On hot days, there are few things better than sitting in an air-conditioned room and enjoying delicious, mouthwatering afternoon tea snacks. In this issue of the Changjiang Weekly, we will introduce readers to three great places to enjoy afternoon tea.

　　Weekend buffet with unlimited desserts

　　As one of the city's most luxurious hotels, Wanda Reign offers plush, regal furnishing and an atmosphere which is both quiet and peaceful. Here, customers can dine to the delightful sounds of the piano.

　　Every weekend, the lounge at Wanda Reign becomes a paradise for those with something of a sweet tooth. The afternoon tea buffet opens every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Customers who order the afternoon tea buffet package can enjoy unlimited desserts. There are a total of 16 different desserts available to choose from. Some traditional English afternoon tea snacks, such as tuna sandwiches, caramel bread pudding, and sherry trifles, are also on the list.

　　The scones served at this hotel are a must-try snack. They are cooked using traditional methods and served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. The flavor is surprisingly out of the ordinary. The chef creates spicy strawberry jam. It may sound crazy, but it is unbelievably good. With each bite, the sweetness of the strawberries is quickly followed by a burst of spiciness.

　　Restaurant: the lounge at Wanda Reign

　　Time: 2:00 P.M.-6:00 P.M., every Saturday and Sunday

　　Price: RMB 108 + a 15% serving fee

　　A mix of Western pastries & Chinese dim sum

　　A mix of Western pastries & Chinese dim sum

　　The Hyatt Regency Wuhan's sun-filled lobby is a tranquil space where customers can go to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. With its relaxing, Zen-like atmosphere, it is an ideal place for afternoon tea. In addition to the pleasing environment, the stunning treats are quite popular among local foodies.

　　In place of the typical three-tier tea stand, afternoon tea is served on two wooden trays. The menu, which features both Western pastries and Chinese dim sum, is different from the menus of most other similar establishments here in Wuhan.

　　Atop the wooden trays, 13 petite snacks form a mouthwatering assembly. Among the snacks are bite-sized tuna sandwiches, and shrimp dumplings. For dessert, customers can enjoy raspberry mousse, tiramisu, chocolate tarts, and éclairs.

　　The hotel's pastry chef is an expert when it comes to mousse. the raspberry mousse is heart shaped, and in each bite, you can experience the smooth, creamy flavors. The cream combines well with the raspberry jam to create an unforgettable sweet and sour concoction. This pastry is so tender that you can just about swallow it without chewing.

　　The Chinese savory shrimp dumplings have very thin, transparent wrappings; the wrappings are chewy, and each dumpling is packed with a whole shrimp, which means that customers can enjoy the delicious flavors of shrimp with each and every bite.

　　Restaurant: the lounge at Hyatt Regency Wuhan in Optics Valley

　　Time: 2:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M., every day

　　Price: RMB 188 + a 15% serving fee

　　Budget afternoon treat

　　Marquise is a tiny patisserie hidden away in the center of the city. It sits in an alley opposite Wuhan Plaza, next to the Wuhan Foreign Languages School. Marquise is a store famous for their adorably-shaped mousse and cheese selections. The bright colors are aesthetically appealing and attractive. The iconic Passion Fruit Sherlock is a popsicle-like mousse cake; it is coated with appetizing passion fruit ganache and filled with creamy vanilla bavarois. The matcha mousse cakes are designed to resemble leaves; customers can taste the refreshing green tea with each bite.

　　Marquise also serves classic macaroon. The macaroon shell is tender yet chewy, and customers can actually taste the unique almond flavor. The smooth, creamy filling moistens the shell, reducing its overall sweetness and creating a perfect flavor balance.

　　Compared to the afternoon tea served at many other hotels, the prices at Marquise are much more reasonable. People can enjoy sweet treats for around RMB 50. People interested in the full afternoon tea experience should visit Marquise's branch store in Jinhe Shijia Community.

　　Restaurant: Marquise

　　Time: 11:00 A.M.-9:00 P.M.

　　Price: around RMB 40