Located in Shunyi (on Hegezhuang Village, Cuigezehuang Township) just on the outskirts of the cosmopolitan part of Beijing, The Orchard is something of a revelation– at least to me. I’ve had an entirely different perception of Beijing as a city and was not under the impression that a gem of an apple orchard (which reminded me of Sonia’s Garden in Tagaytay, Philippines) would exist. But of course, Beijing has not stopped surprising me and I now know why designer Jonathan Riss fell in love with the city.
The entrance to The Orchard was through a driving path (exactly for one car) lined with apple trees. And then a trellis with more greenery.
We met the owner of The Orchard who tells us that he’s been maintaining this beautiful place for nearly 11 years. He spoke impeccable English– as he said he was once married to an American lady.
The Orchard seems like a beautiful place for a Western style wedding banquet, for those who would rather not go the Chinese way.
The place has no shortage of charm. You will need more than just an hour of dining to enjoy the ambiance. Brunch, and then a lazy afternoon with friends or family– or both, over drinks are the order of the day.
The other outdoor area of The Orchard which is accessible through the restaurant left me in awe.
What an ideal place to regroup one’s thoughts and be re-inspired!
A pond of lotus flowers…
We all left feeling energized, and I promised myself that I would definitely come back to The Orchard again. Despite the heavy traffic on the way back, The Orchard was without question, worth the long trip!
x
TheBagHag