Beijing Hotels: Prime Hotels in Beijing China

Happy Cats House

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:51:42 -0500

Beijing Hotels: Nearby Fortune Cat Shop

Fortune cats are believed to bring fortune and health to the family in Japan. Now this Japanese mascot has grabbed a piece of China's gift market not only by being a bringer of wealth, but also by its cute and honest looks.

Happy Cats House is a gift shop which sells fortune cat items exclusively. Even so, the selection is amazing. The shop is filled with every little gifts and accessories imaginable. Some items I particularly liked were a cat pocket-mirror, to cat pen-box, cat paper fan, and cat porcelain cups.

Chinese tea and its story- Pu’er tea (part four)

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:58:00 -0500

Pu'er is from the Southwest China's Yunnan province and has been famous as a medicinal tea. The history of Pu'Er tea could date back to the Tang Dynasty when it was only enjoyed by the noblemen of that time.

Pu'er tea derives its name from the market town of Pu-er, where it was originally processed and sold. In ancient time, all the tea produced in Yunnan was sold from Pu-er town to other parts of China or overseas. So Pu-er in Yunnan is just like the Ma Lian Dao in Beijing.

It is said in Qing dynasty, the transport of Pu'er tea to the Forbidden City has been delayed due to bad weather. It took more than half-year to reach the imperial palace. The emperor was very unhappy but after he tasted the "overdue" Pu'er, he found it was more fragrant. Since the specialty of Pu'er was discovered, Forbidden City has stored tons of Pu'er, accounting for two thirds of all imperial tea.

Tao Cha Ju is an exclusive seller of Pu'er tea. They collect tea leaves from special broad-leaf tea trees, which are said to be related to ancient prehistoric tea trees in natural forest in Yunan. So their tea is pesticide-free and contain high natural components.

Why Should You Go To Elisa For Pizza Too!

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:55:17 -0500

Elisa on the famous Lucky Street may not serve the most authentic Italian food in the world, but people and orders keep coming in because of their considerable service.

My entire office likes to order pizza for lunch, but apparently we're on the ‘wrong' side of town, and it's too far to drive. Even Amigo Pizza and several others in town refused to deliver, but Elisa was willing, no questions asked. The wonderful part is when the food got here, it was still quite warm!

This is enough for me to go to Elisa!

Feed Your Stomach and Your Mind

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:52:07 -0500

Beijing Hotels: Nearby Sukhothai Thai Restaurant

As the first Thai restaurant in Beijing, Sukhothai near the Beijing Avic hotel has built a veritable dining dynasty over yummy Thai dishes. The Pad Thai, Praram Pak, and coconut milk infused with curry have left many customers more than satisfied.

Here, the staff is always dressed in traditional Thai clothing, and they are courteous, attentive, and helpful.

The handicrafts displayed around the restaurant are straight from Thailand, and you can even buy things right off the wall!

Seeing the décor, you know that the owner doesn't just want to fill your stomach, but also satisfy your mind.

'A slice of Turkey Transplanted into Beijing’

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:46:34 -0500

Beijing Hotels: Nearby Turkish Restaurant

Beijing was lacking a quality Turkish restaurant for a long time, so when the Ottoman settled itself on the famous Lucky Street, it almost immediately got resoundingly enthusiastic followers like me. What's even better, it's just a short walk from the Beijing Taiyue Suites Hotel.

The restaurant mainly serves family-size platters such as the Iskender--a dish with diced pork and beef mixed with tomato sauce, all sitting on a bed of Turkish bread.

Also try the pita bread and their well-known Turkish kebabs and cheese.

Everything Fast Food Is Not

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:42:45 -0500

Beijing Hotels: Nearby Slow Food Restaurant

Sick of fast food or the small snacks from street food stands?

Well, you'll love the You Jing Ge fusion restaurant tucked in a quiet corner of Worker's Stadium, not far from the Beijing Taiyue Suites Hotel!

The light music, comfort food, and soft sofas are all designed to slow you down a few notches. Chefs prepare yummy fusion food that combines the essences of Beijing and western cuisines. And every dish is organic and healthy!

While enjoying your meal, you're sure to notice that the building itself is a virtual time machine. It is a 250-year-old structure moved brick by brick from Anhui province, some 1,100 kilometers south of Beijing! You will find a peaceful ambience here that doesn't exist in any typical restaurant.

They even spent a small fortune fortune buying a famous wood carving of an ancient Chinese hero and his favorite lady. They now stand in the middle of hall to greet you.

Indian Restaurant Hits Home Run!

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:38:20 -0500

Beijing Hotels: Nearby Punjabi Indian Restaurant

Punjabi hits a home run!

No, not with cricket bat, but with some of the most authentic Indian food you can find in Beijing!

I've been to some Indian restaurants all over the city, and I would say Punjabi is easily the best in Beijing. It's not far from the Beijing Fraternal Cooperation International Hotel. They serve a variety of dishes, and each has a distinctive flavor and aroma. And their soups really bring you to Punjab, a province in Northern India.

Their set lunch costs only RMB 48 (around $7), which means you can fill your stomach without emptying your wallet.

Note: the restaurant was nominated in 2008 for the Readers' Choice Awards by the local magazine City Weekend.

My Vote for ‘Best Tibetan Restaurant in Beijing’

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:34:21 -0500

Beijing Hotels: Nearby Yangjinma Tibetan Restaurant

Folks! Where can you find the most authentic Tibetan food and get a piece of Tibetan culture?

For those in Beijing who are not brave enough to ride the 50 hour train to the plateau, the restaurant of Yangjinma on the famous Lucky Street is the best place to go. It's just a short walk from the Fraternal Cooperation Hotel.

The restaurant serves everything from butter tea to Yak steak, Tsamba to barley wine. The ingredients are all flown in from Tibet and cooked by Tibetan chefs.

So everything is 100% authentic!

In-house artists in Chuba costumes perform traditional Tibetan dances that really bring Tibet alive - it's literally the roof of the world and the land of Yak and Yeti in Beijing!

Say ‘Zha Xi De Le,' that's how they greet people.

Chinese tea and its story - West Lake Longjing (part one)

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:05:12 -0500

Beijing Hotels: Nearby Longjing Tea Shop

I recently developed a strong interest in various kind of Chinese tea. By reading books and hearing from others, I know almost every kind of tea has its fairy legend. So in the following sections, I would like to introduce Chinese tea and share its tales.

In first part, let's say something about Longjing, a kind of green tea. Longjing tea was granted the status of Gong Cha, or imperial tea, in Qing Dynasty . According to a legend, Emperor Qianlong, visited Hu Gong Temple under the Lion Peak Mountain (Shi Feng Shan) around West Lake area in Zhejiang during one of his famous holidays.

He was presented with a cup of Longjing tea. In front of the Hu Gong Temple were 18 tea bushes. Emperor Qianlong was so impressed by the Longjing tea produced here that he conferred these 18 tea bushes special imperial status.

Hanyilou, in Beijing's Maliandao, is a tea shop carrying longjing from Shi Feng Shan(Lion Peak Mountain ), where produces the best Longjing tea in China. Longjing has fresh tasting, and its fragrance is sharp and long lasting.

Chinese tea and its story- White tea (Part Two)

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:43:58 -0500

Beijing Hotels: Nearby White Tea Shop

White tea has a history of 200 years. It originated from Fuding in south China's Fujian province. It is called white tea because it has a pale appearance with tiny white hairs.

Fairy tale says long time ago, a beautiful and kind girl, called Lan Gu, lived on the foot of Tai Mu mount in Fuding. One year, a unknown disease kill many children in the village. An immortal told Lan Gu in her dream to pick up the leaves in a cave on Tai Mu mount to help the children. At last, children were saved and the leaves- white tea- was largely planted in the area.

In hard time, every household in Fuding stored white tea to prevent child measles. It is believed white tea has more anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities than green tea.

Dingyun is a exclusive seller of white tea. So if you want to buy Bai Hao Yinzhen, widely considered the best grade of white tea, you could visit Dingyun shop at Maliandao street.