Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
1
Capital Museum
MUSEUM
The Capital Museum has raised the bar for every cultural institution in town, thanks to both
its thoughtful presentation of some very impressive exhibits and the showcase building
housing them. The galleries track the evolution of Beijing, as well as highlighting major
Chinese cultural achievements. Be sure to visit the fascinating gallery devoted to Beijing
; admission free with passport;
9am-5pm Tue-Sun;
Muxidi)
2
Miaoying Temple White Dagoba
The largest surviving Yuan dynasty (1206-1368) monument in Beijing, the chalk-white pa-
goda here looms large over the surrounding
hutong,
which are well worth meandering
around as well. But the real highlights are the hundreds of glittering Tibetan Buddhist
statues in the
Hall of the Great Enlightened One
.
(
妙应寺白塔
; 171 Fuchengmennei Dajie
阜
成门内大街
171
号
; admission ¥20;
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
9am-5pm Tue-Sun;
Xisi)
Local Life
Houhai
Directly opposite the north gate of Beihai Park (
Click here
), the three
Houhai lakes
(
后海
; Shichahai, Nan-
luoguxiang or Jishuitan) are some of the capital's favourite outdoor spots. During the day, people fish, fly kites and
in the summer swim (we wouldn't advise that). At night the many bars and restaurants here spring into life. The
lakes are particularly good to cycle around and numerous places by the lakeshores hire out bikes by the hour (¥10
per hour, ¥200 deposit). In the winter, Houhai is the best place in the capital to ice-skate, and local vendors appear
magically to rent you all the gear you'll need.
