'''Haidian''' (_C__ ''H?idian'') is a large district in the north-west of Beijing.
Get in
Haidian has been a major beneficiary of the recent subway expansions: the new lines 10 and 13 make it easier to reach by public transport. Taxis from the central Beijing districts may take 30-45 minutes; buses even longer.
See
The Summer Palace. _a? Yiheyuan. round \30. Extensive gardens and the ruins of palaces constructed by the Qing emperors. In 1860, foreign soldiers damaged much of what was then known as the "Garden of Clear Ripples", but the area would be rebuilt and renamed by the Empress Dowager Cixi, using funds intended for modernizing the Qing navy. Most visitors stay in the front hill area, but if you prefer quiet places, the west bank and back hill areas are good choices. There are some quiet and secret ruins, caves, and other fun stuff in the back hill area. You could easily take bus No. 690 or 808 from Tian'anmen Square to the terminal station, the Summer Palace. The Bus 826 would bring you from Temple of Heaven to Summer Palace.
The Old Summer Palace. __? Yuanmingyuan. 10 entrance. 86 10 62543673. 8 Qinghua West Road __?___H28__. Built in the 18th and early 19th centuries, these gardens were home to the emperors and Qing court. After their 1860 destruction by British and French troops the gardens was not restored, and the ruins that can be seen today still serve as a reminder of the costs of imperialism. Bus 690 from Tian'anmen will also get you here.
Fragrant Hills. __R Xi?ng Sh?n. n the northwest of Beijing. dmission Fee is \10, students \5. A good place for weekend outings and picnics. Formerly a Qing imperial garden, today Fragrant Hills makes an easy short climb in the suburbs of Beijing. It's also home to the Fragrant Hills Hotel, designed by noted architect I.M. Pei (Louvre Museum Pyramid). Take buses 331, 360 or 634 to the last stop.
Beijing Botanical Gardens. k___A__? B?ij?ng Zhiwu Yuan. 10, students \5. ake buses 331, 726. Steps away from the east gate of Fragrant Hill. Acres of greenery and flowers for those tired of urban smog and traffic noise. Sir Johnston, teacher of the last emperor Puyi, had a villa in Cherry Glen, a silent and beautiful retreat in the Gardens. In the spring, the gardens hosts special exhibits of tulips, peach and plum blossoms, peonies, and the like.
Five Pagoda Temple. _____ W?t? Si. 4 Waitaisi Cun, Baishiqiao ____?________24__. The "Five Pagoda Temple" is the popular name of the Diamond-Throne Tower that is at the heart of the Temple of the Great Righteous Awakening (___^?__ ''Dazh?njiao Si''). Most of the wooden temple was burnt down in 1860 and 1900, but the beautiful brick and marble Diamond-Throne Tower, which dates back to the late fifteenth century, survived. The temple area is now used to house the '''Beijing Art Museum of Stone Carvings'''. Right on the southern border of Haidian, north-west of the Zoo across the Changhe River. Take the subway to Xizhimen, and then take Bus 106 to Beijing Library and walk 500m east.
Purple Bamboo Park. __|_@__? Z?zhuyuan G?ngyuan. 5. One of the larger parks in Beijing, this is centered around three connected lakes. As the name indicates, there is an outstanding variety of bamboo groves here. Walk 2km west from the Zoo, or take Bus 601 from Xizhimen to the park's south gate (___|_@__? ''Z?zhuyuan Nanmen'').
Wanshou Temple. _____ Wanshou Si. 86 10 68413380. ihuan Huanbeilu __??_k_H. Built in 1577, this Ming-era temple now houses the '''Beijing Art Museum''' (_k__??____? ''B?ij?ng Yishu Bowugu?n''), which has a sizable collection of ancient artwork. Just north-west of Purple Bamboo Park; from Xizhimen take Bus 362 to Purple Bamboo Bridge North (___|?_k ''Z?zhu Qiao B?i'').
Great Bell Temple & Museum. _?____?____? Dazh?ng Si G?zh?ng Bowugu?n. Also known as the Temple of Awakening Life (?____ ''Juesh?ng Si''). Home to the fifteenth-century Yongle Great Bell which, at 6.94m tall 46.5 tons, is the largest bell in China. The 227,000 Chinese characters inscribed on it spell out Buddhist sutras. Subway Line 13 to Dazhongsi, and then walk 400m west.
Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution. ____l___v__?______? Zh?ngguo Renmin Geming J?nshi Bowugu?n. 86 10 68529647. ntrance fee is \20. A great place to read the official Chinese version of what happened in Chinese military history, from ancient times up to 1949. There are also airplanes, boats, guns, missiles, rockets and vehicles on display (including U.S. military hardware evidently seized during the Korean conflict). The exhibit in "The Hall of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea" was unfortunately inaccessible as of April 2007. You can pay an extra \5 to take a picture in a 1980's era Chinese tank.
Yuyuantan Park. ____K__?; Yuyu?ntan G?ngyuan; also known as Jade Lake Park. anlihe Road, West Ring Road Three (___O?_H_O_____H; X?s?nhuanlu S?nl?helu). ust inside West Ring Road Three, across from the CCVT tower, northeast of Gongzhufen Metro Station (line 1). 86 10 8865 3806. yt1@beijingyuyuantanpark.com. ttp://www.beijingyuyuantanpark.com/. AM-10:30PM. 2. Huge park with cherry blossoms, tulips, lake with boats for rent, water park and playgrounds. Popular for picnic or kite flying.
Zizhuyuan Park. __|_@__?; Z?zhuyuan G?ngyuan; also known as Purple Bamboo Garden. 5 Baishiqiao Road (____?_H45__; Baishiqiaolu). etro Line 4 will pass close by when finished, till then take buses 114, 334, 347, 360, 482, 534, 601, 714 to Zizhuyuan South Gate Station (___|_@__?). 86 10 6842 5851. ummer 6AM-9PM; winter 6AM-8PM. ree. Park with artificial hills and lakes. A large number of different bamboo species can be seen here.
Do
Tour the University District. Peking and Tsinghua universities are the two most prestigious in China, and have attractive campuses next to one another at the center of Beijing's university district. Not many tourists visit, and so during the summer vacation months they can be relatively tranquil spots amidst Beijing busyness. Walk west from Wudaokou (______ ''W?daok?u'') on subway line 13.
Read about China at the National Library. ___??? Guoji? Tush?gu?n. 86 10 88544114. ttp://www.nlc.gov.cn/en/indexen.htm. ebmaster@nlc.gov.cn. 3 Zhongguancun Nadajie _C______?_______X33__. The National Library has a large collection of books in English about China. Day-passes can obtained for a small fee.
Buy
Golden Resources Shopping Mall. ___?__?_____S J?nyuan Shidai Gouwu Zh?ngx?n. ear Yuanda Bridge / Yuanda Road off the West Fourth Ring Road in Haidian District. The mall covers 680.000 square meters, and is the second largest in Asia. Multiple stories, snaking alleys, infinite shopping opportunities... you get the gist.
Zhongguancun. _?__ Zh?nggu?nc?n. For the more technologically-oriented tourist, is a must. Located a couple miles from Tsinghua University, this area is dubbed the "Silicon Valley of China." There are a number of large electronics malls that sell everything from phones to computer parts. Pirated software and DVDs are also not hard to find here. Many of the shady characters outside the malls shouting 'DVD!' also sell pornography (illegal in China).The largest and most well-known malls include:
:* <buy name="Hailong" alt="_C?____ H?ilong Dasha"></buy>
:* <buy name="Dinghao" alt="_C_D____ Dingh?o Dasha"></buy>
Eat
Dong Lai Shun. __? D?ng Lai Shun" email=". aily 11 AM-2 PM and 5-9 PM. This king of Beijing hotpot has been around since the 19th century. Founded by the Hui (ethnic Muslims), Donglaishun serves halal cuts of top-quality lamb and beef. Also serves cooked-by-chef dishes, including traditional Beijing sweets.
:* <eat name="Haidian branch" address="25 Yiheyuan Lu, ?_a?_H25__, Haidian"></eat>
'''Wudaokou''' (______ ''W?daok?u''), where most of the foreign and local university students hang out. There are a number of bars and restaurants which serve a great variety of wine, beer and liquor for cheap. This area is also well known for its huge Korean population and a good place to find Korean food.
:* <eat name="Isshin Japanese Restaurant" alt="___S___{____ Y?x?n Rib?n Liaol?" address="Courtyard of 35 Chengfu Lu ___{_H35___@">An inexpensive and tasty Japanese restaurant that is packed most nights. 25m north-west of the Wudaokou subway station in a small courtyard.</eat>
:* <eat name="Jiaheyipin Congee Restaurant" alt="___a___i Ji?hey?p?n " address="35 Chengfu Lu ___{_H35__">Branches of this excellent congee restaurant can be found across Beijing. This one is just west of the Wudaokou subway station.</eat>
Drink
Sculpting in Time. ___?__ Di?oke Shigu?ng. ttp://www.sitcoffee.com. Laid-back cafe with free wifi and a small menu of food. Popular with both locals and foreigners. They now have eight branches across Beijing.
:* <drink name="Wudaokou Branch" phone="+86 10 82863094" address="Fl. 2, Building 12, Huaqing Jiayuan ___{_H?____?12 ___O2 __3-4F">South-west of the Wudaokou subway station.</drink>
:* <drink name="Fragrant Hills Branch" phone="+86 10 82590040" address="50 Maimai Rd, Fragrant Hills ___R??_X50__">Just a little east from the main gate of the Fragrant Hills.</drink>
Lush. evel 2, Bld. 1, Huaqing Jiayuan, Wudaokou ______?____?1___O2?. ttp://www.lushbeijing.com/. 86 10 82863566. A very popular foreign student hangout, this bar has an open-mic night on Sundays.
Propaganda. 86 10 82893991. Just south of '''Lush''' & '''Sculpting in Time''', this bar/club is packed on weekends, with a mix of mainly Korean, Japanese, and Western students.
D-22. 42 Chengfu Lu ___{_H242__. 86 10 62653177. ttp://www.d22beijing.com.cn. One of Beijing's most dynamic venues for live music (predominantly rock and punk). Walk 1.5km west from Wudaokou station, or east from Peking University East Gate.
Sleep
Budget
PekingUni International Youth Hostel. k________?___N___q; B?ij?ng Weiming Guojiq?ngnianl?she. 50 Chengfu Road (___{_H150__; Chengf?lu). lose to Wudaokou Metro Station (line 13). 86 10 6254 9667. 86 10 6263 5073. ttp://www.pekinghostel.com.cn/index_e.html. iscounted rates for dorms/doubles without bathroom/doubles with bathroom from \50/\360/\410 without breakfast. Free internet, guest kitchen and bike hire available. Restaurant and bar.
Huayetianyuan Hotel. k___V?__??? (__??_V???); B?ij?ngti?nyuanhuidab?ngu?n (Yuanhuayeti?nyuanb?ngu?n). 6 Westend of North Ring Road Three (___O?_k_H86__; X?s?nhuanb?ilu). ongzhufen Metro Station (line 1) and from there buses 374, 394, 437, 658, 704, 809, 944 or 968 to Hangtianqiao North Station (_q_V?_k). 86 10 5979 8001. 86 10 6847 5395. isted rates for doubles including breakfast \228, discounted \163. Rooms with free internet, aircon and fridge. Business center, beauty salon and ticket office available. Chinese restaurant.
Longwu Jingpin Hotel. k_________i___X; B?ij?nglongw?j?ngp?nji?dian. 5 Enjili (__?__35__; ?njil?). nside Northend of West Ring Road Four, bus 653 to Enjixijie Station (__?___X). 86 10 8815 5757. 86 10 8815 3068. ttp://www.longwuhotel.com/. isted price for doubles from \250, discounted from \198; breakfast \20. Rooms with free internet. The cheapest rooms are quite small. Business center, beauty salon, ticket office and laundry service available.
Beijing Longquanhu Hotel. k__?_______X; B?ij?ngongquanhuji?dian. Shangdi Second Street (___n___X2__; Shangdierji?). 00m west of Shangdi Metro Station (line 13), or bus 963 to Shanddihuandaonan Station(___n??__). 86 10 8277 2626. ongquanhu8@163.com. 86 10 8277 2788. ttp://www.lqhhotel.com/facilities_zh-cn.php. isted rates for doubles from \238, discounted from \181; breakfast \10. Three star hotel. Rooms with free internet. Meeting facilities, beauty salon, ticket office, laundry service and fitness available. Chinese restaurant, bar and room service.
Mid range
Xinxing Hotel. k___V??? B?ij?ng X?nx?ng B?ngu?n. o.17 the 3rd Ring Rd Middle West ___O_k___H17__. 86 10 68166688. bout $50 per night. Free internet access, but you need to ask for a room with it (you should also ask in advance too). The staff are friendly, but their English is minimal. It is mostly Chinese tourists and businessmen that stay here. Chinese breakfast is served on the second floor in the morning until 9AM. There is also a swimming pool in a separate building.
BJ Song Lu Sheng Fang Holiday Hotel. 6-10-88637878. ttp://www.bjsonglushengfanghotel.com. ates start at \331.14. This 3-star hotel lies along Haidian District's Tiancun Road. It is just 20 km from Beijing Capital Airport and only 15 minutes from the West Railway Station. BJ Song Lu Sheng Fang Holiday Hotel offers 100 guestrooms, it is aptly furnished with air-conditioning, cable TV, and a mini-bar for a truly restful stay. 8 Tiancun Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
Beijing Zhong Yu Century Grand Hotel. k_____T__?_____X B?ij?ng Zh?ng Yu Shiji Daji?dian. 1 Lianhuachi East Road, Haidian District ___q___k__??___r?_H31__. 86 10 63989999. ttp://www.beijingzhongyucentury.com. rom \360. Located in Haidian District, the second-largest district in the capital_fs urban area. It offers 208 air-conditioned rooms and appointed with a cable TV, mini-bar, refrigerator, room safe, IDD/ DDD telephone and broadband Internet.
Shanshui Trends Hotel. R__?_____X (_k___q_V?_X); Sh?nshu?shishangji?dian (B?ij?nghangti?nqiaodian). 0 Fucheng Road (_____H10__; Fuchenglu). ust east of West Ring Road Three, buses 37, 121, 603, 624, 631, 645, 846 to Hangtianqiaodong Station (_q_V??). 86 10 8810 0100. 86 10 8810 0200. isted rates for doubles from \388, discounted \181; no breakfast available.. Rooms with free internet and aircon. Gift shop, ticket office and laundry service available. Chinese restaurant and rooms service.
Sariz International Hotel. he Gate Building, 19 Zhongguancun Avenue. 86 10 82488866. ttp://www.sarizinternationalhotel.com. ates start at \620.05. This five-star hotel is just a 15-minute drive from the Bird's Nest stadium and Water Cube. It offers 224 air-conditioned guestrooms and is equipped with an LCD TV with cable, computer, broadband Internet, mini-bar, and refrigerator. It offers top class facilities and services such as Chinese and Western Restaurants, fitness center, health club, and three meeting rooms.
Royal King Hotel. Z____?___X Rongj?n Guoji Ji?dian . 86 10 62589999. ttp://www.royalkinghotelbeijing.com. Located in Haidian District, and has convenient access to the country's so-called Silicon Valley, Zhongguancun, and many of the city's cultural and historic attractions. Their rooms are air-conditioned and fitted with free high-speed Internet access, LCD TV with satellite channels, a DDD/ IDD phone, and private toilet and bath with sprinkler shower. Among their facilities includes a health club that features steam bath, gymnasium, and jacuzzi, spa, beauty salon and barber shop, an indoor swimming pool, a dicso, and a bar.
Friendship Hotel. F??? Y?uyi B?ngu?n. Zhongguancun Nandajie __?_______X1__. 86 10 68498888. ttp://www.bjfriendshiphotel.com/english/index.asp. Built back in 1954 for foreign visitors to Beijing, this has been extensively modernized and remains a busy hotel.
Splurge
Crowne Plaza Beijing Zhongguancun. k____?___c_________X; B?ij?ng Zh?nggu?nc?nhuanggu?njiari Ji?dian. 06 Zhichun Road (_m_t_H106__; Zh?ch?nlu). 00m east of Haidianuangzhuang Metro Station (line 10). 86 10 5993 8888. nfo@cp-zhongguancun.com. 86 10 5993 8999. ttp://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/pegzg?rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/cp/1/en/hotelsearchresults. isted rates for doubles from ¥1,826, discounted rates from ¥772, breakfast ¥170 (included for more expensive rooms). Rooms with internet access (against surcharge in cheaper rooms). Business center, fitness, swimming pool and sauna available. Chinese and Western restaurants as well as bar. The service is ok, but the level of English spoken here is a bit disappointing. The location is not very interesting, but the metro is not far away.
Contact