Passing Through the World - ALWAYS ON THE WAY
After winter sets in, Beijing becomes much less interesting. Strong winds and smog appear frequently. If you catch a fine, sunny day, don't waste it — definitely go out for a walk. City walking in Beijing brings genuine surprises.
This time, we walked another route that combines mostly indoor venues with outdoor segments — perfect for winter strolling and photography. When cold, duck inside to warm up, then continue. By day's end, we had way too many great photos — truly wonderful!
Recommended Route
1. National Art Museum of China (1.5-2 hours) 2. Pangmei Noodle House (1-1.5 hours) 3. Half Coffee (1 hour) 4. Wusi Street (10-15 minutes) 5. 77 Cultural and Creative Park (1 hour) 6. Former Site of Sino-French University (30 minutes) 7. Hui Temple at Songzhu Temple 8. Red Building of Peking University (2 hours)
Total distance: 4.4 KM
PART 01 National Art Museum of China
This year, the National Art Museum of China celebrated its 60th anniversary with the spectacular exhibition "Beauty in the New Era — 60th Anniversary Series Exhibition." It displayed many classic masterpieces from the museum's collection, including works by Chinese art masters such as Su Shi, Tang Yin, Bada Shanren, Qi Baishi, Xu Beihong, and Lin Fengmian, as well as foreign masters like Picasso, Kathe Kollwitz, and Ansel Adams. Missing this grand exhibition means waiting another 10 years.
But the exhibition has long ended. Going with the flow, this visit to the National Art Museum happened to coincide with "Water Color and Mental Imagery — Li Qing's Watercolor Exhibition." The works featured vivid colors and lively brushstrokes, with various animals brought to life under his brush — another visual feast. Standing before his works, it was as if I could truly hear the sound of autumn wind sweeping through fallen leaves.
National Art Museum of China - Opening hours: Daily 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00), closed Mondays (except statutory holidays) - Reserve via the "National Art Museum of China" WeChat official account, or on-site (staff guide you before entry). ID card or photo of ID card required for entry - Metro Line 8, National Art Museum Station, Exit A
PART 02 Pangmei Noodle House (Longfu Branch)
I'd long heard that the viral restaurant Pangmei Noodle House was delicious, so popular that weekend wait times could exceed 3 hours. But avoiding weekends is much friendlier — only a 20-minute wait. For two people, 111 RMB: one bowl of mixed noodles, one bowl of fatty intestine noodles, one brown sugar glutinous rice cake, one Langya potato — taste buds satisfied.
PART 03 Half Coffee
After eating at Pangmei Noodle House, walk 50 meters to this coffee shop. Quan and I each ordered a specialty — "Summer Soseki" — and a pour-over, and entered the cozy time of the day. Summer Soseki has a very refreshing taste — recommended for friends who like trying new things.
PART 04 Wusi Street
Walking to Wusi Street in early November wasn't breathtakingly beautiful, but passing through a large grove of trees on the way to 77 Cultural and Creative Park, sunlight filtered through the gaps. Sitting on a bench to soak up some sun was truly pleasant.
PART 05 77 Cultural and Creative Park
No ticket or reservation required — it's a cultural and creative park focused on drama and film/TV industries. It periodically hosts creative markets, outdoor art events, exhibitions, and other activities. With red brick factory buildings, spiraling steel staircases, and terraces offering many photo angles, it's very photogenic — becoming a niche industrial-style photo spot. The park also has coffee shops, with few people and a quiet atmosphere.
I hear the terraces at 77 Cultural and Creative Park are great for evening breezes and night views in summer. The three terraces are: the "Undefined Terrace Tennis Court" in Building 1, the "Sunset Terrace" adjacent to the Former Site of Sino-French University, and the "Drama Terrace" atop the 77 Theater building. Next summer, I'll find time to come back~
PART 06 Former Site of Sino-French University
This is a Chinese-Western hybrid building with a Western structure and Chinese-style tile roof. The founding of Sino-French University originated from the Work-Study Movement in France in the early 20th century, when a group of aspiring Chinese youth crossed the ocean to France, working while studying, hoping to master European science, technology, and cultural knowledge, and to use industry, education, and science to strengthen China upon their return.
The visitable area inside is not large. Remember to reserve at least one day in advance — otherwise, like us, you'll only be able to peek through the gate.
Former Site of Sino-French University - Opening hours: Daily 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), closed Mondays (except statutory holidays) - Reserve in advance via the "Former Site of Sino-French University" WeChat official account (1-7 days ahead). Real-name reservation required; on-site reservation not accepted
PART 07 Songzhu Temple . Zhizhu Temple . HUI Temple
Across the street from the Former Site of Sino-French University, enter the hutong, wander a bit, and you'll reach Songzhu Temple and Zhizhu Temple. These two temples are part of the same architectural complex, originally built in the 21st year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1756). According to records, Zhizhu Temple once served as a royal scripture printing site and a residence for living buddhas. At its peak, 60 to 80 scholars and approximately 860 monks worked together in the scripture printing workshop.
In the 1950s, Songzhu Temple, Zhizhu Temple, and Fayuan Temple ceased religious activities. Songzhu Temple was taken over as a factory by the Beijing Blind Persons' Rubber Factory. In the early 1960s, the northwest corner of Zhizhu Temple's main hall caught fire due to an electrical short circuit. In the 1970s, factories merged and moved into Songzhu Temple, establishing the Beijing Dongfeng Television Factory. Songzhu Temple's Hall of Heavenly Kings, bell and drum towers, and all of Fayuan Temple's buildings were demolished to make way for production and assembly workshops.
But Zhizhu Temple's decline didn't continue. In 2007, a Belgian named Juan van Walsem discovered the site and spent 5 years restoring Zhizhu Temple. The United Nations even awarded it the "Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation." Today, the temple has been converted into event halls, conference rooms, and a gallery open to the public for free. Modern art and ancient architecture blend together with a unique artistic charm. HUI Temple is a tea room within this recovered ancient temple. In good weather, everyone likes to order a pot of tea and lie on the cushions surrounding the main hall, driving away fatigue and anxiety.
PART 08 Red Building of Peking University
This building, blending Chinese and Western architectural styles, is one of the important birthplaces of the Communist Party of China. Built in the autumn of 1918, with red bricks and red tiles, it was called the "Red Building." As the home of the National Peking University's liberal arts department, library, and administration, the library was located on the first floor. The office of Li Dazhao, then director of the Peking University Library, was in the southeast corner of the first floor. Li Dazhao used the Red Building library as a base to organize and lead progressive Peking University youth, conducting research and spreading Marxism, and laying the groundwork for the founding of the Communist Party of China.
- Opening hours: Daily 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), closed Mondays (except holidays) - Reserve in advance via the "Red Building of Peking University" WeChat official account (1-7 days ahead). Real-name reservation required. Children 130cm and under (including 130cm) do not need reservations and may enter with a guardian
