Amani Zhang
The 2010 Temple Fair Circuit
Beijing is gearing up for Spring Festival, China’s biggest holiday, and come February 14, 2010, it’ll be time to celebrate in lao Beijing fashion. Do as the locals do: Bundle up and head to the temple fairs around town.
The tradition of temple fairs extends back a thousand years, and nowadays you’ll find a cornucopia of regional foods, arts and crafts, and traditional performances on display in Beijing. Go back in time to the Qing dynasty, play traditional games, eat fancy treats or get tech-savvy – there’s more to Chinese New Year than the fireworks exploding throughout the city.
Beijing’s Carnival: Chaoyang Park Dubbed the “International Spring Festival Carnival,” this modern, multicultural temple fair has become a favorite of many Chaoyang residents since it was first held in 2002. As its name indicates, the fair features performers from all over the world.
Call of the Wild
Yang Weiwei, the medical supervisor at the International Center for Veterinary Services, has nursed countless barnyard creatures and domestic pets back to health over the past three decades. Though she didn’t plan to be a veterinarian, Yang’s love for animals has kept her devoting time and effort to their welfare. beijingkids recently talked to Yang and learned how she stumbled into her line of work, her secret method for befriending animals, and her daughter’s good relationship with their pets.
Where did you go to school for veterinary care?
It’s a funny story about how I started veterinary studies. In 1974, I was assigned to attend Humeng Agriculture Institute in Inner Mongolia. I went to register at school, but they couldn’t find my file so they didn’t know what major I was assigned to. There were three majors available at the time: veterinary studies, agriculture and accounting. I wasn’t interested in accounting and had no idea what veterinary studies was, so I chose agriculture. A month after classes started, my file finally arrived and it turned out that I was assigned to veterinary studies. So I was transferred.
Fair-Hop Like It's 2009
Ring in the Year of the Ox at Beijing’s best temple fairs
Beijing is gearing up for Spring Festival, China’s biggest holiday, and come January 26, 2009, it’ll be time to celebrate in lao Beijing fashion. Do as the locals do: Bundle up and head to the temple fairs around town.
The tradition of temple fairs extends back a thousand years, and nowadays you’ll find a cornucopia of regional foods, arts and crafts, and traditional performances on display in Beijing. Go back in time to the Qing dynasty, play traditional games, eat fancy treats or get tech-savvy – there’s more to Chinese New Year than the fireworks exploding throughout the city.
In the Kitchen With Dad
From NY to BJ, Chef Billy’s culinary adventure continues
It’s after lunchtime on a chilly autumn day and William Bolton is enjoying a warm cup of green tea in his restaurant, Chef Too, located near Chaoyang Park. Afternoons are the only quiet times of the day for Bolton, who’s known to many as Chef Billy. By evening, the restaurant will be filled with customers and Bolton will be back in the kitchen, making some of the finest steaks found in Beijing.
“For me, the one thing I always used to miss in Beijing was a really good steak. That’s what I built this restaurant around,” says Bolton, a New York native. “I wanted to make one of those New York-style neighborhood restaurants: simple, consistent and serves a great steak.”
Traipse through Yonghegong
Beijing’s winter is cold, but that doesn’t mean you should be confined to the inside of your house. On a pleasant day, a long walk can do wonders for you and your kids. Immersion Guide’s Beijing By Foot and beijingkids recommend a kid-friendly route near Yonghegong (the Lama Temple) that combines history, culture, food and entertainment.
9am: Start at Lama Temple
Built in the 15th century, this Tibetan-Buddhist temple has undergone many restorations. In addition to its historical charm, Yonghegong’s main appeal lies in its grand architecture, sculptures and display of calligraphy – all demonstrating the artistry of Chinese craftsmen from the Qing dynasty. Don’t miss the 26-meter-tall Buddha statue carved from a single piece of wood in the rear of the complex.
Going Local
Is total immersion in Chinese schools right for your kid?
When Mareno Rathell came to Beijing from the US in 2005, he had big hopes for his kids’ education. He enrolled his youngest son, 9-year-old Zevi, into a local Chinese school in Haidian district, where Zevi was one of the few foreign students. It seemed like an ideal situation – his children had a chance to learn about Chinese culture and develop fluent Mandarin skills, while benefiting from the strong training in subjects such as math and science that Chinese schools are known for.
“I believe that Chinese kids receive an excellent grade and middle school education,” says Rathell, “and my kid could only benefit from studying with them.”
But the reality was far from ideal. In a completely unfamiliar cultural environment, Zevi encountered far greater difficulties than Rathell had expected.
Dancing on Ice
Figure skating for beginners
It’s Tuesday afternoon and a dozen kids are zipping around the Le Cool ice skating rink at Guomao shopping mall. One of them is 10-year-old Wang Zichen, who is practicing a one-and-and-half revolution jump-spin that she just learned a few weeks ago. Her tall, slim body moves to music in a graceful curve – arms spread like wings, feet gliding in rhythm, her purple skirt fluttering in the breeze.
Instructor Hu Xiao’ou is sternly correcting Zichen’s poses, but he can hardly conceal his pride in her. “Zichen was a shy kid when she first came here to learn skating six years ago,” says Hu with a smile, “but now she is an excellent public performer and expresses herself freely through music and movement.”
Tidbits
Chit Chat
After adventuring in London and Paris and city-hopping in Australia, expat mom Tania McCartney came to Beijing in 2004 and proceeded to find inspiration everywhere in the Chinese capital. When she isn’t busy chasing her children, Riley, 5, and Ella, 8, or contributing to beijingkids, the native Australian taps into her passion for writing. McCartney’s forthcoming book, Riley and the Sleeping Dragon, an illustrated story for kids up to 7 years old, grew from her observations about life in Beijing. The author sat down with us to discuss the release of her first book for children. Jessica Pan
Playing while learning
1. Colorful tea/coffee set (10 pieces): Small cups, trays and teapots that have been tested for food safety. Encourages socializing and playing make-believe. For kids age 8 and up. Ikea. RMB 99.
