Beijing/Chaoyang

Chaoyang is a massive district, roughly covering the urban area to the north and east of central Beijing, beginning at the Second Ring Road, and stretching beyond the Fifth Ring Road. Chaoyang contains Beijing's Central Business District (CBD). While Chaoyang district does not have that many tourist sites, most visitors to Beijing will find themselves in Chaoyang at some point: especially for visiting the art districts, shopping, restaurants, and nightlife.
The main precincts you are likely to visit are:

CBD (Central Business District)

CBD is the primary area of corporate services, business and media which surrounds Guomao, the most prestigious business addresses with an ultra-modern architecture, and the World Trade Center which is an impressive complex that includes grand hotels, the most luxurious malls selling elite international brands, exclusive restaurants and night spots. The clientele here represents the cream of China's wealthy elite.

Sanlitun

This precinct has been vastly improved for the community of expatriates, with better shopping and nightlife. Sanlitun is considered a stylish international precinct, featuring avant-garde commercial centres and retail. It has the most diverse international scenes and the widest selection of great restaurants, classy bars and dazzling nightclubs.

798 Art Zone

This area is a great place to visit from morning to midnight. It has grown into a visual arts mecca attracting the best in talent from China and abroad. 798 also features trendy cafes and a buzzing night life.

Subway line 10, opened in 2008 in time for the Olympics, travels along or parallel to the Third Ring Road, through most of Chaoyang district. Line 1 runs east-west through the Central Business District. Line 5 runs north-south in the northern part of the district.

Olympic venues

Many of the 2008 Olympic venues are in or around the Olympic Green in Chaoyang. The Olympic Green area is a public square that can be visited for free. Admission is charged if you want to visit inside the venues:

• National Stadium

  phone: +86 10 84986888
  address: Olympic Park, Chaoyang District
  Also known as the "Bird's Nest" (鸟巢 Niǎocháo), this stadium, designed by Herzog & Meuron, is the world's largest steel structure. It hosted opening and closing ceremonies, and athletic and football matches during the Olympics. It has host some sporting events and concerts since the Olympics. It will be used again in the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

• National Aquatics CenterAlso known as the "Water Cube" (水立方 Shǔilìfāng) Swimming and diving venue. Tickets to visit the inside of the Water Cube are sold throughout the day. The ticket office is by the tour bus parking lot at the northwest corner of the building (which is a fair hike from the building entrance at the southeast corner, facing the stadium). The building also sometimes now hosts sound and light shows in the evenings.

• National Indoor Stadium

  address: 18 Beichen East Road (北辰东路18号; Běichéndōnglù)
  Gymnastics venue.

• Olympic Sports Center Stadium

• Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium

• Ying Tung Natatorium

• Olympic Green Tennis Center

Olympic venues are also found elsewhere in Chaoyang:

• Beijing Workers' Stadium

  address: Gongti North Road (工体北路; Gōngtǐběilù)
  An old stadium renovated to be a football (soccer) venue, still used for sports events and major concerts.

• Beijing Workers Gymnasium

  address: Gongti North Road (工体北路; Gōngtǐběilù)

• Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium

  address: 100 Ping Le Yuan (平乐园100号; Pínglèyuán)

Finally, Olympic venues can be found in other districts including China Agricultural University Gymnasium, Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium, Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics Gymnasium, Peking University Gymnasium, Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium, Capital Indoor Stadium, Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium, Beijing Shooting Range CTF, Beijing Shooting Range Hall, Laoshan Velodrome, Laoshan Mountain Bike Course, and Fengtai Sports Center Softball Field.

Buildings

• China Central Television (CCTV) HeadquartersJust north-east of Guomao station along the Third Ring Road is this beautiful and unique tower by Dutch architects Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren, housing China Central Television Station. A New Year's firework accident in 2009 burnt down the adjacent Mandarin Oriental Hotel building.

• World Trade Center Tower IIIJust north-west of Guomao station, and north of China World Trade Center I. This is Beijing's tallest building and has restaurants and bars at the top.

Temples

• Dongyue Temple

  phone: +86 10 6551 0151
  address: 141 Chaowai Street (朝外大街141号; Cháowàidàjiē)
  Taoist temple founded in 1319 with hundreds of life size plaster figures and the possibility of making offerings to different gods responsible for all kind of stuff. The temple also houses the Beijing Folk Arts Museum. Very quiet and peaceful spot.

Parks

• Chaoyang Park

  phone: +86 10 6506 5409
  address: 1 Nongzhan South Road (农展南路1号; Nóngzhǎn Nánlù)
  The largest park in Beijing at 3 km by 1.5 km. The park features an artificial beach, two large swimming pools, a bungee jumping tower, boat rental, concert stages, sports areas, a number of amusement park rides and flower areas. The individual entertainment options might not be impressive, but the size of the park and the number of local visitors makes a stroll here delightful anyway.

• Ritan Park

  phone: +86 10 8561 6301
  address: 6 Ritan North Road (日坛北路6号; Rìtán Běilù)
  The park contains the Temple of the Sun with an altar built in 1530 and used for sacrifices to the sun. Great park with entertainment for the children, good cafés and restaurants, plenty of local life to watch and also historical stuff. The altar itself is a round open space popular for flying kites. If you couldn't get close to the "Echo Wall" at Temple of Heaven due to crowds, you can do the same trick here (although only on a quarter rather than the whole circle). Also climb to the pavilion at the top of the small hill in the park for a surround view of the CBD skyline.

• China Ethnic Museum

  phone: +86 10 6206 3640
  address: 1 Minzuyuan Road (民族园路1号; Mínzúyuánlù)
  Park and museum with buildings and exhibitions showing the characteristics of China's 56 nationalities. This does give a good overview and a better understanding of the diversity of China, but everything seems a bit dated and dusty. Also restaurants and shops in the park.

• Happy Valley Amusement Park

  phone: +86 10 6736 0303
  address: Xiaowuji North Road, Southend of East Ring Road Four (东四环南路小武基北路; Dōngsìhuánnánlù Xiǎowǔjīběilù)
  Amusement park established in 2006 and by far the largest in Beijing covering around 1 km² and comprising more than 40 rides divided in different themed areas.

• Honglingjin Park

  phone: +86 10 8581 9548
  address: Houbalizhuang, East Ring Road Four (东四环路后八里庄5号; Dōngsìhuánlù Hòubālǐzhuāng)
  Here you can watch sculptures and gingko trees. The park also features indoor and outdoor playgrounds, boats for hire and a number of amusement park rides.

• Side Park

  phone: +86 10 6432 1659
  address: 6 Fangyuan West Road (芳园西路6号; Fāngyuán Xīlù)
  Park featuring sport activities and play grounds.

Museums

• Art Museum of the Beijing Fine Art Academy

• Blue Zoo Beijing

  phone: +86 10 6591 3397
  address: South Gate of Workers' Stadium (工人体育场南门; Gōngréntǐyùchǎng Nánmén)
  Aquarium with a 120-m walk-through tunnel.

• China National Film Museum

  phone: +86 10-84355959
  address: 9 Nanying Road (南影路9号; Nán yǐng lù 9 hào)

• Guanfu Classic Art Museum

• National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature

  phone: +86 10 8461 9071
  address: 45 Wenxueguan Road, Shaoyaoji (芍药居文学馆路45号; Sháoyàojū Wénxuéguǎnlù)
  Very large museum on modern Chinese literature and writers including reproductions of writers' homes, original and copy manuscripts as well as personal effects.

• Red Sandalwood Museum

  phone: +86 10 85752818
  address: No. 23 Jianguo Street, Chaoyang District
  the first and largest museum in China specialized in collecting, researching and displaying sandalwood works of art and classical furniture.

• Sports Museum

• China Science and Technology Museum

  phone: +86 10 59041000
  address: No. 5, Beichendonglu, Chaoyang District
  This enormous museum near Olympic Green is a comprehensive science and technology museum with regular and short-term themed exhibitions. Of special interest are the historic scientific and technical achievements of China.

Galleries

Dashanzi Art District

Dashanzi Art District (大山子艺术区 Dàshānzǐ Yìshù Qū), originally known as 798 Factory, is a district full of galleries of contemporary Chinese art, in an old industrial district. Also many Western style cafes here. The area has been undisputed as the centre for Chinese contemporary art. But beginning commercialisation and mainstreaming of the area and the rise of other areas in Beijing makes this less obvious. The area is now firmly on the tour group circuit and can be crowded at weekends. Many of the original galleries have closed or moved due to high rents, although there are more and more cafes and shops, some quite high-end. Full of young artists selling their handiwork, which makes for great shopping if you can't afford the big art pieces. Visiting the area is still a must for art lovers and for other tourists. It's located outside Fourth Ring Road, so it's easiest and fastest to get there by taxi. It's in the direction of the airport, so it can be a convenient stop on your way there or a quick trip back into the city on your last night. Alternatively, bus routes 688 and 418 go from Dongzhimen via Liangmaqiao for connections to/from the subway system.

• 798 Photo Gallery

  phone: +86 10 6438 1784
  Established in 2003 as the first gallery in China to focus on photography. Still one of the best places in China to see photographic work. New exhibitions every month.

• 798 Space

  phone: +86 10 6437 6248
  The gallery giving the original name to the whole area. Now more interesting for its parties, events and high couture product launches than for its art exhibitions.

• Beijing Commune

  phone: +86 10 8456 2862
  Exhibitions in all media focusing on discovering and promoting the newest trends. Also engaged in organising conferences and publishing books.

• Beijing Tokyo Art Projects

  phone: +86 10 8457 3245
  One of the first galleries to open here and continues to have interesting exhibitions in all media with East Asian artists.

• Chinese Contemporary Beijing

  phone: +86 10 8456 2421
  Large international gallery with branches in London and New York as well. Focusing on Chinese provocative avant-garde within all media.

• Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery

  phone: +86 139 1165 1353
  One of Beijing's leading contemporary galleries, Hadrien de Montferrand Gallery is the first in China to exclusively show contemporary works on paper.

• Iberia Center for Contemporary Art

  phone: +86 10 5978 9530
  Established by the International Art & Culture Foundation of Spain. Focuses on Chinese films and videos with a focus on independent documentary film.

• Marella Gallery

  phone: +86 10 5978 9587
  Milan-based gallery exhibiting Chinese and international artists.

• Paris-Beijing Photo Gallery I

  phone: +86 10 5978 9262
  Exhibits photography from China and abroad. See also Paris-Beijing Photo Gallery II in the same area.

• Star GalleryFocuses on exhibitions, publications and promotion of the newest generation of Chinese artists.

• Tang Contemporary Art

  phone: +86 10 6436 3518
  Large gallery exhibiting Chinese and foreign contemporary artists.

• Ullens Center for Contemporary Art

  phone: +86 10 6438 6675
  Large gallery with three exhibition halls and with ambitions of being the most comprehensive institute for contemporary Chinese art. Arranges also events within art, films and music as well as seminars on a wide range of art related topics.

• Yuanfen New Media Art SpaceThis gallery exhibits online, video and new media art by international and Chinese artists

Caochangdi

Caochangdi is a satellite branch to Dashanzi established as Dashanzi became increasingly commercialised and rents rose significantly there. Caochangdi used to be a village, but has now been swallowed up by the city. It's a few kilometres north-east of Dashanzi, just beyond the Fifth Ring Road (a short taxi trip or a few stops on the same bus routes that go to Dashanzi). The galleries here are more spread out and can be hard to find, so this is a destination for more serious art aficionados.

• Boers-Li Gallery

  phone: +86 10 6432 2620
  address: 8A Caochangdi (草场地甲8号; Cǎochǎngdìjiǎ)
  Large gallery focusing on sculptural and video installations.

• China Art Archives and Warehouse

  phone: +86 10 8456 5152
  address: East of Tiedao Bridge, Caochangdi Village (草场地村铁道桥东侧; Cǎochǎngdìcūn Tiědàoqiáodōngcè)
  CAAW was one of the first galleries in Beijing with a history at least dating back to 1993. The gallery was the first to move to Caochangdi. Focuses on experimental fine art from China, including painting, sculpture, photography, printing and installations.

• Chambers Fine Art

  phone: +86 10 5127 3298
  address: No 1-D Red, Caochangdi (草场地红1号D座; Cǎochǎngdì Hóng)
  Chambers Fine Art opened in New York in 2000 exhibiting cutting edge Chinese art. In 2007, the Beijing branch opened.

• F2 Gallery

  phone: +86 10 6432 8831
  address: 319 Caochangdi (草场地319号; Cǎochǎngdì)
  Gallery representing and working closely with a few Chinese contemporary artists.

• Galerie Urs Meile

  phone: +86 10 6433 3393
  address: 104 Caochangdi (草场地104号; Cǎochǎngdì)
  Swiss gallery exhibiting foreign and Chinese artists

• Pékin Fine Arts

  phone: +86 10 8610 5127 ext 3320
  address: 241 Caochangdi, Cuigezhuang (催各庄草场地241号; Cuīgèzhuāng Cǎochǎngdì)
  The gallery prepares exhibitions of contemporary Chinese artists with the purpose of sending them abroad.

• Platform China Art Institute

  phone: +86 10 6432 0091
  address: No 319-1, East End Art Zone A, Caochangdi (草场地村319-1艺术东区A区内)
  Exhibits video and installation art. The gallery also aims at being at workplace and also has a residency program for international artists.

• Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

  phone: +86 10 6432 2663
  address: 155 Caochagdi (草场地155号; Cǎochǎngdì)
  One of the most important venues for photography including exhibitions, café, workstations and library.

Liquor Factory

Liquor Factory is the third large art area in Chaoyang

• Arario Beijing

  phone: +86 10 5202 3800
  address: Jiuchang Art Factory, Beihuqu Lu, Anwai Beiyuan (安外北苑北湖渠酿酒厂; Ānwàiběiyuàn Běihúqúniàng Jiǔchǎng)
  This Korean owned gallery is by far the largest in the area with four galleries exhibiting local and foreign artists, established and emerging, and within a full range of media.

Other

Chaoyang also has a number of galleries elsewhere

• Creation Gallery

  phone: +86 10 8561 7570
  address: North end of Ritan East Road(日坛东路北口; Rìtándōnglùběikǒu)
  Exhibits with significant influence from traditional Chinese art. Focusing on oil and acrylic paintings as well as traditional materials.

• Imagine Gallery

  phone: +86 10 6438 5747
  address: 8 Feijiacun East Road, Laiguangying East Road (来广营东路费家村东路8号; Láiguǎngyíngdōnglù Fèijiācūndōnglù)
  Exhibits Chinese and foreign artists and provides workingspace for artists.

• Beijing Tomorrow Art Gallery

  address: No. 32 Baiziwan Road, Building 3A, Pingod North, #008 Chaoyang District
  Exhibits Western artists working with digital technologies.

Other

• Central Perk

  phone: +86 186 0119 1315
  address: 6th Floor, 0616, Bldg A, Chaowai SOHO, 6 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie 朝阳门外大街,朝外SOHO,A区0616室
  A loving homage to the Friends TV show with a full replica of the café and ongoing replays. Makes a great photo moment.

Theaters

• Century Theater

  phone: +86 10 6468 3311 ext 3163
  address: 40 Liangmaqiao Road (亮马桥路40号; Liàngmǎqiáolù)
  Upscale theater frequented by expats. Performances include dramas, classical concerts, dance performances, opera and other musical events.

• Chaoyang Theater

  phone: +86 10 6507 2421
  address: 36 Northend of East Ring Road Three (东三环北路36号; Dōngsānhuánběilù)
  Theater focusing on acrobatics, but also some Peking Opera. Acrobatics shows are impressive and slick, with a 'tropical bird' theme. The Peking Opera shows are in a small side theatre, and fairly amateur.

• Chaoyang Theatre Acrobatics Show

China Puppet Theater

phone: +86 10 6425 4798

address: 1 Anhua Xili, East Ring Road Three(东三环安华西里甲1号; Dōngsānhuán ānhuáxīlǐ)

Classical Western and classical Chinese plays for children performed by puppets. Also a playground available.

Literature

• The Bookworm

  phone: +86 10 6586 9507
  address: Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu 工体北路4号院
  A Beijing institution, it's famous for its literary festival in March. This café-restaurant acts a community centre for all things bookworms love. Regular music and cultural events are held and it holds the biggest foreign-language lending library in Beijing.

Language school

• Mandarin Pro

  phone: +86 10-5083 0386
  address: 10B, Tower F, Fuhua Building, 8 Chaoyangmen North Street 朝阳门北大街8号富华大厦F座10B
  Their strength is in their Chinese language teaching methodology and organizing various language- and culture-related activities.

Swimming

• Crab Island

  phone: +86 10 8433 5566
  address: 1 Xiedao Road (蟹岛路1号; Xièdǎolù)
  Artificial beach with real sand, parasols and beach chairs. Features a large pool with wave machine and water slides.

• Tuanjiehu Pool

  phone: +86 10 8597 4677
  address: 16 Tuanjiehu South Road (团结湖南路16号; Tuánjiéhú Nánlù)
  Water park with beach, pool with wave machine and water slides. Open only during the summer months.

Play

• Fundazzle

  phone: +86 10 6500 4193
  address: Gongti South Road (工体南路; Gōngtǐ Nánlù)
  Large indoor playground.

• The Biggest Ocean Gymnastic Club

  phone: +86 10 87323329, +86 10 87323328
  address: 200m east of Huawei Bridge
  Has a huge sauna, 3 different spas to soak in, a steam room, and showers. After a spell in the spa room, get dressed up in pyjamas and head upstairs to witness a variety show with comedians, singers and clowns. After the show, you can relax in the reclining sofa room or grab some snacks from the cafe.

• Beijing Bocce League

  phone: +86 18616729099
  address: Xinzhong Street and Worker Stadium North Road 新中街跟工人体育场北路
  A great place to enjoy your free time by playing sports

• Silk Street or the Silk Market

  address: 8 East Xiushui St., Jianguomenwai Dajie
  The original foreign-oriented market, known for free wheeling bargaining and counterfeit luxury brands. It was re-opened in March 2005 as a five-floor air-conditioned building and renovated again in 2016 to look more like an ordinary mall. Bargaining is still common after the latest renovation but getting good deals meets more resistance than in the past.

• Taikoo Li Sanlitun (The Village)

  address: Corner of Gongti Beilu and Sanlitun Lu
  Modern, international mall opened in 2008, beside Yashow market. Many international brand names, including Apple, Adidas, Uniqlo. Also numerous cafes and restaurants, and a cinema in the basement.

• China World Trade CenterHere you will find a lot of expensive stores and some international convenience stores.

• PanjiayuanAlso called the "dirt market" or the "weekend market," this is China's largest and possibly its most entertaining flea market. It operates from Sun-Sat, most people visit there on the weekend, and it is located near Pan Jia Yuan bridge, on the eastern third ring road. It begins early, around 7AM in summer and 8AM in winter (4AM on the weekend). The flea market includes mostly fake antiques and large sections selling admittedly modern porcelain, jade, carved stone and wood, paintings, furniture, and other decorative items, used books, maps, and Cultural Revolution kitsch replicas. There are also sections selling Tibetan goods, although mostly of low quality, especially the paintings. Textiles made by members of minority nationalities from Yunnan and Guizhou provinces are amongst the more interesting buys. Well worth a visit, unless you are allergic to crowds. Remember to bargain, try offer 1/10 to 1/3 of the original price and be sure to shop around as many stalls have similar or identical goods. Panjiayuan's established dealers also provide shipping service for large items to main ports around the world.

• Guwan ChengOn the 3rd ring road, just beyond Panjiayuan. This four-story white building houses the more upmarket variety of Chinese antiques, with prices to match. The management have been making determined efforts to stamp out fakes and low quality items, and, to some extent, have succeeded. However, the rule that applies to all antique shopping in China still remains in force: buyer beware.

• Sunny Gold Street

  address: 2 Fangyuan Xi Lu
  A small two-storey market selling clothes, T-shirts, luggage, purses, wallets, some souvenirs etc. They have nothing you can't also buy at Yashow, but they are much smaller and calmer, so more relaxing. Convenient if you're staying at Lido hotel or in the area.

• Friendship Store

  address: CITIC building, Jianguomenwai Dajie
  A relic of communist China: where all foreigners used to have to shop. Prices are very high, and (not surprisingly) there's hardly anyone there. Come here to browse in peace and see what items and styles you like: then go to Silk market or Yashow to bargain for them.

• Liangma Flower MarketFirst floor is cut flowers, all inexpensive. Around the sides are potted plants, home decorations, lamps. Upstairs are dishes and kitchenware.

• The Place

  address: 9 Guanghua Lu / 光华路9号
  This outdoor complex is most well-known for having one of the largest LED screens in the world, which simultaneously serves as a futuristic roof. Come here in the evening to see various sorts of animations being shown over the full length of the screen. The Place also has a number of shops and cafes and is adjacent to another complex housing a number of restaurants.

Budget

Sanlitun

• Chun Gu Xiang Dumpling Restaurant

  phone: +86 10 64170460
  address: 22 Dongzhimenwai Dajie
  This is a typical local restaurant. Neither the food nor the decor are fancy, just cheap and good. No English spoken, although there is an English menu. Menu features boiled dumplings, and many other "homestyle" Chinese dishes (sweet and sour pork, kung pao chicken, dry-fried green beans, etc.)

• Kiosk

  phone: +86 10 6413 2461
  address: Sanlitun Jiubajie (三里屯酒吧街)
  Serves Serbian burgers and sandwiches. Outdoor seating only.

• Kebab Republic

  phone: +86 10 6413 1473
  address: 30 Sanlitun Beilu (三里屯北路30号; Sānlǐtúnběilù)
  Serves Turkey kebabs.

Worker's Stadium

• Modern Nomads

  phone: +86 10 6586 7757
  address: 4 Gongti Beilu (工体北路4号; Gōngtǐběilù)
  Mongolian cuisine specializing in mutton, also some western dishes. Live Mongolian music now and then.

• The Corner Melt

  phone: +86 10 6415 3713
  address: 55 Xingfucun Zhong Lu (朝阳区幸福村中路55号)
  Small restaurant offering variants of grilled cheese sandwiches and cheap beer (¥15 tallboy Pabst Blue Ribbon).

• Fire

  phone: +86 10 8587 1027
  address: 1/F, China View Building, Gongti Donglu (工体东路中红街大厦1层)
  Chinese.

• Anytime Cafe

  phone: +86 10 6586 3948
  address: 4 Gonti Beilu (工体北路4号; Gōngtǐběilù)
  Basic dim sum restaurant.

• Club Sandwich

  phone: +86 10 8447 3949
  address: 18 Xinzhong Road (新中路18号; Xīnzhōnglù)
  Simple place serving sandwich and pizza. Free internet available.

Chaoyang Park West Gate

• Ri Chang

  phone: +86 10 6593 1078
  address: 1 Nongzhanguan Nanlu (农展馆南路1号)
  Cantonese cuisine. The food and service is not remarkable, but it is cheap and it is open when everything else is closed.

• Meizhou Dongpo

  phone: +86 10 8598 0158
  address: Bldg 1, Tuanjiehu Dongli (团结湖东里1号楼)
  Sichuan cuisine.

• An Die An Niang

  phone: +86 10 6591 0231
  address: West Gate of Chaoyang Park (朝阳公园西门)
  Shandong cuisine. Very basic and cheap place serving baozi and other home style dishes.

Other

• Da Qing Hua

  address: Panjiayuan Lu
  Simple dumpling restaurant, good for a quick bite after shopping at the market.

• Yummy Box

  phone: +86 10 60780189
  address: No.11 Fu'an West Rd, Wangjing 朝阳区望京阜安西路11号麒麟社AF105
  Pizza and western food in Wangjing, near the 798 Art District

Mid-range

• Sunbake & Brew

  phone: +86 10 6499 3996
  Stretching and hiding at the North of Beijing (Yayuncun Area) is a contemporary American bistro, a mix of seasonal Western and Oriental cuisine & fresh brewed beer, Bavarian grill sausages, Italian pizzas, and what they claim is the "biggest American burger & hot dog in Beijing".

Sanlitun Area

• Gesangmedo

  phone: +86 10 6417-9269
  address: Chaoyang District, Xindong Lu, Xingfu Ercun Shangye Building, 2nd fl. (朝阳区新东路幸福二村商业楼二层)
  Tibetan food in a beautifully decorated interior, complete with a shrine in one corner. Attentive staff. Nightly live performance begins at 9PM. Subway: Line 2 to Dongzhimen and walk east on Dongzhimen Wai Dajie. Bus: 110, 117, 120, 813, 815, or 823 to Xingfu San Cun (幸福三村 Xìngfú Sān Cūn).

• Lau Pa Sak

  address: Xindong Lu (新东路)
  Malaysian/Singaporean style food. Mee Goreng is good, as is Hainan chicken and freshly made curry puffs.

• Yuxin Sichuan RestaurantOne of the contenders in the ongoing competition for Beijing's best Sichuanese, Yuxin delivers on authenticity, flavor, and service. It's always busy, and always good.

• phone: +86 1 6415 8108
  address: A5 Xingfu Yicun Xili, Chaoyang District
  (朝阳区幸福一村西里甲5号 Cháoyáng Qū Xìngfúyīcūn Xīlǐjiǎ wǔ hào).

Panino Giusto

address: Xingfucun Zhongjie (幸福村中街)

Great panini sandwiches, and salads. Tables outside in summer. Similar (but slightly better and cheaper) to Paninoteca, which has locations in north Sanlitun and in the Village mall.

The Middle 8th RestaurantLocated near the Sanlitun bar district. Awesome Yunnan cuisine. Extremely fresh food. Lots of dishes in the ¥20-30 range.

Bocata

address: 33 Sanlitun Lu, opposite 3.3 mall (三里屯路33号3.3大厦对面)

Delicious grilled panini-style sandwiches. Lovely shady patio in summertime.

Kro's Nest

phone: +86 10 65535253

address: Inside Worker's Stadium North Gate (工体北门内)

Great thick-crust pizza.

Saddle Cantina

address: 81 Sanlitun Lu (三里屯北路81号)

Good tex-mex food, especially the burritos. Also sometimes has drinks specials.

Serve the People

address: 1 Sanlitun Xiwujie (三里屯西五街1号)

Reliable Thai food.

Turkish Mum

phone: +86 10 8532 3979

address: 3 Gongti Beilu 工体北路3号

A traditional Turkish restaurant in sumptuous surroundings

Wine & Meat

phone: +86 10 84244699

address: Shop 1-035, Building 5, 8 Xindong Road, Sanlitun 北京市朝阳区新东路8号院(首开铂郡北区)5号楼1-035

This is a great new Western-style restaurant, which offers a range of choice in food and is great value for money. Good service too.

Q Mex Bar and Grill

phone: +86 10 6585 3828

address: Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu (nearby The Bookworm and D Lounge, under Kro's Nest) 工体北路4号院 (近老书虫与滚石，下乌巢;如需更详细解释请看Q Mex网站)

This is a great Mexican restaurant. One of the best restaurants to have Mexican food in Beijing

Dr Cactus

phone: +86 10-5602-7007

address: 1 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang 春秀路向北工体北路21号

Great Mexican restaurant, good value for money.

Ritan/CBD Area

• Xiao Wang's Home Restaurant

  phone: +86 10 85617859
  address: Inside Ritan Park North Gate (日坛公园北门内)
  Very good "homestyle" Chinese food, in a beautiful setting in the park. Not as expensive as the setting would make you believe. Some tables on a rooftop patio. Open all day but they don't serve food for a few hours in the afternoon.

• Xi He Ya Ju

  phone: +86 10 85617643
  address: Ritan Dong Lu (日坛东路)
  Fairly upscale "homestyle" Chinese restaurant, popular with foreigners.

• Makye Ame

  phone: +86 10 6506 9616
  address: 11A Xiushui Nanjie Jianguomenwai Beijing
  Tibetan restaurant, features live dancing and performances.

• Dacha

  phone: +86 10 8563 5765
  address: 1 Ritan Lu 日坛路1号（日坛宾馆北侧）
  Russian and Japanese cuisine, with a children's playground by day and bohemian entertainers by night

• Shash Restaurant

  phone: +86 10 5190 7230
  address: No.10, Fourth Alley, Xiangjunbeili, Hujialou 朝阳区呼家楼向军北里四巷10号
  An exquisitely decorated castle is the setting for the best Uzbek, Russian and Chinese cuisine

• Yuppie Yummy

  address: 17, Xiushui South Street, Jianwai Street 建外大街秀水南街17号,朝阳区建外大街秀水南街17号(北京友谊商店北侧)
  Cool and relaxed restaurant in Jianguomen serving up a short, American-inspired menu of burgers, ribs, salads, and steaks.

• Face

  phone: +86 10 6551 6738
  address: 26 Dongcaoyuan, Gongti Nanlu 工体南路东草园26号
  Face Bar is eclectic. Its decor includes artifacts from all regions and all time periods of China and Southeast Asian.

• Hua’s Restaurant by CIEC-Expo

  phone: +86 10 5128 3319
  address: 3 Dangxiao Road, Jing’anli 静安里党校路3号
  Chinese courtyard dining specialising in seafood

Solana and Lucky Street

• Cygnet Hotpot

  phone: +86 10 59056381
  address: C1-22 Solana Commercial Area, Chaoyang Park Rd 朝阳区朝阳公园路蓝色港湾国际商区C1-22
  Hotpot is a North China tradition, and this style is considered the best of the best

Splurge

• Dadong Duck RestaurantConsidered by some to be the best Beijing duck in the city, this upscale restaurant also delivers on a nice atmosphere. Reservations suggested.

• Tuanjiehu Beikou branch

  phone: +86 10 6582 2892
  address: Chaoyang District, Tuanjiehu Beikou Bldg. 3, East 3rd Rind Road (团结湖北口3号楼，东三环长虹桥西南角)

Din Tai Fung

address: 24 Xinyuang Xili Zhongjie; 新源西里中街24号

Expensive but delicious Shanghai-style dumplings. Second floor is non-smoking.

Pure Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant

phone: +86 10 65923627

address: 12 Nongzhanguan Nanlu (农展馆南路12号(通广大厦内))

Upscale vegetarian restaurant. Setting and presentation is beautiful. In the tradition of Chinese vegetarianism, many of the dishes are typical dishes made with "mock" meat (tofu). Try the mock Beijing duck. There's a second location inside Holiday Inn Lido Hotel.

Shintori

phone: +86 10 6515-8585

address: Chaoyang District, 18 Jianguomen Wai Dajie (玄吧朝阳区建国门外大街18号)

Shintori is an exquisite Japanese restaurant which is almost impossible to find. Once you do find your way in, one can't help but be wowed when entering the main dining area. The food at Shintori is unquestionably good, but be prepared to pay a little more here.

W Wine & Dine

phone: +86 10 64169838

address: 22 Dongzhimenwai Dajie

Lovely, fancy and expensive French/European restaurant. A la carte may be expensive, but lunch set menu is excellent value for money at ¥98, which includes a glass of wine.

Pinotage Restaurant

phone: +86 10 6430 7010

address: No.12 Dongzhimenwai Street 朝阳区东直门外大街12号

South African and western cuisine, with an extensive wine collection

Sanlitun

Sanlitun (三里屯 Sānlǐtún). Long the center of nightlife in Beijing, Sanlitun is located beside the embassy area in Chaoyang district. It is comprised of a main "bar street" divided into north and south sections, a side street with more casual (and cheaper) bars, and several large clubs/discothèques at the nearby north gate of the Worker's Stadium (separate entry below). Sanlitun has near legendary status amongst travelers, but you are just as likely to be irritated by pushy bar-owners or DVD sellers as you are to be charmed by its bars. Sanlitun is considered the 'old' nightlife district since Beijing started opening Western style clubs before 2005 in other areas, which means it is worth going to but if you are looking for the younger, party crowd then there are better places to go.
The main strip of bars along the east side of Sanlitun Lu (usually called Sanlitun bei or north) are interchangeable and unremarkable bars, but the drinks can be cheap, and this is where the doormen will try to lure you in to their club with special offers. Two other clusters are set back from the street:
The south section is south of Gongti Beilu. Take your first left into what looks like a parking lot and walk past The Bookworm to find the bars:

• Salsa Caribe

  phone: +86 10 6507 7821
  cool, crowded, club-bar for foreigners and locals, including some who really know how to move. A great place to dance to Latin music.

• Nanjie

  phone: +86 10 6413 0963
  address: 朝阳区工体北路4号院蕉叶对面
  Another popular bar in the area.

• BeerMania

  phone: +86 10 6500 0559
  address: 1F, Taiyue Fang, 16 Nansanlitun Lu 南三里屯路泰乐坊1层
  Serves every European beer and snacks, with nightly bands

The "pedestrian" side street with more casual (and cheaper) bars is along a couple small back streets immediately behind 3.3 Mall, north of the Village. Here you will find:

• The Tree

  phone: +86 10 6415 1954
  address: 43 Bei Sanlitun Nan
  Serving wood fired pizzas and over 40 Belgian beers.

• Youth Club10 kuai drink specials, crowded layout, loud. Near the north end of the street, past the chuar stalls.

• CheersRelatively inexpensive, quiet bar on the 2nd floor of the building housing Bar Blue (on the east side of the street, about halfway between the north and south ends) above Kebab Republic.

• Papp's Tea Lab

  phone: +86 10 8590 0951
  address: B1-529, Bldg 5, Sanlitun Soho, 8 Gongti Beilu 三里屯SOHO 5号商场B1-529 (三里屯Village)
  Sells quality loose leaf teas.

• Bricks Live Jazz

  phone: +86 10 6465 6692
  address: 8 Xindong St
  Local and international jazz shows from Wed to Saturday. Movie night is Sunday. Has a modern lounge atmosphere with leather seats and well-stocked bar.

Worker's Stadium

The number of bars and clubs in the area around Worker's Stadium has increased as Sanlitun has been minimised by the city development. Now, the Worker's Stadium area shoud be considered a separate bar area. In fact, there are three distinct areas: the North Gate (Gōngtī Běi Mén) with the Kro's Nest, Vics and Mix; the huge entertainment complex on the West side (Gōngtī Xīlù); and Face Bar just on the south side of the Stadium.

Night clubs on West side

• Cargo Club

  address: 6 Gōngtī Xīlù 工体西路6号
  One of the more upscale dance clubs at the west gate of the Worker's Stadium. House music.

• Coco

  phone: +86 10 8599 9999
  address: 1F 8 Gongti Xi Lu / 1st floor Gongti West Road 工体西路8号
  Outrageously stylish nightclub

• Funky

  phone: +86 10 6551 6866
  address: 6th Floor, 8 Gongti Xilu 工体西路8号6层
  A fashionable, LGBT-friendly nightclub

Upmarket bars on South side

• Face Bar

  phone: +86 10 65516788
  address: 26 Dongcaoyuan, Gongti Nanlu 工体南路东草园26号
  This attracts a mature, well-heeled, beautiful-people crowd to the Gongti area. Tastefully decorated with antiques from around Southeast Asia, including opium beds for reclining in the bar area. Frequented by many expats.

Chaoyang Park West Gate

There is a bar area west of Chaoyang Park.

• Bling

  phone: +86 10 5905 6999
  address: 6 Chaoyang Park Road (朝阳公园路6号; Cháoyánggōngyuánlù)
  Hip-hop club.

• Black Sun

  phone: +86 10 6593 6912
  address: Chaoyang Park West Gate (朝阳公园西门; Cháoyánggōngyuánxīmén)
  Pub with sports TV and pool table.

• Block 8

  phone: +86 10 6508 8585
  address: 8 Chaoyang Park West Road (朝阳西路8号)
  Entertainment complex with restaurants, clubs and bars.

• CD Jazz Café

  phone: +86 10 6506 8288
  address: 16 Nongzhanguanlu, East Ring Road Three (东三环农展馆路16号; Dōngsānhuán Nóngzhǎnguǎnlù)
  Live jazz Fr and Sa, recorded other nights.

• Closer

  phone: +86 10 6508 0217
  address: 10 Nongzhan Beilu (农展北路10号; Nóngzhǎnběilù)
  Innocent lingerie pub.

• Durty Nellie's

  phone: +86 10 6593 5050
  address: 1/B Liangmaqiao Flower Market (亮马桥花卉市场B1层; liàngmǎqiáo Huāhuìshìchǎng)
  Irish pub frequented by expats.

• Lantung Thai Bar + Bistro

  phone: +86 10 5905 6213
  address: 16-1 Solana Park, 6 Chaoyang Park Road (朝阳公园路6号)
  Thai tapas bar specialising in infused vodkas. Great roof top terrace.

• Suzie Wong's

  phone: +86 10 6500 3377
  address: West Gate of Chaoyang Park 朝阳公园西门
  One of the more expensive bars along the Chaoyang Park West Gate strip, but remains quite popular. Tuesdays have salsa sessions, and other days different music. Busy on weekends, with a large crowd of foreigners and Chinese.

• Tang Micheng

• White Rabbit

  phone: +86 133 2112 3678
  address: C2 Haoyun Jie, 29 Zaoying Lu, Maizidian (麦子店枣营路29号好运街C2)
  House, minimal tech and drum'n'bass.

CBD and Shuangjing

• Banana GT

  phone: +86 10 6528 3636
  address: 1st. floor, 22 Jiànwàidàjiē Sàitè fàndiàn 建外大街22号赛特饭店1层
  One of the longest-running and most popular dance clubs in Beijing. Famous DJ such as Armin van Buuren and John Digweed have played here.

• Plan B

  phone: +86 10 5821 1353
  address: Building 2, Unit 12, 22nd Art Street Pingguo North, No. 32 Baiziwan Road 百子湾路32号苹果社区22院街艺术区2-012
  Cozy sports bar in a CBD art zone, with regular events. Run by expats Ian and Trevor, it has a laid-back atmosphere with "No Hipsters" sign. Some of the best outdoor seating in Beijing. Saying they've got the best burgers, they're filling and certainly have a good range, even one named after the North Korean president!

Budget

Hostels

• Beijing Lanting Youth Hostel

  phone: +86 10 6425 8738
  address: 17 Sanqu, Anhuaxili, Anhualu (安华路安华西里三区17号; Ānhuálù Ānhuáxīlǐ Sānqū)
  Traditional courtyard hostel. Internet, aircon, safety box, bike rental, ticket office, guest kitchen, bar and recreation area available.

• Discovery Youth Hostel

  phone: +86 10 6597 6597
  address: 10 Building, Jin Tai Li, Jin Tai Road (金台路金台里10号楼; Jīntáilù Jīntáilǐ Shíhàolóu)
  Located in CBD. Free internet, safety box, fridge, laundry facilities and aircon available.

• Sanlitun (Huatong) Youth Hostel

  phone: +86 10 5190 9288
  address: 1 Gongti North Road
  Located in the Worker's Stadium bar area and close to Sanlitun bar area. Free internet available as well as bicycle hire, landry service, safe and ticket office available. Chinese and western restaurant as well as bar. Friendly staff, but the knowledge of sights and how to get there are not impressive.

Hotels

• Anisun Hotel

  phone: +86 10 5109 9168
  address: 1 Xiaohuangzhuang, West Heping Street (和平西街小黄庄1号; Hépíngxījiē Xiǎohuángzhuāng)
  Rooms with free internet. Business center available. No restaurant.

• Beijing Yinma Hotel

  phone: +86 10 8492 3314
  address: 2F Building 1, A4 Anwai Dayangfang (安外大羊坊甲4号1号楼2层; ānwàidàyángfāngjiǎ)
  Rooms with free internet. Business center, ticket office and laundry service available. Chinese restaurant.

• Daizong Hotel Beijing

  phone: +86 10 6489 8808
  address: 19 Xiaoying North Road (小营北路19号; Xiǎoyíngběilù)
  Rooms with internet access against surcharge. Business center, gift shop, beauty salon, laundry service, fitness facilities and sauna available. Chinese restaurant.

• Home Inn (Aoyuncun)

  phone: +86 10 8493 9933
  address: 78A Anwaibeiyuan Road (安外北苑路甲78号; ānwàiběiyuànlùjiǎ)
  Small rooms with free internet. Business center, ticket office and laundry service available. Chinese restaurant.

• Home Inn (Chaoyang Park)

  phone: +86 10 8583 3388
  address: 105 Donglixiaoqu, Shifoying (石佛营东里小区105号; Shífóyíng Dōnglǐxiǎoqū)
  Small rooms with free internet, cable TV and aircon. Business center and ticket office available. Chinese restaurant.

• Home Inn (Ciyunsi Bridge)

  phone: +86 10 5202 9988
  address: 57 Ganluyuan (甘露园57号; Gānlùyuán)
  Courtyard style hotel with small rooms and free internet. Business center, ticket office and laundry service available. Chinese restaurant.

Mid-range

• Beijing Tai Yue Suites

  phone: +86 10 85952277
  address: 16 South Sanlitun Street
  A four-star hotel in Beijing stands along the Sanlitun embassy area and is close to plenty of attractions.

• Cheng Yuan Hotel

  phone: +86 10 51305800
  address: 19 South Jianhua Road, Jianguomenwai Avenue
  Cheng Yuan Hotel is in the central business area of Jianguomenwai. It is approximately 28 km from Beijing Capital Airport. The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the diplomatic quarters are in the vicinity. Has over 100 rooms.

• East Apartments: Serviced Apartment Hotel

  phone: +86-10-5862-3125
  address: No. 59, Fulicheng, East Third Ring Road, (东三环中路59号富力城; Dōngsānhuánzhonglù 59hao Fùlìchéng
  Offers western style, high end, fully-serviced apartments and facilities. Due to the daily, weekly and monthly rates it is a good option for corporate accommodations, project assignment or interim stays. Residences are elegant and fully furnished in addition to being spacious and private. Western owned and managed. Services include 1, 2 & 3-bedroom serviced apartments with English speaking staff, housekeeping, DVD player, cable TV, fully-equipped kitchen, air conditioning, washing machine, fitness club with pool, 24 hour security and free wireless internet. No minimum stay

• Luxury Serviced Residence Beijing

  phone: +86 10 6566-2200
  address: No 17 Jianhua Nan Road, Chaoyang district
  This residence in central Beijing, offers apartments with options of one to three bedrooms, have a well-equipped kitchen, full-length windows for natural light, a home entertainment system and broadband Internet line.

• Novotel Beijing Sanyuan

  phone: +86 10 58296666
  address: Tower 18, A5 Shuguang Xili

• Somerset Grand Fortune Garden Beijing

  phone: +86 10 8451 8888
  address: No 46 Liang Ma Qiao Road, Chaoyang District
  Serviced apartments close to Beijing’s city centre and the city’s business, shopping and retail district.

Splurge

• Fujian Hotel

  phone: +86 21 6122 6688
  address: Chaoyang District
  Near the major exhibition centres and the Olympic Park, Fujian Hotel offers a long list of luxurious business amenities, a ballroom and plush rooms.

• Grand Millennium Beijing

  phone: +86 10 8587 6888
  address: Fortune Plaza, 7 Dongsanhuan Middle Rd, Chaoyang District
  521 rooms in the heart of the business district.

• Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center

  phone: +86 10 6465 3388
  address: No.50 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District
  In the centre of Lufthansa District. The renovated lobby and the adjacent You Yi department store contain good shopping opportunities, but at high prices. In addition, a supermarket with a variety of local and imported food and beverages including a very good wine selection is in the basement of the department store. The hotel has 7 international restaurants and especially the Paulaner Brauhaus is well frequented by guests and locals.

• Hotel Kunlun

  phone: +86 10 6590 3388
  address: 2 Xinyuan S Rd, Chaoyang Qu
  The five-star hotel in Chaoyang District has as many as 12 restaurants, including a revolving lounge, cigar bar and multicuisine dining options. Rooms and suites are just as impressive.

• The Opposite House Beijing

  phone: +86 10 6417 6688
  address: 北京市朝阳区三里屯路11号院1号楼
  The Opposite House is an achingly hip boutique hotel in the Village at Sanlitun—a vibrant new open-plan shopping, dining and entertainment destination developed by Swire Properties. The hotel’s 99 guest studios, including 9 spacious suites and a penthouse duplex with a 240-m² roof terrace, are amongst the largest in Beijing. More than half of all the studios are over 70 m² and all are simple with natural wooden floors and subtle touches of Chinese décor.

• Sureño is the Mediterranean restaurant on the lower ground level of the Opposite House, with an open kitchen and a wood-fired oven.
• Mesh is a cool, contemporary lounge where the city's well-heeled professionals come to wind down and chat over inspiring cocktails and a great selection of wines.
• Bei Restaurant has contemporary Asian food, inspired by the cuisines of Northern China, Japan and Korea. The Chef de Cuisine, Max Levy, has trained under some of Japan’s sushi masters.

Park Hyatt Beijing

phone: +86 10 8567 1234

address: (建国门外大街2号; Jiànguóménwàidàjiē)

Luxury hotel at the top floors of the Beijing Yintai Centre in CBD. Rooms from 45 m² equipped with internet access (surcharge in most rooms), bathrooms with tub and shower, private bar, espresso machine, walk-in closet, DVD player and international power outlets. Business centre, gift shop, ticket office, fitness, pool, sauna and spa available. Chinese and Western restaurants as well as coffee shop and bar. One of the sleekest and most modern hotels in the city. Everything works as expected except that the staff is a bit inexperienced. Some might not like the open space style of the rooms.

Radisson Blu Hotel

phone: +86 10 5922 3388

address: 6A East Beisanhuan Road - Chaoyang District

Right in the heart of the business district with 362 rooms including 24-hour room service.

Sino-Swiss HotelThe Sino-Swiss Hotel is very close to the airport, well away from city centre. It is the only major hotel in Beijing that allows pets. It has a very elaborate indoor and outdoor pool, and a playground for children. Its restaurants are fairly expensive, bottled water very expensive, and the service is slightly lacklustre.

V-Continent Beijing Parkview Wuzhou Hotel

phone: +86 10 8498 2288

address: No.8 North Si Huan Zhong Road