Feature
Yonghegong Yonghegong Lama Temple 雍和宫 Yonghegong Lama Temple is the area’s eponymous Buddhist temple. Originally built as a residence for imperial eunuchs, the site was made into a lamasery in 1772. The temple boasts a distinct blend of Tibetan and Han Chinese architectural elements. Bring your camera and snap away at a 26m statue of the Maitreya Buddha carved from a single piece of white sandalwood, which once made it into the Guinness Book of Records. RMB 25, RMB 12 (students). Daily 9am-4.30pm. 12 Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng District (6404 4499, yonghegong@china.com.cn) www. yonghegong.cn 东城区雍和宫大街12号
Wudaoying Hutong 五道营胡同 Located just west of Yonghegong Lama Temple, Wudaoying Hutong is a gentrified stretch with lots of shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. Restaurants include brunch stalwart Vineyard Cafe, Tex-Mex joint Sand Pebbles Lounge, vegan haven The Veggie Table, Greek go-to Argo, and newcomer Stuff’d (formerly known as The Vineleaf). Shops worth checking out include Delia (a vintage store with lots of leather goods) and Brandnü, a charity shop that collects donations to resell or recycle. All profits support the Rural Women Organization. Near the eastern end of the hutong, Natooke is a fixed-gear bicycle shop that carries Respro pollution masks and other bike accessories. If you dare, rent one of the shop’s fixies for a day (RMB 50, RMB 500 deposit required) and tour the area in style.
Argo Daily 11.30am-11pm. 59 Wudaoying Hutong (100m west of Vineyard Cafe), Dongcheng District (8403 9748) 东城区五道营胡同59号
Brandnü 女 Tue-Sun 10am-10pm. 61 Wudaoying Hutong (just west of Vineyard Cafe), Dongcheng District (150 1115 3421) 东城区东城区五道营胡 同61号
Delia 地利亚
Natooke Daily 10am-7pm. 19-1 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District (8402
54
beijingkids
2013 June
6925, info@natooke.com) www.natooke.com 东城区东城区五道营胡 同甲19-1号
Sand Pebbles Lounge 沙卵石 Daily noon-11pm. 74 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District (8404 0767) 东城区五道营胡同74号
Stuff’d Wed-Mon 11.30am-2.45pm, 6-10pm. 9 Jianchang Hutong, Dongcheng District (6407 6308) 东城区箭厂胡同9号
The Veggie Table 吃素的 Wed-Mon 11am-11pm. 19 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District (6446 2073) 东城区五道营胡同19号
Vineyard Cafe 葡萄院儿 Tue-Sun 11.30am-11.30pm. 31 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District (6402 7961, info@vineyardcafe.cn) www.vineyardcafe.cn 东城区五道 营胡同31号
Confucius Temple and Imperial College 孔庙和国子监博 物馆 Just off Yongegong Dajie on Guozijian Jie, you’ll find Confucius Temple and the adjoining Imperial College. The Imperial College was the highest educational institution in imperial China, while Confucius Temple was where emperors and court officials paid respect to Confucius (or Kongzi). This one’s for history buffs and enthusiasts of traditional culture, who can even sign up for calligraphy, painting, weiqi, and ancient literature classes at the school located behind the Imperial College’s Biyong Hall (Chinese proficiency required).
photo: sophie zhu
Daily 2.30-10pm. 54 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District (6401 9369) 东城区东城区五道营胡同54号
Take a moment to pray at Yonghegong Lama Temple