Cool things to do in Beijing

There’s more to China’s capital than just Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall. Here are other exciting ways to make the most of your time in the city. Most travellers to Beijing make it a point to visit Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. While these cultural sites are certainly worth seeing, the city holds many more interesting attractions. We suggest you insert these in your itinerary: Get lost in the hutongs Hutongs – the thousands of old alleyways that criss-cross the city like a chessboard – are the cultural and historical spine of Beijing. Thankfully, you can still experience the intricate beauty of these architectural gems today. Many of the interesting ones were built during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, and can be found in the vicinity of the Forbidden City. Roaming through them will transport you back to city’s past, and is a beautiful way to spend the afternoon. Some famous hutongs include Beixinqiao Hutong, which has more than 20 turns and is easy to get lost in; Qian Shi or Money Market Hutong, the narrowest; Dong Jiaomin Hutong, the longest; and Zhuan Ta Hutong, the oldest. The most visited hutong is Yan Dai Xie Jie or “slanted tobacco pipe street”, which is famous for its many pipe shops. There are also many teahouses and bars along Yan Dai Xie Jie, so you can always stop and rest if you get tired. Watch a Beijing opera The most complex and graceful of all the operas, Beijing operas began around 1790, during the reign of Qing Emperor Qianlong. An intricate art form that combines music, drama, dance, dialogue, mime, literature and martial arts, Beijing opera plays a big role in Chinese national culture. Never mind if you don’t understand the language – the magnificent and colourful embroidered costumes, dramatic makeup and hypnotic melodies are enough to keep you enthralled. You can catch a performance at Liyuan Theatre and Zhengyici Theatre in the Xuanwu District, or Chang’an Grand Theatre in the Dongcheng District.