Hidden Beijing
Description:
Beijing is a city that caters for tourists extremely well, particularly since the Olympics in 2008. However, simply following the tour guides and arranged trips will never allow you to see the Beijing that locals and long-term expats see around them everyday. You have to look past the popular haunts and find the more obscure places. This guide is ideal for someone who has already been to Beijing and has seen the major sights – the second time to the city you want something different and to get an idea of the ‘real’ city life. Stay in more local surroundings, enjoy the truly local entertainment, eat food from all over China and be adventurous. For those looking for the real character of Beijing, this 4 day guide gives you all the information you need.
Author: BeijingBoy
Day 1 - Beijing
Staying somewhere like the Sihe Hotel might not be an obvious choice at first, but it is a clean, efficient and friendly hotel that is reasonably priced, meaning you can avoid being stuck with other tourists and also save money that you can use to spend on other things. Check out the local art at 798, then head to one of the lesser-known but equally impressive historic sites known as Gong Wangfu. Try some tasty Yunnanese food for dinner at No Name to round off the day before heading to D-22 Club for some local alternative music.
1
Beijing Sihe Hotel
Location:
view in google mapsNo. 5 Deng Cao Hu Tong, Dong Si South St
Dongcheng District
100010 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 (0)10 5169 35552
798 Art Zone
Location:
view in google mapsNo.4 Jiuxianqiao Road/Chaoyang District
Dashanzi Art District
Beijing, China
Phone:
86(0) 10-59789180/597891813
Prince Gong's Mansion (Gong Wang Fu)
Location:
view in google mapsLiuyin Jie 17
Xi Cheng District
100009 Beijing, China
Phone:
010/6618-05734
No Name Restaurant (Wu Ming Can Ting)
Location:
view in google mapsDa Jinsi Hutong 1
Beijing, China
Phone:
010/6618-60615
D-22
Location:
view in google maps13 Chengfu Lu
On Chengfu Rd between East Rd of Zhongguancun and Baiyi Rd, Wudaokou area, Haidan district
100084 Beijing, China
Phone:
010/6265-3177Day 2 - Beijing
See what the Chinese do on their weekends off by travelling out to the Shidu Scenic Spot. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, and then get involved in fun activities such as rafting, hiking and bungee jumping. This will take most of the day, so in the evening you can try something completely new if you dare. Go to Guolizhuang for a dining experience like no other – if you think you can stomach it. Shake off the extreme dining experience with a trip to the brilliant White Rabbit club – a look into the real Beijing DJ scene.
1
Shi Du Scenic Spot
Location:
view in google mapsShi Du Town
Fangshan District
101411 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 8936 0123 (Beijing Tourist Information Center)2
Guolizhuang
Location:
view in google maps1A Dongyan
Xihai
100034 Beijing, China
Phone:
86 10 6405 56983
White Rabbit
Location:
view in google maps29 Zaoying Lu
C2 Haoyun Jie
100022 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 133 2112 3678Day 3 - Beijing
Spend your third day at one of the obscure and relatively unknown parts of the Great Wall, although make sure you plan your visit carefully and consult a guide or expert before heading there. Spend the evening at the delightful Nanluoguxiang. This restored Hutong has traditional restaurants, funky craft shops and relaxing cafes and bars. Take your pick of the food and drink on offer or simply stroll around the area enjoying the scenery and atmosphere.
1
Great Wall at Huang Hua
Location:
view in google maps75 kilometres north of Beijing
Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 8516 2288 (tourist information)2
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
Day 4 - Beijing
The Red Snail Temple maybe a fair trek from the centre of Beijing, but it is a unique and different historical landmark that few tourists bother to discover. It is certainly worth the visit and will leave you with a new perspective on the ancient history and mythology of China. Treat yourself to a delicious and spicy Sichuan meal for dinner, and then check out that most Asian of nightlife activities – KTV. Melody is one of the biggest chains, and is the best place to spend a fun evening eating, drinking and singing your heart out.
1
Red Snail Temple (Hong Luo Si)
Location:
view in google mapsHuai Rou County
Northeast of Beijing
101400 Beijing, China
Phone:
+86 10 6068 11752
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
Melody
Location:
view in google maps77 Chao Yang Men Wai Avenue
100020 Beijing, China
Phone:
10 6551 0808