Arctic Ocean
Beibingyang is an orange-flavored carbonated beverage widely enjoyed in Beijing, China. Since its introduction in the 1950s, it has become deeply rooted in everyday life and local culture, known for its distinctive polar bear design and refreshing taste. Recognized as a representative local drink of Beijing, it remains popular among many people today.
- Taste Rating
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It tastes similar to Orange Fanta, but the carbonation is quite unique, with fine bubbles fizzing and swelling in the mouth. It's not too sweet, with a hint of citrus bitterness, resulting in a perfectly balanced drink that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
- Price
- 6 Yuan Renminbi
- Meal Date
- 9/20/2025
- Food Travel Log
- Beijing’s local drink "Beibingyang"—just one gulp, and the fine fizz of the carbonation instantly won me over. The bittersweet citrus aftertaste lingered pleasantly on my tongue. I’m sure it’s a special beverage that holds a lot of meaning for people in Beijing. I have fond memories of drinks like Kirin Guarana and Katsugen myself, so perhaps, along with things like lamb, Beijing is a city that would really suit someone from Hokkaido like me.
AI Gourmet Analysis
Overview of Beibingyang (Arctic Ocean)
Beibingyang (Chinese: 北冰洋, English: Arctic Ocean) is a carbonated soft drink that is widely popular in Beijing, People's Republic of China. Its distinctive packaging design features an illustration of a polar bear, making it well-known as a local beverage in Beijing and other northern Chinese cities. The name is also rendered as "Arctic Ocean soda" in English, and it is characterized by a refreshing orange flavor.
History
Beibingyang was established in 1951 in Beijing by the Beijing Food Company Beibingyang Beverage Branch (now Beibingyang Beverage Co., Ltd.). Initially, it operated as one of the few carbonated beverage manufacturers in China. Before the Reform and Opening-up, it was produced and distributed under a state-owned enterprise system and became a familiar part of daily life for the people of Beijing. Although production was temporarily halted in 1994, it made a comeback in 2011 as a revival version, regaining its presence in the market while maintaining its longstanding brand image. According to official statements from the company, it has a deep connection with the nostalgia and identity of local Beijingers and people from northern China, and continues to be loved across generations.
Main Features and Production Method
The most prominent feature of Beibingyang is that it is a bright orange carbonated beverage. Its ingredients include purified water, sugar, orange juice, and food additives (such as citric acid and carbon dioxide). It has a rich citrus aroma, and the taste is refreshing with a slight bitterness as an accent. The carbonation consists of fine bubbles, creating a pleasant mouthfeel, and it is praised for its well-balanced combination of moderate sweetness and refreshing quality.
A key feature in the production process is the infusion of carbon dioxide under high pressure during bottling, resulting in a delicate and long-lasting effervescence. The blend of orange flavor and juice is carefully adjusted to create a unique taste that sets it apart from other similar carbonated drinks. While plastic bottles and cans are now available, the classic glass-bottled version remains popular for its vintage feel and is often purchased as a souvenir or retro product.
Cultural Significance and Regional Characteristics
Beibingyang is also recognized as a symbol of retro culture in Chinese urban areas. Whenever there is talk of “local beverages” in Beijing, this drink is almost always mentioned, and for local residents, it is a nostalgic symbol strongly associated with childhood and family gatherings. According to local media and residents’ testimonies, Beibingyang is said to be “an essential part of summer in Beijing,” and is offered not only in restaurants but also at tourist spots (particularly on traditional streets like Qianmen Dajie).
Since the 2010s, a renewed boom has led to reevaluation of Beibingyang in Chinese communities both inside and outside China, and many people from Beijing pick it up out of nostalgia. Additionally, it has been used as an ingredient for creative drinks at retro-themed cafes and youth-oriented shops in Beijing.
Local Sales and Experience in Beijing
Beibingyang can be easily purchased not only in large supermarkets, convenience stores, and restaurants in Beijing, but also from street stalls and vending machines at famous sightseeing spots and old traditional streets. On historic thoroughfares like Qianmen Dajie, the retro bottle that blends in with the scenery has become a part of the local tourist experience. For visitors to Beijing, it is truly one of the must-try local specialty beverages.
Similar Beverages Around the World
Citrus-based carbonated drinks similar to Beibingyang exist worldwide, with well-known examples including Japan's "Orange Fanta," South America's "Inca Kola," and America's "Sunkist." However, Beibingyang’s distinctive bitterness, effervescence, and strong regional flavor give it a unique identity even from an international perspective. In recent years, it has become available in overseas Chinese grocery stores, and its recognition has been growing alongside the spread of Beijing culture.
Summary
Beibingyang has long been a beloved traditional beverage among many Beijingers and those from Beijing, and it stands as a symbolic presence in the city’s history and culture. Its unique aroma and effervescence exemplify one aspect of Chinese carbonated beverage culture, and as a representative drink brand of Beijing, it continues to evolve today.