Eastern Beijing
East of central Beijing, in a corridor between the Second and Third Ring Roads, is the district of Chaoyang. It’s not an area that is particularly old and it doesn’t have very many significant monuments, but it is home to two main clusters of international embassies, and it is where a large proportion of the city’s foreign expatriate community chooses to live. As a result, Chaoyang is the city’s entertainment and nightlife center, and, for the visitor, it is the prime area for eating and shopping.
Altared cityRi Tan Park’s Altar of the Sun is one of eight such cosmologically aligned structures, along with the Altar of Heaven (Tian Tan; see Temple of Heaven (Tiantam)), the Altar of Agriculture (Xiannong Tan; now part of the Ancient Architecture Museum), the Altar of the Moon in the west of the city, the Altar of the Earth (Di Tan, see Di Tan Park), the Altar of the Country in Zhong Shan Park, the Altar of the Silkworm in Bei Hai Park, and the lost Altar of the Gods of Heaven. |
|
|
Top 10 Sights
Ancient Observatory
Dating to 1442, Beijing’s observatory is one of the oldest in the world. In fact, there was an even earlier Yuan-dynasty (1279–1368) observatory also located on this site but no trace of that remains. Today, a collection of reproduction astronomical devices lies in the courtyard, some decorated with fantastic Chinese designs. There are more impressive instruments on the roof.
Ancient Observatory
6524 2202
Subway: Jianguo Men
Open 9am–4pm daily
¥10
Southeast Corner Watchtower
A short distance south of the Second Ring Road an imposing chunk of the old Beijing city wall survives, including an imposing 15th-century watch-tower. Visitors can climb onto the battlements and walk along a short stretch of wall. The tower is also home to the commercial Red Gate Gallery.
Southeast Corner Watchtower
South of Jianguo Men Nei Dajie
6527 0574
Subway: Jianguo Men
Open 8am–5:30pm daily
¥10
Ri Tan Park
One of the city’s oldest parks, Ri Tan was laid out around a sacrificial altar back in the 16th century. The round altar remains, ringed by a circular wall, but this is very much a living park, filled daily with people walking and exercising. Being at the heart of the embassy district, the park is well tended and surrounded by lots of good restaurants and cafés.
Ri Tan Park
Guanghua Lu
8561 4261
Subway: Jianguo Men
Open 6:30am–9:30pm daily
Central Business District (CBD)
The Central Business District is Beijing’s business hub, housing more than 60 percent of the city’s foreign-funded companies. Marked by the CCTV Tower in the northwest and by the Twin Towers of the China World Trade Center in the southeast, the area is also home to about half of the city’s luxury hotels and two of its glitziest shopping malls, China World and Shin Kong Plaza (see China World Shopping Mall and Shin Kong Plaza).
Subway: Guomao or Dawanglu
Dong Yue Miao
This colorful and active temple, dating to the early 14th century, was restored in 1999 and is tended by Daoist monks. The main courtyard leads into the Hall of Tai Shan with statues of gods and their attendants. Tai Shan is another name for Dong Yue, in Daoist lore the Eastern peak to which the spirits of the dead travel.
Dong Yue Miao
141 Chaoyang Men Wai Dajie
6551 0151
Subway: Chaoyang Men
Open 8:30am–4:30pm Tue–Sun
¥10
Blue Zoo Beijing
Not a zoo at all, but an excellent modern aquarium, reckoned to be the best of its kind in Asia. The main attraction is a central tank holding literally thousands of fish, plus there are also 18 additional tanks with specifically themed displays (see Blue Zoo Beijing).
South gate of Workers’ Stadium
6591 3397 ext. 1560
Subway: Chaoyang Men
Open 8:30am–7:30pm daily
¥75; children ¥50; under 3 ft (1 m) free
Workers’ Stadium
With an estimated capacity of 72,000, the stadium is home to Beijing’s premier football club, Hyundai Guo’an, and it is the city’s main venue for large-scale rock and pop concerts. Perplexingly, it’s also a hub of Beijing nightlife, with numerous clubs and bars clustered around its north and west gates, and some very good restaurants too (see Restaurants). Even oldies get in on the act, with mass open-air dancing taking place on the forecourt of the north gate most summer evenings.
Crowds at the Workers’ Stadium
Entrance gate at the Workers’ Stadium
Gongren Tiyuchang Bei Lu
6501 6655
Subway: Dong Si Shi Tiao
Sanlitun
Beijing’s main expat-friendly boozing district, Sanlitun is famed for its “Bar Street”, more properly known as Sanlitun Bei Lu. It also has a high concentration of international restaurants (see Restaurants) and lots of boutique shopping (see Shops, Markets, and Malls). Streets around here, although modern, are at least tree-lined and, with plenty of cafés for refreshment stops, it’s a pleasant district in which to wander.
Sanlitun bar
Subway: Tuanjiehu
Ghost Street
Gui Jie, or Ghost Street, is a mile-and-a-quarter (2-km) stretch of Dong Zhi Men Nei Dajie that come nightfall is jammed with cars double-parked outside its one hundred or so restaurants, many of which open 24 hours. The roadside is festively lit with strings of red lanterns bobbing in the breeze, while most establishments favor corny, old-China décor with lots of red lacquer and pagoda motifs, and waitresses in silk tunics. This is the home of hotpot, although all regional Chinese cuisines are represented here.
Subway: Beixingqiao
Lufthansa Center
This glossy mall-style development caters for aspirational Beijingers with a department store full of imported luxury goods, a basement Continental deli, and a BMW showroom. More down to earth, just west on the south bank of the river is the Liang Ma Flower Market, which is a riot of color and fragrances.
50 Liang Ma Qiao Lu
6465 1188
Subway: Liangmaqiao
Open 9am–10pm daily
A Walk From Ri Tan Park to Sanlitun
Morning
The American-style diner Steak and Eggs (5 Xiushui Jie), which is behind the Friendship Store, opens for pancake-platter breakfasts at 7:30am. Well fed, head north up embassy-lined Jianhua Lu to enter Ri Tan Park via the south gate. This is one of the city’s best parks, with an old sacrificial altar, a rockery, and a small lake with the waterside Stone Boat café. Exit via the west gate onto Ritan Lu, then head south, toward Guanghua Lu, which is lined with shops. Stop at French deli Fauchon (see Fauchon) to stock up on delicious chocolates and wines, or head to one of the many stores in this area. Continue on to busy Chaoyang Men Wai Dajie, lined with malls and the Dong Yue Miao temple.
Afternoon
Departing the temple, turn left and then take the second left into Gongren Lu. This takes you up to a park with a lake and then the Workers’ Stadium. Circle the stadium to exit via the north gate onto Gongren Tiyuchang Bei Lu. Head east until you come to a foot bridge, which allows you to cross this eight-lane boulevard safely. It deposits you in front of Yashaw Market for more bargain shopping. To the east, The Village offers more up-scale shopping possibilities. Continue east until Sanlitun Bei Lu, the heart of the city’s entertainment district: bars The Tree and Bookworm , plus restaurant Alameda are all just a few minutes’ walk from here.
Shops, Markets, and Malls
Silk Market
This four-story indoor market is the lodestone for counterfeit designer goods. Haggle as if your life depended on it (see Silk Market).
Jianguo Men Wai Dajie
Sunglasses at the Silk Market
Yashaw Market
Similar to the Silk Market, but significantly less crowded and less aggressive (see Yashaw Market).
58 Gongren Tiyuchang Bei Lu
6415 1726
Boots at Yashaw Market
China World Shopping Mall
The Silk Market and Yashaw Market sell the counterfeits, but this is where you come for the originals (see China World Shopping Mall and Shin Kong Plaza).
1 Jianguo Men Wai Dajie
Shin Kong Plaza
Opened in April 2007, Shin Kong is a temple for luxury shopping and gourmet dining. It marked the debut appearance of many elite brands in mainland China (see China World Shopping Mall and Shin Kong Plaza).
87 Jianguo Lu
6530 5888
Friendship Store
Once upon a time this was officially the only store tourists could visit. Now it’s the last place you’d want to shop; it’s overpriced and has notoriously unhelpful staff. Visit only for a glimpse of how shopping in Beijing was in the good old bad old days.
17 Jianguo Men Wai Dajie
6500 3311
Dong Jiao Wholesale Market
This is where the traders from Beijing’s other markets come to buy their stock (see Dong Jiao Wholesale Market).
Dong Si Huan Zhong Lu
The Place
With its eye-catching LED screen, The Place is hard to miss. This mall offers mid-range shops like Zara, Aldo, MAC, Crocs, and Puma. There is also an English-language bookshop.
9 Guanghua Lu
6587 1188
8561 9556
Fauchon
This French gourmet empire opened its first Chinese deli and grocery store in Shin Kong Plaza, levels B1–F2.
87 Jianguo Lu
6533 1266
Jenny Lou’s
Expat heaven with genuine Dutch cheese, German bread, and French wines.
4 Ri Tan Bei Lu
8563 0626
NOTE
Most shops, markets, and malls tend to be open approximately 9am–9pm daily. For more details see shopping tips
Restaurants
Beijing Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant
It is the opinion of a great many Beijingers that there is no finer duck than that served here (see Beijing Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant).
Bdg 3, Tuanjiehu Beikou, Dong San Huan
6582 2892
Three Guizhou Men
Test your taste buds on the likes of sour fish soup and a startling take on ribs and mashed potato (see Three Guizhou Men).
6 Guanghua Xili
6502 1733
Guizhou Luo Luo Suan Tang Yu
“Ghost Street” is a fun place to dine, and this hotpot specialist is one of its best eateries (see Guizhou Luo Luo Suan Tang Yu).
186 Dong Zhi Men Nei Dajie
6405 1717
Green T. House
Gimmick or culinary wonder? Make your own mind up, but certainly take a look at Beijing’s most jaw-dropping, China-meets-Alice-in-Wonderland interior (see Green T. House).
6 Gongren Tiyuchang Xi Lu
6552 8311
|