Fun things to do in Beijing?

[grawrt]

Hey guys, I just finished my last final for the semester *woohoo*. I won't be leaving Beijing until Sunday, I was wondering if you guys had any advice for cool places to visit. Feel free to list a ton because I'll be returning in the Spring

 

My plan so far was to check out some of the hutongs and return to my favorite place in Beijing (lama temple <3), but I thought I'd ask ask if there were any other places of interest.

 

Thanks!

 

P.S~ Any gift ideas to bring back home?

[Huina]

The hutongs south of 前门 are pretty neat. Veer off the tourist alleys and see some cool stuff!

[roddy]

I used to enjoy second-tier tourist sites. There are bell and stone carving museums (both in nice old temple complexes). The Beijing Running Water Museum makes for a quirky hour or two. If you fancy some long bus rides or hiring a taxi for the day, there are tank and aviation museums out north of the city. 

[ChTTay]

1. If the weather is nice and there is a blue sky I recommend going out to Ba Da Chu 八大处. Read more here or here.

 

It's a mountain on the outskirts of Beijing that includes some working monestaries. You can walk up a fair way and can get an awesome view on a clear day. If you don't feel like walking up or down there is a cable car. Also a 'luge' or toboggan if you want a more fun way to get down.

 

2. Stroll around Gulou, Andingmen and Yonghegong hutongs. You should also visit the Confuscious temple. It's a stones throw from Yonghegong but a lot less visited. It's very peaceful. There is also a museum attached that tells the story of Confuscious in a very accessible way.

 

3. The water/aquatic part of Beijing zoo. I have been to Beijin zoo and I'm not that much of a fan. However, I hear the waterworld within the Zoo is pretty good. It's not cheap though at around 150-200 kuai.

 

4. 'The Today Museum' is a privately owned art museum near Shuangjing. It often has interesting photography and art exhibitions on.

 

5. Jingshan park. This is the one that overlooks the forbidden citiy. Apart from that peak, its a very nice park with a lot of stuff going on. There was a live band there last week when I went. Just a bunch of old men who came out to jam together with brass intruments... even brought drums.

[ChTTay]

As for gifts ... hard to say as I don't know you or who you are buying for.

 

My friends who want 'tacky' stuff usually head to Nanluoguxiang for some t-shirts, mugs etc.

 

I've brought back a load of tea for various people I know will actually drink it.

 

You could seek out some ridiculous English language t-shirts in the cheaper Chinese malls and give them as funny gits. My friend once saw a girl wearing "Keep calm and F@@@ British Boys" on her t-shirt. He took a photo then tried to explain why... he asked her if she knew what her t-shirt meant... didn't have the heart to tell her.

[Johnny20270]

I like taoranting park, tourist free and nice park. Nothing particularly special but nice to stroll around. Sanlitun is to be avoided in my view

 

798 is nice actually, bit touristy but not so bad. Been there 3 times now, never once been hassled by anyone.

[Lu]

The Temple of Heaven is great, and the park around it too. When I was there, there were tons of people singing, dancing, playing instruments etc.

Also nice and quiet is 地坛. Nothing much to do there usually, but it's a pleasant park. More interesting and also pleasant is Song Qingling's old residence, near Houhai. Also near Houhai but not nearly as quiet is Prince Gong's palace. (It's been years since I've been at those two places, so it might not be as quiet/interesting/etc now.) It's said the garden in the 红楼梦 is modeled after Prince Gong's. There is another garden, modeled after the 红楼梦 garden in turn, but I'm afraid I forgot the name.

[Angelina]

There is another garden, modeled after the 红楼梦 garden in turn, but I'm afraid I forgot the name.

 

Daguan Park 北京大观园 

 

 

Also, the Beijing Botanical Garden has a part build in memory of the author of 红楼梦.  You can have a 红楼梦 week. 

[grawrt]

Thanks so much everyone!!!

I've been to the confuscious temple, I really enjoyed it. Jingshan was also gorgeous when I went back in March. It really has a breathtaking view of the forbidden city. I also liked Temple of Heaven when I went.

I can't remember if I've gone to the bell tower or not. I just remember there was this park that was divided by the elements. Does anyone know what the name of that park is? It was supposed to be by the bell tower, but I think I got lost somewhere and ended up in this random park,

[Angelina]

Look for 曹雪芹纪念馆 at 北京植物园 for a full 红楼梦 experience. 

[ChTTay]

You should go to ba da chu 八大处

[grawrt]

I'm planning it It looks like fun! I hope the pollution clears up in the next few days.

[ChTTay]

I forgot to add, it's pretty easy to get to Badachu. It might be worth recruiting some others to go with you though as it can sometimes be easier to take a taxi part of the way.

 

When I went, I took the subway down to line 1 (bajiao amusement park), met a friend and then took a black cab. Split between 3 it cost 30kuai and took about 15-20 minutes. You can also take bus 598 (quickest according to Baidu), 958 or 972. However, if you go to pingguoyuan (the end of line 1) you can take 972 of 958 to Badachu.

 

If you are with friends, it is probably easier and a lot nicer just to take a black cab or taxi there. The problem with being out to the west of line 1 is that there aren't so many official taxis around.

 

On the way back, we took a bus. The bus stop is located just 3-4 minutes round the corner from the park entrance.

 

When we went it was national day so the park was free to enter. I think normally it is just around 10yuan. There is a nice little trail that goes up a small stream/rivier that is nice to walk up. The mountain has some stalls on it that sell food (sweetcorn, junk food) and drinks. I would probably bring some snacks and drinks with you though.

 

Out of my group of 3 I was the only one who checked the weather forecast. It said rain. When it did rain, I was nice and dry while my friends who not so dry! I really enjoyed it though, even though it was raining and the taboggan was closed. In fact, the view was distorted by mist. Even then it was great. I'd ask to go with you if I wasn't working!

[Visual Chinese]

Go to Yuanming Yuan（圆明园）and try the ice chair（冰车）on the frozen lake! And if you get there after 5 p.m., the whole lake will be yours!

I really miss that!!

[hedwards]

I was going to recommend the Lama Temple, but I see you've already been there and liked it. Did you get the CD? Sadly mine was corrupted and I haven't been able to find a copy.

 

Anyways, I'd recommend the night market if you haven't already done that. There are definitely cheaper ones to go to than the one one Wanfujing, but I don't think most of the foods they serve there are indigenous to Beijing, or at least not the real fun ones. 

 

Also, make sure to go get some Beijing Duck if you haven't already, or more if you have. :-)

 

I'm tempted to recommend Beihai park even though I haven't been there, purely because my text book seemed to be rather obsessed with it.

[Johnny20270]

I'm tempted to recommend Beihai park even though I haven't been there, purely because my text book seemed to be rather obsessed with it.

 

 

 

lol as is mine, Its one of those things you do and go "right, thats done, whats next"

 

Same with the 长城. Tour buses on mass seem to go to the one or two spots. My friend took me to two other areas that were relative quiet and you could walk along the non-reconstructed parts of it. Was great. Qinghuangdao is another great place to see the wall but I have never seen it mentioned anywhere

 

Let us know how you get on at 八大处. Its on my todo list as soon as the weather becomes warmer

[ChTTay]

I've been to Beihai and didn't think it was that great. It didn't have any of the interesting 'stuff' that usually goes on in 'parks'. It might have just been the time and day I went though. I think it might indeed be one of those places you just tick off your list. We essentially just took a walk around the lake which was nice enough... then we left. Maybe I was missing something?!

[roddy]

Quite possibly - we happened across

one day. If you can't see the youtube link look for 北海 红歌 videos on one of the Chinese sites. 

 

For parklife it helps to be there early - the old folk wake up early, head to the park for a bit of fun and exercise for an hour or two, then head back via the market for lunch and a nap. 

[Johnny20270]

Quite possibly - we happened across this one day. If you can't see the youtube link look for 北海 红歌 videos on one of the Chinese sites. 

 

 

Or every Friday night accross the road from shuangjing metro station

[Angelina]

No wonder morning rave culture (Daybreaker/Morning Gloryville http://mashable.com/2014/10/24/the-early-morning-sober-rave/) hasn't reached China. They already have morning raves.