The Stone Boat Bar could hardly present more of a contrast to daily life in Beijing. It sits in the quiet southeast corner of Ritan Park, a few metres into the lake on a crafted stone platform. Windows overlook the manicured park gardens and the lake, which is edged by an outcrop of rocks. On a warm day, men perch on stools idly dangle fishing lines into the water as families stroll and pensioners practice tai chi. Find a more peaceful place for a drink in this city and you deserve an award.

Inside, the roof, crossbeams and windowsills are elegantly painted in traditional Chinese style an eye-catching display of red, gold, green and blue. The bar, which as the name suggests is designed to look like a boat, is split into three sections: a small seating area on the deck, a central lounge inside and a cosy cushioned top floor.

The atmosphere throughout is unquestionably relaxed. Jazz plays from the stereo system and teas rank ahead of beer, cocktails and spirits on the drink menu. The choice is extensive, from healing teas to teas with alcohol, all for around 50 yuan a pot. Beers range from the bog standard Tsingtao at 20 yuan a bottle to a more refined Erdinger Schwarzbier Black for 35 yuan. There is also a decent selection of wines, cocktails and spirits.

With a pint-sized kitchen squeezed between the bar and the wooden steps, it would be foolish to expect the food to be anything spectacular. But surely the chef could do better than serving up limp chicken and beef sandwiches on sickly sweet bread.

My hunch, however, is that people don't come to the Stone Boat for the food. China converts come to discuss obscure principles of Confucianism, linguists, and the art of combining multiple radicals while the rest of us sit back and soak it all up.

Stone Boat Bar
Location: Southeast corner of Ritan Park, Chaoyang District
Tel: 010-65019986