Entertain Yourself With a Beijing Side Quest

While you carry out your everyday life in Beijing, there is always room for a few side quests to keep you entertained and in the game. Here, we've shortlisted a few things you can do on the side. The best part?

A) These are short side quests between two to five hours
B) Most of these are free
C) They are family-friendly, or they can be a great date idea

Here we go…

1. Furniture Flea Market at Tongzhou

In a land far, far away, there lies a furniture flea market with porcelain cheetahs straight from Joey Tribbiani’s apartment and creepy vintage Easter decorations from your grandma’s. In the heart of Tongzhou, there lies this quaint and quiet but super unique furniture place that sells everything from beds to coat hangers to authentic wooden ottomans. Worth the 40 or so minute ride, this furniture store opens up a very traditional Beijing home decor style to you. It's right above a fresh fruit and meat market, so you can come back with not only some new furniture but also some really fresh groceries too!

Protip: Avoid using the bathrooms there, though. They're located in a super creepy back alley and stink like hell.

Baimiao Flea Market北京通州白庙旧货市场
Beijing Tuanli Forest Agricultural Trade Market Center, 150 meters northwest of the intersection of Liyuan Erjie and Jiaoxiao Waihuan Lu, Tongzhou District
通州区潞苑二街与驾校外环路交叉口西北150米北京疃里丛林农贸市场中心

2. Library Time in Tongzhou 

Speaking of Tongzhou, come hither, side quester! Come hither to lay your eyes on one of the most amazing libraries you will ever visit. The Beijing Library is a sight to see, not only architecturally but also for a book nerd. Bustling with energy and natural light, the megastructure is a haven for many foreigners who climb up those twirling stairs and cozy up with a Victor Hugo or Fyodor Dostoevsky if that’s your vibe. If you are looking for a soothing day out among books and coffee, this might just be the place to be. 

Beijing Library 北京城市图书馆
Bldg 3, 1 Lüxin Lu, Tongzhou District
通州区-绿心路1号院3号楼
Hours: 10am-8pm

3.  Thrifting at Roundabout 

An underrated gem that has caught traction in recent years is charity shop Roundabout, located just on the edge of Chaoyang District, close to the border with Shunyi. Thrifting at Roundabout might just be that Sunday fix to keep your Monday blues away. From antiques to vintage clothing to an absolute fiasco of random household items and luggage essentially paired with shoes and vases from the gods themselves, this amazing thrift store is a whole experience in itself. The perfect side quest size, the location would leave you with enough time to cook yourself a pasta dinner and catch the latest episode of whatever gossip housewife desperation show you’re into this summer.  

Roundabout 
Cathy View Plaza, 2A Xiangjiang Beilu,Chaoyang District
朝阳区香江北路甲2号观唐广场
Hours: 10am-7pm

4. Exploring Garden Expo Park 

Everybody goes to Chaoyang Park, but have you been to Garden Expo Park? The second-to-last station of Line 14 towards Zhangguozhuang holds a magnificent park that has multiple gardens within itself. Our personal favorite is the Rose Garden, but it’s a secret spot for Chinese couples who want some quiet but also aesthetic views. Spend a day at the farthest end of one of Beijing’s main subway lines and just live your unbothered side questing life. Don’t forget to carry a book along and a selfie stick if you’re going alone – you might want to capture the stunning bronze sculptures, the archways and the floral beauty.

Garden Expo Park 北京园博园
15 Shijichang Lu, Fengtai District
丰台区射击场路15号
Hours: 6.30am-7pm

5. The Hidden Book Market at Panjiayuan 

We’ve probably all been to Panjiayuan by this point, but have you been to the book market that lies behind the bracelet shops? Right behind the main bustling bazaar at Panjiayuan lies a very beautiful and artsy book market. You are sure to find some amazing gifts here. With old agenda posters, hardcover books in pristine condition and thriftable frames, paintings, badges and coins, you’ll find a whole variety of things here. We liked the unending bundles of stamps and vintage posters. The market holds so much character; it’s the greatest side quest destination. Don’t forget to look out for a line on your way out: the Qingzhen Baozi shop on your left will serve as the perfect place for a nice, steaming lunch.  

Panjiayuan Antique Market 潘家园旧货市场
18 Hua Weili, Panjiayuan Lu, Chaoyang District 
朝阳区潘家园路华威里18号
Hours: 9am-11pm

6. A Bairong World Trade Mall Shopping Spree 

Line 8 on the Beijing subway holds one of the greatest treasures of Beijing goods. Aim for Muxiyuan on Line 8 and find yourself at the Bairong World Trade Mall. Filled to the brim with clothes in one building, crockery and giftable items in the other and Chinese dried food and edible goods on the ground floor, this is a place to discover. Pack a thermos of coffee, or get some boba at the local boba shop on the ground floor, and off you go for a shopping spree like no other. Haggle like your life depends on it, crack the greatest deals in the discount bins and toil around until your cart is so full, you can barely drag it. 

Bairong World Trade Mall 百荣世贸商城
101 Yongdingmen Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区 永定门大街 101 号
Hours: 9am-7pm

7. Potter a Mug for yourself

Ever wanted a piece of Beijing for yourself, but the main souvenirs just didn’t do it for you? Head over to Jinyu Hutong on Line 8 and find yourself in one of the many pottery shops. For only around RMB 88 and a wonderful hour later, you will have put your very own spin on a pottery mug that can sit on your desk at work and be a great conversation piece. There are other options like saucers and plates as well. It is all about finding what you are drawn to, and you will be left with a piece for a lifetime that will remind you of the great times in Beijing. 

Jinyu Hutong 金鱼胡同

Hope you are sorted for a few of your coming free days. Happy side questing! 

About the Author

Sundus Farooq is an English literature and language teacher based in Beijing. She discovered her voice through her blog, TheLiteraryPeanut.wordpress.com, which she has been curating since 2014. With a passion for storytelling and a deep love for food and travel, she has spent the past decade writing for various publications. Now she ventures on by capturing the flavors, sights, and spirit of Beijing.

READ: The Great Beijing Ice Cream Quest

Images: Uni You, Sundus Farooq, Dianping, Canva