Beijing - Dec 2007 - 雍和宫 (Tibetian Buddhist Lama Temple)

Another place I missed in my previous trips to Beijing is the Tibetian Lama temple, so decided to make time as it could be my last business trip to Beijing, of course hopefully not. Took a cab from the WTC, and arrived at the main entrance almost 45 minutes later with moderate Beijing traffic.

Until today, it is still the biggest lamasery in Beijing, standing since it was built in 1694 as the residence of Prince Yong (雍正) of Qing dynasty. Emperor Qianlong (乾隆) later converted this palace into a Lama temple in 1744.


About 100 metres from the main entrance looking at the 昭泰门


雍和门, Yonghe gate hall (made some adjustments to give a more temple look)


This is the original colour.


Some folks praying


Even children knows how to pray


The Lion-like creature guard by the Yonghe gates


The Esoteric Hall (密宗殿) on your right and YongHe Hall on the left.


Wishing / donation mini tower.


The hall on the right is called the 时轮殿.


Coming out of the Lama temple and saw this small public transport, never have the courage to try it out and also no idea what is it called. Took the metro back to WTC instead to avoid the peak hour traffic.

Beijing - December 2007 - 金鼎轩 (Dim Sum)

Decent dim sum, good value, spoiled with choices, long queues, chinese paintings auction while you dine and opens 24 x 7, where else but 金鼎轩? This is one dim sum chain of restaurant that never seemed to stop surprising me. They serve anything from japanese grill squid to south african abalone, and of course decent dim sum. It's a place you go when you feel hungry and can't decide where to go, what to eat and after midnight.


This is the restaunrant near to the Lama temple. Have been to at least 4 of them in Beijing in my previous trips, and I think is comparably bigger than the others.


Honey flavoured char siew bao.


Shrimp dumplings.


Sesame balls with yam.


Errm.. this is either the yam roll or apple roll.


This is the one that took center stage - the 榴摙酥 (Durian flavoured ...thing)

Beijing - December 2007 - 幺店子 Sichuan Restaurant

It was a night after a long day at work, we discussed about food and audio CD, so my colleague suggested we visit this famous Sichuan Restaurant called 幺店子 nearby Holiday Inn hotel, where we can satisfy our music needs and taste buds. So we got onto a nice Sonata cab and arrived in front of it in about 25 minutes time.


Look a little traditional eh?


Inside, they have done some decoration for Christmas too. Because many expats lives nearby, so you can see many of them in here too.


Started off with a chrysanthenum tea.


Some beancurd dish, and we decided not to order 水煮鱼 this time, as I am having some throat problems.. so no spicy food that night.


Ordered some veggie dishes but I don't remember I took any pictures of them, so the other interesting picture I took was this, the 松鼠桂鱼. I must say this is a highly recommended dish, Crispy fish with sweet and sour sauce, and it is also 'boneless'. This dish costs about RMB90.