LAJFSTAJL / LIFESTYLE
UNION
PACK YOUR DESIGNER BAGS and allow Beijing to reveal to you its more refined side. Provided budg- eting isn’t a problem, take accom- modation the Bvlgari Hotel. This old jewellery house from Rome has brought a touch of “la dolce vita” to China, offering green views of the capital, a charismatic service and free rides in a white Maserati. De- spite its glamorous factor, it radi- ates with warmth and a welcom- ing, homely feeling. Located in the Embassy Dis- trict, the hotel overlooks the Liang- ma River and is close to the San- litun area’s luxury shopping centres and trendy bars. This neighbour- hood feels more tranquil and less bustling than the rest of the city – and the nearby Liangmaqiao sub- way station enables you to reach the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square in around 20 minutes, while the hotel is a 30-minute highway drive away from the airport. You’re awaited inside by an enticing lobby with tall windows, gorgeous hardwood
floors, black mesh screens and low- slung sofas in shades of beige, to- paz and amethyst. Archive pho- tographs, magazine covers and vintage designs adorn the walls, while decorative Serpenti necklaces glisten in illuminated display cas- es. The overall impression is sun- ny, sexy and self-assured. The gastronomy of Beijing is a rhapsody of flavours: enjoy impe- rial cuisine at a Da Dong restau- rant, famous for its Peking duck - the skin cracks like glass, revealing soft, succulent meat without a trace of fat. Although there’s an exciting and inventive menu of other Chi- nese dishes that’s worth exploring, let’s be honest: everyone’s here for it’s most renowned dish. Innova- tive culinary creations await you at TRB Hutong, located in a tradi- tional courtyard house. And if you ever needed proof of how small the world is, it’s enough to mention Restaurant Refer, where a Canadi- an chef prepares Nordic-inspired dishes at the heart of the Chinese capital. This chic little restaurant
is tucked away in the bustling vil- lage of Taikoo Li Sanlitun, which is packed with shops, restaurants and boutique hotels. Also be sure to visit The Opposite House, where chef Talib Hudda creates elaborate feasts of 18-20 courses, turning each dish into a work of art. And as the sun sets, the awak- ening of the city’s nightlife is sim- ply irresistible. Try cocktails with panoramic views at the Atmosphere Bar. You’ll find this highest cock- tail bar in Beijing on the 80 th floor of Shangri-La’s China World Sum- mit Wing. It offers spectacular views and equally spectacular cocktails, courtesy of a mixologist called Dicky Hartono. Another opulent cocktail bar, Union, is nestled on the ground floor of the city’s luxurious The Op- posite House hotel. In this comfort- able setting, the bar team creates seductive cocktails, with a menu in- spired by the Silk Road. Over the course of 12 experimental drinks, guests encounter exotic ingredi- ents and a fusion of cultures, with each cocktail inspired by a particu- lar place along the road. For exam- ple, the Mongolian Genghis Khan Martini pushes the boundaries with French gin, Mongolian milk wine, dry vermouth, elderflower, coconut and sea salt. And for dessert – shopping. You will, of course, satisfy your every fashion impulse when tour- ing Beijing, but don’t miss out on the less obvious trendsetter shop- ping locations. Common Place was established by Chinese art- ists Ji Zhang and Cheng Huang in 2016, and the store was quick to support talented locals like Win- dowsen and Rui.
ATMOSPHERE BAR
86 | Putovanja » Travelling
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