2023 Year-in-Review: Most Viewed Stories of the Year
After three years of Covid uncertainty, 2023 was a nice dose of normality in Beijing. And what a year it’s been! In our 2023 Year-in-Review we’re taking a look back at the happenings in the capital from this year that was.
With what’s been a very interesting year just about to end, bringing with it the promise of a fresh start in 2024, 2023 was quite the year. The first year without Covid testing, lockdowns, and other regulations in place, it began with a lot of people actually catching Covid, then getting over it, and then things getting back to somewhat normal – as normal as things can be after a pandemic, at least. Now, we’re on the verge of another year, with a lot of new things to come. Before diving on in, let’s look back on 2023 in the most-read stories on our blog.
Reverse Travel Restrictions, Testing for Travel, Mask Rollbacks
With infections on the rise in China from when everything suddenly reopened at the end of 2022, many countries began to enact reverse travel restrictions on people coming from China, especially in regards to getting a swab and antigen test before travel. Thus, lots of readers were curious about how to go about doing just that, based on view counts for our lists of spots around Beijing that opened up to meet demand.
The last signs of Covid restrictions in the capital came about in April when the Beijing Subway finally (officially) rolled back mandatory mask requirements. That being said, you’ll still see lots of folks donning masks on the ditie, and announcements calling for passengers to wear masks for safety still can be heard when riding.
The Fatal Shooting of UCCA Beijing’s Co-Founder
One of the bigger stories to come out of the beginning of 2023, and all the way from Belgium, at that, was the fatal shooting of UCCA co-founder Myriam Ullens de Schooten in March. The shooting occurred following an inheritance dispute between Ullens de Schooten and her nephew, Nicholas Ullens de Schooten, who was later taken in by police for questioning.
Although the Ullens’ sold the 798 gallery in 2017, after which its name was changed to UCCA Center for Contemporary Art and it was restructured as a non-profit. Myriam and Guy continued to be involved in the management of UCCA, and Myriam also spent her time managing her fashion brand Maison Ullens, which she founded in 2011. She was survived by her husband and their four children.
Workers’ Stadium Reopens, Guo’an Tickets Sell Out in Five Minutes
After a delay from the end of 2022 until March 2023, Beijing Workers’ Stadium finally reopened to the public on Apr 15. And just like that, tickets to the first Guo’an match at Workers’ Stadium were picked up fast, selling out within five minutes of going on sale. Rumors of scalping abounded, which would eventually lead to...
City Cracks Down on Ticket Scalping and “Illegal” Performances
One of the first big concerts of the year was coupled with an even bigger scandal involving its ticket sales. Nearly 300,000 tickets for a series of six concerts to be put on by Mandopop band Mayday mid-May to June at National Stadium sold out within five seconds of going on sale.
According to local media reports, most of these tickets were snapped up by scalpers, with the city government vowing to find the culprits and crack down on scalping.
While the 29 culprits allegedly involved in the Mayday ticketing scandal were eventually taken in by police, the country’s cultural departments had vowed to crackdown on “illegal” performances, shutting down shows at venues without proper licensing, or, by extension, performers who didn’t have permits.
The crackdown and sudden cancelation of shows in Beijing and other cities inadvertently affected foreign performers, with sources telling us visa status often comes into play when foreigners are scrutinized.
Ban on “Elderly Scooters” Announced
The city government also made clear their ire for 老年代步车 lǎonián dàibùchē, aka “elderly scooters”, announcing a ban on the tuk tuk or smart car-like vehicles, loathed for their ability to cause traffic problems and accidents, which is more complicated by the fact one doesn’t need a drivers’ license to get behind the wheel – or handlebars – of one.
The ban, which will forbid the “elderly scooters” from driving on public roads or parking in public spaces, is set to go into effect on Dec 31. Although we’ve seen many a poster around calling for people to get rid of the vehicles, we’ll have to wait ‘til the new year to see if anything concrete comes out of it.
Argentina and Australian National Teams Play Friendly at Workers’ Stadium
Workers’ Stadium was back in the news again in May, albeit for more high-profile reasons: the Argentine men’s national team, led by none other than Lionel Messi, was gearing up to play Australia there in June.
Questions on how to score tickets to see the recent FIFA World Cup winners take to the pitch and face Australia abounded, but the ticketing sale date and prices were shrouded in rumor. A date popped up, then passed, then another came, then that passed, too. Then the tickets went on sale and like that, they were gone.
Thankfully a few restaurants and bars were there to broadcast the match for those who couldn’t buy – or afford – tickets to Argentina v Australia, and in the end, it was a truly interesting sight to see the streets of Gongti covered in white and blue, and number 10 jerseys everywhere for one night only.
Carrefour On It's Last Leg in China and Beijing
Just as Argentina defeated France in the 2022 World Cup, so too was French-born supermarket chain Carrefour defeated in China, with its stores in China dwindling following the store selling 80 percent of its China ownership to Suning.com in 2019. Since then, a push towards sales of more electronics and appliances coupled with an inability to keep up with the e-commerce market resulted in stores across China and Beijing being quietly shuttered, one by one.
We paid a visit to one of the two remaining Carrefour branches earlier in the year to find it mostly deserted, with lots of items on discount. This was echoed by a subsequent visit to the now only remaining Carrefour in Beijing, which looks to be on death's door before the year is out.
A (Real) Goodbye to Nali Patio
In what looked to be an odd repeat of events that transpired in the summer of 2022, rumors once again surfaced of the impending closure of Sanlitun dining spot Nali Patio. These rumors were eventually confirmed in June, when sources familiar with the issue told us Nali would be closing for good come Jul 31.
Closing time and last call came and went, with businesses who had called Nali home for both a long time and short time closing up shop and heading out by the Jul 31 deadline. We heard from some of these businesses and the people who frequented them, whether it be for food or drink or dancing the night away with views of the Sanlitun lights, all sad to see their home away from home gone.
Thankfully, many of the restaurants and bars who occupied Nali Patio before its closure have found new homes around the capital. A few spots are still unheard of, but one of these has popped up across the street on what’s become of Sanlitun Bar Street…
Changes Ahead for Former Sanlitun Bar Street
Speaking of Sanlitun Bar Street, construction along the nightlife strip east of Taikooli South is coming along, with the outside of new restaurants, cafés, and bistros taking shape. A few familiar names have also made an appearance, including Swing58 (which also opened on Xindonglu, not sure if it’ll be two branches now), Red Moon, and even the Picture Frame shop at the end of the street. What's more, one of Nali Patio's former residents, Carmen, looks like it'll be opening on the street as Carmen Tapas.
There’s no word as of yet on when the street will be open for business, or what’s to become of Nali Patio’s former abode, but we’ll have to see what happens as we move into 2024. Here’s hoping to a great year ahead. Happy New Year, Beijing. See y’all on the other side.
READ: 2023 Year-in-Review: Places We Bid Goodbye To
Images: TheBeijingers, Unsplash, Uni You, 2023 Football Championship
