Practical Around the Clock: Off-Hour Solutions to Non-Emergency Issues
F@#k New York. Yeah, that’s right. “The City That Never Sleeps” and all that crap, we’re not buying it. Beijing also has bars and clubs that are open into the small hours, convenience stores that never close, and basic services available whenever you need them. In Beijing, you can work out early in the morning, have breakfast before the sun comes up, and keep it all going well after the sun sets again. Welcome to 24-hour Beijing.
The large amounts of late-night frolicking between bars and eating establishments around Beijing aside, there are other tasks that need to be accomplished outside of regular business hours. That’s why we’ve looked at the practical things that are open late at night, should you want to fend off boredom with a film at 1am, go swimming at 2am, go to the gym at 3am, buy water at 4am, or find yourself needing to buy electricity at 5am.
Bored?
Having covered swimming pools last month, there is one more place to swim that is open 24-hours per day: Houhai. The lake is popular with local swimmers, and it gets busy here in the early hours of the morning (between 5-7am). Thankfully there is enough space for everyone. An early-morning visit is a must for fresh-off-the-boat Beijingers. Please: don’t decide to do your sunrise swim after closing time at a local bar.
Houhai
Houhai, Xicheng District
西城区后海
If you’d rather watch a film, the DVD stores in Sanlitun are open until 2am every night. They are located on the little strip that runs parallel to bar street, opposite the likes of First Floor and Aperitivo, and always stock the newest films.
DVD stores
Sanlitun Houjie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯后街
Fidgety?
If you’re antsy, or just don’t have the time to work out when the sun is out, a 24-hour gym might be just what you need.
B-Active is well-known for their round-the-clock fitness centers, both of which are centrally located.
B-Active (Chaowai SOHO)
Daily, 24hrs. 161A, 1-2F, Bldg C, Chaowai SOHO, 6 Chaoyangmen Waidajie, Chaoyang District (5900 4748)
朝阳门外大街乙6号朝外SOHO C座2层0161C号
Registration opening hours: Weekdays 9am-10pm, weekends 9am-9pm.
Prices: RMB 180 per week, RMB 460 per month, RMB 2,200 for six months, RMB 3,300 per year.
B-Active (Sanlitun SOHO)
Daily, 24hrs. 6218, 2F, Bldg 6, Sanlitun SOHO, 8 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (6586 6696)
朝阳区工体北路8号三里屯SOHO 2层6218号
Registration Opening Hours: 9am-10pm.
Prices: RMB 2,400 per half-year, RMB 3,500 per year (unlimited use). RMB 1,800 for half-year, RMB 2,500 per year (use between 11pm-11am).
Hungry or Thirsty?
One of the worst things that can happen in the middle of the night is running out of drinking water. Knowing where your nearest 24-hour convenience store is is a must. Below are two listings, but chances are there’s one on your road or on your nearest main road. These chains operate throughout Beijing and also sell snacks, toilet paper, and other necessities.
Haolinju (Workers’ Stadium)
1F, Bldg 3, 1 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工体北路1号3号楼1层
7-Eleven (Beixinqiao)
Yonghegong Dajie (next to Beixinqiao Station Exit B), Dongcheng District
东城区雍和宫大街（附近北新桥地铁站B出口）
Alternatively, if you’re in no mood to cook, McDonald’s delivery will never fail your midnight grease cravings. To order, call 4008 517 517 for service in English, or make an account on their website (www.4008-517-517.cn, also has an English option) and order online.
Out of Electricity?
If you lose your electricity card at night, Beijing Electric Power Corporation offers the option of sending the card to you between 7pm and 6am. All you have to do is call the hotline at 95598.
If you need to top-up your electricity card late at night, using any of the ATMs outside banks will work throughout the night. Most banks require you to use the Chinese-language menu for this though, as you will go through the “No Card Option” and enter your bank account number, then insert your electricity card. After that, specify how many units of electricity you want, not the cash value.
More stories by this author here.
Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
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Photo: Margaux Schreurs
