Beijing: Things To Do

Dashanzi, 798 Art District This renovated industrial complex in north Beijing is the hub of China’s white-hot contemporary arts scene. Hip cafes and restaurants complement the labyrinth of galleries, art stores, and artists’ studios. Chaoyang; 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu; 011-8610-6437-6248; www.798space.com
culture | arts | best experience

Forbidden City Beijing’s formerly golden-roofed imperial palace was once off limits to mere mortals, but today it attracts thousands of visitors daily. The scale is astonishing; the high-walled compound contains six main palaces and 800 smaller buildings. Dongcheng; Dongchang’an Dajie; www.dpm.org.cn
family | architecture | historic | best experience

Houhai Created seven centuries ago, the ponds of Houhai are lined with teahouses, trendy shops, and lantern-lit pubs – an idyllic Old Beijing backdrop for sunset cocktails, rickshaw rides, and sauntering with the locals. between QianHai and XiHai, just north of QianHai; www.kinabaloo.com/houhai.html
shopping | walking | best experience

Hutong tour Learn about the genesis and enduring cultural significance of the fast-disappearing hutong neighborhoods that once comprised the capital. Most five-star hotels arrange private guided tours of hutongs for guests; Rickshaw Beijing also runs excellent guided visits. Dongcheng, Chaoyang; Rickshaw Beijing; 011-8610-6716-0201 x1006; www.tour-beijing.com/hutong
tour | history | best experience

Lama Temple Also known as Yonghe Temple, this 18th-century temple – one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the world – spans five halls and courtyards and encompasses an excellent collection of statues and art. Dongcheng District; 12 Yonghegong Dajie; 011-8610-6404-3769
architecture | culture | religious

Nanluo Guxiang Unfairly dubbed the “Disney Hutong,” this renovated half-mile chunk of old Beijing real estate avoided the bulldozers to become a tourism hotspot. Its 700-year-old lanes have morphed into a happening district of bars, restaurants, cafes, stores, and small hotels. Dongcheng; Nanluo Guxiang, near Di’anmen on Ping’an Dajie
architecture | culinary | historic | best experience

Olympic Park The spectacular 91,000-seat ‘Bird’s Nest’ National Stadium and the luminescent blue ‘Water Cube’ aquatics center are the signature attractions of the 4.7-square-mile 2008 Olympic Park. Chaoyang; Olympic Green; en.beijing2008.cn
architecture | spectator sports

Tiananmen Square The gathering point of China’s capital, this vast square is cloaked in Communist-era architecture, such as Mao Zedong’s Mausoleum, Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, and the giant Mao Portrait at the entrance to the Forbidden City. Dongcheng; Dongcheng’an Dajie
family | architecture | historic | history