Asia - Beijing tonight/tomorrow - what to do?

Hello again,

Just made it to Beijing late last night. We're supposed to be be going out with a client for dinner, but other than that I have the day free today and tomorrow.

Any suggestions? We're planning on the Forbidden City and seeing a temple or two.

Best

The traditional Big Five visiting points are the Great Wall, Tian-An-Men, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven. However, the Great Wall is a day trip and the Summer Palace is well northwest of the city center.

The Summer Palace is beautiful and particularly around this time of the year, the water begins to freeze over making for a large natural ice skating rink. However, it's likely to be cold and windy so do rug up if you head that way.

If you've done the Big Five, then you might like to consider 'Hou Hai' (the Rear Lake)- a night life bar and entertainment area overlooking a large lake or for the adventurous, 'Xiang Shan' (the Fragrance Hills) for some fresh air and mountain walking. For the latter though, weather and cold warnings apply. Hou Hai is close to the city center (and is a fun place to take clients), Xiang Shan is near the Summer Palace and quite a way out of town.

Ok... Looks like will make it o 2 of the five this trip ;)

Maybe we'll try 'Hou Hai' tonight too.

Ok... Looks like will make it o 2 of the five this trip ;)

Maybe we'll try 'Hou Hai' tonight too.

personally, i wouldn't invest too much time in a houhai evening during this season (it's more of a summer place). that said, it is pleasent enough and there are 3 establishments there (of around 180) that pass muster with me: hutong pizza, nuage, and the no name bar.

i think you'll have more fun if you focus on the sanlitun area (though not necessarily the bar street, which is a bit tired this days).

paulaner in the kempinsky is a good place to drop down a beer as well.

finally, if you're not put off by the excessive presence of working girls, the new maggies can be fun late (good music).

for my other recs, you'll have to do a search.

finally, if you're not put off by the excessive presence of working girls, the new maggies can be fun late (good music).
.


When in Beijing a few days ago, was driving around the Embassy area and saw a sign that said Maggies on an oldish looking one story Chinese architecture building. Was this the Maggies you refer too?
I heard that Maggies has an ethnic door policy?

When in Beijing a few days ago, was driving around the Embassy area and saw a sign that said Maggies on an oldish looking one story Chinese architecture building. Was this the Maggies you refer too?
I heard that Maggies has an ethnic door policy?

yeah, that was probably it. as far as "ethnic door policy" is concerned, i've never heard the term before, but i can acknowledge that lots of establishments in china are racist to a degree. if, on the other hand, you're referring to the fact that the ladies that "work" there are predominently mongolian/russian, i don't think that's "policy" as much as it is the advantage of speaking english spelled out.

the more i defend maggies, the more i feel at risk of tarnishing my, thus far, glistening ft reputation. as such, i feel compelled to point out that, while an establishment such as maggie's wouldn't go over too well in most parts of the US, it caters to multiple demographics, many of which go there for the good music and the lively atmosphere.

as far as "ethnic door policy" is concerned, i've never heard the term before, but i can acknowledge that lots of establishments in china are racist to a degree.

I had heard that Maggie's has a policy to restrict male Chinese and that the Mongolian and Russian chicks are there because they do not want to get into trouble with the local government by having Chinese girls working there.

Its amazing how agressive they are even in the Hilton bar!

Its amazing how agressive they are even in the Hilton bar!

That's surprising, I spend a lot of time in the Hilton lounge when my colleagues are in town because they are tight with the singer (Antony) and only know of one resident "companion" and she always just sits around drinking soda water, batting eyes at guests on occasion.

That's surprising, I spend a lot of time in the Hilton lounge when my colleagues are in town because they are tight with the singer (Antony) and only know of one resident "companion" and she always just sits around drinking soda water, batting eyes at guests on occasion.

Maybe I missed the cues. I certainly saw one rebuffed and then succeed on a different attempt. But it seemed like there were at least 2-3 others that were with some male friends. Perhaps I'm wrong but they didn't seem to know much about the men they were with.