Page 93 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Beijing

Eastern Beijing ❮❮ 91

Dong Yue Miao
9 A WALK FROM RI TAN PARK
TO SANLITUN
MAP G3 • 141 Chaoyang
Men Wai Dajie • 6551 0151 Workers’ La Social,
• Subway: Chaoyang Men • Open Stadium Hidden House
8:30am–4:30pm Tue–Sun • Adm Blue Zoo Beijing Taikoo Li
This colorful, active temple dating to Dong Yue BNC
Migas
the early 14th century is tended by Miao Taco Bar
Daoist monks. The main courtyard
leads into the Hall of Tai Shan, with Ri Tan Lu
statues of gods and their attendants. Ancient
Observatory
Ri Tan Park
Red Gate
Gallery Southeast Corner
Watchtower
MORNING
Start the day at the Southeast
Corner Watchtower, for an aerial
view from one of Beijing’s last
remaining city walls. Browse the
Red Gate Gallery for some of the
best in Chinese contemporary
art, then walk to the Ancient
Observatory (see p89) to see
ancient brass instruments (and
Statues in the Dong Yue Miao temple another rooftop view). Keep
heading north, but take a break
Ri Tan Park
0 in Ri Tan Park, one of the city’s
more picturesque green spots.
MAP G4 • Guanghua Lu • 8561
6301 • Subway: Jianguo Men • Open The park is home to a lake and
the ruins of a sacrificial altar,
6:30am–9:30pm daily but it is better known for the
One of the city’s oldest parks, Ri Tan countless locals who come to
was laid out around a sacrificial altar exercise, fly kites, do morning
in the 16th century. The round altar tai chi, or just enjoy the view.
remains, ringed by a wall, but this is
very much a living park, filled daily AFTERNOON
with people walking and exercising. Head out of the park via the
The park is well maintained and is eastern exit and grab lunch at one
surrounded by restaurants and cafés. of Ri Tan Lu’s many cafés before
continuing north to the vibrant
Red lanterns hanging in Ri Tan Park Dong Yue Miao temple. Go to the
south gate of the Workers’
Stadium to visit the popular Blue
Zoo Beijing (see p89), then keep
heading north into Sanlitun (see
p89) for an afternoon of shopping
at Taikoo Li. Check out the best
Chinese designers at BNC, pick up
some chic ceramics at Spin (for
both, see p92), and restock your
coffee-table books at Bookworm
(see p113). For cheap eats, try the
Taco Bar, or go to Jing Yaa Tang
(for both, see p93) for something
more upmarket. Enjoy a nightcap
at La Social or Hidden House
before going dancing on Migas’
terrace (for all, see p58).
See map on p88

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