China - Christmas in Beijing: What's up in this town

Wonder what Christmas is like in Beijing?
Have 4 days (excluding arrival & departure days) at our (so + I) disposal.
Would welcome some recommendations/suggestions of Christmas seasonal things to do: shopping, eating (Chinese only, no western food as I have it daily at home. Outside of hotels would be better) and caroling. Any web sites for "events". A Lang Lang concert would be nice. How about Christmas Eve worship service in a Christian church near Chaoyang area?
Lastly, would I see snow/sunshine?
Thanks in advance.

Christmas Day is not a holiday in China. Though many merchants have expropriated Santa Claus as a selling tool, you won't find obvious public evidence of the "Christ" part of Christmas. January 1-3 is a public holiday in China and it is a much bigger shopping holiday with lots of sales.

Expats who are still in town, however, tend to take the day off and celebrate with family and friends, getting together to have a special feast either home-made, or in one of the hotels or restaurants that will put together a special meal.

Churches will have Christmas Eve services going--the expat churches (with English language services) usually around 7 or 7:30 pm and they are usually well-attended. Visitors are especially welcome. I believe I will be in town then, so if interested let me know and I can PM you for the details of my (Chaoyang) Ccongregation location and event times. Chinese churches will do something also, but their services will have the language barrier of course. Caroling is pretty sparse in the city due to logistical issues and the fact that the government isn't too big on it. You're more likely to have neighborhood caroling out in Shunyi, in the expat villa complexes which will be less accessible to the visitor.

December issues of expat magazines (hard copy or online) such as thebeijinger.com and cityweekend.com should have event listings, though possibly not comprehensive. You may check out this reputable site for more general listings and ticket prices, and if you find something, your hotel concierge can probably get for you:
http://en.piao.com.cn/beijing/allticket.asp

Perhaps if Lang Lang isn't around, try to pick up something high-brow at the National Center for the Performing Arts ("The Egg") and see the funky architecture inside and out at the same time. And Richard Clayderman has a Dec 25 Christmas piano concert at the Great Hall of the People. :p

Snow would be possible but unusual, Beijing is normally dry and cold. Sunshine and windy or smoggy and windless--nobody can predict which it will be, but the odds in December favor sun and wind and very cold.

"Happy Snow and Ice Season" at Bird's Nest Stadium.

Transforms the place into a winter wonderland with skiing. (http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2009/12/30/4597091230skiing1.jpg)

They had it for the last two years, so most probably they will
do it again this winter season?

Churches will have Christmas Eve services going--the expat churches (with English language services) usually around 7 or 7:30 pm and they are usually well-attended. Visitors are especially welcome. I believe I will be in town then, so if interested let me know and I can PM you for the details of my (Chaoyang) Ccongregation location and event times.

Sounds great. Thanks in advance for PM'ing me with church service details.


[QUOTE=jiejie;17524270]You may check out this reputable site for more general listings and ticket prices, and if you find something, your hotel concierge can probably get for you:
http://en.piao.com.cn/beijing/allticket.asp

From the link, notice that the China Philharmonic Orch plays at the Forbidden City Music Hall. Promising!

[QUOTE=jiejie;17524270]Perhaps if Lang Lang isn't around, try to pick up something high-brow at the National Center for the Performing Arts ("The Egg") and see the funky architecture inside and out at the same time. And Richard Clayderman has a Dec 25 Christmas piano concert at the Great Hall of the People. :p

Am at least to go out to the NCPA for photo-ops. Never been inside.

Snow would be possible but unusual, Beijing is normally dry and cold. Sunshine and windy or smoggy and windless--nobody can predict which it will be, but the odds in December favor sun and wind and very cold.

Wish to see a white Christmas in BJ !!!

Thanks for sharing.

"Happy Snow and Ice Season" at Bird's Nest Stadium.

Transforms the place into a winter wonderland with skiing. (http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2009/12/30/4597091230skiing1.jpg)

They had it for the last two years, so most probably they will
do it again this winter season?

This photo reminds me of "skiing" in Bubai. I will be out to the B' Nest to shoot some pictures. Hope they open at night too.

Since it looks like I'm not going to be able to make it back to the US for xmas, I suggest that we try to do a repeat of Thanksgiving. You can count me out of the church thing (I'm not anti religion; I just try to limit my church visits to weddings and the occasional Easter).

Insofar as venues are concerned, I'm open to the pizza idea, Chef Too (went there last week and was almost blown away by the quality), the same place as last time (their service was sublime), and trying to grab a tuangou deal (e.g. I saw an 80% off coupon at Sorabol last week on meituan that I would have pounced upon were it not for my disdain for Paypal). And, I suppose Chinese food is also an option... when in Rome,...

Since it looks like I'm not going to be able to make it back to the US for xmas, I suggest that we try to do a repeat of Thanksgiving. You can count me out of the church thing (I'm not anti religion; I just try to limit my church visits to weddings and the occasional Easter).

Insofar as venues are concerned, I'm open to the pizza idea, Chef Too (went there last week and was almost blown away by the quality), the same place as last time (their service was sublime), and trying to grab a tuangou deal (e.g. I saw an 80% off coupon at Sorabol last week on meituan that I would have pounced upon were it not for my disdain for Paypal). And, I suppose Chinese food is also an option... when in Rome,...

Am very much up for this if it is the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day -- although I realise that may be less attractive for those wanting to spend the day with their families/ go to Church etc. I'm flying to BOS v. v. early on 26 December for work, so can't do it after, and immediately prior am pretty busy aswell. Of course, if this is too restrictive for the majority, just count me/ us in for the next one.

tb

I leave for SIN on the 21st for a 'warm' 6 day RC cruise, back to BJ on 29th.

-also need to fly to HZ for a clients NYs eve party on 31st, back on the 1st.

- last year on CCTV 5, on the the 2nd or 3rd of January they had the NY's day college football games on, in a continual series , with no commercials... I could see a football type party somewhere ?.

Unfortunately I am going to be away from this weekend until the end of the month (I make it back home for Xmas every few years), so I'll have to miss out on this one (again ...). I look forward to meeting all of you though sometime in 2012 - hopefully sooner rather than later.

In terms of Christmas events, there are a few things going on at the Beijing Bookworm in the next couple of weeks (carols this Thursday and a book reading of Christmas Carol next week I think).

Insofar as venues are concerned, I'm open to the pizza idea, Chef Too (went there last week and was almost blown away by the quality), the same place as last time (their service was sublime), and trying to grab a tuangou deal (e.g. I saw an 80% off coupon at Sorabol last week on meituan that I would have pounced upon were it not for my disdain for Paypal). And, I suppose Chinese food is also an option... when in Rome,...

moondog,
I did not read the "Thanksgiving" thread. Thanks for the gracious hospitality. You know, this could be a great opportunity for me and DW to know some of the Beijing-based FTers. {Did something similar when in Strasbourg}. If on, 23rd Dec will work for us. Like you said, "when in Rome". We would love local food!

I am up for a Christmas get-together, but cannot be the one to put it together as I'll be down south and not returning until the 23rd. Times I could be available:
--Dinner for Dec 23rd (not my first choice since I'll be arriving mid-afternoon, but doable)
--Midday meal on Dec 24th anytime
--Midday meal on Dec 25th from 12:30 on, or Dinner on the 25th anytime

I will be going to Christmas Eve service at 7 pm so would not be able to make it to dinner on the 24th.

Hope we can find a way to get together. I am open to different venues and foods (doesn't have to be turkey!), just as long as it's reasonably priced (so Nobu is out).

moondog & jiejie
Due to other added engagements and our limited time in Beijing, would like to “rain-check” the opportunity to get together until our next trip.
I very much regret the opporunity to meet this time.
Merry Christmas

allset2travel

I'm around for Christmas but have friends visiting so X'mas day is out. We already have a cook-in planned! Need to properly make use of my kitchen/oven. I might be able to do mid-day on Eve, but unfortunately can't commit now - sorry!

By the way - what's a good place to get x'mas decorations (besides online off taobao)? I cruised through the Walmart over the weekend and saw a pretty limited selection.

By the way - what's a good place to get x'mas decorations (besides online off taobao)? I cruised through the Walmart over the weekend and saw a pretty limited selection.

In CBD went to this underground bomb shelter complex. It must have been
10K SQM filled all with Xmas decorations. That was the guy's warehouse.

Will try to get his contact info as that was awhile ago, but he would gladly sell for cash as he doesn't get too many (as in none) cash paying visitors.

By the way - what's a good place to get x'mas decorations (besides online off taobao)? I

In Chaoyang, across from the entrance to the Lady street mkt/flower area. There are about 5 temporary Xmas stands with all kinds of tree & trinket stuff...

In CBD went to this underground bomb shelter complex. It must have been 10K SQM filled all with Xmas decorations. That was the guy's warehouse.

Will try to get his contact info as that was awhile ago, but he would gladly sell for cash as he doesn't get too many (as in none) cash paying visitors.

Wow that would be great -- hope its still around. I live in the CBD area so location-wise it'll be convenient.

In Chaoyang, across from the entrance to the Lady street mkt/flower area. There are about 5 temporary Xmas stands with all kinds of tree & trinket stuff...

Perfect! Will go check it out this weekend and grab some poinsettias or cut flowers for the holidays. Maybe I should get a little tree too... heh.

Well, I'm interested in eating:p, so here are some advices:

1, hotpot, this is traditional food in Winter and it helps you to feel warmer. Go with your friends.2-8 people will be great. Famous brand: little sheep.

2,spicy dishes: if you like can go to "Wang Xiang Yuan". the fish's head and frog(you may donot like it) are delicious. There is one around "Xizhimen" subway, in the mall, maybe 6th floor.

3, canont miss"Beijing Duck", but i am not very interested in it.

4, can also try dumplings. My foreign friends told me there are no dumpling in their country.

5, i guess you cannot miss"Qianmen" in Beijing. there are lots of traditional snacks in the ""Xian yu kou hu tong".

once i remember anything else will tell you. Enjoy your time in China.

1, hotpot, this is traditional food in Winter and it helps you to feel warmer. Go with your friends.2-8 people will be great. Famous brand: little sheep.


I have nothing against 小肥羊, but there are more interesting options out there. I've been meaning to try the place in the Place (1st floor of south building under California Fitness) because it is swank and smells so good every time I walk past it.

Welcome to FT, btw.

Well, I'm interested in eating:p, so here are some advices:

1, hotpot, this is traditional food in Winter and it helps you to feel warmer. Go with your friends.2-8 people will be great. Famous brand: little sheep.

2,spicy dishes: if you like can go to "Wang Xiang Yuan". the fish's head and frog(you may donot like it) are delicious. There is one around "Xizhimen" subway, in the mall, maybe 6th floor.

.
Can't beat hot pot or Hunan spicy fish head to warm you up. Also another variety of food is good for you in winter time, but might be offensive to westerners.

Can't beat hot pot or Hunan spicy fish head to warm you up. Also another variety of food is good for you in winter time, but might be offensive to westerners.

狗肉？Let's not go there, please. (The "hookers" thread has caused more than enough friction; we should steer clear of even less kosher topics.)

狗肉很好吃

Just had some; 'salmon' fish head soup, & hot donkey meat. both were tasty for this westerner.

Never had the opportunity to try salmon head soup, isn't that Japanese?
Chinese use river carp.

Never had the opportunity to try salmon head soup, isn't that Japanese?
Chinese use river carp.

Or as stated on so many Chinglish menus: "river crap" fish. :p

Or as stated on so many Chinglish menus: "river crap" fish. :p

For a real treat try the caviar:

Crap Eggs With Bamboo Flavor (http://api.ning.com/files/g97fKpliHYAAWN5iBLxuLsLHv8fec3E9bqLhd*SR-RYcNqtvWaZQqDrhsrCPjGg-xTlkoQOxQYCmtw2nVMcUX9Er34wdmk8q/abc_chinglish8_070531_ssh1.jpg)

Just had some; 'salmon' fish head soup

Salmon aren't indigenous to China but if there's demand
they will find a way to capitalize on it.

China's first salmon farm could affect market for Alaska seafood (http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/chinas-first-salmon-farm-could-affect-market-alaska-seafood)

Can't beat hot pot or Hunan spicy fish head to warm you up. Also another variety of food is good for you in winter time, but might be offensive to westerners.

My friends from abroad all like spicy foods under my instruction. there are lots of Mexico foods in US. Actually lots of foreigners like hot foods. however,it depends. i just recommend some I've tried.

狗肉很好吃

Dog is man's best friend. this is a cruel suggestion:(

Dog is man's best friend. this is a cruel suggestion:(

I dare say that none of us are even remotely contemplating the idea of making a meal out of Fido to celebrate Xmas.

狗肉很好吃

你吃过吗?

你吃过吗?

是
背脊向天人所食:p

是
背脊向天人所食:p

First time I ate dog in China it ended up being dog heart. :eek:

First time I ate dog in China it ended up being dog heart. :eek:

Don't feel bad, my first unknowing experience was soup with
....can't even say with what part.:confused::eek: