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.

It actually reminds me of one of the outskirt county here in Manila called Tagaytay…but in Tagaytay it’s cooler and more relaxing (seeing the lake with the smallest volcano at the middle)

We actually stopped by to buy some local fruits along the way. My mom acted coolly as she tried to manage her way to haggle..even oblivious to the local pricing, she used her instincts (which I envy I do not have in terms of buying food)

Peaches…that were the best buy! The sweetest thing they were! Too bad we didn’t go straight back to the hotel thus some peaches rotted. Some rare blueberries were also found there. Somehow, the place doesn’t look so lively though…maybe it was because of a foggy weather.

I had to stop over to the newest huge mall around Chaoyang District. It was called the Village. It was literally a stone-throws away from Yashow (the buidling where we used to shop and haggle clothes in Beijing, one of our favorites because they sell overruns I like)

A hangout that I would have liked because if you get sick of the haggling, you can now visit the Village where branded stores like Uni qlo, Nike, Adidas, etc have huge stores inside. I also saw Hatsune branch at the top floor in one of the buildings.

On a sidenote:
I was searching for free WIFI around and lo and behold, I get to hangout in Starbucks in a while…walking nearby is the huge Apple shop! Yeah!

Cold Stone is another nice dessert hangout place which I will feature next time. Yummy!

The Village
Courtyard 19, Sanlitun Road, Sanlitun,
Gongti

When we visited this that time, we didn’t go up the tower already since I urge my friends to just go to Grand Hyatt hotel for the view of the city. I saw there are different observation levels where you can choose to view the city. There is also a revolving restaurant there similar to Singapore’s Prima Tower Revolving Restaurant.

At night, this is usually one of the visible sights around the city. We walked along The Bund and see the shiny spectacle of light just across (Oriental TV Tower lit at night). It must be very nice to have dinner at their restaurant.

The fee for going up the tower shoot up after Olympics I think. I saw last time it was around 70rmb. If you want a cheaper cost for the view, you can always choose Grand Hyatt Hotel and sip some brewed coffee on the hotel lounge while you relax.

I would join if I were still in China…this will be quite interesting!

The mechanics goes like this (from the website):

Events Introduction

Foreigners ?? watch Beijing Beijing Chao photography competition activity NOTICE

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of People’s Republic of China, so that foreign friends know, feel the changes and the charm of Beijing, the Beijing Municipal People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal People’s Government, Beijing Municipal People’s Government Information Office, Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, Beijing Foreign invested enterprises Association in March 2009 to July co-sponsored aliens look ?? Beijing Beijing Chao photography competition.

The theme for the competition the new face of Beijing, mainly reflecting the new face of Beijing, Beijing’s new life; including the author in Beijing sightseeing, leisure, life and work experience; and Beijing Friendship Get along with members of the public scene and to reflect contrasting Beijing’s Past and Present works. Foreign person may participate.

To encourage more outstanding entries, the organizing committee composed of relevant experts will be invited to the panels of judges, selected 400 finalists primaries excellent after check selected 50 winning entries. Award the first prize is set to 2, 15,000 yuan bonus; 5 second prize, bonus 5,000; 10 third prizes, bonuses 3,000; Excellence Awards 33, 500 prize money and receive outstanding works photographic album . Bonuses for pre-tax income, the organizers of Inland Revenue in accordance with the provisions of the Beijing Municipal pay personal income tax withholding.

Entries as follows:

1. All entries and fill in the heading, photography sites and the author’s name, nationality, address, zip code, telephone contact, indicating participation of foreigners according to Beijing Beijing look ?photography competition. Entries to send, to the Dongcheng District, Beijing No. 97 South River Street, foreigners look ?? Beijing photography competition according to Beijing Organizing Committee for admission, and annotated “entries”, draft mailed to postmark date.

2. Entries requirements: black-and-white color may be, according to limited group of four or less, digital photos JPG format not less than 500kb. (Choose one of the following methods)

? photo paper: Specification 10 inches, not framed
? CD-ROM: CD-ROM of electronic documents to be carved (a single volume of documentation not less than 18MB)
? E-mail: bjeyes@photobtmbeijing.com

3. Deadline Time: July 10, 2009

4. Contacts:

Address: Dongcheng District, Beijing No. 97 South River Street, foreigners look ?? Beijing Zhao Beijing Organizing Committee for photography competition

Postal Code: 100006

Tel :0086-10-65221475 0086-10-65212270

Fax :0086-10-65140109

Website: www.btmbeijing.com

E-mail: bjeyes@photobtmbeijing.com

In order to ensure both the rights and interests of the organizing committee for the special provisions of manuscripts for exhibitions and publications have the right to use; activity at the course, through print media notices and pre-publicity for Authors; named after the holding of foreigners look ?? Beijing Beijing Chao photographic exhibition game winning works; outstanding works published in book form.

Organizing Committee will contribute to proper custody. Such as damaged in the post, by the author of your own duty. The game do not charge entry fees, works of non-refundable. Organizers of this event have the power of final interpretation.

Welcomes the active participation of foreign friends.

Foreigners ?? watch Beijing Zhao Beijing Organizing Committee for photography competition

Their lunch menu is quite appetizing and value for money. You can check their website for the intensive menu list.

I am hoping to try this when I visit Beijing again!

in this holiday season, I want to greet everybody MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Must-try are:
1. Mcdonald’s sundae cone– Best Mcdonald’s version of ice cream (creamy-licious!)
2. Yogurberry - This one I wasn’t able to try but my friends went here to lounge. This originated in offering frozen yogurt, shaved ice desserts etc. The ambiance looks great! It’s located at 2/F, Bldg 8, Wudaokou Xijiao Hotel, Wudaokou.

So far, these were the desserts I remember around Wudaokou…care to add more???