The main focus of Beidong Flower Market is, of course, plants and flowers – beautiful displays of roses, orchids that are as colorful as they are fragrant, flowering felicia, and budding bougainvillea. Flowering plants, shrubs, herbs, and potted indoor plants are all available at this Shunyi market and most vendors will deliver to your home. Be sure to haggle; the more you buy, the better the price. If you want to grow your own garden, there are hundreds of seed packets for vegetables, fruits, and herbs. You can also pick up gardening tools, hoses, compost, fertilizer, watering cans, and even lawnmowers.

If you prefer your plants in pots rather than beds and borders, you can choose from a huge selection of ceramic, terracotta, wooden and plastic pots, and urns. There are decorative bird cages for your begonias, hanging baskets galore, and stepped stands to display your potted wares. Outside the market, there are many stalls selling statues, stone carvings of lions, tigers, terracotta warriors, busts, garden ornaments, and even a gnome or two. For kids and adults alike, there are a good selection of colorful kites in an array of shapes and sizes.

Outdoor Dining
Once your garden is looking pretty, it’s time to start enjoying it. What better way than al fresco dining? There are monstrous gas barbecues that can rotisserie, smoke, and griddle enough meat and fish to feed a hungry crowd of World Cup supporters.

If that’s too much, there is a very good choice of standard-sized, quality barbecues. If space is an issue, try a compact grill or tajine; if you don’t have a garden but still want that chargrilled flavor, pick up a portable picnic grill. Every accessory you need for marinating, skewering, slicing, dicing and cooking is also here. Don’t let those pesky mosquitos spoil your party; there are several devices on sale to get rid of the blighters.

Beidong is a popular place to buy quality garden furniture at very competitive prices. There are tables, chairs, sun loungers and umbrellas, in solid wood, metal, woven furniture, with or without fabric coverings and cushions. Bartering is a must; if you can be referred by someone that has purchased already, then all the better.

The tranquil sounds of water can be heard throughout the market coming from a number of stalls selling water features. Many are pretty elaborate in design, but if you long to enjoy water in Beijing that doesn’t just flow from your dispenser, then you may find something for you.

For the Home
Beidong isn’t all about outdoor furniture. One of my favorite stalls is the crockery man. I have an entire white china dinner service from here at a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere. It’s dishwasher safe, ovenproof, and so far it’s all still in one piece. There are modern styles for plates, bowls, serving dishes, condiment sets, rice spoons, tea and coffee pots, Chinese tea sets, mugs, and cups. The majority of the products are simple, white and stylish. A few have beautiful contemporary or traditional Chinese patterns that wouldn’t look out of place at Shanghai Tang.

You can stock up on wine glasses, shot glasses, and tumblers at the glass stall. The vendor also sells candles and tea lights that are infinitely more exciting than Ikea’s – and a lot cheaper.

There are several stalls selling furniture in traditional Chinese styles. You can pick up chairs, stools, occasion tables, sideboards, cupboards, wardrobes and lamps. Pieces are not as unique as you may find in other locations, but the prices reflect that.

Need something to brighten up your floor or keep your toes warm? There is one stall selling rugs in a range of sizes, colors, and patterns. If you’re into wicker, the stall next door sells baskets, hampers, laundry bins, trays, and even slippers, all made out of that woven wood. If vases are your thing, you’ll find a great selection of varying sizes, styles, plain or patterned, ceramic or tin.

There is tank after tank crammed full of fish (unfortunately), aquariums of varying sizes and designs plus everything you need to raise fish. If you’re more of a bird fancier, you can also take home a feathery companion. However, like most Beijing markets that sell animals, the longevity of your newfound pet isn’t always guaranteed.

Art
Beidong is also host to a number of artists selling their paintings. There are oil, water and prints of modern, traditional, and abstract art. There are portraits, drawings, several depictions of pandas, and paintings of the Wall, but in amongst these you can find some very special pieces: hutongs looking haunting in winter, a Banksy interpretation, and a modern take on a terracotta warrior.

One fabulous artist is Sunny. His use of vivid colors and hues and incorporation of traditional Chinese symbols within his pieces is wonderful. You can commission one-off pieces and his prices are very good.

If you decide to buy some unframed artwork, you are spoiled for choice with framing services. Each offer a vast array of frame and mount styles, colors, and sizes. Turn-around time is quick and prices competitive.

Shopping at Beidong is thirsty work; luckily, there are two places right next door where you can enjoy brunch, lunch or early dinner. The English Tearoom, with its quintessentially British decor, cakes, and Scotch eggs. Their indoor playroom is great for the little ones, toilet facilities are clean, child friendly, and with baby changing table. Now the weather is warmer, you can sip tea at their outside seating area.

Next door is Pinotage, with its authentic South African cuisine, great wines, and cold beers. They too have an indoor kid’s play room and good, clean toilet facilities. The restaurant’s wonderful outdoor terrace and lawn is perfect for relaxing after a hard day’s shopping.

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos by Sally Wilson

Easter Sunday is this weekend, with several local events and offerings to help make it special for those in the Shunyi area.

First, Boulangerie Nanda has seasonal baked goods, including Hot Cross Buns for RMB 70 (box of 9), and gluten free buckwheat cupcakes with cream cheese topping for RMB 25 each (minimum order of 6). Call NOW to place your order at 8459 0134 and 139 1127 2032. By the way, come visit them in their new location of Cathay View Plaza by Beijing Riviera.

Easter services will be held at Capital Community Church on Sunday, March 31 at 10am, complete with a kids program downstairs. Go to www.capitalcommunitychurch.net for details.

For several children’s activities during the holiday, visit The English Tearoom (behind Beidong Flower Market). On Monday, April 1 is a Ballet Morning with On Pointe Dance Studio’s Chloe from 10:30-noon (ages 4-7, RMB 100, reservations required). On both Tuesday, April 2 and Friday, April 5, children ages 3-7 may come for Easter stories and activities (Chinese language at 10:30am; English language at 11:15). This event is free and no reservations are required. Wednesday, April 3 is Baking with Rebecca from 10:30-noon for ages 4-7. Reservations required, please bring an apron, and cost including materials is RMB 100. April 4 is a jiaozi party from 11am-noon for kids ages 3-7. No booking required; cost is RMB 35 and is held in Chinese only. For details about any event, call manager Steven Hirst at 136 8368 4089 or e-mail steven@enlishtearoombeijing.com.

Roundabout is happy to announce several updates. 

First, it has a new website! You can learn about events, volunteer opportunities, the retail store, book fairs, updates on where donations help and so much more! Visit www.roundaboutchina.com.

The successful book fair at BCIS last weekend raised RMB 47,000. The fair is still open, so stop by BCIS during school hours (M-F, 9:30am-3:30pm) to check out the new book titles added daily.

Roundabout will be closed on Thursday, April 4 and Friday, April 5 for the Qing Ming holiday.

Leslie Simpson is traveling to London this week to visit Buckingham Palace where she will participate in the investiture ceremony for her OBE honor. Congratulations!

Many people in our area often inquire about pediatric dentists, and now BJU has one here in Shunyi. Meet Dr. Irene Lau, an American dentist with many years of experience in pediatric dentistry. Her hours in Shunyi will vary, so call 8046 1102 to schedule an appointment.

Photo by tiaragwin of flickr.
 

This weekend I stopped by a quaint new café nestled beside the Beijing Arts Exhibition Center off of Jingshun Lu. The English Tearoom is a lovely and surprisingly roomy new eatery featuring breakfast, lunch and light dinner – and of course, afternoon tea — from Tuesday through Sunday, 8:30am-7pm. Sunday was its official opening, and the owners were quite enthusiastic to share the news about this unique café. Jennie is originally from England, and her husband Mo is from China – together, their unique vision for a family-friendly tearoom in China was born.

The bright and airy dining area is decorated with vintage pictures on the walls and charming table settings with assorted coverings and fresh flowers. The black board features all beverage choices and daily specials, and the front counter showcases fresh baked goods. A smaller children’s room is a great place for families with little ones to enjoy a meal while the kids are entertained by their own play area. High chairs as well as a private nursing section illustrate the kid-friendly atmosphere of The English Tearoom, and an enclosed outdoor area will soon boast tricycles and small bikes to further entertain the little ones. It’s obvious the owners have young children and are sensitive to families’ needs and desires!

Traditional English scones, baked cakes and biscuits are always on the menu, ranging from RMB 20-30. There are 10 sandwich selections from which to choose, however the option to build your own is available, too! Try the roast chicken & avocado sandwich, vegetables & cheese, or classic Marmite & cheese or hard-boiled egg, all from RMB 38-75 and accompanied by a side salad, coleslaw and oven baked crisps. Home-made specialty dishes, salads and soups are also on the menu, as is a separate breakfast menu (available until 11am on weekdays or noon on weekends) and a children’s menu.

Birthday parties and special occasions are welcome at The English Tearoom, just contact them directly for specifics at 158 1099 8410. Also, visit their website at www.englishrearoombeijing.com for an overview of the restaurant and specific directions on how to get there.

If you live around here, we like to call their location Shunyi – although across the Wenyu River it’s technically Chaoyang. It is located on Shun Huang Lu (顺黄路) – turn northwest off of Jing Mi Lu (京密路) by the Beidong Flower Market. About 200 meters on the right, enter through the Chinese style gates and the restaurant is at the end of the drive on the left – look for the red phone booth!