Beijing Travel and Beijing Tours

Combine Beijing Xian on your China travel

Suggested itinerary for two day Beijing tours

Day 1
Tianamen Square
Forbidden City
Temple of Heaven
Summer Palace

Day 2
Great Wall (Mutianyu)
Ming Tombs optional
Beijing show (Peking Opera, Kung Fu Legend or Acrobatics)

Beijing Travel Options -

Travelling to China is becoming more popular, particularly since the Beijing Olympics and one of the main routes is Beijing Xian. The capital is the place where most visitors land when they arrive in China and has much to offer those interested in art and history. Beijing is the center of Chinese political, cultural and artistic life, both historically and now, but there is another side of this city which should be part of any Beijing travel plans, its melting pot nightlife. If you want to tour Beijing, why not try one of our flexible Beijing tours.

China is in transition, and even more so since being the host nation for the 2008 Olympics. Western influence is beginning to rub off on many locals and the result is a fusion of what China has been and what it may become. Places where the younger Beijing residents go for fun are where this strange meeting of east and west can be seen and where the visitor can learn something about China on Beijing tours, as well as maybe show something of western sensibilities to locals.

Houhai and Sanlitun bar districts in Beijing offer an international experience to diners as well as those looking for a place to party or dance the night away. Locals, tourists and the expatriate community all spend the odd, or regular, evening out enjoying the variety of bars, clubs and bistros. Sanlitun and Houhai provide the visitor the perfect chance to mingle and meet with all walks of life from Beijing, a chance to share experiences and information, as well as a place to have fun.

Three artificial lakes ornament an area called Shichahai, near the Forbidden City. Houhai is the name given to one of the lakes and the scenic district which rests on its banks. Once upon a time, Houhai was where most Beijing residents, no matter what class or status would go for a good night out, and not much has changed. Both Beijingers and foreigners enjoy the large variety of clubs and nightspots in this fashionable and hip district.

Houhai is one of the leading locations for those seeking a night out when they tour Beijing, and no matter what you enjoy, you should find just the right venue. Jazz clubs, discotheques, sports and cocktail bars are some of the nightspots along the shores of the lake, and even an evening boat ride is an option. Those who are more interested in recuperating from a hard day of Beijing travel will find the roof-top terraces boasted by some bistros and bars a good place to have dinner or sit back and review the day with a cool drink.

Sanlitun has been a popular bar district for many years. Most diplomatic offices and embassies are located in Sanlitun and bars for the expatriate crowd were the first to open there. Eventually the local Beijing population discovered the area and are now regular visitors along with the expats and tourists. Apart from bars and discos, Sanlitun is a shopping district housing most of the name-brand boutiques, specialty stores and markets and should be included in any Beijing tours.

It is suggested that visitors wanting to experience the night life in Sanlitun wander a little further through the area, past the dedicated tourist bars. If you are looking for a dinner location, Sunlitan offers both upscale restaurants and mixture of international eateries from English style pubs for fish and chips to Japanese and Thai. If you are more interested in a more local experience a variety of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai style take away and street foods are available.

If you are wondering what to do in the evenings when working out your Beijing travel stops, the nightlife zones of Houhai and Sanlitun are a couple of spots you should consider. Apart from enjoying the eateries, discos and bars you will also get to a taste of how the life in Beijing is transforming itself with the influence of foreign tourism. Houhai and Sanlitun are the meeting point between China and the popular culture of the west, and with the chance of meeting and partying with locals they may offer a twist on your conventional Beijing tours.