Beijing, the capital of China. Here, at the foot of the imperial city, there are numerous “national-level” and cultural heritages everywhere. It is a first-class art palace and also a top-notch consumption paradise. Your trip doesn’t have to be too serious, and don’t be carried away by pleasure. Take a stroll in the alleys and chat with the uncles. After a few tastes of old flavors and a few words of Beijing dialect, you will find that beneath the majesty of the “imperial capital”, there is still that interesting old soul.
Today, let’s talk about
The top 10 unique travel experiences only available in Beijing!
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Travel through time and space in the Forbidden City: Touch the glory and decline of an empire.
The Forbidden City, the largest existing palace complex in the world, was the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is also an art palace of ancient Chinese architectural masterpieces and cultural treasures. From Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Di, to Puyi, the last emperor, in nearly 500 years, 24 emperors staged scenes of love and hate, strategizing, and succession to the throne. Behind the deep imperial gates, it was once an unimaginable place for common people. Now you can stroll among the golden tiles and red walls and explore every legend. Or roam in the palaces filled with countless treasures and take a cultural journey through time and space. The Forbidden City in spring blossoms, green shade, autumn colors, and silver attire is like a dream and a poem every time you meet.
The Forbidden City in Beijing
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In the densely packed alleys: Sealed are the romantic pasts of high officials and dignitaries.
The densely packed alleys are like the blood vessels of Beijing. If you don’t enter them, you will always be an outsider to Beijing. Nanluoguxiang is already overcrowded, but there is still the area around Shichahai Lake. The alleys here are clustered with the old residences of former high officials and dignitaries. You never know which passerby is a descendant of imperial relatives. You can take a rickshaw to quickly browse here, but you should also take steps on your own and explore in person. In the Dashilan area in front of the gate, there are many old sites of opera troupes and guild halls. Today, the carvings on the door lintels are still telling past stories. The “Dashilan Renewal Plan” has injected new vitality into the alleys.
Beijing alleys
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Climb the Great Wall – Be a hero.
This miracle in the history of world military defense stretches more than 500 kilometers within Beijing. The well-known Badaling, Juyongguan, and Mutianyu, although with convenient transportation and complete facilities, the crowds flocking during holidays may greatly reduce your tour experience. If you don’t want to follow the crowd, there are also less-known but uniquely beautiful Huanghuacheng, Simatai, Xiangshui Lake, and the ancient Great Wall at Badaling waiting for you. Many eager hikers and photographers will visit the Great Wall at night that has not been developed for tourism, just to see the primitive, wild, and majestic scenery of the Great Wall at a glance. However, we do not recommend that you go there rashly.
Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing
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Nightlife in Beijing – Unlock more ways to spend the night.
As the “imperial capital,” Beijing undoubtedly has the richest nightlife in China. If your association is only with some restless nightclubs, then Beijing can definitely broaden your horizons and show you countless different ways to spend the night.
People dancing in bars in Beijing
The level of drama in Beijing has always been second to none. The hall-level performances of the Chinese People’s Art Theatre and the energetic stages of small theaters each have their own splendor. The “quintessence of Chinese culture,” Peking Opera, is even more classic. Under the stages of Huguang Guild Hall and Lao She Teahouse, there are always continuous cheers. There are many branches of Deyun Society. The fun of making a long “hmm” sound together during exciting moments can only be experienced on site. Not only that, lazy jazz, passionate rock, and restless electronic music are also being performed at the same time. At “Jianghu” in Dongmianhua Hutong, School in Wudaoying, and the sleepless DADA all night long, strangers from all over gather amid the clinking of glasses. And the midnight treasure hunting experience at Panjiayuan Flea Market makes every night in Beijing not to be missed.
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Visit ancient temples and famous monasteries – Explore the pure land of Beijing.
“There was Tanzhe Temple first, and then there was Beijing City.” Religion and the ancient city were intertwined in the past. Only by delving into the temples and monasteries scattered inside and outside the city and countryside can we truly understand its context. You can enter Fayuan Temple to uncover the dust-laden and secluded history, catch a glimpse of Kublai Khan’s imperial ambition under the White Pagoda of Miaoying Temple, or visit Yonghegong to decode the emperor’s art of checks and balances. If you are particularly fond of art, the ancient music left behind in Zhihua Temple and the extremely beautiful murals in Fahai Temple will give you top-notch audio-visual enjoyment.
tanzhe temple
Monks from Tanzhe Temple
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Walk through the imperial gardens – Experience the romance of the old Beijing royalty.
The more than one hundred imperial gardens built by the emperors of the Qing Dynasty have now all become large parks for the common people. The Summer Palace meticulously created by Empress Dowager Cixi is full of wonders. You can stroll through the garden and ponder the stories, or you can boat on Kunming Lake to find the shadow of the West Lake. Although the “Garden of Gardens” no longer exists, the ruins of the Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park are still astonishing. Xiangshan Park was once Qianlong’s “Jingyi Garden.” The tens of thousands of red maples at the end of October every year are the most beautiful autumn scenery in the capital. If you don’t have enough time, go to Beihai Park in the urban area, recall the familiar songs from childhood and replicate the romance of old Beijing.
The Summer Palace in Beijing
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The modern life in Sanlitun – Feel the international fashion trend.
Fashion in Beijing is no longer just the first-tier luxury brands in Taikoo Li Sanlitun. In addition to the continuous influx of new vitality such as HARMAY and Dover Street Market, a unique retro world has emerged in the 3.3 Mansion. The Jiadian Courtyard gathers buyer’s shops and vintage stores of different styles. The elegant Jing Yard has recently opened. The Parkview Green Shopping Center not far away is full of contemporary art installations, and on the top floor is the Qiao Fu Contemporary Art Museum. If you don’t like Beijing cuisine, there are world cuisines for you to choose from. If you need music, the top-notch jazz Blue Note is waiting here. If you are looking for romance, the 330-meter-high sky bar allows you to overlook the “imperial capital.”
Taikoo Li Sanlitun in Beijing
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Museum tour – The best museum experience in China.
As a well-deserved museum city in China, Beijing has 117 museums that can feast your eyes. That’s right, among them, 48 are free. If you want to quickly browse through 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, the National Museum of China is the top choice. If you want to understand the past and present life and local customs of the ancient capital Beijing, the Capital Museum cannot be missed. If you are still not satisfied with ancient buildings such as the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, you can go to the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum. If you are traveling with children, the Natural History Museum and the Planetarium will arouse their infinite curiosity and desire to explore.
Beijing Natural History Museum
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Coffee and wine – The light luxury life of urban neo-humans.
Nowadays, there is no longer any sense of incongruity between the ancient capital and coffee, and even new sparks have been created. Young baristas have opened coffee shops in the Longfu Temple community one after another, and even in the houses of celebrities’ former residences. Tasting high-quality pour-over coffee in the courtyards of old Beijing is the real way to taste Beijing-flavored coffee. At the same time, bosses who love craft beer are also doing the same. In the area around the Drum Tower, from the pioneering Great Leap founded by Americans to the now ubiquitous high-quality beers everywhere, trying to check in one by one is a test of alcohol tolerance. Of course, there are also cocktail bars and whiskey bars of various masters. From classic to creative, from Japanese whiskey to bourbon, Beijing will never disappoint “alcoholics.”
möna grocery & bar in Longfu Temple, Beijing
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The inclusive Beijing flavor – A gluttonous feast for food lovers.
From the royal cuisine popular in the Qing court to the common people’s stewed pork offal and douzhi (fermented bean drink), no other cuisine can be as inclusive as Beijing flavor. Beijing people don’t care about the “origin” of ingredients, but this does not prevent them from being particular about the taste at all. Grilled meat on a hot plate is divided into civilized eating and robust eating. The taste of quick-boiled tripe and roast duck all depends on the cooking time. The copper pot shabu-shabu with just a cup of clear water shows all the quality of meat and knife skills. Even for a small plate of pickles, the picking of raw materials also chooses “the moment when the food is most delicious.” Let go of stereotypes and accept the authentic taste of Beijing. This is the only magic weapon for you to immerse yourself in this city.
Traditional Beijing cuisine – grilled meat on a hot plate
My favorite roast duck in Beijing
The long historical accumulation has left Beijing with solid cultural heritage and many stunning historical sites. Now, in the new era, Beijing has an ancient city that is artistic and simple, and a new city that is modern and grand. It has become more and more “international”. Bird-walking in the morning and chatting in the alleys are no longer all of Beijing life. Entrepreneurs seeking dreams in other places, professionals from all over the world, and people who freely express their enthusiasm in bars at night all add different charm to today’s Beijing.