10 Fun Things You Can Do for Free in Beijing

Dream - Beijing is often a destination for most tourists. Beijing is perfect for those who love shopping, cheap public transportation, and relatively affordable food.

In addition to the affordable costs, there are also opportunities to visit contemporary Chinese cultural places, traditional arts, and history for free.

By tightly managing your budget, you can still enjoy the entire range of travel experiences while in the capital of China.

What are some of the destinations that tourists can visit for free?

Tiananmen Square

Located in the heart of the city, Tiananmen Square is the most iconic landmark in Beijing and a national symbol of the People's Republic of China.

As the largest public square in the world, it is a monumental sight with a tense and intimidating atmosphere, showcasing all the military grandeur and Soviet-style austerity.

The square is surrounded by the socialist realism architecture of the National Museum of China and the Great Hall of the People.

The best time to visit is during the military flag-raising ceremony, which takes place every day at sunrise and sunset. However, you should arrive a little earlier to get a good view.

Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

In the center of Tiananmen Square lies one of the most iconic sights in Beijing: the mausoleum of the founder of communist China, Chairman Mao.

Travelers gather here from all provinces of China and even from other countries to pay their respects, with long queues for a glimpse of the Chairman.

Despite Mao's desire to be cremated, his body was instead embalmed and displayed here, where it has been open to the public since 1977.

Wild Great Wall

You can visit the great wall, which is one of the most enduring symbols of the country. Beijing is one of the best places to start a journey to the Great Wall.

Here you can get a more peaceful experience, far from the hustle and bustle, as befits such a magnificent sight.

Located about 100km (62 miles) from Beijing, there you can see stunning scenery and it is worth visiting for walkers and photographers who want to have a collection of cool photos.

Ming City Wall Ruins Park

There is more than one great wall to see in the Beijing area. Such as the Ming City Wall Ruins that stretches for 24 km (15 miles) around the city, this wall is the last remnants of a wall that was 15m (49 feet) high.

Currently, only two km (1.2 miles) of the wall remains, which were demolished to accommodate Beijing's expanding highways and subway system.

Located amidst peaceful parks, these ruins make for a pleasant stroll, and you can enjoy a slice of history while contemplating what Beijing will be like in 500 years.

Ming City Wall Ruins

Beijing Exhibition Hall, located in a Soviet-style building from the 1950s facing Tiananmen Square, is a spacious area covering 5,000 years of Chinese history through all dynasties and ages, including Buddha and Bronze art and sculptures.

Other free museums you can visit include the Overseas Chinese History Museum for an interesting background on Chinese settlements abroad, the Lu Xun Museum for the celebration of the father of modern Chinese literature, the Capital Museum for some beautiful artifacts, and the Beijing Museum of Natural History for dinosaur fossils (among many other species on display, including some questionable taxidermy).

National Art Museum

Another monumental building from the era of the Cultural Revolution is an impressive art gallery featuring works by Chinese and international artists.

In addition to the permanent collection, the museum features ever-changing themed exhibitions on everything from ancient sutra scroll calligraphy to contemporary Chinese abstract painters. To enter, you must bring your passport.

798 Art Factory

If you are an art lover, this place is perfect for you to visit. This extensive art district originated from a 1950s factory, complete with fading cultural revolution slogans still visible on the ceilings.

It has now developed into a complex of galleries and public art installations showcasing a full range of emerging and established artists, as well as cafes, design shops, bars, and live music venues.

Hutongs

Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of Beijing is the traditional hutong residential area.

This distinctive neighborhood consists of bustling alleyways filled with the sounds of locals, such as children playing endless mahjong games.

Unfortunately, many hutongs have been demolished to make way for roads, but there are still areas you can visit, like around the Drum Tower, the Old Temple, and the Xisi area, as well as Dashilar, which was formerly a red-light district.

Modern architecture

While many come to Beijing in search of the charm of the old world, such as palaces, temples, gates, drum towers, and pavilions, the city also has state-of-the-art futuristic architecture on par with modern metropolises worldwide.

There is no more iconic example than the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, which served as the venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The building is located next to the National Aquatics Centre, better known as the Water Cube, and was used in the Olympics, featuring a foam-like exterior that is also illuminated at night.

Other contemporary buildings include the silver National Centre for the Performing Arts, which leaps out of the water like a giant blob of mercury, the CCTV Headquarters or Big Pants, and Beijing's tallest building.

Panjiayuan Market

Not only the shopping center and a series of local attractions that attract attention, but there is also a flea market here that can please the eye with the goods on display.

Panjiayuan Beijing will not disappoint with many stalls offering antiques and handicrafts.

You can explore to buy unique souvenirs and make your travels even more enjoyable.

Source: Lonelyplanet.com, Report: Reana Safira