Take a Bite Out of This Year's Trendiest Ice Cream Bars

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As the mercury continues to soar in the capital, Beijingers find solace in a refreshing tradition — ice cream bars. This year, "文创雪糕," Wén chuàng xuěgāo, or popsicles inspired by scenic locales like parks and museums, are once again in vogue. The trend traces its origins back to 2016, when Yuyuantan Park introduced its inaugural cherry blossom-themed ice cream bar.

These bars, featuring iconic landmarks, quickly became more than just a tasty treat. They offered an opportunity for social media savvy locals and tourists to showcase their explorations of Beijing's renowned sites. The trend rapidly evolved into a summer bucket list essential, making these treats a sought-after symbol of one's Beijing adventures.

To help you partake in this flavorful trend, we've compiled a list of this year's most popular themed popsicles available in Beijing!

The Quirky Carrot Bar from Nanluoguxiang

This is one ice cream bar that truly stands out in a crowd. This frozen treat, known as 男萝 Nán luó, priced at RMB 15, not only shares a phonetic resemblance with the first two characters of Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷) but also has a playful meaning: male carrot. This is represented in its quirky carrot-shaped design. Despite its adorable appearance, there has been some chatter among netizens regarding its unconventional look. One commenter humorously observed, "It looks more like a lama's head than a carrot!" Yet, these amusing discussions have not deterred its popularity. In fact, it is one of the top popsicles to try for many visitors to .

The Exclusive CCTV-Themed Bars

CCTV has taken popsicle creativity to new heights this summer, with the introduction of various themed frozen treats, priced at RMB 38. Among these are a mango-flavored, microphone-shaped popsicle that's almost too adorable to eat, and a milk-flavored popsicle modeled after the iconic CCTV towers (CCTV Headquarters in the CBD and CCTV Tower near Yuyuantan). But securing these unique treats isn't easy, as they're available at the supermarket inside the . To get your hands on these exclusive popsicles, you might need some inside help. Reach out to your contacts or anyone working at CCTV who could bring you one during a lunch break visit.

Alternatively, you can get one from the (梅地亚中心 méidìyà zhōngxīn), conveniently situated less than 3 kilometers from the Central Television Tower.

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All Kinds of Ice Cream at Xiangshan Park

When talking about themed ice cream bars, is a must-mention. This park is home to four distinct types of themed popsicles. Two of these are modeled on the park's iconic smoke tree leaves: a green matcha-flavored variety and a red hawthorn-flavored one. The remaining two popsicles are just as special, with one bearing the endearing form of a squirrel and the other replicating Xiangshan's renowned Xianglu Peak -- the park's highest point. Many hikers can be seen triumphantly holding the Xianglu Peak popsicle, capturing selfies as a testament to their successful ascent.

Yuyuantan Park's Cherry Blossom-Themed Ice Cream

, the pioneer behind the themed ice cream trend, has been innovating with its cherry blossom-themed ice cream (RMB 35) for eight consecutive years. Each year sees a fresh twist in the form and design of this delightful dessert. This year's spring cherry ice cream features a marshmallow-esque flower shape that beckons you to take a bite.

Driverless Ice Cream Truck at 798

If you've recently visited the artistic hub of , you might have noticed a driverless vehicle selling ice cream. Encased in a paper box, the ice creams bear illustrations of Bauhaus style architecture. They offer two flavors (both RMB 25 each): a creamy milk cheese and a rich chocolate. If you're someone who savors sweet treats and has a penchant for cheese, then this dessert is likely to be a hit for you.

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Images: Red, Unsplash, Katie Coy

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