Beijing Like A Local

Hutongs are small neighborhoods consisting of modest courtyard houses with narrow streets between them. Wang, like many Beijingers, grew up in a hutong. “When I was a boy, I lived in a quadrangle courtyard in hutongs, which filled me with so many beautiful memories. Hence, I still like to have a walk or enjoy a coffee in hutongs as my way of relaxation,” he says. The hip WuDaoYing is Wang’s favorite and it’s known for being a more serene alternative to the bustling NanLuoGuXiang. Near the famous Lama Temple (12 Yonghegong St, Dongcheng), the alleyways of WuDaoYing Hutong boast vintage boutiques, a Tibetan style bar, independent designer studios, tearooms, and cafés with terraces.

One of Beijing's liveliest neighborhoods, Sanlitun attracts locals and foreigners alike at all times of day and night, thanks to its plethora of shops, bars, restaurants, and clubs. A modern take on a vintage dive bar, Janes + Hooch Bar (Building 10, 4 Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang District; +86-10-6503-2757) is a standout. The hidden bar features exposed brick, wood-paneled walls, polished cement floors, and untouched brass ceilings. Sip on cocktails like an Oolong fizz, a New Fashioned (walnut-infused rum with cacao bitters), or Black Forest Martini. “Not as noisy as clubs, Janes + Hooch is really a nice, proper place to hang out,” says Wang.

Taking a ride on a human-powered rickshaw is a classic experience in Beijing and the picturesque neighborhood of Shichahai is the perfect place for it. Shichahai is in the northwest part of Beijing and encompasses three lakes (Qianhai, meaning Front Sea; Houhai, meaning Back Sea, and Xihai, meaning West Sea). Its history goes as far back as the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234) and during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), Shichahai was the terminal point of the Great Canal. On an hour-long ride, your driver can regale you with the history of the area and tell you stories about the surrounding buildings. “It’s a great way to integrate yourself into the local culture and life,” says Wang.

798 Art Area (2 Jiuxianqiao Rd, Chaoyang; +86-10-5978-9798) is Beijing’s homegrown arts district and it’s a favorite of locals and visitors—especially for taking pictures. “While the big-name galleries at the city's famous industrial art enclave are always worth a visit, venture from the Instagram hotspots to see a few lesser-known treasures,” suggests Wang. He recommends the Highline, which is hidden away at the back of the complex (on the far eastern side). It’s a raised platform that offers close-up views of the now defunct factories and railway line, with wider vantages across the industrial landscape. Another cool spot is Originality Square, a fascinating display of Bauhaus architecture and home to international galleries like PACE and Faurschou.