in a white capsule for just RMB 10 (USD 1.50) for half an hour. However, the space is now temporarily closed for renovation to abide by local regulations (in Chinese) such as fire-control permissions.

Shared basketballs

Founded in March 2017, the basketball rental startup Zhulegeqiu (猪了个球，literally “pig a ball”. “Zhu” sounds like “zu”, the word for rent) offers sports lovers another way to gear up and spare some hassle. The company places rental machines beside basketball courts and landed RMB 10 million in pre-Series A in May.

Shared powerbanks

Competition in this vertical has gotten fierce.

Earlier this year, the power bank rental startup Laidian received USD 20 million in Series A from SIG and Redpoint Ventures China. The startup rents out portable power banks that allow users to take away and return at designated stations through the rental service’s app. Another power bank rental startup, Ankerbox, in April raised eight-digit RMB in Series A funding, and later in May, Jumei acquired a 60 percent stake for RMB 300 million.

It may seem absurd that people would actually rent a power bank. It’s not really a hassle to carry around your own power banks. But Chinese investors are not afraid to bet big in the sector. The investors in China have poured in RMB 1.2 billion (USD 174 million) worth of funds into power bank rental startups within 40 days, local media reported (in Chinese).

The expanding rental economy in China is exemplified by the success of bike-rental companies such as Mobike and Ofo. Mobike just raised over USD 600 million in Series E financing led by Tencent last month, and in the same month launched its first business outside of Asia in Manchester, UK.

As investors and founders of these rental enterprises seem optimistic about the future of the sector,  they are also giving themselves an out, exemplified by Jumei CEO’s recent statement on Weibo: “If [the startup] fails, let’s just say we’re serving the public,” wrote Jumei’s CEO Chen Ou in a Weibo post. Chen became the chairman of Ankerbox, a power bank rental startup, after making a huge investment in the company. Yuan Bingsong, the founder of another power bank rental startup, Hidian, has also claimed that the business can still do good to society even if it fails.

READ: No Consequences for Violators as Electric Fencing Rolled Out for Share Bike Parking

However, the funding frenzy powered by the angel investors and venture capital firms might still last for a long while. China’s rental economy is expected to grow about 40 percent this year to 4.83 trillion yuan (USD 705 billion). By 2020, it could account for about one 10th of the country’s gross domestic product. At the end of the day, these investors might be just looking at setting their feet in the Internet of Things (IoT) industry and hope to become the first-movers in having everything in the public space being connected.

Images: Outdoor Wind, 数据化管理, 小文艺青年, Only_爱股

A showdown between authorities and the supporters of a charity group have led to a rare protest in the nation's capital that has become so big, it has closed down a major road.

Reuters reported that police blocked off a major intersection in a southern Beijing neighborhood on Monday after numerous "investors" of a self-described charity company descended upon a local convention center to protest.

Executives of the "Shanxinhui" company were arrested last week, accused by authorities of running a "pyramid scheme" that "duping people out of money in the name of raising funds to help the poor," reported Xinhua.

"They have accused the company of pyramid selling but they did nothing wrong. They only wanted to help poor people. It’s an injustice," said a protestor named Zhong who came to the protest from Xinjiang.

A YouTube video reportedly taken at the convention center, which has been blocked off by local police, shows what appears to be hundreds of protestors singing the Chinese national anthem. According to Reuters, police did not intervene when dozens of "company investors" stood on the road outside the center.

Local police have warned in recent news reports that organizing and inciting people to gather and protest at illegal gathering disrupts public order and constitutes "illegal behavior." And just yesterday, the Bureau of Industry and Commerce punished the Shenzhen-based company with a one million yuan fine for broadcasting a "fake" commercial last October that illegally used the name and images of state institutions.

But despite the constant pressure on Shanxinhui by authorities, company supporters have continued to mount public protests such as this one in Hunan, petitioning the government to unfreeze some 5.5 million yuan in Shanxinhui funds:

And also this one in Heilongjiang, also in June:

Besides providing acts of charity for economically-disadvantaged rural residents, Shanxinhui was responsible for making a joint Hong Kong-Taiwan film production with the purpose of "inspiring public sentiment." 

Called You Are My Eyes, the film is about a man who engages in charity work after losing his sight in a car accident. However, when a second car accident miraculously restores his eyesight, the man's new lover abandons him out of shame due to the scar that disfigures her face, only to reconcile at the end when the audience learns the value of compassion and understanding.

Shanxinhui is the latest charitable organization that has run afoul of Chinese authorities. Some 350 institutions have been blacklisted by police, accused of "brainwashing" their followers.

Such large public protests, like the one at the Beijing Zoo Market last month or the one involving PLA veterans this past spring, are rarely seen in Beijing. To deal with such problems, the city is equipped with a standing force of 1.4 million personnel available for "mass gathering control."

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath
E-mail: charlesliu1@qq.com

Images: Weibo (1, 2, 3, 4) SCMP

These are some kick ass videos – literally.

A series of instructional clips have been released on the WeChat account of i.Fight Club, a new gym opened by the team behind Capital Training Center and other successful MMA facilities in Beijing. The videos will not only give you useful tips on upping the effectiveness of your workout and power of your punches, they'll also help to provide inspiration to keep on training even if you're weary or achy from your last visit to the gym.

Co-owners and trainers Sean Wright and JP are seen gearing up and stepping into the ring for the recently released second clip in the series about low kicks. Wright gives instructions and descriptions in English, which JP translations into Chinese (there are also Mandarin subtitles), such as the introduction: "Over the next 10 minutes we'll be doing a lot of combinations, some basic boxing, some low kicks, and maybe working in head kicks at different angles." The best part of the video is Wright's commentary; between delivering one bone-rattling blow after another, as he notes that it takes more than merely one well placed kick to defeat an opponent, but rather a combination of strategic jabs to wear down his defenses.

Wright tells the Beijinger that the videos are meant to "supplement your in-gym training with a few tips and guidelines to keep you on the right track if you're training outside of class time. They should be considered a supplement, not a substitute for good coaching."

To watch the latest video, click here and be sure to follow the gym on WeChat at iFightclub for future videos and more information about joining the gym (check their directory here).

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

Photos: i.Fight

A neighborhood fish fry restaurant in Beijing's Second Ring Road was rocked by an explosion yesterday, so large that it shattered windows of cars parked two stories below.

Details are still coming in, but preliminary reports say a gas canister exploded at the Yuzuoyuwang (鱼座鱼旺) restaurant in Xinjiekou, an area located near the Xizhimen and Jishuitan subway stations.

Although their numbers and severity are unconfirmed, victims injured by the blast are said to have been taken to hospital for medical treatment.

Photographs uploaded online show the windows of the second-story restaurant completely blown out, as is a window belonging to a car parked on the street below. Broken glass and debris are strewn throughout each of the photos.

Video taken at the scene show bloodied victims that include children.

Police, including black-suited teqin (special police), have cordoned off the scene, which does not to be on fire.

Gas canister explosions are commonly reported in the Chinese news, the latest being an enormous explosion last Thursday in Hangzhou that caused two fatalities and injured 55. 

Xinjiekou itself is no stranger to gas explosions, having experienced one in 2009 explosion that injured 18 people. Elsewhere in Beijing, explosions killed six city residents in two separate incidents in 2014, while one the following year near Gulou killed one person.

Beijing firefighters also had to deal with an east-end apartment fire in Tonghui Gardens this afternoon.

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath
E-mail: charlesliu1@qq.com

Images: Miaopai, Weibo

With its steel foundations recently completed, construction on the new Beijing airport continues to roll forward with the finalization of a light transit line that will ferry commuters back-and-forth to the city center in just 30 minutes.

Recently submitted for environmental assessment, the transport link will connect Beijing West Railway Station with the new airport. The most recent draft alters the southern route of the railway's Hebei portion but makes no changes to the route between Beijing and the new airport.

As seen in the map (shown above), the express train to the new airport does not depart from Beijing South Railway Station, even though the latter also connects with Huangcun Station on Beijing Metro Line 4. Not yet announced is whether or not Line 4 will be extended to the new airport. 

Also noteworthy is that current plans for the light transit line do not connect it with Tianjin, but instead terminate to its west in Bazhou.

Set to become the "world's largest", the new airport recently completed work on its steel understructure that will cover an area of 313,000 square meters (3.4 million square feet). The Zaha Hadid-designed complex sports a six "pronged" design as well as elements of Chinese culture, and most practical of all for air passengers, promises distances of no more than 600 meters from the extremity of each wing to the central building that lies at its hub.

READ: 10 Things That Would Make Beijing's New Airport Not Just World's Largest,
But World's Best

The new airport will exclusively host China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, which will build a 13.2 billion yuan (USD 1.9 billion) facility from which to operate. 

Unofficially named "Beijing Daxing International Airport," the four runways are expected to handle 620,000 flights a year by 2025, processing 72 million passengers and 2 million tons of cargo.

Here's how the new airport currently looks when compared to its final design:

And here's how the interior of the new airport looks, both present and future:

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath
E-mail: charlesliu1@qq.com

Images: Arch Daily, Weibo

When you think of politicized, socially conscious protest music, what genres cross your mind? Some of us might immediately think of 60s folk, while other may look to punk or even backpack rap. And while the metalcore style of heavy, hard-hitting songwriting is better known for inspiring headbanging and moshing, one of the genre’s hottest young bands has been praised for releasing a thoughtful LP loaded with politically astute lyrics.

While She Sleeps' latest album You Are We (released this past April) was acclaimed by critics for capturing the essence of England’s “post-Brexit” anxiety. Hailing from the city of Sheffield, the band has released a total of three albums since their 2012 debut This Is the Six. And though their pummeling rhythms and ambitious lyrics have garnered them a considerable following, the group has also faced considerable challenges, especially when health issues caused singer Lawrence Taylor to lose his voice and cancel a spate of shows throughout the majority of 2014.

Below, Taylor (via the comfort of a keyboard) tells us about all that and more ahead of While She Sleeps’ July 28 gig at Yugong Yishan.

How do you feel about the reception your new album has gotten? Revolver magazine even called it the "best album so far about post-Brexit/post-election anxiety. You Are We is frantic and grim, preoccupied with personal and political disintegration, but it’s also huge."
For me, it feels like we are all forced to make decisions about our nation and the future of our countries, when it feels like nothing will really help and the agendas of our leaders will remain the same.

You Are We is While She Sleeps’ loose stamp on those topics, whilst encompassing our own personal emotions and anguish. In no way are we politicians, nor do we have the answers. But for us it feels like unity is the best way forward. We are all connected, and yes I hope you feel and hear this when listening to the album. We are all in this together, so let’s enjoy life as much as we can.

People were also impressed by the production values on this new album, with the NME calling them "perfection” and adding “too many metalcore records overproduce until notes feel clinical. But this album builds and drops like an avalanche of brilliance, Taylor’s voice firing off a round of vocal ammo with ease." How does that make you feel?
We work hard on our music, so any praise or recognition is amazing. We also feel like there are so many metalcore bands out there that all sound very similar. I think we hold our own. And I would say that whatever genre you want to stick us in, we sound like no one else out there. I’m stoked that mags and people are behind us with this, as we released You Are We independently and are very proud of what we achieved.

And yet your success hasn’t come easily. I've read you underwent extensive vocal surgery in the past. That seems especially worrisome for a singer such as yourself.
I’ve been screaming and shouting in bands since I was 15 years old. As a youngster it gave me a way of expressing myself, releasing negativity and allowing me to let go. This calms me down in day-to-day life.

However, having done this for so long, with no technique lessons or training and little knowledge, it has taken its toll on my vocal cords. I have always had a very "if it's not loud, heavy and passionate then it ain’t worth doing." I love to party, drink and smoke, but this is not good for a vocalist obviously. I pushed my vocal chords to the limit and yes had to have surgery twice.

What was it like to go through that?
It was terrifying as everything our band had worked towards was on the line. I drank to forget my problems and this brought the problem back, but as promised I delivered (our 2015 album) Brainwashed despite having a polyp.

Since then I have learned to respect my voice more. That means eating things that won’t harm my voice and party a little less. A voice is like a personality, and it’s different for everyone, so to any aspiring vocalist’s out there: know your boundaries.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
There have been so many bands over the years that have inspired me, from the earliest Slipknot and Soilwork records to a ton of modern day bands. I love all different genres and have a lot of respect for anyone who gets out there and tries to show the world their art. It would be a 30-page article if I was to tell you from start to finish, but there are a lot of bands that have inspired and continue to inspire me.

Who are your favorite up-and-coming bands?
Fizzy Blood, The Temple, Black Peaks, Black Foxes, Sweat Lodge.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you, anyone, that has shown us support, it means the world to us. And if you haven’t heard of us before, where the f*ck have you been [laughs]?

While She Sleeps will perform at Yugong Yishan on July 28. Tickets are RMB 260 at the door or RMB 180 in advance. For more information, click here.

Photos: Thrash Hits, Wikipedia

Temple, the epicenter for all things down and dirty, celebrates six years of rocking and rolling with an all-week anniversary showcasing some of the venue's sexiest collaborators as well as an array of everyone's favorite punk, metal, and "psycho" bands, including highlights WHAI, Scare The Children, and Gum Bleed.

The all-encompassing anniversary – six nights of madness has our livers reeling in pain just looking at it – but therein lies the beauty of Temple: even if you've lost your marbles after one hazy and Beijing jiapi-soaked evening, you would still be itching to return the very next day.

Sunday night will mark the end of the debauchery with the Gulou rock bar's annual awards ceremony whereby the establishment's finest clientele are awarded some of the city's grungiest handouts. There'll also be rock trivia and special DJ sets throughout the week just to keep things toasty until the early mornings.

Asking the almighty manager and co-founder Pink about how things were progressing now that the first night was under her belt, she told the Beijinger that everything had so far gone smoothly. Wanting to know more about how in the hell she deals with drinking shots every day, she had this to say: "After six years of drink training, my head feels totally fine and the secrecy to treating hangovers is: I tell myself that there's another drinking night waiting for you, so you have to pull yourself together." She makes it sound so easy.

So here's a salute to you Temple, for keeping it fast and loose (and free) for six years in Gulou. Check out the full schedule below. Each night is free as always and starts at 10pm:

Wednesday, July 26 - Loreli Special Showcase

Pacalolo
Free Sex Shop
Silent Speech

Thursday, July 27 - Punk Night!

Duff Beer
Last Resort
Ambulance of Love
Tumor Boy
DJ ChairmanWOW

Friday, July 28 - Psycho Rock Night!

WHAI
Gumbleed
Outsiders
DJ Skinnygetlucky

Saturday, July 29 - Music Madness Night!

Scare the Children
Acid Accident
+ Mystery band

Sunday, July 30 - Let's Party

Rock trivia
Temple anniversary ceremony
Guest bands: Swinging Barbarellas, Boss Cuts, plus DJ MasterRay

Image courtesy of Temple

It seems we here at the Beijinger have a burger problem. The problem, you ask? Not enough burgers.

Yes, we're still digging around Beijing for even more burgers, apparently still unfulfilled after our Burger Cup, and our greasy radar has led us to our next port of call: Li Burgerwich Diner and Bar, which opened at the end of last month and is located just off of Xingfuercun, on the second floor of the building next to Parlor.

Li is named after The Book of Rites (Li Ji, 礼记), a collection of writings on social forms, administration, and ceremonial rites composed during the Zhou dynasty (1046-771 BC), and constitutes the rituals of the Five Classics at the core of the Confucian canon. How this relates to good ol' barbecue meats we're not entirely sure; the owners couldn't really verbalize the thinking behind the name, but also called it Burgerwich, so the lofty and the low balance out just fine.

Formerly a Latin dance room, this airy space has over 75 seats and large windows but doesn’t look “brand new.” Instead it opts for a vintage American style thanks to the chairs and furniture that co-owner Alvin Zhao collected and shipped over from boutiques in Seattle. Highlights include an 80-year-old functioning fridge and brownish-red benches that stretch along the windows and which once served as church pews during World War II.

The menu here is simple and uncluttered, including salads (RMB 55-70); seven burgers (veggie, beef, chicken, shrimp, fish, and pork, RMB 60-85); burritos (RMB 65-70) and tacos (RMB 55-80 for three). There's also a range of snacks, such as spicy deviled eggs (RMB 35), Mexican beef meatballs with mashed potato (RMB 45), lemon chicken (RMB 30), and deep-fried chicken wings (RMB 60).

We kicked things off with the spicy deviled eggs (RMB 35), which were simple enough and featured egg yolks mixed with thousand island sauce and topped with Thai bird's eye chili and peppermint, spooned back into the boiled egg whites. The filling was flavorful and made for a combination of sauce and yolk, and a nice spicy burn from the fresh peppermint and chilies

As for the mains, it was the gourmet Mexican beef burrito (RMB 70, pictured above) and mint and mutton tacos (RMB 80) that came out on top. The former could be faulted for beef that fell on the wrong side of dry but the addition of coconut loosened the flavors and set things straight. The latter was simply a trio of tacos served with mutton, shredded lettuce, and a pinch of peppermint. The mutton was seasoned perfectly and the sauce provided a strong kick, leaving me wanting more.

The star of the meal, however, was the pulled pork and bacon burger (RMB 75). This giant burger is stuffed with bacon, pine seeds, walnuts, and a layer of juicy pulled pork on a bun and served with crunchy french fries and a side salad. Unlike the usual deep-fried bacon found on many a burger around town, this rendition is instead caramelized and marinated with special sauce. The nuts provided an added chewy texture, while the pork was neither too lean nor too fatty, but well-seasoned and juicy. Even as a serious burger eater, I found it difficult to finish the whole portion by myself.

Liquids at Burgerwich prevail at reasonable prices: 11 types of mojito with different base mixers ring in at RMB 45. Or you can choose between 27 kinds of gin, whisky, or rum highballs, including varieties that are fruit and tea-infused, as well as five baijiu-infused cocktails (RMB 45); eight classic cocktails (RMB 60); and six types of beer (RMB 25-45). There's also a daily happy hour between 8 to 11pm of all-you-can-drink for RMB 150, making this place a dangerous detour on your way in or out of Sanlitun. 

As Alvin Zhao explained on our way out, bellies warm and full, “It’s more than just a cold-hearted diner or bar, but a place for people to socialize, to treat each other with li (manners), and relax and enjoy every second, no matter whether for business, friendship or courtship." As long as you don't give the name too much credence, we'd happily agree.

Li Burgerwich Diner and Bar
Daily 11.30am-1.30pm, 6pm-12am. 2/F, Bldg G, 39-9 Xingfuercun, Chaoyang District (156 0006 8287)
礼：朝阳区幸福二村39号楼G座9号2层

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Tracy Wang, Courtesy of Li 

If you've ever wandered into a chic bottle shop hunting for some craft brews you're likely to have noticed that Belgian beer is a strong player in the scene, which would be an understatement. Belgians used to drink an average of 200 liters per year back in 1900, a figure that has since dropped to 84 liters, which is still a considerable amount, and knocking one back lives on as one of the country's favorite pastimes. Even with intake halving, 180 breweries continue to pump out their golden wares, including one particularly special and time-tested variety.

That very brewery, Halve Maan Brewery, is now bringing their quality take on beer to Beijing. Located in the UNESCO World Heritage site-approved historical city center of Bruges, the brewery was established by the Maes family in 1856, and the precious legacy has now been passed down through six generations. Now, the family has undertaken a project to fulfill their need to remain in the same city where their product was created.

A Beer Pipeline is Born

In 2016, The Halve Maan Brewery opened the world’s first underground beer pipeline. Sadly, the pipeline doesn't make a single detour into resident's houses but has instead been built to protect the medieval cobbled stone streets of Bruges. "In the past, our huge tankers constantly had to make their way through the narrow streets of Bruges,” says CEO Xavier Vanneste. “It was no longer sustainable. Thanks to this beer pipeline, we will be able to remain in the city while improving the traffic and quality of life of the residents.” 

The three-kilometer pipeline links the brewery to the bottling plant on the outskirts of the city and can maintain a beer flow of over 4,000 liters per hour, directly underneath the historic streets of Bruges.

What is a Belgian Beer?

The "Belgian Beer" label is thrown around a lot and some breweries slap it onto their product without serious grounds for using it. To protect, promote, and encourage historic and independent family breweries, a non-profit organization, Belgian Family Brewers, has developed the following criteria to separate the wheat from the chaff:

• A genuine Belgian beer must be brewed in Belgium,
• It must come from an independent family brewery that has been brewing beer for 50 years-plus or a minimum of three uninterrupted generations,
• It must be an original beer that has not been produced under another name or label.

The Halve Maan is one of the only 20 breweries that has been deemed suitable to carry the association's label of a proper Belgian brew.

For now, they only offer four types of craft beers:

Brugse Zot Blond: A golden-blond beer, brewed using four different kinds of malt and two varieties of hops. It has a fruity and spicy bouquet and rich foam with a distinctive taste and 6 percent ABV. Being the most highly decorated Belgian beer, it has won gold medals at the World Beer Awards, World Beer Cup, and the Brussels Beer Challenge.

Brugse Zot Dubbel: A dark brown beer with 7.5 percent ABV, brewed with six varieties of malt, giving it a rich and exclusive aroma with hints of honey, almonds, chocolate, and brown sugar. It has a warm glow with a bitter and hoppy finish and a coffee and licorice aftertaste. This one could work as a great morning coffee substitute if it was not for the 7.5 percent ABV.

Straffe Hendrik Tripel: A golden triple with sturdy white foam, brewed using six kinds of malt as well as Saaz and Styrian hops. It delivers spicy notes of black pepper, coriander, ginger, and orange. Hints of caramel and bitterness gently mix on the palate with a citrusy finish, and a subtle, sweet banana flavor, which thankfully balances the boozy kick of the 9 percent ABV.

Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel: Launched in 2010, the Straffe Hendrik is an intense and full-bodied beer with a rich, dark color. It pleasantly surprises with notes of spicy coriander, dark fruits, anise, and roasted chestnuts, and a syrupy taste to round it off. Don't be scared away by the steep 11 percent ABV.

Where to Find These Brews:

Beijing now has several bars that offer Halve Maan beers, simply head to the one closest to you:

• Beermania has the complete selection. Enjoy Brugse Zot Dubbel on tap and relax on the terrace for a real summer treat.
• The Rug stocks Brugse Zot Blond and Straffe Hendrik Tripel. They also cook mussels using a splash of Straffe Hendrik Tripel.
• White Tiger Village stocks Straffe Hendrik Tripel and Quadrupel. Pair one (or both) with White Tiger's gourmet skewers.
• Moxi Moxi (22 Beixintiao Santiao) have the complete selection. Sip on a Belgian beer alongside delicious Israeli cuisine, including some of our favorite pitas, falafels, and hummus.
• Twenty Nice Grill at Conrad Hotel stocks Brugse Zot Blonde and Straffe Hendrik Tripel.

Expect more venues to stock this special beer as summer progresses.

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos courtesy of Halve Maan, dailymail, hexapolis, abcnews

This past year has seen Beijing mount an urban revitalization initiative that has gotten rid of historically significant architecture, become militant over signs, and rob its trademark hutong neighborhoods of their personality. And in the void left by these departed musty things, Beijing plans to build the only logical replacement: new "streets" built to resemble "old-style" architecture.

At an opening ceremony held on the Shijingshan Amusement Park European Street (shown above), the Beijing Restaurant Association revealed that it will cooperate with several local amusement parks to build "Beijing old-style street experience“ areas as a way to rejuvenate the city's sagging restaurant industry.

The "experience areas" will be built at four amusement parks located on the outskirts of Beijing, said association director Tang Qingshun. They include the Beijing Global Theme Park to the east, Shijingshan Amusement Park to the west, and the Yueduogang Amusement Park to the north in Changping.

A fourth location to the south has yet to be confirmed.

READ: Beijing's Mystery Canal: Centuries-Old Brook Reimagined in Qianmen Neighborhood

Construction for the Global Theme Park and Yueduogang locations has already begun, with the latter expected to open by the end of the year.

As it were, demolition on the Shijingshan Amusement Park bar street began today. Slated for destruction at the beginning of the month, the six-year-old bar street had been popular with younger tourists despite drawing the ire of local residents. The area is planned to be "greenified" to make it more "livable."

The "Beijing old-style street experience" utilizes the Chinese word laozihao (老字号), a problematic label because in light of the term's continual change.

Originally having the meaning of "old brand names" or "time-honored brands,"laozihao was a way to describe century-old Beijing restaurants that have specialized in upholding the city's proud culinary traditions, like the world famous Peking duck. 

READ: New Peking Duck-Topped Pie a Highlight of Tube Station’s New Summer Menu

But although this term only truly applies to an elite group of 40 restaurants, laozihao has since been expanded to describe Beijing's urban areas built to resemble old Chinese architecture, but aren't actually what they appear to be. Laozihao has been used to describe Beijing's nouveau-old Qianmen Boulevard where its decommissioned streetcar was brought out of mothballs to serve tourist passengers.

And now, the new "experience streets" may pull laozihao away from its original meaning further still. One released promotional image (shown above) depicts a mall, suggesting these laozihao streets are not even located outside.

Then again, things left outside do tend to age quicker, so another mall is probably just what we need.

More stories from this author here.

Twitter: @Sinopath
E-mail: charlesliu1@qq.com

Images: Tujia, Visit Beijing, BTV Life

With the steamy Beijing summer firmly upon us, our thoughts are turning to fresher, lighter dishes and cold salads. Chinese cuisine boasts a wide array of cold dishes, known as liangcai (凉菜), which are usually served at the start of a meal to stimulate the appetite. These are just a few of our favorites, which can be found on the menu of most pan-Chinese and homestyle Chinese restaurants, as well as Ritz-Carlton Beijing’s Cantonese restaurant Yu, where this piece was photographed.

Shredded tofu skin salad (凉拌豆腐皮 liangban doufupi)
If you find the name “tofu skin” off-putting, try thinking of these flavorful strands of pressed tofu as “tofu noodles” instead. There are hundreds of variations of this dish, but it’s in northern China that you will most likely find the tofu skin mixed with finely shredded cabbage and carrots, and finished with savory soy sauce.

Sichuan chicken in chili oil (口水鸡 kou shui ji)
The name of this dish literally translates as “saliva chicken” and its spicy flavors with certainly get your mouth watering. Originating from Sichuan, this dish features tender poached chicken dressed with chili oil and Sichuan peppercorns. Some versions also include toasted sesame paste. As the people of Sichuan are well aware, eating spicy food actually helps to cool down your body in the long term because it makes you sweat more.

Cold tossed winged beans (凉拌四棱豆 liangban silengdou)
Liangban (凉拌, literally “cold tossed”) is a catch-all term for any number of cold vegetable dishes dressed with a light sauce, most often made with a combination of vinegar, salt, and a touch of sugar. These salad-like items are perfect for summer. Here, winged beans – a legume popular in Southeast Asia – have been given the liangban treatment.

Century eggs with ginger (姜汁皮蛋 jiangzhi pidan)
Despite the name (and their slightly alarming appearance), century eggs are not actually 100 years old. After being preserved for a few weeks in an alkaline mixture, the eggs develop a salty flavor and take on their signature dark brown hue. Slices of pickled or young ginger are often served alongside preserved eggs to counter their richness.

Cold celery and lily bulb (西芹百合 xiqin baihe)
In the West, we may think of lilies as a decorative flower but in China, the bulbs are also grown for food consumption. Lily bulbs are considered to be a yin ingredient with a cooling effect on the body, making them an essential summer ingredient. They are often combined with celery, another cooling, fresh vegetable.

Smacked cucumbers (拍黄瓜 pai huanggua)
Of all the cold dishes in the Chinese culinary canon, pai huanggua, or smacked cucumbers, is perhaps the most essential, particularly on northern Chinese tables. The secret of this dish lies in “smacking” the cucumber (not a euphemism), which allows the flavors of the sauce – usually heavy on garlic and vinegar – to mix fully with the vegetable.

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

More stories by this author here.

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Photos: Uni You