TGIF: Make the Most of Your Weekend With These Killer Activities
The weekend is here! Time for fun, relaxation, and recharging the ol' batteries ahead of *gulp* Monday morning's alarm clock. Luckily enough, there’s plenty of fun stuff to keep you occupied over the weekend that doesn't necessarily involve getting blitzed. Our TGIF roundup offers you some of the best.
Go boating
What better way to cool off in the choking heat than drifting lazily along one of Beijing's central lakes? Boating season is upon us, with many of the waterways around the city (mostly located in Xicheng and Haidian districts) now open from now until the end of summer. Check our top five picks for summer boating here.
Go to a gig
Israeli musician Liron Man, one of the world’s top handpan players, joins Chinese guzheng player Lucy Luan at CHAO Hotel this Saturday for promises to be an unforgettable show. Check out our recent interview with Man here. Otherwise, there are a huge number of shows taking place elsewhere around town.
While away the weekend at a summer retreat
The area surrounding Beijing is a mountainous oasis filled with pebbled brooks, lakes, and even waterfalls. Located in one such area is Jiangnanyi Boutique Hotel in Miyun District, which our colleague recently visited for a weekend away. The hotel is a family-owned business with a very accommodating vibe, warm service, and fully equipped for everything you might need to party, explore, and generally relax (by the pool!). There are also a number of other guesthouses nearby should this one be fully booked. Check out our full review here.
Take an impromptu jaunt on Beijing's ballooning subway system
The ever-extending Beijing subway lines have the benefit of improving daily commutes for so many of the city's citizens. For those of us who already live close to the center, however, they provide an easy means to get out and explore some of Beijing's newly unlocked tourist destinations. One of our favorite less-visited areas is Fahai Temple (alight at Yangzhuang Station) and the nearby Cuiwei Mountain in Shijingshan. The remote location means that you can easily pair your temple visit with a nature excursion and hike. Check what else to see around Line 6 here, and read up on how to stay safe on Beijing hikes here.
Watch a Chinese TV show
Chinese music lovers have been gripped recently by the new show The Big Band (乐队的夏天). Produced by the video-streaming platform iQiyi, the show features 31 independent bands from all over China, including relative big names such as New Pants (pictured at top), Mr. Sea Turtle, Miserable Faith, and Hedgehog (pictured above). While the show doesn’t come with English subtitles, the language barrier here shouldn't prove a major problem since the big draw are the band's performances, making it a great entry point into China's music scene. Watch it here.
Alternatively, try one of Beijing's newest bars.
More stories by this author here.
Email: kuang@thebeijinger.com
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