It's so nice to drink coffee on the rooftop of the courtyard, chatting, watching the pigeons overhead and the hutongs under your feet!
Part.01: Drink coffee on the rooftops
O1 Silent Café
Silent Café is located deep in a hutong near Beixinqiao, where parking is not convenient, so getting off the bus and walking is recommended. The Hutong is isolated from the hustle and bustle of the road and has a strong sense of life. This Hutong is a great place to sit on the rooftop and watch the pigeons hover overhead. The hand-brewed coffee for over 30 yuan is cost-effective.
Name: Silent Coffee (You Xi Hotel)
Address: No. 11 Beixin Sanxiang (Exit B of Beixinqiao Subway)
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00-20:00
O2 StillWater
The Stillwater Café on Gulou East Street has to be entered through a side door that opens in a small alley. The original wood-colored old building structure presents a style of a Jiangnan inn. After climbing the slightly steep stairs, there is the open rooftop. Inside you can overlook the small courtyard patio, and outside you can watch the cars on Gulou Street. The green plants isolate the noisy view and create a quiet and little world. The hand-brewed coffee here ranges from 68-100 yuan.
Name: StillWater
Address: No. 69 Gulou East Street
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00-17:00
O3 Berry beans
Berry Beans, hidden in the Zhujia Hutong on the west side of Qianmen, has a small courtyard and the second-floor rooftop is also open for business. There are a lot of visitors coming here. On weekends when the weather is good, it is difficult to find a place on the rooftop. Who can resist the attraction of drinking coffee on the rooftop of an old Beijing hutong?
Name: Berry Beans (Qianmen Branch)
Address: No. 7 Zhujia Hutong
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00-20:00
O4 ZIP COFFEE X MOSI
This is a café in a courtyard at the foot of the mountain in the Shijingshan District. It shares the same space as the Cultural Center, so the seats are a bit limited. However, you can also see the interesting contents of the cultural center while drinking coffee. It's wonderful to come out and drink coffee in the sun while the weather is nice.
Name: ZIP COFFEE X MOSI
Address: No.78, Moshikou Village Street
Hours: Open Monday to Sunday from 10:30
O5 ZSPACE
This café is located in a courtyard in a Xiezuo Hutong within the Second Ring Road, with an old ginkgo tree planted during the Yongzheng era in the Qing Dynasty. There is also a small pool by the rooftop, which is perfect for lazing around.
Name: ZSPACE
Address: No. 40, Xiezuo Hutong (Exit A, Zhangzizhong Road Subway)
Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00-22:00
Part.02: Take photos on the rooftops
O6 Diantong Cultural and Creative Park
This cultural and creative park is located right next door to 798, formerly known as Beijing General Electric Factory. The old factory, parts and old machinery are preserved. The Bauhaus-style architecture with brightly coloured graffiti is quite artistic. There is a rooftop that can be climbed in the park, where you can take good pictures.
Name: Beijing Diantong Cultural and Creative Park
Address: Diantong Times Square, No.7 Jiuxianqiao North Road, Chaoyang District
O7 77 Cultural and Creative Park
This mini cultural and creative park inside the second ring road is called a "condensed version of 798". Here you can feel the hardcore industrial punk atmosphere. The red brick walls and organ staircase of the old offset printing factory are preserved. The rooftop has a wide view, and fruits and vegetables are planted on one side.
Name: 77 Cultural and Creative Park
Address: No. 77, Houjie, Art Museum, Dongcheng District, Beijing
O8 Longfu Mansion
The large terrace on the ninth floor of the Longfu Mansion offers the best view of downtown Beijing. A Chinese style courtyard inspired by the Forbidden City is built on the roof with a bit of modern twist, making it special. Looking around, you can see the skyline of the capital as far as you can see.
Name: Longfu Mansion
Address: No. 95 Longfu Temple Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing
Translated by Liu Yu
Edited by Luo Xiongwei
