Beijing is a fascinating place to visit, but it can be pretty overwhelming. It’s a large city, densely populated, and Chinese happens to be one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn!
Because the city is so vibrant, culturally rich, and inexpensive, it draws thousands of tourists every year making it one of the must visit destinations to see on a gap year in Asia.
There a million wonderful things to do in this famous city, but here are the absolute musts:
1. Stay at Red Lantern House
Make sure to reserve a bed at Red Lantern House, a wonderful hostel in one of Beijing’s historic hutong neighborhoods. This is a unique opportunity to experience local Chinese culture as well as a quickly-disappearing way of traditional living. While it may be tempting to take advantage of the low prices of the swanky hotels of Beijing, you won’t regret a truly authentic traveling experience. Red Lantern also has an in-house kitchen that serves up delicious vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. The decor is enough to inspire you to have a kung-fu movie-marathon when you get home!
2. Parks
One of my favorite parts of Beijing were the numerous parks all over the city. Here you can take a breather from the city and watch Chinese people practicing their opera skills, dancing in large groups to beautiful traditional music, or listen to the occasional band of Chinese traditional musicians (I swear I discovered the Chinese version of the Buena Vista Social Club). My personal favorite was Beihai Park, a lovely and enormous park with a huge lake strewn with people in paddleboats lazily taking in the sights. There are many colorful temples, as well as good spots to sit and have a snack. Also of note is the famous Temple of Heaven Tiantan Park. This is the best place to watch the Chinese practice tai chi. Don’t be afraid to ask them to show you some of their moves! Watching this elegant practice is truly inspiring.
3. Great Wall
You can’t go to Beijing, or China for that matter, without visiting the Great Wall. This pilgrimage, which usually features on people’s “List of Things To do Before I Die,” is a wonder to behold. On a fairly clear day, you can see the wall snaking away for miles on end. However, there are different areas of the wall to choose from for your venture. I suggest the section at Mutianyu, which is lest touristy than other sections but not too much of a laborious hike or long drive from Beijing. For those who don’t feel up to the walk, you can take a chair lift up and toboggan down. But the walk gives you that sense of accomplishment when you get to the top and it deserves a well-earned photo. When you head back down, there are a number of souvenir vendors, snack stalls, and a restaurant. Make sure to bring water up the wall with you or you will be charged 500 times the regular price by local entrepreneurs!
4. Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is a must-see, but you have to go both in the day and at night to truly appreciate it. At night, it’s a sobering reminder of the Tiananmen Square Massacre and the lights lining the surrounding pagodas and walls draw festive evening crowds. During the day, wait in line reading your Little Red Book (the stares from Chinese tourists are worth it) as you wait in line to see Mao at the Mao Mausoleum. If you go before the Olympics, you can see the countdown and the crazy Olympic characters that are housed in the square. Don’t forget to get your picture in front of the Mao Portrait!
5. Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven
Make sure to visit what are arguably two of China’s most famous sites: the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. Despite the crowds and the lines, these are two attractions you should be sure not to miss. They are astounding beautiful architectural masterpieces. The Forbidden City has many buildings and you can appreciate them from the outside and, if you’re up for it, check out some of the interiors. Spend as much or as little time as you like!
6. Hutongs
My absolute favorite part of Beijing are the traditional neighborhoods, called hutongs. Even if you are not staying at a hostel in a hutong, be sure to visit one for a few hours before you leave Beijing. Thousands of Beijingers call these narrow alleyways home and back in the day, Beijing used to be full of them. The architecture is amazing and the glimpses you get into the culture are priceless. Right now the hutongs are in danger, with the majority of them being demolished in favor of high rise apartments or commercial ventures. This is becoming a major issue in Beijing, as countless people are being turned out of their homes and the city itself is losing these treasures. Walk around them and just take in all the sights, smells, and flavors of these cities. It’s like going back in time. I do not recommend taking a tri-shaw, as they overcharge and generally can rope you into some pricey “snacks.” The hutongs are best experienced at your own pace anyway, and provide a nice respite from the busy, congested city. If you’re lucky like me, you may even stumble into a flea market or two where you can find antiques on the cheap.
7. Wengsheng Fu Sanck Street
When you get hungry in the evening, make sure to head over to Wengsheng Fu Sanck Street. It is very near to Wanfujing Street, the major outdoor shopping area, where you can find lots of great souvenirs. Here you can get your fill of cheap and varied cuisine with anything from fried noodles to strange dry ice drinks! You can find almost any meat or vegetable on a stick, my favorite being the glazed lotus flower roots. It’s a great (and inexpensive!) way to try many different flavors at one time and be part of the festive atmosphere!
8. Sample the Green Tea
Get your fill at Ten Fu’s Tea of what is arguably the most famous tea in the world: Chinese green tea. This chain, which you will see all over Beijing, has dozens of varieties of teas, including black and white teas. The helpful staff will assist you with your very difficult decisions and will make some good suggestions. They always have a few teas brewing and so you will have an opportunity to try different kinds as your browse the store. A large bag (which will last you for more than six months if you have a few cups a week) runs around $7 USD and each bag describes the tea in English and Chinese. Make sure to pick up at least one bag of their delicious black tea candy for a much-needed pick-me-up as you tour the beautiful city of Beijing!
9. Wansheng Theatre
No trip to Beijing would be complete without a visit to the Wansheng Theatre for their Chinese Acrobat Show at No. 95 Tianqiao Market XuanWu District. It is a wonderful event full of mind-boggling acrobatic feats performed by a troupe of fearless, young Chinese people. The staff serves delicious tea for free and the theatre is a short walk from the Temple of Heaven. For another fun night of entertainment, visit the Laoshe Teahouse, where you will see a variety of traditional Chinese acts that are not soon forgotten. This is a great way to see the famous Beijing Opera without having to sit through a long and possibly confusing performance. They also have a kung fu demonstration, Sichuan Opera face changing, and tea kettle pouring tricks. Of course the tea is great and you get served delicious snacks, including tasty mooncakes. It is more affordable than other variety shows like this and the snacks and tea are included.
10. Lama Temple
Finish your trip on a calmer note by visiting the beautiful Lama Temple. The temple is in the Tibetan style, with unique architecture that is different from the other styles displayed all around the city. Make sure to check out the enormous Buddha carved out of a single sandalwood tree in one of the buildings…it even earned a Guiness World Record! The temple is full of worhsippers who spin the prayer wheels, light incense, and bow as they pray. You can also catch a glimpse of some traditional Tibetan Buddhist monks! While there is much controversy over the Chinese governments acquisition of Tibet, the temple is a unique opportunity to get a glimpse of that faraway land. If you’re interested, there is a Confucian Temple nearby, as well as many stores selling Buddhist paraphernalia.
Find China gap year programs today and explore Beijing for yourself!