Bookworms, Rejoice!
From March 8-22, literary fans can once again revel in the buzz of The Bookworm International Literary Festival. There will be panel discussions, talks, workshops, and performances covering journalism, fiction, children’s literature, and more. In addition, don’t miss out on the Capital Literary Festival from March 1-17 at Capital M. Check p14 for event listings and our blog (www.beijing-kids.com) for interviews with some of this year’s guests.
Chic for Charity
Make a trip out to the International School of Beijing (ISB) on Saturday, March 9 for a charity fashion show. Students organize every facet of the event, from the clothing design to the modeling and the show itself. All proceeds will be donated to China Little Flower to support its Hospice Care for Orphans.
Catch a Concert at Wangfujing Cathedral
Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) choirs will join the Beijing Youth orchestra and Nulushan School senior choir for a performance of Gabriel Faure’s Requiem in D Minor. The concert will be held at the historic Catholic Cathedral in Wangfujing on Sunday, March 24. Seating is limited; contact RSVP@dulwich-beijing.cn for tickets.
Stop and Smell the Flowers
Late March means cherry blossom season, and every year Yuyuantan Park holds the Cherry Blossom Festival. Blossoms on over 2,000 trees burst with pink and white blooms. While the crowds are out, it’s a great opportunity to bring your camera, a picnic, and a ball or two to enjoy spring in its prime.
To Infinity and Beyond
For a day of fun and science, head to the Beijing Planetarium, which has a new exhibition hall, a 3D theater, and a 3D space shuttle simulator. If three dimensions aren’t enough for you, head to the 4D theater for a trip through time about the evolution of life on Earth.
Spring Has Sprung
Spring is almost here, so take advantage of a beautiful March day and admire the spring flora and fauna at Beijing Botanical Garden. If it’s still a bit chilly outside, make for the tropical conservatory, which features a rainforest, a cacti and succulents area, and hothouse orchids.
Steep Yourself
Since it’s still chilly, warm yourself up in a hot spring. Don’t have time to get out of town? Head to Shunjing Hot Spring, which claims to be the world’s largest indoor hot spring. Conveniently nestled behind Ikea, Shunjing has a buffet, soaking tubs with different temperatures, and a relaxation room.
Browse for Books
Spend a lazy afternoon at Page One, which just opened its newest branch at Sanlitun Village South. The chain has a large selection of English books covering fiction, non-fiction, biography, classics, art, and more. The second floor has a wide array of books for kids and young adults. There’s also a branch at Indigo Mall; to find out more, turn to p32.
Get the Kids Moving
It’s time to sign for outdoor activities. ClubFootball (www.clubfootball.com.cn) still has spaces available for kids aged 4-12 to participate in weekend or after-school sports. For something a bit different, Capoeira Beijing (www.capoeirabeijing.com) offers Saturday classes for kids aged 4-9 who want to try this Brazilian martial art that incorporates dance and music.
Embrace History at Yuanmingyuan
Also called the Old Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan is one of the most interesting, yet overlooked attractions in Beijing. Head over on a nice day to see the ruins of the Western-style palace once called the “Versailles of the East,” which was pillaged and burned so many times throughout history that only large stone ruins remain. Bring a picnic and enjoy the sprawling grounds.
