It is not easy to find Mima Cafe.

Far from the madding crowd of the busy north 4th ring road, hidden behind a small parking lot near the east gate of the Winter Palace, the small cafe lies by a small river, and it is one of the most unique cafs in the capital.

Its owner and designer, Wang Hui, is one of the leading contemporary architects in China and this small place is where he experiments with his artwork.

At first sight, this is just simple farmhouse, a type rarely found in the city with a bamboo fence, walnut trees and a winding gravel road. Inside tables made of mirrors intersperse the courtyard, as cats skulk about on the edges.

Inside the caf proper, you are overwhelmed by the atmosphere, as white dominates the whole space and small triangular mirror tea tables reflect sunbeams in all directions. The bar counter consists of hundreds of books piled together.

But the most unique artwork of the space is the toilet standing alone in the courtyard. With a stainless steel shell, it has a glass ceiling that is also home to goldfish that pay little attention as you go through your motions.

"It was my dream to build a room with a transparent ceiling," reveals Wang who also designed a small terrace on the roof where customers can climb up to get a view of the Winter Palace in the sunshine. "I call this place Mima because it is a space with a mix and match of styles, where you can find traces of traditional countryside life, the view of the royal garden, and the impression of the post modern art. "

Location: north of the park lot, east gate of the Winter Palace, Haidian

[Beijing Weekend]