at concession stands which sell chuan’r and assorted drinks (including beer), from any one of the restaurants within the park or from the mini-mart across from the entrance to City Seaview. The mini-mart also sells towels and bathing suits. Parking is free. RMB 60, RMB 40 (kids under 1.4m), free for kids under 1m. Daily 9am-6pm (May-Jun), Mon-Fri 9am-8pm (Jul-Aug), Sat-Sun 9am-10pm (Jul-Aug). 1 Xiedao Lu, Chaoyang District (8433 9689/9191, cityhj@ sina.com) www.cityseaview.net 朝阳区蟹岛路1号 Getting there Bus: Take bus 588 to Xiedao Dongmen (蟹岛东门) or buses 418 or 909 to Xiedao (蟹岛). Once there, walk north 600m to reach Crab Island. Car: Take the Weigou (苇沟) exit off the Capital Airport Expressway (首都机场高速) and follow the signs to Xiedao.
Agrilandia 意大利农场壁炉餐厅 Agrilandia offers an agri-tourism Italian farm concept for city slickers. In good weather, come an hour before mealtime to enjoy a stroll through the pear orchards or a visit to the mini petting zoo. Service can be a little slow, but the homemade pasta, pizza and steaks are worth the wait. Not in a rush? Linger in the study, pick up some deli items or fine wine, or play a game of frisbee or tag on the front lawn. For your next staycation, the farm offers sunny double or family rooms with rustic farmhouse decor. The hotel has 22 rooms, and breakfast is included. Pets are welcome on the grounds and at the hotel but not inside the main restaurant. There are tables out on the terrace if you wish to keep your pet with you at all times. Daily 9am-10pm. Baige Zhuang, Mapo Zhen, Shunyi District (6940 7650) www.agrilandia.cn 顺义区马坡镇白各庄
Getting there Car: Drive down Jingmi Lu till you get past Sixth Ring Road. At the Baigezhuang crossing, make a U-turn and the entrance to the farm will be to your right.
Roma Lake 罗马湖 If dining is the main activity on your itinerary, Roma Lake is a good area to explore. Of the dozen or so restaurants that all sit along a huge artificial lake, there are three that see the most brisk business. First is Malacca Legend, which serves authentic Malaysian food in generous servings. There is also Elaine’s Vegetarian Restaurant with its in-
ventive vege-meat dishes. Finally, there’s an unnamed place (identified by the bonfire decorated with empty beer bottles in the courtyard) that turns into a drinking place at night. However, it is a great place to get thin-crust pizzas and mozzarella sticks cheese for lunch. Roma Lake itself is popular among local retirees who spend half the day in any kind of weather in the hopes of catching a fish or two.
Malacca Legend 马六甲传奇 Daily 11am-10pm. On the banks of Roma Lake, Houshayu, Shunyi District (8049 8902) 顺义区后沙峪镇罗马湖畔
Elaine’s Vegetarian Restaurant and Bar 健康素食 Daily 10am-9.30pm. Walk 800m along the banks of Luoma Lake (100m north of Luoma Roundabout), Houshayu, Shunyi District (8048 5088) 顺义区后沙峪镇罗马环岛向北100米左转沿罗马湖畔800米 Getting there Car: Drive down the Airport Expressway towards the airport. Turn left at TianBei Lu and drive 2.5km until you reach the Luo Ma Roundabout. Take the second exit, and you will spot the lake on the left side fifty meters ahead with a narrow road leading to the restaurant strip.
Houshayu Restaurant Row This one is not for the faint of heart (or stomach) but it makes for a great Beijing experience. The local restaurants on this strip all vie for your attention with the most interesting array of food to be barbecued. As soon as the temperatures soar, the plastic picnic tables and chairs come out on the sidewalk and the distinct smell of chuan’r spices fills the air. Grab the first available table you see, order some cold beer or juice while waiting for your barbecue to be served. There are no menus here. If you are unsure of what they have available, ask to peek inside their cooler. Expect to see lamb, pork, seafood, tofu skins, garlic sprouts, eggplant, and mantou. Pair this with a platter of cold boiled peanuts, soybeans or local snails as an appetizer. Chuan’r start going around 7pm, and it gets livelier as the sun goes down. Yu’an Lu, Houshayu Area, Shunyi District 顺义区后沙峪裕安路 Getting there Car: Drive down the Airport Expressway towards the airport. Turn left at Tianbei Lu and drive 2.5km until you reach the Luoma Roundabout. Take the first exit onto Huosha Lu. Turn right 50m ahead at the second traffic light. The restaurants on Yu’an Lu will be on your right. Parking is on the left side of the road.
June 2013
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