Back to Civilization..

Quite literally, our first steps back to civilization as we embarked on the SIA, the flight which shall takes us home Singapore. Alas, the front wheel of the SIA flight had to be replaced resulting to full 2 hours delay; all in the safe hands of our National flight carrier, i screened 4 movies on their newly equipped large 10.6" LCDs, completing the "X-Men: First Class" on our 6 hours journey from Beijing :)

For the next few weeks, i shall post backdate about our 9 days trip, the transportation, food, culture and shopping while i sorted out the photographs (by Sony NEX-3) and thoughts. The only regrets for the trip? We had not a taste of the much acclaimed Peking Roast Duck.

Vacuum packed Peking Duck on racks of supermarket.

Our strenuous "free & easy" holiday toughen us much physically that a walk to 2 supermarkets today, with full shopping bags left me wanting more; it was a stroll in the park compared with the distances we covered a day in Beijing!

Peace and calm reigned as i surveyed Singapore familiar streets, uncluttered by China's numerous road signs, overhead cables for trolleybuses, competitive bike riders and jaywalkers. Not that China was a backward country, on the contrary, their fast pace in economic development left many envious and we particularly loves visiting but living in Singapore's orderly society was more of comfort.

It's good to be back while i feasted on our cheaply affordable fresh fruits; we had witnessed the often reported inflation in China and it is quite true in Beijing city now.

Beijing D9 - Modern Architectural Buildings

Linked Hybrid Complex

On our taxi ride to the BCI Airport, i couldn't forget a building i caught sight of by the highways; a search on the Internet later revealed that it was the Linked Hybrid Complex.

Witnessing its eight residential towers linked by a ring of variant designed sky bridges at irregular intervals was astonishingly unforgettable!

IBM中国系统中心 at 亚运村

We saw the following 2 unique buildings when we were at the Beijing Olympic Park previously.

This was the IBM building beside the Pangu Plaza, 盘古大观 - another magnificent structure of the Pangu Residences and Pangu 7 Stars Hotel!

数字北京大厦, Digital Beijing

And the Digital Beijing, which served as the data center for the 2008 Olympics; designed to resemble integrated circuit board and bar code by their very own Chinese Architectural firm - Studio Pei-Zhu!

中国供销集团 at 宣武门外大街

It was the queer sloping roof of the China Co-op Group Co. Ltd. building at Xuanwumen street which caught our attentions. The company was one of the top 500 in China, based on companies' 2010 revenues; in fact, they are at No. 83!

An exemplary for its rich heritage of ancient architectural, these were accidental snapshots of Beijing's modern architectural buildings while we purposedly visited their CCTV Headquarters and the Beijing National Stadium and Aquatics Center. Bolder and newer structures are coming up and we hope to see them when we revisit the city in the near future.

It's 再见, for now ;)

Beijing D9 - Transport System & Fare Card

One of our morning agenda before flying out was to get a refund for our 一卡通, Yikatong Smartcard, a truly essential travelling tool in Beijing. A full refund of its deposit and all remaining amount will be made; unlike the Singapore transit fare card system where you pay a non-refundable S$5 for "card charge".

We bought our 一卡通 from the nearest Subway station for a deposit of ¥20, S$4 and topped up each card for another ¥20. While you could buy the cards from almost all Subway stations, refunding service was only available at certain Subway ticketing booth. Check here for more infor. or get an update from the train personnel when you are here.

The best convenience of having the bus card is the doing away of having to prepare small change for travelling fares. And, that you actually enjoy 60% discount off the already concession bus fare of ¥1 - however far you travel! The discount applies similarly to our Express Bus service to the Badaling Great Wall that would have normally cost ¥12!

Subway rides was also at a flat rate and at ¥2 that wouldn't be discounted by use of the card; but we soon find that travelling via the public buses was more convenient than trains.

Buses took us to the doorsteps of our destinations and there were always traffic marshals at the stations during the morning and afternoon peak to advise us on the bus routes!

Hence we made lot of savings on transport costs.

Beijing D9 - Street Eats and Snacks!

Good Morning Beijing!

When everybody was rushing for work, buying breakfasts from the street food stalls and chasing after transport buses, we followed suit - buying their favourite 灌饼, Egg Crepes with Lettuce (¥2, S$0.40) and Soybean milk (¥1, S$0.20). Both were nice!

Bounded for an afternoon flight back today, i woke up early to catch more of the city... Ric was feeling much better today :) 

Egg Crepes were prepared on such hot plate, similarly for this other variation of crepes - the only different lies in its ingredients used, and therefore was pricier.

紫米煎饼, Purple Rice Pan Crepe (¥4.50, S$0.90)

Looking pretty? We had this outside the Panjiayuan Market.

As in most developing cities, Beijing has its sizable share of innovative food vendors who came up with ideas for the most sellable food stuffs, making a living out of it. Some had even became the city staple food and part of its culture!

These were some that we came across.

Beijing's Halal, 清真 Food Stuff

Beijing 烧饼, Shaobing buns

The cakes, desserts and bread from the Beijing Halal food stall drawn as much crowd as the traditional Beijing baked buns, the Shaobing. Many locals packed bags of these home!  

肉夹馍, "Meat Sandwiched in Bun" (¥5, S$1)

BBQ Chicken and Lamb Drumsticks, Pan Fried Sausages

These were the food stalls at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall, and we bought the soft steamed buns stuffed with mutton and green pepper bell for our hunger pangs!

Melon fruit (¥1, S$0.20)

And the melon fruit hawker at the Panjiayuan Market whom we repeatedly bought from them after tasting sweet, juicy stick from their little trolley.

On the background, you see roasted sweet potatoes? Yes :)

These were what that really distracted us as we were trying to locate the routes to Niujie Mosque; gigantic Sunflowers for sales!!? No, they were actually Sunflower Seeds. And the hawker invited us to try!

Oh, how silly were we! Having only seen these seeds in nice packaging, i never knew its fundamental form. It tasted a tad raw cos we were used to the ones which underwent roasting process, these were just intriguing looking at!

Beijing D8 - Prince Gong's Palace, 恭王府

Despite being weak even after resting for a long day, Ric struggled out of bed, accompanying me to the Prince Gong's Mansion to help kill my boredom... we have not went anywhere today... and i was getting restless just watching the TV programs, though they have lots of channels for my surfing :P

But i was regretful when Ric got uncomfortable and had to rest by the benches while i went round the place myself; so it was also done half-heartedly. Pardon my brief report here.

Touring the Prince Gong's could be conveniently done when there's a crew of pretty young guide volunteers (dressed in traditional Chinese embroidery pant suit) leading any formed group from the entrance for an overall tour of the ground; just follow any of them.

From this model of the Prince Gong's Mansion on displayed, i would think it more appropriately as the Prince Gong's 'Palace'; why do i constantly feel that it's a miniature of the Forbidden City!? Don't you think so?

Being the most exquisite and luxuriously built royal mansions in Beijing, layout of this residence heavily replicate that of the Forbidden City with its row of Gates and Halls in the centre, followed by some typical Siheyuan rooms at the side.

Then a spacious garden at the back of its compound!

But i would say living here was definitely a thousand times better than in the Forbidden City! No Walls! Try going to the Forbidden City and imagine living within the confinement of those tall red wall! :(((

I might just suffer serious Depression...

Blessing Culture, the 福 character

Last but not least, you would never miss out all the hype about the promotion of "福" blessing culture in Prince Kung's Mansion; the Chinese character was carved based on the calligraphy of  Emperor Kangxi, bestowed upon the Mansion and displayed in the garden.

I do find it meaningful to note that a single Chinese character of "Blessing" is actually symbolic of multiple blessings in having abundance of sons, lands, talents and longevity!

It's no wonder the "Fu" was held in such high regards in the Chinese culture.

Beijing D8 - Shoppings!

Intime Lotte @ Wangfujing Shopping Street

The itinerary for our last day in Beijing, that's today, was to shop till we drop at their 西单, Xidan Commercial shopping streets, akin to our Orchard Rd, but much larger in life... in fact, shopping malls in Beijing are often intimidatingly huge in scale! And 王府井, Wangfujing is surely an iconic shopping street that you've got to set foot in.

But Ric had taken quite ill today and had to be resting; so let's just talk about some of our shopping experiences and buys in the past few eventful days.

Original/ Copied Concert Dvds (¥15, S$3 per disc)

Starting with my last loot from 经典音像 DVDs today!

Ric had helped in some of these selections when we visited their distant outlet 7 days ago. This afternoon, i was bored in the hotel and sneaked down to their nearby shop, just downstairs! for more to feed my addiction. Here are their 4 locations in Beijing.

We have always bought concert DVDs from China for its excellent quality, especially the Blu-ray copied; but Beijing is exceptional for its large collection of Classical Symphony DVDs while concerts of Hong Kong/ Taiwanese artists were absent!?

In Singapore, such Classical Orchestra performing DVDs are expensive.

Hongqiao Pearl Market, 北京红桥珍珠市场

We had paid Hongqiao a repeat visit yesterday morning for some good quality product as souvenirs for families back home, and we were not buying the pearls ;)

Beijing's Hongqiao was like Shanghai's Xiangyang, infamous for their sales of pirated bags, wallets, clothes, belts and shoes of world's famous brands! If you like these dazzling brand logos, you could land some pleasing buys; we went for the good finishes product (that they were trying to imitate) but without the branding.

Best thing about here? You are welcome to bargain.
Remember to bargain down about 70% from the selling price. Excise your discretion, in cases where the selling price could be upped much more. But leave the seller some profit, and it'll be a win-win happy transaction :)

牛角梳, Ox Horn Combs and Massaging Horn Sticks (¥60, S$12) 

We were introduced to these China Cow horns by our China friends, when we start touring the country... some 8 years ago! Being of anti-static nature, the Buffalo's horn was said to improve hair luster too; our families loves the comb and we never fail to bring some home whenever we travel.

The product has its origins from Fujian, or the Xiamen and was not commonly found in Beijing. We were lucky to have these nice ones from a Panjiayuan Market stall.

Spectacles frame with lenses (About ¥180, S$36 per pair)

Within walking distance from the Panjiayuan Market is the 眼镜城, Panjiayuan Glasses Market! Select your frame, bargain the price, have your eyesight tested and you collect your spectacles in 20mins.

The price of owning at least 1 of these most fashionable pair is too little to resist!

100+

可多, Kodo

The other night when we were at the Nanluoguxiang remember? I didn't mention the many souvenirs/ gifts shops here. They sell fun stuffs that are cute and pretty rather than a necessities ;)

Heart-shaped Measuring Spoons set (¥9, S$1.80)

I got these from Kodo that has heart-warming inscriptions like, "A pinch of joy.", "A dash of tenderness.", "A spoonful of affection.", "A heap of love."!!!

H&M black ankle socks x5 (¥49.90, S$10), belt (¥49.90, S$10)

And to Singaporeans who were queuing and jumping for joy when H&M opened their flagship store in Orchard Rd just this month, you should be here. H&M stores were easily located in all their shopping streets!

We stumbled on 1 at 崇文门, Chongwenmen shopping street while getting some local products and sweets from the opposite 新世界商城, New World Shopping Mall yesterday.

H&M are as ubiquitous as Uniqlo here.

Tongren Wuji Baifeng Wan, 6gm pills x6  (¥57.60, S$11.52)

And we never missed out on Beijing's many renowned pharmacies, the most prestigious of them all, the 同仁堂, Beijing Tong Ren Tang.

A women's nourishing pills of Chinese medicine, i was wowed by its elaborated embroidered box! Perfect for a gift, yeah!

Beijing D7 - 真功夫快餐, Kungfu Cafe!

蟹粉狮子头含汤套餐：蟹粉狮子头+饭+ 花旗参乌鸡汤+生菜王(¥25, S$5)

We were famished, after failing to locate Bianyifang Roast Duck (便宜坊). And it was always a reassurance for us to spot the Kungfu Fast Food Cafe in China. They served such acceptable fare of Chinese cooking that isn't overly oily or salty. Dining was always an easy option in this restaurant.

A set meal here comes with a standard fare of stir fried lettuce and steam rice. You just decide on your mains amongst their offering of beef, pork or chicken and the boiled soup you wished for. Their boiled soup can be quite impressive ;)

Steamed Minced Meat Balls with Crab Roe, 蟹粉狮子头

Stewed Chicken with Chestnuts Set, 黄焖栗子鸡饭+黑眉豆龙骨汤+生菜王(¥26, S$5.20)

Black Pea with Rib Bone Soup, 黑眉豆龙骨汤

Beijing D7 - Happy Lemon!

仙草大满贯 (¥7, S$1.40)

"Happy Lemon!" And i was happy like a child, nodding earnestly to Ric as he got me my first cup of Happy Lemon from the kiosk. "I had wanted to try this in Singapore, but no chance!" i protested and drank up cravingly.

"It's so nice!" We both agreed. The Milk Tea with Mesona Jelly, or 仙草 comes with smaller pearls than our usual and had Nata de coco jello cubes! All was soft, chewy and firm; together with Mesona jelly, this was a titillating dessert in itself! I absolutely love it!

Now i have 3 Top Milk Tea brands on my list, the KOI, the Gong Cha and Happy Lemon ;) Happy Everyday!

Beijing D7 - 和合谷, Chinese Bento

东坡肉饭 (¥17.50 ¥10, S$2)

You know what they say about people having the Flu? They are constantly hungry to feed off the virus; this was always Ric's case. So though we were saving our stomach for some Beijing Roasted Duck, we succumbed to a good offer from the Hehegu, 和合谷 a rice bento fast food outlet.

The food was yummilicious! It was a very good promotion in celebration of the opening of their 50th outlets in Beijing! Congrats!

Beijing D7 - Yoshinoya Breakfast

骨汤米粉 (¥8, S$1.60 x2), 猪肉包+皮蛋瘦肉粥 (¥7, S$1.40)

Didn't know Yoshinoya serves Chinese congee and Bee Hoon soup for breakfast right? They don't in Singapore, but they does in Beijing.

On our first day here, i was contemptuous towards their lightly designed breakfast, it doesn't look appetiting at all... but today, Ric and i were down with Flu (no thanks to the night chill winds) and needed just such light cooking.

Thankfully, Yoshinoya delivers - the simple fare takes care of fine ingredients used. And i was surprised Yoshinoya had good steamed buns as well ;)

Special Breakfast Set Promotion

Beijing D6 - 庆丰包子, Steamed Buns

QingFeng steamed buns shop is a popular branding in Beijing who is well known for its economical fare of steamed buns, and stir fried liver. We failed to have the Yaoji fried liver, so we are having it here.

豆浆 (¥2, S$0.40)

The Soy Bean Milk was nice as you get to sweeten it, as little as you like, with the provided sugar tray.

 炒肝 (¥8, S$1.60)

The liver was nothing spectacular for us, Asian Chinese; it was done quite similarly. Mum often cooked the liver for us, and it was tender, not as tough as the one serves here.

猪肉大葱馅包子 (¥3.50, S$0.70)

At first bite, i was quite impressed with the buns; that if i'm comparing its better texture and richer ingredient with what their other shops are having.

Of course, the standards are not comparable to our local handmade buns which you pay the same price but for only 1 bun instead of the 5 here. QingFeng is therefore more superior in this stance.

Beijing D6 - Churches Hunting

As in all of our overseas trip, we often hunt down churches and cathedrals to look at their complex structural forms which tend to display a higher level of contemporary architectural style and work of accomplished craftsmen.

In Xiamen, we visited China's first church building; now in Beijing, we strive to visit their century old cathedrals named after the North, South, East and the West.

Having visited the East Cathedral when we were at Wangfujing Shopping Streets 4 days ago, locating the North and South Cathedrals today was none easier. It fact, we had a hard time, circling the neighbourhood, missing the right path. We were not keen on the West Cathedral because of its distance from the city centre where we were.

Looking at these photographs, it felt that the effort we made to "be there" was worthwhile ;)

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (南堂, South Cathedral) 

Xishiku Cathedral (北堂, North Cathedral)

St Joseph's Wangfujing Cathedral (东堂, East Cathedral)