China Travel Blog

With Chinese New Year here ‘tis the season to throw caution (and weight-watching) to the wind and get caught up in the feasting and festivities! But when you’ve satisfied your craving for heavy Chinese dishes, we suggest heading to Grassroots Pantry for feel-good food that is delicious, nutritious and supports Hong Kong’s local farmers.

A flourish of verdant foliage and a small painted sign are the only hint of the cozy café located in this hidden corner of Sai Ying Pun. From the moment you step inside, owner Peggy Chan’s passion for her work is apparent in every detail – from the hand drawn menus to the antique chairs and personal photographs collected on her travels.

AsiaTravel sat down for a quick chat with Peggy to learn more about what makes Grassroots Pantry so special.

AsiaTravel Travel: Give us a little background on yourself…Have you always been in the food business?
Peggy Chan: I began working in this industry aged 16, brewing espressos at Hong Kong’s very first Starbucks, but my family are all serious foodies and I learned to cook and bake from my mother. I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute in Ottawa, Canada, and later obtained a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with a double concentration in Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Management in Switzerland. I’ve spent the last decade working at outstanding restaurants and hotels including Brunoise in Montreal, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, and The Peninsula Tokyo.

WCT: How did you come to start Grassroots Pantry?
Peggy: I’ve always wanted to open a restaurant, and after many years in the corporate world, I took some time off to travel and was inspired by all the different local vegetarian dishes other countries had to offer. Upon returning to Hong Kong, I was resolved to create a space for the community to enjoy clean, healthy plant-based foods.

WCT: Tell us about GP’s food philosophy. What is ‘conscious eating’ and why is it important?
Peggy: Grassroots Pantry is a boutique café dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the community through serving nutritious, homemade, plant-based world dishes. Conscious eating is to source unprocessed, local, sustainable and organic ingredients as often as possible, and is important because it helps to create a more sustainable world. Grassroots Pantry also aims to educate the community about the farm-to-table and slow food movement by hosting educational culinary classes and environmental workshops.

WCT: How has GP been received by local Hong Kong-ers?
Peggy: More and more people are seeking healthy food, and are more conscious with what they are eating. Hong Kong is a food mecca, and because there is so much to choose from, local residents are always looking for something different and not your typical cookie-cutter restaurant. We are very happy to be a part of the local community and being the go-to cafe for real homemade vegetarian food.

WCT: Where does the inspiration for your dishes come from? Do you have a favourite dish?
Peggy: My inspiration comes from memories. Sometimes I reminisce about tastes and smells from my childhood, and am always eager to recapture those memories.
Favourite dish on the Grassroots Pantry menu is Palak Paneer! We make a healthy version using soy milk. Also, you can substitute the paneer with hedgehog mushrooms in case you want an even healthier option.

WCT: In your opinion, what makes GP special and unique to Hong Kong?
Peggy: Grassroots Pantry is one of the few western-style cafes that really offer unprocessed plant-based dishes. A lot of vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong use mock meats, and an excess of oil. Also, Grassroots Pantry serves as community space for those who want to learn more about holistic health, sustainability and environmental responsibility.

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If you have any questions about travel in China feel free to send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Photos by Grassroots Pantry

If you’re still trying to figure out which corner of this wonderful world you should head to in 2013 then look no further than this post by travel blogger Ellen Barone. Ellen is an accomplished independent writer-photographer who specializes in global travel. She has journeyed to six continents in search of compelling travel tales and evocative images, using her experiences to help people travel smarter as well as keep them up to date on the latest travel trends and gadgets. AsiaTravel was honored to have our trip Soul of Tibet featured on Ellen’s list of Extraordinary Experiences for 2013.

Although Tibet is closed at the moment to foreigners, we are hopeful it will be reopened in April–we’ll keep you updated via Twitter and Facebook. As Ellen notes, “Tibet is one of those epic destinations so enticing, so enchanting and so compelling that it tends to get put on the back-burner, saved for another day (or decade) when the time and money for such an expedition will be possible. But guess what. There’s never enough time or money. And, while those easier, more accessible, places are fulfilling, Tibet still beckons.” We couldn’t agree more. Is Tibet beckoning to you?

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If you have questions about travel in China or Tibet send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Photo of Ellen Barone courtesy of careerbreaksecrets.com all other photos by AsiaTravel

Earlier this year we had the opportunity to visit and review one of Swire Hotel‘s newest properties in Beijing, The East. In light of the attention we have given to that fine establishment we felt it would be remiss if we did not acknowledge The East’s older sister, and one of our longtime favorites, The Opposite House.

(The Opposite House lobby)

Designed to be unlike anything you have ever seen, the interior of The Opposite House will leave you spellbound. Entering the open, cavernous lobby, friendly staffers pop up to help you check-in or direct you if needed. Spotlights direct your attention to the fantastic contemporary art on display that has been featured in galleries as far away as Paris.

(One of the lovely rooms)

As with any worthy hotel, the rooms are where the magic truly happens–no less exquisite than the hotel entrance, each chambre has its own minimalist design of elegant lines and bamboo closets. With glass walls and ethereal curtains, it feels like you’ve really stepped through the looking glass to wonderland. Relaxing in these surroundings isn’t something you need to attempt, it’s something that washes over you the second your door closes behind you.

(The fitness zone)

For the health conscious, fear not. Deep in the heart of The Opposite House, there is a full gym, lap pool, and spa facilities–all traditional luxury amenities but offered in the same atypical fashion that surely inspired the hotel’s name.

(The dining scene at Bei)

As for the food? You most definitely have your pick of delights here. Sureño, with it’s delectable Mediterranean fare, Bei, a Chinese restaurant offering a panoply of Northern oriental flavors, and Village Café, for a more laid back approach towards international favorites. Sureño’s pizza’s have been reviewed by AsiaTravel travelers “as some of the best thin crust the world over.” Grab a drink pre or post dinner at the ever trendy in-house bar Mesh. Our only word of caution when you stay at The Opposite House: Don’t forget there is an entire city to explore beyond its front door!

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If you are interested in staying at Opposite House during your next journey to Beijing send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Photos by Opposite House

 

Wan Chai is best known for its bars and exotic nightlife, made famous by Richard Mason’s novel and the subsequent film The World of Suzie Wong. While the occassional scantily-clad woman still beckons from doorways along Lockhart Road, the emergence of chic, new eateries have led a local reclamation of the forgotten parts of this engaging district.

Here are five reasons to visit Wan Chai:

Pak Tai Temple – Two gnarled trees stand guard at the entrance to this secluded and beautifully restored little temple, which is over a century old. Pak Tai is Cantonese for ‘Northern Emperor’ who, according to legend, defeated the Demon King and is worshipped for his courage and devotion. Though small, this quiet temple is a great, easily accessible spot to experience Hong Kong’s spiritual side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Blue House – One of the few remaining pre-war balconied tenements (or Tong Lau) in Hong Kong, this Grade I classified monument gives a glimpse of what Wan Chai once looked like. Just around the corner is the Wan Chai Visual Archives, a community art space that explores the implications of urban redevelopment for the community, through workshops, exhibitions and collaboration projects. The neighboring Tai Lung Fung is a quirky East-West fusion café decorated with old fashioned children’s toys, and is worth stopping by for a cheeky mid-exploration refreshment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street Markets – The lanes connecting Johnston Road and Queen’s Road East are packed full of vendors selling everything from fresh produce, goldfish and potted plants to iPhone cases and Halloween costumes. Wander along Spring Garden Lane and you may stumble upon an old barber shop, mahjong parlour or pawn shop tucked between ramshackle residential lowrises. If you’re feeling adventurous, sample the local delicacies like wonton noodles, fish balls or herbal tea at one of the hole-in-the-wall restaurants.

Gastronomy – The Pawn combines the iconic exterior of an old pawn shop with hearty British fare. Stop by for a Sunday roast, afternoon tea or sip one of their delicious signature cocktails on the outdoor terrace overlooking the tram line. Nearby French café Passion by Gerard Dubois has an incredible selection of delectable baked goods, sweet treats, and freshly made salads and sandwiches. Tapas bar 22 Ships, recently opened by Michelin starred chef Jason Atherton, is also a great place for a quick bite. But if you’re looking for high-end Chinese cuisine, try the luxurious Fook Lam Moon, famous for its abalone and often frequented by Hong Kong celebrities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Star Ferry – Starting near Bauhinia Square, the site of the 1997 handover ceremony, this must-do Hong Kong experience lasts longer and is less touristy than the one that leaves from Central, affording more time to appreciate the distinctive cityscape on both sides of the harbor.

If you are in Hong Kong from 29 November – 16 December be sure to check out Detour 2012, a pop-up exhibition that showcases local artists and designers, which will be held in the former Wan Chai Police Station.

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If you have questions about traveling in Hong Kong feel free to send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Passion Cafe photo by Passion Cafe all other Photos by Samantha Woods

 

Last week Beijing’s beautiful performing arts center “The Egg” welcomed artist Sylvie Guillem‘s latest production ‘6000 miles away.’ Widely recognized as one of the greatest dancers of our time Sylvie’s piece involved three difference parts. The first two were duets while the final act was a solo by the artist herself. A truly remarkable show, Sylvie Guillem’s 6000 miles away is one of many such foreign acts that have been invited to perform in Beijing. Against the backdrop of Beijing’s performing arts center and Tiananmen’s holiday season lights, it was a beautiful evening inside and out. Next time you are in Beijing we would highly recommend you add a peak at Beijing’s dance scene to your journey.

(Audience filing in)

(A snapshot of the second act)

(The Egg at night)

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If you have any questions about travel in China send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

 

What do you get when you cross a Japanese, a Hong Konger, and a Swede who all love bread? Po’s Atelier.

Located in the ever cosmopolitan city of Hong Kong, Po’s Atelier is, according to its press release, “…a French-Japanese boutique bakery focusing on artisan breads and pastries paired with inspiration from Scandinavia.” Sounds like a delicious combination from our perspective.

Vincent Cheng (Hong Konger) and Jonathan Leijonhufvud (Swede) first started Po’s Atelier as a result of what they perceived as Hong Kong’s “lack of quality bread free of additives and other nasty chemicals.” Though the two come from backgrounds in art direction, design, and photography, they were excited about the challenges of creating a bakery.  They were looking for an opportunity to “present their recipes in a unique yet humble environment”–something of a rarity for bakeries in Hong Kong.

Since opening, Vincent and Jonathan have really enjoyed getting to know the neighborhood and establishing a regular clientele of enthusiastic bread lovers. Customers comments and suggestions are frequently the impetus that brings Jonathan and Vincent back to the drawing board with their designer chef and baker Masami Asano (the Japanese).  And as one might expect, bakery favorites tend to fall along nationality lines…

For Chinese clientele, the top breads are Madame Cheng (a dairy-free loaf baked with fresh homemade soya milk–a recipe passed down from Vincent’s Mom), AOP (Po’s Atelier’s signature brioche made with Grand Fermage butter) and Oolong (also dairy-free, made with Yunnanese oolong tea seed oil and fresh tea leaves). For western customers, subtle tangy sourdough breads and savory grissini take the cake. All patrons though, are fond of the Danish pastries–whether with Valrhona chocolate, escargot, or their special green bean and manuka honey reduction.

This month, Jonathan and Vincent are preparing to open Café Deadend next door which will also feature the humble aesthetic and artisanal delicacies of Po’s Atelier. With plans to begin supplying their breads to a few like-minded eateries in Hong Kong, the only question we still have is when are they coming to Beijing?

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If you are interested in travel in China or Hong Kong send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

Photos provided by Po’s Atelier

Recently, real estate firm SOHO China unveiled its newest addition to Beijing: the Galaxy SOHO. Rising up above Beijing’s second ring road, the four main buildings look like a cross between eggs and slinkys, and are surprisingly reminiscent of New York City’s Guggenheim Museum. Connected by futuristic walkways and wrapped in sleek, white stripes, standing in the open-air lobby is an otherworldly experience. The brain child of Zaha Hadid Architects, the complex opened to the public amid considerable public interest, excited crowds, and some exotic hairdos. Below are pictures from the event:

(Close up of an egg)

(The brightly colored ushers)

(The rising eggs)

Architecture in China is an area that has recently spawned considerable creativity so if you are an architecture enthusiast, the Middle Kingdom is an excellent place to set your sights.

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If you have any questions about travel in China feel free to send us an email at info@wildchina.com and we will be happy to assist you.

 

Registration for the 2013 Beijing Marathon was over almost as soon as it began, with 30,000 available spaces filling up in a matter of hours.

When registration opened on September 8, it seemed as though the race had already begun, with distance runners flocking to the event’s website in such numbers that they managed to take down the server.

This record sell-out marks the 33rd anniversary of the event, which began in 1981 as part of Chinese efforts to promote international ties.

On October 20th, runners will begin in Tiananmen Square, making a 42km (26.2 mile) journey through Chinese history, before finishing in the scenic Olympic Park.

Photo Credit: Lumdimsum.com

Photo Credit: AsiaTravel

 

Check out this on the road experience from AsiaTravel’s travel product design manager, Colleen O’Connor, and discover an unknown trail situated deep in Emei’s sacred mountain range, just waiting to be explored…by you!

We traveled to Sichuan with one main goal in mind: to find more exciting, adventurous routes accessible for you to Experience China Differently! For today, our destination included a little-known hiking trail along Sichuan’s Emei Mountain, one of China’s four sacred Buddhist Mountains. The name “Emei” literally translates to “delicate eyebrows,” deriving from two of the mountain’s peaks—Ten Thousand Buddha Summit and Golden Summit—resembling the curvature of one’s brow. On this hike, we planned to follow along Emei’s brow into mountainous terrain, bamboo groves, and an isolated temple.

The night before, Rebecca, AsiaTravel’s Operations Manager, and I spent the night at the luxurious Anantara Emei Resort & Spa, a recently opened 5-star hotel nestled along the foothills of the Tibetan Plateau. After packing our daypacks, we left the comforts of our spacious double room and scooted along by private cart, passing the resort’s outdoor hot spring and colorful flower gardens to the main lobby.

Double Room at Emei Resort & Spa

We met our friendly Sichuan guides at the dining hall for a continental breakfast, boasting a wide array of Western and Chinese breakfast foods. After filling our stomachs, we hopped into an SUV to begin our 2-hour ride through remote villages and twisting mountain roads into the heart of Emei’s mountain range. Our first plan of action was to meet our local guide, who would lead the hike.

As the morning mist hovered over the country road, our driver drove slowly to avoid residents walking along the road’s edge. Through the window, I saw men carrying plows with dirt still hanging of the metal grips from yesterday’s farm work. The women carried empty woven baskets, preparing for a day of vegetable picking…a glimpse of an ordinary morning in rural Sichuan.

After two hours, we ascended one last bend along a cliff face before meeting our guide at a local home. His own home is situated far above in the mountains and inaccessible by road. So, he met us in the middle. He looked into the SUV, with a sweet-smelling pipe in hand, and grinned, “You ge laowai day” “There’s a foreigner!”

Mr. Yue, our friendly Emei Mountain Guide

He put his pipe away and jumped in, while guiding the driver through dirt roads along towering cliffs and tiny hillside villages to our hike’s starting point, a slow moving river. The car slid to a muddy stop and we stepped out into a valley with a river trailing between the surrounding alpine mountains. After a night of light rainfall, the refreshing scent of wet pine was all around.

We said goodbye to our driver and followed our guide as he hopped as light as a feather over the stones placed in the river, beginning our trek into Emei Mountain. The hike started with a gradual incline to a wooden hut, surrounded by tilled land. Our guide explained that this little farm cultivated a type of root used for traditional Chinese medicine. As we took off our warm layers, the traditional medicine farmer came out of the hut to meet us, striking up a conversation with our guide, who was his close friend and neighbor.

We said our farewells and continued our way into a sea of bamboo groves. Being the end of March, late winter’s yellowish green tint took up most of the scenery’s color, except for the refreshing and vibrant green bamboo leaves that encircled the trail. Towering pines, shedding birch trees, and tangles of other tree types added to the mountainous flora.

Hiking through a tangle of trees and fresh moss (March scenery, we recommend you hike this trail in either spring or fall)

While exploring this unbeaten trail, I felt a sense of adventure and excitement for what would come next. Possibly another a unique bird, animal prints, or a mountainside vista? Thinking about the possibilities led to pondering over the other, more developed side of the mountain. How would it compare? I had heard it is equally beautiful, but also touristy with thousands of tourists visiting each day, hiking up a plethora of stone steps. The back trail, on the other hand, was the opposite, with hillside villages, dirt paths, and an intimate feeling of you with nature.

Beyond the steps emerged the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple

After six hours of hiking, we finally reached the Ten Thousand Buddha summit, the highest point of Emei at 3,099 meters (10,167 feet). On the peak resides an isolated temple surrounded by clouds and sky, situated in a quiet, hard to access portion of the national park. It was the perfect place to rest and eat lunch. I gazed into the distance, peaking through pockets of mist and seeing the bluest of blue skies hiding beneath. I felt as if I was high in the air, one with the sky. The nearby Golden Pagoda, a larger than life golden statue of Samantabhadra, shimmered in the distance, waiting for us to visit.

After lunch, we set off to finish the rest of the trek, which was primarily flat as we followed an old train line that once led tourists to the temple. The line is now closed after an earthquake years back. We finally made it to the Golden Pagoda, ending our fun-filled day of adventure.

The hike ended at the shimmering Golden Pagoda

This trek is for hiking-lovers, or for those who want to bring out the adventurer within, and witness a very real side of Sichuan’s countryside and will be at the tip of your fingertips by September 2014 after roads are fully accessible.

Experience Emei Mountain Differently with AsiaTravel!

[Photos taken by Colleen O’Connor]

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What did you think? If Colleen’s descriptions of hiking Emei Mountain got you excited, check out other fun, new activities available in Sichuan in the Into the Heart of China’s Panda Country itinerary here. If you have any questions, shoot us an email at info@wildchina.com

 

Musings from AsiaTravel Explorer and Expert Jeff Fuchs on the importance of the Ancient Tea & Horse Caravan Road, and why we should all bump it up on our travel list…

The Ancient Tea & Horse Caravan Road has long held the attention of explorers and vagabonds alike for the fact that it represents one of the globe’s great and daunting adventures. A cultural odyssey as much as a physically demanding pathway that brought tea, salt, horses, and all manner of goods from the fringes of the old dynastical empires into and onto the Tibetan Plateau. Pre-dating the Silk Road, the Tea & Horse Caravan Road and its meandering pathways through indigenous zones, ancient tea forests, and stunning geographies offer up a deeper look into the very historical fabric of southwest China, Tibet, and beyond.

Across snow passes, over some of the planet’s great waterways, the route takes in three- dozen cultures, two dozen languages…all with their own histories with tea and the great trade route.

Tea figured greatly upon this ‘highway through the sky’ as it was – and to some extent remains – one of the great panaceas and commodities of time. Tea was more a fuel and medicine to the ancient tribes and its safe transport was one of the great vitals of the trade world.

This AsiaTravel journey along the Ancient Tea & Horse Caravan Road seeks to dig into and take the journey back to its roots. Authentic touches of exploration off the beaten path, serious tea-highs from some of the planet’s purest ancient tree teas, and home stays that are entirely integral with delving deeper into a culture and land are on offer. Walking through some of the oldest tea forests on the planet, and then sampling them in a cup bind the leaf to its drinker and by extension to any that partake in a cup.

We’ve enhanced sections to take you deeper still into Yunnan’s diversity and created more of a full-on adventure. Daily tea samplings, from fresh bitter harvests, to locally prepared specialties (including the Tibetan’s famed and pungent butter tea) from local regions.

I’m delighted that this journey has continued and been intensified to add a more authentic feel that reflects life and travel upon the Tea & Horse Caravan Road. In traveling upon this most ancient of trade routes, it is important to retain some of the original feel of travel, life, and interaction for our guests.

It is vital that such a journey keep its vitality and spontaneity. It is only in this kind of travel and attention to detail that a route’s history, legend, and truths can remain intact.

All photos by Jeff Fuchs

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If Jeff’s descriptions of tea got your heart beating a little faster, check out the itinerary & October dates for the 2014 trip here. If you want to read more about Jeff and his travels, check out his blog here. And finally, if you have any questions, shoot us an email here: info@wildchina.com