The Best 25 Activities for Expats in Beijing
Unsurprisingly, among the best activities for expats in Beijing are touring The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace, but have you heard of Beihai Park, Mr. Shi’s Dumplings, the flying acrobatic show or Hometown Palace?
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If you’re an expat, traveler, digital nomad, or international student living in Beijing, you’ll want to read all this article has to offer. We’ll introduce you to 25 of the best activities, destinations, and restaurants to try during your stay in Beijing.
You also won’t want to miss our explanation of how the healthcare system in China works or where the best places to live in Beijing are!
Top Beijing Attractions for Expats and Travelers
Among the top Beijing attractions and activities for expats and travelers are:
- The Great Wall
- The Forbidden City
- Temple of Heaven
- Lama Temple
- National Stadium
- Panjiayuan Antique Market
- Flying Acrobatic Show at the Red Theatre
- 798 Art District
- Beihai Park
- Wangfujing
- Summer Palace
- Pearl Market and Silk Street
- Ming Tombs
- Grand Canal
The Great Wall
The Great Wall of China is a major destination all expats and travelers will want to see when in Beijing. The wall is over 2000 years old, took many dynasties to build, and has 8 sections in the city of Beijing you can visit. In total, the wall extends more than 6,000 miles!
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is an imperial palace complex dating back to the Ming Dynasty in 1406, and a huge Beijing expat attraction. It covers 178 acres, and it was given its name because most of the Chinese subjects were not allowed into the city. Even leaders and the imperial family had limited access.
Temple of Heaven
Beijing’s Temple of Heaven is an expansive religious complex considered the supreme achievement of traditional Chinese architecture. It symbolizes the belief that heaven is round and earth square. Expats love to come explore its three structures:
- The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
- The Imperial Vault of Heaven
- The Circular Mound Altar
Lama Temple
The Lama Temple in Beijing is one of the largest and most well-preserved Tibetan Buddhist monasteries outside Tibet. It was built in 1694 and includes clockwise changing prayer wheels, multicolored tiles, lion statues, and the largest wooden Buddha in the world! A great activity for expats!
National Stadium
The National Stadium is in the north of Beijing, in the middle of the Olympic complex. It is an architectural marvel that looks like a gigantic shape of undulating metal rims. This stadium was used in the 2008 Olympic Games, but it continues to be a location that draws much attraction from expats.
Panjiayuan Antique Market
The Panjiayuan Antique Market in Beijing is open on the weekends and presents antiques and oddities from over 3,000 registered stallholders. Located at No. 18 Huawei Li, Panjiayuan Road Chaoyang District, this market features tea tastings, private shopping tours, jewelry, home goods, and much more.
Flying Acrobatic Show at the Red Theatre
Expats love to go to the flying acrobatic show that features the breadth and depth of Chinese acrobatic art. Located in the Red Theatre at No. 44 Xingfu Street, Dongcheng District, this has won more than 30 domestic and foreign awards. They have performed for over 4 million foreign guests!
798 Art District
The 798 Art District in Beijing appeals to expats and travelers who want to experience Beijing’s contemporary art scene. In the Dashanzi area, northeast of central Beijing, this district features a number of art galleries, centers, and studios, plus restaurants and bars.
Beihai Park
To see a beautiful park of nature, expats and travelers can visit Beihai Park in Beijing. The park covers 175 acres, more than half of which includes a lake. There is an island in the middle of the lake called the Jade Flowery Islet.
Other scenic attractions of the park include the Eastern and Northern Shores, the Botanical Garden, and the Circular City.
Wangfujing
Wangfujing Street has both upscale and flea-market shops that attract expats and locals alike. Here you can find private night sightseeing tours, authentic Chinese meals, bike tours, a scenic walking area, and tons of shops with various products. Wangfujing is in the Dongcheng District.
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace in Beijing is a must-see for all expats and travelers. It is a complex of palaces, gardens, and lakes that used to be used by the imperial family during the Jin dynasty. It is a landscape with spectacular architecture and gardening styles that create a space of tranquil beauty.
Pearl Market and Silk Street
Expatriates and travelers should visit Silk Street and the Pearl Market (Xiushui) for a wide array of cashmere garments, leather goods, shoes, watches, and homemade crafts. This is an inside shopping center located at No. 8 Xiushui East Street, Chaoyang District.
Ming Tombs
The Ming Tombs, or the Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Dynasty, cover 46 miles of northwest Beijing. Expats love visiting this site which is the best-preserved mausoleum area with the most emperors buried there. The awe-inspiring architecture offers a rich honor to Chinese culture and history.
Currently, only the following tombs are open to public viewing:
- Changeling Tomb
- Dingling Tomb
- Zhaoling Tomb
- Sacred Way
Grand Canal
Another popular activity for expats to visit is the Grand Canal. This series of waterways is the world’s longest constructed waterway at 1,100 miles in length; it connects Hangzhou with Beijing. Currently, the main traffic on the canal is used in the southern half and it is also used for irrigation.
Top Restaurants in Beijing for Expats and Travelers
Among the top restaurants, bars, and teahouses in Beijing for expats and travelers are:
- Mr. Shi’s Dumplings
- Hometown Palace
- Sanlitun Area
- Tianqiao (Overbridge) Area
- Lao She Teahouse
- Beijing Da Dong
- Asia Bistro
- King’s Joy
- AZUR by Mauro Colagreco
- Choy’s Seafood Restaurant
- Grandma’s Home (APM)
Mr. Shi’s Dumplings
This is a hidden gem with dumplings, traditional jiaozi, and guotie. Mr. Shi’s Dumplings is located at Gulou East Street Baochao Hutong No. 88, and its menus are in English and Chinese. Mr. Shi’s Dumplings comes highly recommended from local expats themselves!
Hometown Palace
You can visit Hometown Palace and taste the famous Peking Duck and other Chinese cuisines. This is one of the Clean Water Restaurants in Beijing, and it offers a wide menu of delicious foods. The address is No 89 Dongdajie, Di’anmen, Beijing, and its another expat favorite.
Sanlitun Area
Sanlitun is one of Beijing’s vibrant dinner and drinks locations with a number of restaurants, bars, and venues. If you’re an expat who lives for the glitzy nightlife, you’ll want to check out Taikoo Li, Bar Street, Worker’s Stadium, and the embassy district in this famous entertainment area.
Tianqiao (Overbridge) Area
There is a great nightlife scene in the Tianqiao area. Two of the most famous venues there are the Tianqiao Theater and Tianqiaole Tea House. This area features eateries, drinks, and plenty of entertainment and amusements to fill your expat evenings.
Lao She Teahouse
To experience Chinese folk culture, expats can visit the Lao She Teahouse located in Building 3, Zhengyang Market, Qianmenxi Main Street in the Xicheng District. This teahouse has a plethora of teas to select from, and it can offer a more private, quiet place to dine.
It is constructed in the classical architectural form of old Beijing.
Beijing Da Dong
For a classy, luxurious meal at a five-star and five-diamond restaurant, expats should visit Da Dong. This restaurant is considered one of the must-see attractions for foreigners visiting Beijing. Distinguished guests and dignitaries visiting China often dine at Da Dong.
Asia Bistro
If you’re looking for Japanese or seafood cuisine, stop by Asia Bistro in the Marriott Hotel at No. 83 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District. Food, service, and value have earned 5-star ratings from customers, and in 2021, Asia Bistro received the Traveler’s Choice award from Tripadvisor.
King’s Joy
King’s Joy at No. 2 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District has a 5-star rating from over 1,500 reviewers on Tripadvisor. Serving pricy Chinese cuisine, this serene haven is in a remodeled courtyard house with a glass-roofed dining room. King’s Joy also was voted Traveler’s Choice in 2021.
AZUR by Mauro Colagreco
If you’re needing a break from traditional Asian food, get some French and European food at AZUR. This luxury, French cuisine has a dress code of smart casual and offers a wide wine selection of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone Valley, New World, and Magnum.
AZUR by Mauro Colagreco is famous for its authentic, imported seafood, caviar, and Australian Wagyu beef.
Choy’s Seafood Restaurant
Choy’s Seafood Restaurant offers Chinese, Asian, Cantonese, North Eastern Chinese, and Shandong cuisines. Meals are offered for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch. If you need a private dining space, Choy has elegant accommodations for your needs. This is another classy dining option.
Grandma’s Home (APM)
Expats who want a cheaper meal that is still delicious should visit Grandma’s Home (APM) at No. 138 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng District. This restaurant features Chinese, Zhejiang, and Asian food for lunch and dinner. Customers describe the food, atmosphere, and staff here as phenomenal!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular attraction in Beijing for expats?
The most popular attraction in Beijing for expats is the Forbidden City. This complex spans across 178 acres with some of its most prominent landmarks being the Wu Gate, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the Imperial Garden. Expats also frequent the Summer Palace and The Great Wall in Beijing.
Why is Beijing an expat destination?
Expats are drawn to Beijing because it is the capital of the Republic of China and because it has a history, culture, and influence that stretches back over eight centuries. At the same time, Beijing has rapid urban and industrial growth that makes it a showcase of modern China.
What are the unique things you can only do in Beijing?
Expats seeking activities you can only do in Beijing should try getting lost in Beijing’s hutong alleyways, eating jianbing for breakfast, going on a “wild” Great Wall hike, delving deeper into the “forgotten” parts of the Forbidden City, or seeing the sunrise at Tian’anmen Square.
Conclusion
This post introduced you to the best activities for expats in Beijing. Hopefully, you now have lots of ideas for places to go and things to do while exploring this Chinese city!
If you found this post helpful, you’ll also want to read our articles Top Beijing Expat Communities and Is Shanghai or Beijing Better for Expat Living?
To learn about expat health insurance in Beijing, read about the top 6 insurance providers in Beijing for expats or the top international health insurance companies in China for expats.
Our insurance experts are always willing to answer your questions if you contact us, and you can compare insurance plans by yourself online.
Lastly, check out our blog posts about the best places to live in China as an expat! Happy travels!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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