While we in Beijing keep looking towards Olympics 2022, the IOC is still sorting out the winners of 2008, and yesterday netted one of the biggest fish yet: Usain Bolt.

Bolt himself was not caught for drug use but his fellow Gold-medal winning speedster Nesta Carter on the Jamaican relay team was -- which means one less medal for one of the biggest stars for the Beijing games. Another athlete -- Russia's Tatyana Lebedeva, a silver medalist in the Long Jump and the Triple Jump, was also stripped of her medals.

Meanwhile, Olympic anticipation among China's elites continues to reach new heights. Only a few short days after Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Davos, the nation's leader popped in to one of the 2022 Games' most towering sites at Chongli.

Xi's January 23 stop to the Zhangjiakou ski resort is yet another significant sign of China's Olympic commitment. Zhangjiakou will co-host the 2022 Games with Beijing and while there the President emphasized the development of winter sports among China's youth. He also touched on safety concerns about China's slopes, a hot topic after a pair of recent high profile deaths. You can watch a video of Xi's Zhangjiakou visit here.

Aside from the slopes, China's young sports enthusiasts are also getting some encouragements on center ice. Young players from Beijing Primary School are enjoying a visit in Washington to see the local Capitals' NHL team face off against Boston Bruins on February 1, and they joined the Capitals on the ice on Monday for the team's morning skate.

Coach Barry Trotz was encouraged by the Chinese youngsters' enthusiasm, saying: "If you didn't know all these young kids are from Beijing, you'd think they're North American [with] their skill level. They're all having fun. They're working on their skills … They were telling me there are like 100 teams over there about this age group. There's a lot of girls and boys playing. That's great for both genders to be playing and enjoying our sport and growing our sport." Watch a video of the kids with the pro players here.

The effort is being called the Capitals Chinese Cultural Night, and mainland viewers can see action on the February 1 when the game is shown on CCTV. It will begin with CNY greetings from the Washington NHL players. When winter sports are making their way into a Chinese tradition as time honored as Spring Festival TV viewing, then you know that the mainland has Olympic fever.

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

Photos: Xinhua

If you're stuck in Beijing this Spring Festival, don't just spend it all at home sulking. Get out there and explore the city. Just remember that there will be crowds throughout town, and that you may have to sharpen your elbows at especially popular tourist destinations.

RELATED: Beijing F&B Opening Times During Spring Festival

Shidu: Beijing's Answer to Guilin
You don’t need to travel all the way to Guilin to see stunning riverside rock formations. Sure, that southern tourist hotspot makes for an iconic backdrop, but a smaller and nearly-as-pretty locale sits a mere 100 km from Beijing. Indeed, the outlying Shidu Park has long been a major draw for Beijingers seeking an escape from the busy city.

Exploring Wudaokou and Yuanmingyuan Park
At the northwest corner of Beijing lies both a historic and scenic gem: Yuanmingyuan Park, aka the Old Summer Palace. As another summer home to the emperors of the Qing dynasty, Yuanmingyuan spans across 350 acres of intricately designed landscapes, gazebos, and palaces, much of which were destroyed in the late 19th century by foreign invaders. The unfortunate story of the park contributes to its old-time charm: the restoration and reopening of the remains enable visitors to, quite literally, walk through history and see the rise and ruin of a dynasty first-hand.

A Day Out at Nangong Scenic Area
Nangong Scenic Area is located 20 miles southwest of the center of Beijing, in Wangzuo town, Fengtai district. That’s quite a trek if you live in Chaoyang or Shunyi, but the numerous attractions make it well worth a day trip including hot springs, as pictured above.

Tower Heist! Answers on the Roof of an Abandoned Building in Dongzhimen
A slightly different take on your average day trip, ever the intrepid explorer, Morgan Short called upon the skills and knowledge of Beijing's primo urban explorer at Burbex to scale the abandoned bus station-adjacent mall in Dongzhimen. If you're thinking of going, be safe, and let's hope that Morgan never got around to using that toilet paper.

All Aboard Beijing's 'Flying Saucer'– If You Dare
In May there came news of a giant glass-and-steel UFO appearing on the ledge of a mountain 80 kilometers outside of the city. Unsurprisingly, droves swarmed there to experience what it is like to dangle 1,300 feet above the ground on a glorified piece of glass.

Jiankou Great Wall
China is synonymous with the words ‘great’ and ‘wall’, especially when combined together. If you haven’t seen this masterpiece of ancient construction yet, you owe it to yourself to conquer one of the most picturesque, and quite possibly the most challenging, part of the wall near Beijing at Jiankou. This part of the wall costs RMB 20 to get in. To get there, take bus 917 from Dongzhimen to Huairou Fangshan, from there you will find multiple buses going to Jiankou/Arrow Nock. 

– Rhea Jiang, Erin Strong,Tom Arnstein, Morgan Short, Kyle Mullin, Andrew Killeen, and Lily Zhao contributed to this blog.

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Rhea Jiang, Lily Zhao, jiankou-great-wall.com, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Morgan Short, Katie Brailsford

Has there ever been a blander name for a holiday than “Spring Festival”? What the hell does it even mean? It’s held in the middle of winter. In North China we celebrate "spring" by huddling around in weather so frigid sheep start voluntarily walking up to chuan'r stands saying, “Seriously bro, let’s just do this.”

For thousands of years it was simply called the New Year, at least according to the lunar-solar calendar. So what changed?

Well, the calendar for one.  

On January 1, 1912 Sun Yat-sen declared the founding of the Republic of China. One of the perks carried over from the old imperial era was that the founder of a new government gets to set the calendar. Sun chose the Gregorian calendar and, to avoid any confusion, declared January 1 “New Year’s Day." This required a re-branding of the Lunar-Solar New Year as something else, which is when the term “Spring Festival” was born.  

In 1928, Chiang Kai-shek decided to take it a step further linking the old and new New Year holidays. Chiang declared henceforth that Chinese New Year and Spring Festival would be celebrated as a single holiday each January 1. This was another one of Chiang’s brilliant “But-that’s-the-way-they-do-it-in-Japan" ideas.

In fact, Japan still does it, but in China this only lasted one year. Spring Festival 1929 was held according to the traditional Lunar-Solar Calendar.

When the PRC was established in 1949, Mao decided to keep the Gregorian calendar and with it the name “Spring Festival” to refer to the Lunar New Year. Over time however many of the more colorful customs associated with the holiday such as the burning of the Kitchen God or visiting a temple to pray for luck and fortune gave way to government campaigns against feudal superstition.

During the Lunar New Year 1967, the first “Spring Festival” of the Cultural Revolution era, workers were encouraged to turn in their train tickets and celebrate with overtime. Village loudspeakers blared messages telling farmers that nothing said “New Year spirit!” like digging irrigation ditches. For the next thirteen years, few dared to openly celebrate the Lunar New Year. 

In 1979 an op-ed appeared in the People’s Daily asking “Where is Spring Festival?” The next year the fireworks returned.

In 1983, the first 春节晚会 Spring Festival Gala debuted on CCTV and had people immediately regretting the return of the holiday.

Stupid name or not, it is a special time. Over the next few days, families will gather to eat, drink and remind everyone of all the horrible things they’ve done to each other over the past year.  Then the whole family goes outside to toss lighted firecrackers at loved ones.

I love it.  Even if spring still feels like it’s months away.

More stories by this author here.

Jeremiah Jenne is a writer, educator, and historian based in Beijing since 2002. A version of this post was originally published on the blog Jottings from the Granite Studio. Jeremiah also leads public walks and programs at Beijing by Foot.

Image: Chineseposters.net

Did anyone spot La La Land director Damien Chazelle and actor Ryan Gosling out last night in Beijing? They were here yesterday to promote their new film so it’s pretty likely they had a moment of celebration after the modern day musical landed a record-tying 14 Academy Awards nominations, matching it with Titanic.

As we reported earlier, that film will be hitting Chinese cinema screens on Valentine’s Day, February 14. While there are plenty of nominated films that are probably not going to make it to theaters or legal streaming services here (Fences, Hidden Figures, Lion, Manchester by the Sea, and Moonlight to name some) there are a few.

The films you’re most likely to be able to see legally in China generally fall into the categories of ‘Best Picture’ and ‘Animated Feature Film’. Here are the nominees you can watch before the winners are announced at the 89th annual Academy Awards on February 26:

Best Picture

Arrival (降临): Currently in theaters

Hacksaw Ridge (血战钢锯岭): Currently in theaters, but probably not for much longer

La La Land (爱乐之城): In theaters on Valentine’s Day, February 14

Hell or High Water (赴汤蹈火): Available to stream on bilibili (registration required)

Animated Feature Film

Kubo and the Two Strings (魔弦传说): Currently in theaters

The Red Turtle (红海龟): Available to stream on AcFun观看 

Zootopia (疯狂动物城): Currently available to stream on Youku (First 10 minutes are free, register to watch the rest for free)  

Unfortunately, Moana (海洋奇缘) is no longer in theaters. There’s no indication at the moment that other nominated films such as My Life as a Zucchini will get a cinematic release in China this year.

More stories by this author here.
Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
Instagram: s.xuagram

Photos:

enorth.com.cn, Mtime

Our roundup of fun daytrips conintues (see part one here). If you still don't have travel plans for Spring Festival then be sure to check out both of these lists- from there you'll have no excuse to sullenly sit at home throughout the holiday. But, as always, we remind you to brace yourself for crowds as visitors from across the country make their way to the capital to see its renowned tourist destinations.

RELATED: Beijing F&B Opening Times During Spring Festival

Cuandixia Village: A Peek at Ming and Qing Dynasty Village Life
A 400-year-old village with more than 70 preserved courtyards, Cuandixia village is a popular day trip, located about 90km away from Beijing. The village is sometimes called the “Potala Palace” of the Beijing region due to its location on a slope. While that may be a bit of a stretch, the area and surrounding scenery is beautiful and makes for a good 12-to-36-hour escape if you have returning visitors who can’t be bothered going to the Great Wall yet again.

Beidaihe and Qinhuangdao
Beidaihe’s cool coastal climate and proximity to Beijing have made it a favorite getaway for Chinese and foreigners alike since the early 20th century. The city of Qinhuangdao itself is mostly a port town and is also known for its water sports, but the best beaches are to be found in the district of Beidaihe, just south down the coast.

Uncovering Beijing’s Literary and Ideological Past
If you're looking for a more in-depth tour through some of Beijing's most historically significant areas, then you might want to give Beijing by Heart a call (read this example of a walk through the former residence of writer Lao She, the Red Building of the old Peking University, and Zhongshan Park). You can also try Newman Tours, who pride themselves on submersive and humorous tours throughout the city.

Scaled Models and Sights of Qianmen at the Beijing Planning Exhibition Center
Perhaps not your typical idea of a day out, the Beijing Planning Exhibition Center offers a unique look at how Beijing has taken shape over the past 50 years, and although somewhat lacking for a city so vast, the highlight is by far the scale model, which is so detailed it allows you to pinpoint your house, place of work, or nearest green space.

Take a Hike and Minimize Expenditure at Beijing’s Natural Attractions
In this blog, we rounded up the best of Beijing's options for taking a hike, including the Fragrant Hills, Jingshan, and the sultry "Mystical Peaks," among others. Read more about other recommendations by Beijing Hikers here.

– Robynne Tindall, Tom Arnstein, Sally Wilson, and Lily Zhao contributed to this blog.

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Margaux Schreurs, Sui, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Wikicommons

It's no secret that many, if not most, of Beijing's esteemed dining establishments are about to close for Spring Festival (check out our handy guide here), but instead of panicking about how you'll feed yourself for those interminable three to four days, why not take this opportunity to improve your Chinese cooking skills?

We've collated some of the recipes that have appeared on thebeijinger.com over the past couple of months so you can find them all in one place. So crack out that wok and invite your other left-behind friends over for a nice hot serving of kungpao chicken.

Stir fried dishes

Everyone's favorite Chinese dish: kungpao chicken
Although originally a Sichuan dish, gongbao jiding is available in some shape or form at pretty much any restaurant across China. That being said, it is very easy to recreate at home provided you remember the three key words of cooking Chinese dishes: preparation, preparation, preparation. Also note that this recipe produces a darker, saucier, less sticky version of gongbao jiding than the restaurant versions you may be used to. But that's the beauty of home cooking – you can adapt the recipe to suit your tastes. Trying to cut down on sugar? Leave it out. Peanut allergy? Swap the peanuts for cashews. 

Stick-to-your-ribs red-cooked pork
There's nothing in particular to say that red-cooked pork is a winter dish, but the combination of plentiful and gelatinous fat and sticky dark sauce definitely gives it a rib-sticking feel. Red-cooked pork is a great dish to cook on a chilly weekend afternoon, since after a few bits of prep it basically just needs to sit and bubble away on the stove for an hour or so, leaving you free to get on with other things. 

Sichuan dry-fried green beans, made with meat or without
For many, no meal at a Sichuan restaurant (or most home-style Chinese restaurants for that matter) would be complete without a plate of dry-fried green beans (ganbian sijidou, 干煸四季豆). A classic trap for vegetarians, the beans are usually seasoned with a small amount of ground pork. However, the pork is easily left out (or even substituted for beef if you eat meat but not pork), making this adaptable dish a great one to have in your repertoire.

Homestyle stir-fried eggs and tomatoes
If you’ve been living in China for a while, you’ve probably realized that tomatoes fried with eggs (西红柿炒鸡蛋, xihongshi chao jidan) is an extremely common household dish that appears often throughout restaurants and on the dinner table of the average Beijing family, including my own for as long as I can remember. Below, is a very simple recipe for how to make this dish, and perhaps through experimentation, you can create your own version of it specific to your tastes (for example, in some parts of China, it is common for this to be cooked to have a slightly sweet taste, but the version provided below will be savory).

Adaptable, spicy dry-pot cauliflower
Dry pot (gānguō) dishes appear frequently on the menus of Hunan, Sichuan, and homestyle cuisine restaurants. Exceedingly versatile, gānguō dishes can feature any combination of meat, vegetables and bean curd, although they are almost always laced with fresh and dried chilies for a healthy hit of spice. It might look complicated, but this must-order restaurant dish is actual very easy to recreate at home. This recipe is a sort of mash-up of the Hunan and Sichuan versions of the dish, adding the black beans and fresh chilies popular in Hunan cuisine but omitting that cuisine’s smoked pork in favor of belly pork. 

Noodles

Author Carolyn Phillips' recipe for zhajiangmian
Zhajiang literally translates as "deep-fried sauce" and although the cooking method for this dish doesn't actually involve any deep frying, the combination of fatty pork, oil, and sweet bean paste does combine to make an incredibly rich, umami-laden sauce. A small amount of the sauce is mixed with cooked noodles, while shredded vegetables like cucumber and radish further cut through the richness. The version below also includes cubes of fried eggplant.

Thick and tasty biangbiang noodles
Not leaving the house provides a great opportunity to try this recipe for Xi’an’s most famous noodles, biangbiang mian. The word biang is said to come from the sound the noodles make as you slap them against your chopping board or kitchen bench (see below). According to legend, the word went without a character for hundreds of years until a starving and impoverished scholar offered to invent one in exchange for a free bowl of noodles.  

Vegetarian dandan noodles
Along with kungpao chicken, mapo tofu, and laziji, dandan noodles are one of the classic dishes of the Sichuan culinary canon. The name comes from the traditional carrying pole (担担 dàndàn) that was used by walking street vendors selling the dish. The pole was carried over the shoulder, with two baskets containing noodles and sauce attached at either end. Although you may associate this dish with street food, it is actually easy to do and makes an impressive side dish for a homecooked Chinese meal. It also happens to be pretty easy to make this dish vegetarian, replacing the usual pork (or beef) with finely chopped mushrooms – perfect for a meat-free Monday. If you have your doubts, note that I served this to a hardened carnivore and he could barely tell it didn't have meat in it.  

Cold appetizer

Garlicky smacked cucumbers
What meal in China is complete without a plate of tangy, garlicky smacked cucumber salad, or pai huanggua? Many will associate this dish most fondly with summer evenings spent outside Beijing's many fly-by-night chuan'r bars, where its vinegared sauce provides a counterpoint to skewers of richly spiced lamb (and, if you believe in that sort of thing, acts as a cooling, or 'yin,' food). In fact, the dish is not exclusive to Beijing, popping up across many of China's cuisines with slightly adjusted flavorings – more sugar on the eastern coast, chili and Sichuan pepper in Sichuan and Hunan. 

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Wikimedia, Robynne Tindall, Lily Zhao, Garth Wilson

We believe that one of the key ways to keep people interested in Beijing is by revamping your menu with new, good dishes. Thankfully, we find that there is no shortage of new dishes, including, most recently, at Mediterranean restaurant Casa Talia by Tiago in Raffles City. Aside from the original delicious tapas and dishes, we were invited back to try the 48 new dishes adding just a little extra innovation to their menu. 

Taking a deep breath, we kicked off with lobster with avocado bruschetta (RMB 32 for one, or RMB 88 per serving of four) and roasted tenderloin (RMB 18 for one, or RMB 48 per serving of four). Both were quite tasty and refreshing, with the homemade bruschetta dyed in squid ink, leading to a good balance between the lobster and the avocado. The tenderloin was soft and richened with molten cheese and balsamic onion. We also recommend trying the beef tongue (RMB 28), which is grilled until soft and seasoned with black garlic sauce, served with grilled asparagus.

We then opted for the fresh octopus and potato salad (RMB 98), and instead of putting the dressing on the side, they float the ingredients in a vinaigrette made of olive oil and apple vinegar. The boiled octopus was tender and accompanied by other ingredients such as egg, avocado, chunks of juicy grapefruit, olives, boiled cubed potato, and green bell pepper. This whole mix was great for sharing.

They have also upgraded the seadfood paella (RMB 98 or RMB 178 for a larger portion), with added green peas, corn, and everything we love under the sea, such as squid, mussels, prawns, and scallops. With every bite, you're guaranteed to be eating different types of seafood, making it my go-to paella in Beijing. Oh, did we mention the secret is fresh seafood broth made using a whopping 10kg of shrimp everyday? On the non-seafood side of things, we recommend trying the truffle risotto (RMB 98), which comes with pan seared foie gras that adds some gluttonous pleasure, and acidity from additional grapefruit.

To wash these delicacies down, we ordered the earl grey tea (RMB 28) which is really thick and almost served as a sort of dessert. A real guilty pleasure to round off this meal at a restaurant which satisfies our cravings, every time. 

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Casa Tlia, Tracy Wang

The gray and dreary Beijing winter is here, and who wants to spend Beijing's frigid, dark days locked up in a boring, dead-end job, with horrible colleagues you'd rather never see? As our beloved reader, you should know that you don't have to submit yourself to such an unbearable situation. Instead, take a look below at the best of our job Classifieds:

Senior Editor
Our sister magazine beijingkids is looking for a senior editor. The person in this role helps with the planning and production of beijingkids magazine and website by planning, writing, collecting, and editing assignments, actively participating in the online forums, and working as a checkpoint to ensure that the production flow runs according to schedule. You would represent beijingkids and True Run Media at external events, and liaise with community partners and clients to obtain relevant information and documents to support the brand’s strategic direction.

Art Director
TSL Education is an international education organisation based in Beijing composed of team of people from all over the globe including China, The UK, The US, Australia, Canada, Venezuela, Russia and Malaysia. They are currently looking for an art director who would be instrumental in growing the TSL creative department delivering powerful creative solutions. The art director will conceptualize, develop and understand design strategy in an array of projects across the business from print to digital design with particular focus on editorial and branding design projects.

Community Manager
This role is based in Beijing and reports to the product manager. As community manager you will work closely together with game design and product management to ensure consistent communication between the community and the company. You will maintain a list of game review sites and ensure 6waves' games are being covered. The same gaming company is also looking for a product manager.

Sales and Marketing Representative
Vandergeeten and EG DistriSelecta are a leading distributor of fine European beverages and confectionary products. They are looking for someone to develop business through horeca and special channels. This person would be in charge of a portfolio of frozen food for Beijing. A high level of Chinese is required (at least oral).

Art Teacher
Atelier, an art school based in Beijing, is looking for a freelance art teacher to join their team. If you've got the experience, are enthusiastic, and want to apply for the position, send your information to the email address in the classified linked in the heading.

More stories by this author here.
Instagram: s.xuagram

Photo: True Run Media

Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall (北京黄花城水长城) isn’t an ordinary hike of the world-famous attraction. It’s a retreat from the hustle and bustle of crowded and polluted Beijing. And for those who have already gone to the more “touristy” Great Wall sections like Mutianyu and Badaling, Huanghuacheng is an amazing sight without the usual crowds (although we can't guarantee what the crowds will be like during Spring Festival).

RELATED: Best Beijing Day Trips  

Last weekend, Foreigner China Network (WeChat: foreignerandchina) organized a trip to Huanghuacheng, in the northern Beijing district of Huairou. The journey took almost 1 hour and 45 minutes from our rendezvous at Huixinxijie subway Line 10 station, with about 20 minutes at a petrol station for a quick stop.

When we got off the bus, we entered a small village with some convenience stores and restaurants (closed when we arrived) to the main entrance. Not surprisingly, our group of about 30 people was among the few that visited the area.

We started climbing the western side of the wall, near the broken end by the dam. From thereon, the trek was full of high steps and steep descents, but it was enjoyable as we were the only people there. Our group was composed of people from different nations; there was a Cuban couple who visited their daughter in Beijing. Some hikers I met were from Mongolia, Egypt, Nepal, and Pakistan.

The hike, I must say, is quite difficult but rewarding. One of the must-see spots is the “submerged” part of the wall near the lake (which was probably caused by the dam). The lake was so frozen that in some parts you could see how thick the ice was. It was not possible, however, to see the bricks beneath the ice. After indulging in that spot, we went to the “sand beach” or the lake coastline through a bridge, The beach is the entry to a forest at the feet of one of the mountains. The flat plains from the beach to the forest are in many ways an area where one can relax, but be prepared as the way up to one of the highest Great Wall towers is very hard to climb.

We took a 30-minute break at the top and ate our snacks. The way down back to the beach is equally difficult. But instead of taking the bridge route, we went to the frozen dam through the mountainside. This route is a little easier.

The whole hike lasted for a good 3 hours. As I said, it’s rewarding since you have the chance to talk with other hikers during the climb. The trip can be a short weekend escape and also an alternative to temple fairs this Lunar New Year. FCN regularly posts announcements of trips to Huanghuacheng via their WeChat (foreignerandchina).

Travel essentials/notes

• An entrance ticket costs RMB 45 for adults and RMB 23 for students/children
• Bring packed lunch and water as there are no open restaurants along the route.
• Wear warm clothes and gloves
• Mobile signal is pretty strong but low temperatures tend to drain mobile batteries fast

How to get there

• By bus: From Ditie Shaoyaoujuzhan stop, aboard Bus 942 Rapido towards Chawu Huochezhan. Get off at Qiaozi station (after 25 stops, approximately 1hr 7min ride) then ride on Line H21 bus toward Xishuiyu for 1hr 35min. The terminus is Xishuiyu village and from there, walk about 800m to the entrance.
• By car/driving: It is highly recommended to take a group trip to Huanghuacheng. FCN offers a day trip worth RMB 100 which covers the ride, a bottle of water, and an insurance for the one-day trip.

This post first appeared on our sister website beijingkids.

Photos: Andy Penafuerte

Beijing's PM2.5 concetration reached a mere 647 micrograms per cubic meter at its peak during Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) celebrations, down 7.6 percent from 2016's peak, as fireworks sales fell about five percent, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

PM 2.5 concentration peaked at 700 during last year's Spring Festival, so 647 at 2am on Saturday is an improvement from, say, the atmosphere on Venus to the atmosphere on Jupiter.

It's the second highest level of pollution over Spring Festival's peak fireworks period of the last five years, with 2016 the worst.

However, to look at it as the Glass Half Empty, the AQI for the 24-hour period that included Chinese New Year's Eve (typically the peak time for fireworks) this year was 395, significantly worse than the same period over last Chinese New Year's Eve, which hit 238, according to data from the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

Saturday's 395 is not even good for the worst day over the past month -- that title belongs to Jan 1, when the AQI hit 470.

Multiple pleas by city officials to control residents' pyromaniacal tendencies fell on deaf ears. Regulations were aimed mostly at constricting supply by limiting the number of pop-up fireworks retailers within the Fifth Ring. Enterprising celebrants had no problem finding fireworks by merely heading out to the suburbs.

Despite this, sales of fireworks have decreased since 2011, the Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center said. Government officials have been ordered not to light fireworks themselves, in order to reduce air pollution. 

So why did the air still get bad? Part of it is weather: there's no controlling wind and temperature inversions. Additionally, Beijing's neighboring province of Hebei did not have nearly as many restrictions, so its residents blew things up with the same reckless abandon they have for past years. Pollution monitoring apps showed some cities in Hebei peaking at an amazing 1,838 micrograms per cubic meter during one overnight hour.

Fireworks will remain on sale until February 1, and may be used through February 11. They are banned within the Second Ring Road and restricted within the Fifth Ring Road. For all the rules and a couple of recommendations on where to buy things that can blow your hand/head off, see our article. 

For anyone chafing under these rules, head out to the bedroom community of Yanjiao, 30 kilometers east of Guo Mao. Officially part of Hebei province but not connected to any other part of it, Yanjiao enjoys complete fireworks freedom.

Photo: San Francisco Ballet

Situated opposite Lucky Lopez in the quiet yard of 34 Sanlitun Nan, Maoxishi Dessert Shop opened mid-August but it has come into its own in the colder months. That’s because this cozy 11-square-meter white-fronted shop has room for only two tables; four to six people can be seated inside, creating a welcoming den. The interior décor is simple: wood and matcha green and almond white walls.

Owner and food author Pan Xiaoye, who has a whopping 550,000-plus followers on Weibo, has filled the store with souvenirs from her travels as well as cat trinkets, an apparant love of hers.

Pan started off at the Farm to Neighbors Market in 2014, selling almond tofu, matcha tofu, and almond cookies. From there, she launched the Maoxishi brand. For her, the shop is “more like a salon to meet new friends. A lot of our customers who share the same philosophy of pursuing the good life become good friends. We do not only provide tasty desserts, but also a good atmosphere.”

The shop keeps its selection small and specialized: matcha (green tea) mille crêpe cake (RMB 40), cheesecake with almond and sesame (RMB 29), and matcha cheesecake with vanilla (RMB 32). Other offerings include snacks (almond tofu and cookies) and a handful of hot drinks. The crêpes are particularly special given that they only make 10 a day. Cakes come carefully presented on The Little Prince-patterned plates. 

Our favorite of the lot was the matcha cheesecake with vanilla, which struck a balance between sweet, creamy (from the cheese), and smooth, thanks to the matcha powder imported especially from Kyoto. Pan explains: “There’s not much of a secret in the process of baking. If you insist on me divulging mine, it’s all about the ingredients. We only use the best ingredients we can find.”
Her attention to detail and delicious desserts make this humble shop a welcome addition to the neighborhood, and we can’t wait for it to garner greater appreciation. 

Maoxishi Dessert Shop

Daily 11am-9pm. Jia 34 Sanlitun Nan (opposite Lucky Lopez), Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District (131 2177 5707)

猫西施甜品店：朝阳区新东路三里屯南甲34号院内（Lucky Lopez对面）

This article originally appeared in the January/February issue of the Beijinger, which you can read here via Issuu, via the PDF here, or in hard copy at all of your favorite venues across town.

 

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Uni You, Tracy Wang

Although it's still early enough in the new year for most resolutions to remain unbroken, the Chinese internet is already buzzing with the newest online viral phrase of 2017.

Over the years, many counterfeit products have been made in China, so it's finally time for counterfeit culture to make something of its own. For example, China's newest funny way of making lame excuses comes in the form of this phrase: It‘s possible I may have (verbed) a fake (object). 

In Chinese and pinyin this would read: 我可能 (verb) 了假 (object) and Wǒ kěnéng (verb) le jiǎ (object).

This meme reference China's copycat culture (山寨 shānzhài) as a convenient way to shift blame by using an excuse that no one could ever take seriously.

Here's some examples to get familiar with this trending phrase:

Are you getting poor grades in school? Well, it may not be your fault. Just tell your teacher: 我可能复习了假书 It's possible I may have studied from a fake textbook (Wǒ kě néng fù xí le jiǎ shū).

China is rife with fake food that can make people unhealthy. Just the same, its classrooms may be filled with fake education resulting in poor education. So if you have trouble following your professor's lesson, you can say: 我可能听的是假课 It's possible I may have been following a fake lecture (Wǒ kěnéng tīng de shì jiǎ kè).

Or, you can make a bigger accusation by saying: 我可能上的是假大学 It's possible I may have been attending a fake university (Wǒ kěnéng shàng de shì jiǎ dàxué).

The meme contains many references to school because it is very popular with young students who can sympathize with giving excuses to stern teachers.

However, the meme's first appearance on the net doesn't have to do with school:

我可能是喝了假酒 It's possible I may have drunk fake alcohol (Wǒ kěnéng shì hē le jiǎ jiǔ).

NetEase reports that the meme may have originated from player communities of Counter Strike: Go, a competitive online first-person shooter video game. Another theory connects the meme to a counterfeit alcohol case in Russia that caused several deaths.

What we do know for sure is that this phrase is associated with the fake terracotta warriors news story that happened earlier this month in which a popular blog complaining about tourist scams in Xi'an led to police action.

Although the blogger didn't coin the phrase herself, many Chinese internet stories about the incident have used the same grammatic structure: 可能参观了假兵马俑 "...may have visited the fake terracotta warriors" (Wǒ kě néng cānguān le jiǎ bīng mǎ yǒng).

While the meanings are different, this meme is very similar to the "I've made a huge mistake" running gag from the cult TV show Arrested Development in which an admission of guilt comes too late to be of any use. Like, say from behind bars.

China's newest meme likewise implies that it's too late to be making excuses, but it's funny all the same to try, especially using an awkward grammatic form.

Is it possible you have been read a fake blog? Here are some more examples:

Having relationship problems? Does your boyfriend not listen to you during intimate moments or otherwise? That's when you'd say: 我可能是交了假男友 It's possible I may be going out with a fake boyfriend (Wǒ kěnéng shì jiāo le jiǎ nányǒu).

Did you burn the midnight oil and stay up all night? You can tell your boss you were late for work by explaining: 我可能睡了假觉 It's possible I may have slept a false sleep (Wǒ kěnéng shuì le jiǎ jiào).

Have you ever had an opinion that you were convinced is the right one, only to find out you were wrong? Well, it's not your fault. Just tell people that: 我可能长了个假脑 It's possible I may have grown a fake brain in my head (Wǒ kě néng cháng liǎo gè jiǎ nǎo).

This meme would go on to inspire others, but not before it flared out magnificently in what may be the final form of this particular meme.

If someone accuses you have not having any humanity, you could just reply in return: 我可能是个假人 It's possible I may be a fake person (Wǒ kěnéng shì gè jiǎ rén).

Mandarin Monday is a weekly column where – similar to our Mandarin Month series from last year – we help you improve your Chinese by detailing fun and practical phrases and characters. 

More stories from this author here.

Images: Wiki, NetEase

We believe that it shouldn't be the end of world when your favorite Wuhan hot dry noodles (热干面, règānmiàn) Morning (at Chunxiu Lu) closes for Chinese New Year. That's why we went to find you (and ourselves) an alternative. 

Maybe you have already heard this legendary story: an uncle from Hubei started selling Wuhan noodles at a hawker-style stall near Shuangjing several years ago, and patrons started calling him Uncle Hot. Because he was so successful, he managed to make it all the way to Sanlitun, to open a restaurant with more than 20 seats in 3.3 Shopping Center.

The menu is simple, with the basic traditional hot dry noodles (RMB 23), as well as noodles with egg, spam, beef, fish balls or beef balls (RMB 27-32), soup noodles (RMB 27-35), and several Wuhan dishes (RMB 16-58). We opted for the traditional rendition of the noodles, comparing them to the one at Morning. Unfortunately we felt they were lacking in that thick majiang sauce, the noodles were drier, and there was a definite shortage of dried vegetable chops. Yes, these are definitely not the best hot dry noodles we’ve had, but the preserved turnip chops were crisp and flavorful. At this point, we miss Morning even more.

Our favorite was the signature Lotus Root with Baby (RMB 36), which, thankfully has no real human babies in the dish, but is steamed lotus root slices stuffed with meat. There was a delicious sauce, thick soft slices of lotus root, and the meat added a savory meaty touch. As for the drinks, they offer Yanjing (RMB 10), Budweiser, 1664, and Delirium (RMB 20-25). We tried the traditional rice wine (米酒, RMB 8), which was served hot and sweet, a good winter drink.

While this may not be a permanent replacement for Morning's hot dry noodles, we will be back here for the lotus dish. Do avoid heading over between 12pm and 1pm, when the restaurant is really busy with nearby office workers taking their well-deserved lunch break.

Uncle Hot
Daily 11am-11pm. 3-3017, 3.3 Shopping Center, 33 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (5136 5177)
热大叔热干面：朝阳区三里屯路33号3.3大厦3层3017

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Tracy Wang

Korean cuisine may seem daunting to make at home if you've never done it before, but trust me when I say that it's actually pretty easy. The basic ingredients needed to make simple Korean dishes like barbecued meats and spicy stews are available from most supermarkets and won't set you back very much cash, so you can experiment with abandon. I've rounded up a few of the basics you should always have in your cupboard if you're interested in Korean cuisine.  

Note that these are just the very basics, the type of stuff you can get easily from most supermarkets. For an incredibly detailed breakdown of Korean pantry staples, see this post by the doyenne of Korean recipe blogging, Maangchi. It also helps to stock up on garlic, scallions, onions, and garlic. 

Gochujang (chili paste) 甜辣酱
This addictive sauce is at once salty, sweet, and spicy. Made from mild ground red pepper, rice, fermented soy beans, and salt, it is used to make a variety of dipping sauces, side dishes, and meat and fish cakes. 

Doenjang (soy bean paste) 黄豆酱
Similar to miso, doenjang is made from fermented soy beans, salt, and either rice or wheat, and is often used to add an umami flavor to soups and stews. A good quality brand of doenjang should smell earthy rather than overly fermented and not be too dark in color. 

Soy sauce 酱油
The flavor of Korean soy sauce is ever so slightly different from standard Chinese brands, but not so most people would notice. I'm by no means an expert, but I've found that Chinese brands labeled 酱油 rather than 生抽 tend to work slightly better in Korean dishes.

Sesame oil 芝麻油／香油
Sesame oil adds a strong nutty flavor to dressings and dipping sauces. 

Toasted sesame seeds 熟白芝
Add a nutty crunch to vegetable side dishes and can be used as a garnish for grilled meats. Buy these in small quantities, or buy raw ones and toast them yourself, as they can go off quickly.

Hot pepper flakes 辣椒粉
Korean hot pepper flakes are milder than Chinese versions, adding bright red color but not too much heat to dishes. You can use standard Chinese-brand chili flakes, but adjust the recipe to taste. 

Kimchi 辣白菜
Where to start with kimchi. There are as many types of kimchi as there are households, but most people will be familiar with the spicy napa cabbage version. Served as an appetizer (banchan) and/or pickle with most meals, kimchi can also be used to make piquant stews and tasty kimchi pancake. 

You can most of these ingredients, including the gochujang and doenjang, from larger branches of supermarkets like Jinkelong and Carrefour. However, if you really want to make your dishes taste authentic, it's worth seeking out a market specializing in Korean products, such as Baisijia Caishichang (北京百思佳菜市场) in Wangjing (413 Wangjing Xiyuan, Futong Xidajie 阜通西大街望京西园413号). This hidden-away market is a mecca for all things Korean – all things food-related that is. Whether you’re looking to spice things up with a little chili paste or get funky with some aged kimchi, this is the place to get it, along with popular Korean cuts of meat (think bulgogi), imported Korean condiments, and a wiggling array of fresh seafood. 

Now put some of those ingredients to good use in this recipe for the Korean classic bulgogi, marinated grilled beef.

Bulgogi
Adapted from New York Times Cooking
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

• 500g well-marbled beef, such as sirloin (note: you can buy ready-sliced beef for grilling from Korean markets, or ask a butcher to do it for you)
• 4 large garlic cloves
• 1 ripe Asian pear, peeled and roughly chopped
• Half an onion, chopped
• 1 tsp ginger, chopped 
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp roasted sesame oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• ½ tsp black pepper

To serve: whole lettuce leaves; cooked rice; kimchi; ssamjang (addictive spicy-sweet barbecue sauce)

Instructions:

1. If you're slicing the beef yourself: Wrap the beef in plastic wrap and put it in the freezer for around an hour. Take the beef out and slice it against the grain into slices less than 0.5cm thick.
2. In a blender or food processor, blend the garlic, pear, onion, and ginger to a smooth purée. 
3. In a large container combine the beef, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, black pepper, and the contents of the blender. Mix thoroughly then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
4. Once you're ready to cook, if you're using a Korean-style table top barbecue or, alternatively, an outside gas/charcoal barbecue, place the meat on the grill in batches and cook, turning often, until browned and just cooked through. You can also use a large frying pan or wok. Simply heat the pan over a high heat and add all of the meat and its marinade. Cook for a few minutes, stirring all the time, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the meat is cooked through. 

How to eat: Place a lettuce leaf in the palm of your hand, then top it with a small clump of rice, a couple of pieces of meat, and a dab of sauce (you can also add kimchi or other pickles at this stage). Wrap up the lettuce and eat – Korean etiquette dictates that you should eat the parcels in one mouthful like a canapé.

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Instagram: @gongbaobeijing
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Photos: Flickr, Robynne Tindall

A leading expert in Chinese traditional medicine (TCM) says "anti-smog teas" are not a reliable method of dealing with China's numerous severe smog attacks.

Liu Quanqing, president of the Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, recently told a CCTV report that herbal teas can not effectively counteract the harmful effects of air pollution and recommended consumers not to purchase such "misleading" products

"I've looked at many formulas. They all contain ingredients that are medicines and can't be used as food, which may cause health problems if taken for a long time," said Liu.

Liu said a single prescription can not be routinely applied to every person with the same result, and said that prolonged exposure to any medicinal tea can have adverse effects.

Liu also said foods like kelp, radish and wood-ear fungus are similarly ineffective against alleviating health conditions brought on by smog.

Liu defended his position by explaining the food we eat doesn't affect the way we breathe because digestion and breathing are two separate bodily systems. Liu distinguished food as being digested and absorbed in our digestive systems, while PM 2.5 particles enter our respiratory system through our noses. 

Of course, his opinion is not shared universally amongst TCM practicitioners; in fact, The Paper detailed how one university in Henan distributed anti-smog tea to all its students after a particularly bad stretch of polluted days at the beginning of January.

Though it was billed to students as "smog prevention medicine"预防雾霾中药“ the university later clarified to position to journalists. "To say that it prevents the negative effects of air pollution is maybe not the correct way of phrasing it. Actually this concoction is meant to relieve the symptoms of respiratory distress that air pollution causes," one representative said.

Winter is commonly the most polluted time of the year in China, during which the annual heating season takes place. And like last year, high emissions have resulted in smog red alerts issued for a number of Chinese cities, thereby raising public awareness of potential health risks.

But the awareness only goes so far. Because air masks and air purifying machines may be an seen as a "luxury" item, some people have turned to traditional Chinese medicine as a relatively inexpensive alternative.

Traditional Chinese medicine differs from Western medicine in that it takes a holistic approach towards treating patients, and aims to help provide a healthy lifestyle in which illnesses are prevented.

It is with this approach that gave rise to the mass appeal of anti-smog tea. Instead of "immunizing" against the harmful effects of pollution, these teas are touted as supplements that can help people better deal with smog.

Anti-smog teas are advertised as being able to "cleanse lungs" and "moisten throats", thereby easing the expectoration of phlegm that contains harmful pollutants absorbed by the body.

Anti-smog teas can be found in Chinese pharmacies including Beijing's famous Tongrentang franchise. Containing ingredients like honeysuckle, forsythia and licorice, the lable on the product reads "may alleviate conditions of the lungs and respiratory system affected by air pollution."

As well, anti-smog teas can be found online. On the Kangmei health products website, a box containing 12 packets of Shanghetang anti-smog tea sells for 54 yuan.

The idea of using traditional Chinese medicine to counteract the harmful effects of air pollution has been often supported in Chinese media. QQ ran articles on various anti-smog teas that readers can make for themselves at home, as has iFeng. Meanwhile, Sohu ran an article earlier this month suggesting that eating mangosteen can help alleviate asthma symptoms during smoggy days.

Furthermore, Chinese social media has been instrumental in perpetuating anti-smog teas. Last month, an anti-smog tea prescription went viral after exploding in popularity in Xi'an online social circles. Zhao Dingya attributed the success of his prescription to it being inexpensive, easy to make, and suitable for the mass majority of people (except pregnant women).

This isn't the first time a TCM expert has spoken out against promoting herbal teas that can counteract the harm of air pollution.

Last month, Xinhua quoted Zhengzhou Traditional Chinese Medical Institution director Bai Mingxue as saying anti-smog teas are not effective, calling such products "fundamentally flawed." Bai even went on to debunk the common belief that expectorating phlegm is a proper way to rid the body of pollutants, saying the practice is "ineffective against contaminants at the size of PM 2.5."

In addition to that, NetEase ran an article calling such products "unreliable" back in November 2015. 

But if anti-smog tea won't help, what can you do?

From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine. Liu suggests maintaining good eating habits and a strong immune systems are the best way to counteract fog.

More stories from this author here.

Images: CQ News, Dagou, km1818, Sohu, lshou, NetEase, Huaxi, puerzg

At the bustling heart of Sanlitun, the newly opened InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun has made a splash with its fabulous views over the neighborhood and several top-notch F&B venues. These include Ying Chinese and Ying Japanese, as well as Top Tapas, Top Bar, Char Dining Room & Lounge, and the Lobby Lounge.

The dining area on the third floor can seat 200 people. There’s no physical separation between Ying Chinese and Ying Japanese, allowing customers to order a little from both. Focusing on distinctive Chinese and Japanese seasonal cuisines, they thankfully eschew the scattergun global cuisine approach. 

Chef David Lv is in charge of the Chinese restaurant which presents an array of traditional Cantonese specialties, including dim sum (RMB 38-42), roasted suckling pig, and barbecue. Meanwhile Wong Chishing, hailing from Hong Kong, is the chef in charge on the Japanese side, offering sushi, sashimi, and premium wagyu beef cooked over volcanic coals. We especially enjoyed the steamed shrimp dumplings, the umami flavors of the shrimp balancing the delicate but strong black truffle taste. The sukiyaki, a type of Japanese hot pot, is a must-try, helping to warm you from within during these nippy winter days.

All in all, the business lunch, priced at RMB 188, is good value for the more financially-endowed worker bees in close proximity, and its perfect time of year to be enjoying a mix of the hot Japanese and Chinese dishes.

Ying Chinese& Ying Japanese

Daily 6.30-10am, 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-9.30pm. 3/F, InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun, 1 Sanlitun Nanlu, 
Chaoyang District (8516 0066)
盈中餐&盈料理:朝阳区三里屯南路1号洲际酒店3楼

This article originally appeared in the January/February issue of the Beijinger, which you can read here via Issuu, via the PDF here, or in hard copy at all of your favorite venues across town.

 

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos Courtesy of  InterContinental Sanlitun

Masks – they’re a fact of life in Beijing on those high AQI days. But what if your kids, like many others, resist wearing one? Also for those with glasses, masks can be mafan, misting up your lenses. And however hard manufacturers try to make them chic, one can still end up looking like Darth Vader.

Now an American entrepreneur claims to have come up with the answer to all these problems. Carlton Solle was visiting Hebei when he fell ill, and was shocked to learn that his sickness was caused by air pollution. When he returned to the US, he discussed the issue with his wife, and they came up with the Bioscarf, which they describe as “the first scarf with protection built right in.”

We asked Solle how the Bioscarf works.

“The Bioscarf is like a traditional scarf as far as how you wear it,” he told us. “As far as protection, it works very similar to how a mask works, except the Bioscarf has the possibility of multiple layers protecting you and the ability to adjust and tighten as needed.”

But is it effective?
“It protects you from many of the common airborne contaminants associated with air pollution,” Solle says. The material has an N95 rating which was done in China, which means when fitted correctly, it is capable of blocking 95% of all non-oil based airborne particulates 0.3 microns in size or larger. So it covers PM2.5, which has been a popular question. The material rating is just for one layer and in most cases when wearing the Bioscarf around your face you have two to three layers depending on your body size and on how you fit it.”

And is it suitable for children?
“Absolutely it’s for kids, and although our donation efforts have been focused here in the US to start they will quickly turn to China and India where we are hoping to partner with groups to help us distribute scarfs to children in need.”

The donation scheme he mentions means that for every scarf they sell, they will donate one to someone in need.

“We are planning another photo shoot,” Solle continues, “featuring kids and adults using the scarf to protect themselves from air pollution in their daily lives, and we are also working on a new section of the website that goes into greater detail on all the product’s technical specifications, that will include an animated short on the material and how it works and a video tutorial on how to wear the scarf.”

Is it available in China?
“We manufacture in China, and I travel there every couple of months. We are working on setting up a distributor there, and possibly keeping inventory there for orders in China and Japan, but right now we ship everywhere in the world so it’s not an issue. We have had a lot of orders for China this past couple weeks.”

At the time of writing we haven’t yet had access to a Bioscarf so can’t verify Solle’s claims. But if it works as promised, it could become a significant new player in the competitive world of pollution protection.

This article first appeared on our sister website beijingkids.

Photo courtesy of Bioscarf

Following an intense debate over whether Inner Mongolia should fall under “I” for Inner Mongolia or “N” for Nei Menggu, we decided to stop procrastinating and just head over to Meishuguan Houjie one lunch time.

The menu consists mostly of hot pot (RMB 18 per individual pot of broth, with a choice of spicy, clear, mushroom or tomato) and the standard additions, with, as you might expect, a heavy focus on lamb. Diving straight in, we ordered two types: lamb meat from the hind legs and one meat from near the ribs. Both were of good quality and flavorful. Portions, which range in price from RMB 58 to 138, depending on the cut you are after, are also suitably sizeable.

Other hot pot trimmings offer the usual selection: fresh spinach, crispy cabbage, tofu, noodles, frozen dumplings, and large crispy slices of lotus root (RMB 8-28), paired with a sauce buffet which was nothing out of the ordinary except for a huge bowl of Bugles (the American potato chips kind). We happily dug in, only to find one of the Bugles was a little soggy, steering us clear of the snack section for the remainder of the meal.

Exploring the menu further, we found traditional Inner Mongolian shaomai (RMB 38 per basket), a lamb-filled variety as opposed to the usual pork. Larger than their southern Chinese cousins, the dough on these was thin and flaky at the top, and the lamb filling was juicy and tender. Even for someone who isn’t the biggest fan of lamb’s distinct taste (“what on earth are you doing at the Inner Mongolian Provincial Government Restaurant?” I hear you say – it’s all part of the job, folks) these were delicious, especially when dunked in a side helping of chili flakes and oil.

I hesitate to say that we were pleasantly surprised because that suggests that the food was actually good, when in reality, we had just heard and read so many terrible things that our expectations had been lowered to a point where it was almost impossible to still be disappointed. Would we really, really hate eating here again? No. But would we go back especially? No. Unless we had a sudden hankering for good meat and soggy Bugles.

Inner Mongolia Provincial Government Restaurant
Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-9pm. 2/F, Inner Mongolia Hotel, 71 Meishuguan Houjie, Dongcheng District (6401 4499)
内蒙古宾馆：东城区美术馆后街71号内蒙古宾馆二层 

This article first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2017 issue of the Beijinger.

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Uni You

Now that January 2017 is in the bag, how’d we do on air quality?

Not good.

Beijing’s monthly average AQI index, as reported by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, was 147, 52 percent worse than last January’s figure of 97, and the worst January we’ve had since the MEP started regularly reporting data publicly in January of 2014.

This is significant because the city has pledged to reduce pollution by leaps and bounds this year, specifically targeting a reduction in the biggest contributor to Beijing’s bad air: PM2.5 (particulate matter under 2.5 microns in size). Beijing wants to keep the PM 2.5 concentration to under 60 micrograms per cubic meter, which would imply an AQI well under 100. (see China’s AQI definitions here)

The MEP’s daily data is reported in AQI (which factors in six major contributors to pollution, including PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and ozone), but does not release PM2.5 figures regularly on its website.

Last month featured 10 days of serious and heavy pollution (defined as an AQI over 300), as opposed to to January 2016, which had only three of those days.

Meanwhile, the number of Excellent days (AQI under 50) fell from January 2016’s nine to this January’s five.

Most of January’s worst days came at the beginning of the month during a horrendous stretch of seven consecutive days where the AQI was over 200, one of the worst weeks of bad air on record.

Some might attribute Beijing's bad month to the quirk of Chinese New Year falling in January this year (it fell in February last year), which means additional use of fireworks and thus higher pollution.

Yes, Chinese New Year's Eve this year did send the AQI skyrocketing and thus threw off the overall curve, but air on the other days of the holiday have been good so far. And even if we take that data point out of our calculations, the average for the month was still 43 percent worse than last January.

Though it’s early, this is a worrying trend as each year for the past three Beijing has made strides in improving the air. We’ve still got 11 months to go, but we’re already behind the ball if we want to see 2017 to be an improvement over last year.

No matter how you slice it, we’re off to a bad start for 2017.

Sanlitun is saturated with bars. Think, for example, about all those near Taikooli, the Hidden House, Revolution, and Ming Bar near Yashow, Botany in Yoolee Plaza, and the new Canvas Bar in Yu … and just when you thought Sanlitun doesn't have room for another bar, look at what we’ve found: another new whisky bar.

Located in the brick-red colored residential building next to Sanlitun Solo, hidden on the first floor is Atlas Whisky Bar. It's not easy to find. It’s almost like a secret mission: First you find Unit 3 (三单元 ), press code #103, and then someone will buzz you in.

From the inside, the bar is a little more posh than the outside of the building it's housed in (thankfully). The bar is well-decorated with Japanese influences and plenty of whisky bottles on display. We can see that Scottish whisky takes up most of the collection, while the boutique glassware on the shelf behind the bar also offers lots of Japanese choices.

The owner, Fujian-born Terry Wu, quit his job at Intel and opened this whisky bar several months ago in Beijing. He was aiming for Sanlitun, but also wanted to open a quiet place for people to take their time and enjoy their drink without the hustle. Named after The World Atlas of Whisky, Terry wants to add more selection to the current 240 kinds of whisky and also make the bar an atlas of whisky.

Yes, it is posh, even the fancy glasses were brought in from Japan, but it’s not too pretentious. The menu is quite humble, with illustrations of how to enjoy whisky, the whisky map, and five recommendations based on your favorite flavor, so beginners can quickly find what they want. Regular Scotch single malts will set you back about RMB 70-105 for 30ml, and cocktails with a whisky base are all RMB 75. We tried the Whisky sour, which was a delight, but could've had more foam if we had to poke holes. We also tried the fireball, with whisky, cinnamon, and lemon juice, which was citrusy and spicy. 

They have everything that you could ask for in a whisky bar; a nice bar area with 10 leather seats and a private room, several books about whisky piled up in the corner, and two lines of whisky bottles sitting around the wall, which are on for a buy-one-get-one free deal during holiday. It’s a nice place to hang out with a group of people with good taste, or to drink alone. If you're looking to learn more about whisky, this is also the place to do it- we are sure the knowledgeable Terry will teach you. 

Atlas Whisky Bar
Daily 7.30pm-1.30am. Room 103, Unit 3, Nansanlitun Xinsanlou, Chaoyang District (5626 1945)
朝阳区南三里屯新三楼三单元103号

More stories by this author here.

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

Photos: Tracy Wang