Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All China Beijing

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Beijing

25 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Beijing, China

Updated September 11, 2024

Email
Attractions
Food & Drink
Map
Leaderboards
Stories
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Beijing

The Forbidden City

Beijing, China

The Forbidden City

The most famous location in China was home to whole dynasties worth of imperial rulers.
Looking ahead on the slide.

Beijing, China

Great Wall of China Slide

Why walk on this historical site when you can zoom down instead?
China Watermelon Museum

Beijing, China

China Watermelon Museum

This Chinese museum proves that it's a watermelon world, we're all just living in it.
Ming Tombs southern entrance

Beijing, China

Ming Dynasty Tombs

Ming Dynasty necropolis raided during the Cultural Revolution.
(Flickr/Svalin)

Beijing, China

798 Art District

This probably wasn't what Mao had in mind.
Destination Club

Beijing, China

Destination Club

A progressive LGBTQ hub offers dancing, HIV testing, art, and more.
The azimuth theodolite.

Beijing, China

Beijing Ancient Observatory

This ancient Chinese observatory still contains early astronomy technology.
Ming Dynasty-era Vase

Beijing, China

Beijing Capital Museum

Home to over 200,000 artifacts, this museum attempts to guide visitors through the ancient history of Beijing and Imperial China.
See All 25 Things To Do in Beijing

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Beijing

China Watermelon Museum

Beijing, China

China Watermelon Museum

This Chinese museum proves that it's a watermelon world, we're all just living in it.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Beijing, China

Museums 6
Architecture 6
Collections 4
Temples 4
Unique Restaurants & Bars 3
Architectural Oddities 3
Outsider Art 3
Cultures And Civilizations 3
Art 3
Shops 3
Rites And Rituals 3

Beijing Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Rob
    6
  2. Luke Cata
    6
  3. kendraschaefer
    3
  4. atimian
    1
  5. serflac
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Beijing.

Places Edited

  1. Martin
    11
  2. Rachel
    11
  3. atimian
    4
  4. Collector of Experiences
    4
  5. Luke Cata
    4
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. artistheartkels fb90e2fc
    24
  2. artistheartkels
    22
  3. lovedbyerae6978
    21
  4. dapolzin
    19
  5. andresvargas
    16

Recent Beijing Activity

  • dclifford1958

    wants to go to Dixia Cheng - Beijing's Underground City

  • dclifford1958

    has been to Dixia Cheng - Beijing's Underground City

  • dclifford1958

    wants to go to The Amazing Robots of Wu Yulu

  • agamily

    wants to go to Great Wall of China Slide

  • agamily

    wants to go to 798 Art District

Stories About Beijing

This latte, from the People’s Cafe, comes with an edible picture of the God of Wealth on top.

A Gastro Obscura Guide to Beijing

In China's capital, try edgy beers and desserts fit for an empress.
by Xiaokun Song
July 1, 2024
Today nearly 7,000 Père David’s deer roam the wetlands of China.

The French Missionary and the English Duke Who Saved a Chinese Deer From Extinction

A conservation tale 120 years in the telling. 
by Marina Wang
January 24, 2020
A hairy monkey diorama made by Ying Li, showing a picnic in the park and a vendor selling pumpkins.

How Chinese Artisans Turn Dead Cicadas Into ‘Hairy Monkeys’

These traditional handicrafts require exoskeletons, magnolia buds, and a steady hand.
by Marina Wang
December 19, 2019

See Fewer Ads

Become an Atlas Obscura member and experience far fewer ads and no pop-ups.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube Twitter Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Puzzles
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.