Culturally Beijing
Description:
This itinerary hits both the traditional Beijing highlights and the capital's cultural hotspots. Accordingly, it also includes dinner at some of Beijing's most fashionable dining options. (A trip to the Great Wall can be added to this itinerary with an extra day.)
Author: Jennifer
Day 1 - Beijing
Begin your first day -- and your trip to Beijing -- in the heart of the capital. Get up early if you want to catch early morning tai chi or get in line to see the embalmed Chairman Mao. Spend some extra time exploring ZhengYangMen Gate or Zhong Shan Park. Chinese parents gather in the park to play matchmaker for their children. Reenergize with lunch before you actually enter the Forbidden City. Take a stroll past the odd delicacies available at Dong Hua Men Night Market. (It is also open during the day.) Assuming you found nothing appealing there, head down Wang Fu Jing pedestrian street to Oriental Plaza Mall. Sit down for some dim sum at Crystal Jade or sample a variety of foods at the Megabite Food Court. Then go back to the Forbidden City and spend the afternoon there. In the evening, head to East Third Ring Road for the Chaoyang Theater Acrobats. If you have time before the show, sample the famous Peking Duck at Da Dong Duck, just down the road. After the show, try the wood-oven pizza and imported beers at the Tree. Walk past all the chaos on Sanlitun Bar Street and you'll find it tucked behind 3.3 Mall. If you're not done in by jet lag, a number of other expat bars are in the area.
1
Stroll on Chang An Avenue
Location:
view in google mapsChang An Avenue
100004 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 8119 10112
Zeta
Location:
view in google maps1 Dongfang Lu
Hilton Hotel
Beijing, China
Phone:
10 5865 50002
RBL
Location:
view in google maps53 Dong An Men Street
Xi Pei Lou
100747 Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 6552 13932
Garden of Delights
Location:
view in google maps53 Donghuamen Dajie
Just beyond Wangfujing snack street
Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 5138 56882
Mare (Da Pa Shi)
Location:
view in google mapsXindong Lu 14
North of Gongti Bei Lu
100027 Beijing, China
Phone:
010/6417-14592
Cafe Sambal
Location:
view in google mapsDoufu Chi Hutong 43
Beijing, China
Phone:
010/6400-48752
Wan Fung Art Gallery
Location:
view in google maps136 Nanchizi Street
Dong Cheng District
100006 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6523 3319 / +86 10 6523 33202
China Art Gallery
Location:
view in google maps1 Wu Si Avenue, Sha Tan
Dong Cheng District
100010 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 0 10 6401 6234 / +86 0 10 6401 70762
Tiananmen Square
Location:
view in google mapsChang An Avenue
Dong Cheng District
100006 Beijing, China
2
Confucian Temple
Location:
view in google maps13 Guo Zi Jian
100000 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 (0)10 6401 27992
South Beauty
Location:
view in google mapsL220, 2F, China World West Tower, 1 Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue
Chao Yang District
100004 Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 6505 0809 / 86 10 6505 2288 (ext 80220)2
Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps32 Qianmen Avenue
100051 Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 6701 13793
Mao Ze Dong Mausoleum
Location:
view in google mapsTiananmen Square
Chongmen District
100006 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6513 22774
ZhengYangMen Gate
Location:
view in google mapsSouthern end of Tiananmen Square
Xuanwu District
100006 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6351 0018 (Beijing Tourist Information Center)5
Tiananmen Gate
Location:
view in google mapsNorth end of Tiananmen Square
Dongcheng District
100006 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6512 30436
Zhong Shan Park
Location:
view in google mapsEast side of Tian'anmen tower
Dong Cheng District
1000031 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6605 54317
Wang Fu Jing Shopping Area
Location:
100005 Beijing,8
Dong Hua Men Night Market
Location:
view in google mapsXing Dong An Plaza
off Wangfujing Daije
100005 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 8119 10119
Crystal Jade
Location:
view in google maps1 Dongchang'an Jie
Basement of Oriental Plaza Mall
Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 8515 023810
Forbidden City (Gu Gong)
Location:
view in google mapsNorth of Tiananmen Square
Dong Cheng District
100009 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 0 10 6512 2255 / +86 0 10 6513 225511
Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant
Location:
view in google mapsBackside of Nanxincang Int'l Building, Dongsi Shitiao
Southwest of Dongsi Shitiao Bridge
Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 5169 032812
Chao Yang Theater
Location:
view in google maps36 Dongsanhuan Beilu
Chao Yang District
100026 Beijing, China
Phone:
10 6506 083813
Tree (The)
Location:
view in google maps43 Bei Sanlitun Nan
Chao Yang District
100027 Beijing, China
Phone:
10 6415 195414
Kerry Centre Hotel (Beijing Jiali Zhongxin Fandian)
Location:
view in google mapsGuanghua Lu 1
On west side of Kerry Centre complex, north of Guomao metro
100020 Beijing, China
Phone:
010/6561-8833Day 2 - Beijing
Get up early to beat the crowds and get the best bargains at the sprawling Panjiayuan antiques market. It is not uncommon to offer 1/5 of the sellers asking price in negotiations. When the crowds grow overwhelming, head to the serene Temple of Heaven. Just outside the park's northeast gate is the Beijing Pearl Market. The finest strands are found in the shops on the top floor, but you should bargain hard everywhere. For lunch, stop in Lin's Kitchen to try the creative Sichuan message. Drop your bags at the hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at the temples or museum on the west side of town. In the evening, catch the tea ceremony at the Lao She Teahouse. Eat there or head back to the Kerry Center. Just down the street from the hotel is Hatsune, Beijing's hippest sushi restaurant. Be sure to reserve a table in advance. Finish the day with a cocktail and people watching at Centro.
1
Panjiayuan
Location:
view in google mapsPanjiayuan Lu
Just inside Dongsanhuan Nanlu
100021 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6775 2405 / +86 10 6710 02982
Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan)
Location:
view in google mapsTian Tan North Road
100050 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 (0)10 6702 22423
Pearl Market
Location:
view in google maps16 Hongqiao Lu
On the northeast corner of the Temple of Heaven
Beijing, China
Phone:
010671174294
Lin's Kitchen
Location:
view in google maps20 Xidawang Lu
Next to Noodle Loft
Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 8777 58555
Guang Ji Temple
Location:
view in google mapsXi Cheng District
Xi Cheng District
100034 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 8119 10116
Lu Xun Museum
Location:
view in google maps19 Gong Men Kou Er Tiao
Fu Cheng Men Wei Road, Xi Cheng District
100034 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 (0)10 6616 40807
Museum of Revolutionary Military
Location:
view in google maps9 Fu Xing Street
100038 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 (0)10 6686 61148
Lao She's Teahouse (Lao She Chaguan)
Location:
view in google mapsQianmen Xi Dajie 3
west of Qian Men on south side of the street
100051 Beijing, China
Phone:
010/6303-68309
Hatsune
Location:
view in google mapsHeqiao Building, Guanghua Lu
Chao Yang
100020 Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 6581 393910
Centro
Location:
view in google maps1 Guanghua Lu
1/F Kerry Centre Hotel
Beijing, China
Phone:
10 6561 8833Day 3 - Beijing
1
Urban Planning Museum
Location:
view in google mapsEast Qianmen Avenue
Southeast corner of Tiananmen Square, behind the old train station
Beijing, China
2
Da Zha Lan Alley Shopping Area
Location:
view in google mapsDa Zha Lan Alley, Qian Men Avenue
Xuan Wu district
100051 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 8119 10113
Liu Li Chang Cultural Street
Location:
view in google mapsSou Xin Hua Street, Xuan Wu District
100051 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 8119 10114
Li Qun Roast Duck
Location:
view in google maps11 Beixiangfeng, Zhengyi Nanlu, Qianmen Dongdajie
Follow directions painted on the neighboring walls
100000 Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 6702-5681; 6705-55785
Red Capital Club
Location:
view in google mapsNo. 66 Dongsi Jiutiao
Dongcheng District
100007 Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 8401 6152 / 86 10 8401 8886 (Reservations)6
Beijing Underground City (DiXiaCheng)
Location:
view in google mapsBetween 62 & 64 Xidamo Changjie
100051 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 (0)10 6702 26577
Bodhi
Location:
view in google maps17 Gonti Beilu
Across from Workers Stadium, near Minsheng Bank
100027 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 (0)10 6413 02268
Green T. House
Location:
view in google maps6 Gonti Xilu
Behind Bellagio
Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 6552 83109
Bellagio
Location:
view in google maps6 Gonti Xilu
Opposite Destinations
Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 6551 353310
Q Bar
Location:
view in google mapsTop floor of Eastern Inn Hotel, 6 Baijiazhuang Lu
Nan Sanlitun Lu (on top floor of Eastern Inn Hotel)
Beijing, China
Phone:
010/6595-9239Day 4 - Beijing
The heart of China's hot contemporary art scene is in the old Beijing factory area of 798. Tell your cab driver to take you to Dashanzi and start your day at Red Gate Gallery. Spend the rest of the morning exploring the avant-guard galleries. For lunch, head back to the North Sanlitun neighborhood for Thai cuisine at Serve the People. In the afternoon, go local and rent a bike. (The Kerry Center can help with arrangements.) With a good map in hand, trek over to Lama Temple and then peddle through the old hutongs. Recharge at the Vineyard Cafe just to the west of the Temple or stop at one of the many cafes in Nanluoguxiang. Cafe Il Sole's almond tofu dessert is divine. Exiting Nanluoguxiang to the south, you will be just to the east of the Houhai Lake District. Peddle around to the northwest corner to check out Soong Ching Ling's former home. Stay around the lake in the evening, watching the lights come up over the water from a lake-side table at South Silk Road. The East Shore Jazz Cafe, as the name indicates, is on the east shore of the lake just across from the restaurant.
1
Red Gate Gallery
Location:
view in google maps798 - Dashanzi, No.2 Jiu Xianqiao
Chaoyang District
100005 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 (0)10 6438 10052
Serve The People (Wei Renmin Fuwu)
Location:
view in google mapsSan Li Tun Xi Wu Jie 1
Behind German embassy
100027 Beijing, China
Phone:
010/8454-45803
Yonghe Gong (Lama Temple)
Location:
view in google mapsYong He Gong Dajie 12
South of the North Second Ring Rd. (entrance on the south end of the complex)
100007 Beijing, China
Phone:
010/6404-37694
Nanluoguxiang
Location:
view in google mapsRuns north to south between Jiugulou Dajie and Dianmen Dajie, respectively
Southern entrance a few blocks east of Houhai
Beijing, China
5
Café Il Sole
Location:
view in google maps79 Nanluoguxiang
Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 6407 32496
Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling
Location:
view in google maps46 North Rive Street
West City District
100009 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6404 42057
South Silk Road
Location:
view in google maps19 Lotus Lane
Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 6615 55158
East Shore Live Jazz Café
Location:
view in google maps2/F, 2 Qianhai Nanyuan Lu
Eastern bank of Houhai
Beijing, China
Phone:
10 8403 2131Day 5 - Beijing
No Beijing experience is complete without a trip to the breathtaking Summer Palace. It is a long taxi ride out to the west side of town, but upon arrival, you will understand why Empress Cixi bothered to trek out here for summer retreats. For lunch, head to Haidian, the neighborhood with China's most famous universities -- Peking and Tsinghua. This area is also home to a number of foreign students and foreign cuisines. Tuck into a local Korean BBQ joint around the university district and after lunch check out one or two of the museums. If you still have time, swing by Xiushui for some last minute souvenir shopping. Splurge on your last night in Beijing with an elegant meal at the Courtyard, just next to the Forbidden City. Then toast to the end of a great trip at super hip, Stark designed Lan.
1
Summer Palace (Yi He Yuan)
Location:
view in google mapsHai Dian
100091 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6288 11442
Ruins of the Old Summer Palace
Location:
view in google maps28 Qing Hua West Road
(north of Beijing University and east of the Summer Palace)
100084 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6255 1488 / +86 10 6254 36733
Beijing Art Museum
Location:
view in google mapsWan Shou Temple, North of West 3rd-ring Road
Hai Dian District
100081 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6847 9391 / +86 10 6841 33804
Design Museum
Location:
view in google maps56 Kun Ming South Road
2 km west of the Shangri-La Hotel
100089 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 (0)10 8843 35835
Xiushui Silk Market
Location:
view in google mapsEast Jianguomenwai Dajie
Directly above Yong'an Li subway stop
Beijing, China
6
CourtYard Gallery (The)
Location:
view in google maps95 Donghuamen Dajie
Dongcheng District
100006 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 (0)10 6526 88827
The Courtyard (Siheyuan)
Location:
view in google mapsDonghua Men Dajie 95
10-min. walk, on north side of street
100006 Beijing, China
Phone:
010/6526-88838
Lan
Location:
view in google mapsB12 Jianguomen Waidajie
4/F Twin Towers
Beijing, China
Phone:
10 5109 6012/13