Who’s Who in the World of Beijing Walking Tours, Part 2

Although it might not be the most pedestrian-friendly city, there’s no better way to take in Beijing than with a leisurely stroll around town.

Walking tours are a great way to take advantage of this, with a little learning thrown in for good measure. But what about more than walking? What about running for a bit of fun and fitness, or exploring and getting to know the bizarre side of capital history?

Turns out there are groups for that as well and then some.

Bizarre Beijing

Billing itself as “Purveyors of haunted walking tours, unusual lectures, and macabre events,” Bizarre Beijing takes the idea of historical walks and tours and turns it on its head, focusing on – you guessed it – ghostly and ghastly stories from the capital’s past.

Upcoming escapades include a “Dark History” walking tour, a zombie apocalypse-themed airsoft event, and a soon-to-come haunted mine tour done in partnership with Our Beijing. Contact them via their official WeChat (ID: BizarreBeijing).

Foreigners in China Network

Going beyond walks in Beijing, the Foreigners in China Network – aka FCN – does day-long and weekend-long excursions, with trips to other cities and provinces as far away as northwestern China. Find them via WeChat (ID: foreignerandchina).

Cultural Keys

Also offering walks and talks further afield is Cultural Keys. The brainchild of AJ Donnelly and Nic Doering, Cultural Keys operates out of their cultural center in the village of Xiaopu, where they offer customizable walks touring Songzhuang Art District and Xiaopu itself, as well as tours of the nearby city of Tianjin.

What’s more, they also offer a variety of workshops on various topics including calligraphy, painting, dough figurines, sugar art, and more, making for a perfect day if you combine the two. Add their official account (ID: CulturalKeysCN) or add AJ (ID: AJDonnelly) on WeChat for more info.

Walk n Talk

As a Chinese-owned and operated tour group, Walk n Talk only recently started providing guided tours in English. Offering a uniquely Chinese perspective on the history of Beijing, the group has regular tours of the Forbidden City, as well as its exhibitions and tours focusing on Beijing’s parks and the capital’s “Red History.” Follow their official WeChat account (ID: walk_n_talk) for more info.

Beijing Hash House Harriers

The final entry on this list isn’t so much of a walking tour group as it is a group of folks who like running around the capital and having a drink afterward. Founded way back in 1979, the Hash House Harriers is a “drinking club with a running problem” that follows designated running – or “hash” – routes around the city before meeting at a specific bar or restaurant (usually Paddy O'Shea's) for beers, dinner, and a whole lot of sweaty merriment. To find out how to take part, find them online at www.hash.cn or on WeChat at HimalayaAnserIndicus.

READ: Who's Who in the World of Beijing Walking Tours

Images courtesy of the organizers