Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
1
CCTV Building
ARCHITECTURE
The headquarters for China Central TV is like no other building in the city, or anywhere
else. This Dutch-designed behemoth, known to the locals as 'big underpants', with its open
centre, seemingly defies gravity. Gardens around the complex were being landscaped at the
time of writing, so by the time you read this you should be able to wander beneath the
monster.
(
央视大楼
; 32 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu
东三环中路
32
号
;
Jintaixizhao)
Local Life
Ritan Park
One of Beijing's most pleasant parks, beautifully landscaped
Ritan
(
日坛公园
; Ritan Lu; admission free;
6am-9pm; Chaoyangmen) makes a lovely city-centre escape and is superb for watching the locals at play.
Activities include dancing, singing, kite flying, rock climbing (¥30 to ¥50), table tennis and pond fishing (¥5 per
hour). Otherwise, just stroll around and enjoy the flora, or head to the southwest of the park to the
Stone Boat
(
石
舫咖啡
; beers & coffee from ¥25, cocktails from ¥35;
10am-10pm) , a popular cafe in the day and chilled bar
at night.
2
Zhihua Temple
With its distinctive black-tiled roofs and an air of dilapidated grandeur, this little-visited
Ming-era temple is an oasis of calm in the busy downtown area. The highlight is the Tath-
agata Hall, with its cabinets for storing sutras and statues of the Sakyamuni Buddha.
(
智化
寺
; 5 Lumicang Hutong
禄米仓胡同
5
号
; admission ¥20;
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
9am-4.30pm Tue-Sun;
Jianguomen or
Chaoyangmen)
