Fantastic way to find the less explored parts of Beijing. They organise hikes along the Great Wall away from the crowded tourist sections.

www.beijinghikers.com/

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Reconstructed, re-opened, and smoothly re-surfaced, Dongcheng District's Nanluoguxiang is one such hutong.

The flood of tasty restaurants, cosy bars, and unique shops that run up and down the hidden street will no doubt remove the lane from the list of Beijing's best- kept secrets. Still, despite the renovations and ongoing grand openings, this area has retained its original essence of an inner-sanctuary. The fact that public toilets outnumber the private ones also add a certain cultural authenticity.

If in the area, this hutong is definitely worth wandering around aimlessly, day or night, ohhing and ahhing along the way.

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A park at the rear (northern exit) of the Palace Museum across the moat.

If your feet can bear one more climb after a day in the forbidden city, make it up to the "Pavillion of Everlasting Spring" which overlooks the entire city. Try to get there for sunset for incredible views of the hundreds of shimmering golden rooftops of the forbidden city and the expanse of Tian An Men square.

Jingshan Park, mentioned in all tourist literature, situated at the northern entrance to the Forbidden City across the moat.
Bus Route 35,104,109, Take Metro to Tian An Men then walk around the Palace Museum moat.
10 RMB entrance fee

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The 10km stretch of the Great Wall from Jinshanling to Sumatai makes for an unforgettable hike. Wake early for the three-hour bus or taxi ride to the start and expect to return to Beijing in the early evening. The steep and crumbling steps are manageable. The only real hazard are the hawkers, whose stamina is pursuing tourists with bags full of bottled water and canned beer is as infuriating as it is impressive.

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Wander the hutong alleyways near the Bell Tower in the early evening, then walk south along the edge of Qianhai Lake to see the street dancers at the entrance to the Houhai entertainment area.

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