As the center of the Chinese empire for some 600 years, Beijing has a rich tradition of Imperial cuisine. Fangshan Restaurant (1 Wenjin Jie, Xicheng District) inside the east gate of Beihai Park was started in the 1920s by former palace chefs. Go there for dishes derived from the legendary Man-Han banquet, including exotica like stewed camel's hump; the Empress Dowager Cixi's favorite sesame buns stuffed with minced pork; and wan dou huang, a sweet made from dried peas and sugar.