Guidebook for Beijing
Shopping
Sanlitun is Beijing's premier bar and restaurant area - the perfect place to chill out after a hard day's sightseeing!
19 locals recommend
三里屯太古里
19号 San Li Tun LuSanlitun is Beijing's premier bar and restaurant area - the perfect place to chill out after a hard day's sightseeing!
A traditional wet market holding on against the tide of modernity - fresh vegetables, fish, noodles, spices and cooking equipment piled high. Plus iPhone cases and all manner of plastic do-dads.
Yunnan Cross-bridge Rice Noodles (Tuanjiehu Dongli West)
A traditional wet market holding on against the tide of modernity - fresh vegetables, fish, noodles, spices and cooking equipment piled high. Plus iPhone cases and all manner of plastic do-dads.
Sightseeing
One of Beijing's finest temples - featuring a huge carved wooden Buddha, wafting incense and Tibetan monks
49 locals recommend
Lama Temple
12 Yong He Gong Da JieOne of Beijing's finest temples - featuring a huge carved wooden Buddha, wafting incense and Tibetan monks
A hidden gem of a museum - the best place in the city by far to see spectacular Shang bronzes and Buddhist carvings up close and beautifully displayed
New Poly Plaza
A hidden gem of a museum - the best place in the city by far to see spectacular Shang bronzes and Buddhist carvings up close and beautifully displayed
天安门
The iconic center of Beijing - an essential but exhausting place to visit!
Climb to the top of Jingshan hill for the best view in central Beijing
74 locals recommend
Jingshan Park (Jingshan Gongyuan)
44号 Jing Shan Xi JieClimb to the top of Jingshan hill for the best view in central Beijing
A large park where the Emperors spent the summers to escape the heat of the city - beautiful on a clear day
37 locals recommend
Summer Palace
19 Xin Jian Gong Men LuA large park where the Emperors spent the summers to escape the heat of the city - beautiful on a clear day
A large park that served as the hub for important harvest rituals in the time of China's Emperors
68 locals recommend
Temple of Heaven
1 Tian Tan Dong LuA large park that served as the hub for important harvest rituals in the time of China's Emperors
Worth a visit, but be prepared for major crowds - for a more relaxing experience avoid weekend afternoons and evenings.
112 locals recommend
Houhai Lake
Worth a visit, but be prepared for major crowds - for a more relaxing experience avoid weekend afternoons and evenings.
An ancient tower hosting the city's drums - once the major source of chronological rhythm for the city. Climb the steep steps for a superb drum performance every hour 9:30 to 4:30 (except 12:30).
19 locals recommend
Drum Tower
An ancient tower hosting the city's drums - once the major source of chronological rhythm for the city. Climb the steep steps for a superb drum performance every hour 9:30 to 4:30 (except 12:30).
Nanluoguxiang is often recommended as a place to experience the old hutongs and hip Chinese youth culture. Today unfortunately it is a jam-packed tourist-trap, with the exception of Great Leap Brewery
20 locals recommend
Nanluoguxiang station
Nanluoguxiang is often recommended as a place to experience the old hutongs and hip Chinese youth culture. Today unfortunately it is a jam-packed tourist-trap, with the exception of Great Leap Brewery
Everything Else
This peaceful park is where the real inhabitants of Beijing come to sing, dance and play their instruments in the morning - we love to walk here
13 locals recommend
Tuanjiehu Park
This peaceful park is where the real inhabitants of Beijing come to sing, dance and play their instruments in the morning - we love to walk here
Beijing Capital International Airport
Where you'll land (probably)
Guomao
Beijing's main business district
Essentials
A pretty decent international grocery store, just a couple of minutes from our apartment
Jenny Lou's Supermarket (Sun Park Branch)
A pretty decent international grocery store, just a couple of minutes from our apartment
Food Scene
A charming little coffee shop a couple of minutes walk from our apartment, run by some Australian friends
Parkview Tower
A charming little coffee shop a couple of minutes walk from our apartment, run by some Australian friends
Jiezuo Mansion
Xingfucun is another great place to wander around for drinks and something to eat
Many of the more interesting new bars and restaurants are based in the South Sanlitun (or 'Sanlitun Courtyard') area, including Taco Bar and Home Plate - a surprisingly decent BBQ joint
7 locals recommend
Qmex Bar & Grill
Many of the more interesting new bars and restaurants are based in the South Sanlitun (or 'Sanlitun Courtyard') area, including Taco Bar and Home Plate - a surprisingly decent BBQ joint
Drinks & Nightlife
This little courtyard hosts our favorite local brewpub - Jing A - and a couple of great restaurants
1949 The Hidden City
Gong Ren Ti Yu Chang Bei LuThis little courtyard hosts our favorite local brewpub - Jing A - and a couple of great restaurants
The original courtyard location of the original Beijing craft brewery, this place has kept much of its charm (open 2pm-11pm daily)
32 locals recommend
Great Leap Brewing Original #6
The original courtyard location of the original Beijing craft brewery, this place has kept much of its charm (open 2pm-11pm daily)