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All things China |OT| !
- Thread starter Blablurn
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Chairmanchuck
Member
I love Beijing, but I can see how the city becomes less and less authentic and more and more "fake" though.
I still remember Nanluoguxiang in 2010. A nice little and touristy shopping street with a certain charme and flair. Not that many people there. Now its overcrowded and the godo restaurants and bars are actually in the side-streets (with one of the best BBQ restaurants in Beijing I would say).
And from what I heard from the dad of my gf is, that all the old Beijingers arent really living in Downtown anymore, since all their old Hutongs got destroyed before the Olympics) and live in the suburban areas, which sadly also dont really have the charme the old Hutong-lifestyle had.
Unknown Soldier
Member
I went on a vacation there a few years ago. The air is awful in the cities.
My family is planning to adopt an 8 year old girl from Liuyuan this summer, we have our tickets booked for early May and the entire family is going for two weeks. (as of now)
It's been a long journey but we are all incredibly excited. That's about my only China-related story but I'm excited to get over there!
It's been a long journey but we are all incredibly excited. That's about my only China-related story but I'm excited to get over there!
AlucarD.eq
Member
Awesome, good idea. I think there are a few Shanghai-Gaffers around here. I'm base in Shanghai and it seems I'm going to be here for an extra year.
If you guys want to root for an american football in China you should support the Nighthawks!
https://www.facebook.com/ShanghaiNighthawks
I have a few blog-posts about them, I'm really proud of the whole team.
Shanghai's pollution is bad but not as bad as some coal-mining cities :/
If you guys want to root for an american football in China you should support the Nighthawks!
https://www.facebook.com/ShanghaiNighthawks
I have a few blog-posts about them, I'm really proud of the whole team.
Shanghai's pollution is bad but not as bad as some coal-mining cities :/
title is 欢迎, you typed 邓迎 and 远迎, both which doesn't make any sense whatsoever
中国欢迎你 literally means china welcomes you, that sentence is correct
Sanlitun is fucking dreadful, no reason to go there, but if you must, the roof bar on Migas can be pretty nice (if pricey) in the summer.
Anyway, for bars, first we must pour a 40 for our fallen friend and probably the greatest bar in the world Dos Kolegas, dammit, I used to love this place
THEY HAD A KIDDIE POOL OUTSIDE, WHY DID YOU HAVE TO SHUT DOWN ACAB.
So let's see, top of my mind, Fangjia hutong has a bunch of bars, some are better than others, but it's great for a bar crawl, especially going west to east, since you end right at gui jie for some late night food and rally.
Some other random bars I go to -
Amilal is super cool, they got whiskey and cats? what more can you ask? nothing, that's what.
DDC is great new(ish) place worth checking.
Cu Ju makes the best drinks in town, they have great food too and it double as a sports bar (no cats though).
Slow Boat is a great place for a beer.
The Old What Bar is a nice little place that have nice little bands from time to time.
And if we're talking about music places, nothing wrong with getting drunk and listening to punk music in School, DMC is even more divey and more awesome, sadly, it's in bumm-fuck nowhere. And of course you got places like Temple, Dada and Mao's Livehouse.
Since it's a gaming forum I have to mention 8-Bit, though I don't really like it, and yes, I think I'm better than you nerds, all of you!
So yeah, pretty random list, didn't spend too much time on it, I can put a ton more, the main point is that I don't have a drinking problem.
Chairmanchuck
Member
I saw it the last time we went out of this Hutong where some japanese bar was (which was quite good).
How are the drinks there?
Tevious
Member
Went to Beijing over a year ago to see the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Great experience, but the pollution was really bad the first day. Thankfully, it cleared up when we went out touring the next couple days. I don't really care for Beijing International Airport though; no shops to get drinks and snacks to bring back to the hotel.
The restroom cleaner guy at the airport looked at me strangely when I laughed at this, lol:
The restroom cleaner guy at the airport looked at me strangely when I laughed at this, lol:
Robot Carnival
Member
yeah, I meant to tpye 欢 instead of 邓, don't know how I didn't see it...
but anyway, the Chinese in the banner (the picture of the Chinese flag, not the title) says
CHINA GAF |OT| 我们远迎你 (we welcome you)
that's why I mentioned it. other wise the whole thing is fine.
They're fine, I think, like, they didn't leave any particularly strong impression one way or the other, though again, I don't really go there often. I don't know, I never cared for that concept in any place I've ever lived. Video games are fine, drinking is fine, the two even mix quite well, just not in bars, at least not for me.
My friend did drag me there to do their vodka skittles shots, he said it will bring good luck for the super bowl.
It didn't.
I blame him.
You do.
There are plenty of options in Beijing, at least explore them a bit so you can make an informed decision.
Kite
Member
If anyone is interested in a podcast about Chinese history I recommend The History of China By Chris Stewart. The guy starts from the beginning of recorded history and moves forward chronologically so events don't get too confusing. Listening to this actually scratched my Game of Thrones itch while waiting for the new season. Who knew, real history is just as exciting and full of political intrigue, backstabbing and wars.
A Human Becoming
More than a Member
Really good thread idea. I'll be taking tabs on it!
I'd also like an India one.
I'd also like an India one.
Awesome thread. Looking forward to reading it as it develops. I visit China, including Hong Kong, at least once a year since it's a short hop over from Tokyo. Last year I made it to Hong Kong and Shanghai. I haven't been to Beijing since 2009, although I should probably go again with my wife, who is Chinese American.
Chairmanchuck
Member
They're fine, I think, like, they didn't leave any particularly strong impression one way or the other, though again, I don't really go there often. I don't know, I never cared for that concept in any place I've ever lived. Video games are fine, drinking is fine, the two even mix quite well, just not in bars, at least not for me.
My friend did drag me there to do their vodka skittles shots, he said it will bring good luck for the super bowl.
It didn't.
I blame him.
n.
What about the prices? I wish I would find a cheap and good bar here.
I mean in Europe almost every city I went to has Happy Hours almost every night and good cocktails cost like 4-5€.
If I want these prices, I usually have to "tuan" a bar and can not be certain about the quality of their drinks.
Cool, will give it a go.
I would also recommend China: A History by John Keay, it's long book (China has a long history) but it's well written and easy to read.
p.s.
Real history poops all over Game of Thrones, which is sort of a retelling/re-imagining of The War of the Roses, which I always thought was one of the least interesting periods of history.
Go read about the Ottoman empire, their rule of succession was pretty much "whoever can kill all of his brothers". Also, you could avoid an execution by beating your executioner in a foot race throughout the city to the gallows. Also, death sentences were delivered by ice cream.
Not making this shit up.
Nah, it's not one of *those* places, I mean, there's always a chance that top shelf stuff is replaced with lower grade brands (that shit is prevalent all over the world by the way, much more than you'd might think) but it's not one of those sanlitun bars where they try to pass colored paint thinner as bourbon.
And the prices are normal Beijing prices, I think.
I don't remember exactly, but if that places was unusually cheap or expensive I think I would've remember.
p.s.
But you really should ask me about the other places, I actually go to them. They're also good
.Chairmanchuck
Member
Cool, will give it a go.
I would also recommend China: A History by John Keay, it's long book (China has a long history) but it's well written and easy to read.
p.s.
Real history poops all over Game of Thrones, which is sort of a retelling/re-imagining of The War of the Roses, which I always thought was one of the least interesting periods of history.
Go read about the Ottoman empire, their rule of succession was pretty much "whoever can kill all of his brothers". Also, you could avoid an execution by beating your executioner in a foot race throughout the city to the gallows. Also, death sentences were delivered by ice cream.
Not making this shit up.
Nah, it's not one of *those* places, I mean, there's always a chance that top shelf stuff is replaced with lower grade brands (that shit is prevalent all over the world by the way, much more than you'd might think) but it's not one of those sanlitun bars where they try to pass colored paint thinner as bourbon.
And the prices are normal Beijing prices, I think.
I don't remember exactly, but if that places was unusually cheap or expensive I think I would've remember.
p.s.
But you really should ask me about the other places, I actually go to them. They're also good
I dont know where they are. Usually I like to visit the bars in the side alleys of Nanluoguxiang with my gf. Those usually have a nice cozy atmosphere and not the "party/club-atmosphere" from Sanlitun or "Tourist"-atmosphere in Houhai.
They are all googlable (I can do it for you, but I'm lazy), all the places I've listed are inside the 2nd ring, most are in hutongs, they aren't what you would call party bars, definitley nothing like sanlitun or houhai (though the ones with live music can obviously get rowdy).
For example Amilal is one hutong east nanlouguxiang (but note there's no cross hutong from nanlougou). It's practically on gulou dongdajie, you can see the sign from it (it's a pretty tiny hutong and not a big sign, so you can miss it quite easily).
It's nice, cozy, got great atmosphere and decor and a great selection of whiskeys.
Also cats.
p.s.
I heard murmurs that it might be closing, so better check it out.
Supermanisdead
Member
Does everyone here live in big cities? I lived in a really small town for a year and while it was pretty annoying to be one of 10 foreigners in a city of 3 million, it was a fun challenge to have to completely immerse yourself in purely Chinese culture. I was close enough to Xian so I could visit there frequently. I'd love to live in a smaller town outside a large one again this time around. I'm trying to get something in Hangzhou or Suzhou near Shanghai.
Phat Michael
Banned
im heading to Beijing and then Shanghai in 12 hours! really looking forward to the trip.
really looking forward to the trip.AtomicSymphonic
Banned
I am SO SO HAPPY to see this kind of OT here. As an expat heading back to China in August, I am super happy to see this alive here on NeoGAF!
太好了！！
AtomicSymphonic
Banned
It's funny how China messes with your sense of urban scale, doesn't it?
I was just talking to my friend and seeing how Qingdao is an awesome little city, then it hit me it would've been the 2nd biggest city in the US.
But it's true, 3 million does feel small in China.
p.s.
I only lived in Beijing, not sure I want to live in a small city, I live in Chinese part of town, got a Chinese landlord and Chinese neighbors and none of them speak English, but that's enough cultural immersion for me, I love big cities, always have, more fun to be had (plus I'm pretty sure I can't find a job in a small town).
dreamcastmaster
Banned
Hi China GAF, Shenzhen gaffer checking in. lived here for 7 years. Great place to live but does not get much attention compared to Hong Komg, Shanghai or Bejing. Super modern city lot's to do and right next to Hong Kong.
Tizoc
Member
Thanks!
AtomicSymphonic
Banned
Oh, in regards to a good bar in China, try the Great Leap Brewery in Beijing.
Excellent stuff there, at least when I was there in 2013.
Excellent stuff there, at least when I was there in 2013.
Supermanisdead
Member
who needs to go to a bar when u get get a 6 pack of fake pbr for 10kuai at a convenience store.
OpinionatedCyborg
Member
Mandarin is the most efficient by far. There are far better learning materials for Mandarin, and there are far more Mandarin speakers. Everyone in China and Taiwan under the age of 50 will speak some Mandarin, most quite well. Hong Kong aims to be trilingual -- Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Singapore has a large number of Mandarin speakers as well.
China podcasts:
- Sinica
- China History Podcast (by Laszlow Montgomery)
- Chengdu Living (new, but I've checked out a couple episodes and it's decent)
Who needs PBR when the far superior tsingato is like 4 kuai for 500 ml?
Their World War Two cans are hilarious though -
I'm pretty sure most the PBR in Beijing is genuine by the way.
Well, if you are looking for employment, you could get a tourist visa which can be valid for 30, 90, or 180 days. On the tourist visa application you would say your going to visit for 31-89 days to get a 90 day visa. I suspect a 180 day visa is difficult to obtain.
Once you find a company to sponsor you, you need to leave the territory and apply for a work visa outside of the PRC (typically this means going to Hong Kong).
AtomicSymphonic
Banned
Now, where in Shanghai can I find a chef that pulls baguettes out of thin air?
ThatCrazyGuy
Member
3 million is small? Haha. I just moved to an American city of less than 300,000. It sucks! Lol.
Great thread, will keep tabs. Hope to visit (or work) in the future.
Chairmanchuck
Member
Anyone knows where to get good energy drinks here? The ones they have here including that Red Bull without Taurin taste so bad.
Will check this out next time I am in Downtown. Thanks.
Will check this out next time I am in Downtown. Thanks.
Mailenstein
Member
Nice thread!
Haven't been in China for years, but I do have a request to make. Please don't send your bad air to Fukuoka pls. My eyessssssss >_< !
Haven't been in China for years, but I do have a request to make. Please don't send your bad air to Fukuoka pls. My eyessssssss >_< !
Lived most of my life in LA, but I'm currently running my own trading/sourcing company in Dongguan (you know, sex capital of China, in between Shenzhen & Guangzhou), and been here for 3 and half years. I also run between Shanghai quite a lot, since I was getting my MBA from a joint program between Fudan University and an European school.
Thankfully I have dual citizenship (USA & Taiwan), so it makes doing things for both business and personal sooooo much easier.
Let me know if any of ya have any questions, I practically live the full China life with a westerner's mentality/thinking.
Thankfully I have dual citizenship (USA & Taiwan), so it makes doing things for both business and personal sooooo much easier.
Let me know if any of ya have any questions, I practically live the full China life with a westerner's mentality/thinking.
Chairmanchuck
Member
Mailenstein
Member
What kinda business if I may ask?
Yeah, horribleWe have enough air to pollute the whole world
.sasimirobot
Junior Member
Have you tried the Red Bull import? It has Thai writing on it and costs 1Kuai more so it must be legit?
Today was awesome btw. My boss met some foreigners at the mall shopping, so she gives me the afternoon off from work to take them to hot pot and opened like 6 bottles of red wine. I'm already drunk and its 4pm.
Is anyone familiar with the term "laowai bash"? I got the idea from Japan. Its just means stuff like at a KTV bar, barging into a random room with people you don't know. 9 times out of 10 you get free drinks, a new girlfriend, best friends forever (at least until the next morning when you forget everyone's name).
Chinese people are really friendly, especially to non-Chinese.
Planning a backpacking trip in China this summer for 5 or 6 weeks. Very excited, looking like an incredibly beautiful and interesting country.
Started learning mandarin about 2 weeks ago. It's been fun so far but holy shit am I having a hard time with tones. I'm fine with them at baby speed but whenever I hear something said quickly my brain just can't parse it.
Started learning mandarin about 2 weeks ago. It's been fun so far but holy shit am I having a hard time with tones. I'm fine with them at baby speed but whenever I hear something said quickly my brain just can't parse it.
What kinda business if I may ask?
Yeah, horrible
Well, being the middle man sourcing/trading goods to customers ranging from small start-ups to Fortune 500's in the States.
Falcs
Banned
Now, where in Shanghai can I find a chef that pulls baguettes out of thin air?
What is this sorcery?? I must know...
HOW??? PLEASE! HOW?!?!
Falcs
Banned
What? I still don't get it.
dreamcastmaster
Banned
There's no black people on TV, only token white foreigner who can speak Chinese.
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