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The weather’s been on our side most days lately, so Shunyi residents seem to have lots of energy to get things done. We are lucky to have so many activities to choose from; read on to find out where to move, learn, shop, eat, and celebrate in the coming weeks.
1. Move
Yoga with Juzi
Group yoga classes are being offered by Juzi, a well-known yoga instructor who has worked with Chinese and expat clients for a number of years. Splitting teaching duties with her assistant coach has allowed her to offer several locations and schedules:
- Capital Paradise Clubhouse: Tue and Thu, 10-11am
- Chateau Regalia Clubhouse: Mon and Fri, 9-10am and Wed, 10.30-11.30am
- Lane Bridge Clubhouse: Wed, 9-10am
- Rose and Gingko Clubhouse: Tue and Thu, 10-11am
For inquiries, call Juzi at 139 1105 2969.
Nia Classes
Nia Classes taught by Jen or Debbie are also available at several locations. Nia combines nine movement forms (three martial arts, three dance arts and three healing arts) to train students in essential mind/body awareness, conditioning, and healing. Nia is often described as dancing yoga or dancing tai chi, and is accessible to participants of all fitness levels.
- Lane Bridge Clubhouse: Tue and Fri, 8.45-10am at the Dance Studio (2/F)
- Cathay View Clubhouse: Wed, 8.45-10am, and Sun, 4-5pm at the Dance Studio (2/F)
Contact Jen or Debbie at niachina@gmail.com or visit their websites at http://www.niachina.com or http://www.nianow.com
Zumba
Zumba, the music-based fitness phenomenon, is available at Dragon Bay and is being taught by Carmen. Set to foot-stomping rhythms, the classes provide a fun aerobic workout that will have your hips swaying.
Zumba classes take place on Mon and Wed from 10-11am at Dragon Bay Clubhouse. For more info, email wilbcarm@gmail.com.
2. Learn
PET Classes
More Parenting Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.) classes are being held in Shunyi. P.E.T. teaches parents and teachers skills for dealing with children of all ages in all situations. With an emphasis on positive communication, the goal of P.E.T. training is not only to enable adults to relate better with children, but also to model constructive interpersonal techniques that children can apply in their own lives.
The next eight-week module starts on Tuesday, September 17 will be held at WAB, Tue 3.45-6.45pm (minimum of eight students required).
Another module beginning on Monday, October 14, also to be conducted at WAB, still has room for a few participants. This module will run on Mondays from 9am-noon.
Photography Classes
Photography classes for beginners to digital photography will be offered at Green T. House Living. The two-day class runs on Monday, September 23 and Wednesday, September 25 from 10.30am-3pm. Taught by Keary Liu, who has lived in Beijing for 11 years, the class will cover the technical use of the camera, composition and basic digital editing. Bring your camera, connecting wire and manual. Laptop or tablet is a plus, but not necessary.
RMB 700. Register directly with Keary by sending an email to kearyliu@gmail.com.
Western Cooking for Ayis
This six-session series will teach your ayi how to cook Western-style meals with a focus on health, nutrition, and fresh ingredients. Taught in Chinese, the course will cover foundations of Western cooking like selecting ingredients from a foreign supermarket, creating meals from scratch, determining nutritional information, whipping up creative and quick healthy breakfast and snacks, and practicing basic Western cooking techniques. Hosted by Green T. House Living, the classes are taught by Alice Giusto, a certified health coach based in Beijing.
RMB 2,400 for six sessions (Wed, Oct 9, 23, 30, Nov 6, 13, 20) 10.30am-1pm. Register directly with Alice by email at healthcoachbeijing@gmail.com.
3. Shop
Roundabout Book Fair
Roundabout just raised a whopping RMB 103,000 at their most recent book fair at The British School of Beijing’s Shunyi campus. If you missed the fair, you can still shop for a cause at the Canadian International School Kindergarten from Tue Sep 10 to Sat Sep 14, 10am-4pm. All proceeds go towards medical treatments for disadvantaged children. Roundabout’s latest charges are four young babies, three of whom are orphans and in urgent need of surgery.
Prices start at RMB 1 for kids’ books, RMB 10 for paperbacks, and RMB 20 for hardbound books. (You can also slip a little extra into the donation box.)
Canadian International School Kindergarten
Across from River Garden exit gates
7 Yuyang Lu, Shunyi
Call 137 1805 3814 for directions in English or Chinese
Back to Reality Brunch and Mini Bazaar
Hosts Clicia and Shayne invite all to join them for a quick brunch amidst their jewelry display. Guest vendors will include Tai Tai and much more. It will be a fun afternoon get-together with shopping, food, and swapping stories.
Mon Sep 16, 11.30am-6pm
Clicia’s Designs and Shayne’s Treasures
Mid-Autumn Festival
It’s time to buy mooncakes in preparation for Mid-Autumn Festival. There’s a lot to choose from; the traditional Beijing mooncakes are made from lotus seed paste mixed with nuts and a piece of rock sugar. Mooncakes from southern China are usually made of a smoother, sweeter bean paste. A good variety can be found at BHG in the Europlaza basement. The first floor corridor of Europlaza also has a small display of cakes available from South Beauty and Treescape. Place your order early if you’re buying mooncakes from a restaurant. Western takes on moon cakes also abound at outlets like Weiduomei and Starbucks, with pastry, sponge cake and ice cream as fillings.
4. Eat
The burger wars continue in Shunyi. Let’s Burger in Pinnacle Avenue has closed down, giving way to a Chinese restaurant that serves “Western” food (pasta, sandwiches, salads) with Dickson Do. Burger King at Pinnacle Plaza has just opened.
When we visited on a Friday, the place was packed with young families and teenagers hanging out. Burger King can seat approximately 30 people indoors and 12 outdoors. A lot of the orders seemed to be takeout; our own takeout meal was prepared without any delays, but we missed the grilled meat goodness that we have come to expect from eating at Burger King outside of China. The patties were rather small and seemed to have been fried from frozen, much like at McDonald’s.
Before Burger King opened, we wondered whether they would be offering unlimited drinks. They don’t. However, Burger King does have its own bathroom. For a more gourmet burger experience, there is still Angry Burger at Riverville Square near Chateau Regalia and Merlin Champagne.
5. Celebrate
Green T. House Living hosts the Beijing Farmers’ Market Harvest Festival. On Thursday, September 19, drop by for a variety of family-friendly activities:
- Farmers’ Market showcasing the best organic produce Beijing has to offer. Once only in Shunyi this month. 10am-2pm
- Kids’ activities hosted by Daystar Academy to keep the little ones busy while you shop and dine. 10am-4pm
- Modern Chinese dining experience at the Bath House Residence. 11.30-2.30pm (on the festival day and daily)
- Afternoon T., stunningly presented selection of finest Chinese teas served with traditional tea and snacks. From 11.30am (on the festival day and daily)
- Art Exhibit of selected works from the collection of Red Gate Galleries. From 10am
- Mooncake making classes for the entire family. RMB 250 for a family of four, including tea. 2-4pm. Other dates available: Sat Sep 14, and Sun Sep 15. Reservations required via email at t.classes@green-t-house.com or by calling 6434 2519.
- Family Mid-Autumn Festival Dinner (five courses). RMB 558 per guests (+15% service charge). Only from Sep 19-21. Reservations required via email at t.classes@green-t-house.com or by calling 6434 2519.
Photo by Dana Cosio-Mercado and courtesy of anja_johnson (flickr) and roundabout
Dana is the beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Beijing in 2011 (via Europe) with her husband, two sons and Rusty the dog. She enjoys writing, photography, theater, visual arts, and trying new food. In her free time, she can be found exploring the city and driving along the mountain roads of Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu.
