Top Nightlife Experiences in Beijing

Beijing offers thriving and diverse nightlife to maximize your free time in the evening by activities suitable for travelers of different ages and interests. Beijing boasts terrific bars and world-class cocktail lounges where you could grab a drink or join in a live concert of local bands. Yearn for leisure and relaxation? You could also opt to wander through the historic Nanluoguxiang lane to meet the local life. For family travelers with kids and teens, nothing could be more exciting than watching a traditional Chinese Kungfu or acrobatic show. Look no further, this guide will navigate you to the best spots to chase after Beijing's nightlife.

With a history spanning millennia, China is known as the home of Kung Fu. Watching a Kung Fu show is one of the top things to do in Beijing. Kung Fu fans are given big chances to see Chinese martial arts with your own eyes instead of learning it from action movies.

The Legend of Kung Fu on the stage of Red Theatre is the best show for you to absorb the death-defying performances. The thrilling moves and fabulous stage design would catch your heartbeat and eyesight without a break. Martial artists vary in ages from teens seniors of 50-60s. The Kugnfu show is truly a not-to-miss Beijing nightlife experience that is particularly advisable for family travelers with kids.

Time Needed: one hour
Place to Go: Red Theater, No.44 Xingfu Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Chinese acrobatics is one of the oldest performing arts with a history of 2000 years. Watching a traditional acrobatic show must not be missed when traveling in China. It is a great way to keep both the young and elder engaged. There are a great number of world-class acrobatic troupes in China, among which Beijing Chaoyang Theater is arguably the most excellent one presenting awe-inspiring performances.

You can not only see some breakneck stunts like showy cycling feats, jujitsu, balancing a stack of bowls on the head, walking on a rope and hoop diving, but also watch breath-holding traditional acrobatics like vibrant lion dance and Chinese style conjuring. Anyway, acrobatic show is one of the most exhilarating nightlife activities that Beijing has to offer. You'd better book the tickets in advance as they are sold out fast.

Time Needed: one hour
Place to Go: Chaoyang Theater, No.36 North Road of East 3rd Ring, Chaoyang District, Beijing

Beijing hutong is a narrow lane or alley clustered by lines of courtyards and quads where old Beijing residents dwell in. At nightfall, the 800-year-old maze of narrow alleys comes to life thronged by tourists. Around Yandaixie Street or Drum Tower, you could soak up the bustling nightlife by wandering through the boutique shops, modern cafes, restaurants, centuries-old cloth shoes shop, tea houses, fascinating porcelain shops, etc.

Moreover, if venturing into the side lanes away from the crowds, you could probably achieve a more authentic and traditional hutong experience. You could see old men playing Chinese Chess or mahjong in the alleyways, kids playing in the streets and even locals outing in their pyjamas. It was great fun to peek through the different doorways to catching a glimpse of how people live there.

Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Places to Go: Yandaixie Street, Nanluogu Lane, Maoer Hutong

Finding the local eats is a must-do for foodies in Beijing. Donghaumen is most famous and popular snack street in Beijing, which is awesome for you to have an adventurous walking culinary tour. It is a buzzing lane teeming with food stalls selling exotic snacks, such as deep fried crickets, scorpions, seahorses, sea star, chicken hearts, cow stomach, silk worm and centipede on a stick. Those with an adventurous appetite will have plenty to choose from, while there are also lovely snacks like stir-fried noodles, skewers of fresh fruit, spring rolls and mutton kebab catering for timid foodies.

Even though you cannot have more, it would be much fun to roam along the food street to immerse yourself in the authentic local life full of sizzle of frying and the shouts of vendors. Besides Donghuamen, you can also hunt for cate in Guijie Street for spicy lobster, Guanganmen Snack Street for Sichuan cuisines, and Niu Jie Muslim Snack Street for halal food.

Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Places to Go: Donghuamen Night Market, Guijie Street and Niujie Snack Street

Central Beijing boasts glamorous cityscape at night when it sparkles. The historical spots like Tiananmen Tower and Chang'an Avenue lying in the central axis look more fabulous when they are fully lit up. Or you could dive into the old hutongs to capture the humming street-lined shops and the real life scene in the dwellings.

Moreover, there is a more wonderful site, Olympic Park for shutterbugs to snap iconic pictures of architecture. Commonly known as the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, these little gems of amazing modern art are especially marvelous at night when they are richly illuminated. The Bird's Nest could be best photographed as mirrored in the moat to the east, while curvy lines and LED-lit bubbles of the Water Cube make it a futuristic sight in your photography.

Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Places to Go: Tiananmen, Changan Avenue, Bird's Nest and Water Cube

Going clubbing is one of the best ways to excite your night stays in Beijing. For party animals, Sanlitun Bar Street is the best known and most popular nightlife spot in Beijing, offering plenty choices of bars and clubs. With pulsating beats of world-class DJs and live bands, you could indulge yourself in the thriving music scene and great atmosphere. Sanlitun is frequented by lots of western tourists where you will find yourself in a mixed but agreeable culture.

Furthermore, if you are after some low-key and laidback bars, Houhai offers ideal choices ranging from casual haunts to stylish venues. It is a great place of funky nightlife for people of all ages. You could sit down to a simple dinner, or sip the microbrews and taken in some light-hearted jazz.

Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Places to Go: Sanlitun Bar Street, Houhai Bar Street