Introduction
There are many websites dedicated to listing top X attractions in any city in the world, and we are not negating the awe that visiting such places might inspire. However we have long been fans of more of a "live and breathe" approach - we like to walk the city, get lost in it and try to see whatever places the locals are hanging out.
From our experience while the tourist destinations might be impressive, they are usually not something you remember in years to come - it is those random discoveries you make along the way, people you meet and just fan casual memories that make you fall in love with the place.
We found that this attitude to travel is also the way to go when travelling with kids. It allows you to stop obsessing over ticking all the bucket list boxes (and being annoyed when the crankiness prevents you from getting there). Just 'hanging out' is much easier to do than 'touristing around' which is probably our trips with kids while not hassle-free, have similar amount of hassle as all other days of our parental life 😅.
In this post you can find the list of places in Beijing that we have found (so far) in China's bustling capital.
Party vibe at the Houhai Lake
I feel like we might be a bit too enthusiastic about the Houhai Lake but that is probably because it was the place we spent out first evening of our first trip to China. It was the first encounter of the happy, vibrant night life of Beijing. In the summer the place has plenty of street food joints and bars to go to. In a typical Chinese manner people, young and old, can be seen dancing and generally just enjoying themselves. You will definitely enjoy just hanging around there and talking to people that might come up to you and try to start a conversation.
Explore the traditional Hutongs...
Beijing is known for its hutongs - those are the old neighbourhoods hidden in the alley ways, where life still seems to be following a slower pace. It is a glimpse into the 'old Beijing' that - taking into account China's spectacular growth - will probably cease to exist very soon.
Hutongs seem to be self-contained villages within the city - with shops and food joints. You can go there to do some people-watching, while simultaneously being people-watched yourself.
A pleasant hotel located in a hutong in Xisi area is Templeside Beijing - it is nice and comfortable place located centrally in a convenient distance from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
... but make sure you see the gentrified ones too!
Old Beijing is not-so-slowly giving ways to the brand new. Whether you like it or not, the city is changing and old alley ways are getting transformed into hipster hangout spots - with cool cafes, art galleries, shops and more. For anyone who things Beijing is just Peking Duck and Great Wall it will be a surprise that Chinese youth is not that different from their Western counterparts - they do like their flat white and a yuzu cheesecake and Chet Faker songs blasting from the speakers.
One of such hutong is located in the district of Dashilar, southwest of Tiananmen Square. Here is where you can get your unique Beijing souvenirs and sip an extravagantly expensive cup of coffee.
798 Art District
With a similar attitude but maybe a little more depth to it is the atmosphere of the 798 Art District. It is an old industrial district turned cool artsy hangout. It is pleasant to just wander around there and a home of world-class art galleries and cool local designer shops.
Unlike many other places in Beijing, you can hear a lot of English spoken there. And it feels much more cosmopolitan too, with many cool cafes and eateries.
To read more about 798 Art District:
798 ART DISTRICT LTD
Admire the skyline near CCTV tower
Whether the CCTV building - locally known as Da Kucha (大裤衩, Big Pants) - is cool or cringe is debatable, it is one of the landmarks of Beijing. It is located in the financial district and surrounded by other high rise buildings where you can admire the Beijing skyline.
One of the places where you can do it from is China World Mall - an enormous modern shopping mall with a viewing terrace where you can take some pictures of the famous building. The shopping centre itself is worth a visit if you haven't been to any shopping malls in China yet. Walking around high-end shops in China makes you understand that in China future is already there.
But don't take my word for it - your trip is your own adventure and while those are our personal favourites, there is plenty more to explore!
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