With a week of Chinese New Year celebrations creeping up on us in just a few days those of us not leaving Beijing for some warm island destination are racking our brains for things to do – especially things to do that’ll keep the whole family entertained.
From someone who actually enjoys staying in Beijing during Chinese New Year, here’s the insider’s bucket list for the week that doesn’t include any of those stereotypical tourist traps. Let’s face it, no one actually enjoys going to temple fairs…
Subway photoshoot
During that week the Beijing subway system turns into something completely different – they’re empty! Hop on one of the circle lines (Line 2 or Line 10) and strike a pose. This is the only time of the year when you’re able to snap photos of Beijing’s beautiful subway system.
Get a hutong haircut
Take a stroll around houhai (or any hutong) and you’re bound to see street side barbers even in the middle of winter. They set up their chairs on the side up with their basic tools and a little mirror. While you’re not going to be able to get a perm or anything fancy, they can give decent haircuts for pennies on the dollar (or here, maos on the kuai). Local traditions say that cutting your hair in the month after Chinese New Year will bring bad luck to your lunch, so get check this one off your list quickly.
Make dumplings at home
There are dumpling-making classes all over the city around Chinese New Year but for me, I’ve never found dumpling making to be difficult at all. The stuffing is a mix of what you like to eat. Who says you need to follow any recipe word for word? Put in whatever you and your family like and create your own recipes. As for the dough, well, that’s just water and flour (and a touch of salt if you want to get fancy). But if that’s challenging, buy a pack of pre-made dumpling wrappers from any supermarket and spend a fun-packed afternoon at home for a fraction of the price that classes around the city are charging.
Relive your youth
For the parents who were once students in Beijing but have yet to make a single trip back to Haidian after graduation, during the week of Chinese New Year it takes less than 30 mins to get from CBD to Wudaokou. Now we’re not recommending you hit up Propaganda for a hangover you’ll regret for days to come, but taking a stroll around your alma mater is a sweet taste of nostalgia.
Ducking good food
While this last one can be done anytime, why not treat yourself to an amazing Peking duck over Chinese New Year? If you’re over ducks, we urge you to head on over to Dongcheng District and track down one of the roast lamb leg restaurants. These humble looking local eateries feature some of the most succulent cuts of lamb served off of the rotisserie in the middle of your table. Rumor has it, calories don’t count during the holidays.
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