In Beijing, there are numerous free activities and places that can double your happiness without spending a penny. Below, we recommend some places worth visiting:

Guozijian Street

Guozijian Street, also known as Chengxian Street, is located in the Dongcheng District of Beijing. It is 680 meters long and 12 meters wide, and runs east-west. The street starts from Yonghegong Dajie (St) in the east and ends at Andingmen Neidajie (St) in the west. Originating from the Yuan Dynasty, it is the only street in Beijing designated as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit and the only remaining street with Pailou (Chinese memorial archway).

On the south side of Guozijian Street lies Gongyi Lane, while on the north side, from east to west, are Guanshuyuan Hutong, Jianchang Hutong, and Dage Lane. The street features four Pailous, with one each at the eastern and western ends inscribed with "Chengxianjie (St)" and one each on the left and right of the Guozijian inscribed with "Guozijian".

Guozijian is a place full of historical and cultural charm where you can admire ancient architecture and culture, experiencing the ambiance of ancient scholars studying.

Wudaoying Hutong

Wudaoying Hutong is located in the northern part of Dongcheng District, east of Andingmen Interchange Bridge. It runs from Yonghegong Dajie (St) in the east to Andingmen Neidajie (St) in the west. It is connected to Jianchang Hutong in the south and has two branch alleys in the north that lead to Andingmen Dongdajiie (St).

Wudaoying Hutong is 632 meters long, 6 meters wide, and has an asphalt pavement. The hutong, formerly known as Wude Weiying in the Ming Dynasty, got its name from the military camps stationed here during the Qing Dynasty.

It is a historically significant hutong cluster with many shops and stalls where you can experience the unique charm of Beijing’s hutong culture.

China National Arts and Crafts Museum

The China National Arts and Crafts Museum (CNACM), along with the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, located at No.16, Hujing Donglu (Rd), Chaoyang, Beijing, covers an area of 10,463 square meters. It is adjacent to the National Centre of Chinese Traditional Culture in the south and China Science and Technology Museum in the north. It has two underground floors and six floors above ground, with a total construction area of 91,126 square meters. It is a national-level arts and crafts museum.

The museum houses many art works including ceramics, tapestries, ivory carvings, jade carvings, clay figures as well as ethnic and folk handicrafts.

As a professional institution for displaying traditional Chinese arts and crafts and contemporary craft design, the museum frequently holds various exhibitions and activities. You can see exquisite handicrafts for free.

National Art Museum of China

The National Art Museum of China, located at No.1 Wusi Dajie (St), Dongcheng, Beijing, is China's only national museum of plastic arts. It started construction in 1958, and was officially opened under Chairman Mao's inscription of "National Art Museum of China" in 1963. The main building covers an area of over 18,000 square meters.

The main building has 21 exhibition halls across its 6 floors, with a total exhibition area of 6,660 square meters. There is also a 3,000-square-meter sculpture garden and a 4,100-square-meter modern collection storage area. On the 1st floor are Halls 1-11, the 2nd floor has Hall 12, the 3rd floor has Halls 13-17, the 4th floor has Hall 18, the 5th floor has Halls 19-21, and the 6th floor is the Treasure Hall.

The National Art Museum of China is one of the most influential art museums in China, exhibiting the essence of modern and contemporary Chinese art. Here, you can appreciate many outstanding artworks for free and experience the charm of Chinese art.

Dongjiaominxiang

Dongjiaominxiang, located in Dongcheng District of Beijing, was built during the heyday of the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century. With a total length of 1.6 kilometers, it extends from the east road of Tiananmen Square to Chongwenmen Neidajie (St), making it the longest hutong in old Beijing. During the Yuan Dynasty, it was an important alley for transporting grain, hence it was named Jiangmi Alley.

Dongjiaominxiang is a European-style block featuring embassies, churches, banks and clubs. Existing buildings include the French embassy, the Belgian embassy, the Italian Embassy. The buildings have preserved their original state, maintaining the popular style of Europe and America in the early 20th century. Dongjiaominxiang embassy complex is Beijing's only remaining Western-style architectural complex from the early 20th century.

Dongjiaominxiang is a historic hutong with many distinctive shops and restaurants. Here, you can stroll around, taste authentic Beijing snacks, and experience the unique charm of hutong culture.

Lotus Market

Lotus Market is a popular summer destination for people in Beijing, It features amusement parks and commodity markets, with many folk performances. It originated in the 1920s and is located on the west bank of the Shichahai. The market mainly sells Bingwan (a kind of traditional dessert) among other food stalls. There is a canal around with bridges and pavilions for performances. It opens from the Dragon Boat Festival until August, with performances starting around noon and ending before sunset.

The market is a characteristic place in Beijing where you can find a variety of flowers and potted plants. Here, you can take a walk, enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers by the lake, and taste local snacks.

China National Film Museum

China National Film Museum, located at No.9 Nanying Lu (Rd), Chaoyang, Beijing, is the world's largest national-level professional film museum and a landmark building commemorating the 100th anniversary of Chinese cinema.

China National Film Museum has a construction area of nearly 38,000 square meters and an exhibition line of 2,970 meters. The museum houses over 1,500 films, 4,300 pictures, and information on more than 450 filmmakers. It has a collection of over 40,000 items, including 8 national first-class treasures. The museum has 21 exhibition halls and public activity and display areas, with an area of about 13,000 square meters. The museum also has 6 cinemas, including a giant screen cinema that can seat over 1,000 people at a time.

The museum is an exhibition hall dedicated to films, showcasing the history of Chinese movies and some classic film equipment. Visitors can visit the museum for free to learn about the glorious history and cultural heritage of Chinese films and watch clips from classic films to experience the charm of cinema.

Whether you're interested in history, culture or art, Beijing offers many free venues and activities to satisfy your pursuit of happiness. Whether you're a local or a tourist, you're sure to find your own unique happiness in these places.

Translator: LI An

Reviewer: PAN Wenrui