Beijing Field Reports

Breakfast at Lao Sheng Xing in Beijing, with crab soup dumplings, duck blood vermicelli soup and familiar Jiangnan flavors in Guangqumen.

I returned to Xianyukou Street expecting its usual restaurants and busy food stalls, but this time I stepped inside Tianleyuan Theatre — 天乐园大戏楼. Behind the old frontage, I found a small Peking Opera theatre, embroidered costumes, old programmes, and a lively introduction to traditional opera roles. It was an unexpected find on a street I had walked many times before.

I recently walked Qianmen Street again and counted four hotels located directly on the 800-metre pedestrian street. From No. 58 to No. 143, they offer a chance to stay among the old-style shopfronts, restaurants, evening lights, and everyday crowds of Qianmen. This field report looks at what I noticed, including one practical detail: taxis cannot drive directly to the hotel entrances.

Looking for somewhere to sit down on Qianmen Street? I walked the 800-metre pedestrian street and noted three coffee shops, a craft beer bar, and a hotel lobby bar along the way. From coffee near Zhengyangmen to a beer farther south, these are simple places to slow down, rest your feet, and watch everyday Qianmen life pass by.

Looking for a toilet while walking Qianmen Street? This field report shows you where to find the public restroom in the southern part of the street, with an easy nearby landmark, plus a shared power-bank station and rubbish bins beside the entrance.

Chinese New Year in Beijing tastes warm and familiar. From copper hot pot to roast duck and candied hawthorn, I walk you through the dishes locals love — and where to find them — so you can experience the city one bite at a time.

Beijing, a city steeped in history and modernity, transforms into a vibrant hub of festivity during Chinese New Year (Also known as Spring Festival). For first-time visitors pondering over "How to spend Spring Festival in Beijing," this guide is a treasure trove of activities that encapsulate the essence of Chinese New Year in Beijing.