Busy Holiday: Stuff To Do Around Beijing Today, May 2
Today is a good day to head to Gulou and the surrounding area, perhaps before heading to Xicheng and, later, to the capital's biggest annual beer festival.
"Wo Zai Gulou" 2025 Life Festival
The Wo Zai Gulou Festival is a celebration of Chinese snacks, culture, crafts, music, and history centered around the Bell and Drum Towers and spilling over into the surrounding hutongs. Along with special opening hours for the Bell and Drum Towers from May 1 to 3, there will be musical performances, VR activities, and a special market featuring booths from 30 museums from across China and other vendors.
“Wo Zai Gulou” 2025 Life Festival is happening from Thu, May 1, to Mon, May 5, with various hours for all activities and tours. Tickets are RMB 38-228 per person. Click here for more info and to purchase tickets.
Coffee and Lunch in Xicheng
Head West from Gulou to Xicheng District, home to coffee shops and eateries. Highlights include 1901 Café, Slowboat Baitasi, postpost (pictured) for coffee with a side of zines and art books, and a number of coffee shops in the Baita area with commanding views of Baita Temple, which makes for a perfect stop after refueling.
Miaoying Temple
Those keen to get in a bit more history and Chinese culture in for the day would be wise to visit Miaoying Temple, a Lama temple constructed in 1279 during the Yuan dynasty. The temple also goes by the moniker Baita Temple thanks to the large dagoba at the rear of the complex, which just so happens to be the oldest Tibetan stupa in Beijing. Tickets are RMB 20 and can be purchased at the main entrance.
Miaoying/Baita Temple 妙应寺/白塔寺
131 Fuchengmen Neidajie, Xicheng District
西城区阜成门内大街131号
Hours: Tue-Sun, 9am-5pm
Contact: 010 6616 6099
Beijing Craft Beer Festival
Head further West still to the towering structures of Shougang Park, where the biggest beer festival of the year is taking place throughout the holiday. The Beijing Craft Beer Festival is bringing together 200+ breweries and bars from around Beijing, China and abroad, plus plenty of food and snack options for some bites to go with those brews.
The 2025 Beijing Craft Beer Festival is happening until Sun, May 4, from noon to 10pm each day at Shougang Park. Tickets are RMB 79-139 in advance or RMB 99-198 at the door. Click here for more info and to purchase advance tickets.
Beijing Shougang Convention and Exhibition Center Halls 11 & 12 首钢园11和12号大棚
68 Shijingshan Lu, Shijingshan District
石景山区石景山路68号首钢园
READ: "Between Us": A Moving Exhibition at Café Zarah
Images: Uni You, courtesy of the venues/organizers
