Travel and Hiking

Hutong Wander & Words: Bilingual City Walk & Chinese Calligraphy
Hey Beijing friends! Ready to trade the usual routine for a slow-paced afternoon of culture, connection, and creativity?
Join us for a cozy Hutong City Walk designed for language learners, culture seekers, and anyone looking to meet wonderful new friends in the city!
What We’ll Do:
The Hutong Stroll: Wander through the charming, labyrinth-like grey-brick alleyways of old Beijing. Discover hidden corners, hear stories of the past, and snap some amazing photos.
Bilingual Language Exchange: Chat, laugh, and practice your Mandarin and English in a natural, pressure-free setting as we walk and explore together.
Chinese Calligraphy Experience: Step into a hidden courtyard studio to try your hand at traditional brush writing! Learn the stroke basics, write your favorite Chinese characters (or your own Chinese name), and take home your very own handmade keepsake.
Event Details & Logistics:
Time: 4 pm - 7 pm, 15th Aug
Location: Yingtao Xiejie Historic Street, Huqiaofang, Line 7
Who is this for: Language exchange lovers, expats, locals, and curious travelers of all levels! (No prior calligraphy or Mandarin experience needed).
Language Vibe: English & Chinese friendly.
Come for the walk, stay for the conversation, and leave with a brush-painted souvenir and a few new friends!
Drop a comment or DM to save your spot—space is limited to keep the group cozy!
Early Bird Price : 68RMB

Registration （You need to register in advance pls）:

I want to practise english ,if you are the native english speaker , leave me a message please .

The lama temple or some heritage else,for exaple ,the Temple fo heaven .

Think You Know Beijing? Think Again. Living in Beijing, you’ve probably seen the Forbidden City a hundred times—but have you actually decoded the secrets in your backyard?

Whether you want to deep-dive into the city you call home, find a fluff-free walks, or just meet like-minded, curious people over the weekend, this is for you! Join us for a 110-minute twilight stroll bridging strict imperial majesty with cozy Hutong life.

️ The Insider's Itinerary:

• Jingshan Park & Peak: Climb up for the ultimate sunset view of the Forbidden City ( Perfect for your feed!) and uncover the tragic final hours of the last Ming Emperor.

• Hidden Hutongs: Step away from the tourist crowds into authentic, quiet alleys where old Beijing still breathes.

• Imperial Icehouse: Find out exactly how ancient royals beat the summer heat without AC.

• Shichahai Waterfront & Lotus Market: Watch the neighborhood come alive with local music and street games, ending right where Beijing’s vibrant nightlife kicks off.

Along the way, we will crack the "codes" e.g. What’s the tragic royal secret hidden behind the hill? Why is the palace bright red, but the Hutongs are strictly grey? Where did the palace eunuchs live and survive? How do you read a courtyard’s front door to instantly tell the family’s ancient wealth and social status? What’s it really like to live in a million-dollar luxury courtyard… with no private toilet? and dozens of others!

How it works (Tip-Based)

We believe great storytelling should be accessible to everyone. There are no upfront fees or shopping traps—you pay what you think the experience is worth at the end! Most of our guests (especially our fellow expats) find 150-200RMB per person to be the perfect sweet spot to support our passionate city hosts. We’ve even prepared a special, handmade local gift for everyone who joins!

The tour ends right in the heart of Beijing's nightlife. Within a 5-10 minute stroll, you can easily keep the night going at Houhai Bar Street, Smoking Pipe Street, Drum & Bell Towers. The tour is 100% fluff-free, covering a relaxing 2.5 km walk in about 110 mins.

Ready to Unlock the City

You can contact us via Event QR code or find more on https://www.freetour.com/beijing/free-tour-beijing-imperial-twilight-hutong-codes-local-life.

Join us now!

Escape the city hustle for a wild weekend getaway in Yanqing with GPC Wild Roots! Bushcraft 102 (绿色技艺) covers essential wilderness skills like knots, tarp setup, natural shelter building, and saw skills. Tailored for adults 18+ with no experience needed. Perfect for outdoor lovers seeking fresh adventures.

More Info: GPC Wild Roots logo on the top left

Escape the city for a day of fresh air, ancient history, and incredible plant-based eats at Jinshanling Great Wall! Hosted by Alex from @veganinchina, this adventure includes an English-speaking guide, snack pack, picnic lunch, and a rustic countryside vegan dinner. Round-trip transportation from Dongcheng and Chaoyang is included.

More Info: @veganinchina, QR code on poster

Want to see a side of Beijing most tourists completely miss? We are launching our brand-new boutique night walk, Moonlit Central Axis: From Imperial Majesty to Hutong Soul, and we want YOU to be our exclusive guest—for FREE!

What you will experience (in 1 hr 45 mins):

• Imperial Twilight Glow: Ascend the old town’s highest point for a cinematic sunset over the Forbidden City at twilight.

• Moonlit Hutongs: Escape the crowds into the quiet charm of traditional alleyways.

• Shichahai Waterfront: Walk the shimmering lake and join locals for a fun, immersive local nightlife experience.

Why are we doing this for free?

We are LOCALFLOW, a boutique cultural community. This is a brand-new product, and we want your authentic, honest feedback to make it perfect. Plus, we want to capture some beautiful moments together!

Who we are looking for:

• Foreign travelers currently visiting Beijing

• Expats living in Beijing who love local culture

• Anyone who loves exploring, taking photos, and sharing nice vibes!

Available Dates & Time:

• Dates：21st-23th May,

• Departures: Flexible from 17:30 to 19:00

Limited spots available per evening. Let's make your Beijing night unforgettable!

DM us on Instagram (@Beijing.Miriam) or wechat for more details.

Yanyu Mountain sits on the border of Jingzhuang Town and Dazhuangke Township in Yanqing District. It is one of the main peaks of the Jundu Mountains. The twin rocky summits resemble two feathers pointing skyward — hence the name "Swallow Feather Mountain." Far from major tourist routes, the area retains natural beauty, authentic village character, and rich history. At the top you get sweeping 360-degree views stretching from the Haituo mountains in the north all the way to Mangshan and Shisanling reservoir in the south. The trail ends at Liugou Village, an ancient Ming Dynasty outpost — also known as Phoenix City — with original city walls, gates, and temple ruins still standing.

Hike Information:

l Date: May 23rd (Saturday)

l Drive time: 2 hours each way

【The route type】Mountain path+dirt trail

【The route description】The trail starts at Sisi Village, following a valley path northeast before the real climbing begins. We will pass by a waterfall. You'll gain elevation steadily through mixed forest and rocky terrain, with the ridgeline opening up to big views as you get higher. The final push to the 1,278m summit rewards you with a panoramic sweep across the Yanqing basin. From the top, the route descends a clear trail down to Liugou Village, where you can explore the ancient city ruins.

Hike info:

l Distance: 11km

l Time to complete: 5hours

l Total ascent: 665m

l Total descent: 712m

l Peak: 1270m

l Lowest point: 537m

Notice:

1. Take at least 2-3 bottles of water

2. Bring some lunch, and some snacks.

3. Wear hiking boots.

4. More details will be posted in the group one day early before hiking.

Itinerary: Along this trail, we add 2 pickup stops for hikers. Waiting times will be strictly enforced, and we will not wait for late arrivals. Drop-off will be at the same location as pickup when we return.

07.30: Departure from Dongzhimen line2 exit B (B1/B2).

07:45: Liangmaqiao line10 exit B. (For this trail, we can stop at Jiandemen 健德门; If you need it, let us know.)

09.45: Arrive the point, beginning of hike.

16.00: Ending the hike. Activity Fee: 160RMB/person.

Price includes:

1. Transportation with a driver

2. Hiking Leaders: Simon and TBD

3. One day outdoor insurance

4. Payment: transfer the fee by Wechat or Alipay when we confirm the event on Thursday.

Cancellation:

1. Kindly reminder: You can cancel anytime till the deadline on Friday 18:00PM. As we have to fix capacties for the bus and pay the driver and the guides. After deadline, we will have charge you 80% activity fee. Or you find another person not yet registered to join the hike. If your cancellation is on Saturday morning or if you are late and missed the hike, please pay 100% activity fee. We repect your choice. When you register for this activity, you accept this cancelation policy.

2. Bad weather plan:We will message you 1-2 days before the hike to let you know about theweather condition. If there is a thunderstorm, heavy rain or strongwinds it will be dangerous to do the hike in the high mountains. So we will cancel it or change the dates. Join us: Scan the QR in below to note the name of event. Then add you into the group.

What actually is traditional Chinese thinking? How come Confucianism - the state religion of feudal China has gotten a comeback today? And why are Chinese people on the first day of the year still flocking to the Lama Temple to receive blessings?

At the Confucius temple of Beijing stands a whole forest of stone tablets. Chiseled into these massive pieces of rock are the names of 40,000 people that passed the imperial examinations during the dynasties. The candidates spent years memorizing the Chinese classics - mentally scratching the sayings of the great Chinese philosophers into their minds, before a select few finally got their own names chiseled into solid rock. 

Getting your name applied to one of these stones was not an easy task. It required the utmost physical and mental stamina to sit through the 72-hour long Imperial examinations.  

On the upcoming walk, we will make it a bit more comfortable for you when we spend three hours exploring traditional Chinese thinking by visiting the fascinating and stunningly beautiful grounds of the Confucius Temple, the Lama Temple and the Imperial Academy in search for answers.

https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Whax8JaWx_DIMAKbB3grpQ

Discover Beijing's creative pulse with a guided tour of the Songzhuang Art District (宋庄艺术区). This curated itinerary features artist studio visits and cultural exchange. The 450rmb fee covers meals, transportation, and an engaging workshop, offering an immersive look into one of the world's largest artist communities.

Wechat: QR code in poster
More Info: Annette Golden, MIL GOTAS

The Yanshouji Temple loop is one of Beijing's best-kept Spring trail, at the same time it means that probably it could be packed with people. The ancient temple of Longevity sits at the foot of the Yanshan Mountains, framed by towering old pines that have watched pilgrims and hikers come and go for centuries. Every April, the ridgelines in wild azalea blooms that stretches all the way to the summit of Beidaliang. The loop is well-marked and family-friendly with no dangerous sections. (Reference photos are from LiuzhijiaoAPP.)

Hike Information：

Date: April 19th (Sunday)

l Location: Changping

l Drive time: 1.5 hours each way

【The route type】Mountain route + dirt with rubble

【The route description】The trail begins at the gate of temple — a classic stone archway that sets the mood before the first step uphill. From here, a clear, well-trodden path climbs steadily through old pine forest, with stone steps kicking in on the steeper pitches. As altitude builds, the trees thin and the first azalea patches appear along the trail margins. The path continues up to the ridge and on to the high point of Beidaliang, we just stop at the turning point and enjoy flowers from some distance. Then, at the next turning point, we are going to go down. Gradually dropping back into the valley on a smooth, dirt path. It is a friendly trail and good for new comers.

l Distance: 9km

l Time to complete: 5hours

l Total ascent: 579m

l Total descent: 585m

l Peak: 647m

l Lowest point: 214m

Notice:

1. Take at least 2-3 bottles of water

2. Bring some lunch, and some snacks.

3. Wear hiking boots.

4. More details will be posted in the group one day early before hiking.

Itinerary:

07.30: Meeting Dongzhimen subway station;

(Let's start early to avoid crowds.)

09.00: Beginning of the hike;

12.00: Lunch break;

14.30: Ending of the hike;

16.00: Arrive back Beijing.

Activity Fee: 160RMB/person.

Includes:

Activity Price includes:

1. Transportation with a driver.

2. The leaders: Lengzhi, Simon.

3. One day outdoor insurance.

4. Payment: please transfer the fee by Wechat or Alipay when we confirm the event on Friday.

(Note: If a kid takes a seat, then the price is same.)

Please note:

- Do not participate if you are sick or showing symptoms of fever or couching.

- Customer service: Mona (wechat id: mona_zhangli) If you have any suggestions orcomplaint, please feel free to leave messages.

- Photos will be used in the social media platform. If you don't want to show in the picture, let us know.

Cancellation:

1. Kindly reminder: You can cancel anytime till the deadline on Saturday 13:00PM. As we have to fix capacties for the bus and pay the driver and the guides. After deadline, we will have charge you 80% activity fee. Or you find another person not yet registered to join the hike. If your cancellation is on Sunday morning or if you are late and missed the hike, please pay 100% activity fee. We repect your choice. When you register for this activity, you accept this cancelation policy.

2. Bad weather plan:We will message you 1-2 days before the hike to let you know about theweather condition. If there is a thunderstorm, heavy rain or strongwinds it will be dangerous to do the hike in the high mountains. So we will cancel it or change the dates.

Join us:

Add mona_zhangli as your wechat, or scan the QR.