A Weekend in Beijing, China

Trying 'cupping' Traditional Chinese Medicine 

Our friends often ask us what we do on our weekends. So this month's blog centres around a 'usual' weekend- not one travelling the greater China but just a normal Beijing weekend.

Our weekends are generally busy but also relaxing. We try not to take them for granted but also use them to relax after a long week teaching.

We have combined some photos from the last few weekends, which for us, fall on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (quieter days in the life of a private English school teacher).

Sometimes we think our weekends are a little boring but then we remember 'hay, we're in China- we certainly weren't doing this a few years ago!'.

Drinks at Atmosphere Bar- Beijing's highest restaurant

Monday evenings are often a wind down from a busy week. Usually, it is a late night with Kara finishing work at 8.30pm and John arriving home shortly after.

So we relax with a visit to the Chinese doctor or catch up with some friends for drinks and/or dinner! We love to head out on a Monday evening to try a different restaurant for dinner. Or if there is an electrical storm (happens more often than you think in Summer!) we cuddle up and watch a movie while the rain drives pellets into our corrugated roof.

Below are some photos we took last week at Beijing's highest restaurant (Atmosphere Bar). It is part of only a very small handful of places you can go in Beijing to see a city outlook.

The view over Beijing

Looking Northward (can you see the tall factories)

On Tuesday and/or Wednesday's, if the weather is fine, we will visit a new park in the city for some outdoor activity. We like to get out exploring new parts of the city as much as we can! Whether it is a park, lake, historical sight or tourist attraction we are knocking them off our list!

Our local coffee joint

Breakfast from seven11

First stop however is always the local bakery for a coffee (mmm... roast hazelnut coffee) and breakfast or the seven11 across the street for some sushi!

Jogging the 10km track at Beijings Olympic Park

Beijing's Olympic Park

We usually will buy lunch downstairs from us at a local restaurant which are below our building (salad and rice, beef noodles or dry egg fried noodles are our favourite!). We also try to make a trip to the supermarket on the weekend to stock up on groceries for the week like eggs and veges.  If our budget allows it we also might venture to an expat food shop that specialise in international food. We might get a little treat of some Australian red wine, cheese or our favourite: olives! Mmmmmm.

Mix salads (eaten with rice)

Watching the subway come in

We find that during our weekend we spend quite a bit of time on public transport (2yuan per ride or AUD20c). Going to and from the parks of course!

One of the advantages of taking our weekend on Tuesdays and Wednesdays is that we miss most of the peak subway traffic!

Sunset over Ciqikou

Depending on the weather (it is VERY hot here!) and the air quality we usually end the weekend with a stroll around our neighbourhood stopping at the 'local' for 'leno ji dan' dumplings or stay in and cooking veges and rice for dinner!

Playing in the rain on the balcony

So our weekends aren't full but we are busy. Our most important thing is to relax and have fun after such tiring weeks. We love and appreciate having the time each week to explore more of China in a no-rush (backpack free) way!

Tot siens,
John and Kara