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Families living in Shunyi are gearing up for the big exodus home or to warmer climes for Christmas. Most schools let out this Friday, so things will quiet down significantly after the frenzy of celebrations and Christmas programs. Over the next three weeks, grocery stores and western restaurants will slowly empty out during after-school hours.
If you are traveling home to be with family or friends, we wish you a safe journey. If you are sticking around, now is a good time to do some exploring. (Keep in mind that December 25 is a regular working day for many companies while January 1, 2 and 3 are official holidays, so plan accordingly.) Happy holidays!
Seen and Heard: Shunyi Soon to Have More Shopping Options?
Some construction work is going on just beyond the Crowne Plaza on Tianbei Lu. There is yet another apartment complex going up, and it seems like it will be a massive project like Shine City and the ones already built near BSB and Houshayu.
What attracted my attention to this particular one is a Carrefour sign. Could it be that Shunyi will get another hypermart in this area? This would be welcome news for those of us who do not want to go into the city every time we need to load up on groceries. A Wu Mart opened here recently, but a quick visit showed that the selection wasn’t as extensive as Carrefour’s.
Rumor has it we will soon get a proper shopping mall. Residents of Shine City, which is located further out from the central villas area, received a notice informing them that the complex’s developer is building a shopping mall scheduled to open in 2014.
Talk of these two developments brought to memory former Shunyi correspondent Charlotte Moreau’s wishlist for better shopping choices in Europlaza. Published on the beijingkids blog in December of 2010, a review of Charlotte’s list shows that the only thing on her ten-item list that has come to fruition is a China Mobile store – although not in Europlaza. The nine other shopping categories mentioned are still unavailable (or not exactly suited to Westerners’ tastes).
Pinotage Christmas Menu
Need help with Christmas dinner? Pop in toPinotageto make a reservation for their special Christmas menu.
RMB 260 per person gets you turkey with bread, apple and pork sausage stuffing, gravy, and a ginger-glazed traditional Christmas ham. Sides include purple cabbage with red wine and bacon, broccoli and cauliflower baked in cheese sauce, honey roasted baby carrots, crispy triple roasted potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce, pumpkin fritters with cinnamon and sugar. Sweets also included in the menu: mince pies, apple crumble, christmas spiced chocolate cake, and “Andrew’s Recipe” mulled wine.
A limited number of Christmas meals are available for pickup from Pinotage. Turkey costs RMB 95 per kilogram (average size 6-8kg), Christmas ham at RMB 140 per kilogram (average size 3-6kg). Any of the above-mentioned sides are also available for pre-ordering at RMB 50 per person. Contact kevin@pinotage.me and place your order before December 20.
Handel’s Messiah
The International Festival Chorus (IFC) presents Handel’s Messiah on Sunday, December 15 at 7pm. Just in time for the holiday season, this classical performance will take place at the International School of Beijing. Tickets cost RMB 180 or RMB 280 (includes free shuttle bus to and from the Kempinski Hotel in Liangmaqiao). Book online here.
Dulwich Community Programmes
If you are staying in town and want to keep the children busy during the the winter break, consider Dulwich College Beijing‘s offerings. Their programs are open to all children regardless of which school they go to. Instruction is in English unless otherwise specified.
Ice skating camps take place from December 16-20 for beginner and intermediate skaters while intensive advanced camps take place from December 21-22 for skaters who can land at least five single jumps. Placement in the advanced program is at the discretion of the coach. Click here for details. Deadline for registration is this Friday, December 13 at noon.
Other sports available during the week of December 16 and December 30 include soccer, basketball, and badminton. The programs are open to boys and girls aged 6-19. More information can be found here. The deadline for registration is same as above.
We’d like to hear from you! What are your Shunyi favorites? Any recommendations or bits of news you’d like to see here on Shunyi Happenings, feel free to tip off the author at danamercado@beijing-kids.com
Photo by Dana Cosio-Mercado
Dana is the beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Beijing in 2011 (via Europe) with her husband, two sons and Rusty the dog. She enjoys writing, photography, theater, visual arts, and trying new food. In her free time, she can be found exploring the city and driving along the mountain roads of Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu.