Beijing Nightlife

Beijing, China Travel Guide

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Beijing Nightlife

The nightlife scene in Beijing is not the same as most cosmopolitan cities such as Shanghai and Hong Kong in China. But, the nightlife is kicking up a storm these days. Here are some places to visit: Sanlitun, which is the Western hangout with bars in the Chaoyang District, Xiaoyun Lu a thriving hipster hangout located in the Chaoyang District and Hou Hai Lake, which is northwest of Dongcheng District.

SANLITUN
Sanlitun is a massive nightlife and entertainment area in the Chaoyang District (a little northeast of Dongcheng where Tiananmen Square is located). There are over 50 bars and clubs and it’s definitely picked up since 2004 when I was there my first time. A major development is Tongli Studio (www.tonglistudio.com). There are live bands, clubs, gogo girls, dancing and lots of drinking and moving going on. It is located in the Chaoyang district between the 2nd and 3rd Rings Raods. Mainly western style bars, ex-pats and tourists love this bar street. Many of the restaurants and bars in this little nightlife area have patios in front of their establishments. Find a seat in one of the many restaurant patios, relax and enjoy.

HOU HAI LAKE
This bar street is growing in numbers and is now the trendy, younger and more Chinese than Sanlitun.

Location: North of Forbidden City around Beihai Lake. Lotus Lane

XIAOYUN LU
This street in East Chaoyang is literally packed cars and kids running around from trendy dance clubs like Angel, Powerhouse Pub and Babyface (No.6, Gongti Xilu, Choayang). It’s definitely more happening than Sanlitun for the younger, local crowd.