Beijing is a multifaceted metropolis filled with surprises at every street and corner. The vibrant city is not just the capital of China but also the country’s focal point of arts and culture.

There is so much to do and so much to see that all visitors are guaranteed a smashing good time.

From exploring Beijing’s best preserved historical alleyways, cruising the Kunming Lake at Summer Palace on a paddleboat to browsing through the 12-million book collection at China’s National Library, here is our guide to 10 Fun Activities To Do in Beijing.

#1 BEIJING NATIONAL STADIUM – CATCH A SPORTING RACE OR ICE SKATE DURING WINTER

Beijing National Stadium is an impressive infrastructure that should not be missed. The architecture bears an uncanny resemblance to the bird’s nest, hence nicknamed after it. In 2008, it was the appointed venue for the Olympic Games and today it is a popular tourist destination.

Many ticketed sporting events still take place at this grand building, but one can still visit when no races are held. During wintertime, the stadium is converted to a ski resort where visitors can enjoy ice skating and even snow tubing.

1 National Stadium S Rd
Chaoyang, Beijing, China
Apr to Oct: 9am – 7pm
Nov to Mar: 9am – 5.30pm
Nearest Station: Guo Jia Ti Yu Chang Dong

#2 GREAT WALL OF CHINA – CLIMB THE WORLD’S LONGEST ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE

The Great Wall of China is not only the world’s longest ancient architecture but also the largest!

Spanning across 5,500 miles, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is indeed a must-see for all travellers. Besides its jaw-dropping physical attributes, the magnificent fortress—which commenced building since the 7th century BC—is also renowned worldwide for its rich historical significance.

#3 NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS – WATCH A THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE

Thanks to its large oval-shaped exterior, The National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA) can be easily identified from a distance. The dome—made with titanium plates and super white glasses—is currently the largest in the world. It is a must-visit for all architecture and design enthusiasts alike!

You can catch a performance at one of NCPA’s three venues or simply take a stroll around the reflective lake surrounding it.

2 W Chang’an Ave
Xicheng, Beijing, China
Tel: +86 10 6655 0000
Mon: Closed
Tue to Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Tiananmen West

#4 NATIONAL LIBRARY OF CHINA – STUDY IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST LIBRARIES

With an incredible storage of over 12 million books, National Library of China is one of the world’s biggest libraries.

It is also definitely one of the most gorgeous libraries we have ever seen! The grand reading room’s spectacular design itself is worth making a special trip and your eyes will be thankful for the visual treat.

33, South Street, Zhongguancun, Haidian District
Nearest Station: National Library

#5 NAN LUO GU XIANG – EXPLORE BEIJING’S BEST PRESERVED HISOTRICAL ALLEYWAY

Hutongs are ancient alleyways unique to Beijing and these backstreets are characterised by their Chinese historical architecture. The 800-year-old Nan Luo Gu Xiang is a must-visit; the busy street is filled with hawker vendors, third-wave coffee shops and other retail boutiques.

Do explore the smaller hutongs that diverge away from the main street of Nan Luo Gu Xiang and you will be pleasantly surprised by the discovery of many other hidden bars and cafes.

#6 SHI CHA HAI – PAINT THE TOWN RED AT ONE OF BEIJING’S BEST NIGHTLIFE DESTINATIONS

Boasting three tranquil beautiful lakes, namely Hou Hai, Qian Hai and Xi Hai, this scenic site has been a leisure hangout area for the locals since the Ming Dynasty days.

When night approaches, the district transforms from a quiet park into a buzzing bar street. Most of the bars and eateries on the river bank can be spotted from far by their neon coloured signboards.

Xi Cheng, Beijing, China
Nearest Station: Beihai North

#7 SUMMER PALACE – RENT A PADDLEBOAT AND CRUISE AROUND KUN MING LAKE

UNESO-listed Summer Palace aka Yi He Yuan was once a lavish playground for the Chinese royalties. The palace’s extraordinarily peaceful setting makes it a joy to stroll around during sunrise and sunset.

For something more exciting and an alternative picturesque scenery, we suggest you rent a paddleboat and cruise around the 540-acre man-made Kun Ming Lake.

19 Xin Jian Gong Men Lu
Haidian, Beijing, China
Tel: +86 10 6288 1144
Apr to Oct: 6.30am – 6pm
Nov to Mar: 7am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Beigongmen / Xiyuan

#8 TEMPLE OF HEAVEN – MARVEL AT THE UNESCO LISTED SITE’S ARCHITECTURE

The function of UNESO-listed Temple of Heaven was once a prayer ground exclusive to Chinese emperors that reigned in the Ming and Qing dynasty. Back then, no commoners were allowed to even catch a glimpse of the religious ceremonies.

Today, the complex is open to the public and is a popular tourist spot. It is also a local hangout place amongst Beijingers who would be playing Chinese chess and practising Tai Chi in the surrounding gardens.

1 Tian Tan Dong Lu
Dongcheng, Beijing, China
Apr to Oct: 8am – 5.30pm
Nov to Mar: 8am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Beigongmen

#9 PALACE OF MUSEUM – EMBARK ON AN ENRICHING HISTORICAL FIELD TRIP

The Palace of Museum, otherwise known as Gu Gong or The Forbidden City, is a cultural retreat for the history buffs. It was once the Imperial Palace to the 24 Emperors who reigned during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Palace is the world’s largest palace complex and has over 10,000 rooms!

An average 3-hour period is recommended to cover the site’s main highlights even though it could take you an entire day to explore thoroughly.

4 Jing Shan Qian Ji
Dongcheng, Beijing, China
Apr to Oct: 8.30am – 5pm (last entry at 4.10pm)
Nov to Mar: 8.30am – 4.30pm (last entry at 3.40pm)
Note that it is closed on Mondays
Nearest Station: Tiananmen West / Tiananmen East

#10 798 ART ZONE – ADMIRE THE VARIOUS ART INSTALLATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS

798 Art Zone is the place to be and to be seen for all art lovers. The vicinity features many exhibitions and galleries held by both local and international artists – you can enter some of these displays for free. The streets are also adorned with graffiti art murals and lined with kitschy boutiques.

Every year, two major art events 798 Art Festival and Creative Art Festival are held here.

Nearest Station: San Yuan Qiao

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

The Jian Bing is a tasty traditional crepe-like Chinese street food created by the Chinese since two millenniums ago in the Shandong Province. Legend has it that this heavenly dish had lifted the morales of an army troop during the Three Kingdoms Period and saved many soldiers from an ambush.

Jian Bings are an extremely popular take-away delicacy in Northern China and can be eaten throughout the day. Depending on one’s appetite, it can be consumed as a snack or even as a main.

While there is an impressive variety of street food in the capital of China, we highly recommend you to prioritise the exotic Jian Bings. They are akin to pan-fried folded pancakes, and textures and fillings actually vary across each vendor. You can easily find local Jian Bing stalls on almost every street of Beijing, especially right outside train stations.

Crunchy and eggy, the unpretentious Jian Bing actually tastes way better than it looks. The batter used to cook the fried crepe comprises wheat and grain flour.

Egg(s) is cracked onto the half-cooked dough before scattering sesame seeds and smearing soybean paste on it. Coriander, scallions and a crisp fritter is placed atop the surface before the pancake is folded several times and served to patrons piping hot in a translucent plastic bag.

The exact ingredients used as the soft crepe’s fillings may differ slightly, depending on the chefs’ ancestry and preference. Customers can also choose to have the vegetarian option or opt for meat add-ons. The former typically costs around RMB 4 (SGD 0.90) while the latter is approximately priced at RMB 9 (SGD 2) each.

Each Jian Bing boasts an interesting contrast of textures; the delicate skin is well juxtaposed with the thin crispy baocui aka dumpling wrapper.

The delightful Jian Bing packs a punch in every bite! You can inform the chef in advance if you want a spicy or non-spicy version. Everything is flexible – all you have to do is ask before he/she cooks. Do be reminded that Jian Bing is essentially a local street snack so you can expect to find them in relatively shabby-looking sheds.

In case you are wondering, we never had any episodes of tummy ache during our stay in Beijing so we hope you too can let go of your potential hygiene fears!

Exploring Beijing’s vastness without a plan in mind is not feasible, especially when you only have a limited period of time. This is our suggested itinerary for those who have a 48-hour layover in Beijing.

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.