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c h i k k a
d i s p a t c h
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TAKE A BREATHER
I like hanging out in most
hutongs
(
alleyways) away from the high-rises;
they’re quiet, relaxed and cozy. Have a
nice pizza and salad at Vineyard Café
(31
Wu Dao Ying Hutong, Dongcheng District;
then beer at El Nido
(59
Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng District;
tel: +86 (10) 8402 9495)
or Great Leap
Brewing
(6
Doujiao Hutong, Dongcheng
District;
For
fun, go to Jianghu Bar
(7
Dongmianhua
Hutong, Dongcheng District; tel: +86 (10)
6401 5269)
to listen to live acoustic music
and enjoy their homemade beer.
Have a
relaxing stroll
along a hutong
TREASURE TROVE
Panjiayuan Antiques Market
(
East Third
Ring Rd, Chaoyang District)
has one-of-
a-kind trinkets, cheap watches and old
stuff that you won’t find anywhere else.
Plus there are bead shops where I can
stock up on my DIY projects. I used to sell
handmade jewelry back in the Philippines;
I still make some from beads bought here
in Beijing, but I mostly give them away as
presents.
A SHORT WALK
The Museum of Tap Water
(6
A
Dongzhimen Beidajie, Dongcheng District)
is just five minutes away from my place in
Dongzhimen.
HOP ON,
HOP OFF
A bike ride will reveal that it’s
the easier and faster way to go
around Beijing and see things.
So make sure you rent a bike
when visiting Beijing.
TIME TO GO
Come here in spring or autumn, when the
leaves are either sprouting green or falling
red, orange or yellow.
YUMMY TREATS
Try
jian bing
—
a Chinese crêpe/pancake
sold from carts along the sidewalk for less
than RMB5 (PHP33) — or
bingtanghulu
(
candied fruits).
LOVELY WEEKEND
When it’s summer and warm, pack some
wine, bread and cheese (or your choice of
finger food), invite some friends, and head
to Chaoyang Park
(1
Nongzhanguan Rd,
Chaoyang District)
and chill.
Geraldine and
her bike
Bingtanghulu
or
candied fruits
Chaoyang Park
Beijing is pretty in
springtime
