The most anticipated week has finally arrived, and the New Year of the Ox is around the corner. Happy New Year! Let's take a look at the scenic spots related to the "Ox (Niu)" in Beijing together!
01 Niujie (Ox Street)
Niujie is very famous in Beijing. The Niujie Mosque, an Islamic building of the Hui nationality, ranks the first among the four mosques in Beijing. The culture of ancient Muslim mosques has lasted for thousands of years here.
You may have heard the saying “the best Beijing snacks are in Xicheng, and the best Xicheng snacks are in Niujie”. As the Spring Festival is approaching, if you want to buy new year's goods and taste authentic Beijing snacks, don’t forget to come to Niujie.
Food lovers are suggested to taste Jubaoyuan beef and mutton hotpot, Baiji rice cake, Yibao lotus leaf rice and jujube cake, eat Hongji snacks and Dashunzhai sugar baked wheaten cakes, and try the Halal Turpan Restaurant, as well as the time-honored brands in the Niujie supermarket.
Address: Niujie, Xicheng District, Beijing
Bus route: Take Subway Line 7 to Guang’anmennei Station (Exit B) and walk for 971 meters.
02 Bronze Ox (Tongniu) in Summer Palace
Located on the northern bank of the Kuoru Pavilion in the Summer Palace, the Bronze Ox lies on the carved stone pedestal, overlooking the east shore of the Kunming Lake. It was cast in the 20th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign in the Qing Dynasty (1755), and it is also known as “Golden Ox”.
Legend has that the Bronze Ox was set up to stem floods. There is an 80-character inscription in seal character on the back of the Bronze Ox--the “Golden Ox Inscription” written by Emperor Qianlong.
All the year round, flowers bloom and fall while the Bronze Ox has always been watching peacefully into the Kunming Lake. This year, the Bronze Ox has a new friend--the adorable mascot "Xiao'ang" of the 2021 CCTV New Year’s Gala. Why not come here to enjoy the beautiful and harmonious view yourself?
Address: No.19 Xinjian Gongmen Road, Haidian District, Beijing
Bus route: Take Subway Line 4 to Bei Gong Men Station (Exit A1) and walk for 490 meters.
03 Niukouyu Wetland Park
Niukouyu Wetland Park, located in Fangshan District, is full of wild interest and delight with few visitors and beautiful scenery and is free of charge. In winter, reeds dance with wind, forming picturesque scenery with quiet and pleasant atmosphere.
It is worth mentioning that the lake water in the park is treated sewage, which not only reduces the pollution, but also beautifies the environment with clear water.
There are wetland areas, leisure zones, amusement blocks and cultural exhibitions in the park. You can enjoy the charm of culture in the exhibition hall while relaxing yourselves by leisure and entertainment projects.
Address: 2 km north of Niukouyu Village, Fangshan District
Traffic: Self-driving is recommended.
04 Niulanshan Erguotou Museum
Good food and liquor are indispensable on the table during the Spring Festival. Erguotou liquor, which is familiar to Chinese people, comes from the Niulanshan Winery in Shunyi District.
Erguotou originated from Niulanshan Town with 300-year history. While enjoying fine liquor and delicacies at home, you can also pay a visit to the Niulanshan Erguotou Museum to experience the culture behind the mellow taste.
There are also many historical records about the Niulanshan Town, such as “Wen Niu Shi” (poem of asking the ox) which presents the scenery of Niulanshan, and “Changping Shanshui Ji” (landscape of Changping) and “Chang’an Kehua” (geographical and historical records of local Beijing in the Ming Dynasty), which narrate legends and stories of the Niulanshan Town.
Address: Niulanshan Winery, Shunyi District (No.1 Changjin Road, Shunyi District)
Bus route: Take Bus No. SHUN34 to Xia Po Tun San Qu Station, and walk for 479 meters.
Do you know any other attractions of "Ox" in Beijing?
