Beijing
A personal guide to China's capital
BY William Baker
The capital of the middle kingdom for more than 700 years,
Beijing is again luring foreigners for word and play. Preparations
for the upcoming Olympic games in 2008 are bolstering this ancient
and modern city with new venues. 2008 is going to be a great
party, one which in many cases, has already begun.
Although still behind Shanghai in the cool stakes, Beijing
is definitely catching up.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS
Beijing has every variety of Chinese cuisine and a growing range
of international choices. Northern cuisine with its heavy meats
and sauces are particularly welcome through the cold winters.
Xiao Wang's Home - Simply the best Peking duck in the capital
city . Their new Ritan Park location has garden views both inside
and an expansive deck in the trees.
Morrell's- Country -style Belgian cuisine. Fresh crisp-crust
breads and homemade sausages are not matched in the city.
Imported mussels cooked 'grandma's style' are plenty enough
to share, An exclusive selection of fine Belgian beers too.
Vincent's Caf¨¦ - Brittany style crepes come in both a savoury
main course and sweet dessert at the 798 Factory.
WHERE YOU SHOULD STAY
Swissotel - Swiss precise service, five-star accommodation in
the CBD.
Red Capital Residence - An Alice - in -
Wonderland experience for foreigners who are looking to find
the 'real China' . A unique boutique hotel with revolutionary
themed rooms that is located in a traditional Beijing courtyard
home.
Bring It Back
Red Book, but the distinct style that emerged out of China's
heyday of state-issued propaganda is back by popular demand,
at the five-room Red Capital Residence hotel in Beijing. In
the gift shop, nostalgia-hunters can pick up the ultimate in
retro-camp agitprop. Our favorite item was this shoe box-sized
porcelain rendering of Chairman Mao and his defense minister,
Lin Biao (who allegedly once attempted to assassinate his boss).
The two soak up the adulation of their comrades while riding
in the backseat of a Red Flag Limo. Red Capital Residence ,
No.9 Dongsi Liutiao , Dongcheng district, Beijing; 86-10/8403-5308;
www.redcapitalclub.com.cn
; from $74 each.-Rob McKeown
