5 Things to Taste, Smell, Touch, Hear, and See, May 11-12
Beijing can be an overstimulating place to live, to say the least. Let’s be real: sometimes even our sixth sense (the one that tells you when that stick of chuan'r will make you sick for the next two days) gets a decent workout. With such a wide variety of events, restaurants, and gigs to attend, we suggest bathing each of your five senses in one, if not all, of the nourishing goings-on below.
Smell
Meet the Sommelier: Wine Class with Bruce Li
Inhale the irresistible aromas of wine from Champagne and Siciliy, Albariño from Spain, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape with China World Summit Wing Hotel sommelier Bruce Li. Not to be confused with the kungfu legend with a similar name, this Wines of South Africa Sommelier Cup semi-finalist will nevertheless bring his monk-like dedication and knowledge to bear for an afternoon that will be 'intoxicatingly' informative. RMB 299. Sat May 11, 2pm-4pm. China World Summit Wing Hotel
Taste
"Little Italy" Sunday Family Lunch Buffet
Liangmaqiao Italian restaurant Via Roma is launching a Sunday brunch buffet courtesy of their new chef de cuisine, Andrea Giannini. Having grown up in the renowned Italian culinary hub of Abruzzo, Giannini is intimately familiar with flavorful rustic cuisine. All that will be apparent at a buffet replete with antipasti, a create-your-own pizza corner, live-cooking stations and heaps of dessert. RMB 388 with free-flow alcohol, RMB 288 without. Sun May 12, 11.30am-3.30pm. Via Roma
Touch
Gold Rush Vintage Festival
This gargantuan 1,000-sqm festival abounds with vendors hawking everything from vintage clothes to handmade ornaments. If you're hankering to do more than shop you can also seek out the handful of food vendors, and even attend a swing dance party on-site. Sat May 11 and Sun May 12, 10.30am-8pm. Galaxy Soho
Hear
Wu Wei and Holland Baroque
East meets west at this National Centre for Performing Arts concert. Chinese musician Wu Wei will play the traditional sheng mouth organ alongside the esteemed Holland Baroque Ensemble for what will surely be an eclectic show. RMB 50 – RMB 480. Sunday, 7.30pm. National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA)
See
Shanxi Day & Beijing Expo Walk
The northern Chinese province of Shanxi will show off its finest cultural flourishes at the Beijing Expo parkland this Sunday. You can see a photo competition in the morning, watch artists snip out traditional Shanxi paper cuttings, and later peek performers putting on authentic shadow plays. RMB 40 (proceeds donated to charity). Sunday, noon-4.30pm. Beijing Expo, Yanqing District.
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Images courtesy of the organizers
