Dongsi Hutong Museum
No.77 Dongsi 4 Tiao Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing
+86-10-6402-7581
Dongsi Hutong Museum is a typical three-unit Siheyuan built around 1940 and located on Dongsi 4 Tiao. It just opened in 2018, aiming to inherit the historical context and protect the style of the ancient capital, showing the visitors how the Hutong was built and the details of the old buildings. Otherwise, during the design and renovation for museum, Chitu Public Art Center utilizes interactive and art installation to connect the past and present. One of the impressive art installations is a mirrored arch which bridges the outer and inner courtyards.
Opening Hours:
Tue - Sat : 10am – 5pm
Tue - Sat : 10am – 5pm
The Zen
No. 16-2 East End Qianliang Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing
+86-10-6403-7680
The Zen is an authentic Japanese restaurant that serves Omakase only. Strict and fresh ingredients selection make The Zen the best sushi place in Beijing. They only provide 17 seats in total. If you are looking for the delicate sushi, The Zen is definitely the premier option. Just don’t forget to make a reservation.
Opening Hours:
Tue – Sun : 6pm – 10pm
Tue – Sun : 6pm – 10pm
C2H60
3 Shatan Beijie, Dongcheng District, Beijing
+86-185-0058-1738
C2H60 is a hidden beer bar in a well preserved Siheyuan with bright outside yard surrounded by the bamboos. The bar name comes from the chemical formula of drinking alcohol. You may not find the second store in Beijing with so many beer collections like C2H60. There are over 700 imported beers from all over the world on display within 18 different categories. They even made their own APP for beer researching.
Opening Hours:
Sun – Mon : 6pm – 2am
Sun – Mon : 6pm – 2am
The Opposite House
No.11 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
+86-10-6417-6688
The Opposite House, designed by the renown Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is located in Sanlitun, Beijing. The exterior of The Opposite House is made of yellow and green stained glass, seen from afar like an ornamental emerald box. The lobby resembles a modern art museum, with draping silk curtains hanging above the hall blurring the boundaries of the entire space. Kengo Kuma used a large number of glass and flexible cloth curtain to achieve this partition, and illuminated the space with natural light so that the spatial boundaries of different functions become blurred.
At % Arabica we love high level design like this, and we encourage you to go and visit this beautiful location.
Jing Yaa Tang
Lower Ground Level, The Opposite House, Taikoo Li Sanlitun North, No. 11 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
+86-10-6410-5230
Jing Yaa Tang was awarded a Michelin star in The Michelin Guide Beijing 2020. Since it’s opening, it has been renowned for its Peking Duck.
The roasted duck is usually selected at 40 to 50 days old. After 70 minutes roasting under the open flame with date wood, the duck comes with a subtle fruity smokiness, it is served as nearly 90 pieces of crispy skin and juicy meet that are neatly stacked on the calabash shape plate. During the lunch time, they also provide a great dim sum menu.
Opening Hours:
Lunch
Mon - Fri : 12pm - 2:30pm
Sat - Sun : 11am - 2:30pm
Dinner
Daily : 6pm - 10:30pm
Lunch
Mon - Fri : 12pm - 2:30pm
Sat - Sun : 11am - 2:30pm
Dinner
Daily : 6pm - 10:30pm
TRB Hutong
No.23 Songzhusi, Shatan Bejie, Dongcheng District, Beijing
+86-10-8400-2232
TRB stands for Temple Restaurant Beijing. Before being converted into a restaurant, this was a renowned cultural relic named Songzhu Temple that has more than 600 years of history. TRB offers creative dishes based on authentic French cuisine infused with local tastes and produce. The menu changes seasonally, but for the main courses, green apple foie gras, fish and lobster are all classic house dishes. The interior design of the restaurant is intended to be exposed to natural daylight with the floor-to-ceiling glass window. They’ve done a great job of maintaining and reclaiming the old architectural features, with additions of contemporary functional design without compromising the original structure.
Opening Hours:
Lunch :
Mon – Fri : 11:30am – 2:30pm
Brunch :
Sat – Sun : 11:30am – 3pm
Dinner :
Mon – Sun : 5:30pm – 10pm
Lunch :
Mon – Fri : 11:30am – 2:30pm
Brunch :
Sat – Sun : 11:30am – 3pm
Dinner :
Mon – Sun : 5:30pm – 10pm
798 Art Zone
2 Jiuxianqiao Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing
+86-10-5978-9798
798 Art Zone (also called Dashanzi Art District) is named after the 798 factory that was built in the 1950s. 798 Art Zone is an area full of art exhibitions, galleries and graffiti walls where you can see some of the best contemporary art in the city. You will also find many opportunities to take some cool photographs, around the place’s interesting architecture and design.
CAFA Museum
8 Huajiadi S St, Wang Jing, Chaoyang, Beijing
+86-10-6477-1575
The Museum of Central Academy of Fine Arts has a rich collection of over 13,000 works, which includes ancient and modern Chinese masters, as well as art from alumni of the neighbouring Central Academy of Fine Arts, which is China’s most prestigious and renowned art academy. Chinese painting, oil painting, print, sculpture and folk art, embroidery, costume along with Chinese relics of bronze, pottery and engravings are all on show. Designed by Arata Isozaki, a renowned Japanese architect, the Museum of CAFA is a vast complex that flows out into Jinyu Nanhu Park opposite. Take a look around and witness the rich culture, and history of China.
Opening Hours:
Tue - Sun : 9:30am - 5:30pm
Tue - Sun : 9:30am - 5:30pm
Na+
3rd Floor, W1 Beijing Mill, Lang Fang Tou Tiao, Xicheng Qu, Beijing
+86-10-8310-9699
Na+ is an adventurous, and daring take on Chinese imperial cuisine. It fuses traditions of Sichuan and Cantonese cooking, with modern technique and informed palate. The interior design is sleek, and sharp, with a beautiful arched ceiling and custom-made sculptures that elevate your dining experience to higher art, as if you were in a gallery instead of a restaurant.
Opening Hours:
11:30am - 11:30pm Open Daily
11:30am - 11:30pm Open Daily
National Art Museum of China
1 Wusi St, Dongcheng, Beijing, China
+86-10-6400-1476
The National Art Museum of China follows Chinese traditional architecture and ancient attics as it is roofed with yellow glazed tiles, and surrounded by corridors and pavilions. The characters "National Art Museum of China" in the middle are written by Chairman Mao himself. The museum has a plethora of collections, housing over 110,000 works of art, mainly composed of Chinese outstanding artists and their representatives from the end of the 19th century to the present. You will find special exhibitions all year round, featuring works such as 19th century Western Art, Ukiyo-e of Japanese art and more.
Opening Hours:
9am - 5pm
Closed on Monday
9am - 5pm
Closed on Monday
Siji Minfu Roast Duck
No.11 Nanchizi Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing China
+86-10-6526-7369
Siji Minfu is a Beijing-style restaurant right in the middle of the most historical part of the city. You will find yourself on Nanchizi street which is nearly six hundreds years old. When you see red bricks wall and jade tiles, you will arrive at the restaurant that sits on the east gate of Forbidden City. Siji Minfu aims to offer its customers the most authentic peking duck, along with the rest of its award-wining menu, renowned for its elegance and deliciousness. Enjoy the fine dining atmosphere and view of the Forbidden City while tasting the recipes passed down by generations of the royal family.
Dada Beijing
No.206 Gulou East Main Street, Beijing China
+86-183-1108-0818
Beijing is known for its vibrant nightlife and party scene, and Dada is at the forefront of it. This club is a staple for the hippest Beijing clubbers. Dada offers an array of clubbing music, including disco, funk, afro, house, Italo disco, rare groove, hip-hop, rock, and tasty cocktails that will have you partying all night long. On other nights of the week, you will also find art, culture and film shows and exhibits that showcase local and international crafts.
Opening Hours:
Sat: 9pm - 5 am
Fri & Sun: 9pm - 2am
Open on weekends
Sat: 9pm - 5 am
Fri & Sun: 9pm - 2am
Open on weekends
Vue Hotel
Vue Hotel Houhai Beijing, No 9. Yangfang Hutong, Xicheng District, Beijing 100009, China
Once a historic building from the 1950s, now one of Beijing most unique design hotels. Airy open space dotted with art installations: great location, indoor pool, fitness centre and on-.site cafe and restaurant. A place to call home when you are visiting Beijing for a few days.
Opening Hours:
Always Open
Always Open
Kings Joy
2 Wudaoying Hutong, Beijing, China Mainland
+86 10 8404 9191
A vegetarian restaurant worth a special journey to Beijing on its own. Space is remodelled from a courtyard house and features a glass-roofed dining room serving green and seasonal produce that they source from local, organic farms. But their sustainable approach goes beyond that: they strive to reduce energy and resource consumption by banning disposable items, reducing electricity usage and recycling. They also promote a sustainable lifestyle through community activities, including clothing donation and enzyme cleaner classes. With its 3 Micheline star do book far in advance.
Superfly
Level 1,The Opposite House, Taikoo Li Sanlitun North, No. 11 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China 100027
We have mentioned The Opposite House before in our neighbourhood guide. There is now a new gastro-bar SUPERFLY at this location, so we thought it was worth mentioning again, as this site is one of our go-to places when visiting Beijing. This hip casual hangout serves unpretentious dishes, bold flavours and drinks with a surprising twist. And as they describe themself, "A retro-cool take on Sichuan's "fly restaurants."
Opening Hours:
Check website
Check website
Redwall 1939
38 Nanchang Street, Beijing, China Mainland
With only three private rooms in a courtyard house next to the Imperial Palace, this exclusive establishment re-creates exquisite and elaborate dishes previously served only in state banquets. Reservations recommended.
Houhai hotel
No. 10 Liuyin Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
A small boutique hotel located at NO.10 Liuyin Street, about 200 metres away from Houhai: built around a beautiful courtyard, you find this small unique boutique hotel. Located at NO.10 Liuyin Street, about 200 metres away from Houhai. These four rooms have different layouts, which offers customers different hotel experiences. Designed by Yuang Wuzhi Design, this space has a focus on material, light and tranquillity.
Blue Note Jazz Cafe
23 Qianmen East Street, Dongcheng District
The world-renowned Jazz Club, Blue Note, also has a Beijing location, bringing top-notch international acts and promising opportunities for local up and comers. So if you are a jazz-lover, it is worth checking out their event program and book tickets to catch a concert or two.
The PuXuan Hotel and Spa
No.1 WangFuJing Street, Beijing, China, 100006
+86-10-5393-6688
Voted as the Number 1 Hotel in both Asia and China for the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards in 2019, the Puxuan Hotel and Spa is an opulent accommodation experience at the heart of China’s capital city. This 5-star hotel was designed by German Architect Ole Schereen’s Beijing division, combining modern design with natural colors and traditional Chinese art conventions. Puxuan Club has been lauded locally and internationally as a hallmark of world-class hospitality for its topnotch services and the grand UR Spa. Most rooms in the PuXuan Hotel offer a stunning view of the Forbidden City, and guests can access two restaurants, one of which is the Michelin Guide featured establishment the Rive Gauche. Guests can also head over to the inner sanctum lounge Puxuan Club for a night cap in style.
UCCA Center for Contemporary Art
4 Jiuxianqiao Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing, China, 100102
+86-10-5780-0200
A perfect synthesis of a gallery and a refuge for the global cultural exchange of artistic minds, the UCCA is the brainchild of Belgian philanthropists Guy and Myriam Ullens. The Ullens Center for Contemporary Art is the perfect metaphor of how art can transform places of war and violence, as the institution was actually a former military factory before being converted into an exhibition center for both local and foreign artists alike. Exhibits range from sprawling paintings to massive photo prints and even endless film loops. Guests are also welcome attend workshops on-site or to shop for unique art prints, bags, and other souvenirs based on famous art pieces and trendy designs at the in-house UCCAStore. Be one of the million people a year that visit UCCA Center for Contemporary Art today!
Mr. Shi’s Dumplings
China, Beijing, Dongcheng, 宝钞胡同74号 邮政编码: 100009
+86-10-8405-0399
This legendary Dongcheng restaurant has been lauded as a culinary institution for its delicious traditional Chinese dishes and unassuming approach to food. Locals and tourists alike love to chow down on Mr. Shi’s famous juicy jiaozi, savory Kung Pao Chicken, and moreish chaomian. While its hole in the wall status is deceptively low-key, its amazing story has been enough to inspire rave reviews and even a short, award-winning documercial! Mr. Shi’s Dumplings is a 13-minute drive away from Wangfu Central, making it a quick and easy stop after a long day of shopping your worries away.
Beersmith Gastropub
No. 1 Jianguomenwai Avenue 1/F, Hotel Jen Beijing, Beijing 100004 China
+86-10-8647-1098
No pairing is quite as comforting as bar food and beer. Beersmith Gastropub takes this to the next level with hefty portions of steak, burgers, shrimp and more if you are looking to dine on a main. This 2021 Travellers’ Choice bistro-bar destination belongs to the top 1% of all restaurants in Beijing, and is a beloved stop among both locals and tourists. From the local and global live bands to their diverse food collection for both meat-lovers and vegetarians, there is a lot to love about this classy contemporary tavern that is defined by its stunning beer taps at the bar as well as the gleaming Beersmith Kegs by the live stage.
Pro-Tip: Take a deep dive into their drinks menu and sample the finest artisanal beers, sparkling wines, and other spirits for a unique experience. Get a tasting menu of their best artisan beers for the table along with their tasty specials. We recommend their Steak, Surf and Turf – a delicious selection of steak, shrimp, scallops, and roasted root vegetables, their Nacho Platter if you want a delicious tailgate or group meal option, or their inventive Veggie Burger– the perfect choice vegetarian and vegan diners!
Beijing Ancient Observatory
China, Bei Jing Shi, Dongcheng, 东裱褙胡同2号 邮政编码: 100005
+86-10-6524-2202
A mere 13-minute drive away from the store, the Beijing Ancient Observatory is both a cultural heritage site and a marvel of early science. This site has been recognized by NASA as one of the oldest observatories in the world, with scientific methods, dating the construction to 1442 – pre-dating modern telescopes as we know them. Astronomers in the Ming and Quing dynasties would use the observatory to track any movements that they can see from the night sky, reporting any significant changes to the Imperial Emperor. The observatory is a perfect example of a harmonious relationship between Chinese residents and Western delegations in the form of Jesuit missionaries – the latter being appointed by the emperor to take care of the observatory in 1673. Pay a visit and marvel at its advanced ancient architecture, or look up at the stunning star charts as recorded by the experts of old for an interesting look at China’s past and its role in scientific advancement
Dover Street Market Beijing
N5 Building, No. 11 Sanlitun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
+86-10-6416-8364
Just a 14-minute drive away from our store and located in the fashionable Sanlitun area, Dover Street Market Beijing is the place to go if you’re looking for cool urban streetwear and designer apparel. Japanese fashion designer Rei Kawakubo and her husband, Adrien Joffe, started Dover Street Market in the street of the same name in Mayfair, London and has since grown to seven locations, including this Beijing shop. The shop sells clothes from Kawakubo’s own fashion label, Comme des Garçons, as well as a beautifully chaotic mix of high-end and urban streetwear brands. With 4 floors, you can find a wide range of clothes and footwear in various styles. The store’s bare walls and white ceilings make each floor a blank canvas free to be decorated with special installation-like spaces that are changed bi-annually to reflect the changing of seasons and designers Comme des Garçons.
Opening Hours:
10AM - 10PM
10AM - 10PM
1949 - Duck de Chine
1949 Club, No 98 Jinbao Street, Dong Cheng District, Beijing 100005, China
+86-10-6521-2221
Dine on the most succulent Peking Duck served to the banging of a ceremonial gong amidst magnificent life-sized terracotta statues in a beautiful courtyard house-turned-restaurant. Duck de Chine requires booking a table, but it is so worth it for the food and ambience. The duck they roast over date wood is a crossbreed of Cherry Valley and local white duck, guaranteeing flavorful and tender meat with skin crisped to perfection. While waiting for the duck, sip on some of the fine vintage wines and champagnes available at the Blonger Champagne Bar and take in the beautiful courtyard setting with painted beams and red pillars.
Hotel Eclat Beijing
9 Dongdaqiao Rd, Chaoyang, China, 100020
+86-10-8561-6700
Standing in the heart of Beijing’s downtown Central Business District, the 5-star Hotel Éclat Beijing makes for an impressive sight. Enjoy stylish accommodations in over 100 luxurious rooms with 20 individually-styled suites that come with private indoor sky terraces and lagoons. More than just a stylish boutique hotel, Hotel Éclat Beijing offers an impressive art collection to delight one’s artistic senses. Experience contemporary luxury hotel services with contemporary art when you check in at this TripAdvisor 2022 Travellers' Choice Award Winner.
X Museum
China, Bei Jing Shi, Chaoyang, CuiGeZhuang International Financial Art Demonstration Area, #11 Building 邮政编码: 100020
+86-133-8120-9323
Experience the dynamic energy of the hyper contemporary art world in X Museum. Founded by millennial artists and art collectors Michael Xufu Huang and Theresa Tse, the X Museum celebrates new ideas and the multiplicity of cultures to create a physical and virtual space to showcase the ingenuity and creativity of young artists from China and abroad. The museum was renovated and redesigned by New York-based designer, Jaeyou Chung and features a unique design that reflects the intersection and twisting of both physical and virtual art. Visitors can admire the installations from the best upcoming young artists in the contemporary art scene while wandering the ten exhibition halls. The museum also has an art store, a cafe, bar, library space, and outdoor courtyard for events.
Xin Rong Ji
170 Nanyang Road, Shanghai, China Mainland
With two stars in the Michelin guide, this is a recommended spot you would need to reserve well in advance. But it is for sure worth the time and effort to secure a seat at the elegant table inside this secluded heritage mansion on Nanyang Road. Expect a set menu covering a range of traditional dishes.