Writes of Passage

Hangzhou’s Westlake is beautiful, every day of the year. It’s more enchanting when it’s quite. My first photo is taken at 5:29 am. Sofitel cross street is a huge motivation to get up early. A mere hour later the crowds arrive and the intimate ambiance is gone. So am I.

88 Nanjing Lu West, 3rd floor
上海新世界丽笙酒店
上海南京西路88号

Will return.

White glove service, literally. Delicious food, quite. The main dinning area is small – most area is private rooms. Clean bathroom and above average utensils.

Another ancient town. ¥100 admission, even for the overnight guests. But they’re free after 5pm, so some smart Travellers would get in after 5pm.

Tangshan, Hebei

This is my first time but I knew it kind of well: my stepmother died during the 1976 earthquake.

Without traffic, it takes little over two hours from Beijing (facing the sun in the morning there and again, coming home). Speed train is only an hour away. First impression of the city: big, new, many cars but less people on the street, compares to Beijing.

People are warm and helpful. The ticket girl shares her two mangos with me – thanks sweetie.

Will return.

A lovely fusion restaurant in the Wudadao. I like their young Peking Duck very much – small and tender. Other dishes are delicious and nicely presented. It’s ideal for small groups as they don’t have a main hall. The fake tree in the ground level area is a turn off.

Tianjin

This fabled hotel has a long history – since 1863. It’s built by an English missionary. There is a “museum” in the basement but I didn’t visit, the woman  huatily told me there is ¥50 admission, even for hotel guests.

After the afternoon tea at the O’Hara’s bar I wander in and out of the old wing freely – for this reason, not sure I want to spend a night or two there.

167 Dagubei Road
Heping District
Tianjin, 300040

It is on the site of Gordon Hall, cross street from Astor. The main entrance is off the Jiefang Garden North 解放北园, a tiny green patch with a Chinese gazebo. There is rich history to this location, the hotel offers a short tour at 6 pm.

1976 Tangshan earthquake had damaged the building. They rebuilt and used as municipal government till 2010. Ritz began in 2013

The columns at their 2-level Chinese restaurant are slaveged from the American garrison, treated and preserved. Nice touch.

Aboundant paintings are hung throughout the public area. The stairs in the lobby somehow, remind me of Gone with the Wind, where Gable noticed his girl.

With home grow chives!

5 Niu Jie 牛街清真超市 美食城
Beijing

I’ve been here a few times. There are many individual vendors on the street level and supermarket in the basement, plus a bakery.

Fuzimiao
Nanjing

A few minutes walk from Nanjing Dapaidang. Opposite from the museum. It’s rather small but the little sitting area at the rare is nice, looking out to the golden dragons on the wall. If you’re in a rush,visit the museum. This one cost ¥25 and museum ¥40 (combo is ¥50 for both).