New "Magazine Library Cafe" in Qianmen Tourist Hub Looks Instagrammable, But…

Coffee shops are effectively an extension of my office workspace. It sounds weird, but I feel like the sounds of coffee grinding, jazzy tunes, and indistinct chatter stimulate my inner creativity that makes me somehow write faster and efficiently. There’s a lot of coffee houses in the business districts or tourist areas of Beijing, usually filled …

Beijing Subway Sunday: Line 10's Station Where Horses Used to Bathe

I am always amazed by how extensive Beijing’s subway network is. As of this moment, we have 19 lines, 345 stations (70 are above ground) and 574km of track in operation, and in the coming years, we will see more lines opening. Despite being notoriously crowded (and sometimes smelly), we can’t deny that Beijing’s subway is the most …

Beijing Bucket List: Indulging in the Flavors of Yunnan Cuisine

This time of the year is perfect for savoring Yunnan cuisine, known for its mushroom dishes as well as its fusion of several Chinese tastes. It’s not surprising as the province is located in China’s southwest where the country’s Han Chinese culture meets with the tropical flavors of Southeastern Asian countries like Vietnam, Laos, and Burma. …