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Chaoyang District. (6425 4847, 6424 3698) www.puppetchina.com 中国木偶剧院, 朝阳区 北三环路安华西里甲1号 Dayin Theater A theater located in The Place with different plays on. 5/F, C Tower, The Place, 9 Guanghualu, Chaoyang District. (6589 5559) http://www.dayinyuanxian.com/ 大隐剧院, 朝阳区光华路9号世贸天阶C座(时 尚大厦)5层 Forbidden City Concert Hall Located inside the beautiful Zhongshan park, this small concert hall hosts mainly classical concerts and performances. Inside Zhongshan Park, Xichang’an Jie, Xicheng District. (6559 8285) www.fcchbj.com 中山公园音乐堂, 西城区西长 安街中山公园内 National Centre For The Performing Arts (NCPA) Adjacent to the monolithic Great Hall of the People, French architect Paul Andreu’s space-age conception attracted a fair amount of criticismfor its cost (RMB 490,000 a seat) and dust-gathering capabilities (maintenance of the glass dome and surrounding moat is said to run up to hundreds of thousands of RMB daily). Since its opening in December 2007 though, praise for the stunning design, particularly beautiful at sunset, and the superb in-house acoustics has drowned out these criticisms. Continuing the trend of giving monikers to new monuments, the NCPA has been dubbed the ‘Egg’. Entrance to the three performance venues housed under the dome is via a passageway running under the moat, and the vast central atrium features stones from every region in China. Presently, attracting a string of world-class performers appears to be less of a problem than finding the appreciative local audiences that this venue deserves. 2 Chang’an Jie, Xicheng District. (6655 0000) www.chncpa. org 国家大剧院, 西城区西长安街2号 Peking University Hall Inside Peking University, 5A Yiheyuan Lu, Haidian District. (6275 1278) www.pku-hall.com 北大百年纪念礼 堂, 海淀区颐和园路甲5号北京大学内 Penghao Theatre This privately owned theater and cafe is a well-kept secret in Beijing. Hard to find in a remodeled hutong, the atmosphere makes up for what it lacks in accessibilty. Has a rooftop bar for a drink after the show. 35 Dongmianhua Hutong (south gate of the Central Academy of Drama, between Nanluogu Xiang and Jiaodaokou Nandajie), Dongcheng District. (6400 6452/72) 蓬蒿剧场, 东城区东棉花胡同35号(中央戏剧学院南门, 南锣 鼓巷和交道口南大街之间) Poly Theatre Holds music performances all year round. Poly Plaza, 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie, Dongcheng District. (6500 1188 ext 5126/5127) www.polytheatre.com 保利剧院, 东城区东直门南大街14号保利大厦1层 Xindong’an Cinema Shows the newest flicks in town – both Chinese and foreign. RMB 2550 (foreign films); RMB 15-25 (local films). All tickets half-price on Tuesdays. 5/F, 138 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6528 1988/1898) www.xindongan.blog.sohu.com, http://www.b-cinema.cn/ 新东安影城, 东城区 王府井大街138号5层
Major Attractions Confucius Temple and Guozijian The Confucius Temple is located 400 meters to the southwest of Yonghegong Station. It was first built in 1302 and served as an altar where intellectuals from the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties offered their respects to Confucius. Now it has become a museum exhibiting engraved stones, old Chinese doorbells and drums, bronze and jade utensils, paintings and calligraphic works, antique musical instruments and ancient Chinese currencies. Every September, a ritual celebrating Confucius’s birthday takes place here, in which a music and dance ceremony from the Qing dynasty is performed. Daily 8am-5pm (last ticket 4.30pm). RMB 10, RMB 5 (students). 13 Guozijian Jie (near the Lama Temple’s main gate), Dongcheng District. (8401 1977) 孔庙和国子监, 东城区国子监街13号
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Houhai The area commonly referred to as “Houhai” actually covers two lakes: Houhai and Qianhai. Popular with families, Houhai is worth visiting especially in winter, when the frozen lake looks like a scene by some modern-day Brueghel, with families and couples skating, playing ice hockey, and jubilantly riding on ice chairs and other fantasmagoric contraptions. There’s an old school amusement area with trampolines, electric cars and a dragon train on the southwest bank, near Kong Yiji. Dianmenwai Dajie (aka Ping’an Dadao), across from the north gate of Beihai Park, Xicheng District. 后海地区, 西城区地安门外大街（北海 公园北门对面） Ming Tombs Thirteen of the 16 Ming emperorsare buried in this picturesque valleyof rolling hills and orchards. Of thesetombs, three – Changling, Dinglingand Zhaoling – are open to the public.During spring and autumn, the area isgreat for picnics.Changling Tomb Daily 8am-5pm. RMB45 (Apr 1-Oct 31), RMB 30 (Nov 1-Mar31), students half price. ChangpingDistrict. (6076 1334) 长陵，昌平区 Dingling Tomb Daily 8am-5pm. RMB65 (Apr 1-Oct 31), RMB 45 (Nov 1-Mar31), students half price. ChangpingDistrict. (6076 1424) 定 陵，昌平区Zhaoling Tomb Daily 8am-5pm. RMB30 (Apr 1-Oct 31), RMB 20 (Nov 1-Mar31), students half price. ChangpingDistrict. (6076 3104) 昭陵，昌平区 Daily 8am-5pm. 1) Changling Tomb, Changping District. (6076 1334); 2) Zhaoling Tomb, Changping District. (6076 3104); 3) Dingling Tomb, Changping District. (6076 1424) 明十三陵, 1) 昌平区长 陵; 2) 昌平区昭陵; 3) 昌平区定陵 Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) Take a daytrip to the place once described as the “Versailles of the East.” Its grounds blend typical Chinese landscaping and Western architecture. Famous scenic spots include the Grand Waterworks, the Immense Ocean Observatory and the Labyrinth. RMB 10, plus RMB 15 (ruins and labyrinth), students halfprice. Free for kids under 1.2m. Daily 7am-7pm (May-Aug); 7am-5.30pm (Nov-Mar); 7am-630. pm (Apr, Sep-Oct). 28 Qinghua Xilu, Haidian District. (6262 8501) www.yuanmingyuanpark. com 圆明园, 海淀区清华西路28号 Song Qingling’s Former Residence Song Qingling’s Former Residence is more interesting as a garden than a museum, but the displays on her life inside this grand estate are a fascinating look at the life of a Communist Party ‘aristocrat’ in the early days of the People’s Republic. Educated in the US, Song married Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founder of the Republic of China, and she herself became vice-president of the People’s Republic of China. Her sister May-ling married Jiang Jieshi, who is better known in the West as Chiang Kai-shek. The displays include the pistol Sun Yat-sen gave her as a wedding present. Your kids will enjoy clambering on the rocks, looking at the pigeons and playing on the swings. RMB 20, RMB 10 (university students), RMB 5 (middle and primary school students) Daily 9am-5.30pm. 后 海北沿46号, Xicheng District. (6404 4205) 宋庆 龄故居, 西城区46 Houhai Beiyan The Temple of Heaven Another of Beijing’s signature attractions, this imperial temple, known for its distinc-tively round architecture and altar, was the site of annual sacrifices by the emperors to heaven. RMB 15 (park), RMB 35 (all access). Daily 6am-5.30 pm (park), 8am–5.30pm (sites). Yongdingmen Dajie (West Gate), Chongwen District. (6702 8866) 崇文区永定门内大街 （天坛西门） White Cloud Temple (Baiyunguan) Established in 793 AD during the Tang dynasty, this is one of Beijing’s few Taoist Temples, replete with long-haired monks. Unless you’re claustrophobic, visit during the Spring Festival when good-natured worshippers throng the grounds to burn incense and leave prayer tags to the deities. The home of the Chinese Taoist Association and a Taoist clinic with three medically licensed priests and ten herbalists, White Cloud Temple is peaceful the rest of the year. Early religious Taoism evolved from an interest in alchemy and the search for the
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elixir of life. It is distinct from Taoist philosophy and provided a sense of spirituality that Confucianism lacked. Pantheons of deities, including manifestations of philosopher Laozi, are worshiped. Because of Taoism’s tendency towards mysticism, its temples became breeding grounds for secret societies. Daily 8.30am-4pm. 6 Baiyunguan Jie, Xibianmenwai, Xuanwu District. (6344 3666) 白云观, 宣武区 西便门外白云观街6号 Yonghegong Lama Temple Daily 9am4.30pm. RMB 25, audio tour RMB 20. 12 Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6404 4499, yonghegong@china.com.cn) www. yonghegong.cn 雍和宫, 东城区雍和宫大街12号
Museums & Education 798 Space The namesake of the 798 area and a factory space that once produced weapons, now you can catch an occasional exhibit in between high couture product launches that draw crowds at night. Daily 11am-9pm. Dashanzi art district, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (6438 4862, 6437 6248) www.798space.com 798 时 态空间, 朝阳区酒仙桥路4号798大山子艺术区 Beijing Planetarium Thanks to a RMB 300 million facelift, the once retro planetarium now boasts state of the art facilities. The SGI Digital Universe Theater takes patrons on a tour of the cosmos with six Carl Zeiss laser projectors that simulate the movement of stars and constellations. You can also travel through time in the 4-D theater, where you strap on a pair of goggles and watch a multidimensional film about the creation of the solar system and evolution of life on earth, replete with snarling T-Rexes and saber-toothed tigers. Other draws include the 3D space shuttle simulator and a cool exhibit about the sun. The new exhibition hall: RMB 10 (RMB 7 for students); GI Digital Universe Theater: RMB 45, RMB 35 (students); 4-D Theater: RMB 30, RMB 20 (students); 3D Space Shuttle Simulator: RMB 30, RMB 20 (students). Wed-Fri 9.30am-3.30pm (last ticket 3pm), Sat-Sun 9.30am-4.30pm (last ticket 4pm). 138 Xizhimenwai Dajie, Xicheng District. (6835 2453, 6831 2517) www.bjp. org.cn 北京天文馆新馆, 西城区西直门外大 街138号 China Science and Technology Museum Mammoth 48,000 sqm facility features five themed exhibition rooms (the Children’s Science Paradise, The Glory of China, Exploration and Discovery, Science, Technology and Life and Challenges and the Future) and an array of hands-on scientific exhibitions, a science playground and displays of Chinese exhibitions. Also boasts four state-of-the-art “4D” and 3D cinemas, and an array of dining options. TueSun 9am-4.30pm, extended hours for special events (ticket selling 8.30am- 3.30pm). 5 Beichen Donglu (ten minutes east of the south gate of the Olympic Forest Park), Chaoyang District. (5904 1188) www.cstm.org.cn 中国科 技馆, 朝阳区朝阳区北辰东路5号 Chinese Aviation Museum Walk into the side of a hill and enter the grooviest of hangars, dug into the side of a mountain, full of old warplanes to climb around on. RMB 50 (adults), RMB 25 (kids). Tue-Sun 8am-5pm. West of Xiaotangshan Town, Changping District. (6178 4882) 中国航空博物馆, 昌平区小汤山镇西侧 Chinese Military History Museum Tired of jungle gyms? Try tanks! Tykes can clamber over an array of sturdy metal military gear or take turns sitting on an anti-aircraft gun or in the pilot’s seat of a combat aircraft (RMB 2). To board the Chinese 024 Missile-Equipped Boat (RMB 5) you don’t even need to enter the museum – it’s docked in the front courtyard. Parents and older kids can marvel at the socialist realist artwork. All this only a step away from the Military Museum subway stop on Line 1. Free. Daily 8.30am-4.30pm. 9 Fuxing Lu, Haidian District. (6686 6244) www.pladaily. com.cn/item/jb, www.chinamil.com.cn 中国军事 博物馆, 海淀区复兴路9号
Chinese Museum of Women and Children As the first women and children themed national museum, Chinese Museum of Women and Children opened on Oct 1, 2010 with an area of 35,000 square meters. It includes 11 exhibition halls containing more than 30,000 exhibits depicting ancient, modern and contemporary women, celebrating international friendship and women’s art, and showing changes and contrasts through the ages in women’s apparel. Daily 9am-5pm. 23 Jianguomennei Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6526 9678, 6526 9456) ccwm.china.com.cn 中 国妇女儿童博物馆, 东城区建国门内大街23号 Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) UCCA frequently holds kid-friendly exhibitions, classes, and workshops with local and international artists. Check the events listings and their website for details. RMB 10, free on Thursdays and for students, members, kids under 1.3m, disabled visitors, and seniors. Tue-Sun 10am-7pm. 798 Dashanzi Art District, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (5780 0200, visitor@ucca.org.cn) www.ucca.org.cn 尤伦斯当代艺术中心, 朝阳区酒仙桥路4号大山 子艺术区
Parks & Gardens Beihai Park This park is a good example of a classic Yuan dynasty imperial garden and has the benefit of being good to visit in all seasons. Ticket: RMB 10 (April-Oct); RMB 5 (Nov-March). Half-price for students. Daily 6.30am-8pm (Nov-March); 6am-9pm (April, May, Sept, Oct); 6am-10pm (June-Aug). 1 Wenjin Jie, Xicheng District. (6403 1102) www.beihaipark.com.cn 北海公园, 西城区 文津街1号 Chinese Ethnic Culture Park If staff dressed up in minority costumes pretending to be Tibetans isn’t kitschy enough, for a small fee you too can don an outfit and get your photo taken. Regular live shows. Extensive expansion (a whole second park) has just been completed. RMB 90, RMB 65 (students). Daily 8am-6pm, Nov-Mar 8.30am6pm (last entry 4.50pm). 1 Minzuyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (6206 3640/3646) www. emuseum.org.cn 中华民族园, 朝阳区民族 园路1号 Fragrant Hills Park (Xiangshan) Daily 6am-6pm (winter), 6am-6.30pm (summer). RMB 10, RMB 5 (students). Xiangshan, Haidian District. (6259-1155) 香山公园, 海 淀区香山 Grand View Garden Modeled on the grounds described in Dream of the Red Chamber, the park (Daguanyuan in Chinese) makes for a very pleasant afternoon stroll. Although the park is not specifically geared towards children, there is a small enclosure where you can feed deer, cockatoos and a multitude of peacocks. Also fun for kids is a ride in the bridal sedan chair next to the Archway (the white marble gate in the north of the park). RMB 40, half price for students. Animal enclosure: RMB 5. Daily 7.30am5.30pm (last ticket 5pm). 12 Nancaiyuan Jie, Xuanwu District. (6354 4993) www.bjdgy.com 大观园, 宣武区南菜园街12号 Olympic Forest Park Beijing’s Olympic Forest Park is a large, man-made nature park at the north end of the Olympic Green. Built for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, the park is oval in shape and features lake Wa Biancun in the center. The park features many walking and jogging paths. Several small islands in the lake are linked by bridges. The southeast end of the lake has a handful of carnival rides for children. The south gate of Olympic Forest Park is accessible through South Gate of Forest Park station (森林公园 南门) on Line 8. Daily 6am-8pm (summer), daily 7am-7pm (winter).. 15 Beichen Donglu, Chaoyang District. (Southern Garden: 6452 9060, Northern Garden: 6452 9090) 奥林匹克 森林公园, 朝阳区朝阳区北辰东路15号 Ritan Park The CBD’s “lungs,” Ritan Park packs a surprising amount of child-friendly