1. 798 art district
The Bauhaus profile of this former arms factory has become an iconic symbol of how old Beijing has been reinvented as a hip cultural producer. But money changes everything and popularity has meant the big guns of the international art world have moved into the 798 complex and pushed the starving artists who got the whole scene started to new, cheaper digs in outlying villages such as Caochangdi. These days the area attracts art buyers and is full of tour parties as well as the ubiquitous art students taking a picture of steam jetting from one of the pipes that criss-cross this former factory. If the weather is nice, spend a day wandering from gallery to gallery and stop for a bite at Timezone 8 – the cafe and art book store that has been at the centre of this booming area since its humble beginnings.
2. National Art Museum of China (NAMOC)
Chinese art developed almost completely separately from that in the west and, considering its age, imported techniques and mediums have only become popular relatively recently. NAMOC was opened by Chairman Mao in 1963 to showcase modern Chinese art and now sports a great collection of traditional Chinese ink and wash paintings as well as the sort of socialist-themed pieces you would expect at a museum set up by the communist party. But don't make the mistake of thinking that this museum is stuffy; though the exhibited works are hardly likely to contain anything too controversial, there's a smattering of contemporary pieces that have sent international collectors into a tizz.
3. Tea ceremony
No trip to China would be complete without taking a pit stop for a traditional cuppa. Even though the Chinese tea ceremony is as steeped in tradition as neighbouring Japan, it does not go in for the latter's rigid set of rules and concentrates more on setting the perfect mood. To get the full treatment, as well as a bit of philosophy, head to the Confucian Teahouse where the owner will take you through the ritual step by step – in the busy season, it may be wise to make an appointment first. Beijing also has a thriving market with a capital 'tea' where you can load up on all the oolong you can handle. Watch out for student fraudsters wanting to go to teahouses to 'practice their English' – especially near Tiananmen and Qianmen – or you'll find yourself with a nastily inflated bill of around a hundred pounds.
4. Kung fu
One of China's most famous exports is the myriad forms of kung fu. Meaning "attainment through effort", kung fu is a western umbrella term that covers many martial arts. See many of them performed by the Shaolin-trained monks, who play-fight their way through a tenuous plotline filled with impressive stunts such as snapping iron bars over their heads in the Vegas-style show, The Legend of Kung Fu at the Red Theatre – it's even got English subtitles. Those who want the ultimate hands on experience should contact the Chinese Culture Club or the Milun School of Traditional Kung Fu for lessons.
5. Acrobatics
The ability to shimmy up a length of bamboo might prepare one for life as a scaffolder over here, but when is the ability to juggle large flowerpots with your feet going to come in handy? As well as these accomplishments, see 12 girls on a bike, small children folding themselves in half into a pipe and many odd feats of skill and balance at one of Beijing's four theatres offering nightly acrobatic performances. Like the sign outside Chaoyang Theatre says: novel, beautiful, odd and thrilling. But mainly just odd.
6. Peking opera
Like most things highbrow, Peking opera is an acquired taste. You may choose not to spend the time necessary to get hooked on "jingju", but experience it once, if just for novelty value – you certainly won't forget the performance, music and colourful costumes in a hurry. Leave the three-hour marathon performances to the locals and head to a tourist-friendly greatest hits performance – it may be the Jive Bunny mega-mix of an ancient artform, but you'll get to see it at its most dramatic and palatable. Also head down to the park which surrounds the Temple of Heaven, where pensioners congregate to sing opera alfresco – at least if you don't like it you can always walk away.
7. Crosstalk
Opera and acrobatics may be old hat to most young Beijingers, but the ancient art of 'xiangsheng' (crosstalk) has undergone a recent renaissance. First thought to have been performed around 200BC during the Han Dynasty and perfected during the Qing (1644-1911AD), these satirical skits have often fallen foul of China's turbulent political climate through the ages, most recently under the Communists. Though even hardened linguists might have a hard time understanding all that goes on in these gruff quickfire performances, they are a uniquely Chinese art form and the closest thing you'll get to stand-up comedy in China.
8. Ballet
The National Ballet of China (NBC) is a cutting edge company which often works with modern dance choreographers in creating new interpretations of classics. In fact the famously obtuse and brilliant Parisian choreographer, Roland Petit writes pieces just for them. Not bad for a company who leapt to fame performing the Red Detachment of Women – one of the eight works that it was possible to perform during China's Cultural Revolution. Most months see the company put on a few performances at either the Tianqiao Theatre or the egg - the new National Theatre next to Tiananmen Square.
9. Ballroom dancing
Every night across China, couples of a certain age gravitate to open spaces and practice ballroom dancing. The sight of 100 pensioners waltzing in a car park or piazza is undeniably strange, but is one of the many unusual things that go on in this multi-faceted country. Great to watch, better to join in. The best places are the North Gate of the Workers' Stadium on Gongti Bei Lu or at the south end of Houhai, next to the Starbucks on Lotus Lane, just off Pingan Dajie.
10. Kite flying
Beijing certainly seems like a good place to retire, as old folk can be seen enjoying themselves everywhere - playing mahjong at a table set under a tree, walking barefoot and backwards across cobblestones in the park or just hanging out in shop doorways. But the favourite pensioner pastime is kite flying and on windy days the sky over the city is peppered with kites as people line every bit of open ground and bridge top gazing up as their pride and joy just sort of sits there doing nothing – it's like fishing only upside-down and with neck ache. Join the greying throng by heading down to the family-run former kite makers to the Qing royals and snapping up a handmade Aston Martin of a kite then finding anywhere with a breeze and joining in this relaxing hobby.
10. 放纸鸢作者: kuangye678 时间: 2011-4-15 11:11
I have never been in Beijing.so i want to travel to in the future/作者: xiaomeixin 时间: 2011-4-15 16:48
What a pity!I haven't been in Beijing even once.作者: davy10 时间: 2011-4-15 20:48
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What a pity!I haven't been in Beijing even once..gif)
