Beijing (part 3)

Day Five

Checked out from Zhongan hotel early in the morning and took the subway to Beijing Inlodge hotel.

Beijing Inlodge hotel (三熙青旅商务酒店)

Beijing Inlodge hotel is just 2 to 3-mins walk from Liufang station (柳芳站) of Subway Line 13. To get to the hotel, just need to exit from Exit A of Liufang station and walk along the road northwards to a T-junction. Cross over the road and walk inside a park for less than a minute. The hotel is just located at the end of the park. Following is the map as a reference on the hotel location.



Booked this hotel through the internet for SGD 81.16 (about RMB 390) per standard business room per night with daily breakfast included. The hotel entrance is located at a corner facing the road junction (left photo below) and interestingly the reception had an Oriental design probably because of Feng Shui (right photo below).



Room is spacious and what I liked was the hard mattress (left photo below) and there is even a 25-inch LCD television inside the room (right photo below).



There was complimentary mineral water and toiletries (left photo below). The breakfast lounge was located on the second floor of the hotel (right photo below).



Wide varieties of food could be selected, for example there was a salad bar (left photo below) and a cooked food section (right photo below).



Here were my breakfast selections on the first (left photo below) and second day of my stay (right photo below).



However one drawback is the park is rather dark at night with very few street lights, which can be slightly challenging to walk back to the hotel. No issue with safety because there was always residents hanging around in the park at night especially during summer period.

Yonghe Lama Temple (雍和宫)

Yonghe Lama Temple can be reached by YongheGong station (雍和宫站) of Subway Line 2 or 5 exit using Exit C. It takes about 2 to 3-mins walk southwards from the Subway exit to the temple entrance.

This Lama temple was originally a mansion built by Emperor Kangxi in 1694 for his fourth son, Prince Yong (雍亲王). In 1711, Hongli (Emperor Qianlong) was born in this mansion. After Prince Yong ascended the throne in 1723 as Emperor Yongzheng, he converted this mansion into a monastery for Tibetan Buddhist monks. After Emperor Yongzheng's death, his son Emperor Qianlong changed the roof tiles to yellow. Since then, this lama temple grew to become a large residence for Tibetan monks from Mongolia and Tibet. Luckily no damage was done to the temple during the Cultural Revolution mainly because of the intervention by Prime Minister Zhou Enlai. The Lama temple was reopened to the public in 1981.

The main temple doors were still closed minutes before the official opening time (left photo below). Interestingly the admission ticket given included a mini-VCD that gives a brief introduction on the temple (right photo below).



The building layout in the temple followed a central axis of 480-meters long. The startlingly decorated archway is the first sight that most visitors won't miss (left photo below). Tickets are checked under this archway. The first building on the central axis is the Hall of Heavenly Kings (天王殿) which houses the Laughing Buddha and the Four Heavenly Kings (right photo below). It used to be the main gate of Prince Yong's mansion.



The main hall Yonghe Palace (雍和宫) houses statues of Buddha of three times – the past, present and future Buddha (left photo below). There are statues of 18 arhats at both sides of the hall. Behind is the Hall of Eternal Divine Protection (永佑殿) that used to be the gate for the inner mansion area (right photo below), similar to the structure of Hall of Heavenly Kings. Now it houses the statues of Amitayus (无量寿佛), also known as Longevity Buddha (阿弥陀佛), Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, also known as Medicine Buddha (药师佛), and Simhanada Buddha (狮吼佛) meaning wisdom.



Hall of the Wheel of Law (法轮殿) used to be the Bed chamber for Prince Yong (left photo below). Emperor Qianlong expanded the hall and now it houses the statue of Tsong Khapa, the founder of yellow hat sect of Lamaism. Copper statues (right photo below) presented by Panchen and Dalai Lama (of different times) to the Qing Emperors are exhibited in JieTai building (戒台).



The Wanfu Pavilion (万福阁) was built in 1748 to 1750 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (left photo below). It houses the famous statue of Maitreya Buddha (弥勒佛) carved from a single trunk of white sandal wood (right photo below). The statue is 18-meters tall above ground and 8-meters deep below the ground to prevent damage to the statue during an earthquake. This magnificent statue was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records in 1990 to be the largest statue carved out from a single tree trunk. This statue was presented by the 6th Dalai Lama in appreciation to the Qing government for sending troops to suppress the riots in Tibet, which enable Dalai Lama to rule over Tibet.



Admission cost was RMB 25 per adult. Opening hours of the temple is from 0900 to 1700 hrs (during Apr till Oct) and 0900 to 1630 hrs (during Nov to Mar). Ticketing stops half an hour before the closing time.

Souvenir shops near Yonghe Lama Temple

Souvenirs shops near the temple entrance are plenty to satisfy souvenir-hunters (left photo below). One unique clay figurine I found in one of the souvenir shops was this Rabbit God (兔儿爷) (right photo below). This is a traditional folk art in old Beijing begin in early Ming Dynasty where it was used as a shrine to pray to the Moon during Mid-Autumn Festival but now it has become a toy for the kids. Due to its adorable image, clay figurine of Rabbit God is now popular among youngsters and tourists.



Confucius Temple (孔庙) and Imperial Academy (国子监)

These two attractions are located besides each other and diagonally opposite the Yonghe Lama Temple. From Yonghegong station (雍和宫站) of Subway Line 2 or 5, exit out using Exit C and just walk for about 2 to 3-mins (in South direction) until an archway with the words '成贤街' could be seen (left photo below). Walked along the shady street known as 'Gouzijian street' (国子监街) and the entrance of Confucius temple could be reached within 1 to 2-mins.

Confucius Temple (孔庙)

This Confucius Temple is the second largest Confucian temple in China after the one in Qufu (曲阜) of Confucius hometown. It was built in 1302 during the Yuan Dynasty and since then its compound was enlarged till present space of 20,000-square meters. During the Imperial times, Emperors would come to this temple to offer sacrifices to Confucius.

Like the Confucius temple in Hanoi, Vietnam, there are also 'Dismount' stones near the temple entrance to remind 'Military officials to dismount from horses and Civil officials to descend from sedan chairs', as a form of respect during the Imperial times. After passing through the Gate of the Master (先师门) which is now converted as the entrance to the temple, the Gate of Great Success (大成门) of the Confucius temple could be seen (right photo below).



An important stele (left photo below) was erected in front of the Gate of Great Success that recorded a conferment to Confucius. The conferment of 'the King of men of letters with great success and highest moral accomplishment' (大成至圣文宣王) was made by Yuan Dynasty Emperor Chengzhong to Confucius in 1307. It was common for Emperors to confer title to Confucius throughout history, and the last two conferments made were 'The Former Teacher who arrived at Sagehood' (至圣先师) by Emperor Shunzhi in 1657 and 'The Former Teacher with Greatest success who arrived at Sagehood' (大成至圣先師) by the Nationalist Government in 1935.

In both side chambers of the Hall of Perfection are the permanent exhibitions on the life of Confucius and his teachings. Fascinating models such as the scene outside the Hall of Perfection during the sacrificial ritual made to Confucius during Qing Dynasty (right photo below).



There are altogether 14 stele pavilions of Ming and Qing Dynasties in Confucius temple that recorded precious historical information. Among them, 9 stele pavilions are located inside the compound of the Hall of Perfection (left photo below). These were made by the Qing Emperors from Emperor Kangxi to Emperor Xuantong. Since it was an Imperial record, the familiar sculpture of 'Bixi' (赑屃) could be seen carrying the stele. Explicit details on the sculptures could be spotted such as the water ripples and tailing mist on the tortoise shell (right photo below).



The Hall of Perfection (大成殿) is the main structure of the temple (left photo below) where the spiritual tablets of Confucius and his disciples were placed and worshipped (right photo below).

In a corridor to the west of the hall is a set of 189 stone tablets on which 13 Confucian Classics (十三册儒家经典) have been meticulously carved and presented by city of Jintan in Jiangsu Province (photos below).
One may wonder what the 13 classics are as most of us are more familiar with the term '4-books & 5-classics' (四书五经). Following are the history of how these 13 classics are derived:



• During Han Dynasty where the 5 classics were first established, namely《诗经》,《书经》,《礼经》,《易经》and《春秋》.
• During Tang Dynasty,《春秋》was split into 3 books, namely《左传》,《公羊传》,《榖梁传》and《礼经》was split into 3 books, namely《周礼》,《义礼》,《礼记》. Together there were 9 classics.
• During late Tang Dynasty,《论语》,《尔雅》and《孝经》were included giving a total of 12 classics.
• During Southern Song Dynasty,《孟子》was then included giving a total of 13 classics.

Note: The '4-books' (四书) consist of 《论语》,《孟子》,《大学》and《中庸》while '5-classics' (五经) consist of 《诗经》,《书经》,《礼经》,《易经》and《春秋》. Interesting to know that《大学》and《中庸》are extracted from one of the chapters in 《礼记》.

Imperial Academy (国子监)

The Imperial Academy is located on the west side of the Confucius temple. It used to be a school, known as Guozi Xue (国子学), set up in 1306 to educate the Mongol sons of Yuan Dynasty rulers. After the fall of the dynasty, the Ming rulers turned it into an institute of higher education, known as Guozi Jian (国子监). Emperors of Qing Dynasty would visit the Guozijian to read Confucian classics to thousands of students. In 1898, education was brought to a halt at Guozijian during the Hundred Days Reform of the Qing Dynasty, and it was later replaced by the Imperial Capital University (earlier name of Peking University).

An impressive glaze-tiled commemorative arch (left photo below) marks the entrance of the former Imperial Academy. Behind the arch is Biyong (辟雍) which is a doubled-eaves hall built in 1784 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (right photo below).



This hall is the largest building in the academy and the squarish structure was built on a circular pool linked by four marble bridges, which break the pool into four arcs if viewed from the top. Refer to the satellite view below (left photo below). This was based on the traditional concept that Heaven is round and Earth is square. Inside the hall is the exquisitely decorated reading room with the Emperor's throne in the middle (right photo below). Emperor Qianlong came to this hall to deliver his first speech in 1785 and more than 3,088 people kneeled around the hall to listen to this lecture. As there was no loudspeaker during that time, the lecture could only be passed on to the attendees by special official messengers mouth by mouth.

Admission to both the Confucius Temple and Imperial Academy cost was RMB 20 (photo below). Opening hours from 0830 to 1700 hrs daily and ticketing stop after 1630 hrs.


Mini-pouches Souvenirs

Seems like mini-pouches are popular souvenirs in Beijing. Scented mini-pouches embroidered with 'Confucius Temple' (北京孔庙) could be purchased at the temple at RMB 20 each (left photo below). The only souvenir I bought at Yonghe Lama Temple was this scented Buddhist amulet (right photo below). Each amulet is only the size of 1.5-inch by 1-inch, and contains a small Buddhist script and some sandalwood that gives off a faint scent. Each amulet initially cost RMB 15 each but I managed get 4 for RMB 50.


National Aquatics Centre (北京国家游泳中心)

The Aquatics Centre can be reached by Olympic Green station (奥林匹克公园站) of Subway Olympic Line. The National Aquatics Centre, or better known as 'Water Cube' (水立方), is visible once exited from the Subway station but it takes about 20 to 25-mins walk to reach.

The ticket sales counters are located behind the main entrance of the water cube (left photo below). So it can be tiring to walk around this huge building and queuing for tickets, especially on a hot afternoon. The bubbles on the exterior of the building are not flat but rather bloated slightly to give the 'bubbles in a soap form' effect (right photo below).



The blue bubble skin is made up of ETFE (ethylene – tetrafluoroethylene) copolymer. There was an exhibition of this bubble skin and I had a chance to touch this material. The material is very thin (0.2-mm thick) and has white plating points coated to prevent heat from entering while allowing sunlight to passing through (left photo below). Also no cleaning is required because this material has very low coefficiency with friction, therefore dust hardly stick onto it and can be easily rinsed off with light rain. Probably this material will soon be used in most new buildings due to its many advantages.

The water cube building is actually a rectangular box rather then a cube. It has 6,000 permanent seats and expandable to another 11,000 seats during the Olympic period. Visitors are not allowed to enter the pool area and are restricted only to the viewing platform (right photo below).



Can you spot the flag of Singapore from the many hanging ones (left photo below)? Do click on photo below to view a larger picture. A separate pool was allocated for diving with its multi-layered diving platform (right photo below).



Admission cost to the Water Cube was RMB 30 and the opening hours are 1330 to 1630 hours as stated on the admission ticket (photo below).


Olympic Park (奥运公园)

Many important sporting venues during the Olympics games in 2008 are located in this Olympic Park. The Beijing National Indoor Stadium (国家体育馆) was the venue for handball, artistic gymnastics and trampolining events (left photo below). Now it is converted into a multi-purpose hall for Beijing residents and it is capable of accommodating 18,000 people. Olympic Mascots, Fuwa (福娃), could be bought inside the souvenirs shops (right photo below). These dolls are definitely cheaper compared to the price before and during the Olympic season; for example the box of 5 dolls (each 20-cm tall) is selling now at RMB 100.



Sculptures of various Olympic themes can be found scattering over the Olympic park, for example this huge sculpture showed five torch-bearers running (left photo below). Other sculptures I've seen were based on Chinese traditional games such as soccer and polo. The Linglong tower (玲珑塔) was part of the International Broadcast centre during the Olympics (right photo below). It is 128-meters tall tower with 7-floors marked with an equilateral triangle on each floor.



Of course, the Beijing National Stadium (北京国家体育场), better known as the Bird's Nest (鸟巢), is an iconic building not to be missed (photos below). This stadium is currently the world's largest steel structure and capable of accommodating 91,000 spectators during the Olympic Games. It was the venue for Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Games as well as athletic events and football finals. Recently there was news reported that due to the lack of use, paints were peeling off in some areas. This was one of the reasons why I didn't visit the Bird's Nest, but went to the Water Cube instead. Admission cost to visit the interior of the Bird's Nest is RMB 30.



One observation was that the planners and designers of the Olympic park are very generous with the use of land; huge plots of empty land between buildings were being converted into walkways. This is something that land-scare countries like Singapore definitely would not do.

Many snack-stalls selling sandwiches, cup noodles and drinks are located along the Olympic Park (left photo below). Probably was too hungry, I then bought a cup noodles at RMB 10 and a bottle of ice lemon tea at RMB 4 (right photo below) in one of the snack-stalls for my late lunch.



Olympic Green station (奥林匹克公园站)

Noticed the interesting decorations outside this subway station on my way back. These decorations followed a theme, which is on Chinese musical instruments. For example the flute (left photo below), the bronze bells (middle photo below) and the drums (right photo below) formed part of the decorative sculptures.



Refreshment

Decided to get an ice-cream to cool myself in a hot afternoon while walking towards the subway station. Saw lots of Magnum ice-creams in the freezer, and amusingly it was called 'Menglong' (梦龙) in Chinese. There were four different flavors (left photo below) and I got myself this 'Vanilla & Almond' flavor (right photo below) for RMB 6.
Bell Tower and Drum Tower (钟楼、鼓楼)

The two towers can be reached by Guloudajie station (鼓楼大街站) of Subway Line 2. It takes about 20 to 25-mins walk southwards along Jiugulou Street (旧鼓楼大街). Refer to the following map as reference:



The drum tower (left photo below) is located at the northern end of the North-South Central axis of Beijing Inner city, while the bell tower (right photo below) stands behind the drum tower. Construction of these two towers began in 1272 and rebuilt in 1420 during Ming Dynasty. These two towers were used as time announcing during the imperial times of Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, until 1924 where their time-announcing function was finally put to a stop.



Now these two towers are open to visitors as tourist attractions. When I was there, the drum tower was undergoing renovation; however the bell tower is still open for visit. I didn't visit the bell tower due to some time constraints. From the ticket sales counter, admission cost is RMB 20. Opening hours from 0900 to 1700 hrs and ticketing stops after 1640 hours.

Nanluo Guxiang (南锣鼓巷)

It takes about 5 to 10-mins walk from the Drum tower to this famous Nanluo Guxiang. This narrow street (left photo below) could date back to some 700 years during Yuan Dynasty and flanked by eight hutongs, which resembled a giant centipede. If one is observant enough, many old Beijing houses can be spotted in these hutongs (right photo below). In recent years, many artsy bars and boutiques are located along this street which injected a new life to this old street.



My recommendation is this Wenyu Nailao (文宇奶酪) located at Nanluo Guxiang No. 49 (left photo below). Got myself an original shuangpi (原味双皮奶) for RMB 8 (right photo below). Although the size is small, the taste of this Chinese custard was smooth and its sweetness was just right. Opening hours from 11 00 to 2300 hrs (or when all are sold out).



Another interesting souvenir is the Xingmu handicraft (兴穆手工) handmade notepad. These notepads (left photo below) are bound together by coarse strings and its cover can be leather or paper printed with Chinese patterns. Price of each notepad could range from RMB 10 to RMB 30.

Another must-try food is this 'Honey flavored yogurt' (蜂蜜酸牛奶) (right photo below). The drink is sweet and not sour at all. This type of yogurt drink can be found commonly in Beijing, even in Wangfujing. Each drink cost RMB 2 to RMB 3 (depending on the store location) if consume on the spot and return the recyclable bottle back to the store. However an additional RMB 1 is required if you want to 'take-away' including the clay bottle. Each clay bottle weighs about 400-grams and can make excellent container as flower-pot or stationeries holder.



It takes about 20 to 25-mins to walk from Nanluo Guxiang to this Mansion of Prince Gong. Do note that there is a tourist information centre besides the Qianhai (前海) along Di'an Men West Street (地安门西大街). Useful maps and other tourist information could be obtained from the centre.

Former Residence of Guo Moruo (郭沫若故居)

One attraction located in this area is this former residence of Guo Moruo (left photo below). He was an author, poet, historian, archeologist and official. I didn't visit this residence because it was closed on Monday. There were many trishaw drivers (right photo below) outside the Guo Moruo former residence waiting for passengers. Prices can be negotiated with them to have an hour ride in the Hutongs. According to some travel guides, 90-mins of hutong tour cost about RMB 180 per person.



Mansion of Prince Gong (恭王府)

It takes about 5 to 8-mins walk from Guo Moruo former residence to this Prince Gong Mansion.

Prince Gong Mansion was built in 1777 by a Qing minister Heshen (和珅) who gain the trust and became a favorite of Emperor Qianlong. Heshen was promptly promoted in the Qing court and become wealthy and corrupted. His accumulated wealth over 24 years as a Qing official was equivalent to 15 years of imperial revenue of the whole Qing government. After the death of Emperor Qianlong, Heshen was executed by the succeeding Emperor Jiaqing. The mansion was then granted by Emperor Jiaqing to his brother, Prince Qingjun.

In 1851, Emperor Xianfeng assigned the mansion to his brother, Prince Gong. That's how the mansion got its current name. The mansion soon changed owner when the grandsons of Prince Gong sold it to a Catholic church. It was then bought over by a Catholic university, and afterwards by Beijing University and Chinese Music Academy. During Cultural Revolution, it was an air-conditioner factory. But in 1982, it was declared as National Heritage site and was opened to the public in 1996. This mansion recently completed a major renovation in August, 2008.

Tickets can be bought at the main entrance of Prince Gong Mansion (left photo below). Yinluan Hall (银銮殿) is the main hall of the mansion (right photo below). This hall was the formal place where most important ceremonies were held.



Although the buildings in this mansion could not compared to those imperial buildings in terms of status, the skillful paintings on the buildings and exhaustive carvings are equally astonishing (photos below).



The stone archway in western style (left photo below) is the main entrance to the private garden of the mansion. The boat pavilion (诗画舫) in the middle of the pond provided a different kind of sight and relaxation to the former owners (right photo below).



Most of the structures in this mansion followed the style of the imperial resident, for example the stone archway followed the style of Yuanming Yuan (old summer palace) and the 'Flowing cup pavilion' (流杯亭) followed the structure in Forbidden City (left photo below). The pavilion simulated an ancient game played by poets whereby the cups filled with wine were placed onto the flowing waterways (right photo below). When the cup was stuck at a position where the poet sat, then this poet had to drink the wine and compose a poem.



The most famous attraction in this mansion is probably the 'Fu' stele (福字碑). Long queue of visitors could be seen every minute waiting to enter the rockery passage to touch the stele (left photo below). According to some travel guides, in order to get the 'blessings' from this stele, one has to touch the character from top to bottom at one go.

The character 'Fu' (福) or 'Blessings' on the stele was written by Emperor Kangxi with his imperial stamp 'Kangxi Yubizhibao' (康熙御笔之宝) inscribed on top of the character (right photo below). It was believed that Emperor Kangxi wrote this character to bless his grandmother, Xiaozhuang Empress Dowager, who was sick prior to her 60th birthday. Empress Dowager recovered soon after she got this writing. This character was then carved onto a stele and regarded as a precious relic by the Imperial family. However this stele was missing for a long period of time and was discovered only in 1962 when the mansion was undergoing a major renovation. Mysteries remain on why this stele ended up in Prince Gong mansion.



Admission cost to this mansion was RMB 40 (photo below). Opening hours from 0830 to 1700 hrs daily and ticketing stop after 1630 hrs.


Shichahai (什刹海)

Shichahai is a collective name for 3 lakes located northwest side of Forbidden city, namely Front Sea (前海), the West Sea (西海) and the Rear Sea (后海). Shichahai was once part of the starting point of the World Cultural Heritage-crowned Grand Canal in Yuan Dynasty 600 years ago, linking Beijing in the north to Hangzhou in the south. Because of this, the Shichahai area used to be the most important commercial district with all kinds of activities going on. Shichahai literally means "lake of ten temples". Around the lake there are ten famous Taoist and Buddhist temples and several formal royal mansions and gardens, including the Drum Tower (left photo below).

The Silver Ingot Bridge (银锭桥) separates the Front Sea (前海) from the Rear Sea (后海), and marked the start of the Grand Canal from Beijing to Hangzhou (right photo below).



Lotus Lane (荷花市场)

Lotus lane is located on the western side of the Front Sea (前海), with many restaurants and pubs facing the lake. The archway with the name plaque 'Hehua Shichang' (荷花市场) marked the beginning of the lotus lane (left photo below). Western coffee franchise such as Starbucks was found in operation inside a traditional Chinese style building (right photo below) which formed an interesting contrast between Western and Chinese traditional lifestyles. Sometimes this contrast can be unacceptable by the Chinese that in 2007 Starbucks was requested to close its store inside the Palace Museum (Forbidden City).



Dinners could choose either alfresco or indoor dinning at the restaurants, which is similar to the dinning experience at Singapore's Boat Quay or Clark Quay (left photo below). Many pubs are located along the lotus lane. Comfortable sofa seats of bright colors are arranged neatly in front of the pubs. Even the name of the pubs can be so creative, such as the one with the name 'Zhaojiu Wanwu' (朝酒晚舞) which literally means 'Drinking in the morning and Dancing in the night' (right photo below).



Beijing Hutong Doorway

Old Beijing houses could be spotted along this lane as it used to part of the hutongs. Lots of information could be derived from the doorway of these houses (photo below).

Mendang (门当) is a pair of stone piers or stone drums placed opposite to each other at the entrance of traditional Chinese buildings. In ancient times, the status of family members of different ranks were very strict. "Mendang" is commonly known as the door pier, door seat, door platform or door drum. The design as drum was used because the sound of the drum is magnificent and majestic, and it is as severe as thunder.

Hutui (户对) refers to the brick or wood carvings on the lintel used to fix the door frame. Because they are even numbers, therefore are called "household pairs". They are usually cylindrical or square, each about 30-cm long and parallel to the ground, and the cross-section of the "hutui" is engraved with patterns. The number of "household pairs" is directly proportional to the wealth of the host family.

Thus the Chinese idiom "门当户对" means 'the status and wealth of the families of the man and woman are similar and therefore suitable for marriage'.

Yandai Byway (烟袋斜街)

Yandai literally means 'tobacco pipe' and the Byway is 232-meters long. It was previously known as Gulou Byway for two centuries in ancient Beijing maps. During the late Qing Dynasty, it was renamed as 'Yandai' according to local annals and vendors along the street that dealt with smoking sets. Besides smoking sets, paintings, calligraphic works, jades and other antiques were sold in this byway.

The byway is now vehicle-free (left photo below) which make shopping easy. Time seems to freeze at this byway as I observed some shops still preserve the outlook during the early period under the Nationalist Government (right photo below).



While walking towards the Subway station, saw a signboard dated on 06 May 2009 that educates the local residents on how to prevent H1N1 flu virus (photos below).


Shin Kong Place (新光天地)

Shin Kong Place can be reached by Dawanglu station (大望路站) of Subway Line 1 and exited using Exit A. This is a modern shopping mall with many international brands available (right photo above).

Had my dinner at this Heluu Sushi (禾绿回转寿司) (left photo below) located at the basement of Shin Kong Place. Ordered a salad-bean curd-skin sushi (腐皮沙律寿司) and a Char Siew Ramen (叉烧拉面) (right photo below). Taste was average for the sushi but was disappointed with the ramen soup that was simply tasteless. As the receipt given was printed on carbon-paper and the prints faded within a month, thus I couldn't determine the exact price I paid for the food at this restaurant.



Saw an interesting café: 'Charlie Brown Café' at the basement of Shin Kong Place (photos below).



What caught my attention was the cute Snoopy Moose selling at RMB 25 each (left photo below) and Cherry Moose of Charlie Brown and Lucy (right photo below) selling at RMB 20 each. They really looked nice but I wonder how's the taste like.



The Place (世贸天阶)

The Place can be reached by taking subway to Yonganli station (永安里站) of Subway Line 1 and followed by walking along North of Dongdaqiao Road (东大桥路) for about 15 to 20-mins.



Slogan of this shopping complex is 'Whole Beijing Look up' (全北京向上看) (left photo below). This is because this mall has the Asia's biggest screen measuring 250-meters by 30-meters (right photo below). Show time of this Sky media is 1930 to 2200 hrs (Summer time) or 1800 to 2200 hrs (Winter time), and the time for each Sky media is typically 10-mins. The Place is also a place for luxury shopping and gourmet experience.



Here's the clip I had captured to illustrate the effect of watching up on a huge screen (video below). Do note that the background noise was from visitors playing some games.

Silk Street (秀水街) and Twins Mall (双子座购物中心)

These two modern malls are located within 5-mins of walking distances from the exit of Yonganli station (永安里站) Subway Line 1.

The Xiu Shui market (or literally Silk Street) was reopened in its new 5-storey shopping mall on March 2005 (left photo below) replacing the famous original outdoor Xiu Shui market. This mall has now become the one stop tourist shopping paradise. Another shopping mall 'Twins' (right photo below) is just located opposite the Silk Street.