The Riviera Club House will be hosting yet another family-friendly Sunday market full of all the usual favorites and more.

The weather is getting colder, but this one is worth wrapping up and getting everyone out to do some New Year browsing, selecting, and sampling. There are offerings for both parents and the little ones, with fashion and accessories, and a bouncy castle. There will also be other fun and varied activities for the kids to participate in, and a wide selection of local foods and wine to tantalize the grown-ups.

Stock up on seasonal and fresh foods, while you peruse the carefully selected products from community vendors offering beautifully crafted gifts and artisan goods. There is always a little something for everyone at the Riviera Sunday Market, which takes place once a month in the lobby area of the Beijing Riviera Country Club in Shunyi. It’s worth making this a regular staple for family weekend outings.

Riviera Sunday Market, Jan 13
Free. January 13. 11am– 4pm. 1 Xiangjiangbeilu Beijing Riviera Country Club (18701371080)北京市朝阳区京密路香江北路一号香江花园俱乐部

Photo: Julia Chen

After I wrote about two popular flower markets, it was brought to my attention that the Lai Tai market was closed. I had just been there at Christmas and was very surprised to hear the news. Things move fast in Beijing and gossip is quick. It is true that all the whole sale markets will close because of a new city policy, but this will happen very slowly. The government will tell vendors that the market will close one or two years in advance so they can relocate themselves. This post is meant to be a list of remaining markets in Beijing. Start  making your rounds and get name cards from your favorite vendors so when they disappear you have their information. Due to Chinese New Year a lot of markets look closed but will be back after the holidays.

Lai Tai Flower Market is closed for renovations and will open back up in April. Some of the vendors have moved to the 3rd floor of the building and to lady street. Not a trip worthy but if you live local a good chance to support the vendors.

Liang Ma Flower Market is up and shows no signs of closing or renovating.

Muxiyuan Fabric Market is open and a lot of stalls are still there – definitely worth a trip.

Tianyi Market has been notified that they are closing, but are not yet closed.

The Zoo Market, an area of markets near the zoo has been closing for 3 years. Of the 13 markets eight markets have been cleared and five markets are left.

Bainaohui Computer Market has two markets one has been closed but the other part across the street is still there.

Lady Street Clothing Market is partially closed for renovations.

Hongqiao Pearl Market is still open but some parts are closed.

Panjiayuan Antique Market is still open every Saturday and Sunday.

Xiushui Silk Market is open as usual

Sanlitun Yashou Market has been closed.

Pauline van Hasselt has been working for beijingkids since October 2016. Born in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, she moved with her husband and her 3 year-old daughter to Beijing in June of this year. Prior she lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Texas, and London, studying and working as a chef. Pauline enjoys biking around Beijing, finding markets and new restaurants, reading crime and fantasy books in bed, and most importantly, turning her house into a home for her family.

Beijing’s alive with the smell of barbecues all over town. In the spirit of food, summer, and Beijing; our sister publication-the Beijinger will be hosting the very first International Foodie Weekend on May 30-31. The beijingkids and JingKids are co-hosting the two-day event to cater to the younger members of the community. From finger food to desserts will be available at the Galaxy Soho from 11am-8pm.

Our January issue featured regional Chinese restaurants and this foodie weekend offers attendees the chance to try some regional Chinese cuisines. Here’s a list of confirmed vendors from the Beijinger:

Asiniuniu Set in buzzing Courtyard Four, Asiniuniu is one of Beijing’s most unique Sichuan restaurants, serving up the cuisine of the Yi Minority people from Sichuan’s Liangshan area (Chinese Yi Minority ethnic cuisine)

Blue Balcony Blue Balcony serves up Greek cuisine with a modern twist, although you will still find all the Greek classics such as spanakopita and moussaka on the menu (Greek)

blue frog Winner of the "Best Wings" category in the Beijinger‘s 2015 Reader Restaurant Awards (American)

Caravan Caravan serves up a wicked rotating menu of Moroccan inspired dishes (Moroccan)

Cheers (Wine)

Duvel (Beer)

Eatalia Homestyle Italian food made with imported or homemade ingredients (Italian)

Fly Pizza & Hoodadak Chicken One of the hottest restaurants in Sanlitun Soho, Fly Pizza serves up authentic Korean fried chicken and beer, along with Korean style pizzas with toppings like sweet potato and bulgogi (Korean)

Ganges Beijing’s favorite Indian restaurant, Ganges yet again took home top spot in the Best South Asian category at the Beijinger‘s 2015 Reader Restaurant Awards (Indian)

Gung Ho! Pizza Gung Ho! are not only the winners of the 2014 Pizza Cup; they were also name Outstanding Green Restaurant in the Beijinger‘s 2015 Reader Restaurant Awards for their noteworthy environmental practices (Gourmet Pizza)

High Altitude Coffee Beixinqiao-based High Altitude Coffee offers single origin beans from all over Africa and Latin America (Coffee)

Home Plate BBQ As well as being famous for their tasty, smoky barbecue meats, Home Plate have taken home the top spot in our Burger Cup for the past three years in a row (American-style barbecue meat)

J.P. Chenet (Wine)

Luga’s Luga’s was named Outstanding Mexican in the Beijinger‘s 2015 Reader Restaurant Awards (Mexican)

Pizza Plus Serves authentic Italian pizza by the slice in a variety of special flavors, including the award-winning Forest pizza, with sausage, mushrooms, and truffle (Pizza)

Rager Pie Homestyle American pies in sweet and savory flavors: pumpkin, pecan, banana cream, and frito chili pie, to name but a few (American)

Q Mex Q Mex is a casual Mexican restaurant in Courtyard Four, which took home Outstanding Mexican in the Beijinger‘s 2015 Reader Restaurant Awards. The menu includes all your favorite Mexican dishes – California-style burritos, fajitas, tacos, and more (Mexican)

The Local Everyone’s favorite local bar actually serves up some pretty authentic American grub too, from steaks to burgers, wings to quesadillas (American)

Sanya Haitang Bay Sheraton Hotel

Susongfu Shengjianbao Susongfu’s authentic soup-filled shengjianbao offer a taste of old Shanghai without leaving Beijing (Shanghainese)

Sweet Tooth and Two Guys and a Pie Sweet Tooth are famous for their indulgent, Aussie-inspired sweet treats such as their signature Tim Tam cheesecake, while Two Guys and a Pie will be offering hearty meat and veggie pies (Australian)

Vai Milano Artisanal gelato made without artificial flavorings, colors, or preservatives. Also offers regularly changing seasonal flavors (Gelato)

Zan BBQ Japanese-style barbecue in the Gongti area focusing on tender cuts of meat (Japanese)

the Beijinger’s 2015 Bar and Club awards will take place on site and for those familiar with our Baobei Disco then you will be sure not to miss DJ Cousin Kippy playing some awesome music. Entrance is free but the different booths will charge for their menu.

Photo: Ken

Food, fun, and friends is a great combination and that’s the aim of this month’s INN monthly meeting will focus on. This also happens to be the annual food showcase and takes place next week on Monday, April 27 from 10am-noon. Taking place at the Capital Club, will be a session to learn more about Farmer’s markets and local foods and a mini fair.

Part of the fun will also be talking to the 16 vendors who will be there such as Miss Muesli, Andy’s Signature Craft Sausages, Sweet Tooth, Bonni Nani, TooToo Organic Farms, Pure Living, Signature Wines, and more. A brunch will be held afterwards with details still pending. So Check their website to stay informed of updates.

The International Newcomer’s Network is not only for the new people in town to get acquainted with the city but for those oldies wanting to make friends and enjoy a couple of hours with fellow expats learning something new every time. This week the network has its INN Trekkie taking a historic tour of Beijing from the Ancient Observatory to Red Gate Gallery all the while making pit stops. Followed will be lunch at a local restaurant. Sign up has to be before April 22 via email contactus@innbeijing.org. 

Photos: Courtesy of INN