Buckingham Palace is one of Britain’s most recognizable edifices and landmarks. It features grandiose rooms, adorned with eye-catching fabrics, historical treasures, and Old Masters artwork.

It is one of the most visited tourist sites in the United Kingdom due to its opulence and famous occupants. The good news is that you can explore it without having to deal with large crowds through the palace’s virtual tour.

Enter Breathtaking Royal Rooms

1844 Room

This is one of the most important rooms in Buckingham Palace. It’s the area in which Her Majesty and other members of the royal family receive their distinguished guests. It features 19th-century blue and gold upholstered furnishings by Morel & Seddon, malachite candelabras, and a neoclassical desk made by renowned German cabinetmaker, David Roentgen. The room is closed to the public but you can experience it through the virtual tour.

Throne Room

In this room, you will discover the Chairs of Estate — the pair of thrones for Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Throne Room was designed by John Nash and features theatrical red curtains and sumptuous chandeliers.

Discover One of Buckingham’s Hidden Doors

White Drawing Room

The White Drawing Room is often used by Her Majesty during the recording of her annual Christmas message to her subjects. The area is also used to host small soirees, during which the Queen makes her entrance through a discretely hidden door that is disguised as a cabinet and a mirror.

It features a gilded piano by S & P Erard that was specially made for Queen Victoria. Above the fireplace, you will discover a pristine portrait of Queen Alexandra, wearing a small diamond crown. The bronze plinths in the room are topped by a pair of royal blue-and-gold dotted porcelain vases made by Sèrves.

The Buckingham Palace virtual tour is a truly memorable experience that will allow you to feel like royalty.

A common Chinese dish is braised pork belly cooked in brown sauce. It has a sweet and salty tang to it as it melts in your mouth. Hangzhou-style pork belly is typically served with a bowl of white rice or even some Man-Tau (steamed buns).

When cooking the pork belly, it’s crucial to note that the size of the pot shouldn’t be too big in terms of size. You should be able to place the pork belly in the pot without having to stack it, but there shouldn’t be extra space around the pork.

Ingredients for Hangzhou Braised Pork Belly

• 2 pounds of Pork Belly
• 8 slices of Ginger
• 3 bunches of Spring Onions
• 2 cups of Rice Wine
• 3 tablespoons of Dark Soy Sauce
• ¾ cups of Light Soy Sauce
• ½ cup of Rock Sugar
• 1 large Red Chili (optional)

Instructions for Cooking

1. Cooking Hangzhou-style pork belly starts by washing and blanching the pork belly in boiling water for about 3 minutes while making sure to remove any impurities. After 3 minutes, remove the pork belly and cut it into small cube-sized pieces (about 3×3-inches)
2. In a medium-sized saucepan, add the washed and cut spring onions (about 1.5-inches long) to the base of the pan so that it is covered entirely. On top, add the slices of ginger and optional chili pepper.
3. Add in the pork belly with the skin-side down, on top of the spring onions and the ginger. Pour in the rice wine and both soy causes. Sprinkle the rock sugar over the pork belly.
4. Put the pot on medium-high heat until the liquid starts boiling then reduce to low. Cover the pot with a lid and leave to simmer for 90 minutes.
5. Flip the pork belly pieces so that they are skin-side up in the pot and continue to simmer on low for an additional 90 minutes.
6. Serve the Hangzhou pork belly with white rice or steamed buns. You can also use scissors to cut the pork.