Beijing Hidden Gems

Yes, the Great Wall and the Forbidden Temple are spectacular. But there is so much to see in Beijing that is off the main tourist circuit, and is just as exciting! Hop on the back of a rickshaw and head out to explore.

One of the most exciting art scenes in Asia is developing in the Dashanzi art district, where a cultural revival has occurred since the end of the Cultural Revolution and galleries abound. More historical sites are also of note, since many have been torn down or paved over in the great build that has occurred across China in the last couple decades. A number of Buddhist temples still remain, as do a small number of hutongs. These are the courtyards that used to be the centers of Chinese homelife, and several of them remain in restaurant form. The Courtyard in particular is quite good.

Another fun way to dive into the local experience is to get in the middle of one of the festivals celebrated here, of which there are many. Chinese New Year and the Spring Festival are the most well-known and frequented, but lesser-known ones include the Dumpling Festival and the Watermelon Festival.

It’s hard to be in Beijing and not go see one of the great wonders of the world, so head out of town to visit the Great Wall. The further you go from Beijing the more disrepair the wall has fallen into, which means barely any tourists – and in some places it’s eroded so much that you can jump off of it onto the ground!

[photo courtesy of liangjinjian]