Long-term Beijing resident Jelena Kovacevic has worked in service industries since she landed in Beijing in 2004, a career that is sustained by her passion for intercultural communication. She has coached many newcomers on the art of communicating and doing business in China while showing them the best the city has to offer, and while doing so, has also developed a keen sense of the city. While she’s usually as busy as a bee working as a freelance writer for Agenda and Beijing Kids, organizing events for Viva Professional Women’s Network and making connections through InternNations, she always makes time to show visitors the best the city has to offer. Agenda was lucky enough to pin Jelena down for a few minutes to get her to share what her perfect day in Beijing would look like.

 

 

 

My Perfect Day

 

 

 

I would start with a breakfast at the Kempi Deli at the Kempinski (their breakfast sets cost RMB 85) before I hop on the shuttle that takes me straight to the Schoolhouse at Mutianyu. I love this place, and most importantly their coffee, which I’d grab, along with a map, before heading up to the Great Wall. I don’t know what it is with me and the Wall, but I never get sick of it, especially the Mutianyu area! I just love it! It’s less crowded than Badaling, and it still has certain commodities that I can’t live without. Coffee, to be precise! After the hike I would take the toboggan ride back down. I would probably do this several times, actually! [laughs]

 

 

 

At Lunch time…  I would walk to Xiaolumian. They serve the most amazing handmade noodles I’ve ever had in Beijing… with zhajiang sauce… yum! Then I would take a stroll around the village – it is so quiet and so green. Beijing could really use more green outside of its parks. If I was smart enough to book in advance, I’d definitely stop by the Brickyard Spa for a massage along the way. If you’re a guest you can enjoy their outdoor Jacuzzi with a view of the Mutianyu Great Wall. Since this is my perfect day, they welcome me in despite lack of reservation, and I seriously consider abandoning the perfect day, spending the night here, and making this a perfect weekend!

 

 

 

Heading back into the city, I would go straight to Kocoon Spa in the basement of Opposite House for their Top-to-Toe spa package (RMB 850 for two and a half hours). It’s been a long ride back into town! Since I’m already at the Opposite House, I might pop into Mesh for a cocktail or two, or head down to Sanlitun Soho’s Moment Cafe for a crepe. You know what, since it’s my perfect day, I might just do both! [laughs]

 

 

 

Kempi Deli 凯宾美食廊

 

Daily 7am-10pm. 1/F, Kempinski Hotel, Chaoyang District (6465 3388 ext 5741) 朝阳区凯宾斯基饭店1层

 

The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu 慕田峪小园餐厅

 

Daily 7-10am, 3-5pm. Mutianyu Village (for detailed directions see website), Huairou District (6162 6506) 怀柔区慕田峪 (具体路线请查看网站信息) www.theschoolhouseatmutianyu.com

 

Xiaolumian 小庐面

 

Weekends and holidays 10am-6pm or by appointment. 130 Yingbeigou Cun, Huairou District (6162 6506) 怀柔区营北沟村130号 www.xiaolumian.com

 

The Brickyard Inn and Retreat Center at Mutianyu Great Wall 瓦厂

 

Call for hours. 100m South of Yingbeigou Cun, Huairou District (6162 6506, info@brickyardatmutianyu.com) 怀柔区怀柔区营北沟村南100米 www.brickyardatmutianyu.com

 

Kocoon Spa

 

Tue-Sun 10.30am-8.30pm. B1/F, The Opposite House, Sanlitun Village North, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6410 5016) 朝阳区三里屯路11号三里屯Village北区The Opposite HouseB1层

 

Mesh

 

Daily 5pm-2am. 1/F, The Opposite House, Bldg 1, Sanlitun Village, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6410 5016) 朝阳区三里屯路11号三里屯Village1号楼瑜舍1层

 

Moment Cafe

 

Daily noon-10pm. B1-525, Sanlitun Soho, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (8590 0724) 朝阳区工体北路三里屯Soho B1-525