ladyironchef » Things to do in Beijing

10 Things To Do In Beijing – Why You Need To Visit The Capital Of China

Hui Jun Ng — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 13:00:40 +0000

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.

48 Hours In Beijing – 15 Tips On What to See And Where to Eat

Hui Jun Ng — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 00:00:32 +0000

The capital of China is one of the world’s greatest ancient sites. Filled with many imperial relics dating back to over 3000 years, Beijing is a must-see destination for all travel enthusiasts and history buffs.

Today, the Chinese global city is a booming metropolis and is China’s arts, cultural and political centre. It is hard to believe that the municipality had only opened its doors to the outside world in 1978.

Exploring Beijing’s vastness without a plan in mind is not feasible, especially when you only have a limited period of time. One should not miss out on its UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the decadent Beijing cuisine!

This is our suggested itinerary for those who have a 48-hour layover in Beijing.

DAY ONE

#1 HAVE BREAKFAST AT QING FENG BAO ZI

7.30am: Qing Feng Bao Zi is a long-standing brand renowned for their traditional stuffed buns. They have been such a well-loved household name that even President of China Xi JinPing was seen eating the buns at one of their outlets!

Diners get to choose from a variety of fillings such as picked vegetables and minced pork with leek. These lovely lukewarm buns also make a great takeout breakfast option. If you are dining in, do try their silk-like wantons too.

Daily: 6.30am – 9pm
Various Locations

#2 MORNING STROLL AROUND SUMMER PALACE

9am: The Summer Palace aka Yi He Yuan was once a luxurious meeting place for the Chinese royalties and comprises of several stunning gardens that are worth visiting. For an alternative scenery, rent a paddleboat and cruise around the 540-acre manmade Kunming Lake.

We reckon 9am is the perfect timing to experience the splendour of UNESCO World Heritage Site Summer Palace in tranquility. Most tour groups would be still having their breakfast elsewhere and you can stroll around the waterfront palace with negligible interruptions.

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

#3 VISIT THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN

11am: The Temple of Heaven used to be a prayer ground for Chinese Emperors in both the Ming and Qing dynasties, where the kings would pray for good harvests. The religious ceremony was extremely exclusive and no commoners could catch even a glimpse of it. Today, the Temple of Heaven is an UNESCO-listed complex that spans over 267 hectares and is open daily (capped at 90,000 visitors per day).

While this attraction is undoubtedly touristy, it interestingly remains a favourite hangout place amongst Beijingers who reside nearby. In fact, you will see many locals doing their morning exercises and playing Chinese chess.

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

#4 LUNCH AT MR. SHI’S DUMPLINGS

1pm: As its name suggests, Mr. Shi’s Dumplings is a no-frills Chinese eatery famous for their dumplings. Their signature pan-fried dumplings are stuffed with fillings of your choice and you can choose from 50 different fillings – even vegetarian options are available too! Prices start from RMB 15 / SGD 3.30 for a portion of 15 juicy greasy dumplings. What a steal.

Thanks to the availability of English menus, Mr. Shi’s Dumplings restaurant sees a large percentage of expat patrons on a daily basis. But that does not mean that this is a ‘tourist trap’. As Chinese ourselves, we thoroughly enjoyed the tasty dumplings and would recommend it!

74 Baochao Hutong
Dongcheng, Beijing, China
Tel: 131 6100 3826
Daily: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Gu Lou Da Jie

#5 EXPLORE NAN LUO GU XIANG

2.30pm: Hutongs are ancient backstreets unique to the capital of China and 800-year-old Nan Luo Gu Xiang is inarguably the most well-known hutong. The bustling street is is lined with takeout vendors, pretty cafes and retail shops.

But what caught our attention was the numerous alleyways diverging from Nan Luo Gu Xiang – many of these have led to the exciting discovery of hidden bars and cafes. So venture away from the main street and explore!

Nearest Station: Nan Luo Gu Xiang

#6 WANDER AROUND 798 ART ZONE

4.30pm: 798 Art Zone is an art focal point for both local and international artists. Many exhibitions and galleries are usually held in this vicinity – some of which you can enter for free. The vibrant street art wall murals and enthralling art pieces displayed publicly will keep you preoccupied. The art zone also boasts many unique boutique shops and eateries!

Two major art festivals – namely 798 Art Festival and Creative Art Festival – are held at 798 Art Zone district annually. The former lasts from end April to end May, while the latter is held between late September to late October.

Nearest Station: San Yuan Qiao

#7 DIM SUM DINNER AT JING DING XUAN

6.30pm: Opened 24 hours daily, Jing Ding Xuan is the go-to destination at any time of the day. Jing Ding Xuan’s menu features not just dim sums – one can expect a wide variety of Beijing, Cantonese, Si Chuan cuisine etc.

The dishes are delicious and comforting, but not mind blowing. Do be warned that the service is near atrocious, but the meal is still a great value for the amount you pay!

Various locations

#8 DRINK UP AT SAN LI TUN BAR STREET

9pm: Home to over 80 bar establishments, San Li Tun Bar Street is symbolic of Beijing’s world-famous nightlife – where people from all walks of life frequent this party district every night. From live sports broadcasts to themed parties, there is so much going on every night!

While most global cities are particular about dress codes, Beijing’s bars clearly remain down to earth and unfazed by the world’s increasing emphasis on appearance. You can rock up in your denim shorts and honestly nobody really gives a damn.

Chao Yang, Beijing, China
Nearest Station: Tuanjiehu / Dongsishitiao

DAY TWO

#9 HIT THE STREETS FOR JIAN BING BREKKY

8am: Perk yourselves up with a piping hot jian bing! These takeout street snacks are essentially pan-fried soft crepes stuffed with coriander, crisp fritter, spring onions, soybean paste and optional meat. These delicate street food are most commonly found right outside major train stations. They are usually served in a plastic bag and eaten on the go.

Various locations

#10 CLIMB THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

9.30am: Climbing The Great Wall of China is an opportunity that should never be missed! Even if your legs cannot take you far, we believe that the splendid view is still worth waking up early for. This timeless wonder is also the world’s largest and longest age-old architecture.

Do be reminded that it would take you approximately 90 minutes via car from Beijing’s city centre to The Great Wall of China. There are many different entrances to the timeless wonder; after all this ancient site actually spans across 5,500 miles!

Various entrances

#11 FILL YOUR TUMMIES AT CI FU RESTAURANT

1pm: Ci Fu Restaurant is an underrated local diner with virtually zero online presence in the Western world. There is an array of delectable home cooked Chinese dishes to choose from and to our delight, very dish we ordered was to our liking! The generously portioned braised beef, griddled tofu and fragrant eggplants were impeccable and instantly made it up for the restaurant’s poor staff service.

The regulars at Ci Fu are mainly students from the nearby Peking University which probably explains the significantly lower priced items. The private rooms upstairs do not require minimum spendings and are extravagantly furbished. Unfortunately, the same opulence does not apply for the washrooms. We would return in a heartbeat for the divine dishes but never the toilets.

Summer Palace Road No. 8
Chang Chun Food Street A21B
Haidian District, Beijing, China
Tel: +86 10 6275 1078

#12 CHECK OUT THE FORBIDDEN CITY

2.30pm: The Forbidden City aka Gu Gong was the designated imperial palace for 24 Emperors that reigned in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Covering over 74 hectares, The Forbidden City is the world’s largest ancient palace and has nearly 10,000 rooms! Of course, the construction of this impressive architecture was only made possible with a million labourers.

The distance between each gate of the Forbidden City is nearly a kilometre so do show up in comfortable footwear as a significant amount of walking would be involved. The Forbidden City is also iconic of Beijing and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world.

4 Jing Shan Qian Jie
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)
Nearest Station: Tiananmen West/ Tiananmen East

#13 MARVEL AT THE BEAUTIFUL NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

4pm: The National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA) is characterised by its gigantic oval-shaped exterior made with an astonishing number of titanium plates and ultra-white glass. The dome is currently the largest at present and is a spectacular visual treat for all architecture fans.

The surrounding manmade lake reflects the infrastructure clearly and is an amazing view! It does not matter if you are not catching a performance at one of the three in-house venues. The grandeur of this architecture is worthy of your time!

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

#14 JOIN THE CROWD AT SHI CHA HAI BAR STREET

6pm: Shi Cha Hai is a historical scenic spot boasting three beautiful lakes – Hou Hai, Qian Hai and Xi Hai. It has always been a beloved recreational area for the Chinese civilians since the Ming Dynasty. While the modern day Shi Cha Hai is relatively quiet during the day, it transforms completely into a buzzing hub at night!

The riverbanks are occupied by a large number of bars and eateries – you can spot them from afar at night by their neon light signboards. Visitors can even board a boat and travel through the waterway to admire the scintillating view.

Xi Cheng, Beijing, China
Nearest Station: Beihai North

#15 LATE NIGHT DESSERTS AT MAAN COFFEE

9pm: Beijing’s cafe culture is expanding at an incredible rate and we are thankful for the many exciting establishments, especially the Hogwarts-like Maan Coffee. Opened till the wee hours daily, this late night dessert spot is the perfect place to curb those sugar cravings.

Its ambience is so dramatic that we felt like we were in the Harry Potter movie! Maan Coffee was also featured in Forbes Asia magazine for its roaring success in China’s burgeoning cafe industry.

Various Locations

Most open till 12am or 2am

Disclaimer: Do note that this proposed itinerary is intended to serve as a rough guideline on what you can do in Beijing within 48 hours. Hence one might not be able to conquer all attractions within the short time frame due to lodging location, budget and pace of travel etc.

National Library of China Is Insanely Gorgeous – And What You Need To Know Before Going

Hui Jun Ng — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 11:00:57 +0000

Boasting an incredible storage of 12 million books, the National Library of China is one of the largest libraries in the world. Located in the capital of China, Beijing, the library’s grand reading room can accommodate up to over 2000-seated guests.

The National Library of China owes its impressive architecture to the following two reputable firms – KSP Jürgen Engel Architekten and East China Architectural Design Institute. It is no surprise that many architects and designers from all over the world are drawn to this library’s jaw-dropping design.

While entrance to the library is completely free for all, there are a few steps that you will have to take before being granted admission. To avoid disappointments, we urge you to read on to find out what is required of you before making a special trip to National Library of China. It will be worth the while, we promise.

ALL BAGGAGE TO BE PLACED IN LOCKERS

Visitors with baggage will have to place them in the library’s lockers. The lockers are free to use, and can be accessed right beneath the staircase that leads to the main entrance.

A receipt-like paper will be dispensed to you with the number of your locker printed on it. After you place your belongings in there, do remember to keep the “receipt” as you would need it to retrieve your belongings after.

OR SAFEGUARD YOUR BAG WITH THE STAFF

Those with laptops can approach the library staff at the locker room. The staff member will pass you a numbered tote bag (a property of National Library of China) for you to place your laptop and other valuables in.

You have to pass your personal bag to the supervisor for safeguarding, while you proceed into the library upstairs with the library’s tote and your personal items. Returning of the library’s tote will allow you to reclaim your bag from the administrator after.

PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED FOR FOREIGNERS

So you have gotten your bag stashed away in the locker or swopped it for the library’s tote and passed through the security scans (similar to those at international airports). But that is only the beginning!

We hope you did not forget your passport and that you are at least above 16 years old. Note that driving license and other identification cards are unfortunately not recognised at the registration counter.

YOU NEED TO CREATE A VISITOR PASS

Now you might be puzzled, but all visitors have to create a reader pass at the registration counter before being granted entrance to the library’s reading hall. Upon filling in a lengthy form and providing your passport for proof of identity, you will finally be given a reader’s card.

The card has to be swiped at all entrances to enter the library’s reading halls. Those without a reader’s card will be denied entrance to the reading hall.

NO PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE READING HALL

There are signs at each entrance of the reading hall (on both level one and two) indicating that photography of the library is disallowed. However, if pictures are your main priority, you can simply head to the top floor (reading passes are not required there but baggage are still disallowed) for an alternative view of the library’s reading hall.