A Walk From Ri Tan Park to Sanlitun
Morning
The American-style diner Steak and Eggs (5 Xiushui Jie), which is behind the Friendship Store, opens for pancake-platter breakfasts at 7:30am. Well fed, head north up embassy-lined Jianhua Lu to enter Ri Tan Park via the south gate. This is one of the city's best parks, with an old sacrificial altar, a rockery, and a small lake with the waterside Stone Boat cafe. Exit via the west gate onto Ritan Lu, which is lined by shops with signs in Cyrillic. This area is Yabao Lu, Beijing's Russian neighborhood. Walk north to Aliens Street Market, a twostory jumble of cheap clothing, shoes, and cosmetics. Continue on to the next major junction and turn right on to busy Chaoyang Men Wai Dajie, lined with malls and the Dong Yue Miao temple.
Afternoon
Departing the temple, turn left and then take the second left into Gongren Lu. This takes you up to a park with a lake and then the Workers' Stadium. Circle the stadium to exit via the north gate onto Gongren Tiyuchang Bei Lu. Head east until you come to a foot bridge, which allows you to cross this eight-lane boulevard safely. It deposits you in front of Yaxiu Market for more bargain shopping. Continue east until Sanlitun Bei Lu, the heart of the city's entertainment district: bars The Tree and Bookworm, plus restaurant Alameda are all just a few minute's walk from here.
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