I vividly recall my first experience in Tiaanmen Square with some regrets. I thought I could just get away with some thermals and jacket…as it turned out, my mind went blank, shaking vigorously to the beat of the first Chinese anthem of the morning.

The sudden rush of Lei Shir classes (Chinese history) surged my mind, those flashbacks of vague list of names and events that I regret not understanding because I was too lazy to listen.

You see, I used to study Chinese in school..all my 13 years of pre university schooling. Not just those conversational ones, we were taught hardcore Chinese..from early civilization history of China till the very end of their dynasty era..all those difficult four letter words that I invented the pronunciation. It’s quite embarrassing to mention I could not recall those classes/lessons I took. I was fond of memorizing…then trashing them all after the long exams.

A while ago, I went to my brother’s highschool orientation, it was brought to everyone’s attention on how my alma mater prioritize giving children the foundation of learning Chinese, not just for conversation. I miss those chances I guess…

Anyway, back to the topic. Tiananmen Square is one of the pride of China. We passed by this last time and I still saw a lot of people lining up to see Mao Zhedung’s remains at the nearby memorial hall. It brings a sense of nationalistic pride.

The remains of Mao Zedong are laid in a crystal coffin in the main hall.

The first image that popped up was Liqun. I suddenly missed Beijing…the oily food, the unclean tea glasses and chopsticks I’ve encountered, Peking duck…*drools* Unpretentious, straight to the point…that’s what I love about this type of restaurants. Anthony was not his usual self in Beijing (he looked bored and sick but still had to enjoy his vices). If I were the local, I would have drag him to the places I miss..!

I like to check out that Noodle Loft they went to…

I get to have pictures this time!! I dragged my family to dine here at Quan Ju De and experience my favorite Peking duck around Beijing. I miss it so much that I stuffed more than 3 pieces of succulent Peking duck skin inside the wrap.

Cucumber–check, Onion leeks-check, hoisin sauce-check, and sugar! The art of eating Peking duck, it was kind of fun after all.

The corn coated with duck egg…yummy!! Though of course, you can get it cheaper else where, there’s this Guo Lin restaurant.

My parents are vegetarian so we tried some of their dishes. There was one that was like a sticky rice with strawberry sauce. My mom seemed to liked it. It tasted refreshing and unique if you get high from all those oily duck skin. No complains here, I love the oil from it, love it love it! I do eat them occasionally only so better indulge while I can.

It had a kitchen, pretty decent bathrooms, cozy living room area, table for laptop (free internet), huge clean beds. Overall the place was great to go back to after a long day of tourist attraction walking.

In Shanghai, I found a good service apartment, which coincidentally was also the service apartment my friends stayed at before we went Huangshan years back. It is called
New Harbour Service Apartment. When I recall, it is quite near to XinDianTi than the hotel I stayed last time. Save us some taxi fee! Plus it has a lot of restaurants around for late night dining!

This one is better than Beijing’s service apartment because of location (much nearer to civilization), plus the place is much bigger. And we got to stay at the 3 bedroom suite! All of us in one room this time! Their bedrooms are much bigger.

Address:
Beijing:
Luxury Service Apartment
17 Jian Hua Nan Road, Jian Guo Men Wai Street,Chao Yang District , Beijing, China

Shanghai:
New Harbour Service Apartment
88 Yongshou Road , Shanghai, China

Well, there’s Breadtalk around Singapore and Philippines..quite commercialized nowadays. However, during our stay in Beijing, we were craving for Tour Les Jours, a quite relaxing place to hang out. Actually, I notice more Koreans before. Later, I researched about it apparently, it wasn’t a French bakery like its namesake. It is operated by a South Korean company.

“Tous Les Jours means “every day” in French, and the name expresses the bakery’ commitment to making fresh bread every day.”

It still looks cozy inside…warm during the winter.

Unlike Breaktalk, here they put the breads into individual plastic. I think because of the “pollution” around since the one we are near to (Wudaokou branch) is not located inside a mall.

I actually haven’t tried any of their drinks. I thought it was expensive, so I turn to SPR instead. But I love love love their cream baguette. Seriously, it is so addicting.

Branches:
?? No 9 Wangjing Lu, 1/BF Huatang Shopping Mall, Chaoyang
? No 35 Chengfu Lu, Haidian (200 meters west of the Wudaokou light railway station
?? No 3 Maizidian Xi Lu, 1/F Hengji International Plaza, Chaoyang

We passed by the exotic food section which I dared my small siblings to try (yet no one brave enough to swallow gross looking insects/bugs).

I was dwarfed by the huge buildings that surrounded me. I vaguely recall this much shopping centres last time I went here (which mainly because it was still pre Olympics 2008). I still miss Singapore malls though where I prefer the brands better. Chinese fashion is very peculiar for me. Not that it’s not fashionable, but sometimes it looks too extravagant for every day use…maybe I’m a laid back dresser.

Don’t forget to try out the Golden Jaguar Buffet when you visit this shopping strip. It’s in the mall nearby the reverse bungee jump which I remember.