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Haidian (海淀 Hǎidiàn) is a large district in the north-west of Beijing.

[edit] Get in

Haidian has been a major beneficiary of the recent subway expansions: the new lines 10 and 13 make it easier to reach by public transport. Taxis from the central Beijing districts may take 30-45 minutes; buses even longer.

[edit][add listing] See

• The Summer Palace (颐和园 Yíhéyuán). Extensive gardens and the ruins of palaces constructed by the Qing emperors. In 1860, foreign soldiers damaged much of what was then known as the "Garden of Clear Ripples", but the area would be rebuilt and renamed by the Empress Dowager Cixi, using funds intended for modernizing the Qing navy. Most visitors stay in the front hill area, but if you prefer quiet places, the west bank and back hill areas are good choices. There are some quiet and secret ruins, caves, and other fun stuff in the back hill area. You could easily take bus No. 690 or 808 from Tian'anmen Square to the terminal station, the Summer Palace. The Bus 826 would bring you from Temple of Heaven to Summer Palace. Around ¥30.  edit

• The Old Summer Palace (圆明园 Yuánmíngyuán), 28 Qinghua West Road 清华西路28号, ☎ +86 10 62543673. Built in the 18th and early 19th centuries, these gardens were home to the emperors and Qing court. After their 1860 destruction by British and French troops the gardens was not restored, and the ruins that can be seen today still serve as a reminder of the costs of imperialism. Bus 690 from Tian'anmen will also get you here. ¥10 entrance.  edit

• Fragrant Hills (香山 Xiāng Shān), (in the northwest of Beijing). A good place for weekend outings and picnics. Formerly a Qing imperial garden, today Fragrant Hills makes an easy short climb in the suburbs of Beijing. It's also home to the Fragrant Hills Hotel, designed by noted architect I.M. Pei (Louvre Museum Pyramid). Take buses 331, 360 or 634 to the last stop. Admission Fee is ¥10, students ¥5.  edit

• Beijing Botanical Gardens (北京植物园 Běijīng Zhíwù Yuán), (Take buses 331, 726). Steps away from the east gate of Fragrant Hill. Acres of greenery and flowers for those tired of urban smog and traffic noise. Sir Johnston, teacher of the last emperor Puyi, had a villa in Cherry Glen, a silent and beautiful retreat in the Gardens. In the spring, the gardens hosts special exhibits of tulips, peach and plum blossoms, peonies, and the like. ¥10, students ¥5.  edit

• Five Pagoda Temple (五塔寺 Wǔtǎ Sì), 24 Waitaisi Cun, Baishiqiao 白石桥五塔寺村24号. The "Five Pagoda Temple" is the popular name of the Diamond-Throne Tower that is at the heart of the Temple of the Great Righteous Awakening (大真觉寺 Dàzhēnjiào Sì). Most of the wooden temple was burnt down in 1860 and 1900, but the beautiful brick and marble Diamond-Throne Tower, which dates back to the late fifteenth century, survived. The temple area is now used to house the Beijing Art Museum of Stone Carvings. Right on the southern border of Haidian, north-west of the Zoo across the Changhe River. Take the subway to Xizhimen, and then take Bus 106 to Beijing Library and walk 500m east.  edit

• Purple Bamboo Park (紫竹院公园 Zǐzhúyuàn Gōngyuán). One of the larger parks in Beijing, this is centered around three connected lakes. As the name indicates, there is an outstanding variety of bamboo groves here. Walk 2km west from the Zoo, or take Bus 601 from Xizhimen to the park's south gate (紫竹院南门 Zǐzhúyuàn Nánmén). ¥5.  edit

• Wanshou Temple (万寿寺 Wànshòu Sì), Xihuan Huanbeilu 西环环北路, ☎ +86 10 68413380. Built in 1577, this Ming-era temple now houses the Beijing Art Museum (北京艺术博物馆 Běijīng Yìshù Bówùguǎn), which has a sizable collection of ancient artwork. Just north-west of Purple Bamboo Park; from Xizhimen take Bus 362 to Purple Bamboo Bridge North (紫竹桥北 Zǐzhú Qiáo Běi).  edit

• Great Bell Temple & Museum (大钟寺古钟博物馆 Dàzhōng Sì Gǔzhōng Bówùguǎn). Also known as the Temple of Awakening Life (觉生寺 Juéshēng Sì). Home to the fifteenth-century Yongle Great Bell which, at 6.94m tall 46.5 tons, is the largest bell in China. The 227,000 Chinese characters inscribed on it spell out Buddhist sutras. Subway Line 13 to Dazhongsi, and then walk 400m west.  edit

• Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution (中国人民革命军事博物馆 Zhōngguó Rénmín Gémìng Jūnshì Bówùguǎn), ☎ +86 10 68529647. A great place to read the official Chinese version of what happened in Chinese military history, from ancient times up to 1949. There are also airplanes, boats, guns, missiles, rockets and vehicles on display (including U.S. military hardware evidently seized during the Korean conflict). The exhibit in "The Hall of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea" was unfortunately inaccessible as of April 2007. You can pay an extra ¥5 to take a picture in a 1980's era Chinese tank. Entrance fee is ¥20.  edit

• Yuyuantan Park (玉渊潭公园; Yùyuāntán Gōngyuán; also known as Jade Lake Park), Sanlihe Road, West Ring Road Three (西三环路三里河路; Xīsānhuánlù Sānlǐhélù) (Just inside West Ring Road Three, across from the CCVT tower, northeast of Gongzhufen Metro Station (line 1)), ☎ +86 10 8865 3806 (yyt1@beijingyuyuantanpark.com), [1]. 6AM-10:30PM. Huge park with cherry blossoms, tulips, lake with boats for rent, water park and playgrounds. Popular for picnic or kite flying. ¥2.  edit

• Zizhuyuan Park (紫竹院公园; Zǐzhúyuàn Gōngyuán; also known as Purple Bamboo Garden), 45 Baishiqiao Road (白石桥路45号; Báishíqiáolù) (Metro Line 4 will pass close by when finished, till then take buses 114, 334, 347, 360, 482, 534, 601, 714 to Zizhuyuan South Gate Station (紫竹院南门)), ☎ +86 10 6842 5851. Summer 6AM-9PM; winter 6AM-8PM. Park with artificial hills and lakes. A large number of different bamboo species can be seen here. Free.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Tour the University District. Peking and Tsinghua universities are the two most prestigious in China, and have attractive campuses next to one another at the center of Beijing's university district. Not many tourists visit, and so during the summer vacation months they can be relatively tranquil spots amidst Beijing busyness. Walk west from Wudaokou (五道口 Wǔdàokǒu) on subway line 13.  edit

• Read about China at the National Library (国家图书馆 Guójiā Túshūguǎn), 33 Zhongguancun Nadajie 海淀区中关村南大街33号, ☎ +86 10 88544114 (webmaster@nlc.gov.cn), [2]. The National Library has a large collection of books in English about China. Day-passes can obtained for a small fee.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Golden Resources Shopping Mall (金源时代购物中心 Jīnyuán Shídài Gòuwù Zhōngxīn), near Yuanda Bridge / Yuanda Road off the West Fourth Ring Road in Haidian District. The mall covers 680.000 square meters, and is the second largest in Asia. Multiple stories, snaking alleys, infinite shopping opportunities... you get the gist.  edit

• Zhongguancun (中关村 Zhōngguāncūn). For the more technologically-oriented tourist, is a must. Located a couple miles from Tsinghua University, this area is dubbed the "Silicon Valley of China." There are a number of large electronics malls that sell everything from phones to computer parts. Pirated software and DVDs are also not hard to find here. Many of the shady characters outside the malls shouting 'DVD!' also sell pornography (illegal in China).The largest and most well-known malls include:  edit

• Hailong (海龙大厦 Hǎilóng Dàshà).  edit
• Dinghao (鼎好大厦 Dìnghǎo Dàshà).  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Dong Lai Shun (东来顺 Dōng Lái Shùn). Daily 11 AM-2 PM and 5-9 PM. This king of Beijing hotpot has been around since the 19th century. Founded by the Hui (ethnic Muslims), Donglaishun serves halal cuts of top-quality lamb and beef. Also serves cooked-by-chef dishes, including traditional Beijing sweets.  edit

• Haidian branch, 25 Yiheyuan Lu, 颐和园路25号, Haidian.  edit

Wudaokou (五道口 Wǔdàokǒu), where most of the foreign and local university students hang out. There are a number of bars and restaurants which serve a great variety of wine, beer and liquor for cheap. This area is also well known for its huge Korean population and a good place to find Korean food.

• Isshin Japanese Restaurant (一心日本料理 Yīxīn Rìběn Liàolǐ), Courtyard of 35 Chengfu Lu 成府路35号院. An inexpensive and tasty Japanese restaurant that is packed most nights. 25m north-west of the Wudaokou subway station in a small courtyard.  edit
• Jiaheyipin Congee Restaurant (嘉和一品 Jiāhéyīpǐn), 35 Chengfu Lu 成府路35号. Branches of this excellent congee restaurant can be found across Beijing. This one is just west of the Wudaokou subway station.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Sculpting in Time (雕刻时光 Diāokè Shíguāng), [3]. Laid-back cafe with free wifi and a small menu of food. Popular with both locals and foreigners. They now have eight branches across Beijing.  edit

• Wudaokou Branch, Fl. 2, Building 12, Huaqing Jiayuan 成府路华清嘉园12 号楼2 号3-4F, ☎ +86 10 82863094. South-west of the Wudaokou subway station.  edit
• Fragrant Hills Branch, 50 Maimai Rd, Fragrant Hills 香山买卖街50号, ☎ +86 10 82590040. Just a little east from the main gate of the Fragrant Hills.  edit

• Lush, Level 2, Bld. 1, Huaqing Jiayuan, Wudaokou 五道口华清家园1号楼2层, ☎ +86 10 82863566, [4]. A very popular foreign student hangout, this bar has an open-mic night on Sundays.  edit

• Propaganda, ☎ +86 10 82893991. Just south of Lush & Sculpting in Time, this bar/club is packed on weekends, with a mix of mainly Korean, Japanese, and Western students. Wednesday nights are all-you-can-drink for 80 yuan or so (the price constantly changes, and it's lower if you're female).  edit

• D-22, 242 Chengfu Lu 成府路242号, ☎ +86 10 62653177, [5]. One of Beijing's most dynamic venues for live music (predominantly rock and punk). Walk 1.5km west from Wudaokou station, or east from Peking University East Gate.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• PekingUni International Youth Hostel (北京未名国际青年旅舍; Běijīng Wèimíng Guójìqīngniánlǚshè), 150 Chengfu Road (成府路150号; Chéngfǔlù) (Close to Wudaokou Metro Station (line 13). Just head west for 800m and it's a large building with a sign on the 5th floor. Go around the right side where you'll see a Hostelling International logo.), ☎ +86 10 6254 9667 (fax: +86 10 6263 5073), [6]. Right smack in the university district, closest hostel to Olympic area. Free internet, guest kitchen and bike hire available. Restaurant and bar. Discounted rates for dorms (a bed in a shared room)/doubles without bathroom/doubles with bathroom from ¥60-¥410 without breakfast.  edit

• Huayetianyuan Hotel (北京天缘惠达宾馆 (原华业天缘宾馆); Běijīngtiānyuánhuìdábīnguǎn (Yuánhuáyètiānyuánbīnguǎn)), 86 Westend of North Ring Road Three (西三环北路86号; Xīsānhuánběilù) (Gongzhufen Metro Station (line 1) and from there buses 374, 394, 437, 658, 704, 809, 944 or 968 to Hangtianqiao North Station (航天桥北)), ☎ +86 10 5979 8001 (fax: +86 10 6847 5395). Rooms with free internet, aircon and fridge. Business center, beauty salon and ticket office available. Chinese restaurant. Listed rates for doubles including breakfast ¥228, discounted ¥163.  edit

• Longwu Jingpin Hotel (北京隆屋精品酒店; Běijīnglóngwūjīngpǐnjiǔdiàn), 35 Enjili (恩济里35号; ēnjìlǐ) (Inside Northend of West Ring Road Four, bus 653 to Enjixijie Station (恩济西街)), ☎ +86 10 8815 5757 (fax: +86 10 8815 3068), [7]. Rooms with free internet. The cheapest rooms are quite small. Business center, beauty salon, ticket office and laundry service available. Listed price for doubles from ¥250, discounted from ¥198; breakfast ¥20.  edit

• Beijing Longquanhu Hotel (北京龙泉湖酒店; Běijīngóngquánhújiǔdiàn), 2 Shangdi Second Street (上地二街2号; Shàngdìèrjiē) (800m west of Shangdi Metro Station (line 13), or bus 963 to Shanddihuandaonan Station(上地环岛南)), ☎ +86 10 8277 2626 (longquanhu8@163.com, fax: +86 10 8277 2788), [8]. Three star hotel. Rooms with free internet. Meeting facilities, beauty salon, ticket office, laundry service and fitness available. Chinese restaurant, bar and room service. Listed rates for doubles from ¥238, discounted from ¥181; breakfast ¥10.  edit

[edit] Mid range

• Xinxing Hotel (北京新兴宾馆 Běijīng Xīnxīng Bīnguǎn), No.17 the 3rd Ring Rd Middle West 西三北中路17号, ☎ +86 10 68166688. Free internet access, but you need to ask for a room with it (you should also ask in advance too). The staff are friendly, but their English is minimal. It is mostly Chinese tourists and businessmen that stay here. Chinese breakfast is served on the second floor in the morning until 9AM. There is also a swimming pool in a separate building. About $50 per night.  edit

• BJ Song Lu Sheng Fang Holiday Hotel, ☎ 86-10-88637878, [9]. This 3-star hotel lies along Haidian District's Tiancun Road. It is just 20 km from Beijing Capital Airport and only 15 minutes from the West Railway Station. BJ Song Lu Sheng Fang Holiday Hotel offers 100 guestrooms, it is aptly furnished with air-conditioning, cable TV, and a mini-bar for a truly restful stay. 8 Tiancun Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China. Rates start at ¥331.14.  edit

• Beijing Zhong Yu Century Grand Hotel (北京中裕世纪大酒店 Běijīng Zhōng Yù Shìjì Dàjiǔdiàn), 31 Lianhuachi East Road, Haidian District 西客站北广场莲花池东路31号, ☎ +86 10 63989999, [10]. Located in Haidian District, the second-largest district in the capital’s urban area. It offers 208 air-conditioned rooms and appointed with a cable TV, mini-bar, refrigerator, room safe, IDD/ DDD telephone and broadband Internet. From ¥360.  edit

• Shanshui Trends Hotel (山水时尚酒店 (北京航天桥店); Shānshuǐshíshàngjiǔdiàn (Běijīnghángtiānqiáodiàn)), 10 Fucheng Road (阜成路10号; Fùchénglù) (Just east of West Ring Road Three, buses 37, 121, 603, 624, 631, 645, 846 to Hangtianqiaodong Station (航天桥东)), ☎ +86 10 8810 0100 (fax: +86 10 8810 0200). Rooms with free internet and aircon. Gift shop, ticket office and laundry service available. Chinese restaurant and rooms service. Listed rates for doubles from ¥388, discounted ¥181; no breakfast available..  edit

• Sariz International Hotel, The Gate Building, 19 Zhongguancun Avenue, ☎ +86 10 82488866, [11]. This five-star hotel is just a 15-minute drive from the Bird's Nest stadium and Water Cube. It offers 224 air-conditioned guestrooms and is equipped with an LCD TV with cable, computer, broadband Internet, mini-bar, and refrigerator. It offers top class facilities and services such as Chinese and Western Restaurants, fitness center, health club, and three meeting rooms. Rates start at ¥620.05.  edit

• Royal King Hotel (融金国际酒店 Róngjīn Guójì Jiǔdiàn), ☎ +86 10 62589999, [12]. Located in Haidian District, and has convenient access to the country's so-called Silicon Valley, Zhongguancun, and many of the city's cultural and historic attractions. Their rooms are air-conditioned and fitted with free high-speed Internet access, LCD TV with satellite channels, a DDD/ IDD phone, and private toilet and bath with sprinkler shower. Among their facilities includes a health club that features steam bath, gymnasium, and jacuzzi, spa, beauty salon and barber shop, an indoor swimming pool, a dicso, and a bar.  edit

• Friendship Hotel (友谊宾馆 Yǒuyì Bīnguǎn), 1 Zhongguancun Nandajie 中关村南大街1号, ☎ +86 10 68498888, [13]. Built back in 1954 for foreign visitors to Beijing, this has been extensively modernized and remains a busy hotel.  edit

• Happy Inn International Hotel, B65 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China, ☎ 86-10-88278800, [14]. With our privileged location west of Changan Avenue, your Beijing hotel reservation at Happy Inn International will bring you close to various attractions. Our five-star accommodation in Beijing showers you with everything you may require for relaxation. Rates start at CNY 458.00.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Crowne Plaza Beijing Zhongguancun (北京中关村皇冠假日酒店; Běijīng Zhōngguāncūnhuángguānjiàrì Jiǔdiàn), 106 Zhichun Road (知春路106号; Zhīchūnlù) (300m east of Haidianuangzhuang Metro Station (line 10)), ☎ +86 10 5993 8888 (info@cp-zhongguancun.com, fax: +86 10 5993 8999), [15]. Rooms with internet access (against surcharge in cheaper rooms). Business center, fitness, swimming pool and sauna available. Chinese and Western restaurants as well as bar. The service is ok, but the level of English spoken here is a bit disappointing. The location is not very interesting, but the metro is not far away. Listed rates for doubles from ¥1,826, discounted rates from ¥772, breakfast ¥170 (included for more expensive rooms).  edit

[edit] Contact

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