3 Bakeries Near The Beijing Language and Culture University

Golden Phoenix bakery, Wudaokou

In this post I'm going to look at three popular bakeries near the Beijing Language and Culture University. Each is slightly different from the next, but there are many similarities between them all.

For anyone that is missing some western style snacks from home, this is a good and cheap way of getting a bit of variety from the usual Chinese cuisine you may be used to living in Beijing.

All three bakeries are located in Wudaokou, only a short walk from BLCU. I hope you enjoy the post!

1. Golden Phoenix

Golden Phoenix is located in Wudoakou. From BLCU, take a right out of the southwest gate and head towards the subway station. On your left you will pass the U-Centre and on your right is a cinema (which only shows Chinese movies, I believe).

Continue straight on and under the subway bridge. Here you will come to a crossroads which you should pass through. To your left is now the Hauqing Jiayuan apartment complex and at the end of this road on the same side you can find the Golden Pheonix bakery. Nearby is a Mcdonald's, so keep an eye out for that if you're not sure.

This is the cheapest bakery I came across during my time in Beijing. For example, you can buy a box of eight fresh croissants for only 10 RMB. If that's not good value, I don't know what is. Large baguettes are also only 6 RMB.

They sell a variety of western style snacks, both savoury and sweet. Then there are also Chinese style cakes (lots of cream and fruit). I would say the choice and variety is pretty good, probably better than some of the other bakeries in fact.

The downside to this bakery is that there is a very limited seating area (up some spiral stairs on the second level that overlooks the shop foor). It's more a place to take away from.

2. Tous Les Jours

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Take the same directions as I gave for Golden Phoenix bakery, but when you come to the crossroads past the Wudaokou subway station, you will see it sitting in a square to your right. There is also a KFC outlet nearby.

Tous Les Jours comes across as being slightly more up-market than Golden Phoenix, perhaps on the same level as Paris Baguette.

The inside of the bakery looks much more like a cafe, with a great seating area similar to something you might expect in a Starbucks or coffee shop. There is also free wireless internet so people come here to relax with a drink and snack and browse the web.

Prices are a little more expensive than Golden Phoenix but still within most student's budget. The selection is perhaps also a little smaller but the general quality of the food is very high.

The garlic baguettes are delicious here, though maybe closer to 10 RMB and smaller than the ones at Golden Phoenix. Nonetheless, I would recommend them.

Tous Les Jours is definitely a place to come and spend some time relaxing with friends, but equally good for anyone who just wants to grab a quick snack or drink to take away.

3. Paris Baguette

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In 2011, Paris Baguette moved from the west side of the U-Centre building to a more prominent position at the front. As such, it's very easy to spot.

Take a right out of BLCU's southwest gate and before even getting to the Wudaokou subway station you will see the towering U-Centre on your left.

Paris Baguette used to be a personal favourite because of the amazing little cheesecakes they sell. In fact, they're not really like cold-set cheesecakes, more like sponge, and come in a few different flavours, including plain, mango and chocolate. I think they're around 15 RMB but could be more as my memory is getting worse the longer I've been away from BLCU.

Like Tous Les Jours, Paris Baguette offers a good seating area and free wireless internet access. It's a nice environment to come with some friends, order a drink and a few snacks and just relax.

Here you can also buy really nice and well priced cinnamon buns, as well as a range of other sweet and savoury snacks. Again, like all bakeries you can also purchase big cakes for special occasions such as birthdays, though they can be pricey (easily over 100 RMB).

There is a good range of drinks, both hot and cold, including coffee and tea. I think you can even get bubble tea here and other popular sweet asian drinks. Sorry I can't remember specific details. I should have really written this post when I was still living in Beijing!

Other bakeries

There are a few other bakeries that I haven't mentioned so far in the BLCU area. One is by the chaoshifa supermarket on the southeast corner of campus (though obviously outside the university walls).

If you take a right turn out of the east gate you will soon come to a strip of restaurants on your right, including a Beijing Noodles outlet, a KFC and a popular student Japanese restaurant. There is also a Chinese pharmacy at the very end.

I think it's quite similar to Golden Phoenix in that there isn't any seating from what I remember. It's a good place to pick up some sliced western style bread in a variety of styles (wholegrain, white, etc.) and is in a convenient location being so close to campus.

Then there is also another bakery just in the car park opposite the U-Centre that I've already mentioned in Wudaokou. I can't remember if it's actually a Golden Phoenix chain or just a private bakery, but it's another good one to check out. Limited seating but good prices. Excellent pizza snacks with generous toppings.

Do you have any thoughts to add? What is your favourite bakery in the BLCU area? Have I missed anything out? Please leave your comments and questions in the comments section below.

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