THINGS TO DO
We’re deeply grateful to each of you for making the long journey to be with us in Beijing.
We hope you’ll take some time to explore this historical city!
CULTURAL LANDMARKS
The Great Wall
长城
Chairman Mao famously said, “He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man.”
The Forbidden City
故宫
A vast and meticulously preserved imperial complex that once housed emperors for centuries. The historic heart of Beijing. As tickets to the Forbidden City must be booked online through the official website at least 7 days in advance, please be sure to contact your tour guide at least 12 days ahead of time and provide complete passport information.
Temple of Heaven
天坛
A serene and symbolic imperial complex where emperors once performed rituals to pray for good harvests and cosmic balance. The architecture reflects ancient beliefs about harmony between and earth.
Summer Palace
颐和园
A poetic imperial retreat filled with lakes, gardens, and architecture. Be sure to take a boat across Kunming Lake to experience the grounds in a beautiful way.
Bell and Drum Towers
钟鼓楼
Once used to mark time in imperial Beijing, the towers stand as symbols of the city’s communal rhythm and history. A great site to visit when exploring surrounding hutongs.
PARKS & NEIGHBORHOOD WALKS
Houhai Lake 后海
A lively historic area surrounded by hutongs, cafes, and bars. Perfect for wandering and walking around, or an evening drink by the water.
Jingshan Park 景山公园
You will find the best panoramic views of the Forbidden City here, make sure you climb to the top!
Beihai Park 北海公园
One of Beijing’s oldest imperial gardens, a tranquil escape of lakes, bridges and pavilions centered around the iconic White Dagoba.
Nanluoguxiang Hutong (NLGX) 南锣鼓巷
One of Beijing’s oldest and most storied hutong streets, a mix of small shops, cafes and local snacks. Be sure to turn off the main street and explore quieter hutongs.
ART
798 District 798艺术区
Beijing’s most well-known contemporary art center, with plenty of galleries, cafés, and design shops to explore. The most prominent gallery to visit is the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA).
Cao Chang Di 草场地
Quieter, more low-key and experimental than 798, Caochangdi is an art village with excellent galleries and architecture. Steph’s favorite is Three Shadows Photography Art Centre.
Red Brick Art Museum 红砖美术馆
A destination in itself, and known for its striking architecture and serene courtyards.
For getting around Beijing, please download Amap (高德地图, gāo dé dì tú) the local equivalent of Google Maps - to help you navigate the city with ease.
TOURS
If you would like to book a day tour, please contact Mrs. Lindy Gao at Wondertour via lindygao@wondertour.cn. They are great at customized, flexible itineraries and will help make your time in Beijing truly memorable.
We’d like to note that Golden Week, China’s National Holiday, runs from October 1–7. This is a peak travel period – expect heavy crowds and higher prices. If your schedule allows, we’d recommend planning any additional domestic travel for after the wedding.
DINING
COUNTRY KITCHEN AT THE ROSEWOOD
Elevated Northern Chinese cuisine and one of our favorite places for a refined yet comforting meal.
RED BOWL AT THE ROSEWOOD
Classic hot pot with a wide selection to suit a range of tastes and preferences.
官也街 GUANYE STREET MACAU HOT POT (GUOMAO LOCATION)
Cantonese-style hot pot with deeply comforting and homestyle broths.
拾久 POETRY WINE
Beloved for its fish head paired with Chinese fried dough (油条, yóutiáo); an absolute must-try and a local favorite.
晟永兴 SHENG YONG XING ROASTED DUCK
A classic and excellent Beijing roast duck experience.
大董烤鸭店 DA DONG (SKP LOCATION)
Well-known roast duck institution and chain in Beijing.
屋里厢 WULIXIANG
Celebrated Shanghainese restaurant with an elegant environment.
全家七福 SEVENTH SON
Delicious dimsum.
23坐
A humble noodle shop that specializes in Lanzhou beef noodles with individual seating only.
雞记餐室 GEI-KEE EATERY (LIDO LOCATION)
Hotpot with the richest and most delicious chicken broth.
元古本店 YUANGU CAFÉ (NLGX LOCATION)
A beautiful artisanal Chinese tea house, ideal for a quiet afternoon.
彼时咖啡 BISHI CAFÉ AND BAR
Cozy, intimate, and perfect for a casual coffee or evening drink.
FANG LANG
A cozy neighborhood bar tucked by the NLGX hutongs, featuring beautiful exposed brick typical of the area. Fun fact: it served as one of the locations for Steph’s film ;)
THE TIDES
An intimate bar with counter seating only, offering a thoughtfully curated menu of unique cocktails.
纯 K CHUN K (GUOMAO LOCATION)
A quintessential Chinese KTV experience. Neon lights, dramatic snack towers, and plenty of microphones to go around for everyone to belt out their favorite song!
For navigating Beijing’s dining scene, we strongly recommend downloading 大众点评 (dà zhòng diǎn píng), known as DianPing in the app store, China’s equivalent of Yelp. It’s by far the easiest and most reliable way to search for restaurants, cafés, and bars, view menus, and check reviews.
