Snowy highlights: The Palace Museum, Corner Tower Café, Zhongshan Park Music Hall, Laijin Yuxuan teahouse

How beautiful is the snow on the Forbidden City, or rather, the Forbidden City after it snows? I can't quite say. But many friends have experienced it through wild chases and the disappointment of not being able to book. The snow, even just half an inch thick, blankets the red walls and white snow, instantly masking the urban hustle and modern vibe of Beijing. Beijing's winter is hidden within the red walls and golden roofs of the Forbidden City, where the snow falls like a dream that takes you back three hundred years.

Exiting the Forbidden City's Shenwu Gate and heading along the west side of the Tongzihe, you'll find the "Corner Tower Café". With its crimson appearance and quaint porch, this café showcases the massive Song Dynasty painting A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains, which used to require a three-hour wait to view at the Forbidden City. On snowy days, enjoying a warm cup of Forbidden City-themed coffee or milk tea here is a delightful choice, even if it means waiting in line. As a trendy hotspot in Beijing for two consecutive years (2020 and 2021), the Corner Tower Café boasts numerous highlights worth capturing, like Kangxi's favorite chocolate, Yangxin coffee, milk tea, and other drinks. Holding a cup of hot coffee transforms everything into a leisurely experience. After savoring the delicious coffee, you can stroll along a tranquil path beside the city walls of the Forbidden City or hop on a sightseeing bus to admire the imperial city's charm.

With red walls, white snow, and glazed tiles, the snow-covered Forbidden City is picturesque. In the snow, every corner of the Forbidden City is filled with poetic charm, featuring numerous popular photo spots. A casual snapshot yields stunning pictures that capture the unique allure of the Forbidden City.

Nearby trendy spots:

Zhongshan Park is located to the south of the Forbidden City and west of Tiananmen Square, just a wall away. In winter, under the warm sun, trees cast dappled shadows along the winding paths, and sunlight filters through thick maple leaves, giving them a soft texture—like the delicate clouds at sunrise or the wildflowers blossoming on a gentle spring hillside. With red beams and green pines, the antique pavilions stand amidst the greenery, facing the sunlight, creating a serene beauty despite the winter chill.

The Music Hall, situated within Zhongshan Park, frequently hosts excellent performances that elicit applause from the audience. The sound quality here is impressive, and the organ music is particularly striking, making it well worth attending a live show.

Laijin Yuxuan Tea House, also located in Zhongshan Park, is one of the early revolutionary sites of the Communist Party of China in Beijing. In the 1920s and 1930s, early revolutionary figures of the Communist Party of China spread progressive ideas and cultivate revolutionary leaders in Laijin Yuxuan, playing a vital role in the promotion of Marxism in modern China. Today, the restored Laijin Yuxuan showcases exhibits on young China, literary studies, and experiences of Beijing culture. The Beijing culture experience area highlights the tea house's unique offerings from the 1920s and 1930s, such as "Winter Vegetable Buns", allowing visitors to enjoy exquisite snacks while reading and resting, immersing themselves in the historical activities of early Chinese progressives promoting Marxist thought.