Happy Galentine’s Day to You, Sister!

When Leslie Knopp, star of the US mockumentary TV series Parks and Recreation, created Galentine’s Day in a 2010 episode, it was an instant hit. Knopp, played by the distinctive Amy Poehler, gathers a group of gal pals for a waffle brunch where “ladies celebrate ladies.” Thus, this fake holiday was born!

Fast forward some 10 years, and fun-loving women around the world have adopted Galentine’s Day into their calendars because we just love another reason to gather the gang for conversation and cocktails (or mocktails, whatever blows your dress up)!

While Galentine’s Day is meant to be on Feb 13, you can get together with your girlfriends any time to celebrate each other. So aside from these dining deals and afternoon teas, what other ways can you celebrate Galentine’s Day in Beijing this year?

Get movin’

Try an Aerial Yoga class with your gal friends whom you aren’t afraid to trip up and look silly in front of! Xs.Aerial Yoga Studio in Dongzhimen offers silks, hoop, chair burlesque, and even traditional ballet classes starting from a very reasonable RMB 259 for a three-trial class pack.

This Friday, Feb 18, Taozi Tree Yoga is holding their regular “Moved by the Moon” event at Park Hyatt. Practice yoga under the full moon in this 75-minute Vinyasa class accompanied by live guitar music.

Make some art

Nothing says bonding like getting the creative juices flowing together in a session of tufting or painting! Linestudio Tufting in Bailin Hutong is a cozy studio where you can design and make a rug with your gal pals in a private class. Prices start from RMB 450 per person and include basic materials. Look up linestudio tufting on Dianping for more details.

Painting workshops paired with a glass of champagne/wine, or cup of tea/coffee are a super fun way to while the afternoon away with your friends. We know of at least two artists who provide such services – Martha, who’s known for her Sip & Dip Natural Lotus Leaves Painting workshops, and Nadia, whom I’ve had the privilege of painting with before. She provides a basic pencil sketch of the artwork so you can’t screw up too much when you add the paint. Aside from special events, they also accept small group bookings at a location of your choosing, provided you meet their minimum capacity.

If you aren’t interested in getting your hands dirty, you can still appreciate some art at UCCA’s art exhibition “The Last Judgement” by Maurizio Cattelan in Beijing’s 798 Art District. The exhibition is the Italian-born artist’s first solo exhibition in China and offers 29 works picked from his entire career, culminating in a discourse on death, social mores, the colossus of art history, and the nature and value of art in a globalized contemporary society. Just for kicks, you can take home the iconic “banana taped to a wall” piece in the form of a fuzzy tote bag with a velcro banana on it.

Give your body some lovin’

… and take yourself and your buddies to a hot spring to soak your cares away. Goodness knows after this last week of online learning we all need it. Check out this article for some of our favorite hot springs, plus we know the Hanjinbai Hot Spring International Hotel (瀚金佰九号温泉国际酒店 Hàn jīn bǎi jiǔ hào wēnquán guójì jiǔdiàn) has a great weekday deal for just RMB 299, all-you-can-eat buffet included! They have indoor and outdoor hot spring pools and Jingkids editor Julie Wolf can attest to their cleanliness too.

Escape Room

It takes a special group of girlfriends to take on the challenge of an escape room, but it’s definitely a unique bonding experience. Isaiah at MR. X Escape Rooms in Sanlitun is one of the only escape rooms available in English, with pre-booking required. The plot goes, “Since the 14th century A.D., the Vatican City State has been the place of residence of all Popes. The recent death of Pope John Paul II has caused a panic and an agent (you) has been dispatched to find out what’s going on. As you enter the scene, various supernatural events take place. Apparently, the Pope’s soul is still trapped here on our mortal plane, and it’s up to you to get him out, so you can get out too…” If this sounds like your thing, read up on intern Sebastian’s first escape room experience and look up MR. X on Dianping to book your escape!