798 Art Zone

Once a 1950s military factory complex, 798 has been converted into Beijing’s best-known contemporary art district. The old concrete workshops and warehouses now house galleries, studios, and design shops, featuring everything from major exhibitions to small, experimental shows. You’ll find photography, video art, installations, and plenty of one-off pieces that change all the time. The area has also filled up with cafés, bars, and restaurants, so it’s easy to spend a few hours wandering, eating, and people-watching. It’s in the Dashanzi area, northeast of the centre, and the mix of Mao-era industrial buildings and modern art is half the experience.

• Address:

  2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang, Beijing

• Phone:

  +86 10 5978 9798

Beihai Park

Just behind the Forbidden City, Beihai Park is one of Beijing’s oldest and best-preserved imperial gardens. It’s quieter than some of the larger tourist spots, with lakes, pavilions, and tree-lined paths perfect for a stroll — the central White Dagoba on Qionghua Island is a highlight here.

• Address:

  1 Wenjin Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

• Phone:

  +86 10 6403 3225

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6:30am–9pm

Beijing Aquarium

Inside the grounds of Beijing Zoo, the Beijing Aquarium is one of the largest inland aquariums in the world. Its seven exhibition halls cover everything from tropical fish and coral reefs to Chinese river life and endangered species, such as the Chinese sturgeon. There are also daily dolphin and sea lion shows. It’s a popular stop for visitors with kids, though if you’re mainly after wildlife, the zoo itself is the bigger draw.

• Address:

  137 Xizhimen Outer Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

• Phone:

  +86 10 6217 6655

Beijing Olympic Park

Built for the 2008 Games, the park is home to two of Beijing’s most recognisable landmarks: the National Stadium (the 'Bird’s Nest') and the National Aquatics Centre (the 'Water Cube'). Both are still in use for sports and events, and they light up at night, which is the best time to see them. The park itself is also one of the largest green spaces in the city, with long open avenues, lakes, and gardens — a good spot for a walk if you’re in the north of Beijing.

• Address:

  Chaoyang District, Beijing

• Phone:

  +86 10 8437 3008

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6am–9:30pm

Capital Museum

First opened in 1981 within the Confucian Temple, the Capital Museum relocated to a purpose-built modern building in 2006 to accommodate its growing collection. It holds over 200,000 cultural relics; approximately 5,000 are typically on display at any given time, featuring a diverse range of items including porcelain, jade, calligraphy, paintings, coins, and Buddhist statues.

• Address:

  16 Fuxingmenwai Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing

• Phone:

  +86 10 6339 3339

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 9am–4pm, Mon closed

Chaoyang Theater

For a glimpse of a uniquely Chinese form of entertainment, head to Chaoyang Theatre to watch traditional acrobatics. The one-hour show includes feats with bicycles, chairs, and other daring stunts that have been perfected over generations.

• Web:

  https://chaoyangtheatre.com

• Address:

  8 Jianwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing

• Phone:

  +86 10 6552 4990