A Walk From Ri Tan Park to Sanlitun
Morning
The American-style diner Steak and Eggs
(5 Xiushui Jie), which is behind the Friendship Store, opens for
pancake-platter breakfasts at 7:30am. Well fed, head north up
embassy-lined Jianhua Lu to enter Ri Tan Park
via the south gate. This is one of the city’s best parks, with an old
sacrificial altar, a rockery, and a small lake with the waterside Stone Boat
café. Exit via the west gate onto Ritan Lu, then head south, toward
Guanghua Lu, which is lined with shops. Stop at French deli Fauchon (see Fauchon)
to stock up on delicious chocolates and wines, or head to one of the
many stores in this area. Continue on to busy Chaoyang Men Wai Dajie,
lined with malls and the Dong Yue Miao temple.
Afternoon
Departing the temple,
turn left and then take the second left into Gongren Lu. This takes you
up to a park with a lake and then the Workers’ Stadium.
Circle the stadium to exit via the north gate onto Gongren Tiyuchang
Bei Lu. Head east until you come to a foot bridge, which allows you to
cross this eight-lane boulevard safely. It deposits you in front of
Yashaw Market
for more bargain shopping. To the east,
The Village
offers more up-scale shopping
possibilities. Continue east until Sanlitun Bei Lu, the heart of the
city’s entertainment district: bars
The Tree
and
Bookworm
, plus restaurant
Alameda
are all just a few minutes’ walk from here.
Shops, Markets, and Malls
-
Friendship Store
Once
upon a time this was officially the only store tourists could visit.
Now it’s the last place you’d want to shop; it’s overpriced and has
notoriously unhelpful staff. Visit only for a glimpse of how shopping in
Beijing was in the good old bad old days.-
17 Jianguo Men Wai Dajie
-
6500 3311
-
-
Fauchon
This French gourmet empire opened its first Chinese deli and grocery store in Shin Kong Plaza, levels B1–F2.
-
87 Jianguo Lu
-
6533 1266
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