On the fourth day of our Beijing trip, which was also the last day before we flied back to Singapore....we lazed on the bed a little before waking up to hotel breakfast.
Today, the itinerary was a leisure and unplanned one. We got on a cab from the lobby and headed out to Nanluogu Xiang.
Nanluogu Xiang
A small Japanese eatery decorated with interesting painting of octopus...
A shop selling printed T-shirts...
A Starbucks Coffee chain, located in a premise resembles an ancient Chinese residence.
Inside the Starbucks....posing and snapping pictures while hubby went ordering mid-morning perk-me-up!
The relaxing ambience in the Starbucks....
The Matcha au lait, which I had....nothing beats the one I had in Japan! *Missing Japan again*
Joy City Shopping Mall
After spending about 3 hours or less along Nanluogu Xiang, hubby brought the kids back to the hotel while I stopped by Joy City for shopping extravaganza! Joy City is located at 131 Xidan Beidajie, which spans 13 storeys, accommodates the largest digital cinema in China and the largest cosmetic shop in Beijing. There are a lot of international brands and boutiques available here. However it's a shame that the time I spent in here was too little, and I didn't cover the whole complex. I had to rush back to the hotel for dinner with my family before catching our flight back to Singapore.
There's a level within the premise which houses many Japanese brands and fashion. I wanted to buy everything! Snidel is just one of them!
However waiting for a cab in Beijing during heavy rain was a disaster. I was waiting in a beeline at the taxi stand for an hour plus with horrendous gusty wind and rain blowing into my direction, soaking wet with one hand holding my shopping bags and the other clutching helplessly to my almost-blown-away brolly. I was devastated and at the same time dead worried that I wouldn't make in time for the dinner which hubby had reserved earlier!
I stepped out from the queue and walked to the main road, trying to hail a taxi frantically. But to no avail, most of the taxis were occupied or rejected me, knowing that my staying location was around Wangfujing, a congested and crowded business district. There were a few illegal black taxis stopped and offered to send me back to the hotel, of course with much higher fare. But I turned them away politely. I was lucky to have read some forums online about the crackdown of illegal black taxis which is at large in Beijing city. Before I had nervous breakdown, a taxi slowed down and agreed to send me back to the hotel in Wangfujing.
So, here were the hauls from the Joy City in a 3-hour shopping spree.....yaayyyy! I won't say shopping in Beijing is cheap, especially in big malls...but at least the design is something which I can't find in Singapore, I guess??
We checked out from the Crowne Plaza Hotel where we stayed for 3 nights, at 6 p.m. Yes, hubby paid excess of half a day hotel stay. While waiting for the chartered cab to send us to Fangshan Restaurant tucked in Bei Hai Park....
Beijing Fangshan Restaurant
Fangshan Restaurant boasts a history of 80 years, serving five-starred menu featuring exquisite royal dishes, especially Man-Han banquet. It is located in the building of Yilan Hall of Daoning Palace, which was built during Qianlong reign of Qing Dynasty. It was said first established by some royal chefs from royal kitchen back in 1925. In October 2009, Fangshan Restaurant 'Qing Palace Imperial Court Food' manufacturing process was approved as Beijing municipal intangible cultural heritage. Sounds good to tempt anyone to try? Definitely NOT!....please read on
It was drizzling...the guy who walked beside hubby was our driver. He guided us to the Fangshan Restaurant, which was about 10 minutes walk from the entrance.
We were almost there to sample the imitation of imperial cuisine....excited? No?
Hubby was so anticipated to try the royal cuisine.....we were led into the main dining hall, brightly lit up with chandeliers, with high painted ceilings resembled gold coating and carvings.
The striking golden interior....
Browsing through the menu...
The emperor's throne.....
The waitress dressed as palace maid...
Dish 1: Cold dish...sliced marinated beef in Szechuan peppercorn.
Dish 2: Wild deer meat with chestnuts
Dish 3: Two pathetic looking deep fried prawns seasoned with salt
Dish 4: Braised sea cucumber
Dish 5: Braised toufu with imitation crab stick
Dish 6: Double boiled Buddha Jump Over the Wall
The total bill added up to SGD400 plus....a hefty price with such food presentation and standard! I would not recommend Fangshan if you really wish to sample royal cuisine...it's definitely not worth the money spent! Hubby jokingly teased that everyone should be conned for once if visiting China! Yeah....you are right! Was that a way to make yourself feel better?
The walkway leading to Fangshan....facing the calm Lake Beihai
After which, we transferred to the airport...bought some Godiva...my family's favourite. Bye bye Beijing...maybe we will be back again for winter?
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