Cinema Round Up: February 2008

For Chinese cinema, 2007 was a year characterized by two things: triumphs on the international festival circuit and scores of controversy. If the events of the first months of 2008 are anything to go by, we can expect more of the same.

Director Li Yu woke up in 2008 to find that her movie Lost in Beijing had had its screening license suspended by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), meaning the film is now effectively banned in China. SARFT claimed that scenes that had been edited out of the movie to make it suitable for release were being illegally distributed over the Internet and on DVD. It’s a sad end for the film that spent most of last year waiting for a theatrical release to build on the favorable critical reaction it received at the Berlin International Film Festival. In other directives recently announced by SARFT, films containing “rape, prostitution and explicit sex” will be not be considered for competition in festivals. How this will affect the new breed of Chinese filmmakers – many of whom prefer not to shy away from the grittier side of contemporary life in China – remains to be seen.

Hoping to receive the same acclaim as Lost in Beijing (but none of the controversy), is director Wang Xiaoshuai. His new movie, In Love We Trust, is in competition at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival later this month. The story focuses on a distraught mother who goes to unusual lengths to try and save her child who is suffering from cancer. The film will face tough competition from Paul Thomas Anderson’s already critically acclaimed There Will Be Blood, but it would be great to see the director go one better than his movie Beijing Bicycle did, which won the Silver Bear at the same festival back in 2000.

It’s been around two months since Variety claimed (only for the Chinese government to deny) that there would be a three-month “blackout” of US movies from Chinese cinemas. With no sign of I Am Legend or any other big Hollywood releases, it does make you wonder when we’ll next be able to see some American produce on the big screen. Still, Peter Chan isn’t complaining. With no American blockbusters to compete with, heroic action flick The Warlords was able to rake in a hefty RMB 260 million (USD 35.7 million) in ticket sales from December to early January, making it the highest grossing Chinese film for 2007.

Another homegrown talent looking to make a pretty penny at the box office is Stephen Chow. The Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer actor-director is set to release his latest film, CJ7, over the Spring Festival period. The film is a departure from Chow’s usual cinematic fare, with trademark kung fu-slapstick style being replaced with a sci-fi flavor, to tell the tale of a down-on-his-luck dad who discovers a strange toy from another planet ... Expect big laughs, and huge box office takings from Chow’s homage to Stephen Spielberg. Simon Fowler

Cracking Open the Water Cube

by Simon Fowler

Yesterday saw the opening of what promises to be one of the most iconic buildings of the 2008 Olympics: the National Aquatic Center, or as it’s more commonly known, the Water Cube.

Many a writer has rhapsodized about the exterior of the cube, which was designed by PTW Architects, but now was the moment for the world's media to experience the inside of the structure. Inside is as aesthetically pleasing as you would imagine, with masses of bright white walls, straight metallic edges and a bubble theme running throughout. The facilities are equally impressive, with the training pool, diving boards and competition all matching the overall aesthetic of the building. The center is due for its opening event on Jan 31 with the Good Luck Beijing 2008 China Swimming Open.

Bizarrely, the ceremony had little in the way of "bang" to mark to occasion. As close as it came to any excitement was when organizing committee president, Liu Qi, and Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong, walked sedately around the pool and dipped their fingers in. With nothing captivating to grab their attention, the scrums of photographers jostled to find the defining shot of the water cube. Here is a selection of what our man Simon Lim managed to bag.

In other Olympic-related news:
BOCOG have released the results of the second phase of Olympic ticketing. Those who applied for tickets should be getting an e-mail from BOCOG's ticketing center soon. Despite attracting requests for about 4.5 million tickets, the trouble prone second-phase only managed to assign 450,000 of the 1.8 million tickets on offer, as buyers all wanted to get their hands on tickets to a narrow range of popular events.

Speaking of tickets, don't get nervous about reports that BOCOG are asking for photo ID and personal information of Olympic ticket buyers, as these strict regulations only apply to those who successfully booked tickets to the opening or closing ceremonies.

Construction of the Olympic Village has been completed.

Links and Sources:
Official 2008 Beijing Olympics Site: National Aquatics Center
Urbane: The Olympic Builder
http://www.urbanechina.com/images/pdf/200802/Features.pdf
Official 2008 Beijing Olympics Site: National Aquatics Center delivered for use
QQ: Watercube by Night

State of the Art-House

Beijing's best independent cinemas

With all the state-of-the art multiplexes that are springing up around town these days, the movie buffs at that’s Beijing thought it would be nice to profile some of the city’s lesser-known, more quirky offerings. It used to be that Cherry Lane was the only non-mainstream option in Beijing, but now there’s a wealth of smaller cinemas – discreet, sometimes cluttered, but always unique venues – that combine the comfort of home cinema with everyone’s favorite pastime of going to the movies.

Compiled by Simon Fowler, Michaela Kabat, Alice Xin Liu, Iain Shaw

French Cultural Centre
Showcasing French-language celluloid on a generously sized screen, the FCC’s film programs address topics such as the environment, social issues and seasonal tie-ins – such as last year’s Spring Festival-inspired “pig month.” Director of Cinema Programs Olivier Heux says the Center uses cinema to “break the stereotypes and present a new face of France.” Nevertheless, Heux stresses, the focus remains cinema itself: “We want people to see that there are many different types of cinema, and many different ways to express ideas.” Expect the likes of Amélie and French New Wave. Look out for visits by directors and actors such as Cedric Klapish and Jean Reno.

RMB 20, 10 (students). Daily (except Thu). Call ahead for schedule and subtitle information. 16 Gongti Xilu, Chaoyang District (6553 2627) www.ccfpekin.org

Cherry Lane at Yugong Yishan
Cherry Lane Movies has made a habit of screening movies in unconventional settings. While their spiritual home of an old Peking Opera theater is being refurbished, they have relocated to rock locale Yugong Yishan for a series of biweekly screenings. The mission of their Film and Filmmakers series is to present contemporary classics from Chinese cinema accompanied by Q&A sessions with folks who were involved in making the film. This month, Jia Zhangke is bruited to be appearing at a screening of his movies Still Life and Dong, proving that the people behind Cherry Lane are committed to bringing the English-speaking community the best of what China has to offer.

RMB 30, 20 (students). Every Sun. Doors open at 7.30pm. Yugong Yishan (6404 2711)

Italian Embassy Cultural Office
Italian expats – as well as Chinese students of Italian – flock here each Thursday night to catch some of their country’s classic cinematic offerings. Subtitles can be misleading, since Chinese subtitles are sometimes superimposed over English ones – so be prepared to do some multilingual guesswork, which can either be fun or a little off-putting (most likely the latter).

Expect Italian films (surprise, surprise!) such as L’isola (The Island) and Mediterraneo. Hungry cinemagoers can pop next door to the affiliated Chinese restaurant, which does special deals on the night.

Free. Call ahead for schedule. 2 Sanlitun Dong Er Jie, Chaoyang District (6532 5015)

9.30 (Jiudian Ban)
Located opposite Salud in Nanluogu Xiang, Jiudian Ban is a Hong Kong-movie buff’s wet dream. Movies are screened every day at (surprise!) 9.30pm. Expect Jordan Chan (Chen Xiaochun) or Leslie Cheung (Zhang Guorong) in action.

Free. Daily, 9.30pm. 91 Nanluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District (6402 9800)

One Way Street Library (Danxiang Jie)
One Way Street shows documentaries and art-house films by local directors on certain Saturday nights. What’s more, the directors are often on hand for Q&A sessions after each screening (which take place outdoors during the summer months). The movies themselves and the stimulating discussions that often follow them more than compensate for One Way Street’s inconvenient location.

Free. Call ahead for schedule and subtitle information. East gate of Yuanmingyuan (enter the parking lot and keep heading north past the entrance to the park and then turn left), next to Mima Cafe. Haidian District (6257 0357, onewaystreetlibrary@gmail.com) www.onewaystreet.cn

Space for Imagination (Hezi Kafei Guan)
Manager Feng Xiaolong fondly recalls a several hundred-strong audience that packed Hezi for a screening of Stanley Kwan’s Lan Yu, but an average movie night here is far less busy. Perhaps inspired by the underground aesthetics of its chosen films, Hezi is hidden away from street view in a Soviet-style xiaoqu, with a stealthy curtain drawn across the back of the cafe to make a snug, makeshift movie-theater. Expect programs that are director-centered (think Bergman, Jia Zhangke), with alternative seasons spotlighting Chinese short films. Directors and cast members occasionally attend screenings.

Free. Call ahead to check schedule. 5 Xiwangzhuang, Shuangqing Lu (just inside Xiwangzhuang xiaoqu), Haidian District (6279 1280) www.hzcafe.com

Obiwan
Obiwan has introduced a weekly movie night, with a screen set up on the first floor (or the terrace in the summertime). Movies are accompanied by a themed dinner (Italian cuisine for The Godfather, chicken fingers with tomato sauce for the gory Kill Bill), though some might find the layout less than conducive for dining. Still, the food, venue and movies themselves certainly make the trek to Xihai worthwhile. Expect popular yet critically acclaimed fare such as City of God and Trainspotting.

Free. Every Thu, 8pm or 10pm. 4 Xihai Xiyan (300m from Jishuitan subway station), Dongcheng District (6617 3231) www.clubobiwan.com

Ladies' Book Saloon
Anyone excited by the name’s connotation of a Wild West-style tavern patronized by bookworms of the fairer sex will be disappointed. This is in fact a bookshop, and it is indeed aimed principally at ladies. But equality rules, as both ladies and gentlemen are welcome to the Saturday film nights, which are screened in a small, violet-tinged room. The saloon’s selections tend towards arty, with recent programs revealing a penchant for French cinema. Films shown in original language, usually with Chinese subtitles.

Free. Every Wed and Sat, 7pm. 69 Chengfu Lu, Haidian District (6270 1928)

Instituto Cervantes
Showings are less frequent than at the French Cultural Center, but Spain’s Instituto Cervantes proves its dedication to cinema as a means of cultural expression, with twice-weekly screenings in its modestly sized – yet state-of-the-art – auditorium. Attracting a mixed crowd, el Instituto presents Spanish cinema across the genres, with particular emphasis on more contemporary offerings.

Free. Fri, Sat 7pm. Call ahead for subtitle information. 1A Gongti Nanlu, Chaoyang District (5879 9666)

D-22 Bar
It would be easy to criticize D-22’s failings as a “cinema,” but it’s nice to know that there’s a place in Beijing where you can wander in, down a drink and watch something a little different from the average popcorn movie. Expect offerings such as Ingmar Bergman’s Wild Strawberries or even Spinal Tap to be projected onto the generously proportioned screen just in front of the stage.

Free. Wed, Thu, 7pm. 242 Chengfu Lu (two doors west of 13 Club), Haidian District (6265 3177, charles@d22beijing.com) www.d22beijing.com

Story Club (Lao Gushi Canba)
Located inside the CCTV Story Channel compound, which itself is part of a space that hosts the Female Directors’ Club, Story Club is at the heart of what could be described as Beijing’s Hollywood. Prestigious neighbors include the Beijing Film Academy, where the likes of Zhang Yimou studied, and the Beijing Film Studio (where much of Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor was filmed). The movies shown have a strong cultural and educational theme, such as Yilun Mingyue (A Bright Moon).

Free. Call ahead for schedule and subtitle information. 61 Beisanhuan, Haidian District (8207 1909 ext 1202)

The Seventh Prison (Diqi Jianyu)
Director-cum-proprietor Zhang Jiangnan opened Seventh Prison so he could share his jaw-dropping collection of independent films with fellow film-lovers. The directors will occasionally be on hand to talk about their movies after they are screened. Expect the likes of Wednesday, Thursday (Xingqi San, Xingqi Si) or Stanley Kwan’s Lan Yu.

Free. Call ahead for schedule and subtitle information. 7 Baimi Xiejie, Qianhai Nanyan, Shichahai, Dongcheng District (6403 2968)

Dongzhimen with the Kids

Movies, malls and a night stroll on Ghost Street

Mall Crawl
The newly opened, labyrinthine Ginza Mall offers enough attractions to keep the family entertained for ages. Your teens will salivate at the sight of genuine Quiksilver and Adidas brand clothing at Sport 100 on Basement Level 1, while cartoon fans will be desperate to search out every section of the Disney store, which is divided into several outlets dotted throughout the mall. Mom and Pop can sip lattes in one of the numerous restaurants or coffee shops, or browse over the designer jewelry available at every turn. Keep up your energy with a treat from one of the many patisseries. And don't forget your wallet!

Ginza Mall
(Some English spoken.) Daily 10am-10pm. 48 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District. 银座 Mall, 东城区东直门外大街48号

A stroll on Ghost Street
Gui Jie, otherwise known as “Ghost Street,” is a feast for all the senses. Decked out with red lanterns, this place really starts to heat up around the witching hour. But Gui Jie is still buzzing when the sun’s out, and both sides of the street are lined with restaurants offering dishes from every conceivable area of China – build up an appetite with a fun and noisy family stroll.

Gui Jie
(English levels vary.) Most restaurants open daily 24hrs. Gui Jie, Dongzhimennei, Dongcheng District 簋街，东城区东直门内

Park Your Keister
Miniscule Nanguan Park, located near the Russian Embassy, has a quaint, local feel. It's usually filled with senior citizens and young mothers, but don’t allow yourself to be put off by the apparent tranquility. Feel free to unleash your rabble on all the facilities that the park has to offer: a junior-sized basketball hoop, a trampoline, a swing set, a duckpin bowling lane, a collection of toy cars, and air-guns. Fatigued parents can put their feet up and admire the curious landscaping, which seems to have been constructed entirely out of bathroom tiles.

Nanguan Park
RMB 1, RMB 4 (monthly pass). (No English spoken.) Daily 6am-8.30pm (winter), 6am-9pm (summer). 1A Xiyangguan Hutong, Dongcheng District (6403 4087) 南馆公园，东城区西洋馆胡同甲１号

Have a Whale of a Time
If the thought of throwing down big bucks for the kids' clothing at the Ginza Mall makes you light-headed, take a detour and head behind the mall to the dinky but well-stocked Whale Baby Clothing Store. Catering to kids up to 1.3m tall, this place has the gear you need to make your kids perfectly dapper without denting your bank balance. Basic baby accessories start at RMB 5; the most expensive items don’t exceed RMB 300. For the fashion un-inclined, there’s a selection of simple dolls and toys.

Whale Baby Clothing Store
(No English spoken.) Daily 8.30am-8pm. 2A Dongzhimen Nandajie, Dongcheng District (6413 1550) 鲸鱼宝宝童装, 东城区东直门南大街2A

Catch a Flick
Sure, DVDs get the job done, but there’s still nothing that compares to the movie theater experience. Treat yourselves to some celluloid magic at East Gate Cinema – at RMB 60-70 for a ticket it’s admittedly a little pricey, but children under 1.3m get 50 percent off, and two hours of free parking are provided. English-language films are usually shown in English with Chinese subtitles, but call ahead to make sure.

East Gate Cinema
(Basic English spoken.) B1/F Bldg B, East Gate Plaza (behind the Poly Theatre), Dongzhong Jie, Dongcheng District (6418 5931) www.dhyc.cn 东环影城，东城区保利大厦北侧东环广场Ｂ座地下一层

Get Some Game
Are your xiao Yao Mings itching to get out there and dunk? RMB 50 books you a basketball and an hour on a half-court (trash talk not included) at the East Gate Fitness Center. If your kids are into less sweaty pursuits, you can skittle some pins at the bowling alley, or flex your wrists at table football.

East Gate Plaza Fitness Center
(No English spoken.) B1/F, Bldg A, East Gate Plaza, 29 Dongzhong Jie, Dongcheng District (6417 1188 ext 588) 东环广场健身中心，东城区东中街29号A座B1

Make a Production out of Dinner
The gregarious staff at the always-bustling Dongbeiren welcome you to their restaurant with a song, and will come to your table to serenade you again if you’re lucky. The flowery uniforms and open kitchen are fun to look at, and there’s space for the whole family to lounge luxuriously on a kang. Little kids are welcome and they can rustle up a makeshift highchair should it be required. Ask the staff to do a fan dance for your kids, and they’ll happily oblige. A meal for six should be around RMB 200.

Dongbeiren Restaurant
(One English speaking member on staff, picture menu.) Daily 10am-10pm. A1 Xinzhong Jie, Dongzhimenwai, Dongcheng District (6415 2855) 东北人,东城区东直门外新中街甲１号

Silly Reader, Don’t You Know? There’s No Such Thing as a Gruffalo!

Best-selling author Julia Donaldson speaks to tbjkids about her popular children’s book The Gruffalo

Beijing’s young fiction fans were given a treat last month when hugely popular British children’s author Julia Donaldson (accompanied by her guitar strumming hubby Malcolm) arrived to give an all-action performance of her book The Gruffalo. This quirky picture book has sold over a million copies and been translated into 31 languages. tbjkids headed to The Bookworm to catch the show and check out just how excited the lucky little Beijingers in the audience were going to get. Afterwards, we managed to grab a word with the lady herself.

Your books The Magic Paintbrush and The Gruffalo were inspired by Chinese folk stories. Have you seen anything on your trip to China this time that may make its way into a future story of yours?

Julia Donaldson: The Magic Paintbrush is very much a retelling of an original Chinese story (Shenbi Maliang, 神笔马良), whereas for The Gruffalo I just used the idea from a Chinese story as the nucleus and developed it from that. Actually, I am in the middle of writing a novel for older children. It’s about a 15-year-old girl who runs away to Glasgow because her parents have been killed. I’m sure the things I’m seeing here will influence the story in some way, but the ideas need to settle and develop in my mind first. Maybe it will be the Chinese food!

You and your husband Malcolm sing, dance and act during your readings. Do you think your books are better read aloud, rather than read in silence?

JD: My books should probably be read aloud. If the books are read silently I’m sure the reader can hear it in their head, but as a lot of my books have a rhyming scheme, to really enjoy them you have to hear them aloud.

Your collaborations with illustrator Axel Scheffler have been very successful, especially on The Gruffalo. Do you think his pictures help to complete the story that you have created?

JD: It’s just part of the process of writing a book. I send the book to the publisher; the publisher then sends it to an illustrator, who comes up with some rough sketches. I then get to see these and I can make a few comments or suggestions about them. But when I wrote the book Monkey Puzzle, Axel had terrible trouble with the skies he was drawing. Everyone thought they were brilliant but he thought they were rubbish. He wrote me a funny postcard saying that he hoped the next book I wrote didn’t need any pictures of the sky. So I wrote Sharing Shell, which takes place underwater, so there wasn’t a single picture of the sky in it.

When you were younger you wanted to be an actress. If you were given the chance to act in a movie adaptation of one of your books, would you go for it?

JD: Yes, but I wouldn’t like to be the age I am now. If I could be any character I would have to be younger. I really identify with my character Mirror-Belle [from Princess Mirror-Belle] – she’s a bit anarchic like me. So really, I’d like to play her, but I don’t know if I could get away with playing a character that young. Probably playing a little old lady would be my best part now.

How do you explain the amazing success of The Gruffalo?

JD: I suppose that’s not really a question for me – you should ask the people who buy it or like it. I have thought about it though and I think it’s the combination of a good plot and some really interesting language at the heart of the book that makes The Gruffalo so successful.

Do you have plans to write a third installment of The Gruffalo?

JD: I’ve thought about writing The Gruffalo Granny and so on, but I think I would only be interested in doing it if I thought of a very good plot. The Gruffalo is now going to be made into a one-off TV show. It will be about half an hour so I will have to come up with some more plot. I already have a few ideas and I will be very interested to work together with the TV company to get it made. So The Gruffalo will be back in another form at least.

Beat the Heat

A guide to keeping your cool in Beijing

With the mercury in Beijing’s thermometers set to skyrocket, the chances of a family meltdown are high. But don’t panic just yet! Instead, pry those sticky bodies off the couch and follow the tbjkids guide to the best places and ways to stay cool in the swelter – you might just end up wishing the summer would go on forever ...

The Coolest Valley

As its name suggests, the temperature in nearby Qinglianggu (Cool Valley) is usually 5-6 degrees Celsius lower than it is in the city. Head here to beat the heat and check out the natural pools and the famous Pearl Waterfall. If you want to get even cooler, next to the waterfall you’ll find a cave that’s 230 meters deep and has an average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius. Cool activities in Cool Valley include fishing, bamboo rafting, and badminton.

Cool Valley Scenic Area
Driving: Head northeast on the Jingcheng Expressway (京承高速) and exit at Shunmi (顺密出口). Head towards the Miyun Reservoir (密云水库), pass the Heilong Pool (黑龙潭), and then drive straight until you arrive at Qinglianggu (清凉谷).

Public transportation: Take bus number 980 from Dongzhimen (东直门) to Miyun Gulou stop (密云鼓楼). From there, take a van (RMB 8 ) towards Sihe Tang (四合堂), and get off at Qinglianggu (清凉谷). Entry: RMB 36. Waterfall: RMB 16, free (kids under 1.2m). Qinglianggu Fengjingqu, Jiayu Cun, Miyun Xian (8204 5803) 清凉谷风景区,密云县贾峪村

Slip and Slide

You don’t want your kids to turn into summertime slugs, so keep them active in the heat with a trip to a local water park. If you’ve suffered too many sunburns already, the indoor H2O fantasyland Merry Water World offers plenty of activities for kids of all ages including multiple waterslides, a pool, and a lazy river. Parents can enjoy a relaxing time poolside while the little ones attack the tube slide again and again. If you’re seeking a little vitamin D and a beach-like feel but can’t make it up to Qingdao, head instead to Crab Island, where you can pick a spot on the real sand “beach,” float on the artificial waves or mosey down the lazy river. Big kids will thrill to the waterslides, and little ones can tear things up in the large kiddie section. You can also get wet just outside the confines of the Third Ring Road at Tuanjiehu Park, which features a wave pool and other aquatic fun.

Merry Water World
Weekdays: RMB 98, RMB 60 (kids under 1.4m), free (kids under 1.1m). Weekends: RMB 138, RMB 60 (kids under 1.4m), free (kids under 1.1m). Daily 9.30am-10.30pm. Jinzhan Xiang, Dongweilu, Chaoyang District (Take the Airport Expressway to the Weigou exit. Turn left at the first stoplight, right at the second, and then go straight.) (8433 0606 ext 5104) www.yujinxiang.com.cn 郁金香花园, 朝阳区东苇路金盏乡

Crab Island
RMB 38. Daily 8am-1am. 1 Xiedao Lu, Chaoyang District (Take the Weigou exit off the Airport Expressway and follow the signs.) (8433 5566/5588) www.xiedao.com 蟹岛绿色生态度假村, 朝阳区蟹岛路1号

Tuanjiehu Park
Entrance: free. Beach: RMB 20, RMB 15 (kids). Daily 6.30am-9pm. 16 Tuanjiehu Nanli, Chaoyang District (8597 3603) 团结湖公园, 朝阳区团结湖南里16号

Take Shelter Under the Big Screen

Everyone knows that movie theaters are notoriously over air-conditioned. Take advantage of the overzealous cooling mechanisms and catch a matinee. Summer is the time Hollywood likes to unleash its blockbusters upon the world, so you should have a couple of movie choices – grab some popcorn, sit down in the darkened room and take a few hours break from the sun’s unflinching gaze. Wanda International Cinema is also home to a sizeable video game arcade, ensuring that you won’t have to step back outdoors until the sun has long since gone down. Star City, in Oriental Plaza, has a great choice of grub to chow down on, and East Gate Cinema has a convenient parking lot, so you won’t have to trek too far from the car to the door. If you’re looking for a bargain, all of the theaters below are half-price on Tuesdays.

Wanda International Cinema
RMB 70. (free for kids under 1.3m). 3/F, Bldg B, Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District (5960 3399) www.wandafilm.com 万达国际电影城, 朝阳区建国路93号万达广场B座三层

East Gate Cinema
RMB 60-70. B1/F, Bldg B, East Gate Plaza (behind the Poly Theatre), Dongzhongjie, Dongcheng District (6418 5931) www.dhyc.cn 东环影城, 东城区东环广场B座地下一层(保利大厦北侧)

Star City
Foreign films RMB 60-70 (adults), RMB 45-50 (students); local films RMB 40-50 (adults), RMB 35 (students). Daily 9am-10pm. B1/F, Oriental Plaza, Dongcheng District (8518 6778) www.xfilmcity.com 新世纪影城, 东城区东方广场地下一层

Ski a Summer Slalom

In the blistering heat it’s easy to forget that only a brief season ago Beijing was colder than an Eskimo’s icebox. Why not relive those blissfully chilly times with a trip to Qiaobo Ice and Snow World for some ski and snowboard action? It’s not the French Alps, of course, but it’s the closest you’re going to get to skiing this summer and you only need to travel as far as Shunyi. Dig out your winter gloves and get ready for a summertime snowball fight.

Qiaobo Ice and Snow World
RMB 180/first hr (weekends; includes ski rental), RMB 30/additional hr for skiers with their own equipment. RMB 30/ski clothing. Daily 8.30am-9pm. Inside Chaobai River National Forest Park, Mapo, Shunyi District (8497 2568) www.qbski.com 乔波冰雪世界, 顺义区马坡潮白河国家森林公园内

Add Ice

Attention parents! Ice is not only an ingredient in margaritas – it’s also an amazingly versatile substance and a ton of fun to skate on. An afternoon at one of Beijing’s many indoor ice rinks is an ideal way to burn off steam without getting instantly drenched in sweat. The Century Star Club rink is a bit on the small side but private lessons are RMB 300/90 min; group lessons start at RMB 70/90 min if your kids get really into this activity. If your little ones are still on training skates, try the Champion Rink in Haidian – it isn’t usually busy and novice skaters can fall over without fear of embarrassment. If skating isn’t your cup of tea, drop the kids off at the small but popular Le Cool rink in the China World Trade Center, and hit the (air-conditioned!) shops on your own.

Century Star Club
Private lessons are priced at RMB 300/90 min and group lessons start at RMB 75/90 min. 54 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Haidian District (6786 7028) www.centurystar.com.cn 世纪星俱乐部, 海淀区中关村南大街54号首都体育馆

Champion Rink
Weekdays: RMB 25-45/90 min. Weekends: RMB 45. Basic private lessons for RMB 120 and up (RMB 600/five private 45-minute classes). Advanced classes RMB 60/90-minute lesson. Entry-level group lessons RMB 350/five 90-minute classes, but group sizes vary. Golden Resources Mall, 1 Yuanda Lu, Haidian District (8887 4899) www.sunshinezero.com/english.htm 冠军溜冰场, 海淀区远大路1号金源新燕莎

Le Cool
Weekdays: RMB 30/90 min (10am-6pm), RMB 40/90 min (6-10pm). Weekends: RMB 50/90 min. Daily 10am-10pm. B2/F, China World Trade Center, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (6505 5776) 国贸溜冰场, 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸地下二层

Swing Low, Sweet Hammock

Picture the idyllic scene: it’s a beautifully sunny day, you have your choice of icy beverage in hand and a cool zephyr caresses you while you swing away in your hammock. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, you shouldn’t really deny your children the privilege of possibly the most comfortable piece of furniture known to man. San Fo Outdoor equipment store sells hammocks ranging from RMB 60-110. Markets (Tianyu Market is a good bet) are also good places to look for this summer essential.

San Fo Outdoor Equipment Store
Daily 10am-8pm. 1F, Jinzhiqiao Plaza, 1A Jianwai Dajie (west of China World Trade Center), Chaoyang District (6507 9298, 6591 7041) 三夫户外,朝阳区建外大街甲一号金之桥大厦一层(国贸西侧)

Tianyu Market
Daily 9am-6pm. 10 Tuanjiehu Dongli, Chaoyang District (8598 0697) 天宇市场, 朝阳区团结湖东里10号

Go Underground

Some sun evasion activities can also have educational benefits. When the sun is beating down on the asphalt sidewalk, escape below it to this cool subterranean labyrinth. Kids will love walking around under the city and viewing some old-school communist memorabilia. Get yours to try and imagine which part of the city they are strolling under.

The Underground City
RMB 20. 62 Xi Damochang Hutong, Qianmen, Dongcheng District (6702 2657) 北京地下城,东城区前门西打磨厂胡同62号

Edible Air-Con

When you’ve had your fill of cold noodles it’s time to move on to the most delicious summer food of all: ice cream! Comptoirs de France, which has branches at East Lake Villas and China Central Place, has delicious gelato (as well as some tasty pastries and chocolate). For the more health conscious and farther-flung Beijingers, Haidian’s New Zealand Natural is a lighter way to enjoy the sweet treat. If you are interested in a Chinese twist on dairy treats, try Wen Yu Nai Lao, which offers traditional cold milk puddings just as satisfying as a tub of Ben and Jerry’s. Last but not least, there’s Gustomenta, the good ol‘ Sanlitun standby, offering up homemade gelato and a lovely patio – there’s also a branch tucked inside a coffee shop at Soho Xiandai Cheng.

Comptoirs de France
Daily 7am-9pm. 1) 1/F, East Lake Club, 35 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District (6461 1525); 2) Rm 102, 1/F, Bldg 15, China Central Place, 89 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District (6437 8994) 法派, 1) 东城区东直门外大街35号东湖俱乐部1层; 2) 朝阳区建国路89号华贸中心15号楼102

Gustomenta
1) Daily 9am-2am. 24 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6417 8890); 2) Daily 7am-midnight. 1301, Soho Xiandai Cheng, Chaoyang District (8580 5111) 1) 朝阳区三里屯路24楼东侧; 2) 朝阳区Soho现代城1301商铺

New Zealand Natural
Daily 8.30am-10pm. Store 3, B1/F, Zhonguancun Carrefour Shopping Center, Haidian District (5172 1522) 海淀区中关村家乐福地下层3号店

Wen Yu Nai Lao
49 Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District (6405 7621) 东城区交道口南锣鼓巷49号

Cool Dip

It’s important to drink your water, especially in the summer, but it’s way more fun to play in it. Pools serve several important functions: they get the kids out of the house, offer a chance for some exercise, and can cool you down, even on the hottest of days. If you’re after some outdoor swimming try Splash Recreation Club near the airport – you can sip cocktails from the poolside bar while your kids play Marco Polo. In the city proper, there’s an outdoor pool at Chaoyang Park and tons of indoor pool options – many offer swim clubs if your child is thinking of getting serious about his breaststroke.

Chaoyang Park Outdoor Pool
Opens in June. Prices and times TBA. 1 Nongzhan Nanlu, Chaoyang District (6506 5409) 朝阳公园, 朝阳区农展馆南路1号

Ditan Indoor Swimming Pool
RMB 30 for unlimited pool use. Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm, 6.30-10pm, Sat-Sun noon-9.30pm. 8 Anwai, Hepingli Zhongjie, Dongcheng District (6426 4483) 地坛游泳池, 东城区安外和平里中街8号

Dongdan Indoor Swimming Pool
RMB 30, RMB 20 (students), RMB 10 (children under 1.2m). Daily 10am-9pm. A2 Dahualu, Dongcheng District. (6523 1241) 东单室内游泳馆, 东城区大华路甲2号

Friendship Hotel Indoor Pool
RMB 100/2 hrs, RMB 50/2 hrs (kids under 1.2m). Daily 7am-11pm. 1 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Haidian District (6849 8888 ext 32) www.bjfriendshiphotel.com 北京友谊宾馆, 海淀区中关村南大街1号

Lido Hotel Indoor Pool
RMB 600 for package of ten visits. Daily 6am-11pm. 6 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District (6437 6688 ext 1871) 丽都假日酒店，朝阳区将台路6号

Splash Recreation Club
RMB 100, RMB 50 (children), free (kids under 4). Daily 6am-10pm. Sino-Swiss Hotel, 9 Xiao Tianzhu Nanlu, Shunyi District (6456 5588 ext 1217) www.sino-swisshotel.com 浪花俱乐部, 顺义区小天竺南路9号国都大饭店

Pizza Party

Kids get hands-on in a Papa John’s pizza-making course

Pizza: the ultimate kiddie food. Infinitely customizable yet always recognizable, it never goes out of favor. Which is why tbjkids was so excited to learn about the pizza-making courses at Beijing pizza chains like Papa John's, designed to let kids get up close and personal with their favorite meal. In the spirit of investigation, we rounded up six rambunctious pizza aficionados to try out the Little Papa course at the Kerry Centre branch of Papa John’s.

Although food is an international language, Papa John’s rep Shelly Dong came down to lead Jan (10), Hunter (9), Livia (7), Clayton (6), Ellen (5) and Tao (4) in English. While some Papa John’s staff speak functional English, it’s best to request an English instructor of your own if the pizza makers in your group aren’t bilingual.

The pizza party kicked off with an introduction to the basic pizza ingredients. The standard spread includes the usual suspects like cheese, tomato and pepperoni, as well as fancier fare like olives, ham and pineapple. If you have hankerings for any specific toppings, you can request them in advance.

Next up was a quick safety talk and a kitchen tour. Decked out in hairnets and aprons, with paws freshly scrubbed, the gaggle was ushered into the kitchen to watch the chefs roll out the dough for their pizzas and check out the toasty fate that would await their tasty creations.

Back at the preparation area, with their freshly prepared pizza bases in front of them, it was time for the toppings. But, with their appetites triggered by their jaunt in the kitchen, the kids needed a little extra fuel first (a round of garlic bread did the trick). To help your own group hold out until their pizza is ready (about 30 minutes after the start of the course), consider a snack beforehand.

The kids needed little instruction on constructing their pizzas, and soon marinara sauce and pepperoni slices were frantically flying (avoid dressing your offspring in white!). Hunter decided to go with a pizza face motif, while little Ellen thought it a better idea to just cram as much as much meat onto her pie as humanly possible.

Deeply satisfied with their efforts, the kids took a short breather while their handiwork baked. To keep them occupied, they were treated to a visit from the lovable Mr. Pizza (an employee dressed up like a slice), who arrived for some good-natured jostling. Six minutes later, the pizzas arrived piping hot from the oven; cue 15 minutes of blissful silence as the hungry horde chowed down on the fruits of their labor. Once the feeding frenzy subsided, the kids were presented with a certificate and some small toys, and sent off to digest.

Papa John's Little Papa courses cost RMB 58 per child and can be booked for 4 to 16 children by calling the location of your choice.