Guidebook for Beijing
Essentials
This grocery store offers a huge variety of international foods and goods. Prices are about the same as you will find in the Chinese markets for fresh produce.
Jenny Lou's Supermarket (Sun Park Branch)
This grocery store offers a huge variety of international foods and goods. Prices are about the same as you will find in the Chinese markets for fresh produce.
If you're looking for fresh meat and don't want to brave the health risks of the local market, walk over to Schindlers to get some super fresh imported meats. They also make a killer German sandwich but close at 7pm so get there early!
SchinDler's Food Center
If you're looking for fresh meat and don't want to brave the health risks of the local market, walk over to Schindlers to get some super fresh imported meats. They also make a killer German sandwich but close at 7pm so get there early!
Food Scene
This is one of Beijing's best dumpling restaurants. Dumplings are dyed with squid ink and other funky colours. I recommend going through the door on the right and eating in the back courtyards.
Baoyuan Dumplings Restaurant
Mai Zi Dian JieThis is one of Beijing's best dumpling restaurants. Dumplings are dyed with squid ink and other funky colours. I recommend going through the door on the right and eating in the back courtyards.
Shopping
Solana is a huge mall with international cinemas, Starbucks, waterfront cafes, Zara, H&M and just about anything else you would expect at home. Watch the central fountains which are timed to music!
8 locals recommend
SOLANA蓝色港湾美食广场
6 Chao Yang Gong Yuan LuSolana is a huge mall with international cinemas, Starbucks, waterfront cafes, Zara, H&M and just about anything else you would expect at home. Watch the central fountains which are timed to music!
Drinks & Nightlife
Sanlitun is Beijing's nightlife neighborhood. It also offers great rooftop patios and cafes for daytime meals or drinks. Lots of fun can be had here, but don't forget to watch for pickpockets.
194 locals recommend
Sanlitun
San Li Tun Xi Liu JieSanlitun is Beijing's nightlife neighborhood. It also offers great rooftop patios and cafes for daytime meals or drinks. Lots of fun can be had here, but don't forget to watch for pickpockets.
For sports fans, the very understated Irish Volunteer will willingly play just about any game at any hour. Hockey is their favourite but football, baseball, MMA, etc are also often on.
Irish Volunteer
For sports fans, the very understated Irish Volunteer will willingly play just about any game at any hour. Hockey is their favourite but football, baseball, MMA, etc are also often on.
Sightseeing
No explanation needed here! Don't forget to take your passports as they sometimes do security checks on tourists.
139 locals recommend
天安门
No explanation needed here! Don't forget to take your passports as they sometimes do security checks on tourists.
The Summer Palace was the getaway spot for Chinese royalty in ancient times. Though packed with tourists, if you're going to see any of the temple relics make sure this is top of the list.
37 locals recommend
Summer Palace
19 Xin Jian Gong Men LuThe Summer Palace was the getaway spot for Chinese royalty in ancient times. Though packed with tourists, if you're going to see any of the temple relics make sure this is top of the list.
Feel like eating scorpions, cockroaches, starfish, seahorses, donkey penis or any other number of odd "delicacies"? Go to Wangfujing and look for street food alley by simply following the crowd.
21 locals recommend
Wangfujing Street
Wang Fu Jing Da JieFeel like eating scorpions, cockroaches, starfish, seahorses, donkey penis or any other number of odd "delicacies"? Go to Wangfujing and look for street food alley by simply following the crowd.
Hou Hai is a pretty whacky neighborhood built around two small lakes. The music and lights are overpowering at night but entertaining. In the daytime, bring a bottle of wine and rent a boat!
112 locals recommend
Houhai Lake
Hou Hai is a pretty whacky neighborhood built around two small lakes. The music and lights are overpowering at night but entertaining. In the daytime, bring a bottle of wine and rent a boat!
The Drum Tower is a cool old relic that is easy to check out on the same day as a trip to Hou Hai or Nanluoguxiang. The Bell Tower is also across the street but not as spectacular so feel free to miss.
19 locals recommend
Drum Tower
The Drum Tower is a cool old relic that is easy to check out on the same day as a trip to Hou Hai or Nanluoguxiang. The Bell Tower is also across the street but not as spectacular so feel free to miss.
This walking street is popular with Beijing hipsters and full of odd little shops. Explore the neighboring alleyways to get a feel for true hutong living!
20 locals recommend
Nanluoguxiang station
This walking street is popular with Beijing hipsters and full of odd little shops. Explore the neighboring alleyways to get a feel for true hutong living!
Temple of Heaven is pretty neat but if you're already planning to see the Summer Palace and Forbidden City (aka Palace Museum) feel free to take a miss as they're all quite similar.
68 locals recommend
Temple of Heaven
1 Tian Tan Dong LuTemple of Heaven is pretty neat but if you're already planning to see the Summer Palace and Forbidden City (aka Palace Museum) feel free to take a miss as they're all quite similar.
Everything Else
The Palace Museum is perhaps better known as "Forbidden City." The residence of the last emperor, this amazing ancient palace city is a must see.
63 locals recommend
Forbidden City-The Palace Museum
4 Jing Shan Qian JieThe Palace Museum is perhaps better known as "Forbidden City." The residence of the last emperor, this amazing ancient palace city is a must see.
China World Hotel has 3 buildings, the tallest of which has a bar called "Atmosphere" on the 80th floor. This is by far the best view in the city. Go on a blue sky day for best visibility.
The China World Trade Center
1 Jian Guo Men Wai Da JieChina World Hotel has 3 buildings, the tallest of which has a bar called "Atmosphere" on the 80th floor. This is by far the best view in the city. Go on a blue sky day for best visibility.
If you want to see a depressing Asian zoo, check out Beijing's zoo on the West side of the city. Watch locals throw popsicles at monkies and don't put your arms through the bars of the big cat cages.
9 locals recommend
Beijing Zoo station
If you want to see a depressing Asian zoo, check out Beijing's zoo on the West side of the city. Watch locals throw popsicles at monkies and don't put your arms through the bars of the big cat cages.
Chaoyang Theater offers a local acrobatics show that is fairly entertaining if you're looking for something to do. Don't expect world-class entertainment, but worth a chuckle on a slow night.
Chaoyang Theater Office Bldg
Chaoyang Theater offers a local acrobatics show that is fairly entertaining if you're looking for something to do. Don't expect world-class entertainment, but worth a chuckle on a slow night.
Parkview Green is a classy mall if you need a break. They have an outstanding collection of Salvador Dali and other famous art installations for free viewing. Check out Opera for amazing Italian food
12 locals recommend
Parkview Green
9 Dong Da Qiao LuParkview Green is a classy mall if you need a break. They have an outstanding collection of Salvador Dali and other famous art installations for free viewing. Check out Opera for amazing Italian food
Arts & Culture
798 is Beijing's art district and has taken over London, Paris and Milan as the modern art hub of the world. Built into old ammunitions factories from the Cultural Revolution, it's worth a look.
61 locals recommend
798 Art Zone
2 Jiu Xian Qiao Lu798 is Beijing's art district and has taken over London, Paris and Milan as the modern art hub of the world. Built into old ammunitions factories from the Cultural Revolution, it's worth a look.