Surrounded by blood red walls, imposing gates and memories of a sacred past, the Forbidden City is at the heart of Beijing...well geographically and terrestrially at least. Forbidden no more, it is indeed a sight to behold, and let me tell you, thousands of visitors ceremoniously behold it each and every day. I was fortunate enough to arrive in the early morning and was able to seek out tantalising nooks and crannies otherwise hidden by the throngs of eager tourists. All aspersions aside, this palace complex abounds with majestic beauty and insights into the past, but for me, what is truly tantalising are the rooms and courtyards that remain locked...well forbidden really. Nothing electrifies the imagination more than thoughts of goings on behind locked gates and barred doorways labelled with "Entry Forbidden" signs. After pausing to contemplate that thought and a meditative stroll around the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, with a moment outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation for good measure, I found myself once again outside the massive walls, looking for somewhere to put my feet up and quench my thirst. As luck would have it, I stumbled across a real gem, a welcoming and comfortably padded salon of some refinement, tucked away behind some red doors in a small lane way. The perfect place to relax and slowly sip a refreshing Hoeng Kee Ng Sing; a delightfully elegant cocktail named after the Chinese flag with five stars because of its red colour. It is made using red wine, Fen Chiew (a fragrant sorghum based liquor) honey, orange juice and ice. A bit of a forbidden pleasure in itself so early in the day!
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