Beijing’s adopted kebab chuanr – buy it from a street-side grill in the early hours.
Dogs dress in coats and shoes, and Superman outfits. For real.
Taking the high speed train to Tianjin. Only 30 minutes from Beijing South station and it’s got its whole own vibe going on.
Chancing upon some unexpected bars in Beijing’s remaining Hutongs (traditional alleys).
Taxis are cheap, and therefore popular – in a city of more than 20 million, this can mean a wait.
The Great Firewall will inhibit your social media addiction, but there are work-arounds best prepared in advance – or embrace local favourites WeiXin (WeChat) and WeiBo.
The Beijing Subway is cheap and expanding rapidly. A pre-pay Yikatong touch card is the way to go, and it also works on the bus.
The world’s goods may be ‘Made in China’, but don’t expect them to be cheap.
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ApothecaryThis is a smart speakeasy with a set of house rules, so bring those who know how to behave and put the manners your momma taught you to good use. As one of the busiest bars in this restaurant-rich part Read More |
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AtmosphereAfter the high-speed elevator ride to the 80th floor, you might need a drink. Once you’ve seen the views that stretch out over Beijing to the mountains beyond, a second could well be in order. This is a fancy hotel Read More |
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D LoungeIf you’re after a New York loft style lounge, beautiful folk and a little bit of class, D is your port of call. Some complain about the dress code and entrance policy when it gets busy, but ditch the lairy Read More |
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Janes and HoochJanes & Hooch looks like somewhere better suited to a backstreet in Brooklyn, NY. With crystal glassware and generally vintage vibes, this barbershop and speakeasy rolled into one is where you’ll find Beijing’s most beautiful cocktail drinkers getting crunk. A two-storey Read More |
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Mai BarRetreat from the chaos of cool on NanluoguXiang by crossing the road and heading up to its Northern part. Mai (a play on the Chinese for ‘grain’) is a small cocktail and beer bar in a traditional Beijing hutong building, Read More |
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MaoMaoChongDeep in the traditional hutongs of central Beijing (those are narrow lanes for those who don’t know), a short way off the fashionable Nanluoguxiang ally, lies MaoMaoChong: a cocktail bar, art space, pizza joint and hangout for hipster locals and Read More |
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Q BarBring someone here for the first time and they’ll wonder what you’ve got in store for them; the entrance is a rather insalubrious local hotel with rooms available by the hour. But whilst waiting for the lift, you’ll soon notice Read More |
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TwilightThis isn’t the easiest spot to find inside the bewildering Jianwai Soho complex, but make the effort, because it’s one of Beijing’s best little cocktail bars. After the somewhat unexpected climb through a local restaurant, you’ll find yourself in a Read More |
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Xian at EASTXian is located in the East Hotel, one venue with a whole lot of bars in, just like a BarChick dream. Sophisticated and sleek, get involved for live music, good vibes and a whole load of randomness – the perfect Read More |