From belly dancing to full bellies at 1001 Nights

August 13, 2010

BEIJING, CHINA – The midriff-baring, hip-quaking moves of belly dance may have been considered too racy for mainstream Chinese culture even just a decade ago. But as the country has thawed to global influences in recent years, belly dance (along with other sultry foreign dance forms like flamenco) has been sweeping the nation as a women’s fitness craze and entertainment novelty. In Beijing, there’s perhaps no finer and extravagant an example of the trend than the wild floorshows at 1001 Nights restaurant.

The focal point of the palatial Middle Eastern eatery is the nightly belly dance show that starts at 8:00pm and doesn’t quit ’til 11:00pm. This is a boon if you’re more after the dazzle than the dining, but if you were thinking of a quiet meal, forget it unless you score a table on the terrace. Though the “Arabian palace” interiors with gilded ceilings make for sumptuous surrounds, it’s way too noisy inside for any type of conversation when the show is in full swing.

For those not as interested in undulating midsections, the leafy sidewalk terrace offers a welcome respite from the festivities indoors. Here, the sophisticated atmosphere is more relaxed, with hookahs on offer in the fresh air. Expats from nearby embassies and Middle Eastern transplants congregate on the patio to wile away warm evenings.

1001 Nights is most assuredly not all floorshow sparkle here. The critical mass of regular Middle Eastern customers is a testament to the fact that the food is actually authentic–some say the best of its kind in town. There are highlights to be had from a variety of national cuisines, but the bulk of the offerings are Lebanese and Syrian. Think delicious tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, and lamb kebabs. The plates brimming with meat, rice, vegetables, and freshly baked pita are an excellent value for the money. With a wide range of meat-free items on the menu, this is also an ideal spot for vegetarians.

And though the ladies on stage are gyrating in bejeweled bras and shimmy belts, you’ll do just fine in casual attire–I’d go with jeans or a skirt and a low-key trendy top. Trust me, after stuffing your belly with all the delicious Middle Eastern delicacies, you’ll want to leave midriff baring to the professionals.

Read more about 1001 Nights on our Beijing Guide.

1001 Nights (YiQian YiYe)
3 Gong Ti Bei Lu
Chaoyang, Beijing
(86) 010-6532-4050
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