Chaoyang Park-朝阳公园

Featuring two floors, a terrace and a broad Latin theme, this Chaoyang Park club focuses on small-scale salsa and tango nights. The second floor is dominated by a long central bar, with booth seating alongside, while the third floor features a bar made of wood salvaged from a 400-year old boat (careful where you put your drink) and a small dance floor and cozy sofas to sink into. Drinks are well-priced, with house spirits from RMB 20 and basic cocktails from RMB 25.

Look past the plain exterior to discover an upbeat little diner with wooden tables, warm red lanterns and ample foliage. Er Yue Er specializes in Beijing chunbing, or paper-thin crepes, which you'll use to wrap up stir-fried dishes of your choice. It's like Beijing duck, but with more vegetables. Other old Beijing comfort foods include congee, hutazi (carrot and zucchini pancakes) and zha guanchang (garlicky fried sweet-potato starch).

All-you-can-eat meat in a beautiful setting inside Chaoyang Park – under the trees, by the water, and opposite a large white mansion of enigmatic origin. Great for group outings in the warmer months when you can sit outdoors and consume tasty steak, ribs, lamb and chicken wings by the bucket load.

The Chaoyang Park location features a dog park, store and restaurant spread over 40 acres. A fee of RMB 10 (per human) allows your dog to spend the day running, swimming, jumping through hoops, playing catch and enjoying a bit of freedom. The other two branches are stores only, selling dog and cat food, tearless shampoos (RMB 25-135), toys and more.

This sunny Shanghai import showcases a healthier side of American food, with elaborate salads, pasta, wraps, smoothies and sandwiches, as well as a smattering of Asian standards (fried rice etc). Popular weekend brunch menu. The Dashilan'r branch gets less traffic than its more popular Sanlitun Village sister branch. A new Lido location has just recently opened. Voted “Best American,” "Best Brunch (Affordable)" and "Outstanding Family Friendly Atmosphere" in the Beijinger’s 2011 Restaurant Awards.

Located inside Chaoyang Park, Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park has a fine collection of shops, restaurants, cafes and sporting facilities. Venues include British baby shop Mothercare, the perfect place to stock up on all things related to kids, pregnancy and moms. Other highlights include Banana Leaf Thai Restaurant, Romana Ice Cream, Cold Stone Creamery, a cinema, an ice rink and much more.

A group of competitive and leisurely road bikers who get together for long rides in the mountains around Beijing every Saturday from March through to October. After meeting at 7am at the TREK store near Chaoyang Park, cyclists are divided into groups according to ability, and typical sessions involve rides of 3-4 hours (60-120km). Details of the rides are available in advance at the below website, which also provides extensive general information for cyclists in Beijing. Email committee@beijingpeloton.cc to join the club's mailing list.

Not just dining rooms. Sophie’s will also help you decorate your bedroom, bathroom and living room with tasteful, high-quality home furnishings like linens, silks, chinaware, glassware and embroidered pillows.