Beijing's nightscape is best described as elegant and beautiful. Tiananmen Square, like a dazzling star, shines brightly with its lights. The ancient architecture stands in perfect order, evoking the majestic aura of the former imperial city. However, Beijing's night beauty extends beyond just its historic landmarks. From the trendy Guomao district to the quaint Shichahai, and the European-style Solana, the city offers a wide variety of experiences to enjoy after dark. Allow me to guide you through some of the best spots in Beijing to witness its captivating night view!
Chang'an Avenue
Chang'an Avenue was once considered the longest and widest street in the world, and is one of the most important streets in China. In China, it is sometimes referred to as the "First Street of the Divine Land." It also serves as an east-west axis of Beijing, stretching from Dongdan in the east to Xidan in the west. Tian'anmen stands to the north of the street's midpoint, while Tian'anmen Square lies to the south of it.
Chang'an Avenue holds a significant position in both Beijing and the entire country. It is home to some of China's most iconic symbols—Tian'anmen and Tian'anmen Square—located along the avenue. On either side of the street stand key government buildings, including the Great Hall of the People, Zhongnanhai, and various central government offices such as the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Commerce. It is also lined with numerous cultural landmarks, such as the National Museum of China, the Palace Museum, the National Centre for the Performing Arts, the Beijing Concert Hall, and the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution. The avenue is surrounded by many important commercial areas, including the Central Business District (CBD), Dongdan, Wangfujing, Xidan, and Financial Street. The People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, is also located along Chang'an Avenue. Beijing Railway Station and Beijing West Railway Station are nearby as well.
Solana Shopping Park
Solana Shopping Park is filled with bright sunshine, tranquil waters, elegant architecture, and romantic pathways. Located on the northwest shore of the largest city park in Asia, Chaoyang Park, it is a European-style commercial town that offers a unique blend of leisure and shopping.
Solana brings the globally popular "Lifestyle Shopping Center" concept to Beijing, merging international trends with the city's evolving consumer preferences. It is home to China's first-ever Lifestyle Shopping Park, designed to be not only a fashion-forward destination but also a shopping paradise where visitors can enjoy the sun and lake, and a space for gathering and relaxation.
Combining a rich variety of businesses with a beautiful environment, it is surrounded by the expansive lake of Chaoyang Park and the crystal-clear waters of the Liangma River, offering a stunning setting. The park features meticulously crafted water landscapes, lush sky gardens, and the "Solana Brand Forest," made up of over 300 trees, creating a rare oasis in the urban concrete jungle.
Address: No. 6 Chaoyang Park Lu (Rd), Chaoyang District, Beijing.
Shichahai
Shichahai, also written as "Shichahai (Ten Temples Lake)", derives its name from the ten Buddhist temples that once stood around it. During the Yuan Dynasty, it was known as Haizi, a wide and long body of water. In the early Ming Dynasty, it was reduced in size and gradually developed into three connected bodies of water: Xihai (West Lake), Houhai (Back Lake), and Qianhai (Front Lake). Since the Qing Dynasty, Shichahai has become a popular destination for leisure and summer entertainment. With its shimmering blue waters, willow trees gently swaying along the shore, and the distant mountains forming a picturesque backdrop, Shichahai has been celebrated as one of the scenic gems of Beijing.
The Shichahai area is home to many typical Beijing hutongs and courtyard houses, including the famous Jin Si Tao (Gold Silk Lane) with its smaller and larger hutongs, Nanguanfang and Beiguanfang Hutongs, and the Ya'ér Hutong along the northern shore of Houhai. Other notable streets in the area include Baimixiejie (St) and Yandaixiejie (St).
Historically, the Shichahai region has been a hub for many traditional folk activities, such as lighting lotus lanterns, boating on the lakes, enjoying banquets and lotus viewing, ice skating, and even the famous winter ice chair feasts. Today, vibrant folk activities continue to thrive in the area, including fishing, swimming, rowing, rowing races, chess playing, singing, and summer dance parties.
Address: No. 49 Di'anmen Xidajie (St), Xicheng District, Beijing
Central Radio and Television Tower
The Central Radio and Television Tower, now a national 4A-level scenic spot, is located on the west side of Xi 3 Huan Zhonglu (W. 3rd Ring Rd Middle) in Haidian District, Beijing, near the Aerospace Bridge. To the east lies the beautiful Yuyuantan Park and the famous Diaoyutai, to the south is Gongzhufen, and to the north is Fucheng (Rd).
The construction of the Central Radio and Television Tower began in January 1987 and was completed in September 1994. It officially opened on October 1st of that year. Covering an area of 15.4 hectares, the tower stands 386.5 meters tall, with a total height of 405 meters when including the lightning rod, and a total weight of 50,000 tons. It is a multifunctional modern landmark, capable of transmitting signals for 8 television channels and 10 radio channels. It is the third tallest tower in China, the sixth tallest in the world, and a member of the World Federation of Great Towers and the China Broadcasting and Television Tower Committee.
The Central Radio and Television Tower is a comprehensive structure combining broadcasting, tourism, dining, and entertainment, serving as an important symbol of Beijing's modernization. The tower has more than 20 floors, and its design takes into account the unique geographical features of the capital, aiming to reflect both China's cultural identity and Beijing's local characteristics. The tower's night lighting is a particular highlight, which earned it the first place in the Capital Nightscape Lighting Awards. At night, the tower appears like a giant lantern suspended in the sky.
Address: No. 11 W. 3rd Ring Zhonglu(Rd Middle), Haidian District, Beijing
Qianmen Street
Qianmen Street is one of Beijing's most famous commercial streets. Located along the city's central axis, it stretches from the Moon Bay at Qianmen in the north to the Tianqiao Road intersection in the south, connecting with Tianqiao Nandajie (St). In the 29th year of the Ming Jiajing period (1550), it was originally an imperial route leading to the Temple of Heaven and Shanchuan Temple. After the construction of the outer city walls, it became the main north-south street of the outer city.
One of the must-see landmarks along Qianmen Street is Guanghe Tower (also known as Guanghe Chalu or simply Chalu), which holds an important place in the preservation of Beijing's early memories of Peking opera culture. Built in the late Ming Dynasty, Guanghe Tower was once the most famous theater in the city, and along with Huayuelou, Guangdelou, and First Stage, it was known as one of the "Four Major Theaters" of Beijing. Originally a theater in a private garden, the tower's popularity grew during the Kangxi era. It was transformed into a public teahouse and initially called "Chajia Teahouse" or "Chajialou," later renamed Guanghe Chalou.
The long history of Qianmen Street has given rise to many of China's time-honored brands, such as Liubiju Soy Sauce, Tongrentang Pharmacy, Ruifuxiang Silk Shop, Changchuntang Pharmacy, Neiliansheng Shoe Store, and Zhang Yiyuan Teahouse, as well as other famous establishments like Yue Sheng Zhai's roast meat shop and Duyichu's shumai (shao mai) restaurant. These 16 iconic old brands line both sides of the street.
Address: Qianmen, Dongcheng District, Beijing
