Our first day in Beijing. A tour through the Hutons (alleyways) South of Chongwenmen, many of which are being razed to the ground to make way for modern Beijing, headed to to Qiangmen. On the way we located Li Qun - celebrated for its Roast Duck - and made a reservation for lunch. The area we were looking for, just South of Qiangmen, is no more - but is being rebuilt as one of many major developments in preparation for the Olympics in 2008. We threaded our way back through the Hutons to lunch.
Li Qun is somewhat the worse for wear, and almost surrounded by demolition. Inside, the ducks hang in the chimney behind a wood fire in a vestibule decorated with photos of the great, and maybe good, who have dined here.
Robin had an appointment with his tailor after lunch (first fitting for a dinner suit). We spent a pleasant but hot, half hour returning to Qiangmen, then Tiananmen, Robin's point of reference. From there we forayed uncertainly, with some backtracking, until, forty minutes later, we found ourselves at the tailors', about five minutes walk North of Li Qun.
No fusty Saville Row tailors in Beijing. Robin was attended by a young beauty, adjusting the fall of the trousers, and the lines of the still one-armed jacket.
Back at the apartment I had a haircut at the barber nearby - no fusty barbers either. Wash and cut, including vigorous massage of scalp and neck, for about £1.60.
