Forget Belly Dancing and Fancy Interiors, Alameen Serves Tasty Middle Eastern Food at Great Prices

The small, unassuming Alameen in the northern section of Sanlitun is vying for the title of Best Middle Eastern Cuisine in the Beijinger’s Reader Restaurant Awards (vote here through March 8), but it also would have been a strong entry in the Best Value category, had it been nominated. A party of two can easily satiate their appetites for well under RMB 150 at this straightforward, satisfying Lebanese eatery and café.
 

CCTV New Year Gala Viewership Dips to Record Low, Box Office Hits Record High

Ratings for CCTV’s New Year’s Gala have hit a record low of 28.37 percent, Want China Times reports, regardless of the gala being broadcasted across a whopping 189 channels. With that many channels quite a few people must have just had no choice but to watch it.

The Ducks, Led by Stephon Marbury, Head into the Playoffs Tonight

The basketball playoffs are upon us  and I’m not talking about the NBA or March Madness, I’m talking about something that could be even more exciting: the CBA semifinals

While you might guffaw, let me make an argument for why the best-of-five series that begins tonight pitting the Beijing Ducks vs Guangdong Southern Tigers could be one worth watching.

Just Desserts: Sweet Tart Bakery

Beijing has no shortage of over-wrought, style-over-substance cakes and confections, the stuff of local bakeries and hotel coffee shops. Proper homebaked cakes and pies on the other hand? If you don’t happen to have a friend who’s particularly gifted with a whisk and an oven, then you’ll probably have to resign yourself to those rare trips home to experience a real sweet treat.

Got a Minute? Incredible Aerial Video Shows Beijing on New Year's Eve

Wondered what Beijing looked like from the air this Chinese New Year? Sploid posted an amazing aerial video of Chinese New Year’s fireworks, filmed from an airplane as it landed at Beijing Capital Airport at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Definitely worth a watch, check it out here.

Cultural Ambassador: Professor Hu Xiaojiang on Building Bridges Between China and the World


This post is sponsored by the Beijing Normal University School of Social Development and Public Policy, an international program comprised of students and faculty from around the world. Visit www.ssdpp.net.cn/en to find out more.

Fireworks Contributes to 1,000 PM2.5 Over CNY, But Next Few Days Excellent

The fireworks on the fifth day of the Lunar calendar (chuwu, last Sunday) proved a bit too much for the sky too handle. Throughout the day, there were only 30 PM2.5 particles per cubic meter of air. This was largely due to the cool weather, but made for pleasantly blue skies.

In the evening however, the situation changed drastically as everyone’s neighbor and their mother, ayi, shushu, and every tiny coat-wearing dog, had suddenly decided that setting off fireworks was their absolute favorite hobby, ever.