We have just returned from a whirlwind three days in Beijing, and I feel like we barely scratched the surface of this impressive city. While not as glitzy and charming (or as pretty and clean) as Shanghai, the capital does boast multiple World Heritage sites and a slew of important historical relics. It also has […]
Restaurants and Cafes
Things to Do in Chengdu, China
Our hotel was located in Chengdu’s old town, right down the street from Wenshu Temple. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty (618-690 AD), it is the largest and best-preserved Buddhist temple in the city. Among its most precious relics are a Burmese jade Buddha and the skull of a Tang Dynasty monk. The temple also […]
Chen’s Mapo Doufu, a Chengdu Institution
Chengdu is deep in the heart of Sichuan province, which is known the world over for its spicy cuisine. The Sichuan pepper is different from regular black pepper in that it has anesthetizing properties and a pink hue. One of the most popular dishes to utilize this pepper is 马坡豆腐 (mapo doufu), soft squares of […]
A Tres Chic Lunch at Mr and Mrs Bund, Shanghai
Today happens to be Tomb Sweeping Day, a Chinese holiday where ancestors are honored and graves are tended. Since we had the day off, we decided to make the most of it by having lunch on the Bund. Many of the restaurants in this exclusive neighborhood are prohibitively expensive for dinner but offer set lunches […]
Tips for Visiting Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo
Tsukiji Market in Tokyo is the largest fish and seafood wholesale market in the world. The market processes around 700,000 metric tons of seafood each year, worth roughly US $5.5 billion dollars. Every morning at 3:00am, the prized tuna are unloaded and their value is estimated. At 5:30am, the tuna auctions gets underway. Only licensed […]