798 Art District
Even people who don’t like art will come away with an appreciation for the topic after a visit to the 798 Art District, Beijing’s avant garde art district. Located in what once was an old electrical power plant, the 798 Art District is a beehive of artistic activity. Visitors can see artists at work in their studios, purchase art and art-related souvenirs, relax their tired feet at a sidewalk café, and admire the hundreds of statues that can be found outdoors on any street. To fully appreciate the 798 Art District, visitors might want to spend at least a whole day here as there is too much to see in just a few hours.
Gulou and Zhonglou
Gulou and Zhonglou, known as the Drum and Bell Towers in English, used to be Beijing’s official timekeepers during the Yuan and Ming dynasties. Today, they are tourist attractions that provide insight into traditional Chinese architecture. Gulou, the Drum Tower, standing at the intersection of Gulou and Di’anmen streets, was constructed in 1272 by Kublai Khan. Visitors who are able to climb the steep stairs will be rewarded with great views of Beijing. Zhonglou, the Bell Tower, is located a short walk behind the Drum Tower. Both are located in one of Beijing’s few remaining hutong areas.
Nanluoguxiang
Nanluoguxiang is Beijing’s yuppie street. The nightlife in its trendy restaurants and bars draw young people like a magnet; sometimes the activity spills into the narrow street. It’s quieter during the day as shoppers seek out the latest fashions in its boutiques. Located just off Guloudongdajie (East Gulou Street), Nanluoguxiang is a short walk from the Drum Tower, making it a perfect place to explore the hutongs, as the narrow lanes lined with traditional housing are known. The Gulou area is one of the few areas left in Beijing that still has hutongs, though many of these quadrangle homes with red door are being modernized, too.
Lama Temple
The Yonghe Lama Temple (Palace of Peace and Harmony), located in the northeastern part of Beijing, is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. The temple was built by Chinese emperors who harbored a deep fascination for the Tibetan version of Buddhism. Over the years, many Tibetan and Mongolian monks lived and taught here, and there are still monks in residence today. The temple contains a 26 meter (85 foot) tall statue of Maitreya Buddha carved from a single piece of white sandalwood.
Beihai Park
Beihai Park, in central Beijing, is a delight to visit any time of the year. As Beijing’s most popular park, people ice skate on the lake in winter and stroll around it in the spring when the trees are in blossom. Its Tibetan-style White Dagoba Temple on Qionghua Island is a landmark in Beijing. Because it’s so close to the Forbidden City, the park was once a royal playground. Weekend mornings are a good time to visit, as the Chinese turn out to dance, sing karaoke or Peking opera, play badminton or perform in string quartets. It is a veritable smorgasbord of entertainment.