Ritan Park (2010)
Many Beijingers would say Silk Street, which gained fame in the 1980s, is the most popular place for foreigners in the city. As a former embassy district by the charming Ritan Park, the area has developed into a bustling commercial area for food, shopping and entertainment.
Lido Area (2010)
But this summer it’s the place to be when a World Cup game is on. Summertime is perfect for lounging outside at night – throw in televised live games and you have a party. Eudora Station’s rooftop is a great place for fans to watch the games and enjoy food, beer and the open air. Other restaurants and bars are also open late and offer similar comforts.
West Gate of Chaoyang Park & Lucky Street
The street beside the West gate of Chaoyang Park is no stranger to diners. Its restaurants serve up authentic Chinese, Italian and Japanese foods. The street crosses Lucky Street in the north where there are even more options to satisfy picky stomachs. Several new restaurants have opened on the street in the last few months, and fans of barbeque, lobster and Italian cuisine are in for a treat.
798 District
The face of 798 Art District has changed drastically since the first galleries, artists’ studios and design companies moved in in 2002. It is now less a hub of creativity and more a congregation of shops, restaurants and bars with the bonus atmosphere of a mid-19th century industrializing China – a welcome alternative to the crowded and noisy downtown shopping malls and commercial centers.
Roma Lake
Roma Lake's name, Luoma in Chinese, is a portmanteau of Luogezhuang and Matouzhuang, the villages that surround it. Two years ago, it was only a fishing spot for residents. Now, it has become the Houhai of the suburbs - minus the huge crowds and deafening noise. Its restaurants and cafes offer a variety of Chinese and international cuisines, and nearby, villagers go on with their daily lives.
Gulou Area
More and more people find the “downtown” label hard to attach to a city like Beijing simply because the downtown scene is everywhere. If the World Trade Center is considered the CBD, what about the new financial street? If you think Sanlitun is totally expat territory, consider Wudaokou in Haidian.
Lido Area
Located on the corner of the Fourth Ring Road and the Capital Airport Expressway, the area surrounding the Lido Hotel is an entertainment and communication base for both Asians and Westerners. Since it is not far from the Wangjing area, a popular gathering place for South Koreans, lots of South Koreans often come here to have dinner, hold parties or meet friends in the Lido area. Restaurants and bakeries of South Korean style and taste can be seen everywhere.
Houhai Area
Houhai, located dead in the middle of old Beijing, is also known as Shishahai, an area including Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai and with a history of more than 700 years. According to historical records, Houhai was designed in the thirteenth century. Since Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), Houhai has been the city's largest commercial area. It was also the terminus of the local water route, so the surrounding area booms with hotels, restaurants, stores and business workshops.
