Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( Hútòng Bǐsà; 8322 8916; 9 Yindingqiao Hutong, pizzas from ¥65; lunch & dinner; ; Shichahai)
Nestling in a
hútòng
that was one of the locations for the movie
BeijingBicycle,
Hútòng
Pizza's trademark square pizzas are some of the best in town. There's a wide selection to
choose from, including veggie options, or you can build your own, and they're big: the
large pizzas (from ¥105) will easily satisfy two hungry people. Salads, burgers and pasta
options are available, too, as well as local and foreign beers. It gets busy, so it's advisable
to book at peak times; they do deliver, though. Watch out for the mini-pond just inside the
entrance; put one foot wrong and you'll be swimming with the fish.
LE PETIT SAIGON$$
( Xīgòng Zài Bālí; 6401 8465; 141 Jiugulou Dajie, mains from ¥58; 10.30am-11pm; ; Shichahai)
The menu at this stylish bistro - with a nice roof terrace in summer - is a mix of classic
Vietnamese,
pho
(Vietnamese soup), lemon chicken, shrimps in tamarind sauce, and
French, beef bourguignon and foie gras. The desserts are especially good. The decor and
decent wine list are decidedly Gallic, making it popular with French expats and anyone in
search of a proper cup of coffee (from ¥19), whether it's the European or Vietnamese vari-
ety.
|FRENCH, VIETNAMESE
BĚIPÍNGJŪ$$
( 29 Di'anmenwai Dajie, mains ¥20-40; 11am-9.30pm;
;
Shichahai)
Arguably offering the best-
value duck in the city, this bright, clean, family-friendly restaurant does delicious, authen-
tic roast duck plus a small range of other Běijīng specialities, as well as dishes from other
parts of China. The standard whole duck (
dāndiàn kǎoyā
) costs ¥98. You then add
whatever extras you fancy: cucumber (
guātiáo
; ¥2), spring onion (
cōng
; ¥2), pancakes (
yābǐng
; ¥6), plum sauce (
tiánmiànjiàng
; ¥2). English menu with photos. Largely
nonsmoking.
|ROAST DUCK
DRAGON BOATS & KAYAKS
Běijīng's general lack of water means it's not associated with dragon boat racing in the same way that Hong
Kong is. But the Hòuhǎi lakes are an exception and are home to the Běijīng International Dragon Boat Racing
team, which comprises both locals and foreigners. Starting in April, they train every Sunday afternoon at their
