Live Your Best Lives
The reason why many people like Beijing and try their best to take root in Beijing is not only because Beijing has the most prosperous streets, the most luxurious shopping malls and the most fashionable brands in the country, but more importantly, because in their hearts, Beijing is a city with stories.
Beijing is like a fascinating book, the more you read, the more fascinating it becomes. It's also a cultural treasure trove, home to countless legendary stories. It was the capital of eight dynasties, namely the Yan, Former Yan, Great Yan, Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. This rich history has given it its name. Places like Shichahai, Dashilan, and Wangfujing make it a great place to live and play. The legends of the Summer Palace, the anecdotes of the Lama Temple, the mysteries of the Ming Tombs, and the charitable connections of Badachu contribute to its vibrant and diverse character.
Beijing has a splendid civilization, a glorious history, a complicated past, and rich connotations; it is waiting for everyone who likes Beijing to appreciate and savor it.
It is precisely because Beijing combines heaviness and fashion, prosperity and loneliness that the journey of visiting Beijing and exploring Beijing becomes more interesting and enriching for everyone who comes to Beijing.
Address: Simatai Village, Miyun County, Beijing
Transportation: Take bus No. 980 and transfer to bus No. 51 to Gubei Water Town Bus Station, which is the direct bus from Beijing. Direct bus route: Take Metro Line 2 to Dongzhimen, and transfer to the Beijing-Gubei Water Town direct bus at Dongzhimenwai Bus Station (intersection of Dongzhimenwai Xiejie and Xiangheyuan South Street, inside the No. 942 and No. 855 bus stations) to Gubei Water Town. The arrival time is approximately 120 minutes.
Ticket price: 48 yuan/person/one-way, purchase tickets on board (tickets start half an hour in advance until the bus is full).
Tickets: Gubei Water Town first-entry ticket 140 yuan/person
Game 1: Daytime Game
Free attractions are recommended in the scenic area, please choose to visit
▶Sima Xiaoshao Distillery: A famous distillery in Gubei Water Town
▶Yongshun Dyeing Workshop: Yongshun Dyeing, plant colors, enjoy the ecological printing and dyeing process
▶Yang Wudi Temple: Experience the culture of the Yang family, boasting of being invincible after hundreds of battles
▶Zhenyuan Escort Agency: Understated, describing the hard work of an escort throughout his life
▶Eight Banners Guild Hall: The capital fortress, where the Zhenghuang Banner guarded the ancient northern pass
▶ Free performances at Sun Moon Island Square: Peking Opera, Sanxian, Hebei Bangzi Opera, and other traditional performances (all free) can be experienced according to the time. (Please refer to the announcement of the day in the water town for the specific performance time)
▶Gubei Water Town Longfeng Hot Spring Pool: If you are tired from walking, you can experience the open-air hot spring pool to soak your feet and eliminate fatigue.
Gameplay 2: Night Gameplay
▲【Night Tour of Gubei Water Town】, please choose according to the guide and the opening conditions of the attractions on that day
Go to: Gubei Water Town Scenic Area - Tour Bus Stop - Mountaintop Church
▶The best domestic music 3D water dance show (18:40 19:15 19:50 20:25. Due to the large number of spectators, it is recommended to arrive at the performance venue early to wait) (For the specific performance time, please refer to the announcement of the water town on the day)
▶The internet-famous mountaintop church overlooks the night view of the water town: The European-style Catholic church stands quietly on the top of the mountain, solemn and romantic. From the highest point, you can see the mountains in the distance and overlook the entire water town's brilliant night view.
▶Drone Show: Drone Kongming Lantern Show. Features: China's leading music 3D water dance show and drone Kongming lantern show.
Food: Simagang Restaurant, BBQ Restaurant
After living in Beijing for a while, I found that I like this place more and more. I go to various scenic spots and streets in Beijing almost every week, so I will share with you my understanding of Beijing and my way of playing here.
Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and other historical sites are Beijing's landmarks and the first step to understanding the culture of the imperial capital. They are also the classic attractions that everyone who hasn't yet visited Beijing longs to see. The palaces, the royal families, the princes' daily lives, their collections of collectibles and calligraphy and paintings, and other artifacts provide a valuable reference for understanding the culture of the imperial city.
Hutongs such as Qianmen Dashilan, Shichahai, Nanluoguxiang, Yandaixie Street, and Wudaoying are great places for you to understand Beijing's folk customs and the market culture of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.
Qianmen and Dashilan are mainly gathering places for some time-honored brands. Shichahai is suitable for visiting in summer. The hutongs near Nanluoguxiang are also a good choice. Various celebrity residences are gathered here. Wudaoying Hutong is the most literary hutong in Beijing.
Highlights: The painted rabbit or clay monkey at the front door
Food: Houhai's state-owned brand Old Beijing Noodles with Soy Sauce, Laocheng Yiguo
Features: Listening to crosstalk
Stroll through the streets of old Beijing, savor authentic Beijing snacks, and witness the transformation of the city over the centuries. To understand the history and culture behind the metropolis, slow down your pace, explore the mansions in the hutongs, and view antiques in museums. Beijing, an ancient capital for over 600 years, is far more than just a capital.
The Bird's Nest, the Water Cube, Sanlitun, the 798 Art District, China World Trade Center, and Xidan are the representatives of Beijing in the new era; the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube are the iconic buildings of the 2008 Olympic Games and are unique in China, and Sanlitun is suitable for street photography.
Highlights: See the Bird's Nest, the Water Cube at night, and climb the Nail Tower
Transportation: Metro Line 8
Nearby attractions: China Science and Technology Museum, China Nationalities Park
The Forbidden City, the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, is a beautiful red in my heart. It is not just a lofty palace, it is also one of the cultural sources flowing in the blood of every Chinese.
Emperors and generals were only passers-by, and prosperous dynasties could not last forever, but the culture carried by this palace has continued to this day and passed down from generation to generation... Nowadays, everyone can enter the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City is not only about architecture, but also about history and the stories behind the cultural relics collected. If the Forbidden City is a stepping stone for culture, then those who enter the Forbidden City and share what they see and hear are the inheritors of culture.
Tips:
Important Tips: Be sure to book your Forbidden City tickets before joining the tour group. During holidays, book your Forbidden City tickets at least 10 days in advance on the Forbidden City [official website] or [mini program]
Ticket price: 60 yuan in peak season, 40 yuan in off-season, 10 yuan for the Treasure Hall
How to play: Meridian Gate - Furniture Museum - Front Court (Taihe Hall, Zhonghe Hall, Baohe Hall) - Treasure House - Back Palace (Qianqing Palace, Jiaotai Hall, Baohe Hall) - Six Palaces in the East and West - Imperial Garden
Highlights: The imperial palaces of the Ming and Qing dynasties, a must-see when visiting Beijing
Transportation: Take Metro Line 1, Exit B, or go around Nanchizi Street to Donghuamen (the most comfortable way)
Must-try items: Wear ancient costumes and take beautiful photos
You must wear ancient costumes and take photos in the Forbidden City. You can take photos alone or with a doll.
The Summer Palace is the last royal garden of the Chinese feudal dynasty, built by the literary and artistic young Emperor Qianlong to celebrate his mother's 60th birthday. In the late Qing Dynasty, the Summer Palace became Cixi's "retirement home". Today, the Summer Palace is the "back garden" of Beijing citizens and a must-see place for tourists. It carries the garden culture.
The Old Summer Palace was first built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi. Later, Emperor Kangxi gave the garden to Prince Yong, Yinzhen. At that time, it was just a garden. After Yinzhen ascended the throne, it gradually became the second "Forbidden City" of the Qing Dynasty.
Built by six generations of emperors, namely Yongzheng, Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang and Xianfeng, the number of buildings and cultural relics in the Old Summer Palace is no less than that of the Imperial Palace. Unfortunately, in 1860, the British and French allied forces broke into the Old Summer Palace, looted and burned it. Subsequently, it experienced stone robbery, wood robbery and earth robbery, which reduced this garden of gardens to ablaze. Now only ruins remain of the Old Summer Palace. Although the glorious buildings and collections of the past are gone, you can stroll through the garden with historical memories and appreciate its beautiful scenery.
Don't think you understand Beijing's hutongs just by riding a rickshaw through them. If you want to get into hutong life and learn about its stories and tricks, you need to explore at your own pace. The hutongs along the Shichahai Lake are home to the former residences of dignitaries, and who knows, one of them might be a descendant of a royal family.
In the alleys of the Qianmen area, there are hidden ruins of many opera troupes, brothels, and guild halls. The layout of the courtyards, the words on the door nails or the carved wooden eaves still tell stories of the past. With the development of Beijing, many alleys are facing the fate of demolition and reconstruction. It is better to visit these "living fossils" of the ancient capital as soon as possible.
This world-famous military defense system, which has been passed down from ancient times to the present, stretches over 500 kilometers in Beijing. If you like bustling scenes, Badaling and Mutianyu Great Wall are your first choice. If you are a hiking and photography enthusiast, you can choose the less popular but more authentic Huanghuashui Great Wall and Simatai Great Wall to encounter your own Great Wall story. At Jiankou, you can see the rugged and proud character and the primitive and wild genes.
Beijing has nearly 200 museums of all sizes. At the National Museum, you can see more than one million exhibits spanning five thousand years, and many national treasures are also on display here. If you are traveling with children, in addition to the National Museum, the Military Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Dinosaur Museum and the mysterious and dreamy Planetarium are all first choice.
If this is your first time in Beijing, I recommend the National Museum, which consists of two parts: the Ancient China Basic Exhibition and the Road to Renaissance.
The basic exhibition of ancient China connects eight historical periods, from ancient times - Xia, Shang and Western Zhou - Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period - Qin and Han - Three Kingdoms, Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties - Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties - Liao, Song, Xia, Yuan and Jin - Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties.
After visiting the National Museum, you can continue to Tiananmen Square to see the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, and other attractions. If you finish in the afternoon, you can also wait for the flag-lowering ceremony in Tiananmen Square. In the evening, you can stroll Qianmen Street and enjoy Quanjude Roast Duck.
Although Beijing cuisine is not included in the eight major cuisines and there are not many representative dishes, there are still many choices. If you want to have a decent meal, try the imperial court cuisine that has been passed down from the Qing Dynasty to the present day. The exquisite environment and delicate dim sum will make you feel like a royal relative. If you want to eat something authentic, the copper pot hot pot and gardenia barbecue are the best choices. Don't forget to have a glass of Erguotou or Niulanshan to cheer you up!
If you only have time for one meal, would the signature dish, Peking duck, be your top choice? Quanjude, Bianyifang, and Dadong are all about the atmosphere, while Dayali and Four Seasons Minfu Di'anmen No. 8 are definitely the best value for money.
DAY 1 [Inside and Outside the Imperial City] Tiananmen Square - National Museum of China (Eat and Stay at Four Seasons Restaurant) - Forbidden City - Jingshan Park - Top Performance (National Centre for the Performing Arts)
DAY 2 [Royal Gardens and Universities] Summer Palace - Old Summer Palace - Tsinghua/Peking University - Wudaokou (Find Your Dish)
DAY 3 [Exploring the Hutongs: Strolling, Eating, and Exploring] Lama Temple, Confucius Temple, Imperial College - Wudaoying Hutong (Eat foraging time) Drum Tower Area - Shichahai
DAY 4 [Memories of the South City] Temple of Heaven - Tianqiao (Natural History Museum) - Visit Liulichang to see antiques, calligraphy and paintings - Qianmen Street (see a play at Lao She Teahouse)
DAY5【Olympic Landmark New Beijing】Bird's Nest Water Cube 798 Art District Sanlitun
DAY6 [Hiking in Beijing Suburbs] Jiankou Great Wall Hiking and Lingshan Hiking on the Jingxi Ancient Road (Aiming for the Summit of Beijing)
DAY 7 [A leisurely stroll along Beijing’s central axis] Donghuamen – Beichizi Street – Jingshan Park – Di’anmen Inner Street – Di’anmen Outer Street
Nine inside, seven outside and four in the imperial city, aptly outlines the urban layout of old Beijing. It is the season of blooming spring. Bring your camera, ride a shared bicycle and take in the panoramic view of the central axis.
The route passes through: Donghuamen - Beichizi Street - Jingshan Park - Di'anmen Inner Street - Di'anmen Outer Street.
Ride along the northern section of the central axis to experience the ancient charm and elegance of the imperial city, trace the imperial style of Beichizi Street, climb to the commanding heights of Jingshan Park, enjoy the old times of Di'anmen from Yanchi Tower, walk into the back gardens of former dignitaries, explore the stories behind each red door, and feel the atmosphere of worldly life in the alleys of Gulou East Street.
Tracing back to the "imperial city style" of Beichizi Street: There is a saying in Beijing that goes "nine inside, seven outside, four in the imperial city, nine gates, eight halls and one bell." The so-called "imperial city four" refers to Dong'anmen, Xi'anmen, Tiananmen and Di'anmen, the inner gates of the original imperial city.
January and February are the coldest months in Beijing. The main attractions are the Beijing-style New Year activities and winter sports. During the Spring Festival, the temple fairs from the first to the fifth day of the first lunar month are held at Ditan Park.
March and April bring warmer weather and a revitalized world. Enjoy cherry blossoms at Yuyuantan Lake and magnolias at Tanzhe Temple.
5-6 Strawberry Music Festival
July-August: Summer vacation in the suburbs of Beijing during the lotus season at the Old Summer Palace (the mountains and waters around Beijing are the most refreshing). Zhangbei Grassland Music Festival
9-10 National Day Red Leaves in Xiangshan
Christmas on Ginkgo Avenue from November to December
If you don't have enough time to plan your trip, or you don't have much time in Beijing for work, we recommend you to go with us. There is always a fragmented itinerary that suits you.
