Lifestyle in Beijing

Expat parents in Beijing have plenty of options to keep their kids entertained while helping them adjust to their new home.

Popular activities for expat children include visits to famous sites like the Great Wall of China, the Underground City, and the Forbidden City. Modern attractions like the interactive Sony ExploraScience Museum are also a fun time for the whole family. 

Families can also enjoy a fun day at Shijingshan Amusement Park, which is inspired by Grimms' Fairy Tales. Parents can spot familiar fairy-tale characters, while kids can try out exciting rides like rafting, the Ferris wheel, and the Shenzhou Coaster.

Outdoor activities in Beijing

Although the government occasionally issues warnings to limit outdoor time on days with high air pollution, you will have access to many outdoor activities in Beijing. Hiking along the Great Wall is a popular pastime, with different sections offering unique scenery and experiences. 

Beijing’s parks are great for traditional activities like kite flying, playing mahjong, and practising tai chi. The city has many parks to explore, such as Beihai Park with its beautiful gardens and lake, Chaoyang Park with its large open lawns and rollercoaster, and Ditan Park, which has a charming, historic atmosphere.

See and do in Beijing

Beijing is a city full of opportunities. Whether you're visiting as a tourist or living there as an expat, you'll find plenty of amazing food, rich culture, and fun activities.

However, be prepared for crowds almost everywhere – especially on public transport and at popular tourist spots. Despite the crowds, it's worth the effort to experience all that Beijing has to offer.

Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City

A given for anyone visiting Beijing, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City are connected geographically and offer one of the best sightseeing experiences in Beijing. The square is enormous, as is the portrait of Mao Zedong at the entrance to the Forbidden City. 

Great Wall of China

You can visit various sites along China’s legendary Great Wall, but one of the best is Mutianyu. The site has a cable car that takes visitors to the wall and offers a toboggan slide down for those willing to walk far enough. As with most of the sites, getting there is the tricky part. Although you can take the bus from the city centre, the best bet would arguably be to hire a car for the day. 

National Museum of China

This is one of the largest museums in the world, boasting first-class facilities. Visitors can view a collection of over one million cultural relics housed in dozens of galleries. There are permanent exhibitions focusing on Ancient China and The Road of Rejuvenation, and several thematic and temporary international exhibitions. You will likely need more than one visit to truly appreciate this attraction. 

Panjiayuan Antiques Market

Located close to Panjiayuan Bridge, the Panjiayuan Antiques Market is Beijing's most famous antique market. It has grown considerably from its humble beginnings as a flea market in the early 1990s. Shoppers will discover an array of paintings, calligraphy works, ceramics, jade, furniture, coins, and Buddhist artefacts for sale among the thousands of stalls. Even people who are not shopping for anything in particular will enjoy wandering around the market. 

The Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is located in the southern part of central Beijing. If going early in the morning, you will see locals out exercising and practising tai chi. The temple and altar can get crowded with tourists, but the massive park surrounding the attractions is just as interesting. Visitors making their way to the east gate of the park will find themselves right across the street from the Pearl Market, where they can bargain to their heart’s content.

798 Art Zone

This is the place for modern art enthusiasts in Beijing. It offers a refreshing change of pace and allows you to avoid the throngs of tourists while you view some excellent modern art installations and exhibits. There are also plenty of elegant restaurants and shops in this district.

Where to meet people and make friends in Beijing

Meeting people will likely be on your priority list when moving to Beijing. This is particularly the case in a country like China, where expats often experience culture shock. Meeting people and making friends with like-minded people can help ease the transition. 

If you're looking to make friends with other expats, you can join expat groups, but meeting locals can prove more challenging. We recommend joining an interest group like a running or hiking club or a book club to meet new people and build your community in Beijing. 

Useful links

• Beijing Hikers 
• Beijing Hash House Harriers
• Beijing Volunteer Service Federation