Sunday, March 30, 2008

Beijing - Dec 2007 - 日本料理

There are not that many Japanese restaurant that made an impression on me. One of the few, is this Gyoen Teppanyaki restaurant in Nikko hotel, Beijing. So my December 2007 trip is no exception.


Preparing my dinner.


Simple salad.


Sashimi


Cod fish with scallop


Scallop


Beef's the main dish


Mushrooms and onions..


Fried rice just after the main dish.


A simple dessert of slices of fruits.

This is another japanese restaurant that is easily accessible from where I stay during this trip.


Typical Japanese restaurant.


Honey Lemon, a default through November and December..


Octopus slices.. this is really nice!


Salmon roll


Japanese beancurd..

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Beijing - Dec 2007 - Steak Factory

Steak Factory, at World Trade Center, Beijing... let's see what kind of food we have there.


Menu


Some Christmas decor for December.


Mocha..


Escagots..


Nothing below medium-well for me...


Medium-Well too.. on my second visit, 7 stands for 70% done.


Cheesecake with some local fruits.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Beijing - Dec 2007 - HRC Beijing

HRC is located between my workplace and hotel while I was in Beijing, so a colleague decided to bring me there as he promised. Of course went home with some bags of HRC tees.


Inside HRC


Ordered a mocha..


Forgot what steak was this, but will definitely go back for more if I have the chance.


Some fish burger my colleague ordered...


Yes, Kidz eat free on weekends..

Monday, March 17, 2008

Beijing - Dec 2007 - 什刹海

After visiting 恭王俯, it was almost 5pm, so decide to hang around 后海 area till dinner time to have dinner there before calling it a day.


Throughout the whole three to four weeks, there were no snow, but lakes were frozen.


Somebody playing Tai Chi here


Streets around 后海


Took a short walk around the alley and bought some souvenirs.


Taken around 530pm..


And this is about 615pm


This was taken on the second or third day, while walking past 中南海 on a misty night.


Streets were dimly lit, quiet and wet.

Beijing - Dec 2007 - 一茶一坐

Time to post some food again.

This is a restaurant inside the World Trade Center, serving various chinese food and a wide range of tea.




Chamate = 一茶一坐?


Rose tea..


Close up


南姜扬桃 (Mild Ginger with Carambola hot drink)


Onion cod fish


The simple steamboat


Taiwanese fried sausages.


and some mushrooms...

Food served here are pretty standard but will definitely return to enjoy another day for more tea.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Beijing - Dec 2007 - Prince Gong's Palace (恭王府)

After three attempts to visit this place, I manage to step into 恭王府. First two attempts were unsuccessful due to renovation and upgrading works for international folks in the upcoming Olympics.

Located in Qianhai(前海), this 61,000 sqm palace was built in 1777, by He Shen(和珅), a favourite minister of emperor Qian Long, as his private residence. But was later bestowed upon Prince Gong by emperor XianFeng. It is the most completely preserved royal residence which still exist today, and also the world's biggest courtyard ever built (四合院).


This white marble arch is called the Western-style gate (西洋门), which also is the main entrance into the palace.


There are over 20 windows here, look closer and you will find none of them are of the same shapes.


Forgot the story about this stone, but it is a figure of a mother carrying her baby in her arms.

The 蝠池 (Bat pond), was built in the shape of a bat, surrounded by elm trees that bears elm fruits, and these fruits are called elm coins, which keeps dropping into the pond, considered a symbol of wealth.

This is ... somewhere inside the 恭王府.


The stones are in the shape of two dragons guarding some pearl and treasure. The entrance leads to a place where the precious 福字碑 (Blessing stone) is stored.
福字碑, personal handwriting of emperor Kangxi (康熙). can't do much about the reflection of flash and can't do without it either in the dark cave.

Maybe somewhere for tea?

The garden is also called the Garden of Splendor (萃锦园), implying that it is a collection of unsurpassed beauty and charm.

The small tower/gazebo across the pond was supposed to look like a hat of the emperess.


Took this picture on the way out, will definitely visit this during summer for a different view.