Beijing Entertainment: Beijing Fun Activities Guide

Beijing is not only rich in culture and history but also offers various types of fun entertainment, ranging from shows to bars. Drink a glass of wine at a bar near the romantic Houhai and admire Beijing’s charming nighttime view. Experience the famous Beijing opera at a small teahouse. You can also enjoy the most authentic Beijing-style winter activities by skiing at Shichahai, admire the fallen leaves at east side of Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, go boating in Beihai Park, and eat candied gourd while you enjoy a temple fair. There is so much interesting entertainment for you to enjoy in Beijing. How can you find the activities you like? This helpful article has listed all kinds of entertainment in Beijing for you.

Beijing Nightlife: Bars, Night Markets, and Nighttime Views

Discovering the Beijing nightlife is an important part of your trip as well as experiencing the local daily life. After a full day, looking at the beautiful nighttime views or sitting in a romantic bar is the best way to relax. What are the best places to enjoy the nightlife in Beijing? Here is a list for you:

Bars: Sanlitun, Houhai, Wudaokou, and Asian Games Village

Most of the popular local bars are concentrated in Sanlitun, Houhai, Wudaokou, and Asian Games Village. These areas are convenient for travelers to reach by metro or taxi.

Details about the Four Areas:

Details Sanlitun Houhai Wudaokou Asian Games Village
Location Sanlitun North Road, Chaoyang District 1 Songshu Street, Xicheng District Building 3, Huaqingjiayuan, Wudaokou, Haidian District 8 Anli Road, Andingmenwai, Chaoyang District
Number of bars Over 300 About 50 About 30 About 30
Nearby attractions Chaoyang Park and the Alter of the Sun Prince Gong’s Mansion and Shichahai Park Yuamingyuan and the Summer Palace Bird’s Nest and Water Cube

Top Bars in Beijing:

Number Name Features Location
1 D Lounge Cocktails 4 Gongti North Road
2 Janes and Hooch Old-style cocktails 4 Gongti North Road
3 Migas Spanish food 81 Sanlitun North Road
4 Jing A Taproom Beer 4 Gongti North Road
5 Hidden House Speakeasy 39 Sanlitun North Road
6 Miles Whiskey 33 Sanlitun South Road
7 Mokihi Japanese wines 12 Haoyun Street
8 Botany Home-made wine Gongti North Road
9 The Roof Wine, food, and a nighttime view Topwin Center, Sanlitun South Road

Night Markets: Authentic and Fun

Number Name What can you see? Location
1 Wangfujing Night Market Snacks, clothes, and jewelry Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District
2 Shaung’an Night Market Handicrafts and snacks Shuangyushu Street, Haidian District
3 Zhongguancun Night Market Women’s clothing Zhongguan Plaza Shopping Mall, Haidian District
4 Nanluogu Lane Night Market Beijing-style architectures Nanluogu Lane, Dongcheng District
5 Guijie Night Market Local food Dongzhimen, Dongcheng District
6 Puhuangyu Night Market Cheap goods and snacks Fengtai District
7 Yangqiao Night Market Clothes, souvenirs, and snacks Yangqiao Third South Ring Road, Fengtai District
8 Wangjing Night Market Snacks and local games Wangjing, Chaoyang District
9 Longfusi Night Market Traditional Beijing snacks 1 Longfusiqian Street, Dongcheng District

Nighttime Views: Beautiful and Striking

Beijing nighttime view Beijing nighttime view

Top Places to See Beijing’s Nighttime Views

  1. Tian’anmen Square at night is beautiful and dotted with golden lights. You can also see the “Eight Roofs and Nine Ridges” city tower and the city gate.
  2. The Temple of Heaven — the largest sacrificial temple in the world seems more solemn and mysterious at night.
  3. You may have visited many ancient architectural structures during the daytime. However, it’s amazing to enjoy the classic nighttime view at the Summer Palace.
  4. The golden Birds' Nest and blue Water Cube are bright and beautiful at night.
  5. Sanlitun is not only a great place for nightlife but it is also a nice place to enjoy fabulous nighttime views.
  6. Having a nighttime stroll at Shichahai and in the surrounding Beijing hutongs is quite pleasant.

Fun Activities in Beijing

If you are going to stay in Beijing for many days, there are also some popular local types of entertainment for you to enjoy.

Beijing Cultural Performances

Beijing Opera How can you explore the local culture? Watching a local performance is a good choice. Beijing opera, a kung fu show, and a Chinese tea ceremony are the most traditional Beijing performances and you’ll discover a different side to Beijing.

Beijing Opera Beijing Opera
  • Beijing opera: Liyuan Theater at Jianguo Hotel, 175 Yong’an Road, Xicheng District
  • Kung fu show: Red Theater, 44 Xingfu Street, Dongcheng District
  • Laoshe Teahouse: Building 3, Zhengyang Market, Qianmen West Avenue, Xicheng District
  • Shadow puppet shows: Chinese Shadow Puppet Cultural Center, 28 Qinghua West Road, Haidian District

Watch a Movie in Beijing

Beijing’s cinema facilities are modern and comfortable. Watching a movie is an enjoyable activity. There are several popular cinemas in Beijing:

  • Beijing UME International Cineplex, 36 North Third Ring East Road, Dongcheng District
  • China Science and Technology Museum, 5 Beichen East Road, Chaoyang District
  • Xingmei International Movie Theater, 1 Yuanda Road, Haidian District

Enjoy an Art Performance at the Theater

Here are some recommended places for you to watch a show:

  • Beijing People’s Art Theater, 22 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District
  • China National Center for the Performing Arts, 2 West Chang’an Avenue, Xicheng District
  • China National Grand Opera House, 277 Guang’anmen Outer Street, Xicheng District
  • Chang’an Grand Theater, 7 Jianguomennei Street, Dongcheng District

Other Daily Forms of Entertainment in Beijing

Try these recommended places:

  • Stadium: Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, 1 National Stadium South Road, Chaoyang District
  • Golf course: Beijing Willow Golf Club, 76 West Street, North 4th Ring Road, Haidian District
  • Ski resort: Beijing Huaibei International Ski Resort, 548 Hefangkou Village, Huaibei Town, Huairou District

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