How to spend top weekend in Beijing - ideas on extraordinary attractions and sites

While in Beijing, don’t limit yourself to visiting cult landmarks and shopping as there are many ways of having an unusual holiday in this wonderful city. For example, you can attend a sauna. This ritual is very popular with locals and is known for its healing properties. There are many saunas and wellness centres in Beijing, with sauna Number 8, which is located on Chaoyang Park Rd, being one of the most famous and popular. For quite a modest fee you will be able to buy an entrance ticket (don’t be surprised about that) that entitles you to enter the sauna for 18 hours. Now go in and enjoy a true relaxation! Besides sauna, guests of the centre can attend a swimming pool, a relax zone with Jacuzzi, massage rooms and even a lounge zone where one can sleep.

If steam treatments do not look as appealing as gastronomic excursions, head to Wangfutsze Night Market. Evening is the best time to visit the market as you will be able to try the most famous national delicacies. Roasted grasshoppers and skewed scorpions, grilled wild pigeons and exotic seafood, interesting vegetable salads and traditional sweets – everyone can find a treat to fit own taste in such a variety of tastes and offers. Sweet-tooth travellers should not leave the market without trying candied fruit. The popular dessert is cooked right in front of visitors. When you are full, it’s high time to purchase souvenirs, the choice of which will please all travellers.

The Forbidden City remains one of the most famous and widely visited landmarks of Beijing. It is possible to visit this place of interest during an excursion, but not many have an opportunity to look at this unique landmark from high above. The most suitable observation deck for that is located on Jingshan Hill, a climb to which may become an unforgettable adventure. The height of the manmade hill is 45 metres, and it’s better to start your walk to the top from the Southern Gate of the park as this way you will be able to admire the view of beautiful pavilions and Buddhist buildings. On top of the hill you will find the pavilion of Eternal Spring and several observation decks that offer breath-taking panoramic view of the Forbidden City. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Do you want to explore the heart of “old Beijing” away from numerous tourist groups? If so, make a walk to Hutong Houhai as this district is known as one of the oldest and most authentic places in the city. Just like hundreds of years ago, locals live in small one-storey houses with charming inner yards. However, rickshaws are already common in this secluded area and they actively promote their services. Travellers, who want to observe all hidden parts of the district and make numerous interesting and memorable photos, are recommended to make a foot walk.

Even popular and the most visited landmarks of Beijing manage to keep their secrets. Tiāntán is a great example of that. The temple complex is quite a big place with numerous interesting sites. Here curious travellers are recommended to take a precise look at the Circular Mound Altar, in the middle of which they will find an unusual round shaped stone – the Heaven Heart Stone. If you stand on that stone and talk, it feels like several people talk at the same time. Travellers are welcome to test that phenomenon.

In the midst of a hot day many travellers in Beijing want only one thing – to swim in a pool. You’re lucky if your hotel has a private swimming pool. If not, don’t be upset as there are many public pools in the city. They open in summer and everyone is welcome to visit them. A quality and inexpensive swimming pool can be found at Ditani Park that is located not far from the Andingmen metro station.