Events Watch: Beijing's Best Events That Won't Leave You Hungover, Jan 22-26

Our Events Watch series aims to highlight happenings that aren't focused on alcohol and drinking, but instead take a more educational or productive approach. Events include comedy, talks, networking events, markets, and dinners etc.

Until March 12


The Arabian Way - Unearthed Cultural Relics of Saudi Arabia
Archaeologists ahoy! In cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the National Museum presents an exhibition of over 460 archeological relics, showing the historical development of Saudi Arabia's culture, starting in the Stone Age, and moving forward to the present. Included are relics from the Silk Road, showing Saudi Arabia's links to China and its status as a place of meeting and exchange for Eastern and Western cultures. They also have a special exhibition in honor of The Year of the Rooster. 9-5pm. RMB 30. The National Museum of China

Sunday, January 22


The Bookworm Monthly Comedy Night: James Adomian
Why not end the makeup work Sunday on a high with The Bookworm's monthly comedy night? James performed standup on John's Oliver's New York Stand Up Show on Comedy Central, and on NBC’s Last Comic Standing where he was a Top 10 finalist. James has also performed to much acclaim over the years at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal and many other top comedy festivals. 8-10pm. RMB 180. The Bookworm

Sunday-Monday, January 22-23


Rickshaw Boy
A Chinese-language operatic adaption of Lao She’s classic novel Rickshaw Boy (sometimes known as Camel Xiangzi), will be presented at the Tianqiao Theatre. The novel, set in pre-revolutionary China, looks at the way the common man was ground down by the injustice of society, by following the life of rickshaw man Camel Xiangzi. 7.30-9.30pm. RMB 20-380 (more information here). Tianqiao Theater

Tuesday, January 25


Make Traditional Homemade Shaanxi Noodles at The Hutong
Learn to make two types of traditional Shanxi Noodles with this workshop at The Hutong. Like most innovative dishes, rustic Shanxi noodles originated with peasants in the countryside. Now these noodles are deemed to be one of the ten wonders of Shanxi. 2.30pm. RMB 300, RMB 260 (members of The Hutong). The Hutong

Wednesday, January 25

Seal Carving Workshop (pictured at the top)
Have you been admiring the handcarved seals for sale at the Pearl Market? Learn to carve your own at this Chinese-language seal carving workshop, which includes a lecture on the history and culture of seals. The workshop costs includes all materials and an afternoon snack. More information here. 2-7pm. RMB 150. Beiyuan Lu (see event listing)

Spring Festival doesn't have to be dull. Click here to see our Chinese New Year events roundup.

More stories by this author here.

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Images courtesy of the organizers, youtube