english.beijing.gov.cn
2023-03-24  |  

A modern city exudes its charm at night and the guide to night tours of Beijing can help you fully experience its beauty.

Shichahai

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Shichahai, known as the "northern region of water", is bordered by the largest and best-preserved historical street as well as the only outdoor scenic area with an extensive lake in Beijing's inner city. It is the origin of the ancient capital and its profound culture, as well as an ideal place for experiencing the folk customs, learning history, and enjoying modern fashion.

The nighttime Shichahai, bathed in the soft moonlight and neon lights, is remarkably gorgeous, attracting numerous tourists.

Address: Intersection of Qianhai and Houhai, Xicheng District, Beijing (250-meter walk from the northwestern Exit A2, Shichahai Metro Station)

Time-honored restaurants: Kao Rou Ji and Qing Yun Lou, two well-known ones near the Yinding Bridge.

The Kao Rou Ji inherits the traditional barbecue technique and method: marinate mutton in special sauce, cook it on the barbecue, and sprinkle it with egg liquid at a proper moment. After such treatments, the mutton is delicious and not greasy.

Famous in history, the Qing Yun Lou was the first restaurant to provide Shandong cuisine in the imperial capital. Nowadays, it serves 110 dishes including the "Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallion", "Braised Prawns" and other traditional Shandong cuisine, as well as the imperial cuisine.

These two restaurants are good choices, if you plan to visit the Shichahai at night. Sitting near the lake, you can appreciate traditional Beijing dishes with the awesome night view outside the window. 

Address of Kao Rou Ji: No. 14, Qianhai Dongyan, Xicheng District, Beijing (300-meter walk from the northwestern Exit A2, Shichahai Metro Station)

Address of Qing Yun Lou: No. 22, Qianhai Dongyan, Xicheng District, Beijing


Boating

Boating is a must-try in Shichahai. As night falls, boats are lit up, providing a beautiful view together with the surrounding scenery. It is a delight to have a boat tour in such environment.

The Shichahai boat tour will resume in late March. Visitors can come here to unlock a brand-new experience.


Sanlitun

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Adjacent to the East 3rd Ring Road and located in the core area of Beijing, the Sanlitun is a block of international culture and fashion, with residential, commercial and embassy zones. It is a well-known "sleepless" district with booming night economy, appealing to trendsetters. 

Taikoo Li

Taikoo Li Sanlitun is made up of a high-end consumption area for shopping and accommodation in the north and a culture and leisure area for food and entertainment in the south.

The fascinating Sanlitun at night is bustling with noise and excitement as people flock here from all directions.


Tongying Center

Opposite the Taikoo Li Sanlitun, the Tongying Center is also eye-catching at night. As the evening closes in, the building will present a light show. In addition to the light show, various trendy stores gather in the Taikoo Li Sanlitun. Come here for the diverse nightlife and fashion of Beijing.

Address: Building No. 1, Courtyard No. 11, Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing


Beijing Olympic Park

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The Beijing Olympic Park served as the main venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as a venue for some events of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. Traveling from north to south, you will see the Olympic Forest Park in the northern area, the Olympic Venue Cluster in the central area, and the Asian Games Venue Cluster and the Olympic Sports and Culture Business Park in the southern area.


Bird's Nest

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The National Stadium (Bird's Nest) is the first venue in the world to host opening and closing ceremonies for both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, namely the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

As night nears, the landscape lights here are lit up, presenting a splendid scenery.

Address: Beijing Olympic Park, No. 1, National Stadium South Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing


Water Cube

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The National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube, was built for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. During the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games, the swimming, diving and synchronized swimming competitions were held at the center. Back then, 24 athletes broke 21 world records, and thus the center was called the "Magic Water Cube" by the world media.

During the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, the Water Cube was turned into an "Ice Cube" based on the water-ice conversion. The Ice Cube is the only dual-Olympic venue in the world that builds curling tracks on the swimming pool, symbolizing the high-quality development of architecture and technology through the fee water-ice conversion.

When night comes, the Water Cube will shine with multicolored lights like colorful bubbles under the dark blue sky, creating a dreamy and fairytale atmosphere.

Address: No. 11, Tianchen East Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing


Ice Ribbon

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The National Speed Skating Oval, also known as the Ice Ribbon, is an iconic venue and the only newly-built venue for ice-based competitions in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. It provided the stage for the competitions and training of speed skating during the games.

At night, 22 "ice ribbons" flutter dynamically. Moreover, the wall can display various pictures and characters as needed, which is ever-changing and beautiful.

Address: No. 2, Lincui Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing


Beijing WTown

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Located in the Gubeikou Town, Miyun District, the Beijing WTown lies at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall and near the Yuanyang Lake Reservoir. Its northern-style architecture and fine recreational environment attract a host of tourists due to the inheritance and reconstruction of northern traditional folk villages.

Ancient buildings, pagodas, temples, and shops are interspersed with luminous lamps in darkness, making the town a fairy land.

In addition to the wonderful night scene, the town offers a variety of nighttime activities for tourists: watching the drone-based Kongming lantern show on the Riyue Island, appreciating the Great Wall Music and Water Dance Show on the Wangjing Street, and visiting the Simatai Great Wall with small lanterns.

The drone-based Kongming lantern show is performed at the Riyue Island Square, with ever-changing patterns shown in the night sky backed by high-tech multimedia technologies such as 3D, special effects, animation, and holographic imaging.

Every night, the Great Wall Music and Water Dance Show is performed at the Wangjing Tower on the Wangjing Street. The show displays the history and culture of the Gubeikou Town through lights, shadows and visual language of new media.

As the sky darkens, the lights on the Simatai Great Wall are lit up, depicting a spectacular golden dragon. The night tour also kicks off.

Visiting the Simatai Great Wall with small lanterns is the most distinctive activity during the night tour. At the foot of the Great Wall lies the Jiankuntang Lantern Shop making and selling lanterns.

(Source: visitbeijing.com.cn.)