Welcome to the 5th edition our weekly Shunyi Happenings newsletter, where our Shunyi Correspondent Charlotte Moreau brings you all the goings-on from beyond the 5th Ring. Have a Shunyi tip for Charlotte? Click here to send her the details.
*It’s here, it’s running, it’s GREAT! Now those of us in Shunyi can get to the city without worrying about no-drive days, parking nightmares or the problem of getting a taxi to take us back home. Learn about Line 15 by reading my first-hand account (with family in tow) here
*The winter holiday is a great time to venture out of Shunyi, actually, since the local schools are still in session and many families travel for the international school breaks. Spring break is another time to consider a day trip to the city, be it to the Olympic Village (swimming in the Cube or sledding in the Bird’s Nest), Fundazzle or elsewhere. Our family has spent several days enjoying city activities that we might not otherwise do.
*Pinnacle Plaza has new small grocery to go to. MoMo’s Grocery fills the space where Gary Lewis’ Salon used to be. Here you’ll find – and smell – fish for sale, among other meats and produce. Prices aren’t listed on everything, but they appear to be a bit higher than wise expats can get elsewhere. However, I’m told that the owner there is easy to bargain with if you choose to haggle. With Jenny Lou’s, Lohao and BHG all nearby, it’ll be interesting to see if this little food mart will succeed.
*Sidecars and hamburgers, anyone? Tony Hsu is well known in the Pinnacle Plaza area for his sidecar and motorcycle business. But this Taiwanese businessman who grew up in the states also knows a thing or two about restaurants. Welcome to Tony Hamburger, featuring Western and Chinese dishes daily from 11am to 9pm, right across the street from Baskin Robbins. I haven’t yet tried the restaurant, so if anyone has a review to share, please do.
*Be careful!! With our Western holidays and Chinese New Year just around the corner, you may hear of petty theft rampant in public places. I was nearly pick-pocketed myself on a Yashow market escalator not long ago. It felt violating and scary. Out in Shunyi, expats can expect to heed the same kind of safety warnings. Don’t be careless with your belongings, don’t flash cash and valuables, and be smart.
*We don’t often travel out to the airport for reasons other than, well, traveling. But there’s a lot to offer out there in terms of restaurant options, and it’s simply not far away to go. A recent hit is the restaurant Fuel at the Langham Hotel near Terminal 3. Very modern in design, this large restaurant features ribs and pizza, and monthly menu specials plus more. Evening entertainment includes live bands, DJs, karaoke, and sports television broadcasts.
* This just in, from alert reader Caroline Gong: “I was shopping at the Vanguard supermarket in Houshayu and was surprised to find that a new drive-through KFC had opened right across the street. It opened on December 31 and was quite crowded when I stopped in, so business is good. Houshayu is really developing pretty quickly!”
*People are trickling back to the Shunyi area after many were on holiday out of town. While it’s been quiet and relaxing here the past couple of weeks, families are getting over jet lag and preparing for school to start up again next week. With that, expect for news in the Shunyi area to pick up. Happy New Year, everyone!
