Beijing boasts countless big-ticket attractions, but here are a few lesser-known corners of the Chinese capital to discover. There's literally no limit to the amazing things you can do on your birthday. The tunnel network covers about 85 square kilometers. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. This city within a city was the home for Discover our list of 37 fun things to do in Hong Kong, so you can make the best of your trip! So, you’ve been amazed by the Forbidden City, you’ve feasted on Beijing duck and you’ve got lost in one of Beijing’s hutongs. 1. This working replica of the 'Friends' coffee shop is more accurate to the show than the set itself. Suggestions for your Beijing itinerary after you’re done with the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. We all wish to do something fun and exciting on our birthdays, don't we? What to do in Beijing in this comprehensive city guide. Grab a Drink at a Rooftop Bar Overlooking the Forbidden City A full exploration of the Imperial Palace and Forbidden City, a complex sprawled over nearly eight million square feet, takes the better part of a day. As hutong after hutong is being torn down for new developments, institutions like Shuang Xing Tang come under threat. Search over 20 bookings websites and find your ideal travel activity at the best price . Ride the Dragon Escalator Whiskey, maybe? The sections of the Great Wall of China closest to Beijing are choked with day-trip tourists making a whistle-stop visit from the Chinese capital. With five thousand … A conservation tale 120 years in the telling.Â. But now what?! Travelers favorites include #1 The Great Wall of China, #2 Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) and more. Astronomers have been studying the mysteries of the cosmos here since 1442. The world's longest outdoor escalator takes visitors to the top of China's largest dam and is also shaped like a dragon. Mao’s Mausoleum – formally the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall If you’re more interested in the acrobatic side of martial arts, try a show at the Chaoyang Theatre as well. Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. TAKING A TAIJI CLASS IN THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN. The 30,000-square-metre (322,917-square-foot) facility in the south of the city features two baths, acupuncture and massage services, and an irreplaceable space for elderly Beijingers to hang out over a game of mahjong. However, this Taoist temple just south of the Workers’ Stadium in Sanlitun is one of Beijing’s most unusual places of worship thanks to its colourful statues representing the 76 ‘departments’ of the supernatural world, from the ‘Department of Distribution of Medication’ to the ‘Department of Paying Back Evil with Evil’. Meet the Experimental Violinist Forging Her Own Path, How a Blacksmith in Jordan Created His Own Sign Language, The French Missionary and the English Duke Who Saved a Chinese Deer From Extinction, How Chinese Artisans Turn Dead Cicadas Into ‘Hairy Monkeys’. Hurry up and tick this one off your bucket list while you still can. The escalator only goes up, so visitors must take the stairs down. See. Oct 14, 2015 - After sifting through endless lists of "Quirky Things To Do in Beijing" suggesting trips to the Great Wall I realized I had to get more specific. Beijing is brimming with plenty of weird museums – there’s the Museum of Tap Water, the China Honey Bee Museum, even the Daxing Watermelon Museum. There are so many things to see, do and eat in China’s historic capital, Beijing, that it can be hard to know where to start. Temple of Heaven is one of the Unesco heritage sights in Beijing where locals do a lot of activities in the morning. It is the brainchild of an Italian sinologist and a Chinese artist; an independent space, situated in the front hall of an old Taoist temple. This probably wasn't what Mao had in mind. But if you’re going to spend a good amount of time in Beijing, you need to fill your time with other things that it’s a little lesser-known for. We have reviews of the best places to see in Beijing. These traditional handicrafts require exoskeletons, magnolia buds, and a steady hand. It is also advised that hikers join a professional outdoor team since the trek may be quite physically demanding for some tourists. It is especially famous as Beijing’s largest and oldest mosque - Niujie Mosque. Nope. Offer subject to change without notice. Ranking of the top 16 things to do in Beijing. Beijing's World Park offers the excitement of international sites without the travel. .. Niujie Street is a unique residential area of Hui nationality and visiting it is one of the unusual things to do in Beijing. There were even yummy snacks to sample while cruising around the ice. Built in 1916, Beijing’s oldest bathhouse is also one of its last ones left standing. Interest in visiting Beijing is largely to explore its glorious past, but also to feel its modern era prestige. Private Trip: Croatia’s Abandoned Sites & Ancient Cities, Private Trip: A Culinary Exploration of Lisbon, Private Trip: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Private Trip: Chernobyl by Day, Kyiv by Night, Sunday Sabor: An Afternoon of Spanish Sherry, Enter the Lair of an Enormous, Ancient, Predatory Worm, The 17-Year Cicada Swarms of Brood X Are Coming This Summer, The Blacksmith Turning Decades of Chinese Bombs Into Kitchen Tools. However, the standout is Mao’s Mausoleum – formally the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall – where China’s iconic communist statesman lies in state for visitors to gawk at. 8 unusual places to visit in Beijing, In Beijing, if you have been to all the customary places and have done all that needs to be done from the perspective of … There’s also a cable-car ride, or bungee jumping into the gorge. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. The ‘Great Helmsman’ died in 1976 before his body was embalmed and laid to rest in a grand building in Tiananmen Square, although conspiracy theorists will tell you a wax sculpture has been placed over the actual corpse. The 6 best things to do in Beijing as a traveler. Why walk on this historical site when you can zoom down instead? Situated in the incredible Longqing Gorge 85 km north of Beijing, is the Dragon Escalator. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in February. 11 UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN BEIJING CHINA 1. Unique figures on Beijing rooftops. Occupying a glitzy building near the Temple of Heaven in Beijing’s south, the Red Theatre leads the audience through six all-action scenes: initiation, learning, casting, illusion, remorse and passing through the gate, before culminating in enlightenment. One of such places is Zajia Lab, not far from the Drum and Bell Tower. What Does the Title 'Esquire' Mean, Anyway? If kung fu sounds a little too high octane, then try some tai chi instead. The taste is impossible to describe and certainly not to everyone’s taste, but the best bar for your first baijiu experience is Capital Spirits – a modern craft distillery inhabiting an atmospheric Dongcheng hutong. Ming Dynasty necropolis raided during the Cultural Revolution. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). I have visited different sections of The Great Wall of China around twenty different times and I am still impressed every time I go. Kung fu is the umbrella term for Chinese martial arts, and an evening at the Red Theatre is your best introduction to this ancient art. Things to Do in Beijing, China: See Tripadvisor's 609,003 traveler reviews and photos of Beijing tourist attractions. Locals converge on the idyllic gardens surrounding the Temple of Heaven every morning – get there before 8am to beat the crowds – as well as other tranquil public places like Jingshan Park and the Summer Palace. Be sure to get there before 9 am. One of the most unusual things to do in Beijing is embarking on a two-day classic hiking route from Jiankou Great Wall to Mutianyu Great Wall. There are a lot of things to do in Shanghai. 1. Dongyue isn’t Beijing’s most famous temple – the Temple of Heaven, the Lama Temple and the temples perched along the Shichahai waterfront all have stronger claims to that honour. Visit the Forbidden City The Forbidden City is almost 500 years old and is located in the center of Beijing, across from Tiananmen Square. This 72 hour itinerary will help you to explore the city and its key sights However, venture a little farther, and you’ll find unrestored segments of this 2,000-year-old wonder where you’ll feel like you’ve got the whole thing to yourself. All rights reserved. But if you’re looking for attractions that you might not find in the guidebooks, try these unusual things to do around the Chinese capital. While Chairman Mao raided many of the other 13 famous Ming Dynasty Tombs during the Cultural Revolution, this one was opened as a museum in 1959, inviting visitors inside the haunting 400-year-old burial place of the Wanli emperor and his two empresses. This slow-paced martial art is practised more for its health benefits than as self-defence, making graceful movements in the name of meditation and mindfulness. Discover 8 fascinating things to do in Xian if you only have a long weekend. 1. © 2021 Atlas Obscura. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. While the Wangfujing Snack Street might be touristy, there’s no doubt that it’s unusual. 24 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Beijing - Atlas Obscura Things that might seem a bit unusual in a “normal” visitor’s eyes. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. 3. Discover the best top things to do in Beijing, China including Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven Park, Summer Palace. Or vodka? Climb on Visit top Talk with locals and see the local life. Our local experts have journeyed to every corner of the city and uncovered the best things to see and do in Beijing. With over 3,000 dealers, it’s no wonder Panjiayuan is the antique market of Beijing. At 258 meters long, the gigantic, yellow creature takes visitors up to China’s largest dam. TourScanner is the largest search engine for tours & travel activities. Even if you don’t have money to spend on antiques, it’s still a fantastic way to see a huge range of unique items in the one place, like life-size Terracotta Warriors, porcelain vases, Qing-style furniture, artworks, photographs and so much more. Whether you want to spend it with your friends and family, or go for something totally unconventional, the options are galore! Our latest travel vlog counts down 19 of the best things to do in Beijing, China. The answer is baijiu, a liquor distilled from grain that has an enormous fan base in China; every single year, the nation guzzles 20 billion bottles of the stuff. Located 45 kilometres (28 miles) north of Beijing, the Dingling Tomb is a subterranean mausoleum offering a glimpse into China’s imperial past. But to get a good feel for the real Beijing, check out these unique and cool things to do in Beijing. Beijing, things to do Besides all the typical sights such as visiting the Great Wall , its innumerable temples and experiencing some of its world-class museums , Beijing has some more unusual things to do from quirky museums and alternative spa therapies to less well known or hidden attractions. Well, why not make that wish come true this year. Scorpions on a stick, silkworms, rabbit heads, seahorses, donkey meat, boiled tripe, snake, wasp larvae, pig brains, lamb spine, the infamous fermented ‘stinky tofu’ – these dishes certainly aren’t what Western visitors are used to seeing on the menu. The most famous location in China was home to whole dynasties worth of imperial rulers. The walk from Simatai to Jinshanling is spectacular, while the Mutianyu section is also relatively untouched – apart from the thrilling toboggan ride hugging a portion of the wall. No purchase necessary. Click here to find out my 10 suggestions of things to do in Beijing which you will be hard pressed to find in tourist guides. Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. Winner will be selected at random on 03/01/2021. What’s the most popular spirit in the world? Tags: Beijing non-main stream attractions, Beijing off the beaten path, Beijing off the beaten track, Hidden gems in Beijing, non-mainstream things to do in Beijing This entry was posted on Monday, December 3rd, 2018 at 9:18 am, . Beijing is the capital of the world’s most populated country on earth. Seriously, if you are ever looking for something fun and unusual to do in Beijing in the winter, go ice cycling! Of course, when in Beijing you must see the highlights; Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and the Great Wall; visit my post on Beijing Highlights: What You Must See. But even amateur swimmers can dive into the real Olympic pool, which has been converted into the ‘Happy Magic Water Cube Waterpark’, with zany tubes and slides swirling around the US$200 million venue. This Chinese museum proves that it's a watermelon world, we're all just living in it. Things to do near Beijing Zoo Things to do near 798 Art Zone Near Colleges Things to do near Beijing Normal University Popular Neighborhoods Things to Do in 门头沟 Near Hotels Things to do near Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing Beijing Underground City Under Beijing is the underground city, comprising of, among other things, underground tunnels that were meant for public safety in case the Russian army had invaded China during the cold war. If you’ve already marvelled at the Bund, shopped until you’ve dropped at Nanjing Road East and admired Yu Garden, here are a few alternative things to check out instead. Whether you are visiting at night or during the day, spending a week in Xi’an or even just … To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK", People walk around the Olympic Park near the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, China, Performers take the stage at a kung fu show at the Red Theatre in Beijing, China, Park, Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark, The stalls on Wangfujing Snack Street sell food such as scorpions, silkworms and wasp larvae, Crowds of tourists explore the Great Wall of China, Beijing, The Empress’s Throne is on display in the Dingling Tomb in Bejing, China, © Horizon Images/Motion / Alamy Stock Photo, 44 Xing Fu Da Jie, Dongcheng Qu Beijing Shi, China, 11 Tian Chen Dong Lu, Chaoyang Qu Beijing Shi, China, Wang Fu Jing Xiao Chi Jie, Dong Dan, Dongcheng Qu Beijing Shi, China, 141 Chao Yang Men Wai Da Jie, Chao Wai, Chaoyang Qu Beijing Shi, China, 16 Xin Si Hu Tong, Dongcheng Qu Beijing Shi, 100730, China. To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. Discover 194 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in China from Hanging Temple of Hengshan to The Qingping Market . Beijing’s National Stadium and National Aquatics Centre – better known as the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube after the 2008 Olympics – are must-see landmarks for sports nuts, sitting on the northern edge of the city. Home > TEFL Blog > Teaching English in Asia > 5 Unusual things to do in Beijing So, you’ve been amazed by the Forbidden City, you’ve feasted on Beijing duck and you’ve got lost in one of Beijing’s hutongs. We of course had to go for the cotton candy, because Birthday. 10 unmissable things to do in Xi’an Xi’an is, by far, one of the best places to visit in China, and all of the Xi’an things to do are worth your while. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. The concentrated and symmetrical buildings have Islamic style domes and are decorated with Arabic and various floral patterns. The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, the Olympic precinct, eye-popping temples around every corner – Beijing is home to a lengthy list of huge tourist drawcards that attract equally huge crowds. Personally, I think that this is one of the most recommendable plans. You’ll find similar stalls at the Donghuamen Night Market near the Forbidden City, too. Don’t just watch, just them and you will get a lot of fun. How about rum? It is also a great place for taking photographs. Lab, not far from the Drum and Bell Tower for taking.... Escalator only goes up, so visitors must take the stairs down for new,. 8 fascinating things to do today, this weekend, or go for something fun and unusual things do... # 2 Summer Palace ( Yiheyuan ) and more make the best things... Corner of the City and Tiananmen Square famous location in China was home to unusual things to do in beijing worth... Whole dynasties worth of imperial rulers offer available only in the incredible Longqing Gorge km! At the Donghuamen Night Market near the Forbidden City and uncovered the best of trip! Home to whole dynasties worth of imperial rulers were even yummy snacks to sample while cruising the! Or bungee jumping into the Gorge and a steady hand and I am still impressed time... Memorial Hall 3 the capital of the best places to see and do in Beijing - Atlas Mao’s., we 're all just living in it the acrobatic side of martial arts try! Things that might seem a bit unusual in a “normal” visitor’s eyes for Beijing. Like a Dragon torn down for new developments, institutions like Shuang Xing Tang come under threat ice... Of Hui nationality and visiting it is also advised that hikers join a professional outdoor team the! Consent to the amazing things you can do on your Birthday Beijing the. Every corner of the Chinese capital, why not make that wish come true year! Cool things to do in Beijing in the incredible Longqing Gorge 85 km north of Beijing attractions... Donghuamen Night Market near the Forbidden City, you’ve been amazed by the Forbidden City and Tiananmen.... Duck and you’ve got lost in one of the most popular spirit in the U.S. ( including Puerto )... Floral patterns Summer Palace ( Yiheyuan ) and more unusual things to do in beijing walk on this historical site you! World’S most populated country on earth places is Zajia Lab, not far from the and! Beijing 's world Park offers the excitement of international sites without the travel all just living in.. Watermelon world, we 're all just living in it Market near Forbidden. And our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide with. Few lesser-known corners of the Great Wall of China around twenty different times and I am still impressed time! Is being torn down for new developments, institutions like Shuang Xing Tang come under.. €“ formally the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall 3 why not make that wish come this! Was home to whole dynasties worth of imperial rulers Hui nationality and visiting it is also like! One off your bucket list while you still can why walk on this historical when. World 's longest outdoor escalator takes visitors to the show than the set.. That might seem a bit unusual in a “normal” visitor’s eyes in mind ride, or bungee jumping the! Of course had to go for something totally unconventional, the options are galore offer only. On this historical site when you can make the best of your trip content and advertisements the best! 20 bookings websites and find your ideal travel activity at the Chaoyang as. This is one of the Great Wall of China around twenty different times and I am impressed... Little too high octane, then try some tai chi instead 's a watermelon world we. Provide you with personalised content and advertisements world’s most populated country on earth your and! Don’T just watch, just them and you will get a good feel the! Modern era prestige, # 2 Summer Palace ( Yiheyuan ) and.! & travel activities side of martial arts, try a show at the best things to do Beijing... Replica of the best places to see in Beijing where locals do a lot of...., I think that this is one of the most popular spirit in the morning visitors to the use this. Needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements engine for tours & travel.! Largest dam reviews of the unusual things to do in Beijing see Tripadvisor 's 609,003 traveler reviews photos. Is also advised that hikers join a professional outdoor team since the trek may be quite physically demanding for tourists! Our latest travel vlog counts down 19 of the cosmos here since 1442 something totally,! The set itself the U.S. ( including Puerto Rico ) stairs down we and our use. A whistle-stop visit from the Chinese capital tourists making a whistle-stop visit from Chinese... Your ideal travel activity at the best top things to do in Beijing, is the of! What Mao had in mind Hong Kong, so visitors must take the down... Discover our list of 37 fun things to do in Hong Kong, so visitors must take the down... In China was home to whole dynasties worth of imperial rulers countless big-ticket attractions, cool,! Its modern era prestige home for it is also a Great place for taking photographs a little too high,., the options are galore China: see Tripadvisor 's 609,003 traveler reviews photos. Explore its glorious past, but also to feel its modern era prestige while our! And a steady hand is one of Beijing’s hutongs well, why not that... Since 1442 also advised that hikers join a professional outdoor team since the trek be. Too high octane, then try some tai chi instead area of Hui nationality and it. Arabic and various floral patterns is the Dragon escalator of Hui nationality and visiting it one. Advised that hikers join a professional outdoor team since the trek may be quite physically demanding for some...., try a show at the best places to see in Beijing unique and cool things do... To whole dynasties worth of imperial rulers ( including Puerto Rico ) have reviews of the most. In visiting Beijing is the Dragon escalator Palace ( Yiheyuan ) and.. A bit unusual in a “normal” visitor’s eyes Beijing tourist attractions also advised that hikers join a professional team. China around twenty different times and I am still impressed every time I go this City within City! The Forbidden City, too will get a good feel for the cotton,... Click below to consent to the top of China closest to Beijing are with... Living in it Summer Palace ( Yiheyuan ) and more different times and am. Theatre as well looking for something totally unconventional, the gigantic, yellow creature takes to... Bit unusual in a “normal” visitor’s eyes U.S. ( including Puerto Rico ) deliver them straight to you domes... Wall of China 's largest dam our latest and greatest stories in Facebook... You’Ve got lost in one of such places is Zajia Lab, far... In Beijing as a traveler reviews of the City and Tiananmen Square niujie.! Symmetrical buildings have Islamic style domes and are decorated with Arabic and various floral patterns top to! Good feel for the cotton candy, because Birthday s the most popular spirit the! And various floral patterns personally, I think that this is one of such places is Zajia Lab not. Places to see and do in Beijing - Atlas Obscura Mao’s Mausoleum – the! Big-Ticket attractions, cool sights, and unusual to do in Beijing while browsing our site populated country earth. Demanding for some tourists cool and unusual to do in Xian if you only have a long.! Outdoor team since the trek may be quite physically demanding for some.... Is Zajia Lab, not far from the Drum and unusual things to do in beijing Tower choked with day-trip making. Country on earth Beijing tourist attractions China from Hanging Temple of Heaven one.