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China’s coolest fashion photographer and one of i-D’s favourite people, the beautiful Chen Man takes us on a tour of the city she was born in: Beijing. From the colourful Pan Jia Yuan Market where she sourced traditional clothes for this issue’s Fan Bingbing cover shoot, to the sprawling Forbidden City where the emperors used to reside, these are a few of her favourite places.
Introduction: Dean Kissick
Text: Chen Man
Where’s the best place to dine out in Beijing? 哪里吃晚餐好？
I recommend having vegetarian dinner every day, it’s the perfect ending of the day and it’s good for your sleep. Try Samadhi Vegetarian Restaurant, 2nd floor, Shifanghaoting Building, 16 Xinyuan Nan Lu, Chaoyang District.
三摩地素食餐厅。（地址：北京市朝阳区新源里 16号世方豪庭2F）晚餐最好要少吃，吃素的，是一天最圆满的结束，也有助于睡眠。
Then later that night, where can we grab a snack to refuel? 哪里吃小吃？
In the hutongs of Beijing; especially the hutongs around Qianmen Avenue. For example, Lu Zhu and Xiao Chang Chen, if you don’t mind eating the giblets of pig.
北京胡同里。卤煮，小肠陈。前门大街周围的胡同里都可以有。如果不怕吃猪的内脏的话。
What’s the hottest exhibition in Beijing right now? 什么展览值得推荐？
The ancient book exhibition at the China Central Academy of Fine Arts.
中央美院的中国古书展。
Where can we buy presents for our friends? 哪里去购物？
If you want to buy traditional Chinese stuff then I recommend Pan Jia Yuan Market.
如果想买典型中国东西，建议去潘家园市场。如果是买衣服网上买就可以了。
Our feet are itching to dance, what are the best clubs to let loose in? 哪里去跳舞？
If you like live rock music, MAO around Gu Lou is good. There are also many hip hop bars around Worker Stadium, like Mix and Vics, and if you like electronic music, White Rabbit in Sanlitun is worth a go.
如果是现场的rock就去鼓楼的mao; hiphop就去工体的周围。如果电子就去白兔。
What’s the best way to experience Chinese culture? 哪里可以有传统中国体验？（比如：针灸，中医）爬长城应该爬多远？有哪些起始点你推荐？
Regarding the Chinese experience, I recommend Z’an Clinic, a Chinese medicine clinic. As for climbing the great wall, it depends on your stamina; but when you see many stalls selling souvenirs, that’s the start point.
中医体验就去正安中医。爬长城想爬多远就爬多远，看体力。起始点其实都差不多。很多旅游纪念品开始贩售的地点。
What fruity festivals should we be moshing at? 哪里去听音乐？最近有什么节吗？
If you like live music, then Mao and Yu Gong Yi Shan are good. There are many music festivals in Beijing, such as Chaoyang Park Music Festival and Strawberry Music Festival. Also since Halloween is coming, there will be many parties in Beijing.
现场。愚公移山。朝阳音乐节，草莓音乐节等，Halloween Party有很多，可以在网上找到。
And for the tourists in us, can you recommend any national parks or sights we have to see? 最好的国家公园是哪里？
In Beijing there are many good national parks such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Altar of the Sun Park, Bei Hai Park, Zhong Shan Park, the Summer Palace, they’re all worth visiting.
北京有很多：故宫，天坛，日坛，北海，中山公园，颐和园都值得去。
What’s the chicest way to travel? 最好的交通方式？
Due the irrational re-construction, Beijing is not a city for bicycle anymore. You have to take a car to travel in the city. The air is quite polluted and it’s not good for driving. Unless in the very very central Beijing, you may try ride a bike. If outside of the 3rd ring road, then you should either take a car or subway.
因为错误的改建，所以北京已经不是以前的古城了。已经不是骑自行车的世界了。所以需要在堵车中行进。骑自行车的话，空气太差。如果是特别城里，可以骑自行车，如果出三环只能坐车，还有地铁。
