{"id":1863,"date":"2023-06-23T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-22T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/2010\/11\/28\/top-10-free-things-to-do-in-beijing\/"},"modified":"2023-06-23T20:36:30","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T12:36:30","slug":"top-10-free-things-to-do-in-beijing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/beijing-travel\/top-10-free-things-to-do-in-beijing","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Free Things to Do in Beijing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Plan your Beijing tour<\/a>\uff1f Visitors may be a little bit worried that Beijing is an expensive city, but you must know that there are loads of free things to do in Beijing. If you want to know more about these ideas, please check below my version of the top 10 free things to do in Beijing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Tiananmen Square<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tiananmen Square\u00a0is located in the\u00a0centre of\u00a0Beijing, 880 meters from north to south, 500 meters from east to west, covering an area of\u00a044,0000 square meters. It\u00a0can accommodate\u00a0one million\u00a0people for a grand assembly. Now it\u00a0is the world\u2019s largest city square of this kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

October 1, 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong in Tiananmen Square proclaimed the founding of the PRC, and personally hoisted the first flag. From then on, Tiananmen Square has become a symbol of new China. It it is the solemn image of an important part of our national emblem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the link for information: How to Visit Tiananmen Square<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Tiananmen Tower<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

After the founding of new China, Tiananmen Square has been expanded with the People’s Heroes Monument built on the central square, then on the west side of the square were built the Great Hall, on the east China National Museum  and on the south Chairman Memorial Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Chairman Memorial Hall<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chairman Mao Memorial Hall is to the south of the People’s Heroes Monument in Tiananmen Square. Its construction began in 1976 and was completed in May 1977. It is 280 meters from north to south, 220 meters from east to west, over 57,000 square meters, total construction area of 28,000 square meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main building is square in shape with exterior 44 Ming Fujian yellow granite columns, and between columns with floral ceramic plate made from Shi Wan, covered with Qingdao quintana granite veneer.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Chairman Memorial Hall<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The roof has two layers of glass, with sunflower relief inlaid in between. Its base has two platforms made from red granite bricks, surrounded by evergreen ornamental railings from Fangshan marble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its North and South have two white marble steps down the middle zone, carved with sunflower, evergreen, bloom, pine pattern. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8:00-12:00 am<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Qianmen Street<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Qianmen Street in Beijing is a showcase of Beijing’s condensed culture and custom. It has also witnessed the old Beijing’s profound change in various historical periods. Qianmen Street each year attracts a large numbers of tourists from home and abroad, and plays an important role in sino- foreign economic and cultural exchanges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qianmen is also one of the places which have a fairly complete protection of the relics. Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, experts say, Qianmen Street has become a unique street of architectural culture, merchants culture, folk culture, opera and cultural characteristics of the most developed and prosperous neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a lively folk customs Museum of Ancient and Modern in Beijing. Qianmen Street is a broad and deep cultural area,  it has become the most live cultural memory for Beijingers.Qianmen Street is located to the south of Tiananmen Square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the link for information: Qianmen Street<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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Qianmen Street<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

4. Wangfujing Street<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wangfujing is nicknamed \u201cChina\u2019s first Street\u201d.  Wangfujing Street is just more than 1,000 meters starting from the northern Xisi Street to the southern Chang\u2019an Street, but it is the famous \u201cFirst Street of China\u201d, also a must see visit place for tourists coming to  Beijing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the link for more information: Wangfujing Street <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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Wangfujing Street<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In 1999, one part of Wangfujing Street ( from Goldfish Lane to Satiao of Dongdan) was rebuilt into a pedestrian street, and also has established sister street with the famous Champs Elysees in Paris France. Now In summer time, there are open-air cafes, beer festivals.  The pedestrian is a kind of simulation of Europe with much imagination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Shichahai\u00a0( Houhai \u2013 Back Lake )<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shichahai refers to the Shichahai Lake Area which is composed of three lakes \u2013 Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shichahai is now full of the old world air with its attractive vibe, a lively place rife with people; chic and quaint bars and restaurants; old Beijing snacks and food; old Beijing symbols and special products; the old world charming of the Ming and Qing buildings, boating on Shichahai lakes and the list of its old world charms is much longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the link for more information:The Old World Charm<\/a> <\/a>in Beijing<\/a> and \u00a0 The Night View of Shichahai<\/a> and <\/p>\n\n\n

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Shichashai<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If you are fed up\u00a0with the gentrification in Beijing; if you lose interest in modern Beijing; if you feel sad about the fact that Beijing is becoming less\u00a0like Beijing; if you want to\u00a0see a\u00a0traditional Beijing; if you try to find a quiet place in the busy Beijing, come to Shichahai!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Sanlitun Bar Street<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sanlitun Bar Street is one of the most “prosperous” entertainment street in Beijing nightlife. Foreigners living in Beijing as well as local big shots often frequent the bar street.Every glowing night, the street is teemed with people bustling, bright colors against the background of city noise and luxury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sanlitun Bar Street has been always given a “smoke and mirrors” feeling. Nobody can see the true face of it, and nobody can give the street a clear commercial position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bar Street is south of the embassy district. Because of the great reputation of this street, and some foreign embassies will change the house number from the Sanlitun Road to “Sanlihe Bar Street”. The Bar Street is open every afternoon from to 2am everyday.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Sanlitun<\/a>
Sanlitun Bar Street<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

7.\u00a0Hutong (narrow lanes)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tourists in Beijing often ask a question “where are Beijing’s hutongs? Beijing’s Hutongs originated in the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) with more than 6,000 at the peak time. The word “hutong” is Mongolian in origin, meaning a “water well”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the old-time with the digging of new wells, came the new communities. Later it was referred to as narrow streets or lanes formed by quadrangles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s the number of Beijing’s hutongs”?  According to historical records,  there were several thousand hutongs in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), of which more than 900 in the inner city, 300 in the outer city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Qing Dynasty 91644-1911) reached 1800 hutongs while the Republic of China ( 1912-1949) more than 1,900. Statistics shows that when the New China was founded, there were over 2,550 hutongs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the link for more information:  Hutong tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Walking along hutongs<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Later due to the hutong name change as well as the economic and urban development, there has been much demolition and renovation of the existing hutongs, now Beijing has more than 4,000 hutongs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. 798 Space, 798 Art Zone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

798 Art Space , or 798 Art Zone, or Factory 798, is the Beijing “Greenwich Village” or “SoHo”, a part of Dashanzi in the Chaoyang District of Beijing that house a rich artist community. It is nestled in a 50-year old out of service military factory complex with a functional Bauhaus-influenced design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many people all day thinking about how to live in a house with a viewing balcony, another group of people whose arrange their own home in the city’s wasted plant in the suburbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the link for more information:  798 Art Zone<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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798 Space, 798 Art Zone<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

These are special people who work for the arts, so they have more reasons than the average person to show their personality. In terms of timing, they are free people, they do not work nine to five stuck in an office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What they need is the space. Now they own the space in groups.The “798 Factory” is now the most famous art community of Beijing. Quite different from Real estate companies using the same “SOHO” concept,  the 798 factory is the real “SOHO district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Silk Market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The only world-renowned market, clearly marked on the world’s top tourist map; \u00a0in the eyes of foreign tourists,\u00a0on a par with the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Beijing roast duck – she is the Silk Street, aka Silk Market or Silk Market Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20 years ago, a group of young people hoping for the future, set up shabby open-air stores from a simple pavement by the use of this prime location adjacent to the embassy district. They mainly sold silk clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The old market has been demolished. The new market is now open to the public. The new building has an area of 30,000 square meters, known as the New Silk Alley Market. There are 1,600 booths in the new building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Address:North of Dong Chang An Avenue, Jianguimenwai Street, Chaoyang DistrictBus:Bus No.1,9,28,37,43,120,126,403,639,640,668,728,and 729, take arrival at Yonganli Station<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the link for more information:  Silk Market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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Silk Market<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

10. Panjiayuan Market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Panjiayuan Flea Market, or Panjiayuan Market, or Panjiayuan Antique Market, or whatever names you use, is a must for those who like something really Chinese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beijing Panjiayuan Flea Market is located in the southeast corner of Third Ring Road Beijing.It is the largest flea market opening from Monday to Friday for fixed shops and open Districts No.01 and 02. On Saturday and Sunday all the shops.Check out the link for more information:  Panjiayuan Market<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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798 Space, 798 Art Zone<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Panjiayuan Flea Market has an area of 48,500 square meters. Market is divided into the stall area, ancient room area, classical furniture, area, modern collection area, stone carving area, food service areas of six business areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mainly focusing on old items, crafts, collectibles, decorations. It has the annual turnover of several million dollars. Market has more than 4,000 operating business units with  business people nearly ten thousand people, including sixty percent of the operators from outside Beijing from Twenty-eight provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, involving Han, Hui, Manchu, Miao, Dong…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip: Hassle-free Beijing Guided Tours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for Beijing guided tours:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beijing Day Tour<\/a>
Beijing Tour Packages<\/a>
Beijing Winter Tour<\/a>
Beijing Autumn Tour<\/a>
Great Wall Tour<\/a>
Car Rental in Beijing<\/a>
Beijing Tours<\/a>
China City Tours<\/a>
China Tour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further Readings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Best Time to Visit Beijing<\/a>
How to plan a trip to Beijing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Attractions in Beijing<\/a>
How to Visit Forbidden City<\/a>
How to Visit Temple of Heaven<\/a>
How to Visit Summer Palace<\/a>
How to Visit Ming Tombs<\/a>
How to Visit the Great Wall of China<\/a>
How to Visit Tiananmen Square<\/a>
How to Visit Hutongs<\/a>
How to Visit Olympic Sites<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Markets in Beijing<\/a>
Top 10 Shopping Malls in Beijing<\/a>
Beijing Shopping<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wangfujing Walking Street<\/a>
Qianmen Commercial Street<\/a>
Gui Jie ( Ghost Street) Food Street<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any questions, just drop a line.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Plan your Beijing tour\uff1f Visitors may be a little bit worried that Beijing is an expensive city, but you must know that there are loads of free things to do in Beijing. If you want to know more about these ideas, please check below my version of the top 10 free things to do in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,20,19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-beijing-top-10","category-beijing-tour-reviews","category-beijing-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1863"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1863"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1863\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31908,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1863\/revisions\/31908"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}