A Tour of ‘The New Beijing’

It seems like a lifetime ago, but when I first moved to Beijing in 2006, I came as a student to study Mandarin at World Link Education.  Back in those days, everything was all play and stress-free – ah, the life as a student.  My crew’s regular hangout spot was Together Bar (which was recently demolished this summer and replaced with a park) and our regular party spots included none other than Babyface, Cargo, Bar Blu, Kai Bar, Suzie Wong’s and Vics (before the re-model).

Since then, so much has changed in Beijing pre and post the 2008 Olympics.

This October holiday, my best friend from World Link, Sophia Gericke came back to visit for 10 days – a visit that has been both refreshing and eye-opening.  It’s so easy to get caught up in all the small things and forget to see the big picture.  It’s hard to imagine that only a year ago, there was no Sanlitun Village, there was no Opposite House, no Bling, no Solana, no Legation Quarter, etc. etc.

With Sophia back in Beijing after a 3 years, I wanted her to experience the best of what I like to call, ‘The New Beijing’.

Having already lived in Beijing, Sophia had no interest in seeing any tourist attractions, so I was able to really give her a taste of Beijing’s new and improved dining and nightlife scene.

Here’s what the 10 day tour consisted of:

1. Sanlitun Village (Hatsune, Karaiya, Blue Frog for drinks, Panino Teca)
2. Opposite House (Alan’s Hotel Party in one of the suites, Mesh & Punk)
3. Solana (All-Star & Bling)
4. Legation Quarter Tour & dinner @ Capital M (Qianmen Pedestrian Street)
5. Park Hyatt’s Xiu
6. Olympic Green (complete with attending the Turandot Opera in Bird’s Nest)
7. 1949-The Hidden City: Club Décolleté, Club Glen, Sugar Cafe, Well Bar
8. Scarlett (Hotel G)
9. Glen Boutique Bar & Oden
10. d lounge
    

    Keep it Gangsta Party @ BLING

11. Vics (renovated)
12. Block 8‘s Ruby Khi (renovated)
13. Suzie Wong’s (unchanged)
14. Chocolate Club
15. Vineyard Cafe (best Sunday brunch)
16. Chef Too (Sunday brunch)
17. Regency Taipan (massage)
18. PurpleJade Country Club (spa)

About LumDimSum

This is me, Kristen Lum, on the Job at Bling. May 2009

About LumDimSum:

First and foremost, let me explain what LumDimSum is all about. Don’t be fooled by my name, this is not a blog about DimSum (although I am a HUGE fan) and it is not limited to discussions about dining in Beijing.
I decided to create LumDimSum to share my experiences (both personal and work related) with family & friends abroad, along with anyone interested in the life I live as a PR socialite in Beijing. as a newly graduated, ABC living in Beijing, my life has taken off on a path of its own and my goals and aspirations have morphed, grown, and leapt in ways I never expected or imagined.

Having lived in China for the past three years, my life and career goals have taken off like a roller coaster. I originally came to Beijing as a student at a private Language Program and within just two years, I’ve since planned the wedding of the year, hosted two restaurant openings, and managed the PR, Marketing and Media for Beijing’s top nightlife and dining destinations: Block8, BLING, LAN Club, the Hatsune Restaurant Group, just to name a few.
LumDimSum not only recaps some unique experiences and thoughts on my daily life in Beijing but also serves as a platform for me to discuss my personal opinions on Beijing nightlife and dining along with the inside scoop on my work and the venues I represent. Shameless self-promotion aside, I hope that LumDimSum will provide valuable insight and tips to Beijing’s hot spots and top upcoming events around town.

Contact Info:
E-mail: lum.kristen (at) gmail.com

Dantas Rock

Facebook: Kristen S. Lum
Twitter: kristenslum

My CV: Served in DimSum Portions

Kristen Stacy Lum 林斯瑶
Sierra Oaks Elementary School (1990-1996)
Arden Middle School (1996-1998)
Rio Americano High School (1998-2002)
University of California, Santa Barbara (2002-2006)

Beijing (2006-2009)
World Link Education (Sept. 2006- Feb.2007)

Eastwei PR (Feb. 2007- July 2007)

American Chamber of Commerce-China (Jan. 2008-July 2008)

Block 8 – Director of Communications & Public Relations (Jan. 2008-Oct. 2008)
Hatsune Restaurant Group – Director of Marketing & Media (Oct. 2008-Present)
Alchemy Consultancy – Director of Media, Marketing & Communications (March 2008-June 2009)
*All-Star & Bling – PR Consultant to Director of Communications (June 2008-Present)
*Domus – PR Consultant (July 2008-January 2009)
*Cabaret, Shanghai – PR Consultant (October 2008-January 2009)
*Lantung Thai Bar + Bistro – PR Consultant to Event Planner (February 2009-Present)
*LAN Club Beijing & Shanghai – PR Consultant (February 2009-April 2009)

Wedding Planner for Alan & Hannah Wong (May 2009-June 2009)

*candy&caviar – Director of Media, Marketing and Communications/Honorary Chairman (June 2009-Present)

*Glen Group – Media, PR Consultant (September 2009-Present)

*Purple Jade Country Club – Consultant (September 2009-Present)

(*) Current Projects