Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
POOL HALLS
Ever since China's most successful snooker player Ding Junhui burst onto the professional scene around 10
years ago, snooker and pool have been wildly popular in China, and there are now estimated to be around 1000
pool halls in Běijīng alone, most of which are tucked away down alleys, or hidden up on the 2nd floor above
shops. They're a great way of mixing with young locals in a non-touristy environment and they make for a
cheap night out, as venues either sell very cheap local beer (from around ¥5) or allow you to bring your own.
The quality of the tables varies, but is generally pretty good. You tend to have to hunt around for a decent
cue, though.
Expect to pay around ¥20 per hour per table; pay a ¥100 deposit when you arrive, and they'll take the hourly
rate out of that.
Pool halls are very much local affairs so almost never have English signage. Instead, keep an eye out for the
characters (
táiqiú;
pool) as you walk around the
hútòng
.
One of our favourite spots is
Hǎicháo Pool Hall
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( Hǎicháo Táiqiú; 25 Doufuchi
Hutong, per hr ¥15; 24hr) , located above Zá Jiā Bar. There's no sign; look for the steps that lead up to the
old arched entranceway (once the entrance to the now mostly ruined Hóng Ēn Temple) and continue up to the
2nd floor.
