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Nightlife Spot: The Oriental Pearl
During my first visit in Beijing, I was unexpectedly introduced to the tradition of the Chinese hostess club. Passing an unsigned non-descript building in Wangfujing district, a beautiful Chinese woman in a black dress ushered me over her way. As she led me into the building I realized I had no clue where she was taking me, but she was gorgeous so I didn't really care. She put me into an elevator and sent me up to the 4th floor. When the doors opened up, I saw a large group of incredibly beautiful Chinese girls, wearing shimmering gold dresses, cut at the mid-thigh like a mini-skirt. A host guided me into the club, which I found out was called the 'Oriental Pearl'. Part nightclub, part cabaret, part bordello, it was a nocturnal playground for bureaucrats, foreign businessmen and the like. I perused the drinks list and selected a Long Island Ice Tea. Not sure what they brought me, but it didn't taste a damn thing like a Long Island. I gradually consumed the strong syrupy concoction while enjoying a series of Chinese karaoke ballads sung by beautiful Chinese girls. Then, some professional dancers came out with a guy that was a singer, and did a few numbers (seen in photo here). After that, people started taking the dance floor, similar to how you would see in a Western style disco club, although the Chinese dance style is much more modest and restrained. Eventually, my waiter came up and asked me if I wanted to pay 200 yuan to have one of the lovely girls in the gold dresses come and join me at my table. I declined, being unaccustomed to paying for the privilege of sitting with someone. Realizing the whole spectacle was just a cover for a prostitution racket, I left the Oriental Pearl, wondering why heaven on earth always came with a high price tag.
Years later, I don't think this club still exists, but this should give you an idea of what hostess clubs are all about...
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Theme: Other
Directions: Wangfujing street, within a couple blocks of the Crowne Plaza.
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craic Wed Dec 5, 2007 02:06 UTC
marvellous stuff | la_beba Tue Sep 18, 2007 04:32 UTC
Good point! ;o) | TheWanderingCamel Mon Feb 27, 2006 08:06 UTC
Fascinating city - I was there too in 02 - I wonder what changes we'd see from that time to now. Cheers - leyle | VeronicaG Mon Dec 5, 2005 01:34 UTC
I liked the Temple of Heaven--it was interesting architecturally. The photo opportunity was well taken! |
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on Sep 27, 2006
