SHUNYI AND NORTHEAST CHAOYANG - Living Abroad in Beijing - page 490

In northeast Chaoyang, familiarize yourself with the growing collection of cafés and
shops at Cathay View Plaza on Xiangjiang Beilu (right by DD's Market). Brunch as
well as healthy sandwiches and salads are the star items at Switch! Cafe ( ht-
tp://switchrestaurants.com ) , while Boulangerie Nanda ( www.bnanda.com ) produces deli-
cious organic breads, cakes, fresh juices, and other treats. Not far away, Hegezhuang Vil-
lage, the general area on the north side of Maquanying subway station, can be a surpris-
ing place to shop. It's home to the Orchard, a destination restaurant for city dwellers, and
a staple of Shunyi residents. It grows much of its own produce and sells wares from local
designers and artists. Five or so years ago you would have had a tough time finding it, but
now, as other businesses have been drawn to it and the town has grown up around it, it's a
well-marked central fixture.
Places of Interest
There isn't much in Shunyi by way of tourist sites, particularly of the historic variety.
There is the Tunnel Warfare Site at Jiaozhuanghu Village ( www.bjjzhdd.com ) , located in
Longwantun town, at the northeast corner of Shunyi district closer to Pinggu district. This
eerie museum is a reminder of the Chinese efforts against Japan and the Kuomintang in
1937-1945. The tunnels have been restored so the wartime atmosphere has been somewhat
sanitized, but there are 800 meters of tunnels, as well as meeting rooms, command posts,
individual shelters, and warehouses. Take the 934 bus to get here.
The most prominent place of interest in Shunyi is the New China International Exhib-
ition Center (NCIEC, www.nciec.com.cn ) , across from Euro Plaza. In total, the entire site
covers 156 hectares (384 acres) and includes 200,000 square meters of exhibiting space,
comprising 16 separate, single-level, column-free exhibition halls of exhibition space. The
center was explicitly designed for exhibitions, and so every hall in the center can be sep-
arated or merged to create smaller or larger exhibitions. It also includes office space, shop-
ping, and fitness facilities. For upcoming conventions, visit www.chinaexhibition.com .
If you feel like you need a romantic escape, or even just a day of pampering, but don't
want to tire yourself out just getting there, make a getaway for the day to Chun Hui Yuan
Resort ( www.chunhuiyuan.cn/index.html ) . This is a superbly luxurious resort that has been
built to take advantage of the natural hot springs beneath it. It focuses on all things relax-
ing and has specialty herbal baths, infrared light beds, massaging hot spring Jacuzzis, and a
range of other baths.