Going Solo: The Best Things to Do Alone in Beijing

Life in Beijing moves pretty fast and it can be hard to find a moment to yourself. Yet when we do finally get that time to ourselves we often end up wondering "what should I do now?" Whether you are looking to relax, treat yourself or simply explore the city, there are plenty of great ways to enjoy Beijing by yourself. 

Related: Reflections on the Benefits of Traveling Alone

Read a good book in a great cafe 
Beijing's head-over-heels embrace of third wave coffee culture means that there are plenty of excellent cafes in which to while away the morning or afternoon. Our favorites include steampunk-chic Soloist Coffee in Dashilar and C5 Cafe in north Sanlitun, whose minimalist space is the very definition of light and airy (they do a mean cake, too, and since you're alone, no-one will judge if you have a second slice ... except maybe the staff). To enjoy absolute quiet, head to Silence Cafe in Beixinqiao, which has enforced silent hours to make sure you can get on with whatever it is you need to do. Grab that new bestseller you've been meaning to read or revisit a classic. We're currently loving Alec Ash's debut book Wish Lanterns: Young Lives in New China.

Indulge in a relaxing massage
Maybe it's just me, but I've never been into the whole couples/friends massage thing. Who wants to keep chattering away to the person on the massage table next to you when you could be relaxing in blissful silence? Take advantage of your alone time to get a massage at one of Beijing's many excellent spas. We're big fans of Kocoon, a French-owned and managed spa in Sanlitun. Services include waxing, massages, manicures and pedicures, facials, and spa packages, with a focus on a personalized treatment. You’ll also find a library full of books about self-development, meditation, mindfulness, and Sufism to get you in the mood. Alternatively there is Hummingbird which recently opened a new location in Central Park.

Take a walk in the park
People watching is without a shadow of a doubt one of the best things to do alone and the best place to do it in Beijing is one of the city's many parks. Beijing's parks function not only as scenic spots but also as public spaces, and thus offer a fascinating insight into people's daily lives. Great parks include Jingshan Park, where you might come across groups of elderly people singing Peking opera or practicing tai chi, or Chaoyang Park, where there is plenty of space to avoid the crowds if you want to. 

Table for one, please
I fail to see the fuss about solo dining. Whether out of necessity or by design you're gonna have to do it at some point so I say: embrace it. Grab a book, catch up on all those Beijinger blogs you've missed, or just gaze wistfully out of the window – trust me, no-one cares that you're dining alone. Many Chinese meals may be designed for sharing but that doesn't mean there's nothing out there for those of us riding stag. Great options include personal hot pot places such as Xiabu Xiabu, sushi counters (try Yotsuba or Hatsune), and noodles in all their myriad varieties (try the pho at Saigon Mama, ramen at Ippudo, or Shanxi youpo mian at Shaanxi Noodle King).

Go for a swim
While there's nothing stopping you from swimming in a group, it is pretty hard to make conversation while under water. Beijing has plenty of pools, whether you're looking to treat yourself to a swim in a five-star pool like the one at the Ritz-Carlton Beijing, get some exercise at the Olympic-sized pool at the Sino-Japanese Friendship center or frolic outside at Qingnianhu water park. See more recommendations for pools here. 

Have a professional photographer document your adventures
Say you've decided to head off to explore Houhai or the hutongs by yourself and you want a better memento of the day than a hastily snapped selfie. Enter WanderSnap, a new service that connects travelers with talented, local photographers. You can choose from a range of photography styles, whether you want professional DSLR shots or more casual Instagram shots. They also donate a portion of their profits to help photography in developing communities.

More stories by this author here.

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Photos: Pexels, Pixabay, Wikimedia, Ritz-Carlton Beijing