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Cool things to do in Beijing


There’s more to China’s capital than just Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall. Here are other exciting ways to make the most of your time in the city.

Most travellers to Beijing make it a point to visit Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. While these cultural sites are certainly worth seeing, the city holds many more interesting attractions. We suggest you insert these in your itinerary:

Ride a tandem bike and have a cocktail at Houhai
Northwest of the Forbidden City is Houhai lake, an enchanting dining and entertainment hub surrounded by willow trees, old streets with rickshaws, charming hutongs (alleyways) and courtyard houses. In the last decade or so, hip cafes and bars started opening up in this once quiet area; today, it is home to more than 120 restaurants, bars and clubs.

Instead of paying tourist prices for a rickshaw ride, you can hire a bicycle. But if there are three of you, why not hop on a tandem bike? Rent one and explore Houhai and the nearby lakes of Qianhai and Xihai.

When the sun sets, Houhai also becomes a fairyland of lights. One of the best spots to enjoy the view over a cocktail is at the rooftop of the Tibetan-themed Tao Yao Bar.

See the sculptures in 798 Art District
If you love art, then the 798 Art District in Dashanzi, Chaoyang is something you shouldn’t miss. Formerly the site of East German and Chinese communist military factory buildings, the area developed into the Beijing equivalent of New York’s Greenwich Village in the mid-‘90s. Today, you’ll find many art galleries, artist studios, boutique shops and trendy cafes.

The area also looks like a bohemian amusement park thanks to brilliant graffiti – and the many bizarre and sometimes grotesque giant sculptures that make humourous and sometime serious socio-political statements. Beastly-looking strong men, giant babies sitting on military tanks, and bright red Buddhas are just some of the sculptural wonders you’ll see here – so be sure to bring your camera. There are also many cute cafes where you can enjoy a cappuccino and a sandwich in between gallery stops.

Get lost in the hutongs

Hutongs – the thousands of old alleyways that criss-cross the city like a chessboard – are the cultural and historical spine of Beijing. Thankfully, you can still experience the intricate beauty of these architectural gems today.

Many of the interesting ones were built during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, and can be found in the vicinity of the Forbidden City. Roaming through them will transport you back to city’s past, and is a beautiful way to spend the afternoon.

Some famous hutongs include Beixinqiao Hutong, which has more than 20 turns and is easy to get lost in; Qian Shi or Money Market Hutong, the narrowest; Dong Jiaomin Hutong, the longest; and Zhuan Ta Hutong, the oldest. The most visited hutong is Yan Dai Xie Jie or “slanted tobacco pipe street”, which is famous for its many pipe shops. There are also many teahouses and bars along Yan Dai Xie Jie, so you can always stop and rest if you get tired.

Watch a Beijing opera
The most complex and graceful of all the operas, Beijing operas began around 1790, during the reign of Qing Emperor Qianlong. An intricate art form that combines music, drama, dance, dialogue, mime, literature and martial arts, Beijing opera plays a big role in Chinese national culture. Never mind if you don’t understand the language – the magnificent and colourful embroidered costumes, dramatic makeup and hypnotic melodies are enough to keep you enthralled.

You can catch a performance at Liyuan Theatre and Zhengyici Theatre in the Xuanwu District, or Chang’an Grand Theatre in the Dongcheng District.