Shichahai Lake is an enchanting place located at the back door of Beihai, in Beijing. But, in just six months, this peaceful place has become a vibrant bar district with the finest in drinking and dining.
If you walk west along the lake from the Yinding Bridge, you'll see 鈥淟a Rive Gauche鈥? In front of the bar is a courtyard paved with marble fragments, filled with tables and fringed with bamboo. The gate of 鈥淟a Rive Gauche鈥?is of an ancient style and usually closed; guarded by a pair of Chinese stone dragons. The redecoration of the bar has just finished. It's filled with the fragrance of fresh flowers, soft music, tender light and exquisite furnishings; the newly painted lemon walls make the room bright and clear. The glamour of 鈥淟a Rive Gauche鈥?is why some people regard it as the best bar along Shichahai Lake.
The oldest bar in the area is 鈥淏ouddha鈥? In just two years' the owners have opened another two bars of the same name. Though the three bars are located close to each other, each is unique and they are all fun places to go.
Another bar that's just reopened after six-months redecorating is 鈥淗u Tong鈥?
It's decorated in a traditional style, with wood carved doors and charming pavilions that remind you of a long gone era.
If you walk across Yinding Bridge, you'll find Yandaixie Street. Here you'll find 鈥淟otus鈥? one of the best places in the street. It offers a wide variety of Southeast Asian food and every time you come here you'll discover something new.
Another place to look out for is a small bar next to Lotus that specializes in pipes and tobacco. The owner says it's the only men's club in Beijing. The guests here are fond of music, exploration and the military. Here men sing, dance, chat, smoke and watch films. All of them are completely relaxed and without restraint, so it's not a place for the ladies. (Text by Han Yueling Photo Source:www.qianlong.com)
