Ditan Park-地坛公园

This chain of Dongbei restaurants is known for its authentic, homestyle Dongbei dishes - try the pickled cabbage, rib stew and la pi.

Open year-round, this "rink" is more like an ice track, but is the only rink in Beijing where you can practice the fine sport of curling! Caveat: ice in the off-season can be bumpy and rental skates are a bit brittle. Skating: RMB 26 (RMB 16 for students) per hour (includes skate rental); curling: RMB 400 per hour (call ahead to reserve the "sheet").

RMB 30 for unlimited pool use.

Cantonese chain that specializes in just about everything including dim sum. The quality is only so-so and the place is loud, but who can resist the pull of 24/7 neon? Be wary of the tacky auctions they hold on a nightly basis. Readers voted it "Best Cantonese" and "Outstanding Dim Sum" in the Beijinger's 2011 Restaurant Awards.

Fun includes canoe rides, a go-cart track, inflated castle, merry-go-round and more. Learn to curl at the Ditan Ice Arena. RMB 2 (adults), RMB 1 (students).

Nestled in a traditional courtyard inside the shady Ditan park, onemoon shows fine art from Chinese artists of different media and directions, all with an elegant feel.

Tango's first and larger location, at Yonghegong, is composed of three sections: a giant dance floor, a quieter lounge and a bar area where smaller music acts can be hosted. It also boasts an equally enormous club, Mango, on top and a cavernous KTV in the basement. The second location at Gongti Xilu is Tango's second location is a behemoth underground KTV city with 39 swanky private rooms and a free buffet.

Fresh “Gold Medal” beef in single-serving hot pots. The Qingnianhu Beijie location packs ‘em in.