Autumn Warm Kung Fu Panda Show!

Autumn is on it's way, which is great time for what's in Beijing to look for new stuff to do, indoors. While the autumn is a very beautiful time in Beijing as well as the mountains that surround it and the rest of China. It's good to have options for going indoors, to warm yourself up. We've covered a lot of the shows in the center of the city, performances that have touched us, and we have learn a lot from.

But this time, it was time to venture somewhere new in the city. Something not so well known, but still worth a visit. Well, we started to ask around and soon did we find just the thing we were looking for, right in the middle of Xicheng District. Known for the hutongs, and lively street life and a big lake that is great for going to watch the locals.

At the Shichahai Theatre, there is a daily Kung Fu Panda Show in Beijing that's definitely worth a visit. Of course, these cuddly Pandas are the best thing for keeping you warm. But the show is not as slow paced as you would believe after hearing that a Panda is the star of the show. The theatre performance is mixed with traditional kung fu and classic Chinese storytelling. With a bit of action mixed in, somehow the "Panda Scene" becomes much more likeable. This charming show has been overshadowed by other Kung Fu theaters in the city, and for commercial reasons. While not better than the rest, it is definitely on the same level of entertaining performing art goodness that much of the other venues boast with.

Story is quite simple and easy to follow. A bunch of Pandas try to learn martial arts, and have adventures in Beijing. So if you know you're way already a bit, it's fun to see all the places that they go to and do a bit of a show! :)

We had a great night and much enjoyed the dinner afterwards. Recommended!!

Peking Opera "Jingju" at Liyuan Theatre in Beijing

Peking Opera, known as "Jingju" in Chinese could be translated to something like "capital city theater". It's a Chinese theater form, which is the most widespread not only in China but abroad as well. It was created in 1790, when emperor Qianglong wanted people to perform for his birthday. It was a mix of different theatrical groups, and this mix created the traditional art of Peking Opera.

Also the plays are a combination of many different features, such as music, singing, acrobatics, paintings and symbolistic moves. The richness is variety of plays is one that has attracted tourists the most all these years.

One of the most famous Peking Opera theatres, famous for being founded within the birth place of the performing art is Liyuan Theatre. Here visitors in Beijing can see the show in it's most original form which is why the theater continues with it's overwhelming success to this day.

With daily performances, at 7:30PM in the evening. Here the magical, nightly atmosphere never rests. Liyuan Theater is highly recommended for all visitors who want to engage in the profound traditions of Beijing and China.

Bar Life in Beijing

Originally there were no bars in Beijing, because Chinese don't have such traditions. Chinese go to restaurants for a drink.. a lot of them are open until the last drunks crawl home. While eating in restaurants is an amazing experience and eating while you drink is considered healthy.. sometimes you just miss good old bars where you can just drink good beer.

Sanlitun is one of those places.. and not just that area but other areas as well have seen an increase in expat bars of all types and sizes. However what has caught our attention, are bohemian places.. small, cozy, warm and very attractive.

In fact these kinds of bars have become a part of the Beijing experience. Not just expats but locals, especially the younger folk are getting in to them. Great place to meet the modern Beijinger!

Enjoying The Shanghai Sights with Show Shanghai

A destination, as interesting as Beijing is the brilliant city of Shanghai. May Tours teamed up with Show Shanghai to check some of the interesting sights in town. Our first order of interest was getting our stomachs sorted! Luckily this is no problem in Shanghai, even for those with a thin wallet.

Our favorite dishes in Shanghai included dumplings, ribs, braised eggplants, grilled oysters and last but not least, stinky tofu! All which make a great snack, especially at night before or after partying. If you feel like experimenting, Mapo doufu will satisfy even the strictest chili buds.

We've seen a lot of these in Beijing before. But everything is served in "Shanghai style" which is more delicate and healthy taste. A dish we had never seen before, was the lion head meatballs. The meatballs were not made of lion and they were not as big as lion heads.. but they were dipped in delicious sauce and pleasure was pushed to the max.

There was a lot of roaming involved as well. After a good rest at the hotel, we headed out to the night with plenty of clubs to choose from. Girls here are hot but you need to watch out for them too.

Greetings from Shanghai!