Live Your Best Lives
As the capital of a nation, Beijing boasts a rich cultural atmosphere and diverse recreational activities. Enjoy the enchanting nightscape of Beijing from the rippling waters of Houhai Lake, or unwind in a teahouse for a cup of tea and music. Experience the authentic Beijing atmosphere by skating at Shichahai Lake, gazing at falling leaves at Diaoyutai, boating in Beihai Park, and savoring candied haws at temple fairs.
While the earliest bars in the Sanlitun area appeared in South Sanlitun, Sanlitun North Street is where the scene and reputation flourished. Because Sanlitun North Street is adjacent to Beijing's largest embassy district, foreigners have become the longest-standing regulars of its bars. In recent years, local white-collar workers, entertainers, and even tourists have become regulars on the bar street. The small shops in Sanlitun's hutongs often sell uniquely ethnic goods that are hard to find elsewhere, making them a popular destination for those seeking individuality. More importantly, the shopping atmosphere here, like its bar street itself, is filled with a relaxed, colorful, and unique atmosphere.
Address: From Baijiazhuang Road in the south to Dongzhimenwai Street in the north, East Third Ring Road in the east, and Xindong Road in the west
Transportation: Take Subway Line 2, Dongsishitiao Station, Exit C; or take Subway Line 10, Tuanjiehu Station, Exit D.
Shichahai, the collective name for the last three of Beijing's "Six Lakes," is a remarkably charming part of the city. Its 34 hectares of water seamlessly blend into the urban landscape, while the waterfront, with its weeping willows and lotus flowers, creates a unique natural landscape. The rise of the Shichahai bar culture and economic belt has transformed the most captivating stretch of water in old Beijing into a vibrant, vibrant city, illuminating the ever-bright city of Yinding Bridge.
Address: Di'anmenwai Street in the east, Xinjiekou Street in the west, Ping'an Street in the south, and North Second Ring Road in the north
Transportation: Take bus No. 13, 42, 90, 107, 111, 118, 204, 609, 612, 623, or 701 and get off at Beihai North Gate Station, or take Subway Line 6 and get off at Beihai North Station
Old Beijing was home to numerous storytelling teahouses, where tea drinking was merely a medium for entertaining, while listening to storytelling was the main attraction. After storytelling began, tea drinking became integrated with listening to storytelling, and no longer served separately. Teagoers would listen to stories while savoring tea, using it to refresh themselves and enhance their spirits. Lao She Teahouse, named after the People's Artist Lao She and his famous plays, was founded in 1988. In this quaint, Beijing-inspired setting, guests can enjoy daily performances by renowned figures in quyi, drama, and other fields, while savoring a variety of fine teas, imperial pastries, and seasonal Beijing snacks. On the second floor, Lao She Teahouse offers private courtyard-style rooms dedicated to tea ceremony services, light meals, guzheng performances, and tea ceremony training. Additionally, Lao She Teahouse offers a selection of carefully selected teas, uniquely Chinese tea sets, and gift boxes featuring tea books.
Address: Building 3, Zhengyang Market, Qianmen West Street, Xuanwu District, Beijing
Cost: Starting from 180 yuan
Opening Hours:
Performance Hall: 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Second-floor Sihe Tea House: 10:30-1:00 (midnight)
Lao She Tea House on the second floor: 10:00-22:00
Contact Information:
Performance Hall, Lao She Tea House on the second floor: 010-63037562
Second floor Sihe Tea House: 010-63036506
Transportation:
Take Metro Line 2 and exit at Qianmen Station C, or take Bus No. 5, 8, 17, 20, 22, 48, 59, 66, 67, 69, 71, 82, 120, 126, 203, 301, 626, 646, 690, 692, 723, 729, Special 4, Special 7, Special 11, or Bus Rapid Transit No. 1, Special 1, or Special 2 and get off at Qianmen Station.
Beijing Deyun Society, a crosstalk troupe founded by Mr. Guo Degang, has several branches across Beijing, with Tianqiao being the most popular, offering nightly crosstalk performances. The saying, "Wine flags, opera drums, and the sounds of Tianqiao, so many tourists forget home," aptly captures the essence of Beijing's old Tianqiao. Today, the Beijing Deyun Society Theater offers a glimpse into the urban culture of this ancient city and a glimpse into traditional folk art.
Address: No. 1, Beiwei Road, Xuanwu District, Beijing
cost:
First floor seating (6 people per table):
Tables 01-08: 100 yuan/person
Tables 09-16: 80 yuan/person
Tables 17-24: 60 yuan per person
Tables 25-32: 40 yuan per person
Tables 33 and 35: 40 yuan per person (on both sides of the corridor)
Tables 34 and 36: 20 yuan per person (in the corridors on both sides)
Second floor private rooms (5 people per room, including tea, snacks, and fruit plates):
Main box: 500 yuan, side box: 400 yuan
Note: Box tickets are not sold in retail and must be purchased as a whole box.
Opening Hours:
Evening show: Tuesday to Sunday 19:15-22:00
Afternoon session: every Saturday and Sunday 14:00-17:00
Ticket sales hours: 10:00-20:30
Contact Information:
Consultation Hotline: 010-63040912
Ticket booking hotline: 010-4006103721, 4008103721 (10:00-18:00)
Transportation: Take bus No. 2, 7, 17, 20, 35, 36, 69, 71, 105, 106, 110, 120, 203, 504, 692, 707, 729, 831, 832, 835, 836, 837, 917, Special No. 11, Special No. 30 and get off at Tianqiao Station or Temple of Heaven West Gate Station
This is an amateur crosstalk group composed of a group of people born in the 1980s. They use various funny ways to bring humor to everyone, making their lives more fun and happy every day.
Address: No. 61 Gulou West Street, Xicheng District
Contact: 010-64011676
Transportation: Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Guloudajie Station, or take Bus No. 5, 60, 82, 90, 107, 124, or 635 and get off at Gulou Station
The National Centre for the Performing Arts is located on Chang'an Avenue in western Beijing, adjacent to the Great Hall of the People and Tiananmen Square. Its north entrance is connected to Tiananmen West Station, where a ticket office is located. The underwater promenade stretches 80 meters and shimmers with water. The National Centre for the Performing Arts houses three professional theaters: a concert hall on the east side, an opera house in the center, and a theater on the west side. There is also a small experimental theater.
Address: No. 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing
Fees: In addition to regular admission tickets, the National Centre for the Performing Arts holds opera festival-themed viewing events from April to July each year, during which visitors can enjoy artistic performances in public spaces.
Regular admission: 30 yuan/ticket, half-price discount for students, seniors, and military personnel: 15 yuan/ticket, official website reservation: 25 yuan/ticket
Opera Festival theme viewing: 40 yuan/ticket, half price discount of 20 yuan/ticket for students, seniors, and military personnel, 30 yuan/ticket for booking on the official website
To book tickets online, please visit http://ticket.chncpa.org/ticket/page/cgTickets.jsp
On-site ticket sales time: 8:30-16:30
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00, closed on Mondays
Contact: 010-66550989
Transportation: Take bus No. 1, 5, 10, 22, 52, 90, 99, 205, 728, Special 1, or Special 2 and get off at Tiananmen West Station, or take Metro Line 1 and exit at Tiananmen West Station Exit C.
Time requirement: 2-3 hours
Xingguang Live Music Hall is Beijing's first livehouse performance venue. Performances are primarily band-based, with live orchestra accompaniment required for both solo vocalists and choruses. The audience stands, allowing for a comfortable workout and complete immersion in the music. Visitors can experience the most authentic and powerful music from any angle.
Address: Candy 3rd Floor Starlight Live, No. 79 Heping West Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (50m north of Lama Temple Bridge Road)
Cost: There are not performances every day, so you need to call in advance to make a reservation, starting from 100 yuan
Contact: 010-64255166, 64264436
Transportation: Take subway Line 2 or Line 5 to Lama Temple Station and exit A.
A must-visit for young artists, this area is known for its rock concerts, and was featured in the film "A Night After Drunkenness" starring Shawn Yue and Zhang Jingchu. Besides big-name bands, there are also regular performances by campus bands from Beijing's universities. After exploring Houhai or Nanluoguxiang, come here to experience the youthful rock scene.
Address: No. 111 Gulou East Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Cost: Ticket prices vary for each performance, but are mostly around 100 yuan. Tickets can be booked in advance by phone or online.
Website: www.mao-music.com
Consultation hotline: 010- 64025080
Transportation: Take Metro Line 6 to Nanluoguxiang Station, walk north through Nanluoguxiang to the north entrance of Nanluoxiang, and then walk 50 meters east.
A very cozy little theater, where Meng Jinghui's plays are often performed.
Address: 3rd Floor, No. 3, Shizipoxili, Dongzhimenwai Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing (near East Second Ring Road)
Contact: 010-84049981, 84049982
Transportation: Take Subway Line 2, Dongzhimen Station, Exit C
Imitating the CENTRAL PERK of FRIENDS, there is a big TV where you can watch FRIENDS. It is a very unique theme cafe.
Reference price: 30-40 yuan per person
Address: Room 0616, Building A, Chaowai SOHO, No. 6, Chaoyangmenwai Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing (near The Place)
Contact: 010-18601191315
Transportation: Take Subway Line 10 and get off at Jintaixizhao Station, Exit A
This small cafe, nestled within the Duan Qirui Executive Yuan, offers a wonderful setting, perfect for reading or writing. There's a 20 yuan minimum per person. Next door is the Yugong Yishan bar, which often hosts live rock performances in the evenings.
Reference price: 30-40 yuan per person
Address: Inside the Duan Qirui Executive Government, No. 3 Zhangzizhong Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing (near Zhangzizhong Road Subway Station)
Contact: 010-64030688
Transportation: Take Subway Line 5, Zhangzizhong Road Station, Exit A
This is a rare quiet place in the noisy Nanluo. You can take off your shoes and jump up and down here at will. You can also take pictures, sleep, play the piano and surf the Internet at will. There is also an American shorthair, a British shorthair and a Scottish folded ear cat walking around you in the store.
Reference price: 30-40 yuan per person
Address: No. 8 Heizhima Hutong, Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Contact: 010-84020177
Transportation: Take bus No. 107, 124, 204, or 635 and get off at Baochao Hutong Station; or take bus No. 107, 124, or 204 and get off at Xiaojingchang Station. Enter from the north entrance of Nanluoguxiang, walk 260 meters, turn west, and go straight. Alternatively, take Metro Line 6 and get off at Nanluoguxiang Station.
The decor is in the style favored by arty young people, and the sofas are so comfortable you'd want to curl up in them for the entire afternoon. Their signature dish is durian cheesecake, 28 yuan per piece.
Reference price: 40-50 yuan per person
Address: No. 141 Gulou East Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Transportation: Take bus No. 107, 124, 204, or 635 and get off at Baochao Hutong Station