From Sanlitun (三里屯), to Solana (蓝色港湾), to The Place (世贸天阶), to HouHai (后海), Beijing is a city full of endless entertainment and wonders. The beauty of the incredible CCTV Tower in Guomao, the stunning LED ceilings in The Place (世贸天阶), the Beijing traditional zhajiangmian (炸酱面) in Houhai, and the outdoor luxury shopping malls in Solana are all attractions you cannot miss!
Speaking of these places, why not allow me, a real teen Beijinger, take you on a one day tour in this vast city? Grab your cameras, and let’s get going!
7:00 am: The Early Bird goes for an early walk in my neighborhood, Merlin Garden
It’s always nice to start your day off with a walk early in the morning when the air is still fresh in Beijing.
Shall we take the subway to Sanlitun? The Beijing subway might seem like a jungle, but you’ll never know how convenient it is for getting around Beijing! We will be taking Subway Line 6 for nine stations from BaiShiQiao Nan to HuJiaLou, then switch to Line 10 for one station to reach TuanJieHu.
10:00 am: Off to TaiKooLi, Sanlitun
TaiKooLi, Sanlitun houses the best shopping malls, restaurants, and is known for its bar street. It has some of the biggest brands that teens love such as Apple, Hollister, Adidas, and much more. Tag your friends along for a shopping spree.
12:00 pm: Lunch
Even though we’re in Beijing, foreign foods are still the tastiest, but it’s nice to try Chinese-style pizza once in a while. Lets head to TubeStation Pizza in the north of Sanlitun. Sit down with your friends and chillax while you eat. Other than the gigantic pizzas, french fries with cheese is a must!
Pizzas: Small: 48 RMB – 60 RMB, Medium: 115 RMB – 170 RMB, Large: 150 RMB – 220 RMB; Salads: 33 RMB – 45 RMB, French Fries: 23 RMB, Fries with Cheese: 29 RMB, BBQ Wings: 34 RMB, Onion Rings: 23 RMB, Soft Drinks: 15 RMB
Let’s take a taxi for a change. Experiencing a Beijing taxi ride is like riding an everlasting roller coaster. You look outside the window and all you see are cars, trucks, and bicycles jammed together.
2:00 pm: Off to Solana
Solana here we go! This outdoor shopping mall houses the most luxurious shops, foods, and outdoor environment in the city.
6:00 pm: Dinner at Houhai
Houhai has some of the most traditional Beijing restaurants around the city. Order zhajiangmian, try some noodle soup, sit down with your family, and enjoy the beautiful Houhai at HaiWanJu. It will be a night to remember!
Zhajiangmian: 20 RMB, Guanchang: 18 RMB, Spicy Tofu: 25 RMB, Meatball: 27 RMB, Noodle Soup: Free
*There are a lot of dishes in this restaurant. The list above has my personal recommendations.
7:00 pm: The Place is the Place to be
Now that dusk is approaching, why not spend a few minutes strolling down The Place in Guomao? The Place is known not only for luxurious shopping and gourmet restaurants, but also for the biggest LED screen in Asia. The art, the space, the colors, the lights projected on the screen are extraordinary.
10:00 pm: Fun in the pool
End your night by taking a swim in one of Beijing’s luxury hotels, The Westin along the Financial Street in XiCheng.
12:00 am: View the view
Lastly, wrap your day up by appreciating the stunning view of the Financial Street in the heart of XiCheng.
What a day! Beijing is such a beautiful city with the tastiest food, luxurious malls, and the best attractions.
It has been a long, fun, and certainly memorable day. Of course we didn’t get to visit all the places in Beijing, but if there’s a chance, I would love to take everyone on a Tour in Beijing 2.0. For now, share the memories and selfies with your friends, and show them how amazing Beijing is!
Jing Wen is currently a junior at Tsinghua International School. She writes for the school newspaper, Spartan Times, and is a member of her school’s dance club. Outside school, Jing is passionate about life and loves socializing with different people from a variety of places. Through the student correspondent program, Jing hopes to share stories about her life, school, and her Beijing experiences with the rest of world!
The beijingkids student correspondent program provides a resource for guidance, feedback, and real-life training to high school students interested in writing and journalism. If you are a student interested in becoming a beijingkids student correspondent, or you know a student who is, please contact jessicasuotmaa@beijing-kids.com.
Photos: courtesy of Jing Wen
