Best of Beijing: The best places to actively explore in Beijing!

At the top of your bucket list of things to do in Beijing is to visit the Great Wall of China. The walk on top of this historic world wonder is considered a highlight of every Beijing trip. The Great Wall has different sections which offer different kinds of activities. In order to get a truly authentic and enjoyable Great Wall experience, away from the crowds, we recommend getting off the beaten track.

Wild Great Wall, like the Jiankou section (箭扣), is an unrestored and almost original section of the Wall and offers a great hike to the Mutianyu section with many exclusive panoramas along the way.

Getting there on public transportation: Take bus 916快 from Dongzhimen bus station (next to Dongzhimen subway station) and get off at Huairou North Avenue (怀柔北大街). Change to bus H36 to Tianxianyu and then walk to the entrance of Jiankou Great Wall. 

CK says: Wild wall can be very dangerous; always go with an experienced guide and do your research before you go. Some sections are extremely steep and may require climbing experience to traverse. Please keep in mind that by walking on the original wall you may be contributing to the wear and tear of an important historical site. Climb alongside rather than on the wall, if you can.

After these old factories were closed, artists started to move in and gave all the abandoned structures a new meaning. Today it has transitioned into an inspiring art zone brimming with edgy galleries, hip dance schools, cute cafes, and audacious shops. Since the 798 Art District is constantly evolving, it is always worth a visit.

This area offers the perfect activity for everyone: you can buy unique souvenirs, get inspired by the cool street art, sip a local craft beer or check out Beijing’s cutting-edge Design Week.

Getting there by public transport: Take subway line 14 to Wangjing South and take exit B1. Then take bus 403 and get off at Dashanzi Lukou Dong Station, or walk about 15 minutes northeast to the art district. 

CK says: 798 has been a staple on day-trip itineraries for Beijing residents and visitors for as long as we can remember. Do be sure to check ahead of time though if there's something specific you want to see, as exhibits can change very quickly, sometimes unannounced!

Shichahai is a lovely area around Qianhai Lake, Houhai Lake and Xihai Lake, often simply known as Houhai by English speakers. A sunny day is perfect for a bike ride to admire the stunning lake views as well as some places of historic interest and old Beijing-style residences along the way.

As soon as the sun sets, the recreational local life turns into bustling nightlife with happy hours and live music. A lot of the traditional hutongs and courtyard houses have been turned into cozy little bars or restaurants with pleasing lake views.

Getting there by public transport: Take subway line 8 to Shichahai station. 

CK says: As the EH Gurus say, the great thing about this picturesque area is that it has something for everyone. Don't forget that the Drum and Bell Towers are nearby if you want to explore the area more!

As one of the oldest cities in the world, Beijing retains a wealth of historical sites while also achieving rapid modernization. Escape the modernity of the capital city for an interesting experience by walking through one of the hutongs.

These narrow alleys are formed by the walls of traditional courtyard homes, called siheyuan 四合院, and represent the social center of life for many locals. It’s easy to lose track of time while you enjoy the old Beijing lifestyle, the historic architecture and the local street food along your way.

Getting there by public transport: Hutongs can be found all over the city, but there are large clusters around the Forbidden City (Tiananmen East or West stations on subway line 1); Nanluoguxiang (subway line 6) and the Lama Temple (Yonghegong station on subway line 2/5).  

CK says: After many years of exploring Beijing, our personal favourite hutongs are in the Qianmen area to the west of Meishi Street. They are quiet, with little shops and boutiques at every turn, but - surprisingly given their location - not as touristy as other hutongs. Perfect for exploration and immersion in old Beijing.

North of the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park served once as a private imperial garden. The man-made Jingshan Hill in the center used to be the highest point in Beijing and the Wanchun Pavilion on the summit offers an exceptional view of the entire city.

The short hike up is especially rewarding at sunset, when you can see a beautifully-lit panorama of the magnificent Forbidden City.

Getting there by public transport: Walk west 15 minutes from Art Museum station on subway line 8. 

CK says: Best known - or perhaps only known! - for its spectacular views over the Forbidden City to the south - Jingshan Park is definitely worth exploring, and has beautiful peony displays in the spring. 

Cultural Keys is very grateful to the team at Expats Holidays for taking the time to share their suggestions with us on the best places to actively explore around Beijing! 

What do you think of their choices? Are these places you have added to your to-do list, or have you seen better suggestions elsewhere? Let us know in the comments on our website (click Read More below), or on our social media pages on Facebook (@CulturalKeysChina), Instagram (@CulturalKeys) or LinkedIn (CulturalKeys). We always love hearing from you!