2019 Beijing Pizza Festival returned the past weekend at Chaoyangmen’s Galaxy Soho, where patrons gobbled up thousands of slices of pizzas to their hearts content. Hordes of hungry revelers streamed into Galaxy Soho with smiles brighter than the sun that hung over our festivities. The festival was not just solely dedicated to stuffing faces full of pizza! The whole event was also filled with plenty of family-friendly activities from pizza tossing with Tube Station on the stage to decorating pizza boxes while getting their face painted. Here are some more pictures of Beijing’s pizza lovers from this years Pizza Festival!

With nearly fifty pizza booths, including Gung Ho!, Pizza Saporita, Tiago, and event-specific surprises from vendors such as Ganges with their chicken tikka masala and channa slices and 3 Little Pigs cranking out baguettes brimming with a range toppings, adults and kids were spoiled for choice!

This year we had various family fun activities you can do with your family, friends, or solo, including free face painting, free hair braiding, fun clip doll catching, making 3D puzzles, and pizza box painting to improve the event’s family friendliness.

Finally, the afternoon concluded with some choice tunes from our favorite DJ Cousin Kippy, Pancake Lee, Pizza Face, and more. Swing dancers of all ages enjoyed the live music show. Followed with Mamma Mia singing contest, not only adults, but also many kids were excited to show their voice at the singing contest, the crowd couldn’t wait to see who could hold the longest note.

The toga contest, meanwhile, gathered the finest Romans in attendance. With the most wonderful dress up, no matter how you wrapped up with bed sheets, or your blanket, as long as you were making the best pose, everyone was the best Toga King or Queen of the day!

End of the event, together dancing with Sazón!

All in all, a great weekend fun was had by everyone in attendance.  Also, we would like to thank everyone who came by the beijingkids booth to say hello, and there will also be plenty more events in the near future to meet up and get to know the team that’s providing you with the most current content to help Beijing’s English speaking community to make the most of their time here in the capital.

photos: Uni You, Drew Pittock, Mina Yan, the Beijinger, Jingkids.

Going into this weekend we couldn’t imagine anything better in the world than eating pizza. But after today we’ve come to realize that the only thing better than eating pizza is eating pizza with thousands of other pizza lovers.

Because honestly, what good is pizza without a bunch of taste-buds to share in the deliciousness?! And that’s what you are, you’re our taste-buds! Taste-pals! Taste-amigos! And this pizza party is just getting started.

As soon as those gates opened we knew this year’s Pizza Fest was going to be one for the books.  The air was ripe with the smell of juicy tomatoes, golden crust and creamy mozzarella melting into an excitement so palpable you could slice it with a … well, pizza slicer. Hordes of hungry revelers streamed into Galaxy Soho with smiles brighter than the gorgeous sun that hung over our festivities. And I think on-site selfies within the first 30 minutes outnumbered the entire number of pepperonis consumed over both days of last year’s event.

As the day kicked into high gear, DJ Cousin Kippy blessed our ears with beats as fresh as the ‘za on offer, and frankly, we couldn’t tell if people were dancing because of his tunes, or because of how heavenly their food was. We’re thinking it was a combination of the two. Either way, it was obvious that some sort of divinity was moving the collective spirit in the name of all that is Pizza.

Folks, today has truly been an incredible time and we’re so grateful to those of you who have come out. If you weren’t able to make it, fear not! We’ll be back out here tomorrow from 11am-8pm, enjoying all the live entertainment and activities while hangin’ out with the city’s finest pizza purveyors as they sling sizzilin’ slices to the masses.

Tickets can be purchased at the event for RMB 25.

How to get to this year’s Pizza Festival

This year’s Pizza Fest once again takes place at a venue we’re now very familiar with (and fond of): Zaha Hadid’s swooping Chaoyangmen building, Galaxy Soho.

Located just a hop, skip, and a jump from central Beijing, Galaxy Soho is a breeze to get to no matter where in the city you’re coming from.

Red dot: unadulterated slices of Beijing’s best pizza

If you’re planning to get there by taxi, ask your driver to take you to 银河Soho (yínhé soho) or 朝阳门桥西南角 (cháoyángmén qiáo xīnánjiǎo, literally “the southwest corner of Chaoyangmen bridge”).

Now that you know how to get there, the only thing left to do is scoff down as many slices as you can on Saturday and Sunday to give yourself the best understanding of Beijing’s pizza scene – it’s what the Romans would have wanted. That knowledge will go a long way to informing your votes in this year’s Pizza Cup, which officially starts at 11am on Saturday, with the commencement of the festival and just as the first revelers enter the Galaxy Soho grounds.

In unison with this year’s Beijing Pizza Festival, DiDi’s English version is offering riders 25 percent off for their first ride of every Saturday throughout October (max. RMB 10)! Simply input a destination anywhere in China and set off on your discounted ride!

Sherpa’s are offering new users RMB 50 off (min. spend RMB 99) food delivery and RMB 10 off any movie ticket purchased through the Sherpa’s App. Simply scan the QR below and follow the instructions.

Photos: Uni You, the Beijinger

POP QUIZ + FREE TIX

So you love pizza… that’s obvious… but how much random pizza trivia do you really know? This stuff is important, people.

The 2019 Beijing Pizza Festival is only a few days away (Oct 19-20 at Galaxy Soho – early bird tickets on sale here!), and it’s set to be the greatest pizza festival known to man or beast (or child or dog if you have those).

Of course, you don’t have to know a lot about pizza to enjoy the festival, but it can’t hurt, right? Better yet, you can win a free ticket to the festival just by sharing your score at the end!

It’s time to put your knowledge to the test…

Want a free ticket to this year’s Pizza Fest? Simply…

1. Complete the quiz and share your results on Facebook or Twitter using the button above.
2. Tag @theBeijinger.
3. We’ll be in touch to get your details.
4. Enjoy a packed weekend of delicious ‘za, live entertainment, and good cheer!

WEATHER ROUND-UP 

Despite the brisk downturn in temperature last weekend, it looks like the weather gods will be on our side, with forecast highs of 20-plus degrees Celsius and radiant sunshine throughout. That’s good news for all you hungry, toga-wearing festival-goers who should be in good stead to munch away unencumbered by layers (well, at least until the sun goes down).

If you missed the brilliant line-up of entertainment we have set for you, catch up here, and if you have no idea how to wrap a toga, read this handy guide. Otherwise, keep scrolling for info on how to get to this year’s bacchanalian celebration of all things ‘za.

How to get to this year’s Pizza Festival

This year’s Pizza Fest once again takes place at a venue we’re now very familiar with (and fond of): Zaha Hadid’s swooping Chaoyangmen building, Galaxy Soho.

Located just a hop, skip, and a jump from central Beijing, Galaxy Soho is a breeze to get to no matter where in the city you’re coming from.

Red dot: unadulterated slices of Beijing’s best pizza

If you’re planning to get there by taxi, ask your driver to take you to 银河Soho (yínhé soho) or 朝阳门桥西南角 (cháoyángmén qiáo xīnánjiǎo, literally “the southwest corner of Chaoyangmen bridge”).

Now that you know how to get there, the only thing left to do is scoff down as many slices as you can on Saturday and Sunday to give yourself the best understanding of Beijing’s pizza scene – it’s what the Romans would have wanted. That knowledge will go a long way to informing your votes in this year’s Pizza Cup, which officially starts at 11am on Saturday, with the commencement of the festival and just as the first revelers enter the Galaxy Soho grounds.

ONE-WAY TICKET TO PIZZA TOWN

In unison with this year’s Beijing Pizza Festival, DiDi’s English version is offering riders 25 percent off for their first ride of every Saturday throughout October (max. RMB 10)! Simply input a destination anywhere in China and set off on your discounted ride!

Additionally, Sherpa’s are offering new users RMB 50 off (min. spend RMB 99) food delivery and RMB 10 off any movie ticket purchased through the Sherpa’s App. Simply scan the QR below and follow the instructions.

READ: Sample Beijing’s Best Pizza Deals Ahead of the 2019 Beijing Pizza Fest

Photos: The Daily Caller, Uni You, The Beijinger

Weary of oh-so-impersonal Taobao and soulless shopping malls? Then get ready to open your wallet wide for the creative vendors slinging distinctive wares at these local markets and bazaars.

Oct 19-20: 2019 Beijing Pizza Fest

Beijing Pizza Fest 2019 is back on, returning to Galaxy Soho on Saturday and Sunday, Oct 19-20. This year, we’re also sticking to our Ancient Roman and toga theme, setting the scene for a true feast of Bacchanalian proportions.

For this year’s fest, we’ve got a host of brand-new pizza purveyors and all the craft beer that will round out any meal. Also, to get you in the frame of mind to befit such an occasion, we’re giving each and every one of you the opportunity to buy an entire toga outfit along with your ticket ahead of this year’s Pizza Festival. Get your ticket package here. RMB 20-60. 11am-8pm. Galaxy Soho

Oct 19-20: OCDC Aesthetics Sharing Festival

In collaboration with OCDC, 5L Meet is organizing an outdoor bazaar at their beautiful rooftop this weekend. Many of the vendors will be popular fashion design brands, along with other vendors offering everything from arty crafts, to books and drinks. Interested? You can either come to browse or join in the exchange yourself: simpy bring along with items that you think have aesthetic value to either sell on the site or exchange with other vendors. Free. 11am-7pm. 5L Meet

Oct 19-20: Train Market

Around 80 artists, musicians, designers, and collectors and other vendors will be taking over the 751D. Park at 798 Art Zone this weekend, for a super fun day of artistic wares, vintage clothes, ornaments, food, with live performances. There will also be a DIY section where you can get crafty and creative. Free. 10am-7pm. 751D Park

Oct 20: Camera Stylo Vintage Market

Hutong cinema venue hero Camera Stylo is hosting a vintage market Sunday, Oct 20, where over 20 vendors will be selling clothes, antiques, film cameras, and a whole host of other treasures from yonder-year. If you’re a fan of unique, one-of-a-kind finds you won’t want to miss this one. Free. 1.30-7pm. Camera Stylo

Oct 26: Beijing Flea Market

The Beijing Flea Market Autumn Edition is back on Saturday, Oct 26. Come down and check out cool local vendors selling everything from clothing, to handicrafts, to food and much, much more, and help support local artists and artisans. Free. Noon-6pm. TechTemple (Sanlitun Branch)

Oct 26-27: Hutong Art Festival

Hutong Art Festival (HAF) is a two-day event that celebrates locally-created comics, illustrations, and storytelling. They feature creations from independent artists, professionals, brands, collectives to offer postcards, posters, fridge magnets, zines, comics, photography prints, handcrafted jewelry, and other artworks. Free. 11am-7pm. Big  Small Coffee (Beiluo branch)

Ongoing Markets

Every Saturday: Xiaopu Village Street Market

Located in the artists’ community of Songzhuang, Chuzou Coffee acts as a meeting point for many of the young artists who own workshops or live nearby. That means this market is a great place to buy a range of local products such as pottery, leather wares, wooden sculptures, paintings, and more. We’re particularly fond of the great selection of secondhand items to be found here, available for bargain prices. Free. 4-8pm. Chuzou Coffee Shop

Every Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday: Beijing Farmers’ Market

Since its first iteration in 2018, Beijing Farmers’ Market has remained one of the most popular pop-up food markets in the city. Here you’ll find organically grown food, artisanal cheeses, meats, vegan products, baked goods, herbs, skincare products, textiles, and more. In keeping with the farmers’ market spirit, please bring your own shopping bags to minimize waste. Free. 10am-2pm. Various locations (follow WeChat account ID: countryfair to find updated market schedules)

Every Saturday and Sunday: Farm to Neighbors

Advocating a zero-waste lifestyle, Farm to Neighbors (F2N) market offers fresh local vegetables and fruits, Beijing-made cheeses, bread, cookies, and numerous other delicious goodies. In keeping with the spirit of the other eco-friendly events on this list, please bring your own shopping bags along. Free. Midday-6pm. B1, Grand Summit

After the Birthday Party, Beijing Gets Back to Business as Usual — With a Pizza Festival!

By the time this issue hits the streets, the patriotic fervor inspired by the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China will be settling back to normal levels. The debris from the parades will have been swept up, the roads and subway will be open again, and Beijing will be getting back to business as usual. We hope so, anyway! This means we can start looking forward to the Beijing Pizza Festival. This annual celebration of all things round, flat, and tastily topped had to be postponed from its original date and is now taking place at Galaxy Soho on October 19-20. On the plus side, this means that you’ll be chewing on your cheese in Beijing’s pleasant fall sunshine. The theme this year is Ancient Rome, so get out your toga, stop resting on your laurels, and get over to the Beijinger website for your ticket: www.thebeijinger.com

New School Regulations to Make Students Safer

Beijing authorities have announced a slew of new regulations and rules aimed at making the city’s schools safer for our kids. The regulations create a 200 meter “safety zone” around schools, where dangers such as polluting factories and internet cafes will not be permitted. In a sign that the authorities are serious about this, school principals will be held personally responsible for breaches of the regulations. Most eye-catching though is the news that parking will be banned within 100 meters of any school. Anyone who has ever witnessed the jam of SUVs outside any school in a well-off area of Beijing at pick-up and drop-off time will be wondering whether and how this is actually going to be enforced. We at beijingkids will be monitoring the situation, to see how it plays out.

Beijing On Track to Meet WHO Air Quality Standard

Some unequivocally good news for Beijing families came with the publication of IQAir’s annual air quality report. Pollution has fallen for the sixth year in a row, a trend that should see Beijing drop out of the list of the world’s 200 most polluted cities by the end of the year. If the trajectory continues, then the capital’s air will meet the World Health Organization’s air quality standard by 2022. Although measuring pollution is always tricky, if not contentious, anyone who has been in Beijing for any length of time will be able to attest to the ever-improving air. It’s a staggering achievement, and reassuring to families who may one day no longer have to send their kids to school in masks, or worry about sending them outside to play.

Welcome to Mina and Drew!

We’re delighted to welcome some new faces to the beijingkids team. Mina Yan is taking over as our new Managing Editor. She’s originally from Newport Beach, California and has been living and working in Beijing for the past eight years. Mina is no stranger to the F&B industry here in Beijing, having worked in hotel marketing and editorials. She is currently also working as a freelance food columnist for News China and has a book on China’s poverty alleviation coming out early next year. Our new Deputy Managing Editor is Drew Pittock, who moved to Beijing from Los Angeles, California this year. While he hates to leave his cat behind, he’s very excited to explore everything the city has to offer. He’s always looking for the next adventure, and is happy to have found a like-minded community here in Beijing.

… And Farewell to Managing Editor Kipp

As we have a new Managing Editor, you’ll have guessed that we are saying a sad zaijian to Kipp Whittaker. Kipp has steered the good ship beijingkids over the last two years with a sure hand, and can look back on achievements such as our groundbreaking Special Needs issue with considerable pride. Aside from his work with us, he’s well known around town as DJ Cousin Kippy, using his encyclopedic knowledge of weird and wonderful music to get toes tapping and faces grinning at countless venues and events. We’re going to miss his humor and his kindness. And while we’re very sorry to see him go, we’re excited for him and his lovely wife and son as they embark on a new adventure in Europe. Thanks, Kipp, for everything you’ve done, and best of luck for the future!

This article appeared in the beijingkids October 2019 Family Foodies issue

Photos: Kipp Whittaker, the Beijinger, China Daily

Dulwich College Beijing Open Days, Oct 11, Nov 4 and 11

Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) invites eligible families to tour their facilities, meet the students and staff, and learn about their award-winning education supported by four pillars: academic excellence, creative arts, competitive sports, and service to others. Prospective families. Free. Date and time varies. Registration required.  Dulwich College Beijing. http://beijing.dulwich.org. 6454 9000. admissions@dulwich-beijing.cn

The Color Run Beijing, Oct 26

The Color Run promotes health, happiness and fun. Join their signature event in Beijing’s Garden Expo Park on October 13th. The event is an untimed 5km run, where runners, who start wearing white, are doused in colored powder as they run. There are two races, one at 9.30am and one at 2.30pm. All ages. RMB 208 – 498 (family kits!). 9.30am and 2.30pm. Beijing Garden Expo Park. www.247tickets.com

NBA Exhibition: Unstoppable Beijing, Now till Oct 13

All ages. Aimed at showcasing the excitement of the game and the rich history of the league, the NBA is launching its touring exhibition in Beijing. By using interactive exhibits, video, and exciting memorabilia, the multi-level experience will showcase the passion of the league, its teams and players, and will explore the many ways the NBA has evolved since its founding in 1946. All ages. RMB 90. 10am – 8pm. Yang Art Museum. www.247tickets.com

PAW Patrol: Live The Great Pirate Adventure, Oct 17 – 20

The Great Pirate Adventure! It’s Pirate Day in Adventure Bay, and Mayor Goodway is getting ready for a big celebration. But first, Ryder and his team of pirate pups must rescue Cap’n Turbot from a mysterious cavern. When they do, they also discover a secret pirate treasure map. The PAW Patrol set out over land and sea to find the treasure for Mayor Goodway’s celebration before Mayor Humdinger finds it first! The pups will need all paws on deck for this pirate adventure, including some help from the newest pup, Tracker. Some shows are in Chinese and some are in English; each show is 90 minutes. Ages 2+. RMB 162 – 522. Times vary. Beijing Exhibition Center Theater. www.247tickets.com

Happy Valley Discount for Students, Now till Oct 13

Beijing’s Happy Valley amusement park is offering discount tickets for students. Enjoy all the rides and thrills at a reduced cost! Rollercoasters, water rides, shows, and food can all be found at Happy Valley. Students. RMB 89. All day. Happy Valley, Beijing.

2019 Beijing Pizza Festival!, Oct 19-20

Over 1,500 years ago, there ruled one of the largest empires in the world: the mighty Roman Empire. As a civilization, the Romans proved themselves to be untouchable, accomplishing feats in almost every facet of society – language, religion, technology, art, literature, architecture, and engineering – and irrevocably altering the path of mankind. Then came the pizza. As Julius Caesar famously uttered upon emerging victorious from the Battle of Zela in 47 BC, “Veni, Vidi, Vici” – I came, I saw, I conquered. Our motto? “Veni, Vidi, Edi” – I came, I saw, I ate. The 2019 Beijing Pizza Festival will be one to go down in history. All ages. RMB 20 – 60. 11am – 8pm. Galaxy SOHO. www.thebeijinger.com

3e Tea Talk: Listen Smart, Talk Smart: Become a Master Communicator, Oct 15

This 3e International School workshop helps adults learn practical tips and principles to Listen Smart and Talk Smart and get others to listen to you. Find out the hidden secrets to help you maneuver through interpersonal communication within your family (parents, spouses, children) and professionally and become a master communicator. Adults. Free. 9am – 10.30am. 3e International School. Registration required. www.3einternationalschool.org. community@3einternationalschool.org

Der Elefantenpups: Ein Tierischer Geheimplan, Oct 23

In this theater production a new animal joins the zoo: a young panda named Mei Yue. She suffers from intense homesickness and would do anything to return home to China. The zoo animals hatch a secret plan to cheer Mei Yue up. Come to the show to see what happens next! Ages 2+. Chinese. RMB 120 – 480. 10.30am and 3.30pm. Art Center of the National Library. www.247tickets.com

BSB Shunyi Open Day, Oct 23

The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi) invites prospective parents to see the school in action. Visit the Early Years, Primary, German Primary and Secondary classrooms to see teaching and learning taking place. Talk to the teachers about the enhanced English National Curriculum and IB Diploma Program. BSB Shunyi benefits from collaborations with some world-renowned organizations including MIT, The Juilliard School and UNICEF. Visit the new Early Years Playground, IB Centre, Secondary Library, Sports Dome and other facilities. Open to prospective parents only. Free. 9am – 11am. BSB Shunyi. RSVP at www.bsbshunyi.com/OpenDay.

House of Knowledge Open Day at Shunyi Campus, Oct 24

House of Knowledge (HoK) invites you to come and learn about Reggio Emilia. This is the first Reggio Emilia kindergarten school in Beijing. Come to the event to learn about the Reggio Emilia approach through interactive activities, a teacher exhibition, student portfolios, classroom observations and more. Understand about how House of Knowledge’s Core Values are incorporated into daily teaching practices. Prospective families. Free. 9.30am – 11.30am. House of Knowledge International School Shunyi Campus.

French Musical: Le Rouge et le Noir – L’Opéra Rock, Oct 25-29

The internationally renowned historical psychological novel by Stendhal is being brought to the stage by L’Opéra Rock. Le Rouge et Le Noir is a story of how a provincial young man tries to rise beyond his modest upbringing through a combination of talent, hard work, and deception. But he ultimately allows his passions to betray him. With everything from love affairs to hypocrisy, this French musical is full of drama from start to finish. RMB 280 – 780. 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Beijing Century Theater. www.247tickets.com.

3e Tea Talk: Social Interaction & Self-Regulation for Kindergarten & Elementary Children, Oct 30

This 3e International School tea talk provides strategies for parents to recognize and support children with social and emotional challenges, including social interaction and self-regulation. Dr Ira Canada – 3e Learning Support Specialist and author of The Exciting, Social, & Emotional Adventures of Chatting Timmy (www.chattingtimmy.com) – will guide parents using real-life social stories to address key issues and help children through difficult times. Adults. Free. Registration needed. 9.30am – 11am. 3e International School. (community@3einternationalschool.org. www.3eInternationalschool.org.)

Camping | See Sunset and Sunrise from the great Wall, Every weekend through Oct 20

Spend two days on the Great Wall, experience the Great Wall at sunset and sunrise, and camp overnight at a Great Wall tower. This camping experience is organized by Cultural Exchange Trips (CET) who will provide camping equipment, transportation, and guides (an English speaking guide and local guide). The hiking portion is relatively easy but there are some steep sections. Please contact CET for more information, and to find out if this trip is right for you and your family.  Age varies on ability. RMB 365 (Discounts are available for groups). Needs registration.  Cultural Exchange Trips. (Jon 185 1420 3469 / Jane: 155 1030 7192).

Electric Bicycle Tour of Old Beijing, Every Wednesday and Sunday

Interested in seeing Beijing from a different view? Join Belectric on a tour of Old Beijing on an ebike. Tour through Old Beijing hutongs while stopping at famous landmarks like the Lama Temple, Drum Tower, Confucius Temple, Houhai Lake, and the Forbidden City. At each place your guide will share stories on the history and lore. RMB 400. 1pm – 4pm. Culture Yard. www.belectricbeijing.com.

Photography Intensive Workshops, Oct 9, 12, 15, 22, and 30

Local photographer, Priss Baxter, is offering intensive workshops for aspiring photographers. These courses are offered on multiple dates and at a couple different locations. Each class focuses on different techniques such as product shots, travel, basics, and light and portrait. All ages. RMB 750. 10am – 1pm. (131 2470 7430. Wechat: prissbaxter. (www.prisscilabaxter.com.)

Beijing Guild, Every Tuesday and Thursday

The Beijing Guild hosts weekly sessions for all sorts of fiber crafts and any other craft you are into. Join them for knitting, crocheting, embroidery, and more. Meet new friends, exchange ideas, share projects, get help, or be inspired by the dedicated artists who attend this event. The guild meets on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday evenings, check the website for any changes and for locations. Free. Time and location varies. (knit@beijingguild.com www.beijingguild.com)

Kayaking On The Most Beautiful River, Every Sunday till Nov 18

Kayak down a beautiful river at Kayak Scenic Area on a Cultural Exchange Trip (CET). Spend the morning learning to kayak, go kayaking, have a nice lunch, followed by an afternoon of raft swimming and racing. Price includes round-trip bus, English speaking guide, and insurance fee. It does not include kayak fee (RMB 130) or raft swimming fee (RMB 30). There are three meeting points for pick up throughout Beijing. Based on ability. RMB 75. 7am – all day. Fangshan district. Sunny (155 1030 7172 English & Mandarin).

New Street Dance Term at WAB, Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Weekends

Sunshine Studios provides street dance classes where children and adults can learn from one of the biggest dance studios in Europe. Classes are available for a wide range of ages and skill level, including adults. Classes are led by professionals who have danced with stars like Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and more. All ages. TBA. Western Academy of Beijing. (enquiries@sunshine-studios.co.uk.
www.sunshine-studios.co.uk).

Mental Health Peer Support Group, Bi-Weekly

There are many things that can be challenging in life: moving to a new country, going through a breakup, job loss, living with mental illness, or just the difficulties of living in this fast-paced modern life. Allow this bi-weekly mental health peer group to help you out. There is no reason to suffer alone when you can choose to join up with others and let the power of group therapy heal you. This project provided by CandleX, an NGO in Beijing focuses on mental health by raising awareness on depression. This is a continuing effort to provide more support to the Beijing English speaking community. Adults. 50 RMB. Meets every second and third Tuesday of each month. 7:30pm. U-Town Shopping Center. (www.candlex.cn).

This article appeared in the beijingkids October 2019 Best Friends Fur-ever issue

Ahead of the 2019 Beijing Pizza Festival at Galaxy Soho on Oct 19-20, we are taking a deep dive into anything and everything that makes pizza one of the world’s most popular dishes.

Pizza is Italian. That much is clear to most people. But much of the pizza that the world eats is actually American-style pizza. Unless you prefer funkier base sauces, like alfredo or Thousand Island, then it might be Japanese or Korean. Or maybe, just possibly, if you look at what a pizza is – a large, baked crust with toppings – then could pizza have originated in China?

A classic, cheesy, American-style pizza

It would depend on the definition of pizza. While the constant argument about whether noodles were first created in China or Italy receives far more attention, there is also a case to be made for the possible Chinese origins of one of the world’s favorite dishes. Unleavened, pancake-like edibles made from flour, rolled thin, and then steamed, baked, or fried, are ubiquitous, having appeared in numerous Central Asian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern countries as far back as 5,000 years. Manna, which appears in the Book of Exodus, was described as a “fine, flake-like thing,” with unleavened bread popping up elsewhere in the same book.

Beijing Bing

Similarly, the various bing (饼) that are mainstays of the northern Chinese diet also have their origins thousands of years ago, most likely in China’s original cultural heart, the Yellow River valley, still a primary growing area for wheat.

If Marco Polo, always the figure placed at the center of the Sino-Italian struggle over the origin of noodles, was also the conduit for pizza, then he would have been quite late to the game.

Contact between China and the Roman Empire dates to about 100 CE/AD, although most of that was simple awareness of each other and indirect exchange of goods via the Middle East and Central Asia.

Roman Holiday

There is also the possibility that the fabled Lost Roman Legion may have delivered pizza to China. Supposedly, this group of Roman soldiers escaped east out of Iran in 53 BCE, following the capture and execution of their commander. They are believed by some Chinese and Western scholars to have reached and settled in western Gansu province about 15 years later and remained, employed as mercenary soldiers. DNA testing of local residents shows that there is Caucasian ancestry in the area, as does anecdotal and visual evidence of villagers with green eyes. However, no chain of Roman pizzerias survived to the present day.

A few factors cast doubt on the possibility of pizza originating in China. Although flour products and the aforementioned bing were early components of Chinese food, baking was not, and still is not, a common method of food preparation in Chinese cuisine.

Did Marco Polo come across pizza during the course of his travels in China?

Second, dairy products only became a regular component of the local diet – and even then it is somewhat limited to urban centers – in the last 20 years, with cheese lagging well behind the drinking of milk and yogurt. While dairies such as Meng Niu are now big companies known for sponsoring some of China’s most popular television shows, they’re making their money from the liquid product, not from selling cheese. Even now with the wide availability of dairy products in Beijing, one doesn’t see the average baozi stuffed with cheese. Your local jianbing guy may ask if you want hot sauce, but he never says, “Can I sprinkle a little mozzarella on there for ya?” (although we have tried that ourselves and it is very good). Pizza’s culinary conquest of China is really just a small victory won in the country’s larger dairy revolution.

Polo on Pizza

And what about the aforementioned Marco Polo? Well, if he encountered pizza for the first time during his legendary travels in China, he never mentions it once in his hundreds of pages of description of China. Polo was from Venice, although Naples is widely recognized as the birthplace of pizza in Italy. There certainly are a lot of pizza places named for him, though (Google it).

Lastly, China rarely if ever claims to have invented pizza. While a few stalwarts may insist on its Chinese origins, the idea just never gets the same play as having invented things like noodles, football, and fortune cookies.

Local restaurants have put their own spin on pizza, adding toppings like durian.

But in reality, none of this matters. Pizza’s popularity in Beijing is indisputable. According to restaurant review and coupon site Dianping.com, Beijing’s top 12 pizzerias operate more than 300 outlets between them. More 100 different pizza operators are named each year for the nomination round for the Pizza Cup (check out 2018’s top slices) and thousands of people turn out for the annual Pizza Fest.

No matter where pizza came from, it’s here to stay in Beijing.

Tickets for the 2019 Beijing Pizza Fest, Oct 19-20, are on sale now!

Images: the Beijinger, Mafengwo, Wikimedia, Shutterstock, Mafengwo

Are you looking for something cheesy to do this weekend with the fam? Head over to Zhongguancun in Haidian for the 2018 Beijing Pizza Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Oct 13-14 (11am-6pm).

One great incentive to make the trip with your little ones is that all children under 1.2 meters get in for free! Sometimes it pays to be small.

When in Rome (or Zhongguancun)… eat pizza!

Also, we might be stating the obvious, but kids love pizza! That delicious combination of crispy crust and melted cheese are all the ingredients you need for a Saturday or Sunday full of binging on comfort food and a variety of other treats. When you combine this deliciousness being provided by the most notorious pizza slice slingers in Beijing, including Gung Ho!, Tube Station, and Annies, with a festival atmosphere filled with kid-friendly activities and fun music from the city’s best musical acts, DJs, and other entertainers, you have everything you need for an epic weekend in Haidian.

We should also note that many of us parents often stay confined to our little expat bubbles of Chaoyang and Shunyi and forget to explore the city’s other corners which are becoming exciting hubs in their own right. In fact, Zhongguancun is known for being the capital’s tech zone (often referred to as China’s Silicon Valley) and is home to thousands of the country’s most cutting-edge companies. Our venue for this year’s fest is a hop skip and a jump from Line 13 and is only two subway stops from the student mecca of Wudaokou.

In pizza we crust!

For those of you who never make it out of the CBD, you’ll be surprised at how that side of the city can host an event without being bogged down by the cramped confines of a city center location. This means even more room for your kiddies to run amuck.

So, save the date and prepare yourselves to chow down on some of the most delectable pizza pies Beijing has to offer. Advance tickets have sold out, but there will still be RMB 30 tickets available at the door. For more important info regarding the event click here.

Photos: courtesy of the beijinger

While Haidian haunts like Zhongguancun are off the beaten path of many a Beijing expat, who may prefer the dusty hutongs or shiny CBD joints, this year’s Beijing Pizza Fest, Oct 13-14 at Zhongguancun Software Park, is a tempting opportunity to break some fresh ground in an exciting, untapped locale. That prospect is, of course, made all the more enticing given the number of delectable pizza slices being served up at the event, not to mention the breezier ambiance (especially compared to chock-a-block crowd density at more centrally located events).

The futuristic park makes for the perfect place to pitch up and soak up the weekend

Better still: getting to Zhongguancun is not anywhere difficult as the daunting name may otherwise imply, thanks to subway upgrades that make the route a quick hop, skip, and a jump from the center.

A Cheesy Journey to the West

To get to this year’s event, held at the sprawling Zhongguancun Software Park, simply take subway Line 13 to Xi’erqi (西二旗) station. After that, walk one block to Shangdi 10th Street to the entrance of the park, a sleek, modern, airy venue with loads of green space to settle down on as you munch away on the vendors’ cheesy wares.

This year’s venue is only six stops north of Xizhimen

Once you’re off the subway at Xi’erqi Station, Line 13, the Zhongguancun Software Park is only one block west

Best yet: group ticket early bird buyers (three tickets and up), will get a free picnic blanket upon arrival so as to best soak up all that free space when you’re not making relays back for your next slice. Other early birders will get a complimentary bandana.

For everything you need to know about the event, including an interactive map, click here.

Making a Day of It

Many a savvy Pizza Fest attendee will be keen to double up and visit another event in the vicinity. While filling up at our doughy happening, there’ll also be a bucketload of bands, DJs, and live entertainment rolling on and off stage throughout the day.

A day of pizza and drinks: cheers to that!

If you’re feeling extra snazzy, remember to come in your chicest threads on account of this year’s theme: Roman Holiday, after the iconic 1953 romantic comedy starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. This year, we pay homage to the Italian capital and the iconic dish that the country birthed – pizza – by eating a lifetime’s worth of the stuff.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2018 Beijing Pizza Fest. As mentioned above, early bird ticket buyers will receive a complimentary vintage bandana, while group ticket buyers (three tickets and up) will receive a free picnic blanket. Tickets are RMB 20 for early birds or RMB 30 on the door and can be purchased by scanning this QR via WeChat.

Photos courtesy of the organizers, travelchinaguide.com, Paramount Pictures