Chaoyang Park is a relatively new addition to Beijing's
municipal parks and it now includes the largest green space in the
city. Neatly positioned between the Third and Fourth Ring roads,
the park is a centre of entertainment and was most recently a focus
for some great restaurants, bars and nightclubs, particularly at
the West Gate.
Although the large lake that meanders across the space is frozen
in winter, in summer pleasure boating dominates the parks many
other activities. There is also a full-scale entertainment centre
accessible from the park's South Gate.
The West Gate, well known to local foreign residents, is the
entrance closest to the Goose and Duck Pub, an expatriate watering
hole. Access to the Park's lakes is but a few minutes stroll. The
West Gate is also near to some great restaurants including Annie's,
a newly expanded Italian bistro, The World of Suzie Wong, the
excellent late-night 1930s Shanghaiesque lounge bar and another
Jenny Lou's supermarket outlet, popular to almost everyone who
loves cheese, butter and olive oil, sometimes precious commodities
in the capital.
Near the South Gate of Chaoyang Park, you will find The Big
Easy, a jazz joint selling hamburgers and beer. Across the road you
will find Latinos, a late night Latin dance bar that swings!
Around Chaoyang Park, new gilt-edge housing accommodates
Beijing's most successful people. Palm Springs, Park Avenue and
Fairview Gardens are but a few of the new digs available in the
area.
Continue along up Chaoyang Park West Road and you will reach
Ladies Street, also known as the Laitai Flower Market. New to the
city, it's great for recreation, short visits or decorating a home.
The flowers and other items available at Laitai will grab the more
creative of you right off the street and part you from the money
with ease! It is a brilliant place for turning a humble home into a
tropical paradise. Abundant plants and flowers, pots and shrubs,
vines and miniatures trees and puppies, fish and clothes make sure
you cannot leave empty handed!
Remember, go to Laitai Flower Market with things to buy in mind
otherwise the choice can be boggling and, as always, remember to
bargain. The by-word of Beijing shopping is haggle! haggle!
haggle!
(China.org.cn January 23, 2008)