Are you a fair weather friend? Or have you lived through Beijing in all seasons? Whether you’re a Newbie or an Old China Hand, take our One Minute Winter Quiz to test your knowledge – then challenge your friends! Email us your answers for the chance to win a prize. We’ll announce the winners on Facebook in January (and let the losers down gently…)
1: Berry-tastic
What’s the Chinese name of the sweet winter snack that’s so typically ‘Beijing’ it dates back to the 13th century? Clue: one of the Emperor’s concubines was said to have been cured of her fever after eating ten of these before every meal. Word spread and the masses have been eating them on skewers ever since….
2: Empress Dowager’s Frosty Reception
Which of Beijing’s major lakes (which was also modeled on Hangzhou’s famous West Lake) was originally made exclusively for royalty, but is now more popular with normal folk when it freezes over? (Clue: it’s the largest frozen lake in Asia too!)
3: The Gulou East Street Special
What on earth is going on in this video?
4: Vegetable Mountain
Which vegetable will you find piled high in their hundreds along roadsides every winter in the capital? Clue: a government campaign a few years ago claimed that eating these was ‘patriotic’ in a bid to avoid rotting stocks and health issues…
5: Drag Show
Why do we only see this woman when the temperature drops?
6: Pedal Power
One of the very best things to do in winter in Beijing is ice biking on Houhai. Doesn’t sound plausible, but you can indeed pedal a bike on this lake when it’s frozen and still live to tell the tale. True or false?
7. Dirty Delivery
What are these people hurrying to distribute?
8: An Icon Renamed
The Water Cube is going to turn into The Ice Cube in 2022, ready for the Winter Olympics, and will host all ice skating events. Without Googling: true or false?
9: Royal Duvet Day
Even the emperor used to have a hard time with Beijng’s winters. During the Ming dynasty, the all-important Winter Sacrifices at the Temple of Heaven would sometimes become ‘despatch ceremonies’ instead. In other words – the court employed a stand in to take the place of the emperor. True or false?
10: Tudou-tastic
What edible hand warmer is roasted in roving stoves made from oil drums and sold on street corners in winter?
How did you do? Email your answers to [email protected] and let us know! Love history and culture? You’ve come to the right place. Check out Bespoke’s Signature Beijing Experiences here.