Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Day 3
It's back to business today and down to the CBD and the area often generally thought of
as Guomao (Lines 1 and 10). This is the location of some of the city's most iconic modern
structures, including the China World Trade Center, the Yintai Centre, and the new CCTV
Headquarters. It's also the spot for haute couture and fine dining. For expats who spend
most of their time up around Gulou, where the bar for fashion is set just a tad above pajama
level, it can be a wakeup to come here and be reminded that there is a well-clad set that
circles in Beijing.
Unfortunately, Guomao isn't the easiest locale to stroll around. There isn't much street-
side shopping to be done, and most of the shops are hidden within the large, distant com-
plexes. China World Mall and the Beijing Yintai Centre Mall, connected by the subway sta-
tion (Line 1), house all the big-ticket names, including Cartier, Prada, Bvlgari, and more. On
weekdays come noon they become frenetic warrens of activity, with office workers rushing
to grab something for lunch or shop. On weekends they seem more like museums.
Highlights of Guomao include the high-altitude restaurants. Grill 79 in the Shangri-La
at the top of the China World Summit Wing claims the highest dining destination title in
Beijing; however, China Grill, across the road in the Park Hyatt at the top of the Yintai
Centre, could argue it has better views, thanks to the 360-degree design and the unobstruc-
ted floor-to-ceiling windows. Either way, if you're in Beijing on a heavily polluted day, the
view will be worth nothing.
If you have time for house hunting, some of the residential properties within walking
distance of the CBD include Pingguo Shequ (Apple Community) and Fulicheng, both
close to Shuangjing subway station (Line 10). Fulicheng is more upmarket than Pingguo,
and even more so is the newer Xanadu property, located on the north side of the CCTV
Headquarters. Real estate agents are situated close to all the compounds, so if you can't find
a property management member to give you a tour, you should be able to find a local agent
who can.
Day 4
Today we move to a distinctively expat-heavy area, Dongzhimen and Sanlitun. If you live
or work around either of these areas you'll find life incredibly convenient. International su-
permarkets are in surplus, both high-brow and casual restaurants are at hand, and all forms
of public transport are at your door, including the Airport Express. If you live in this neigh-
borhood you'll find that friends and colleagues are always just a short bicycle ride away. It's
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