Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ENTERTAINMENT
|LIVE MUSIC
DOS KOLEGAS
( Liǎnggè Hǎo Péngyou; 21 Liangmaqiao Lu, admission ¥30, beer from ¥15; 8pm-2am Mon-Sat, 10am-9pm Sun;
Liangmaqiao then 909)
Tucked away to the side of Běijīng's drive-in cinema, a couple of
kilometres northeast of Sānlǐtún, this fabulously bohemian venue has a large garden with
patio seating and offers evening barbecues alongside some excellent live music. This is a
great place to hear local bands (punk, rock, metal), especially in the summer when the
whole gig moves outdoors.
UNIVERSAL THEATRE (HEAVEN & EARTH THEATRE)
|ACROBATICS
( Tiāndì Jùchǎng; 6416 0757; 10 Dongzhimen Nandajie, tickets ¥180-680; performance 7.15pm; Dongsi
Shitiao)
Young performers from the China National Acrobatic Troupe perform their mind-
bending, joint-popping contortions. A favourite with tour groups, so best to book ahead.
Tickets are pricier the further from the stage you sit. Keep an eye out for the dismal white
tower that looks like it should be in an airport - that's where you buy your tickets.
POLY PLAZA INTERNATIONAL THEATRE
|CLASSICAL MUSIC
( Bǎolì Dàshà Guójì Jùyuàn; 6506 5343, ext 5621 6500 1188; 14 Dongzhimen Nandajie, tickets from ¥180; per-
formance 7.30pm; Dongsi Shitiao)
Right by Dongsi Shitiao subway station, this venue hosts a
range of performances, including ballet, classical music, opera and traditional Chinese folk
music. It also hosts an increasing number of stage plays by foreign playwrights.
CHÁOYÁNG THEATRE
|ACROBATICS
( Cháoyáng Jùchǎng; 6507 2421; 36 Dongsanhuan Beilu, tickets ¥180-880; performances 5.15pm & 7.15pm;
Hujialou)
An accessible place for foreign visitors, and often bookable through your hotel,
this theatre hosts visiting acrobatic troupes from around China who fill the stage with plate
spinning and hoop jumping.
MEGABOX
|CINEMA
( Měijiā Huānlè Yǐngchéng; 6417 6118; B1 fl, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, tickets from ¥80; per-
formances noon-midnight; Tuanjiehu)
Probably the easiest place in the city to watch English-lan-
guage Hollywood blockbusters, MegaBox is a modern multi-screen cinema complex in the
basement of the ultra- modern shopping precinct
Sānlǐtún Village
. It always shows at least
one or two English-language films and offers an experience that is almost identical to that
