TGIF: Make the Most of Your Weekend With These Killer Activities
The weekend is here! Time for fun, relaxation, and recharging the ol' batteries ahead of *gulp* Monday morning's alarm clock. Luckily enough, there’s plenty of fun stuff to keep you occupied over the weekend that doesn't necessarily involve getting blitzed. Our TGIF roundup offers you some of the best.
Visit somewhere only those in the know, well, know
Mori Sence Pop-Up in HUI-Temple
Tucked away in an old temple, HUI is an austere and compact yet fabulously decorated space that is these days dedicated to the arts. Never shy to show their appreciation of Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetics, HUI is currently hosting a pop-up store that features works by eight trendy, international, and niche clothing brands with Japanese bent made from natural materials and traditional techniques. Don't miss out, because the pop-up store only lasts until Aug 10. Free. Daily, 11am-7pm. HUI-temple
Go for a lesser-known exhibition
Exhibition of Chinese Album Covers
This installation showcases over 100 eye-catching album covers that have been collected by the Free Sound Album Store over the last several decades. The exciting collection forms a veritable who's who of Chinese musicians, including highlights like artwork for Black Panther, Zhang Chu, He Yong, and other stars from China's 1980s rock 'n' roll golden age. Free. Daily, 10am-8pm. Free Sound Album Store
Visit a niche museum
Beijing Eunuch Cultural Museum
Put aside your squeamish tendencies and spend some time this weekend getting to grips with one of the gorier but endlessly fascinating facets of Chinese history: eunuchs. As well as the acting cemetery for the influential Ming dynasty (1368-1644) eunuch Tian Yi, the Beijing Eunuch Cultural Museum explains the history of the practice of castrating males to create the eunuch class, the reasons this practice flourished and was eventually outlawed, and a collection of statues and stone carvings that depict eunuchs and their roles aiding the Emperor in day to day life. Check out more niche museums in Beijing here. RMB 8. Tue-Sun 9am-4.30pm. 80 Moshikou Avenue, Shijingshan District
Watch a movie
The Old Barber
The Old Barber is a beautiful and moving documentary that follows a venerable Beijing barber and captures his interactions between himself and his equally aged customers. Not only does the film give a peek into the lives of the capital's aging generation, it's also a great way for you to brush up on your Beijing hua. Read our full review here.
Visit a local park for some good, old fashioned people watching
Yunyuantan Park
If you'd rather see the action for yourself, Yuyuantan Park by the North Third Ring Road is popular with elderly locals who while their days doing old people things (banging against trees, gossiping, flying kites). Better yet, every Saturday, a corner of the park transforms into a "Blind Date Corner" (相亲角 xiāngqīn jiǎo) where local parents share information about their unmarried children in the hope of finding them a match (often unbeknownst to the children themselves). A word of warning: parents who visit this park aren't joking around and can act quite protective of their children and their particulars (rightly so), so you may want to ask before taking pictures.
Curl up with a good book
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
The Vegetarian details how the otherwise ordinary life of protagonist Yeong-hye is turned upside down when she becomes a vegetarian, a decision that she makes after experiencing a run of violent and bloody dreams. The darkly allegorical novel by South Korean author Han Kang unfolds in three parts, weaving together an incredible story of survival in a world where individual motivations and desires can sometimes appear incomprehensible.
Not a fan of all the above-mentioned activities?
How about taking a trip to the incredible and historical city of Pingyao?
More stories by this author here.
Email: kuang@thebeijinger.com
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Photos: news.qingdaonews.com, courtesy of event organizers, Crooked Little Giant
