For young people who are fond of literature and art, during their travels, the famous scenic spots crowded with people are surely not the ones that can attract them. Instead, those places full of literary charm, artistic flavor and bourgeoisie style are their destinations. In Beijing, there are famous literary and artistic attractions such as the 798 Art District, the Red Brick Art Museum, Beijing Wtown, Liulichang Culture Street and Hou Hai(Lake). The following article lists twelve major literary and artistic tourist attractions in Beijing. Let's take a look at this article to find out what other good places there are for young literature and art lovers in Beijing! Twelve major literary and artistic tourist attractions in Beijing.
1. Red Brick Art Museum. The Red Brick Art Museum is located in the No.1 International Art District in Hegezhuang, the northeastern part of Beijing. It was founded by the entrepreneur and collector couple Yan Shijie and Cao Mei. It was initially completed and put into trial operation in December 2012 and officially opened to the public in May 2014. As the most beautiful private art museum in Beijing, it is the best dating place for young people who are fond of literature and art. It is said that the design was created by Mr. Dong Yugan from Peking University. It is small and exquisite, and the detailed design is a highlight. Many techniques of Chinese gardens are applied, giving a strong sense of space where you can exercise your brainpower to the fullest! There is a Western restaurant inside the museum. If you are reluctant to leave, you can stop and have a meal to satisfy your hunger. Address: Hegezhuang Cun, Cuigezhuang, Chaoyang, Beijing.
2. Beijing Wtown, with a history of thousands of years, is simple, elegant and picturesque. The row upon row of houses, the old streets paved with bluestones and the long alleys all display the ancient town features of the Republic of China period in northern China. Inside the water town, waterways are densely distributed, and the tributaries of the ancient Tang River wind around. Ancient buildings and folk houses are built along the water. Against the backdrop of fresh air, blue sky, white clouds, green water waves and towering poplar trees, it is just like a little-known paradise. When night falls, the carefully planned floodlit night view of the ancient town is extraordinary and refined, with a touch of warmth revealed in its solemnity. Whether it's the exquisite design or the grandeur, it can be regarded as second to none in China and is a beautiful scenery that should not be missed. Address: Beijing Wtown Scenic Area, Miyun, Beijing.
3. Liulichang Culture Street, located outside Hepingmen in Xicheng, was called "Haiwang Cun" during the Liao Dynasty. During the Yuan and Ming dynasties, a glazed tile kiln factory was set up here, hence the name "Liulichang". In the early Qing Dynasty, antique dealers began to do business here. By the time of Emperor Qianlong's reign (1736-1795), it had already become a distribution center for antique calligraphy and paintings, ancient books, rubbings from stone inscriptions and the Four Treasures of the Study. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it has been more characteristic of a cultural street. There are nearly 100 stores along the street, including ancient and modern calligraphy and paintings represented by Rongbaozhai(荣宝斋) and Baoguzhai(宝古斋), metal and stone artifacts and ceramics represented by Yunguzhai(韵古斋) and Cuizhenzhai(萃珍斋), the Four Treasures of the Study represented by Laixunge(来薰阁) and Yidezhai(一得斋), jewels and miscellaneous items represented by Zhenhuange(振环阁) and Zhenyunge(震云阁), etc. A thick historical and cultural atmosphere pervades here, with an absolute literary and artistic charm. Address: Hepingmenwai, Xicheng, Beijing.
4. Hou Hai(Lake) in Beijing. Hou Hai(Lake) is a part of Shichahai. Shichahai, which consists of three water areas, namely Qian Hai (Lake), Hou Hai(Lake) and Xi Hai (Lake), is called "the Latter Three Seas" to distinguish it from "the Former Three Seas" including Bei Hai (Lake), Zhong Hai(Lake) and Nan Hai (Lake). Folkmusic can be regarded as a standard feature for young people who are fond of literature and art. Zhao Lei, who became extremely popular at the beginning of the year with a pure folk song titled "Chengdu", used to be a folk song master secretly adored by countless young literature and art lovers. Before he became famous, Zhao Lei was a singer in the bar street of Hou Hai(Lake). Although it is called "sea", it is actually a huge artificial lake. There is the famous Hou Hai(Lake) Bar Street here. On summer nights, the place is ablaze with lights and colors, crowded with tourists, and bursts of singing come out from the bars. You can come here with friends, drink some wine and relax your tired body to the rhythm of the music. Address: No. 1, Songshu Jie (St), Xicheng, Beijing.
5. Songzhuang Huajia Cun(宋庄画家村), the Beijing Huajia Cun is located in Songzhuang, Tongzhou. It is a world-renowned art community. In the autumn of 1995, the Old Summer Palace Huajia Cun was disbanded, leading to a large-scale collective migration of artists, mainly from the Old Summer Palace, to Songzhuang. Therefore, Xiaopu began to welcome artists withdrawn from the Old Summer Palace one after another. Earlier ones included Lu Lin, Wang Qingsong and others. One or two years later, Yang Wei, Chen Mu, Wang Yan, Hu Xiangdong and others also moved to Songzhuang from other places to settle down one after another. As a new gathering place for freelance artists, Songzhuang once again became the focus of attention at home and abroad. Some older-generation artists, such as Huang Yongyu, also came to Songzhuang to settle down one after another, living a simple and free artistic life like the young avant-garde artists. Address: Tongzhou, Beijing.
6. Nanluogu Xiang(Alley). Nanluogu Xiang(Alley) is a hutong located in the Jiaodaokou area on the east side of the Beijing Central Axis. It starts from Gulou Dongdajie (E. St) in the north and extends to Ping'an Dajie (St) in the south. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Beijing. However, it is now overcrowded. On the main street of Nanluogu Xiang(Alley), various snacks and tourist souvenirs are everywhere. Especially in the peak season, it is almost packed with tourists coming here. This place best represents the hutong culture of old Beijing, and the numerous former residences of celebrities around it also enhance its historical and literary charm. Each small hutong has its own history and stories. If you just take a cursory look, just eat a bunch of snacks from other places on the street and buy a bunch of souvenirs that can be bought everywhere, then you might as well just go to Wangfujing. The real Nanluogu Xiang(Alley) belongs to those young people with a literary and artistic heart. Address: Nanluogu Xiang(Alley), Dongcheng, Beijing.
7. SOLANA. SOLANA has a strong flavor of Western architectural art. Located near Chaoyang Park, it is another shopping landmark in Beijing. The buildings in European style are filled with a rich exotic charm. There is a musical fountain in the center of the open square. At night, under the illumination of lights, it seems that you are in a European town, bringing you a comfortable and pleasant shopping experience. SOLANA Lifestyle Shopping Park encompasses more than 300 famous retail stores, over 30 catering and food outlets, more than 20 bars by the water, as well as merchants such as Saga Cinema, All Star Ice Skating Club and BHG Market Place. Whether you are shopping, dining or watching movies, it is a great choice. During holidays or when events are held, the atmosphere is even more lively. Address: No. 6, Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu (Rd), Chaoyang, Beijing.
8. Yangmeizhu Xiejie(Alley). Yangmeizhu Xiejie(Alley) is a street in Beijing. It is located in the southwest of Qianmenwai, about half a kilometer west of the west entrance of Dashilar Jie (St). It starts from Meishi Jie (St) in the east and extends to Yanshou Jie (St) in the west. It was called "Xiejie" (Slanting Street) in the Ming Dynasty. It got its name because the street runs from the northeast to the southwest at a slant. Yangmeizhu Xiejie(Alley) is very close to Qianmen. It is not crowded and is a very quiet street. Usually, students in Beijing come here on weekends and can hardly experience the huge crowds like those in Nanluogu Xiang(Alley). Perhaps it is because it is less famous. It is quiet while still having a literary and artistic atmosphere. Address: Beijing.
9. Jingshan Park, a 4A scenic area and a cultural relic protection unit. Jingshan Park is located in the center of Beijing and is a beautiful imperial garden landscape. The park covers an area of 57 acres (about 230,000 square meters) and is situated at the central point of the city's north-south axis, facing the north gate of the Forbidden City. It is located on Jing Shan (Mountain), which was originally named Wansui Shan (Mountain) and Zhen Shan (Mountain). The middle section of the mountain top is the highest point in Beijing. From the peak, tourists can have a comprehensive and clear view of the Forbidden City. Jingshan Park also boasts charming natural scenery, with a planting area of about 1,100 square meters. This park is a relatively large peony and rose garden in Beijing. In May every year, 20,000 peonies and roses of more than 200 varieties are in full bloom in the park, presenting a beautiful and colorful scene. Tourists who are interested in flowers will find some rare and famous varieties to delight them. Address: No. 44, Jingshan Xijie (W. St), Xicheng, Beijing.
10. Beijing Bell and Drum Tower, a cultural relic protection unit. The Beijing Bell and Drum Tower is a group of ancient buildings located at the northern end of the north-south Beijing Central Axis, at the northern end of Di'anmenwai Dajie (St) in Dongcheng, Beijing. It is a major historical and cultural site protected at the national level. The two towers are placed longitudinally one in front of the other, with a majestic and towering appearance, embodying the crystallization of the wisdom and strength of the ancient Chinese working people. The Bell and Drum Tower served as the timekeeping center of the capitals in the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. In the history of the construction system of city bell and drum towers, the Beijing Bell and Drum Tower has the largest scale and the highest form, and is one of the landmark buildings of the ancient capital Beijing. It is also an important building witnessing the history of China in the past hundred years. The Drum Tower has a total height of 46.7 meters, with triple eaves, a gable and hip roof, gray cylindrical tiles and green glazed edges. It is a building mainly with a brick-wood structure. Address: No. 9, Zhonglouwan Hutong, Dongcheng, Beijing.
11. Dashilar Shopping Street in Beijing, a 3A scenic area and a cultural relic protection unit. Dashilar is among the sixth batch of cultural relic protection units in China and is a famous commercial street outside Qianmen in Beijing. Now it generally also refers to an area including Dashilar Jie (St), Langfang Toutiao, Liangshidian Jie (St) and Meishi Jie (St). Dashilar is located in the central area of ancient Beijing and is an important part of the southern central axis. It is situated south of Tian'anmen Square and on the west side of Qianmen Dajie (St), with a total length of 275 meters from the east entrance to the west entrance. Since 1420 (the 18th year of the Yongle reign in the Ming Dynasty), after more than 500 years of evolution, it has gradually developed into a commercial street with numerous shops. There are 36 stores in 11 industries distributed in Dashilar. Restoring the appearance of the early Republic of China period, Dashilar has a history of more than 500 years and was once a prosperous commercial area. Address: No. 44, Langfang Ertiao, Xicheng, Beijing.
12. 798 Huajia Cun. The 798 Art District is located in the Dashanzi area of Jiuxianqiao Subdistrict, Chaoyang, Beijing. So it is also called the Dashanzi Art District. It was originally the site of the old factory area of electronic industries such as the former state-owned No. 798 Factory. Nowadays, the 798 Art District has attracted wide attention from both domestic and foreign media and the public and has become a new landmark of urban culture in Beijing. This area stretches from Jiuxianqiao Lu (Rd) in the west to Jiuxianqiao Donglu (E. Rd) in the east, from Jiuxianqiao Beilu (N. Rd) in the north to Jiangtai Lu (Rd) in the south, covering an area of more than 600,000 square meters. There are many unique artworks in the 798 Art District. Sometimes there are very interesting exhibitions, and there are also many beautiful sculptures and wall graffiti. There are quite a number of restaurants and specialty stores inside. It's great to take pictures there when the weather is nice. It's a paradise for those who love literature, art and have a fresh and refined taste. Address: No. 2, Jiuxianqiao Lu (Rd), Chaoyang, Beijing.
