Bao’an Kingway Beer Gardens

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Many expats rarely venture out of central Futian, but for those willing to make the trek, a truly Chinese experience awaits outside the Xing Dong (兴东) metro station on the Huan Zhong (purple) line. Here, all the way out in Bao’an District, are the Bao’an Kingway Beer Gardens. There are no English speaking staff, no international beers and no Western food — indeed, there often are no Westerners present at all. 

The gardens are tucked in against the Bao’an Kingway brewery, where a huge marquee rests above the heads of hundreds of people sitting around large, circular tables overflowing with food. Amongst the throng, scores of white-shirted staff circulate with picture menus, ready to take orders to one of the myriad take-away restaurants ringing the arena. A pitcher of beer goes for 18RMB, a nice contrast to Coco Park prices that can reach 60 RMB per pitcher. Prices for food — oysters, noodles, chuan, street food, meat-sticks, and much more — are such that even the most indulgent of nights can leave customers with change from a 100-yuan note. 

For an adventure on a budget, this is the place to be.