Roving RNW reporter Sigrid Deters presents a video report on a new weekend activity enjoyed by some of Beijing's upwardly mobile twenty-somethings, and also reports on changes in the Chinese capital's bar scene.

During the Olympic Games of 2008, the bars and cafes of host city Beijing were full with partying foreigners. Since the Olympic visitors have left it's the local Chinese who have taken over the city's nightspots.

My own favourite bar in one of Beijing's Hutongs (a traditional neighbourhood made up of tiny alleyways) is packed to the ceiling. But not, as was once the case, with foreign students, journalists or tourists who've strayed off the beaten track. No, now it's hip, young local Chinese who are in the majority. A majority which is above all, as is customary in China, very noisy.

Definite opinions
Susan, the Chinese owner of the Pass By Bar looks a little lost amid the crowd. "Of course I am pleased with the new customers. Without them we'd have been hit by the credit crisis, too, because many foreigners have had to leave the city. The atmosphere has changed. I often used to chat with the regulars before, but I don't know anyone at all from the new crowd."

The waiter is summoned loudly by someone at a table occupied by group of five young women. They want to pay their bill, but also complain about a salad which, one of the girls claims, was simply 'inedible'. That comment is, according to bar-owner Susan, typical of the new generation of young Chinese: "They've all got firm opinions and aren't easily satisfied. However, they spend money like it's going out of fashion."

As the waiter walks off to fetch their bill, the girls start giggling again. "We've all come out together as a group for the first time," 17-year-old Miao explains. "This bar is famous throughout all of China, that's why we wanted to come and check it out for ourselves."

Olympic Games
Susan has an explanation for her bar's sudden popularity. "This hutong became the local government's showpiece. This particular alley underwent a dramatic makeover, with boutiques, souvenir shops and even more restaurants and bars moving into the new hutong buildings. There's been so much publicity about this 'authentic' hutong, that now everyone in China has heard of it."

Furthermore, the young generation has plenty of money. "They're used to spending it on going out. That's something we didn't do", says thirty-something Susan.

Alternatives
However, as our accompanying video (above) reveals, many young and upwardly mobile Chinese are also looking for alternative ways to spend their leisure time... but can the countryside really count as a Hot Spot?