After the National Day last year, we stayed near Qianmen to watch the flag-raising ceremony in Tiananmen Square. On the night of arrival, we had some snacks nearby. It was the first time I tried Beijing Bean Juice just so that it wouldn’t taste too strong when eaten braised. Because, compared with bean juice, the flavor of braised soup is a bit insignificant.

The place where you can eat braised pork is very close to the Qingyunge Hotel where you are staying. Qingyun Pavilion is located at No. 33 Dashilan West Street, Qianmen, Beijing. It has a history of more than 200 years and was renovated in 1905. It is a typical sedan-shaped building with three floors and a horse racing gallery in the atrium.

Qingyun Pavilion was the first of the four major shopping malls in Beijing at the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China. Billiards, a fashionable sport, had been introduced to Qingyun Pavilion at that time for the entertainment of dignitaries. Many well-known scholars such as Lu Xun, Zhou Zuoren, Chen Bainian, Liu Shuya, Zhu Tixian, Shen Shiyuan, Shen Yinmo, Liu Bannong, Qian Xuantong, Ma Youyu, and many historical celebrities such as Kang Youwei, Tan Sitong, Liang Qichao, Liang Shiqiu, etc. often come here to drink tea, meet friends, and have a drink. Talk, think about literature and enjoy music.

In Qingyun Pavilion, many historical and cultural celebrities have left their footprints, but they have all become history. However, Mr. Lu Xun is still the most significant cultural business card of the store. Walking into this quaint, dim and slightly gloomy old building, you can see the imprint of Lu Xun. In the corridor, old black and white photos can be seen everywhere, and the main character in the photos remains Lu Xun. Even if there are old photos of other celebrities, they can only be displayed because they took the spotlight from Lu Xun - taking photos with Lu Xun.

This old house, a quiet place amidst the bustle, was designated as a cultural relic protection unit in Xicheng District in 2009. The marble inscription also emphasizes that Lu Xun once met friends here. The long list of names mentioned above will only appear as supporting characters on the cultural wall created by the hotel operator.

According to people who have studied Lu Xun’s diaries, in the ten years from 1912 to 1922, Lu Xun went to Qingyun Pavilion to drink tea, shop, meet friends, and have meals as many as thirty-four times.

Chen Lianhen, a scholar during the Republic of China, gave an accurate description of Qingyun Pavilion in his "Jinghua Spring Dream Record": "... Qingyun Pavilion's Jade Pot Spring. Xiaoxuan has several couplets and its location. Elegant and elegant, there are several chairs with sandalwood and various rows of tripods and Yi. The setting sun is about to set, and the seats are always full of guests. They sit down and enjoy the tea, and the tea leaves are Biluo, Longjing, Wuyi, and Xiangpian. If desired. Served with melon cake, sugar beans, small plates of dried fruits, peeled and chewed carefully, the taste is all right. Chicken dumplings, sugar-oil buns, fried spring rolls, crystal cakes, first-class yam, soup sticks, three fresh noodles, etc. are all delicious. If you see a rope, you will also be eager to get rid of it. If the person is shy, the value of the money will be low. If you are too busy, you will be full."

However, Lu Xun loved Yuhuchun’s spring rolls, shrimp noodles and other famous dishes. Unfortunately, because I didn’t do enough homework on this trip to Beijing, I accidentally bumped into the big fence at the front door and stayed at Qingyun Pavilion, but I didn’t try out the food in this commercial street that integrates food, tourism, and culture. Lu Xun’s favorite snack.

Lu Xun, who was a friend, put away his spear and dagger and became Lu Xun, a foodie. He must be very cute. It's a pity that there were no smart phones or WeChat Moments in that era. Otherwise, maybe we could still find a photo of Lu Xun without a straight face.

In any case, Qingyun Pavilion should be an important place for Lu Xun’s soul to relax in his life. The years in Beijing were also the time when he was least lonely and the most comfortable in his career and life!