New ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Exhibition Takes Visitors Down the Rabbit Hole

Do you remember reading Alice in Wonderland when you were young? Or perhaps you know it as the Disney remake with wide-eyed Alice in her sky blue dress.

Originally written in 1865 by author Lewis Carroll, it’s a story that’s been retold and re-imagined by many over the decades, and it’s as if every generation has their own Alice. Why are we still so fascinated by Alice after all these years? The story itself is filled with puzzles, riddles, and conundrums that are open to so many interpretations. What’s more, each character has become a star in their own right – from the White Rabbit to the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts, they’ve all become a part of pop culture for every generation.

Now, the newly opened U2 museum by UCCA is hosting an interactive Alice in Wonderland exhibition titled “Alice Curiouser & Curiouser,” which will be on display until Jun 11.

The exhibition takes visitors through a bit of the history of the novel with illustrations and manuscripts. But you’re not just there to look at old stuff. The exhibition is curated by U2 in collaboration with Samsung, adding an interactive dimension to the whole thing.

It’s filled with videos of various Alice in Wonderland remakes over the years, as well as installations that make for beautiful photo backdrops such as the iconic mushroom that the caterpillar sits on, the Queen of Hearts’ garden complete with her army of playing cards, and the Mad Hatter’s tea party.

Before leaving the exhibition, Samsung has created a green screen room where you get to fall down the rabbit hole and go on Alice’s adventure yourself.

The newly opened U2 by UCCA also happens to be at the entrance of the newly opened Vesta restaurant. Originally from Shanghai, Vesta is an all-day dining spot featuring food from various parts of the world. They don’t claim to be authentically anything. What they want to do is cook up great food that people from all walks of life will be able to enjoy and remember.

The restaurant’s high ceilings feature warm natural lighting and the greenery-filled interior decor gives off the garden party vibe that’s ever so fitting next to an Alice in Wonderland exhibition.

Averaging RMB 193 per person, Vesta is a great new addition to the Beijing F&B scene for casual date nights. Amongst my personal favorites is their chef-recommended scampi with noodles in scallion oil which, at RMB 238, is definitely one of the most expensive items on the menu.

The noodles in scallion oil is a Southern Chinese favorite and the sweet langosteen brings a fresh delicate flavor to an otherwise classic local dish.

Also worth noting is their signature roast chicken (RMB 88/half, RMB 158/whole) on a bed of mushroom risotto. This one is definitely shareable and a bite into the juicy meat combined with the crispy seasoned skin alone is worth a trip to Vesta.