Did you know we have a family events WeChat group? Join two hundred other internationally-minded families for the latest information on what’s going on in Beijing. Send an email to editor@beijing-kids.com with your WeChat id or add KippWhittaker or anp3rd on WeChat. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned.

Learn

R3’s Kitchen: Learn How to Make Chicken Curry and Puto, Jul 27
All ages.  A cuisine is a characteristic style of cooking practices and traditions, usually associated with a specific culture. Asia is home to many cultures, many of which have their own characteristic cuisine. R3’s Kitchen offers a fun way of learning Asian cuisine. On July 27 at 10-11am, come to the Golden Century Garden to learn how to make Nepali style chicken curry, and Philippine steamed rice cake called puto. RMB 180 per session (copy of recipe included). R3’s Kitchen. (WeChat ID: R3Discovery, 186 1811 4978 – Leng, 136 2106 5844 -Sabina, r3discovery@sina.com).

Arrival Survival, Aug 28
All ages. Come and join the International Newcomer’s Network (INN) for a fun and informative morning with guest speakers discussing ways to survive and thrive in Beijing. Some topics covered include safety in the city and counterfeit money, the stress of settling into life in Beijing, water and air purification systems, health insurance, WeChat Pay, and financial planning. Afterwards, indulge in a lunch bunch in a nearby restaurant and enjoy delicious traditional Chinese cuisine. Foreign passport holders only. RMB 75. Capital Mansion Athletic Club. Capital Mansion, 6 Xinyuan Nan Road, Chaoyang 100004. 北京市朝阳区新源南路6号，京城大厦50层100004.

Weekly Drawing Classes, until Nov 25
All ages. The weekly art sessions will run until November 25. They’re perfect for families with children that have a passion for art. Students at the SLab can learn correct drawing techniques, how to draw portraits and even papier mâché. Come join the Academic Drawing Class from 1-3pm, and/or the Creative Drawing Class from 4-6pm. RMB 290 per class. The SLab. (138 1121 8031). R102 Building 5, No.15 Dongzimenwai Street, Dongcheng. 北京东城区东直门外大街15号楼5单元102室.

Explore

On the Road: Young Chinese Artists, until Jul 26
All ages. This sculpture exhibition brings fresh new works from artists around China to Beijing for your viewing pleasure. The exhibition looks at the interactions of the sculpture, space and the public, as well as the development of contemporary science and society using the vocabulary of sculpture. 10am-6pm. Dachin Contemporary Art Center – A-4 798 Arts District, Chaoyang. 北京朝阳区 798艺术区A区04 栋大千当代艺术中.

Living Digital Forest and Future Park, Tue-Sat until Oct 10
All ages. ‘Living Digital Forest’ is an exhibition of twelve digital works, which includes ‘Future Park’, an interactive, dynamic playground where kids can explore, experiment and play. Click/tap here for more details about the exhibition. Click/tap here to buy an e-ticket (page in Chinese) or follow Pace Beijing’s WeChat (ID: pace_service). RMB 80 (weekdays), RMB 150 (weekends). Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-6pm. Pace Beijing, 798 Art District, 2 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区酒仙桥路2号798艺术区8502信箱

The Bookworm’s Weekly SciFi Book Club, every Thursday
All ages. Join The Bookworm’s weekly SciFi Book Club to talk about your favorite science fiction short stories! Each meeting you get a chance to read and discuss a short story. Some of the authors chosen so far include Greg Egan, Iain M. Banks, Cory Doctorow, Andy Weir, Liu Cixin, Peter Watts, Neal Stephenson, Ted Chiang, and many others. Add Olga on WeChat @Merukaba for more information. Free. 8pm.

Experience the Avengers, until Aug 20
All ages. One of the world’s favorite comic series comes to Beijing! Following stops in Times Square, Paris, Las Vegas and Singapore, this interactive comic book experience hits Beijing, giving kids, families, and fans a chance to see Avengers memorabilia up close and to learn more about their favorite heroes. RMB 198 on weekdays, RMB 258 on weekends. Chaoyang Park West Gate. 8 Square, 4th Gate West Chaoyang Park, Chaoyang. 北京 朝阳区 北京朝阳公园西4门08广场.

Heart of the Tin Man, until Aug 10
All ages. The ubiquity of new technologies in daily life serves as a backdrop for the diverse positions presented within Heart of the Tin Man. Twelve artists, with unique understandings of the world and its forces, embrace alternative modes of creativity and unprecedented languages of expression that underline dramatic shifts occurring in the realm of human experience. Incorporating virtual reality, digital mechanics, and interactive installations predicated on the latest in scientific achievement, Heart of the Tin Man stimulates the senses of sight, smell, touch, and sound, drawing predominantly from the M WOODS Collection and the post-internet focus of co-founder Michael Xufu Huang. RMB 60, RMB 40 for students. 10.30am-6pm. M Woods. D-06, 798 Art Zone, 2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区 酒仙桥路2号798艺术区，D-06.

Enjoy

Beijing Art Theatre for Children: You Look Tasty, Jul 23-27
This Chinese-language play for kids is designed for dinosaur lovers. An Ankylosaurus egg rolls in front of Tyrannosaurus and breaks. When the baby Ankylosaurus cries out “Daddy!” he decides not to eat the little dinosaur, but instead teaches him his famous three tricks and protects him. RMB 80– 400. 7.30-9pm. National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA). 2 Chang’an Jie Xicheng District 西城区 西长安街2号.

Water Cube Audiovisual Feast – “Bird’s Nest Attraction”, every Thu to Sun until Jul 30
All ages. A visual and acoustic cultural feast titled Bird’s Nest Attraction will be staged at the Water Cube every Thursday to Sunday. RMB 180, 280, 480, 880, 1,280 (for VIP). Contact Lucy for more information. (WeChat ID: lucy18600208126, 186 0020 8126). Water Cube, National Aquatics Center.

Rhythm of Youth: The Asian Youth Orchestra in Concert, Jul 25
All ages. Richard Pontzious will direct the Asian Youth Orchestra at the National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA). The members of the orchestra are among the finest young musicians from China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam and are selected via a highly rigorous audition process. Their program includes Strauss, Sibelius and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here. Tickets from RMB 80 to RMB 500. 7.30-9.30pm. National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA).

Beijing Flea Market, Jul 29
All ages. The Beijing Flea Market is always a popular choice among Beijingers, and it’s nice to see that the summer heat hasn’t scared them away from shopping for their usual range of food, clothes, and goodies. Noon-6pm. Pop-Up Beijing. (http://popupbeijing.com/). North Side, Ground Level, Building 22, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang. 朝阳区 朝阳区工体北路4号22号楼104室.

Swiss National Day Celebration, Jul 29
All ages. Everyone’s invited to the Swiss Embassy for the National Day Celebration. Enjoy Swiss beer and wine and food from the Nuo Hotel while enjoying the Embassy’s garden and pool (before sunset). As night falls, a bonfire will be lit and children will be invited to carry paper lanterns with the Swiss cross in a parade through the Embassy. The event will also include a draw with chances to win tons of great prizes. RMB 300 for Swiss Club members, RMB 450 for non-members, RMB 150 (kids), free for kids 5 and under. 3pm. Register with Jeff on Wechat ID: InternsInBeijing or by email to info@swissclubbeijing.com. Registration deadline: 26 July. Embassy of the Swiss Confederation. Sanlitun Dongwujie 3. 朝阳区三里屯东五街3号(近昆仑饭店).

Monster Jam, Jul 29
All ages. Monster Jam® is the most action-packed live event on four wheels where world-class drivers compete in front of capacity crowds in both monster truck racing and freestyle competitions. Celebrating 25 years of adrenaline-charged family entertainment, Monster Jam combines spontaneous entertainment with the ultimate off-road, motorsport competition. July 29th, don’t miss it for the first time ever in China at the National Stadium. RMB 180-680. Learn more about this event here. To buy tickets, click here. Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest).

Discount Tickets for Panda Kungfu Show – Shichahai Theater, every night
All ages. The Kungfu extravaganza “Shichahai” combines some of China’s most treasured performance arts including martial arts, Peking opera, and acrobatics.Led by Kungfu masters, many of who are champions of various martial art tournaments, “Shichahai” plays nightly at Shichahai Theater. Cute Kungfu pandas make this show a big hit among kids. 5.30-6.30pm. “bookingticket” offers discounted tickets for the Panda Kungfu Show as well as others. Click here for more info.

Indulge

Rmb 80 All-You-Can-Eat-And-Drink at Mr. Shi Sanlitun, until Jul 30
All ages. Mr. Shi’s Dumplings is offering a special promotion. Spend only RMB 80 and enjoy unlimited dumplings, dishes, draft beer, and seasonal fruits. The deal requires a minimum of 5 people. Contact the store to make a reservation by calling 131 6100 3826 or 6415 6388, or by emailing laoshisj@qq.com. Mr. Shi’s Dumplings Sanlitun Branch. No. 37 Sanlitun South, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区 三里屯南37号楼

Fresh Imported Oysters at Xian, until Nov 30
All ages. Now at Xian, we have also prepared freshly imported oysters from France. Among the selections are: Largest oyster-producing region Fine de Claire – Fine de Claire #3, and the most famous oyster in the world Belon – Belon #2. For parents, Michel Lynch Sauvignon Blanc White Wine and Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Champagne have been prepared as well to pair with your oysters. Xian operating hours:
Monday-Sunday. 5pm-2am. Unity live show: every Wednesday to Sunday, 9pm-midnight. For more information or reservations, please call 8414 9810. EAST, Beijing Hotel. No. 22 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, 100016. 北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路22号100016.

Hike

Jiankou – Gubeikou Great Wall Hiking and Camping (2 days),
Ages 5+. If you love the outdoors, you won’t want to miss this epic Great Wall hike that covers 2 fantastic sections of the Beijing Wild Great Wall:  the amazing Wild Jiankou Great Wall and Gubeikou, Beijing’s oldest Great Wall. Dates: Jul 29-30, Aug 5-6. Hike level: 3 medium/strong. Follow ChinaHiking on Wechat and get last minutes’ discount: ChinaHiking_Beijing. Day 1 departure at 9.30am, day 2 arrival in Beijing at 7pm. RMB 1,600 (RMB 1,440 for kids 7-17, RMB 1280 for membership, RMB 800 for kids younger than 7). ChinaHiking Beijing. (156 5220 0950, info@chinahiking.cn, http://www.chinahiking.cn/)

1 Day Sunset Great Wall Hike, Jul 29
Ages 5+. Hike 8 km on a recently restored Wild Great Wall section with stunning views on Beijing’s highest Great Wall in the north, miles and miles of the Great Wall in the south, and the Chen Castle General Tower in the east. You will need an average to good physical condition and some balance for this trail. Hike level: 3 medium/strong. Follow ChinaHiking on Wechat and get last minutes’ discount: ChinaHiking_Beijing. Departure at 11.30am, arrival in Beijing at 10pm. RMB 600 (RMB 540 for kids 7-17, RMB 480 for membership, RMB 300 for kids younger than 7)  ChinaHiking Beijing. (156 5220 0950, info@chinahiking.cn, http://www.chinahiking.cn/)

West Jiankou to East Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall, Jul 27-28
Ages 5+. The 18-km Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall camping offers an in-depth exploration of the Wild Jiankou with a finish on the restored Mutianyu Great Wall. Hike level: 3 medium/strong. Day 1 departure at 9.30am, day 2 arrival in Beijing at 7pm. RMB 1,600 (RMB 1,440 for kids 7-17, RMB 1,280 for membership, RMB 800 for kids younger than 7).  ChinaHiking Beijing. (156 5220 0950, info@chinahiking.cn, http://www.chinahiking.cn/)

4 Days Wild Great Wall Trekking /Camping From Chen Castle to General Xu Great Wall, Aug 7-10
Ages 7+. An amazing 45km Great Wall trekking on long forgotten & rarely seen wild sections of China’s Great Wall. Hikers will pitch their tents twice on the Great Wall and stay once overnight with a local farmer. This Great Wall trek starts on the crumble staircases of the Chen Castle Great Wall from where hikers head to the highest Great Wall watchtower of Beijing. After passing through the long forgotten but amazing Border Defense Great Wall, hikers will pitch their tents on the General Xu Great Wall. Once you conquer this hiking this trail you can truly say you hiked China’s wild Great Wall. Hike level: 4 strong. Follow ChinaHiking on Wechat and get last minutes’ discount: ChinaHiking_Beijing. RMB 3,300. ChinaHiking Beijing. (156 5220 0950, info@chinahiking.cn, http://www.chinahiking.cn/)

Camp

Atelier Summer Camps, various dates in Jul
Ages 4+. Like every year, Atelier’s team has created a series of epic and adventurous workshops about art history, literature,  history, and science! Upcoming Atelier workshops include Frida Kahlo and Mexico, Marco Polo, and Picasso. Room 10L, Building 7, Julong Garden, No. 68 Xinzhong Lu, Dongcheng District. 北京市东城区新中街68号聚龙花园7号楼10L室

Sea Touring Kayak Training Summer Camp, various dates in Jul & Aug
Ages 8-18. Beijing Warren Kayak Club is organizing the first kayak summer camp in Beijing history. The purpose of the camp is to teach ACA (American Canoe Association) sea touring kayak level 1 and level 2 lessons. Students will learn and master long distance paddling, practice rescue drills, and learn about kayak trips. At the end, the students’ learning will be assessed, and their skill levels will be certified by ACA. English is the main language of the kayak summer camp, but the instructors are more or less able to communicate in Chinese. Dates: July 24-28，July 31-August 4, August 7-11, August 14-18, and August 21–25. (WeChat ID: Kayaking_China, 151 0166 2018, boston5678@qq.com).

French Immersion Summer Camp, Aug 7-25
Ages 4-10. All Levels – New Learners Encouraged! Introduce Your Child to French and experience a new language and culture. This summer camp gives your children a chance to immerse themselves into a French language environment through fun activities with native French teachers. RMB 2,500 per week (lunch/snacks included). 9am-4pm. For more information, email frenchcampbeijing@yahoo.com.

Summer Camp with Flips & Kicks Plus and Kerry Sports, various Aug
Ages 4-12. Due to the positive response regarding previous summer camps, Flips & Kicks Plus and Kerry Sports will host additional ones. Upcoming camps will take place during August 7^th to 11^th, and August 14^th to 18^th. Registration is required. RMB 3,200-4,500. 9am–2.30pm. For more information or booking please contact the Kerry center (8565 2460, hbkc@thekerryhotels.com) Guang Hua Lu no. 1. 光华路一号

Photos: PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay; other photos courtesy of the organizers

More stories by this author here.

The wine and spirits sections at Jenny Wang and Jenny Lou have certainly grown over the past few years. Offer after offer spotlights wines from every country and region as well as imported and local spirits and beers. However, where these supermarkets struggle is in their lack of product knowledge. If you’re looking for a certain wine from a certain year or want a recommendation for a full-bodied red, you’ll likely come unstuck. Despite being staffed by "experts," it’s unlikely that the sales clerks will be able to assist you unless you have excellent Mandarin.

That’s why it was refreshing to come across Arcadia, a new wine store near to Yosemite Villas. It’s a relatively small shop but stocks a good range of reds, whites, champagnes, spirits, and beer. The guys that run the store speak excellent English and are keen to help you find what you’re looking for. They provide plenty of suggestions and were able to describe some of the different wines on display. If you want something specific, they’re happy to try and source it for you. They also deliver, in case you’re looking to stock up or plan for a barbecue.

Arcadia is no Pinotage, which has an excellent range of high-end wines and experienced sommeliers to guide you. But what it does have is a solid selection of wines in the RMB 55-82 range; some great Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Sauvignon Blanc in the RMB 100 range; and – much to my surprise – Pimm’s, a British summer fruit drink. (Think Hugh Grant, regattas, and Wimbledon.)

This being Beijing, I wasn’t overly surprised to see that some of the shop space was reserved for…porcelain. Yes, porcelain. So if you need some tequila for your margaritas and a nice ceramic bowl for your nachos, Arcadia is the place for you. With the adjoining vegetable shop and Tasty’s also close by, it’s a wonderful addition to this small parade of shops.

Arcadia
100m east of the south gate of Yosemite, Section A. Houshayu, Yuyang Lu, Shunyi District (Li Liming: 137 1878 1806, liliming689@126.com) 顺义区榆阳路后沙峪优山美地A区南门东边100米

Photos by Sally Wilson

The art of ceramics is so entwined with Chinese culture that porcelain is also called “china” in English. Although the modern Beijing has become a center of economics and politics, we are glad to still be able to find markets where this old art still flourishes.

Ceramics can be categorized into industrial products, such as bricks and tiles, and and art product, such as handmade pottery and fine porcelain. Chinese ceramics can also be identified as being from the north or the south, due to the differences in the raw materials caused by contrasting geology.

Here’s our list of the best places in the capital to find pottery and porcelain products.As you and your family explore the markets where they are sold, you can also take the opportunity to acquaint your kids with some Chinese history and culture. For example, the word “china” actually comes from the transliteration of Changnan, the old name for Jingde Town until the Song dynasty (960–1279), where some of the country’s best porcelain is made.

Happy exploring!

Minlong Pottery Market 闽龙陶瓷市场

This large-scale market sells pottery, cloisonne enamel, porcelain and many other Chinese art works. A wide variety of goods on displayed at the front of the market, with more goods stored for wholesale at the back. These vendors are also popular among locals shopping for building material, such as floor tiles.

Daily 8am-6:30pm. East part of Shilihe Lu, Chaoyang Street (6747 767) 北京市朝阳区十里河建材一条街东段

Beijing Curio City 北京古玩城

You can find historic and artistic ceramic pieces in this four-floor building among many other antique goods such as Chinese paintings, antique furniture, bone carvings, pearls and jade products. You may spot some of the best Jinde Town porcelain and tri-colored glazed pottery, tangsancai (唐三彩) among numerous counterfeits. Do not assume that you’ll always get genuine antiques at a low price; this is also a tourist attraction after all.

Daily 9:30am-6:30pm. 21 Dongsanhuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District (6774 7711) 朝阳区东三环南路21号

Panjiayuan Antique Market 潘家园旧货市场

Within walking distance of Beijing Curio City, Panjiayuan Antique Market is packed with Chinese folk culture. Ceramics take up most of the space in the northwestern section and the market seems to have something for everyone, from casual visitor to serious buyer. Even Hilary Clinton has paid a visit. Kids may also be interested in the Chinese paintings, works of calligraphy, shadow play or ancient coins on display.

Daily 6:30am-4:30pm. 18 Huawei Li, Chaoyang District (6774 1869) 朝阳区华威里18号
Liangma Collection Market 亮马收藏品市场

This market is similar in style to Panjiayuan Antique Market but is much more conveniently located near the embassy district. Prices are a little higher though, probably because it is popular with foreigners.

Daily 9:30am-6:30pm. 27 Liangma Lu, Chaoyang District (6462 1625) 朝阳区亮马桥路27号

Beijing Ladies’ Street 女人街

Ladies’ Street is located not far from the Lufthansa Center. Among the accessories, bikinis, clothes and women’s products you’d expect to find here, given the name, you can also find dazzling modern and antique porcelain products, pottery vases, sculptures and tea pots. Why not reward yourself with a manicure or a massage there after shopping?

Daily 10am-7pm (for most of the stores). 9 Maizidian Xilu, Chaoyang District (6462 6636) 朝阳区麦子店西路9号

Photo by Helga’s Lobster Stew (Flickr)