Beijing’s Pakistani Connections

Posted on March 31, 2008
Filed Under >Owais Mughal, Travel
24 Comments
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Owais Mughal

Whenever we travel to a new country and we see any reference to Pakistan, it naturally catches our attention. Recently this ATP ka numaainda (representative) was in China. I saw following subtle references to Pakistan in Beijing.

(1) Whether we liked her or not; whether we agreed with her or not; the fact remains that she is the single most known person outside Pakistan. I was browsing in the book store of Guanghua School of Management at the Peking University when I found this Chinese edition of ‘Daughter of the East’. Price RMB 28. This was the only book related to Pakistan that I was able to find in that book store.

(2) While in China, do as Chinese do. I did that for 6 days. On seventh day the craving for Pakistani food became so strong that I went looking for a Pakistani restaurant in Beijing. A quick internet search revealed there was only one Pakistani restaurant in Beijing and of all the names in this world, it was called ‘The Mughal Beijing’. Following is its signboard.


The Mughal Beijing is located on Sunlitan Street . They serve ‘halal’ food (written twice on the signboard above to remove any lingering doubts) along with ‘Live Performance every Evening’. No details given on the signboard about the every evening live performances.

Well all my hardwork and hefty taxi fare that I paid to get there, came to a naught when I saw this notice board infront of the restaurant. I was so heartbroken that I called the number given on this board and talked to the owner. I was hoping the owner would invite me to his home for Pakistani food (Nihari and Bihari kabab) and I will reluctanty accept it but alas that didn’t happen. The owner told me they are reopening in one month from now in the same building and I should definitely come to taste their food. All I could say from my end was:

hum bhi muNh meiN zubaaN rakhtay haiN
kaash poocho ke zaaiqa kia hai

Next day we ate at the Ganges Indian restaurant which has 3 branches in Beijing. Good food and I recommend them if you are looking for desi food in Beijing.

(3)
The hotel we stayed in was showing this World Clock at their front desk. It just melted my heart right there. Now how many World clocks have you seen outside Pakistan which show PST on top. There are 8 other countries in the World which share the same time zone as Pakistan but the manufacturers of this World Clock chose to select Pakistan at the representative. Bravo. For this one gesture of friendship, I will recommend Red Wall Hotel to our readers if they visit Beijing. It is also conveniently located at a walking distance from the famous Forbidden City and Beihai Park.

(4) And of course Pakistan International Airlines is one of the many airlines that fly to Beijing. On March 26, 2008 Beijing has inaugurated a World Class Airport terminal (#3) for the Olympics. PIA however flies to the old terminal which is terminal 2 of Beijing Capital Airport.

24 responses to “Beijing’s Pakistani Connections”

  1. Hi All Pakistani Friends & Every one,

    Hope you will be fine and enjoying life in China; We are students of Donghua University; Shanghai and we had a competition last month where we represented Pakistan. Now online voting is going on Weibo.com; and we request you all to help us and find some time to vote for Pakistan on below link:

    http://weibo.com/dhuisa

    Just login with your email account and click on Pakistan stall picture and then send your vote, whenever you find some free time. Pakistan (巴基斯坦 ) is in Group -4 ; if you already not registered on this website than you need to first register using your email address. If you need any help about registration; than please write us on below email:
    mizagee@hotmail.com

    We shall be waiting for your help. xie xie :-)

    Pakistan Team
    Donghua University, Shanghai

  2. Qamar says:

    Dear all,

    am rescently in china and found a good place for dinning. Chianese food lovers can go to Nuiji Street and there is food court named Nuiji Muslim Food Court and Halal market to buy everything Halal. You can use Subway Line 4 at Caishikou Station.

    Just opposit to market u can fidn a 700 years old Mosque to visit and pray.

    Enjoy beijing trip with Halal Chinses Foods

  3. maroof says:

    I will be coming to Beijing before bakra eid, where shall I go for eid prayer and where and how and how much it takes for qurbani Bakra in beijing.

    What is the new ph number of pak restaurtant and how to get there from beijing hotel.
    I need to know in next 2 days otherwise i will leave the country.

  4. twitter Bradistancallin update

    Long live 60 years of Pak China friendship.Lollywood on CCTV English
    http://english.cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/200 90917/101629.shtml

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