Beijing is a must visit unique city where the charm of traditional Chinese culture meets the exciting rush of city life.
As the political hub of China, Beijing is the perfect place to soak up the country’s rich history whilst immersing yourself in the changing society of modern China.
Whilst many tourists restrict their stay in the bustling city to just a few days, it is recommended to spend at least a week here. This way, you’ll get to experience more than the usual tourist hotspots like the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Summer Palace.
There are already thousands of guides to the best things to do in Beijing, so (for the more intrepid travellers), we’ve decided to let you in on some of the less well known alternative spots, just off the tourist beaten track, to help you experience more of this vibrant city.
These are the best non-touristy things to do on your next trip to the Chinese capital.
1. Hutong Hangout
Escape from the chaos of inner city Beijing crowds and walk among the leafy streets where the old heart of Beijing rests. Tucked away beneath towering skyscrapers, the hutongs have for years been under threat of demolition in the name of modernisation.
Rent a bike or take a rickshaw and explore the narrow streets of communities that are tightly holding on to their heritage. With surprises hidden around every corner, from tea houses to museums, you’ll soon discover your own favourite quirks.
2. 798 Art Zone
Amidst the surroundings of disused military factories, Beijing’s 798 art district plays host to a thriving artistic scene. Spend the day café hopping and attempt to understand the weird and wonderful contemporary art in this strip of (mostly) free galleries.
3. Dance Like Nobody’s Watching
Spend an evening with a group of ‘dancing grannies’. Yes, you read that right. Throughout Beijing groups of mainly older women will populate any open space going to have a good ole boogie to some of their favourite Chinese tunes. We recommend familiarising yourself with ‘little apple’ by the Chopsticks Brothers, a choreographed song in China that is set to rival gangnam style. If you are planning a gap year to China, this really can be one of the highlights.
4. Sing Like Nobody’s Listening
Another extremely popular past time (which also leaves no room for inhibitions) is KTV; a chain of glitzy karaoke bars with private rooms which you can rent out. Grab some Dutch courage at the front of house drink store and gather a group of friends for a night full of laughter. Don’t worry, there is plenty of western music to choose from (they don’t expect you to start singing in Chinese quite yet.)
5. Mount Tai
Cheating a bit here as this is a full day trip away from Beijing, but sacred Mount Tai is a welcome break from the chaos of urban Chinese life. If you’re feeling brave, it’s 6293 steps from the base to the summit.
Alternatively, you can start half way and still feel some sense of achievement! Stand above the clouds, take in that view and breathe in that much needed fresh mountain air (rather than smog). Ride the cable car back down the mountain.
Sunrise and sunsets here are spectacular!
6. Speed Down The Great Wall
No visit to Beijing is complete without walking along the iconic Great Wall of China. The view of the turrets stretching over endless miles of rolling hills will take your breath away. There are several sections you can visit near Beijing and most China tour companies offer trips, but the Mutianyu section is the best preserved and is much less crowded. Plus, the highest point of Mutianyu has an exhilarating toboggan ride to speedily take you down the mountain! This really is one of the best things to do in China.
7. Go to a Chinese Football Game
Even if football isn’t your thing (it certainly ain’t mine), jumping in a pit of Chinese football hooligans whilst chanting obscenities at the opposition is never boring (trust us). For a more lively experience make sure you secure a place in the standing section of the stadium. You can even grab a football shirt for £2! The Olympic football stadium just is an hour and half on the high speed train to Jinan. If you are worried about the language barrier, consider courses with Chinese language schools in China.
8. Take A Break At The Temples
Burn incense beneath the gaze of an 18m high gold Buddha at the Lama temple; it’s actually the most renowned Buddhist temple outside of Tibet! Then, take a short subway ride (just 20yuan a ride) to the temple of heaven. Play cards with the locals in the ornate long corridor where the emperors used to walk.
9. Hot Springs
Soothe your tired limbs in one of the many hot springs dotted around Beijing. Head to the Feng Shang Resort, located near the Ming Tombs (also worth a look in) and opt for one of the simple outdoor stone beds. All you need to do now is sit back, be at one with nature, and take in the mountain views. Lovely.
10. Shaolin Monastery
If you enjoyed the temples, a visit to the Shaolin monastery is worth considering. Away from the prying eyes of Beijing tourists the monastery offers a more authentic view on Zen Buddhism in China from its birthplace. Learn kung fu with the resident teachers or meditate with a monk atop of the mountain. This place is really something special.
11. Challenge Yourself
You can find some of the best food in China, but there’s much more to Chinese cuisine than the sweet and sour chicken we’re all accustomed to. After all, you haven’t come all this way to order dishes on offer at your local Chinese takeaway.
Make sure you try dumplings and Hot Pot. Hot Pot it’s a great communal meal where you boil up an assortment of meat and veg in a spicy sauce. Just be careful of the Szechuan version (it will quite literally blow your head off). Have a stab at ordering in mandarin too; the locals will really appreciate the effort.
12. Go Clubbing In Beijing
If you’re craving a party there’s a strip of western style bars called ‘Sanlitun’ and a host of clubs near the workers stadium. Nightclubs seem to be populated with expensive booths rather than a dance floor, so I’d recommend seeking out some of the hutong rock bars instead, one in particular called ‘Mao House’.
Before booking your trip, be sure to check out a Beijing backpacking guide. Or if you are interested in being more than just a tourist, check out these pages:
• How to work in China
• Best volunteer programs in China
• Paid internships in China
• Teach English in China