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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Best "off the beaten path" attractions in Beijing?
A good friend of mine is visiting next week and wants me to show him a sort of "off the beaten path" version of Beijing.
Of course we are going to do some of the mandatory sites like Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace etc., but I don't know where else to take him.
Recommendations on unique/uncommon things to do in town?
12 years 27 weeks ago in Transport & Travel - Beijing
Gulou (鼓楼) isn't exactly off the beaten path, but it's got that old Beijing touch.
Lady bars (KTVs) are interesting to see, but try to stay in the legal zone.
Happy Valley, the attraction park, but it's a bit cold right now to ride rollercoasters.
Rock bars with concerts, such as Mao Live House, Mako live house, yugongyishan, club 13, What Bar, 2 Kolegas, etc.
Internet cafes
Laser Tag game
The hutongs! This is the old Beijing and the place where you are most likely to see genuinely local personalities and habits. Gulou is a great starting place, and if you just walk into the alleys from there, they are even (relatively) likely to spew you out in the direction of some small coffee shop or restaurant. If you brought your compass and a little bit of luck you can just keep navigating east past caged birds, majiang players and fruit shops, cross Andingmennei Dajie and end your trip at the Confucius Temple.
Another thing I like to show friends visiting is the dancing old people that seem to appear every evening after dinner some time on most open spaces in the city.