Beijing Box Hostel

They make the best dumplings exept those from my parents!

Tianjin Baijiaoyuan（Beijing）is a dumpling restaurant chain founded in Tianjin. When I was studying in Tianjin, this is a perfect place to go with friends at weekends. 

They’ve got lots of choices of stuff in both boiled and steamed dumplings. Pork, lamb, crab, fish, shrimp, mushroom and all kinds of vegetables. My favorite is crab cream(crab roe)~ You can see the orange stuff filled inside through the half-transparent dumpling wrapper~~ *.*

地址：北京市西城区西单新文化街甲12号

Address: #A12 Xidan Xinwenhua Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

Every time we make pancakes and dumplings, there are always two kinds of stuff, one of which prepared for vegetarians. However tastes are limited. Not enough for you?

Here is a restaurant recommended by Jason, whose name is the same with one of our cats.

Xu Xiang Zhai

http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=11422

Thank you, Jason~ We are still exploring more vegan restaurants~await for you.

PS. some books and website links offered by him

I was enjoying the quiet afternoon and our conversations while serving kungfu tea, but kept being tempted by the sunshine. It seems warm outside. Why not go out for a ride?

Set off after 4:00pm (thanks to the longer daylight), heading north along Xisi Bei Dajie(Xisi North Street) and turn right at 1st intersection to the east. It’s comfortable to ride on the main street but I’ve to watch out every second with so many vehicles passing by. @。@ 

Turn left to Qianhai Xi Jie(Qianhai West Street) then Liuyin Jie(Willow Shade Street). It suddenly quiet down and I began to pay attention to people and doors on both side. These alleys are close to Qianhai(the Front Sea). I turned left somehow with the scenery  quickly passing by, like scenes of  a movie. Then I entered Yangfang Hutong, which is parallel close to Houhai(the back sea). It’s very narrow so that I had to slow down in case of not scratching people or cars. Finally I got out of Yangfang Hutong and turned out to be in the middle of Deshengmen Nei Dajie(the inner city part  of Deshengmen Street). Facing to the west I could hardly open my eyes because of the dazzling sun light. I still didn’t want to ride back, so I turn to the right.

Then right again to Gulou Xi Dajie(West Gulou Street ). It’s easy to find Gulou(the Drum Tower) even from far away. It locates right on the axis of anciet Beijing. BTW, the famous Jiumen Snacks is hidden in this street.

Along the other side of Houhai I came to Gulou soon , and quit the idea to continue east.On the way back I stopped and had some cream cheese. Since I got off the bike I felt a little bit pain on my knee. Perhaps  I should ride more rather than sitting inside in such lovely weather.

Let’s go for a ride~

1. 5 jiao/mao(50 cent/0.5 yuan) can be easily taken for 5 yuan/kuai because both of them are purple and of similar size. @;@

Please notice that Chaiman Mao is on the obverse of 5 yuan note/bill, a mountain on the other side of it. For the 5 jiao note/bill, there are two dressed minority ethnic group people on the obverse. Then you won’t mix them up when receiving changes on the street or buying local beers from us…￥o￥

2. We put some  OTC on the table in case that you catch a cold or have a sore throat or cough. The medicine in package is 板蓝根(root of a kind of plant) OTHER THAN TEA. They are helpful to protect you against flu and cure the cold.

3. Public Transportation Cards are also available on the table. Pick one if you need and charge by yourself, so that you don’t have to prepare change every time taking subway. One card for one person. Do not try to use one card for several people cause they charge you when you swipe to go out of the station. &.&

Anyway, you can transfer as much as you like within 2 yuan in Beijing. That’s really cheap! But you have to have your bag go through safety inspection whenever you want take the subway, so better not take any bag at all, just like me~~ ^-^

PS.If there are anything else confusing you, please feel free to comment here. I’ll check it everyday and definitely reply~~

Rita

We’ve got a new coffee machine!~yeah~~~*0*

Sorry for the last a few cups of coffee from the old one.(ORZ)  They taste a little bit weird but our old friend  had tried his best.  He has worked for Chinese Box for over 3 years. Recently he had coughed a lot and make coffee with burnt smell and there is no foam on the surface #~# thus I felt sorry every time I serve coffee to my friends…

Finally, our new robert arrived this afternoon. We put them together instantly and made different flavor  with different size of cup, espresso and milk foam  just for testing, haha~~Now the lovely robert is ready for each coffee person! Let’s start from breakfast tomorrow~~

What’s your favorite corner in Chinese Box?

Let’s make a wild guess.

1. Your bed in warm dorms where you can sleep as many hours as you like

2. The small table in courtyard for smoking(could be chilly :p )

3. The toilets which is the warmest place in winter

4. The drawing room where you can exchange info. and ideas freely

5. The little sofa by the window (if you don’t hate the scent of daffodil ).That’s the place you can read under the lamp and easily get water while woking with laptop for a whole afternoon.

6. Big tables serving all kins of delicious food and OTC Chinses medicine (though the taste is not good to you:] )

7. Two computers where you can log on facebook :0

8. The couches by the inner wall (my favorite  @,@ ) I regard it as the most functional place where you can talk, eat, play drinking games, play the guitar, watch a DVD, read under a lamp, work on your laptop, or take a nap as long as a whole afternoon and wake up to find a blanket on(but may be slightly disturbed by Xiaobao*~* ).

Would you like to vote for your favorite?

Good night. Have a nice dream~~

Rita

Welcome to Chinese Box (中国盒子-团园客栈). This is our own tour guide, which helps you explore Beijing easily. Please take this paper with you either you were asking the places or kindly lose the way, just show the Chinese character to local people.

Hope you enjoy your stay with us, Say HI to everybody you meet in Chinese Box Courtyard, make friends with travelers around the world. Meanwhile, feel the warm and honest of Traditional Beijing Local people. If you have any question, DO NOT hesitate to let us know.

l Beijing always has heavy traffic. We are located in the center of the city, close to the famous sites downtown, staying with us, actually you hardly need take subway to visit. We strongly recommend you enjoy everyday life of Beijing by cycling, or taking the public bus (5 min walking reach more than 20-bus lines)

l We are in the heart of the best protected courtyard & hutong area, sure be safe for that plenty of policemen and volunteers guard here, be peaceful for that no tourist and businessman but Beijing local people live here. You can explore and experience the most Original taste and Flavour Beijing.

l Local Transportation

1) Take public bus: 1 Yuan/person.. Please prepare some 1 yuan notes in case you have to drop 1 or 2 yuan in the box, they won`t give change

2) Take the subway: 2 Yuan/person for transfer the lines without paying extra.

3) Taxi fee: 10Yuan/first 3 km and 2 Yuan per extra 1 km. Every 5 minutes of waiting cost and extra 2 Yuan. After 15 km, it will be 3 Yuan per km. From 23:00 to 6:00, 11 Yuan/first 3 km and the rest rate goes up by 50%.

4) From Chinese Box to main transportation stops: 1, The central railway station北京站 (to Shanghai, Mongolia) 8 KM, about 20-30 minutes and 22 Yuan (Taxi), or the bus No.103 to the last stop 2, The west railway station北京西站 (to Xi`an, Chengdu and Hong kong) 6.5 KM, about 20 minutes and 20 Yuan (Taxi), or the bus No. 823 to the last stop 3, Beijing Capital Airport 32 KM首都机场, about 60 minutes and 100 Yuan(Taxi, including the toll), Or 1 person can take taxi 20 Yuan to Dongzhimen station(东直门机场快线地铁站), train ticket is 25 Yuan/person..

5) There are 3 different bus stops close to Chinese Box: 1, XiLuKouBei(西四路口北), Bus No. 22/826/409/726/823/47/409/13/Olympic bus Line 3 stop here, then you will find east entrance of XiSiBei 2 Tiao Hutong (西四北二条胡同), 3 minutes to Chinese Box 2, BaiTaSi (白塔寺), Bus No. 13/814/103/823 stop here, you will find a big crossing, then turn right to the second Hutong, it is the west entrance of XiSiBei 2 Tiao Hutong (西四北二条胡同), 5 minutes to Chinese Box 3, BaoZiHutong(豹子胡同), Bus No. 7 stops here, you will find west entrance of XiSiBei 2 Tiao Hutong (西四北二条胡同), 5 minutes to Chinese Box.

l Daytime Sightseeing Suggestion A (07:30 – 16:30)

Tian`anmeng Square; Forbidden City; Beihai Park; Houhai tourist site(Bar area); Drum-Tower

6) Take the bus No. 22 to Qianmeng(前门); 5 stops and 15 minutes ( Notice: just visit, do not buy anything in small shops or follow any local people to Tea House or restaurant)

7) Walking north through Tian`anmeng Square(天安门), visiting about 30-60 minutes

Walking north visit Forbidden City(故宫), entrance fee costs 60Yuan/person, about 3 hours.

9) Turn left at the north gate of Forbidden City, 500 m away, you will arrive at the south gate of BeiHai, 2 hours later, walk to the north gate, you will find HouHai bar area at the opposite side. At least 200 bars and restaurants by lakeside.

10) Take bus No.13/823/850/42 at the entrance of HouHai (Lotus Market 荷花市场), 5 stops about 2 KM to XiSiLuKouBei (西四路口北) back to Chinese Box.

l Daytime Sightseeing Suggestion B (07:30 – 16:30)

Temple of Heaven; Pearl Market; Lama Temple, WangFuJing Shopping Street

1) Take the bus No. 826 to the west gate of Temple of Heaven (天坛西门), 2 hours later, arrive at the east gate, visit Pearl Market (红桥市场) on the east of the street, about 1 hour. (Notice: Do Bargain)

2) Back to east gate of Temple of Heaven, take subway line 5, 8 stops to Lama Temple (雍和宫), visit about 2 hours.

3) Take subway line 5 to Wangfujing Night Market ( 4 stops, get off at DengShiKou 灯市口), visit about 2 hours

4) Take the bus No. 814/103, 8 stops to BaiTaSi(白塔寺), back to Chinese Box.

l Daytime Sightseeing Suggestion C (07:30 – 16:30)

Summer Palace; Bird`s Nest/ Water Cube: CCTV Building

1) Take the bus No. 826/726 to the last stop Summer Palace (颐和园), visit about 3 hours

2) Take the bus No. 696 to 798 Art Gallery (798艺术区), get off at DaShanQiaoDong(大山桥东), it will take 16 stops, visit about 3 hours.

3) Take the bus No. 418 to Tayuancun (塔园村), and transfer the bus No. 823 to DaHongLuoChangXiKou (大红罗厂西口), back to Chinese Box.

l Daytime Sightseeing Suggestion D (07:30 – 16:30)

Bird Nest/ Water Cube; CCTV Building; Silk Market; LiuLiChang; Panda

1) Take Olympic bus Line 3 to the last stop, about 40 minutes.

2) Take subway Line 8, and transfer Line 10 to GuoMao (国贸), that is CBD and new CCTV building, or directly transfer Subway Line 1 to Yong`anli (永安里), that is Silk Market (秀水街). (Do Bargain)

3) Take Subway Line 1, and transfer line 2 to HePingMeng, then you will find Liulichang (琉璃厂), visit about 1 hour.

4) Take the bus No. 7 to the last stop Beijing Zoo. Visit about 1 hour.

5) Take the bus No. 7 to BaoZi Hutong (豹子胡同), back to Chinese Box

l Daytime Sightseeing Suggestion E (07:30 – 16:30)

There are 3 famous sites: “Badaling”, “Mutianyu” and “Hiking Simatai”. Actually, daily tour to Badaling is always shopping hours included (2-3hours), forget the tour card with cheap price given by the street because those cars usually are illegal and no insurance, we strongly recommend our friends visit it by public transportation to avoid boring.

Badaling Great Wall

1) Take the bus No. 409, 5 stops to DeshengMeng (德胜门), and transfer bus No. 919 Zhikuai (919直快) to Badaling, 2 stops and 12 Yuan/person, about 1.5-2hours. (Notice: Do not take any illegal cars)

2) Visit Badaling Great Wall, entrance fee is 40 Yuan/person, about 2-3 hours.

3) Take the same way back to Chinese Box.

Mutianyu Great Wall

This section is very amazing, not so crowd, touristy and easy to visit (with cable), you can go by yourself but you have to change several buses and mini-van, about 3 hours in single way. We suggest you join the tour to save the energy and time.

Great Wall (Hiking from Jinshanling to Simatai)

This section is the most beautiful part of Great Wall in Beijing. We don`t think you can go there by yourself because it is really far away from downtown (140 km). Even join the tour it will still be a hard day, you have to get up very early and take 3-4 hours bus and hiking for 4 hours (10km always up and down), and another 3-4 hours back. If you really like hiking and scenery, we strongly recommend you visit this section. Nobody will regret except the tiredness.

l Nightlife Sightseeing Suggestion F (16:30-

1) The Top Famous Restaurants and Shows: 1, Within walking distance, there are 3 different hot pot: KouFuJu local hot pot (口福居涮羊肉, 10 minutes walking, only in Beijing, ask us for card to get 10% discount) ; Huangjihuang special hot pot(黄记煌焖锅,10 ninutes walking, ask us for card to get 10% discount); Haidilao popular hot pot(海底捞火锅, 20 minutes walking, have to wait for seats) 2, Roast Peking Duck: HuiFeng JiaoziDian (惠丰饺子楼) 3, Jiuxinyuan restaurant (九鑫苑), some local dishes with cheap price, and Chinese BBQ 3, Jiumen Snacks courtyard (九门小吃), take the bus No. 409, 5 stops to DeshenMeng (德胜门), walking 400m to Xiaoyou Hutong (孝友胡同), or take taxi 12 Yuan. 30-40 booths with different kinds of local foods, 20-30 Yuan/person 4, WangFuJing night market: Not only a shopping street, but also a snack street from 18:00-22:00. Take the bus No. 814/103, 8 stops. 5, All kinds of food restaurant: HouHai tourist area. Check out from front desk.

2) Show: 1, Peking Opera (Liyuan theatre, the leadship of Opear Theater for foreigners during past 11 years), your seat will be VIP, they will pick you up, and the show time is 19:15-20:30 2, Acrobatic show, we strongly recommend you watch, incredible amazing. your seat will be VIP, they will pick you up, and the show time is 19:15-20:30 3, Kongfu show, experience Chinese Kongfu, your seat will be VIP, they will pick you up, and the show time is 19:15-20:30

3) Bar Area: 1, HouHai (后海) 2, Sanlitun(三里屯) 3, Gongti Club area check out the route from front desk

关于文化，关于国家，关于民族习惯，关于一个人的态度，关于不同饭菜与酒。

我们接触后，了解后，能否接受，能否喜欢，能否热爱。

热情，三分钟过后，还可以存在多久？一辈子？我想老马会

————————–

轻轻隆起微圆的肚子，有着厚密的灰白胡须的肉墩墩的下巴，和可旭一样的真诚的眼睛，在金丝框眼镜的后面露出安详的目光。花色的衬衣，却始终是卡其色或是黑色的灯芯绒裤子。某日晚上，可旭带着这可爱的老头在团圆出现的时候，却说一句：这是老马，我爸爸，他属马。微笑着把身体前倾，握手，粗重温暖有力的大手。

带着巴西特有的甘蔗酒过来，那名字好似是santograu，闻着是葡萄酒的果香，尝起来是略带苦头的浓醇。分享，与在异乡的儿子的好友。那夜一起吃皮皮虾，他是第一次吃，呵呵，那个欢快劲，却是被虾皮扎了手。一起说着为什么让可旭来中国学中文，说着自己年轻的时候几乎每年都去欧洲旅行，说着在美国学习英语的日子，说着第一次来亚洲第一次来中国的惊讶，说着对中国的几十年前国情的迷惑，说着在中国不同的交际习惯带来的窘迫，讲着对今后几十年中国的向往。

老马属马，可旭属虎，可旭的妈妈属龙。这个远在巴西的老头，却是在半夜问我关于易经中阴阳协调理论对婚姻的影响到底有多大；龙马的孩子属虎到底好不好。老马年轻的时候研究过易经，老马和老马的太太离婚了。这个老马把当时在场的中国人蒙了一下，解释，也不是一两句的清楚，隔壁有一帮西班牙人在弹奏，老马随后也融入其中。拿一棕色小瓶的青岛啤酒，伴着隔壁吉他的调调，扭动着胖胖的身躯，在巴西也如此。

老马喜欢海鲜，临走前的一晚去一家专门做海鲜的餐馆。吃的胃口大开，小黄花鱼，醉鱼，鲜贝，蚝，蛏子….在回来的路上可旭说着老马很开朗，有时候一个人却很孤独，因为没有女朋友。看着老马在前面的蹒跚背影，心中却是祝福。

老马依旧使用巴西的吻礼，脸贴脸“呗”的嘴发出响声，再加上老马独特胡须，我是很喜欢，不知其他人。很温暖，很亲切。

老马喜欢不同的文化，会葡萄牙语，法语，西班牙语，英语。老马说着相同的英语单词的不同发音，说着不同地域的礼节与风俗。但是老马依旧会按照他在巴西的生活习惯，对待我以及其他的好朋友。

老马最爱espresso，走的那天上午，他坐在沙发上安静的看书，做两杯与他。不同的豆子，不同的味道。老马一个劲的称赞香醇，其实我用两杯份的量做一杯咖啡。

老马和可旭走了。可旭说着两年后还会再回来的。

可旭是团圆的第一个客人，左岸说一句，时间真的好快，在转眼间。

老马换一件浅绿色的衬衣，依旧的很阳光，温暖的笑容。

走之前说一句昨晚老马教我的巴西语干杯——shewuzhi。老马又笑笑。

今天收到朋友的信件，其中一句话：不过是为生活，也不只是为生活。

我想这句话也适合老马。

By 大东

Xiaobao, “the Precious” in Mandarin, is the new member of Chinesebox Hostel. This article is also the first official launch in recording Xiaobao’s arriving. Therefore, this article meant a lot to the growth of the kitten or to your understanding of the kitten. But, in order to introduce Xiaobao properly, the story shall begin at the mother cat, Bitinu.

It is told that Bitinu must be a fairy in her last life. High-profile, dainty and charming all the time, she always actively throws herself into your bosom within the first eight-minute she encounters you. Also, she never forgets to dress up herself even when straying.

One night, Bitinu secretly ate the bird, Xiaobao, in the cage, yet the cage was left intact. What a poor and fragile creature, the bird used to chirp everyday. After few days, we found that Bitinu was pregnant from her gradually bulging belly. Seemingly, she looks so well-behaved all the time; privately, she does unexpectedly bad things, such as pregnancy and eating the bird, Xiaobao, which are BIG BIG BIG deals.

One day in the early March, Bitinu gave births to her kittens in a quite place with my assistance. However, it was shocked that the first three kittens were died in her womb. When we delivered the fourth kitten, her meowing voice must have been the most beautiful melody in the world. The kitten was noisy all the time; therefore, it was called Naonao, the Noisy in Mandarin.

After Bitinu had delivered her four kittens, her body shrank immediately. Cat cans and milk were prepared to supply her energy, but dumped by Bitinu.

24-hour later, there was another surprising thing that we had one more kitten, the fifth one. This snow white cat is named after the bird, Xiaobao.

Xiaobao and Naonao got along well, however, two days later, Naonoa unfortunately left her kitty world. Xiaobao has become the rarest beauty. SURVIVAL!

If there is something called destiny in this world, I bet that Xiaobao’s destiny must be the complicated one.

check out chinese article: 小宝的童年的童年