Last Updated on June 11, 2024 by Tia
This Beijing tour guide; is your one-stop destination for the most unique things to do in this crazy city!
I have nothing against the traditional, touristy things in any country, let alone in China.
In my opinion, certain destinations are popular for a reason, and I make it my mission to see them all.
But isn’t it nice to think outside of the box every once in a while? Travel off the beaten path, and become one with a foreign culture? I believe so!
So if you want the wackiest, craziest, most authentically Chinese things to do in Beijing.. then read on!
This Beijing tour guide is all about experiencing Beijing off the beaten path and getting close to the beautiful culture and delightful wackiness.
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Table of Contents
How many days in Beijing is enough?
I would say 7 days are plenty to cover a lot of the attractions and dive into some of the recommendations in this article.
If you like to travel at a slow pace, then consider staying for 10 days!
Check here for flights to Beijing, China
Is Beijing worth visiting?
Maybe China isn’t on your wishlist, but it really should be. It might not be the tropical paradise of Bali or Costa Rica, but China is epic in many other ways.
The vast difference in culture will shock and awe you at the same time.
Everything – from the houses to the people, the vehicles, and the food – makes you feel like you are in a parallel universe.
One where you have to pinch yourself often to make sure you aren’t dreaming!
I will never forget the time I landed at the airport in Beijing and a Chinese lady stripped in front of me
Is Beijing tourist-friendly?
Absolutely, I felt very safe in Beijing! Pre-Covid, the city used to receive 3 million tourists per year!
The good news is that Beijing is incredibly welcoming.
What is the best way to travel in Beijing?
The best ways to get around Beijing are on foot and by subway.
As one of the largest, most populous cities in the world, Beijing has a lot of traffic, that can leave you stuck on the road for ages!
My time in Beijing
China was huge for me. So much so, that it inspired me to travel as far and as wide as I could, and to create this travel website!
I spent three weeks in Beijing; and was extremely fortunate to get a real locals perspective as I was visiting a close friend of mine who lives there.
Check here for hotels in Beijing
There are many fun things to do in Beijing along with lesser-known places to visit in China, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it!
Beijing Tour Guide – The Ultimate List Of Unique and Crazy Things To Do
1. Spend an afternoon with the Cricket Man
The cricket man in Beijing is somewhat of a local celebrity!
This service allows you to visit his home, where you will learn all about cricket fighting – which is actually an ancient tradition in China!
He will show you his crickets and explain how much he paid for them (an insane amount!).
He will also explain their dietary needs, behavioral patterns, and how he preps them to fight!
Yep, I’m for real. Crickets you guys!
2. Camp overnight on the Great Wall
An incredible and utterly unforgettable two-day Great Wall adventure! Hike the Great Wall and camp in a tower in its more remote parts that tourists hardly even know about.
Sleep under the stars, and explore the stunning beauty of China with the heavy history of the Great Wall.
Beijing Hikers have the added benefit of having the camping gear delivered directly to the campsite, so you’ll just need to carry your clothes, additional snacking food, and a camera!
They also supply water, all main meals, and snacks. This makes it easy for anyone to experience this side of the Great Wall, even if they have no camping gear or experience.
Enjoy the scenery, sunset, stars, and sunrise without all the sweat involved in a full-on camping expedition.
Cost 1690 RMB ( 222 euros)
Company: Beijing Hikers
3. Beijing Tour Guide- Drive a sidecar through the streets of Beijing
In Beijing, you will witness a plethora of strange vehicles. From bicycles dragging along entire sofas in a cart to Tuk Tuks, futuristic scooters, and sidecars.
The Chinese sidecar is a copy of the German BMWR71 and the Russian M72 and it is unlike any car you will see in the Western world.
You can ride or drive these antique sidecars as part of an alternative tour of Beijing!
4. Party the night away at Destination Nightclub
Destination Nightclub is much, much more than a simple nightclub.
Destination includes a dance floor with a pole, an in-house art gallery, multiple cafes and drag shows on selected dates.
This is an LGBT club – the biggest and most popular one in Beijing at that. But it also freely opens its doors to people of all ethnicity and sexual orientation.
In one of the most culturally controlled countries in the World, Destination is a beacon of hope, unity, and universal acceptance!
Needless to say, it is THE place to be on a night out in Beijing! Dance the night away with a drink or signature cocktail, on the packed dance floor of one of the most socially open and diverse venues in Beijing.
Address: 7 Gongtixilu Rd. Beijing, 100020 Beijing, China
Tip 1: On Saturdays, the club remains open until 5 am!
Tip 2: There is a mobile HIV testing lab frequently parked outside the club that provides free testing services.
Photos above are by Pierre, drag performances by Beijing Drag Haus, Haus of Lily
5. Learn Ceramic Pottery from A Chinese Pottery Master
As far as DIY Activities go, the Taozui pottery cave on Gulou Dong Dajie is pretty great.
The area of Gulou-Nanluoguxiang has much to offer in DIY things to do in general!
Therefore, taking a stroll through the area is a good idea if you like to window shop and take ideas.
In this pottery ‘’shop’’ you can pay for a 1hour session and learn the art of ceramic pottery from a Chinese master.
The masters rarely speak English, but it all adds to the experience!
And if you are observant you will pick up a lot from their hand signals and the way they work.
During the first 15 minutes of your session, you get to observe the master at work. He/she skillfully crafts a piece of art using hands and gestures to explain how he/she rolls, pinches, and shapes the clay.
After that, side by side you begin to work on your own creation replicating their actions.
It’s harder than it looks but the master is by your side the whole time, correcting you as you go along!
In the end, he/she might even step in and correct your creation if you need additional help.
Regardless of whether you end up with a shapeless maze or a pottery masterpiece, this is a great activity for all ages.
You never know, you might just discover new talent!
Address: 186 Gulou Dong Dajie, Beijing, China
6. Beijing Tour Guide; Visit the Watermelon Museum
I still giggle at this. Only the Chinese would think of devoting an entire museum to the humble watermelon!
But if you have actually traveled to Beijing, you will also know…that this isn’t even high on the list of the wacky and amazing things in Beijing!
Unlike any other museum you have visited, this Futuristic museum is packed with wax watermelons of every shape and size, bright signs, and neon lighting.
They display every variety of watermelon in the world, their history, growing methods, and China’s booming watermelon culture.
7. Explore Chinese Medicine with a Cupping Therapy
China is most famous for two things; food and Chinese medicine.
Cupping is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that is extremely popular to this day. It is said to relieve pain and inflammation and leaves the patient refreshed and rebalanced!
It is done by placing a cup over the skin that gets sucked into the skin creating a vacuum effect while the air left inside the cup is heated.
Not painful, but certainly a strange sensation and a one-of-a-kind experience, especially when done in its original country of origin.
While Beijing boasts hundreds and practices that perform cupping, I recommend the Four Seasons Hotel Beijing (open also for outside guests) which offers traditional Chinese medicine services on top of their normal spa services.
Address: Hilton Spa
8. Master the Art of Making Dumplings in a Chinese home
This is a cooking class with a real spin on it. This class is all about dumplings – A Chinese Favorite with a delicate yet mind-blowing taste.
The twist is, that the class takes place in a local home, which is in charge of teaching you how to make this amazing dish from scratch.
The interaction with the locals and the privilege of being in their home and meeting their families was beautiful. Cooking and eating with them and exchanging life stories will be as important as learning the art of making dumplings.
Real people, real authentic neighborhoods, and a whole lot of fun. Priceless.
9. Beijing Tour Guide – Bathe in Natural Hot springs
The Jiuhua Resort is one of China’s four major hot springs. It is abundantly rich in minerals and elements which are believed to be extremely beneficial to our physical and mental well-being.
The Hot springs at Jiuhua are said to be effective in curing a plethora of skin diseases as well as providing body and soul rejuvenation.
The Jiuhua hot spring comes from 1230 meters underground, with a steady temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. Additionally, It has modern outdoor Jacuzzi-type hot tubs and indoor pools.
The Hot springs are available for a day pass: Price is RMB 220 per person with additional fees if you want a massage at the spa too.
Address: Xiaotangshan Town, Changping District, Beijing
10. Beijing Tour Guide; Eat Silkworms and Scorpions On a Stick
Did you really think my Beijing Tour Guide would leave out insects?
Are you brave enough to really dive into Chinese culture?
If the answer is yes, then the Donghuament Night Market is the place to be!
Find a large array of insects – scorpions, seahorses, starfish, and silkworms all barbecued and served on a stick.
An experience that is suitable for strong stomachs! And most definitely NOT suited for mine!
11. Beijing Tour Guide; Learn the ancient art of Tai Chi
Slow down, breath,e and enjoy simply experiencing the present.
Tai Chi can help you feel in balance with yourself as well as energize and work the muscles. It is practiced to realign the posture and soothe the body and soul.
What better way to immerse yourself in the true Chinese spirit than with a class or two of Tai Chi?
Definitely an experience worthy of a Beijing Tour Guide!
Address: TEMPLE OF HEAVEN – DONGCHENG DISTRICT, BEIJING, CHINA, 100050
Company: Kung Fu Experience Class
12. Beijing Tour Guide- Discover hundreds of teas at Maliandao Tea Street
Imagine a street full of hundreds of tea vendors (over 1000!) selling a large selection of regional teas all at your disposal.
Sounds awesome right?
That’s because it is, and it is found at Maliandao Tea Street!
The vast local knowledge of herbs is thoroughly impressive and not at all surprising because tea has been used for health purposes for centuries in China.
Herbs have been long believed to cure and treat a multitude of both physical and mental illnesses and the Chinese are huge fans indeed.
These ancient traditions and herbal practices are very much kept alive and are still being carried out through generations in China.
In this tea street, you can learn all about herbs, and buy tea accessories and teas to take home.
You also experience a slice of true Chinese culture. You can sample most teas before you buy, and tea is either bagged or loose.
As a tea fanatic and culture enthusiast, I have to say I really adored this experience!
Check out more attractions in Belize here
I hope you have enjoyed this Beijing Tour Guide filled with unique, cultural things to do!
I certainly hope that you give China the chance to win over your hearts!
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See you soon,
Love, Tia x
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