您吉祥

One of the most interesting experiences I've had to date in Beijing is dinner at 白家园，or "The Bai Family Courtyard". It is a historical site somehow involving the author of 红楼梦, or "The Dream of Red Mansions". I forget how it is connected.



The Entrance



The Family Poem

The entire place is decorated like a Qing Dynasty royal household, complete with lovely ladies dressed in cute Manchu costumes. The men were dressed in Qing soldier uniforms as well, but since they didn't interest me as much, I didn't take any photos of them. Everywhere we went, we were greeted with the traditional Manchu greeting "您吉祥" or "Good luck to you".



My Lovely Guide and I



Assembly of the Maids

The courtyard itself is lovely. Some historical artifacts have been lovingly restored, others replicated.



Bai Family Carriage



Chyrsanthemum Plot



The Courtyard proper.

The interior of the main dining hall is equally impressive.



Replica Throne



The Seats

The food is nothing to write home about. It's mostly typical Northern Chinese faire. I much prefer Southern Chinese cuisine like the kind we get in Singapore. Nevertheless, it was pleasant and the ambience sure made the dinner interesting.



The Spread

Did I mention the maids were extremely easy on the eye?