Yes, this article is pretty misleading. While I'd say that there are in fact quite a lot of tricabs (rickshaws) around, the rest of the points Bumblebeetou makes are true. TBJ - go back and take another look!
Going Underground: Tongzhou Beiyuan, Batong Line
Tongzhou Beiyuan, Batong Line
Sitting on the edge of Chaoyang District, Tongzhou is way more spread out than its western neighbor with considerably more public space to enjoy. Read on to see just a few of the things you can fit in on a day trip out east.
Experience
Look out for the produce markets near the station and pick up a fresh coconut to fix your electrolyte levels for a long afternoon of music appreciation. Next, head east to Jixiang Road and take in the Sheli Pagoda at the majestic Sanjiao Temple. Restored to its original glory in 1985, the structure stands 50m high and is great for a spot of Instagramming with its classic Chinese architecture and serene surroundings.
Eat
Go back one street south of Xinhua to West Street and hit up the excellent Dongbei restaurant Golden Chef for a delicious feed at a pocket-pleasing price. Pig out on dishes like pork shank, cold glass noodles with minced pork and fried corn. This lunch spread came to just RMB 75. Golden Chef has an excellent reputation in these parts and you can see why.
Relax
After lunch grab a rickshaw and tuk-tuk across Tong Hu Bridge to the Canal Park and bask in the grass. Enjoy Tongzhou’s kite flying enthusiasts and if you’re lucky, you might just catch a fierce battle between an airborne squid and a long-tailed pentagon. Under Tong Hu Bridge, witness one of the finest displays of group synchronized tango that you might ever see.
To read the May 2014 issue of the Beijinger online, click here.
Photos: Kipp Whittaker
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Either your 'reporter' didn't really go to Tongzhou, or if they did go there, they went wearing a blindfold.
Tongzhou is way more spread out than its western neighbor with considerably more public space to enjoy.
More spread out? Maybe. But more public space to enjoy? How exactly did you calculate that? Perhaps you are including the streets that the beggars are sitting on? Or perhaps the Canal water, for those who would enjoy a quick toxic swim?
Look out for the produce markets near the station
Where exactly are these 'produce markets' that you say are near the station? Aside from the few street sellers peddling days old corn and unhygienic looking jianbing stands outside the exits, I've never seen an actual market in the area.
Next, head west to Jixiang Road and take in the Sheli Pagoda
Head West from where? From the Canal Park? From the East 6th Ring Road? Because sure as hell, if you head west from Tongzhou Beiyuan, you will end up back in the centre of Beijing. You did look at a map, before writing this article, yes?
a spot of Instagramming with its classic Chinese architecture and serene surroundings.
Serene surroundings?? When was the last time you were there (if ever at all?) 5 years ago? Since the construction of 'Tongzhou New Town' started 2 years ago, that entire area has been the complete opposite of serene. Dust, debris and construction are all in much more ready supply.
Plus, the Temple is on DaCheng Street, not Jixiang Road.
After lunch grab a rickshaw and tuk-tuk across Tong Hu Bridge
You make it sound as if rickshaws are sitting around on every street corner in Tongzhou, which couldn't be further from the truth. You may see a couple at bus stops, the more major bus stops, but they are far from ubiquitous.
And where, exactly, is Tonghu Bridge? The bridge that leads to the Canal Park is called Dongda Qiao, which is on TongHu Street. But I have never seen a Tonghu Bridge anywhere in Tongzhou.
...to the Canal Park and bask in the grass.
You are only ever allowed to sit on the grass in the Canal Park during the festivals. At any other time, there are signs everywhere and guards will tell you very quickly to get your ass off the grass.
I've lived in Tongzhou 4 years, and love it here, and would definitely encourage people to visit. But your blindingly inaccurate and overly romanticized portrayal of the area, which could well lead people to wander around lost, or hoping for the experiences you've described which are questionable at best, just shows how far tbj has fallen, when it comes to editorial oversight and the actual effort made by your so-called 'reporters' to get the story straight.