How to Get to The Oct 13-14 Pizza Fest (Shuttle Bus Edition)

While Haidian haunts like Zhongguancun are off the beaten path of many a Beijing expat, who may prefer the dusty hutongs or shiny CBD joints, this weekend's Beijing Pizza Fest, Oct 13-14 at Zhongguancun Software Park, is a tempting opportunity to break some fresh ground in an exciting, untapped locale. That prospect is, of course, made all the more enticing given the number of delectable pizza slices being served up at the event, not to mention the breezier ambiance (especially compared to chock-a-block crowd density at more centrally located events).

Better still: getting to Zhongguancun is not anywhere difficult as the daunting name may otherwise imply, thanks to subway upgrades that make the route a quick hop, skip, and a jump from the center.

A Cheesy Journey to the West

To get to this year's event, held at the sprawling Zhongguancun Software Park, simply take subway Line 13 to Xi'erqi (西二旗) station. After that, walk one block to Shangdi 10th Street to the entrance of the park, a sleek, modern, airy venue with loads of green space to settle down on as you munch away on the vendors' cheesy wares.

For everything you need to know about the event, including an interactive map, click here.
 

But Wait, There's Also a Shuttle Bus!

A total of two routes for shuttle buses will also be heading to the event: one from Wudaokou Hualian and one from Workers' Stadium, in the heart of Sanlitun.

Route 1: Wudaokou Hualian leaving at: 11am, midday, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm

Route 2: Workers' Stadium North Gate leaving at: 1pm, 3pm

The maximum number of passengers for each bus is 50. You can catch the bus back to their point of origin once they have dropped off their passengers at the Software Park.
 

Making a Day of It

Many a savvy Pizza Fest attendee will be keen to double up and visit another event in the vicinity. While filling up at our doughy happening, there'll also be a bucketload of bands, DJs, and live entertainment rolling on and off stage throughout the day.

If you're feeling extra snazzy, remember to come in your chicest threads on account of this year's theme: Roman Holiday, after the iconic 1953 romantic comedy starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. This year, we pay homage to the Italian capital and the iconic dish that the country birthed – pizza – by eating a lifetime's worth of the stuff.

Now that you know how to get there, read all about the entertainment that awaits you.

Early bird tickets for the 2018 Beijing Pizza Fest are now sold out but you will still be able
to buy tickets on the door for RMB 30. Finally, click here for all of this year's Pizza Festival coverage.

Photos courtesy of the organizers, travelchinaguide.com, Paramount Pictures