Go ice skating at Shichahai
The most characteristic activity in winter is ice skating, not the kind of roller skating in an indoor rink, but on the natural ice rink at Shichahai. Every winter, the ice rinks here open to the public. There are two types of rinks: one is enclosed and requires an admission fee, which is well-maintained and smooth; the other is open and people can rent ice skates and equipment directly on the ice, which is commonly known as wild ice skating, but the surface of the ice is not very smooth in some places. Although wild ice skating can best reflect the fun of ice skating, it is still recommended that you go to the rink that is well-maintained and supervised by professionals, as wild ice skating is relatively dangerous. At the ice rink, you can also see the long-lost small ice cars and regain the feeling of childhood. With the deep Beijing style and flavor surrounding Shichahai, you will definitely want to come back again and again.
Visit Xiangshan and enjoy the snow
Xishan in winter is considered one of the most beautiful places in Beijing with good air quality and charming scenery. The so-called "Shangri-La" refers to Xiangshan and the Botanical Garden. Some people compare Xishan to the last pure land in Beijing, where the air is particularly fresh. Most people think that Xiangshan is the most beautiful when the autumn leaves turn red in late autumn. I do not deny this, but it can be misleading. In fact, Xiangshan is most beautiful in winter, especially after it snows. If you don't like to enter Xiangshan Park in the usual way, you can choose to take the mountain road. In winter, the whole mountain is covered with snow, and your mood will be different every time you come here. A few years ago, Xiangshan even had a ski resort, but now it has closed due to the lack of snow in Beijing and the high cost of artificial snow maintenance. If you have the opportunity, go to the Xiangshan ski resort to ski. It feels great to float in the beautiful natural scenery, just like a fairy descending from the clouds.
Make a wish at Lama Temple
If you are a person who likes peace and quiet, you can take a stroll within the Second Ring Road, especially at the National Imperial Academy, which is a very nice place. Every time I come here, my mood can settle down. Especially on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar calendar, you can come to Lama Temple. The Lama Temple complex has a history of more than 300 years and is also listed as a "national key cultural relics protection unit" by the State Council. It is the most spiritual Lama temple in Beijing, where Tibetan Buddhism and traditional Buddhism are best integrated. Every time I go there, I will open my eyes to the maximum and look up at the lotus flower ceiling, which can relax my mood and make me less restless. But I have to remind you: if your wish comes true, be sure to come back and fulfill your vow.
Stroll around Xisi and eat Lu Zhu
In Beijing, if you want to taste the most authentic Beijing-style cuisine, you must try the "lu zhu" (braised meat and vegetables) dish. It can be found in every corner of the city, both in the past and present. However, there is a trick to eating it - the older the restaurant, the better the taste. Don't be put off by the small size of the place, as the flavor is absolutely authentic. Xisi is a place that showcases the original Beijing style, especially when the "lu zhu" is being cooked and sold. You can smell its unique aroma from far away. If you're a fan of this dish, you'll be drawn to it. A bowl of "lu zhu" and one or two "lu zhu huo shao" (braised meat and vegetable buns) will satisfy your hunger and cravings. This food has a history of over a hundred years, originating from the imperial palace and later improved and passed down to the common people. If you wanted to try it during ancient times when it was a royal delicacy, you wouldn't have been able to.
Watch the sunset over the Forbidden City from Jingshan Park
If you love history, the best place to go in Beijing is the Forbidden City, now known as the Palace Museum. It is located in the center of Beijing and is also known as the "Purple Forbidden City". It was the imperial palace of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. However, the taste is the same everywhere, and if you actually visit it, you may be disappointed. Instead, go around the Forbidden City and enter Jingshan Park opposite the north gate of the Forbidden City. Watching the sunset over the Forbidden City from Jingshan Park is a unique experience. Sitting in the pavilion on Jingshan Hill, watching the beautiful sunset over the earth, and looking at the yellow tiles, red walls, golden doors, and white jade railings of the Forbidden City, as well as the magnificent palace buildings, you may feel like you want to achieve your great ideals. However, that requires your own hard work and effort.
Spend the night in Sanlitun and go to a bar
When it comes to bars in Beijing, Sanlitun cannot be missed. Since the first bar appeared here in 1989, 70% of the bars in Beijing have gathered within a three-kilometer radius. This is also a place where people from the music and entertainment industry often hang out. They were once the backbone of Sanlitun bars. You can walk around the embassy district and feel the difference. There are various architectural styles here, and you can buy cheap and high-quality clothes from the foreign trade shops along the way. When you step into the core area of the bar district, you will find that it is a sea of joy. You can act deep or lively here, and you can enjoy everything to the fullest, release your unhappiness, and get rid of your worries and sorrows. With alcohol and explosive music, your soul will be baptized.
Climb the Great Wall and be a hero
The Great Wall at Badaling is the most outstanding representative of the Great Wall of China, and is the essence of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. It was declared a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council as early as 1961. Chairman Mao once said, "He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man." Winter is the best time to visit the Great Wall because during spring, summer, and autumn, there are too many people and there is no chance to appreciate the surrounding scenery. In winter, when you climb the Great Wall and look into the distance, you can see the undulating mountains, the majestic and vigorous northern mountain range, and if it snows, the vast snow-capped mountains and the jade dragon soaring in the spring, the magnificent scenery is breathtaking. Only here can you truly appreciate the grandeur and charm of the Great Wall. For the elderly and the weak, Badaling is also the best choice because cars go directly to the foot of the Great Wall, while other sections of the Great Wall generally require climbing longer mountain roads.
Oriental Plaza in Wangfujing Street is a must-visit if you like shopping
It is the forefront of fashion, and countless people come here to shop every day. It is also the only comprehensive shopping and leisure place in Beijing whose name does not include words such as "shopping," "department store," or "mall." If you feel a little cramped with the famous brands gathered here, you can first relax your nerves in the environment filled with leisure air on the underground floor. There are leisure brands, casual layouts, crowded supermarkets, lively food streets, comfortable cinemas, fragrant coffee, hot bread... When it's cold in winter, or when you're happy or unhappy, walking and sitting here, you will feel like a child who longs to go home, and there is nothing to worry about. In fact, sometimes shopping is also a kind of enjoyment.
Fly kites in the Olympic Park
The Olympic Park is now one of the favorite places for the people of Beijing, along with the Forest Park. The Olympic Park has large open squares, and there are fixed crowds of people flying kites there every day. It is also the most classic kite-flying spot in Beijing. Outdoor activities in winter are particularly interesting, and watching the people flying kites on the square is a sight to behold: there are old people, children, and lovers, and the kites in the sky include masks, centipedes, swallows, and eagles, all flying in the sky. This is also a scene of the Olympic Park.
Walk by the shore of Weiming Hu(Lake)
If you want to experience the strongest academic atmosphere, of course, Peking University is the first choice. This is the birthplace of the May Fourth Movement. Walking by the Weiming Lake, accompanied by the cold winter breeze, you will feel an inexplicable sense of pride here. There is a broad mind like the sea and a brilliant achievement like the sun. Coming here, your heart will be very calm, and there is a kind of spirit that will inspire you to move forward. Sitting in the nearby small restaurants, experiencing life, and reminiscing about your own hard work, you will definitely not regret it.
