Beijing Entertainment At Its Best

Beijing is one of the biggest cities in the world and home to over 21 million people. Naturally, it offers an abundance of entertainment places, tourist hot spots, endless shopping districts and vibrant nightlife. Good starting point if you plan to relocate to Beijing! Our Beijing Entertainment section offers you an overview of the most highlighted places to visit in Beijing. From traditional Hutong style shopping to nightclubs raving until early hours of the morning, you’re guaranteed to find something you like here.

If you would like to explore Beijing’s history, stroll around the narrow streets and traditional Chinese houses in Nanluoguxiang Hutong. For more contemporary spots, explore the 798 Art District with its various exhibitions and art galleries. If you are eager to discover Beijing’s nightlife, you will enjoy the clutch of cafes and bars in Houhai as well as the nightclubs in the Workers Stadium area.

 
#1. The Oriental Lake – Houhai (后海)

The area around Houhai was once home to many of the cities court officials and social elite at the late ancient times. Created during the Yuan Dynasty in the 14th century, Houhai is the largest of 3 manmade lakes along with Qianhai (the “Front Sea”) and Xihai (the “Western Sea”) that comprise Shichahai, the collective name for the three northern lakes in central Beijing. Its surrounding places are none other than hutongs (traditional alleys) and courtyard houses, giving this area a very unique charm and scenic beauty.

Houhai has been transformed into a bustling area full of places to eat, drink and simply enjoy the scenery.  Nearby you’ll also find the immaculately restored and preserved Drum and Bell Towers of former emperors as well as the north gate of Beihai Park that is reachable by bus.  The area is especially popular with foreign and inbound tourists visiting Beijing and is also often visited by the expatriate community and the younger generations of locals.

Yandai Xiejie (烟袋斜街) and Lotus Lane (天荷坊) are currently the two most popular bar strips along Houhai lake.  As one of the most highlighted Beijing entertainment areas, expats can expect to see some of the more luxurious bars on offer, with some featuring rooftop seating with a view over the lake along Lotus Lane.  Yandai Xiejie provides a much more traditional Hutong experience and favors a more traditional atmosphere than Lotus Lane. Both sides of the lake are worth visiting, not to mention the plethora of bars and cafes in-between.

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Location: Houhai, Xicheng District (后海, 西城区)

Bus: Bus routes 5/60/90/107 and 204 stop at “Gulou” station (鼓楼站), east of Houhai Lake.

Subway: Take Line 8 to Shichahai (Exit A1 or A2) and head west for a minute to reach the lake. Alternatively you may take Line 6 to Beihai North Station (Exit B), approximately 4 minutes walk to Houhai Lake.

Price: Free

Hours: Most bars are open until late night /early morning. Best enjoyed at sunset during warm summer season.

#2. The Ancient Town – Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷)

Nanluoguxiang (southeast of Drum and Bell Tower) is a well-preserved old alley, with a unique traditional architecture. With its own subway station, ‘Nanluoguxiang’ is among the most accessible Beijing entertainment spots. Nanluoguxiang gives expats and locals a chance to experience taking a walk down a traditional hutong with a splash of modern Beijing. You will find a kilometer long alley stacked full of trendy shops, restaurants and bars to be explored.

The lantern lined street is a perfect way to spend a day shopping, eating or simply relaxing at a rooftop bar. Tourists and locals alike can enjoy a wide selection of local and international cuisine as well as browse the works of independent Beijing fashion designers. This shaded street is perfect during Beijing’s hot summers and the plethora of small bars and restaurants also makes it ideal during the colder months.

A Starbucks hidden down in a traditional courtyard style home summarizes the ‘old meets new’ area perfectly. A lot of hidden gems at the side alleys are waiting to be discovered. The main street can get crowded on weekends, so make sure to turn left or right for a calmer hutong experience.

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Location: Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District (南锣鼓巷，东城区)

Bus: 13/118/612/823 stop at “Luoguxiang” station (锣鼓巷站)

Subway: Take Subway Line 6 (Exit B) or Line 8 (Exit E) to Nanluoguxiang and head north.

Price: Free

Hours: Most shops and cafes will open at 9-10am and close at various times. There are a number of restaurants that serve dinner.


#3. The Art Zone – 798 Art District (艺术区)

The 798 Art District is a personal favorite of many of the ReFoX clients and staff. This art hub is tucked away in the north of Chaoyang district. 798 was formerly a North China Wireless Joint Equipment Factory. After their disbandment many local artists took the chance to establish a small art community where art enthusiasts could come together. Many artists found themselves established in old factories as the community flourished around them.

Today, the 798 Art District has grown into one of the most popular locations for tourists and locals to meet in one of hte more quiet areas of the city. The world platform for art lovers where you can enjoy music and art. It’s best to arrive before lunch time in order to work up an appetite and avoid the crowds which begin to pour in after 12. Not taking a map can also be recommended as much of the excitement of this district is simply discovering things for yourself. Walking through a display of hundreds of inflatable penguins in order to get to the next gallery and being unsure if you’ve just destroyed a work of art is what the 798 Art District is all about. More images at 798district.

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Location: No. 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang Disctrict, Beijing (大山子酒仙桥路4号, 朝阳区)

Bus: 401/402/405/445/909/946 or 955, stop at “Dashanzi Lukou Nan” Station (大山子路口南站)

Subway: Not recommended, but the closest stop would be Wangjing South Station or Jiangtai Station on Line 14.

Price: Free

Hours: 798 Art District is open every day and is best visited in the afternoon. Opening hours for exhibitions and galleries varied, average open hours is 10am-6pm.


 #4. The Night Entertainment Area – Workers Stadium (工人体育场)

The Workers’ Stadium was built in 1959 as one of the ’10 Great Buildings’ constructed to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Peoples Republic of China. Since then it has served as a main venue for many of Beijing’s local and international Football matches as well as the 1990 Asian games and matches during the 2008 Olympics.

Home to an abundance of dance clubs, bars and restaurants at it’s west road, Workers’ Stadium is the natural extension of Beijing’s Sanlitun area. Very popular with 20-30 year olds, Workers’ Stadium caters for most of your late night dancing and clubbing needs. Established around the Workers’ Stadium, clubs MIX and VICS are a big hit with expat and local party goers and a great way to start, end or spend a night. Only a short walk around the perimeter of the stadium and you’ll find yourself passing numerous other venues, each filling a slightly different niche.

If you’re looking for somewhere close to let your hair down after dinner in Sanlitun, look no further. There’s always something on offer in the Workers’ Stadium area. It’s always worth checking each laneway and corner, you never know which hidden bar may be serving up the perfect cocktail.
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Location: Workers’ Stadium, Chaoyang District (工人体育场, 朝阳区)

Bus: 110,113,115,117,118,120,208,403,406,416,431,623,673,701,758 stop at the north gate of the Workers’ Stadium “(工人体育场北口)”

Subway: Take Line 6 to Dongdaqiao (Exit A) and head north for 15 minutes: it will be on your left. Alternatively take Line 10 to Tuanjiehu (Exit A), turn around, walk straight and take a right at the intersection. The Workers’ Stadium will be on your left hand side after a 15 minute walk.

Price: Most venues will expect a cover charge to enter usually ranging anywhere from 20-100(RMB). Drinks at bar prices.


 #5. The Attractive Shopping Center – Taikoo Li

Where to enjoy a contemporary night out in Beijing? Taikoo Li is your first choice without a doubt. Step into any taxi at any time in Beijing and say the words “San Li Tun” or “San Li Tuer” as locals would, and you can be sure you’ll end up in one of the newest and brightest areas Beijing has to offer. Located in what is also known as one of the three ‘embassy districts’, Taikoo Li is the heart of the foreign community in Beijing. A large range of western- style KTV, Bars, Clubs, Pubs, Restaurants and Cafes all converge on Taikoo Li, an excellent spot for Beijing entertainment.

Taikoo Li turns into a reveler’s dreamworld at night. After shopping in the malls, enjoying drinks and the night in the bars on Sanlitun Bar Street is first-rate. Sanlitun Bar Street gives you more than enough choices to choose, you can definitely discover Beijing’s hottest bars and pubs here. .

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Location: Taikoo Li Sanlitun, Chaoyang District (三里屯太古里，朝阳区)

Those specifically looking for the bar street should instruct taxi drivers to go to Sanlitun Bar Street (三里屯酒吧街). However, it’s incredibly easy to navigate to all areas from the central shopping section.

Bus: 113/118/406/431/701/758 stop at Sanlitun (三里屯站) or Worker Stadium Station (工人体育场站)

Subway: Take Line 10 to Tuanjiehu (Exit A), turn around, walk straight and take a right at the intersection The abundance of bars and cafes will make it obvious once you’ve arrived.

Price: Taikoo Li Sanlitun is a large shopping/bar district. It is a little more expensive than other parts of Beijing, mainly due to it’s modern design and flourishing expat and local community. It also features many large western/style shopping options and high end fashion retailers.

Hours: Shops are open 10am-10pm. Most bars are open until late/early morning.


 #6. The University District – Wudaokou (五道口)

Located between the fourth and fifth ring road, Wudaokou is a neighborhood in the Haidian District of North West Beijing. Wudaokou is in the midst of a large number of  Beijing’s top universities and research institutes. Due to its large number of (international) students it offers a great variety of nightlife, entertainment, good places for food and shopping.

Some may also refer to Wudaokou as Koreatown, for the large number of Koreans in the area. Many signs in Korean advertising businesses, restaurants, bars and Korean supermarket selling Korean stuff are located within its vicinity.

Wudaokou has a robust stream of  bars and nightclubs. Being a popular living place of many international students, entertainment spots here generally offer cheaper prices than many other in more central areas, such as Sanlitun. These include Helens, Pyro, Lush and Propaganda which can be found at the street opposite Wudaokou subway station where most of the bars are located. So if you’re looking for a good bar with cheap drinks and funky dancing, here is definitely the right place!

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Location: Wudaokou, Haidian District (五道口, 海淀区)

Bus: Routes 13/307/331/375/562/630/656 stop at Wudaokou station (五道口站）

Subway: Take Line 13 to Wudaokou (Exit A), walk straight to the first traffic light you see outside the station and turn left for the bar streets. Continue to walk straight after the traffic light to find the building at the picture above. The Wudaokou Shopping Mall is located in the opposite direction from the subway exit.

Price: Popular international student area, offers cheaper prices than entertainment in central areas.

Hours: Shops are open 10am-9pm. Most bars are open until late/early morning.


So, which of these Beijing entertainment places is the most highlighted for you? Leave a comment or share your experience with us!