Finding Beijing’s WUHAO, And Loving It

I was supposed to blog about this last year during my trip to Beijing with CNNGo CNN Travel, but with everything happening at the end of the year, and with the sheer density of all the other posts I had to do for CNN, this post about Beijing’s most fantastic fashion exhibition space, WUHAO, just kept being pushed back.

Well, Spring 2013 is here, and I was reminded by an email from WUHAO and its founder, Isabelle Pascal-Pons, that they are now open and ready for business in the year of the Water Snake. 

Actually it was Brew&Post pals, Jason and Denise, who introduced me to the studio. Their friend, Vincent, came along to check it out with us as well. If you already read my Beijing post on the Nanluoguxiang Hutong, you can get a sense that Beijing has full of interesting surprises unique to the city in terms of shopping and cultural destination offerings. Amazing bars, cafes, boutiques, and gift shops line this historic commercial corridor, and are preserved within low single story courtyard structures.

It’s within this context that WUHAO is home. No signage. No visible marking. If you go to WUHAO, you are here because you know what they offer and you know exactly what lies behind the red door.

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Beijing JJStyle 06: Streets of Style

It’s not a proper vacation to Beijing until you’ve experienced old and new world shopping unique only to this city. I’m talking about making time to visit the boutiques and cafes of Nanluoguxiang Hutong and the edgy and exciting retail experience found at Sanlitun Village.

Nanluoguxiang was built during the Yuan Dynasty in the 1700’s, and today is still home to many of Beijing’s residents. This hutong is also a popular venue for those who are looking for the quirky gift or unique fashion find that are design-oriented pieces original to the artists and craftsmen based in the city. Check out these cheeky porcelain figures.

… Or these funny postcards. Most of them are in “Engrish” (Chinese-English), but you get the general gist of the message.

Shops sell everything from authentic shoes worn by Beijing people for hundreds of years…

…To propaganda shirts which remix historic Chinese images to create new messages and designs that give their product that “contemporary art” edge.

Im speechless.

There were so many lanes which branched out of the main street. It would take a whole day to visit all of them.

With so much to see, it’s easy to get a bit tired. That’s why it’s always good to take a rest and to have a sip of some hot Chinese Tea or coffee at one of the many establishments in the Hutong made for visitors and tourists. These cafes have plenty of character and allows one to recharge before continuing their shopping journey.

For lunch we had some “Dan Dan Min (Hot and Spicy Noodles)” at another local eatery,  Red Ding Coffee.

They had a beautiful courtyard.

But for street food… you can opt for steamy yams.

Or Caramelized Fruits on a stick. This was divine.

This dessert is called Tanghulu and it’s a Beijing original. I had figs.

Other fashion finds for me include these original (read “real) Feiyue shoes for about 130RMB (18-20USD).

And this fashionable gentleman.

Across town it’s all about modern indoor-outdoor shopping experiences with Sanlitun Village.

Criss crossing glass planes, diagonal pathways, and a LED lights define this new shopping environment. 

Every corner is a different discovery.

From Home furnishings…

To current fashion trends… it’s all here.

Vying for your attention.

New or old…

… There’s something in Beijing for every stylish individual, like this gent I spotted at Sanlitun Village.

Or this gent at Nanluoxguxiang who was channeling a young Woody Allen.

Also spotted… Fashion Blogger, Vanessa Hong at Sanlitun Village. Love the quilted jacket and ripped jean denim.

We hung out with Vincent from VICE Magazine China.

I’ll miss all this. Thank you Hilton Hotels & Resorts for such a wonderful and memorable trip!

SHOP Nanluoguxiang Hutong / SHOP Sanlitun Village / EAT Red Ding Coffee 

This post was originally published on November 24, 2012 for CNN.com and Hilton Hotels and Resorts for the CNNGO Experience Asia Contest.

JJ.

Beijing JJStyle 04: Visiting Tiananmen

On our first outing the day after arriving, we paid homage to Beijing as China’s center of political power by paying a visit to Tiananmen Square located right in the middle of the city. But first we needed to fill up on a power breakfast at VASCO’s at the Hilton Beijing Wangfujing, our hotel.

We asked for coffee… and we got a whole pot of coffee press coffee. Impressive.

While I’ve been to Tiananmen Square in the past, it was the first time for my friend, Denise. It was really exciting as we were approaching the Square, a short 5-10 minute ride from our hotel.

I keep forgetting how the scale of the streets, buildings, and open spaces that make up the Square and the walls that surround the Forbidden City adjacent are planned and designed in such a way to amp up “Wow” factor for any tourist, visitors, and all state guests. The wide lanes and the open spaces also make room for processions and pageantry of all sorts.

Tiananmen actually refers to the initial portal of the Forbidden City, also called The Gate of Heavenly Peace. This gate was first built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, and appears in many Chinese printed iconography, including the official National Emblem of China.

Tiananmen Square is the city square across the road from the Tiananmen and is the site of where most Political pageantries, shows, as well as public gatherings have been held over the years. And compared to when I first visited, the Square today is very safe, clean, and full of Chinese nationals from all over the country paying a visit. 

Below is an ultra huge LED screen devoted to showing tourism-style travel shows of each region in China to visit. This is a recent addition which is new to me.

The reason why it’s safe to visit now, is because like any National Monument, these days the square is fenced off from all sides, and you have to cross a security checkpoint, complete with body and bag scanners to make sure you’re not carrying a weapon. The checkpoint will generally filter out any street hawkers or the type of people that tend to harass tourists in these kind of places.

Denise was just excited to have a neat backdrop to take “street style” photos for her fashion blog.

Unfortunately we didn’t have the whole day to explore… but there’s just so much to see here at the seat of China’s political power.

Everything is so tidy and clean.

On the way out we picked up a few propaganda goodies for fun.

There’s more in Beijing to see. Time to go!

Impressive.

It rained. Alot.

It made everything look a bit moodier which I love.

Great times.

VISIT Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City / STAY Hilton Beijing Wangfujing / EAT Vasco’s

This post was originally published on November 20, 2012 for CNN.com and Hilton Hotels and Resorts for the CNNGO Experience Asia Contest.

JJ.

Beijing Bang!

All six of my Beijing Blog posts for CNN.com / CNN Travel are now up! Read them, take the quiz, and maybe you and a friend will get a chance to win a trip and stay in Beijing with Hilton Hotels & Resorts!

In the first post I write about my stay at Hilton Beijing Wangfujing.

In the second post I write about awkwardly making a Peking Duck.

In the third post we try street food in Wangfujing Markets and Commercial Shopping Street next to the hotel.

In the fourth post, we visit Tiananmen Square.

In the fifth post we check out Architecture in the city.

And the sixth post, the fun one titled “Streets of Style”, I take you shopping through Old…

and the New…

With the Hutong and the Village at Sanlitun. I even took some really cool street style photos!

Check out the video!

Good luck! Hope you can go to Beijing too!

READ JJ in Beijing via Hilton and CNN

JJ.

CNNGo x Hilton x Beijing x theWanderlister

Well here we are. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go visit my favorite city in China, Beijing, with Brew&Post pals, Denise and Jason via Hilton Hotels and CNNGo (now called CNN Travel). Basically I turned in a video to Youtube, auditioning for a spot to go on a trip. I was picked from a handful of applicants and luckily I got to go to Beijing on Hilton as an assignment which was great. I’ve been to Beijing before the Olympics and haven’t really been back since. I was impressed by the city then, but I’m more impressed with it now.

In a nutshell, I think the city is very cool, full of culture and creativity, good architecture, nice people, and great food. It’s not aFinance oriented environment like Hong Kong is, which is a nice refreshing change from this corporate city. Anyway my first of six blog posts for CNNGo x Hilton are up. Check it out, Retweet it, like it, and if you follow my posts, you too will get a chance to win a trip to stay at Hilton Beijing Wangfujing like I did. Don’t wait, read it now!

READ THE CNNGo x Hilton Hotels Experience Asia Blog HERE.

JJ.

The Monocle Shop, Now in Beijing

This week, MONOCLE Magazine proudly expands a new retail shop concept to Beijing. Now Beijingers have access to products and goods sold by Monocle directly, a priveledge once enjoyed in only a few select cities such as New York, London, Tokyo, and us here in Hong Kong.

The shop is located within the new Royal Smushi House in Chaoyang. The shop’s design comes direct from Monocle’s creative team in London and measures a teeny 15sq.m. But do not let the size fool you, every square inch of every Monocle store has its use, and no space wasted. According to Tyler Brule, Monocle’s editor-in-chief, the Beijing store is one of six Monocle shops around the globe, and each shop has its own distinct personality, which makes the experience truly unique.

The warm interior feature a black and white color palette reflecting the Magazine’s graphic stylings. The full range of produts include design collaborations with brands such as Porter Bags, Orlebar Brown swimmers, and The Hill-Side ties and pocket squares. A sixth shop in Osaka is soon to open as well.

The Monocle Shop Beijing / Royal Smushi House / 12 Dongzhimenwai Avenue / Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600 / +86-1064169664 / beijingshop@monocle.com / HOURS: M-S 0900-2300

The Monocle Shop Hong Kong / Shop GF Bo Fung Mansion / 1-4 St. Francis Yard / Wanchai, Hong Kong / +852-28042323

JJ.

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From China With Love, Part 2: Beijing Above and Beyond by Chen Man

This past week, Shanghai Tang held a press launch to unveil the Autumn-Winter 2011 Campaign designed to evoke the drama, romance, mystery, and modernity of China today, titled; FROM CHINA WITH LOVE.

These truly cinematic photographs are all shot by renowned phtoographer, Chen Man, who is taking the narrative as an opportunity to re-discover Beijing’s ancient and modern day landscape via the back streets of historical hutongs and past ancient monuments.

RELATED ARTICLE: Shanghai Tang Says Goodbye to the Pedder Building

It’s like we’re all going on some spy vacation, right?

I was here… and now so is actress, Lin Chiling.

Chen Man’s work was first showcased in covers for VISION magazine and she has since been commissioned by leading global luxury brands and magazines such as Vogue. The images she creates are considered some of the most poignant depictions of the modern face of China, and she has become well-known for her provocative interpretations of feminine beauty and power.

Actor, Hu Bing, with the Tai Chi crew.

I love this picture below.

Chen Man’s photographic works have been exhibited internationally, including at the 2008 “China Design Now” show at the prestigious Victoria & Albert Museum in London, “In Fashion ’08” at the Salon National d’Art Contemporain, Espace Cardin in Paris, and at the Ullens Center of Contemporary Art in Beijing.

I love the incorporation of Architecture in the images.

Great city scene.

You can catch Hu Bing via his critically acclaimed film, “The Back”, a movie about the effect of China’s rapid economic effects.  Lin Chiling was recently in John Woo’s “Red Cliff”.

http://www.shanghaitang.com

xJJ

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theW+ Sunday Review 2011.07.31 // ARCHITECTURE NOW

+ ALILA CHA-AM by Duangrit Bunnag of DBALP / Thailand

Designed by noted Bangkok Based “Starchitect” Duangrit Bunnag of DBALP, the hotel is exactly what one would expect from a full service architect attempting to design “resort” full services style, that is without the aid of a Hospitality Interior Consultant or Proper Landscape Consultants.  The product, all right angles, straight lines, and solid forms, without the plushness one would expect from a 5-star Boutique Hotel of the same price point. READ MORE.

+ECO-ARK by Arthur Huang of MINIWIZ / Taiwan

I dont subscribe to NatGeo Channel, but I may have to support it now that I know in April and May the MegaStructures series will debut their Episode on EcoArk in Asia. What’s MORE interesting than that, is that EcoArk, which was designed for Taipei’s recently finished Taipei International Flora Expo, was designed by Arthur Huang, a Taiwanese Architect, Friend, and School Colleague from Cornell University in New York. READ MORE.

+ OPERA HOUSE IN GUANGZHOU by Zaha Hadid / China

Although the facade looks sloppy and the details are a bit poor at spots, (ahem seat handles)… overall it’s quite an important piece milestone for Zaha, for China, and for the people of Guangzhou who have completely understood the importance of the building for their city, their image, and the impact of such a building to their lives. READ MORE.

+ LINKED HYBRID MIXED USE COMMUNITY IN BEIJING by Steven Holl / China

I must say, I have really lucked out in terms of living arrangement.  The apartment, which I currently reside in is the Dangdai MOMA in Dongzhimen, a eco-sustainable hybrid building designed by American architect Steven Holl, located on the NE corner of the Second Ring Road. The ironic thing is despite being an architect myself, I never thought that I would actually get to live in an architecturally designed house or apartment, so I thank my roommate, Harold for inviting me to stay. READ MORE

+ THE GOUCESTER by A.B. Concepts / Hong Kong

From the entrance, with its screens and dark stone, you can tell that the design’s materials rely on the more subdued palette, buffering the city outside it … enabling you to walk into a “tranquil” environment defined by materials and finishes naturally found in nature. READ MORE.

xJJ

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Beijing Artist, Naihan Li “JJ”, Furnishes KAPOK

So many interesting exhibits opened the week(end) of ArtHK. KAPOK on Sun Street generally has weekly-bi/weekly exhibits and collaborations going on. But something quite special transpired during ArtHK when Arnault (KAPOK’S owner and creative director) brought to Hong Kong the works of Beijing-based ex-architect and now furniture (sculptor?) Naihan Li or as I found out “JJ”… her nickname. Who knew?

the Artist, Naihan Li or “JJ”

Based in the 798 Art Compound in Beijing, Naihan Li is one of those frustrated Architects who quit the “profession” to focus on something else. Her new path in life as a furniture designer began after moving into an empty loft-space at 798 and realizing that she needed to furnish the space herself. Of course with very little resources… and a handful of wooden packing crates available at her disposal, she set out to start building these wonderful pieces herself:

A Bookshelf and a Small Chest Drawer.

A Plant Pot.

A Desk Chair and Computer.

A Large Outdoor and Indoor Living Room Set.

A Dog House.

and of course, what Loft is complete without a Foosball Table.

Too bad her website http://www.naihanli.com is only a splash page and nothing more, because the photos of all the pieces which were handed out via her Exhibition Catalogue at the opening is completely amazing. She even has full foldable Kitchen, MakeUp Tables, TV Entertainment Consoles, Dining/Conference Tables… all elegant and beautiful pieces that can work indoor and outdoor. AND, all these pieces fold-up into crates, so they are transportable “AS-IS”. Now you can be a stylish nomad!

Her Design Engineer.

Alex, a Marketing Student Based in Beijing, but moving to New York.

Beijing Artists in Support of Naihan Li’s Exhibit.

Arnault (right) and Partner

Thank you so much Kapok, Naihan Li, and Arnault!

What else does KAPOK have in store?

On June 17th KAPOK will Launch a Series of Travel-Based Graphic Prints, from Illustrator Tania Willis on the subject of “Wanderlust & Homesickness” in her latest series entitled Hong Kong > The World > The Univers.

Chairman Mao Statue.

Hong Kong Noodles.

and Dino Golfing.

KAPOK is located in #3 Sun Street in Wanchai / KAPOK on FACEBOOK / KAPOK BLOG and ONLINE STORE / KAPOK on TWITTER

NAIHAN LI WEBSITE / NAIHAN LI on FACEBOOK / NAIHAN LI on TWITTER

TANIA WILLIS WEBSITE / Email: tania@taniawillis.com

x JJ