Spring is a great time to get out and enjoy the extended daylight. I hereby announce that spring is officially here in Beijing! Now, you all may be wondering what to do out in the beautiful (tragically pollen-filled) days of spring. Not to fret, I got you covered. The Beijing Wildlife Park, 北京野生动物园, is full of animal surprises to keep you entertained for at least one whole day. I got some great reasons to visit and some tips to make your visit fun! So settle in, grab some snacks, cuddle your favorite stuffed animal, and see what the Beijing Wildlife Park has to offer.

For my school PYP (Primary Year Program) project, I chose to study endangered species. I felt like I could connect with my project more if I saw some of these animals in person. Therefore, the Beijing Wildlife Park is just perfect to do some research about different animals and species! Seeing all those adorable Red Pandas and fierce Siberian Tigers really was a major thrill. This visit surely will come in handy with my PYP exhibition. I learned a lot observing these stunning animals and how the zookeepers keep them healthy and happy. If you are an animal lover, this is a wonderful place to enjoy seeing many exotic creatures. Sometimes random animals walk around randomly, and you spot one of them easily.

The Beijing Wildlife Park, 北京野生动物园, not only has animal exhibits, there are many playing areas for kids as well! There are slides around the exotic bird section, miniature carousel rides near the baboons. Near the capybara exhibit, there are several amazing playgrounds! Seeing the cute capybaras is not the only thing you can do. You are permitted to feed them and run off and play on the jungle gym right next door. And these playgrounds are actually legit and enjoyable, not like those duller rusty ones they have at hospitals. You surely will think that this was the best way to enjoy a day.

Pro Tip: At the entrance of the park, there is a stand where you can get a bag of animal feed to feed to the animals. This is included in your entrance ticket, so you do not need to pay any extra fee. However, carefully read the signs before feeding anything because there are exhibits that will prohibit you from feeding the animals.

If you are planning to visit, here are some tips that you certainly should know before you go to the Beijing Wildlife Park. First things first, you do not have to worry about packing your own snacks and supplies when going to this park. The park has provided many restaurants and food stalls where you can easily grab a bite. My eel lunch set, which included mixed rice, a large portion of eel, and steamed vegetables, costs RMB 78, and the strawberry ice cream cup costs RMB 30. It was nice to walk around the park with a soft serve in your hands.

Secondly, try to come a bit early because the park is very large.  When we went, it was not particularly crowded, and the animals were more active. However, around noon and after lunchtime, the animals are resting and taking a break under some cool shade, not as lively as before. So, if you want the best experience, come early. The animals will be mostly sleeping around noon and in the afternoon.

Note: the baboon area near the tigers is still very active and energetic even during the noon.  Also, since the park is so large, there are also many electric mini cars that you can rent and drive around the park to cover more ground.  There is also a golf car service that will drive you around the park, hitting all the most popular spots.

Some animals are allowed to be petted and fed. Like in the deer exhibit, you are allowed to pet the deer, except for the ones that the park staff stand in front of.  If you see them there watching over a pack of deer resting, you are not permitted to pet those deer. Also, if an animal is looking stressed or confused, and does not look like it wishes to be crowded by a mob of obsessed animal petters, please take a hint.  Give them some space and do not pet them. Animals deserve respect as much as we do. In one section of the Wildlife Park, you are allowed to feed the glorious lions through a hole in the glass. We would have done it, but we were not sure how safe for the lions to be fed by us without any training, and we did not want to accidentally harm the lions.

Last but certainly not least, TAKE PHOTOS.

Taking photos is a great way to keep these memories alive on your phone or camera. There is so much to see around the zoo! Even the architecture! The buildings around the exhibits have traditional Chinese styles woven into the walls and roofs.  The park did a good job of incorporating many cultural elements in the park. Another great way to savor these moments is to draw! You do not have to be an artist to sketch anything. If you enjoy sketching and drawing, just go for it! No one can stop you from doing what you love!

There is also a “Safe Driven” safari option, where you can drive your own vehicle through the park and view the animals. We did choose to do this option, but it is conveniently available!

So, there you go. Another article from me. And as always … Stay tuned. And stay reading!!!

Find it:
The Beijing Wildlife Park, 北京野生动物园
中国北京市大兴区榆垡镇
Hours: April-October: 08:30-5:30
Fee: RMB 390 for two adults and one child

If you’re looking for more family friendly things to do in Beijing, be sure to join our Events group on WeChat. Add Wilhelmina87 to join.

Images: Clark Yap

Even though traveling is one of the best things to do in the world, some people may find it stressful.  Especially for us kids. Going through the train station or airport to reach another country or simply another city can be very intimidating!

Luckily, this article will help you become a more experienced traveler. Use some of these tips to boost your traveling confidence.

First things first, make sure your passport is valid before exiting a country, so you do not have to renew it. My mother and I were once on our way to Vietnam last summer, but unfortunately, we discovered my visa to Vietnam had expired! We were in the airport in Hong Kong when the airline worker told my mother that I would not be able to fly due to my expired visa. It was a stressful few hours; I would not want the same to happen to you. Avoid this same incident where you are not permitted to travel because of your expired Visa or passport! Be helpful and ask your parents if your Visa/passport is valid before traveling.  Sometimes, parents forget, too!

Another thing you can do to stay sharp while traveling is pay attention as you go through security, immigration, and customs! This will also spare your parents the burden of having to worry about you getting lost or being left behind. Remember Kevin from the movie Home Alone? It would be helpful for you and your parents if you watch closely as your passport gets scanned by the immigration officer or when you have to place some of your belongings inside carts to go through security. It’s good to make sure, after you put some of your belongings inside the security carts, that you have all of them again.

You can also ask questions as your parents lead you through the airport, so you can know yourself what is going on without having to always rely solely on your parents. Not only will you be able to navigate yourself when it is needed, but knowing what’s going on at the airport will prepare you for when you grow up and begin traveling by yourself. After some time of paying close attention, you will become an airport expert.

Pack just the right amount of things you will need. Although packing a lot of items to be very prepared may seem like the right thing to do, you may find that overpacking will serve as an inconvenience when traveling due to the heaviness of your bag. My family always tries to pack carry-ons to avoid waiting at baggage claim. There is nothing worst then waiting at baggage claim after a long flight, I would rather go straight to my adventure or take a long nap at the hotel.  However, do not underpack either; pack appropriately, and if you still have enough space, you can even pack a stuffed animal or toy as a reminder of home.

It is also important to keep yourself entertained during the flight by downloading movies or shows. Though some long flights have entertainment options, you can never be sure, so if you plan on watching a movie during your flight, download some before you enter the airport, just in case. Make sure all your devices are completely charged up, your Kindle or iPad!  If you worry that your movies will not work, you can pack some playing cards to play with your neighbors on the plane to enjoy yourself. You can also download some podcasts to listen to as you look out the window and enjoy the scenery. (Unless you are sitting in a middle seat or aisle seat).

There is another one of Clark Yap’s articles for you. As always, stay tuned, and stay reading!!!

Images: Clark Yap

Have you ever experienced a snow day and wanted it to never end? I sure had one of those days last weekend. A snowy winter day is definitely one of the most magical things to see, especially at one of the most famous places in Beijing- the Forbidden City. My family and I have been to the Forbidden City or Palace Museum several times. However, we have never been during the winter. A few days ago, a snow day gave us a perfect excuse to explore this familiar space in a different way.The Forbidden City is the most popular sight in Beijing, or maybe even China, so you can be sure that there is always a crowd! However, you can avoid this by visiting during the colder months. Winter can be much less stressful to visit in comparison to spring, summer, and fall.

In these seasons, the Forbidden City can be packed with tourists, locals, and foreigners alike, preventing you from really enjoying this historical sight. Also, visiting in the Summer can be incredibly hot, even for a history lover like me; I had a hard time enjoying this magnificent Palace Museum in the brazen heat. While Spring is mild and can be pleasant, if you are like me and suffer from seasonal allergies, Spring can make you feel itchy and uncomfortable. So, if you can endure the cold, consider coming to the Forbidden City this winter.

If you are planning on visiting the Forbidden City during the winter, there are some things you should know and do to stay warm in the harsh weather. First things first, dress warmly. Dress well, thick and in many layers, so that the heat molecules trapped inside your body stay insulated, and conduction does not occur while you are exploring the Forbidden City. In other words, try to stay heated! If you have any heat packs, be sure to bring them! They could come in handy for your hands and feet! Although stomping in the snow just once or twice will not kill you, do not go stomping and playing in the snow too much, unless you are wearing waterproof shoes.  I learned this lesson the hard way.  Trust me, cold, wet feet are an unpleasant experience, no matter how beautiful the Forbidden City is.

It is a good idea to pack a thermos with a hot drink to soothe your throat and warm your body. And also, a little helpful tip! If you are a foreigner and did not reserve an entrance ticket, not to fret!  Get dropped off at Dongmen Gate and follow the sign and crowd around the moat toward the entrance. You can use your passport to purchase a ticket on the day.  Do not go to the main entrance by Tiananmen; the lines are extremely long, and security is more strict.

Recently, there has been a new section of the Forbidden City that been opened to the public, Qianlong Garden. This section of the Forbidden City has not been open for twenty-five years due to renovation. So, it was the perfect and very exciting opportunity explore a newly opened area. But FYI, Qianlong Garden ticket fee is not a part of the entrance fee; it is RMB 10 for adults and RMB 5 for children.

Tucked away in the north-west corner of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity area of the Forbidden City it can be a bit difficult to find but well worth the trouble. It was constructed between 1772 and 1776 and was personally designed by Qianlong Emperor after his abdication. This garden is extra special because most of the Forbidden City is all office buildings where the emperors would hold court and work. However, Qianlong Garden showed another view, another impression of the Forbidden City- where the imperial family lived, rest and relaxed.

Unfortunately, only 25% of the Qianlong Garden is open for sightseeing, while the other parts are still under renovation. You’ll experience exquisitely designed halls where the emperor sat to read edicts, his collection of porcelain vases, some bedrooms, and rock gardens with odd-shaped boulders that were imported from Jiangnan. The Qianlong Garden was also the home of the infamous Well of the Concubine Zhen. If you are looking for a thrilling story, look up the story of the infamous Concubine Zhen. The Qianlong Garden also houses the beautiful two-story opera house, to entertain the Empress Dowager, who did, in fact, enjoy opera. A lot.

I sure hope that this article will aid you if you plan on visiting the Forbidden City in the Winter. That’s all from me, and as always, stay tuned. And stay reading!!!

Winter break season is here, and while your friends may be traveling off to other cities or distant countries, you may find yourself with a problem that happens to almost everyone. You get bored. If you are not traveling, or maybe you have a week at home before you begin your winter break adventures, you might discover you have nothing to do. If you need ways to entertain yourself during your time at home, here are some tips so that you can prevent yourself from turning into a boredom zombie.

Are you an artistic person? If you are, then this one is for you. YMM Art Education, 汤旅级艺术教 is a wonderful place where you can test your art skills to the limit. You can find YMM at Indigo Mall, they also have a Solana Mall branch. This art studio can also prepare you for art competitions. Each class is typically one hour and a half long, art competition classes are four hours long. Like everything in Beijing, their class package can be very expensive; however, if your mother is a shrewd negotiator, you may be able to bargain for a good deal. If you really enjoy creating art, these classes may be worth the price!

Secondly, if you like the feel of being in the water and enjoy swimming. Fire Dragon Swim Club runs private and group lessons throughout the week at the Canadian School and East Hotel. You can take group classes which are based on your swimming ability, from beginners to advanced!

At Fire Dragon, you will be taught stroke mechanics with different drills and even diving and flip turn skills. The more intense coaches will have you do stretches before you swim, and there are benches near the pool where your family can sit and watch you as you swim. What my parents like about this swim club is that it is affordable. One group session is a reasonable RMB 190 for one hour, they also offer private lessons at the East Hotel is over RMB 300. The best thing about this swim club is that you do not have to really commit to a set of classes, instead of having to buy a huge package all at once, you can register for a class 24hrs in advance to reserve your spot.

Winter break is also a perfect time for doing some shopping. Sanlitun Taikooli is a good choice for window shopping and get some good ideas.  But a warning, do not bother coming here for Page One Bookstore, this location is permanently closed much to our disappointment!  There are other Page One branches throughout Beijing you can visit. Sanlitun Taikooli is also home to a new French handbag brand, Polene.  My mother was thrilled when she discovered this storefront! This store interior is very nice, staff are super friendly and helpful, and they sell very good quality leather handbags. Don’t have to fly to Paris for your own Polene!  After your shopping time, you may get very hungry. Though there are many restaurants in this area, there is one particular restaurant that is my favorite-Pink.  This is a Vietnamese restaurant that serves legit Vietnamese cuisine. If you are craving an authentic bowl of pho, this place is just right for you.

If you want to keep your Chinese skills sharp during the winter break, you can sign up to go to the Bridge School at Guangming Hotel, where you can learn Chinese at your own pace. You will be assigned a teacher, and you can have a fixed time and a fixed day of class.  A package of 26 lessons at the Bridge School is RMB 160i per class.  Teachers are nice and flexible with time scheduling.

Lastly, being bored is not always a terrible thing. Being bored is a good way to explore your creative juice and indulge in your hobbies. You can order some supplies and do some arts and crafts!  For example, I spent a lot of time hand-drawing Christmas cards for families and friends. With this week free from school and afternoon activities, I was able to do some into creative writing.  It’s also a good opportunity to learn a new skill too, I am hoping to learn how to knit or crochet! This is also a chance to spend some quality family time by grabbing lunch with your working parent. I don’t get to eat lunch with my father during the weekday,s so it is nice to be able to catch lunch with him during this winter break! Anyhow, the possibilities are endless.

So there’s another article from Clark Yap! Happy Holidays Jingkids Families! And as always- Stay tuned, stay reading!!!

Find it:
Fire Dragon
Contact: Kelvin
Weixin ID: dfkhua

Find it:
Bridge School=
Contact Lily
Weixin: TheBridgeSchool2021

Images: Clark Yap

If your home country is somewhere in Europe but you now call China home sweet home and you are in need of a dose of hometown nostalgia, Qingdao is just the place for you. Thanks to the extensive high-speed train system, us Beijingers can reach Qingdao within three hours, leaving from Beijing Nan station and heading to Qingdao Bei station.

We had a long weekend, and a long weekend calls for an adventure outside Beijing. Here are some hot spots to visit in Qingdao.

Zhanqiao 栈桥 scenic area is a promenade by the beach where you can go for a walk during a nice day. There are many boat tours where you can buy a ticket to ride around the bay, if you wish, during the hot summertime. You can also have your picture taken by many photographers at the Zhanqiao historical pier. The photographers will actually print out photos right then and there. Our photographer charged us RMB 20 per picture.

Did you forget to bring your beach toys for the kids? Not to fret – there are many locals who will be happy to sell you beach toys for a low price. My family enjoyed playing down by the rocks and looking for shells, but if you are visiting with infants or toddlers, be sure to keep an eye on them because the rocks can be quite slippery because of the algae.

Zhongshan Lu pedestrian walking street is a nice district where you can walk, snack and shop. The architecture is European-influenced, and it reminded my family of Germany!

We visited a small red brick shop called Qingdao Project 青岛计划 (红塔大楼) that sold adorable little accessories and trinkets. Also, in this area, there is a historical Catholic Church, Saint Michael’s Cathedral. This cathedral was built in 1932 but completed in 1934 by a German architect in a Gothic and Roman style. I, myself, did not enjoy visiting the cathedral as much as my parents, who found it quite interesting. The entrance fee was RMB 10 per person. Bonus: Kids are free.

Find it:
Qingdao Project青岛计划（红塔大楼）
17 Zhongshan Lu, Qingdao
中山路17号

Hungry after your beach visit and shopping? I was certainly ravenous! We visit the locals’ favorite, Bulou Youzi 波螺油子•青岛本帮菜. This restaurant is a short walk from Saint Michael’s Cathedral, and it is very popular among both locals and tourists due to the delicious, fresh seafood. Even though most of the dishes were seafood, this restaurant had some kid-friendly choices. I like the steamed clams, string beans with eggs and the prawn stick dumplings.

Find it:
Bulou Youzi 波螺油子•青岛本帮菜（上街里店）
19 Weixian Lu (250m walk from Exit D, Zhongshan Road station, Metro Line 1)
潍县路19号 (距地铁1号线中山路站D口步行250m)

Another good spot to hit is Graffiti Street in Qingdao old town between Longjiang Lu and Longkou Lu. It is an artistic area where you can simply walk around admiring the urban murals painted on the walls of shops. If you are a fan of Studio Ghibli, there are many paintings of scenes from the Ghibli movies. If you are lucky, you may find a street artist who can paint your portrait. My family had our portraits painted, and now they are now our treasured souvenirs.

If you feel like your time at the beach is incomplete, there is another public beach in Badaguan scenic area, 八大关. The walk down to get to the beach from the main roads in Badaguan was serene and calm. Trees created lovely arches, perfect for taking pictures. Badaguan area was especially pretty because of all the deciduous and evergreen trees, the golden gingko trees, the red maples and the evergreen pines. There were many interesting stones washed up by the waves on the beach. I had fun digging in the sand and creating puddles of water. It was nice walking along the beach looking out to the ocean with the beautiful foliage in the background. Unfortunately, the water was too cold to swim in now, and I must confess, it was pretty much torture to have to be by the water but not be able to dip in it!

There were many options for hotels, but we chose the MaxX Hotel Harbour View because we wanted a nice view but did not want to go bankrupt. Surprisingly, our room was spacious and luxurious. We had a wonderful ocean and city view for USD 180 or approximately RMB 1,303 for a two-night stay.  At night, our large window from the room allowed us to view the light show from the other buildings! The breakfast buffet was delicious, and though we did not visit them, there was a pool and gym. My family really enjoyed staying at that hotel for a few days.

Find it:
MaxX Hotel Harbour View
26 Xianggang Zhonglu, Shinan District, Qingdao City
青岛市南区香港中路26号

There you go, another one of Clark Yap’s articles. Stay tuned. And stay reading!

Images: Clark Yap

Are you someone who enjoys virtual realities? Or are you more of a nature person who enjoys lovely walks in the forest? If you like either of these things, Hyper Vision may be just the spot for you. Now, you may be wondering how virtual reality can coexist with nature. Yes, while most of the VR walks are about science and technology, some of them are exploring through the deep ocean or swinging on vines through the rainforest.

Hyper Vision VR is located in 798 Art District, where there is a variety of art galleries and cute shops. You can also find restaurants and cafés there. But we did not have much time to examine all these shops because our main focus of the day was to visit Hyper Vision (超维视界·VR院线) for a birthday party. Hyper Vision offers 13 themes (experiences), three of which are in English, one of which has English subtitles and the rest of which are in Chinese. And even some of the staff speak English, enough to guide the visitors. Thirty minutes in one theme costs RMB 99 per visitor.

I managed to do two VRs, for the price of RMB 198. The very first one I did was all about the ocean. When you enter that room, a staff member will fasten a headset on you, and that is when the experience will begin. This ocean VR begins on a boat, where you are enjoying the nice sun at leisure, then, after a small introduction in English, you enter a submarine, where you now descend deep down to the bottom of the ocean. It is here that you venture around, spotting all the underwater wildlife. As you descend, you actually feel yourself moving, but I do not wish to spoil this adventure for you, so I will not go into much detail. As you immerse yourself into the adventure, it becomes increasingly realistic. I even got to create ocean life myself in this VR!

The second VR I did was about the Jurassic period. I must admit, this one was not as enjoyable as the ocean one, because it was mostly just walking around looking at dinosaurs. Also, this theme was in Chinese only, with no subtitles. At first, we did have an exhilarating ride on a raft through winding rivers, but after that it was just okay. One good thing about this VR is that it can accommodate at least 15 people. Perfect for a birthday party. I would not recommend doing this VR, but I was told another VR about space was very fun. I would also have enjoyed the Tang dynasty theme as well! My mother participated in this VR, not wanting to miss out, and wanting to experience the virtual reality herself. She informed me of how awesome the Tang dynasty theme was!  She recalled being on a boat chasing a thief and being sprayed with mist. Then she was blown about in a hot air ballon but was saved by the same thief that she was chasing!

We were invited to Hyper Vision for a birthday party. Each theme room was large enough to accommodate 15 kids. Though this VR place did not permit snacks or beverages, the hosts of the party escorted us kids to an Italian restaurant called Blu Lan (Blu意大利餐厅) for lunch and cake, which was within walking distance. Blu served traditional Italian dishes that were also kid-friendly, such as pasta and pizza, steak and baked salmon! The restaurant was very foreign-friendly – even the manager spoke English. The second floor of the restaurant even had a pool table and games that can be reserved for parties and events.

Want more family-friendly restaurant recommendations? Join the FamFriendlyEats WeChat group and get real recommendations from other families in Beijing. Add Wilhelmina87 on WeChat to request to join.

If you feel like your time in 798 incomplete and want to visit some museums or art galleries, you can rent these adorable mini cars to ride around in, even just for fun. These yellow mini cars cost RMB 79 for 30 mins. There are so many nice art galleries, delicious restaurants, and cute shops that you can visit and enjoy. I hope you can put this article to good use. Stay tuned. And stay reading!!!(Thank you so much, Mr. Vinh, Ms. Michelle and Cam the birthday boy for introducing this experience to us.)

If you’re looking for more kids’ birthday party ideas in Beijing, check #BigBeijingBirthdayPartyList for our recommendations of venues, entertainers, photographers and tips on how to save money while having fun.

Find it:
798超维视界·VR院线 HyperVision
798 Zhong’er Jie, 798 Art District, 4 Jiuxianqiao, Chaoyang District
朝阳区酒仙桥4号798艺术区798中二街

Find it:
Blu Lan (Blu.澜意大利餐厅)
Bungalow 1, Bldg 49, 706 Changbei Changqu, Guoying, Chaoyang District
朝阳区国营第706厂北厂区第49幢平房1号

Images: Clark Yap

The end of the year is intense. You’ve got Halloween, then as soon as that passes, it’s time to get all decked out for Christmas, then New Year’s Eve and then Chinese New Year. And if you’re American, you’ve also got Thanksgiving in there as well!

During this period of intense celebration, you may be asking yourself where you can find seasonal decorations for the holiday. You can search on Taobao to find the right things for the season, but what if you need some last-minute decorations and Taobao just can’t deliver on time? Then it’s time to visit Bairong World Trade Center!

This past Halloween, my father decided that we would not miss out on decorating our house (and his office at work), so it was clear that we would have to get some seasonal decorations of some sort.

It would have been just as fine to scroll online looking for plastic pumpkins, candles and ghost statues, but back in the US, we were used to shopping in stores for these things. So, we thought it would be nice to revisit our old traditions. Bairong World Trade Center is a mall that mostly locals visit when they need something.

It’s composed of two massive buildings, B1 and B2. B1 is more modern, with most of the shops selling clothes, shoes and accessories.  The first floor of B1 contains mostly men’s clothing, and the second floor houses the women’s section. If you are in need of children’s things, the basement has kids’ shoes and clothes. B2 is the older building. Here is where you can find the most random, but interesting, objects and trinkets. Just a warning, though: Shopping in Bairong can be overwhelming and intimidating, but as long as you have a plan, you will be all right.  For the old timer Beijingers, this place will remind you of the original Yashow Market.

We went in search of Halloween decorations, but now that Halloween is over, the shops previously selling plastic jack-o’-lanterns are now going to be the ones where you find your fake trees, Santas, elves, gingerbread men and whatever other Christmas decorations you’re looking for.

Here are some reasons that Bairong is a nice place to go shopping, and also some tips to avoid any inconveniences.

1. Bairong has many shops and stalls. At Bairong, you can find pretty much anything you need. It may take you some time to scan the shops, but eventually we will probably find something appropriate. My father was able to find a legit Star Wars light saber at a random toy store!
2. There is a large stationary store named M&G 晨光文具 on the third floor of B2, a great place to buy sorts of markers, pens and notebooks your child might need for school.
3. Wanna learn how to shop like a local? Bairong is a place that locals usually shop at to find their heart’s desire (and good deals).
4. Besides selling clothes and trinkets, some shops sell beverages and snacks, and you can easily find a snack to enjoy. We purchased some refreshing drinks in B1, and the price was incredibly cheap!

Now, some warnings:

5. It is crowded during the weekends, so avoid being mobbed by a bunch of avid shoppers if possible!
6. If you park underground, make sure to take a detailed photograph of your parking spot before you enter the shopping mall, to avoid spending an hour underground looking for your car.
7. It gets quite hot inside the buildings during the wintertime, so leave your jacket in your car (if you drove) unless you want to lug around heavy winter jackets.

I hope you found this article useful, and that is another adventure (shopping edition) from Clark Yap. Stay tuned, and stay reading!

Find it:
Bairong World Trade Center 百荣世贸商城
101 Yongwai Ave, Dongcheng District
东城区永外大街101号

Images: Clark Yap

The Forbidden City is one of the most phenomenal historical sites to see. There is an unwritten law that says that one cannot come to Beijing without seeing the Forbidden City. My grandparents visited us for my tenth birthday recently, but unfortunately, we could not go because of the military parade. But we had a backup plan.

The unwritten law says you’ve got to see the Forbidden City, so instead of actually visiting the palace, we would still be able to see the Forbidden City from Jingshan Park, 景山公园.

Jingshan Park is located north of the Forbidden City, and on a clear day, one can climb to the top of a hill situated inside the park and be rewarded with a stunning view of the grand Forbidden City. On the other side, one can view the famous Confucius Temple, Beihai Park and even the National Theater. I have been inside the Palace Museum, but I never knew exactly how vast it is. On top of that hill, we could finally see the true size of the Forbidden City. Interestingly, this hill happens to be a tall mound of dirt. Have you ever dug a hole? What did you do with the soil from this hole? In fact, the hill of Jingshan Park is the mound of dirt dug from the moat of the Forbidden City. The park was the royal garden of the imperial family. Visit Coal Hill to learn about the tragic final days of the last Emperor of the Ming dynasty.

The park was lovely and peaceful. Visit in the autumn to see the glorious changes of foliage along the golden roof tiles. Come in the spring to see the blossoms and peonies take over the park. The park is just perfect in size for a nice little stroll. If you want to see the Forbidden City but are allergic to crowds, Jingshan Park is a perfect alternative.

Find it:
Jingshan Park
44 Jingshan Xijie, Jingshan, Xicheng District
西城区景山景山西街44号
Entrance Fee: RMB 2 for adults, RMB 1 for kids

If you are hungry for more Beijing experiences but craving Southeast Asian flavors like my grandparents, Susu, a Vietnamese restaurant, is a good compromise.

I recommend visiting Susu in one of the alleyways of the hutongs! My grandparents are visiting from Vietnam; they had recently been eating a lot of Chinese cuisine, so it would be kind to treat them with familiar flavors. The outside of Susu looked quite shabby and unimpressive. However, my grandparents were surprised that the restaurant interior was very modern and the courtyard very quaint and peaceful.

We really enjoyed eating the shaken beef with the salt and pepper dipping; the meat was so tender, and it melted! The papaya salad was tart and refreshing. My grandma ordered a stir-fried tofu, and she was very happy with this choice. For myself, I ordered bun bo, a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup.

The food was very tasty, and the ambience of the courtyard was better. Eating in the courtyard was very peaceful, and it was a perfect place to take photos. It is very surprising how a restaurant can be so scenic.

And if you think your adventure is incomplete, the Llama Temple is just a ten-minute walk away from Susu.

Find it:
Susu·苏苏(四合院创始店)
10 Qianliang Hutong Xixiang, Dongcheng District (north side of Longfu Hospital, near 56 Qianliang Hutong)
东城区钱粮胡同西巷10号(隆福医院北侧,靠近钱粮胡同56号)

So, there’s another way to spend your weekend from Clark Yap! Have fun exploring!!! Stay tuned. And stay reading!

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Images: Clark Yap

Meet Todd Shroom.  Todd is adorable. He is undeniably adorable. But you must know that Todd was created not like this version of himself; instead, he was born as a small, ordinary, natural mushroom in the mystic Mushroom Land.Mushroom Land is green with long pastures of flowers and grass, and among these pastures are loads of mushrooms. Mushrooms are scattered everywhere in small patches, and every variety of mushrooms can be found in these lands. However, though the land is grassy and green, the clouds in the sky never part. Not a single ray of sunshine is visible, just rows of grey, grey, gloomy clouds. Why? Because mushrooms cannot be exposed to light, or else they cannot grow. So, the wizard of the land cast a spell to cover the sky in clouds. But our story does not begin here in Mushroom Land, but rather in the magical bubble of the Fey. The Fey are magical creatures that have dove wings and only dress in white … except for the Dark Fey.

The White Fey are one of the most powerful creatures in the world, driving back evil demons and spirits, along with the help of Mother Earth. And the Chief Fey had been whipping up something magical. The Federal Magic Inspectors (aka FMI) visit each land in the world every fifty years to inspect the magic and life of the land. The Chief Fey created something to help recreate life in every land. But there was a catch to it: Before he gave the potion to the FMI, he told them to use the potion carefully. One drop, he told them, simply has the power to heal any wilting plants. Two drops can restore the plant to become more beautiful than ever, and three drops have the powerful effect of making the plant immortal. But a warning: Pour the entire potion onto a plant, and who knows what would happen. Then the FMI took the potion and flew off on their wings.

The operation was smooth, sprinkling the potion on all the plants, until the FMI reached Mushroom Land. As always, the sky was cloudy and grey, and the FMI gagged at the ugly sky. As they were flying through the sky, a sudden thunderstorm arose. They one FMI screamed as a lightning bolt hit the ground right next to them. Quickly, the FMI took to the sky and tried to escape. The Fey who had been told to hold the potion of life, who was the eldest one in the FMI, swiftly gave the potion to the clumsiest of the FMI, Clumsina, so she could create a forcefield.

Big mistake.

Within five seconds, Clumsina dropped the potion, and it tumbled down and down. Luckily, another Fey flew to grab it, but unfortunately, the strong wind knocked it out of her hands. Now there was nothing the FMI could do but watch in terror as the powerful gales tossed the potion around. At last, when the potion drew near again, one of the Fey took out her whip and tried to lasso the potion. Nope. That did not work. Instead, the whip hit the bottle, and it shattered into a million pieces, and the potion fell down to the ground.

Luckily, the liquid did not hit one of the mushrooms. Then th- oh, right. You must be wondering how Todd was born. Okay, I will tell you this: the potion did not move. But Todd did. The strong winds were still going, so strong that finally one of the mushrooms was ripped from the ground and went flying around in the sky. The one tiny mushroom was so light that it might have never landed!!! But thanks to the storm, one bolt of lightning hit the flying mushroom, and it was pinned down by the bolt, and the mushroom fell into the puddle from the potion of life. At first, nothing happened. The Fey sighed, thank goodness. But then, the purple potion began to bubble and pop around the mushroom, and then the mushroom bounced around the puddle like it was alive. Legs and arms popped from the places where they should be, and a mouth and eyes were suddenly visible. The strong winds now seemed to be coming from the mushroom; the Fey were pushed backwards, and the grass began to ripple. And then, KRRRR-BOOOOMMM!!!!!!!

Bright colors glittered in the sky, like a box of rainbows had just exploded. And then everything went white. Then the fog cleared, and a small mushroom was standing right where the puddle used to be. The little remarkable mushroom was adorable. Todd was adorable. Todd Shroom is adorable. Todd decided that what he wanted to do with his life was to become an herbalist, who makes concoctions with herbs and plants. He is now still alive, and still collecting seeds, plants and liquids of every sort. And so from this serendipitous mistake, the first-ever Mushroom herbalist in the world was born.

Have a story buzzing in your brain, waiting to burst onto the page? Have you created characters on a grand adventure, or perhaps written a poem about a moment that took your breath away? If you’re a middle or high school student with a passion for creative writing, we want to hear from you!

Images: Freepik, Clark Yap