Top Reasons Beijing Attracts Most Gay Men
Beijing has been one of the the most attractive destinations to gay men.
As the China's capital city, it is a vibrant mix of history and modernity.
Having served as the capital of the country for more than 800 years, it is
home to some of the finest remnants of China's imperial past.
Beijing is brightened by its glorious past, but is by no means struck in the
past. Behind its rich and complex historical tapestries, everyday life
unfolds with bewildering variety. From the commanding austerity of the
Forbidden City to the hectic bar street at Sanlitun, Beijing is overflowing
with a unique charm, beckoning visitors from around the world to lose
themselves in the furious pace. You may list hundreds of reasons to visit
Beijing, but the following reasons should be on the top of the list.
1. Numerous Historical Monuments
Beijing boasts a history of more than 3,000 years, of which more than
800 years were as the national capital. It has many places of historic
interest, including the Temple of Heaven, where ancient emperors
performed solemn rituals for bountiful harvests; the Summer Palace,
ancient emperors summer retreat; and the Ming Tombs, the mausoleum
of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is an abiding symbol of imperial China. Famed
for its expansive architecture, magnificent imperial gardens and
many displays of Chinese antiquities and treasures, it is one of
Beijing's premier tourist attractions. The world's largest palace
complex, the Forbidden City's gracefully decorated and
beautifully-preserved halls, ceremonial buildings, pavilions and
courtyards cover a massive 720,000 sq m (861,113 sq yd).
Wandering its myriad corridors, you'll discover a host of treasures
and be transported back in time to the glory days of this opulent
palace that served China's emperors for 500 years.
2. The World's Grandest Tourist Sights
Beijing holds many magnificent sights that set national or even world
records, including the Great Wall, the longest man-made structure in the
world; the Forbidden City, the largest and best preserved ancient
architectural complex in the world; and Tian'anmen Square, the largest
city square in the world.
Great Wall
China's most recognizable icon, no visit to Beijing is complete
without a trip to the Great Wall of China. On arriving in Beijing,
many people are surprised to discover that the Great Wall of China
is not one continuous wall running the length of the country but is,
in fact, made up of many small sections scattered across the
northern parts of the country. It served to protect the Chinese
heartland from the barbarian hordes of the north and though much
is attributed to Emperor Qin Shi Huang (221-201 BC), in large part, it
was built up during subsequent dynasties, most recently during the
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The most popular parts of the Great
Wall near Beijing are Badaling and Mutianyu, but there are many
others to be explored, including Simatai, Jinshanling, and, for the
more adventurous traveler, Shixiaguan, also known as the Secret
Great Wall.
The Mutianyu segment of Great Wall is located about 70 km (44 mi)
from Beijing and connects with Juyong Guan (Juyong Pass) to the
west, and the Gubei Kou (Gubei Gate) to the east—two of the Wall's
key strategic points. Mutianyu is a nice choice for a Beijing Great
Wall expedition that's not too terribly crowded and is fairly
accessible and easy on the knees (if you opt for a cable car ascent).
Badaling is the most popular section of Beijing's Great Wall, located
a comfortable 70 km (44 mi) drive away along a modern expressway.
Constructed during the Ming Dynasty, Badaling underwent
extensive reconstruction during the 1950s and 1980s, allowing
visitors to see the monument's watchtowers and mighty bulk in all
their pristine glory snaking off across the hills.
With all the extras and this site's popularity, those seeking a less
crowded and commercialized experience may want to head further
out to Simatai, Jinshanling or other spots. But for those on a tight
schedule who want to get in a visit to a prime length of the Great
Wall, a Badaling day trip is an excellent option. Despite all the
commercial trappings and crowds, a walk along the Badaling wall
can be a stunning experience.
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace offers an excellent overview of China's imperial
spirit; its traditional Chinese architecture, halls, courtyards,
pavilions, temples and wooded hillsides are bound to be a highlight
of any Beijing tour. The original Summer Palace, established in 1750
by the Emperor Qianlong, was destroyed in 1860 during the Second
Opium War and then again in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion. The
Empress Dowager Cixi was responsible for re-establishing the
lakeside retreat and poured resources—including silver earmarked
for upgrading the Chinese navy—into rebuilding the ravaged
pleasure grounds, completing the restoration in 1902. Today, the
Summer Palace grounds are the largest preserved imperial-era
garden in China and a UNESCO World Heritage Site and consistently
rank among Beijing's must-see tourist attractions.
3. Well-Preserved Historic Culture
One of the major attractions in Beijing are the zigzagging hutongs, an
integral part of Beijing's local culture. Created in the 13th century, the
Hutongs are actually small public alleys with private courtyard residences.
It is the way Old Beijing used to be. Hutongs are like folk-custom
museums, presenting a window into a traditional way of life intertwined
with the old architecture and maze of narrow streets.
Hutong
Hutong are traditional Beijing lanes which served as passageways
between the capital's traditional gray-brick courtyard dwellings.
They date back to the Mongol Yuan Dynasty and over time, the
name "hutong" has come to refer more broadly to the style of
housing and the neighborhoods in which they are found. Exploring
the maze of hutong is one of the great pleasures of any Beijing
experience with hundreds of years of history seeping from their
walls.
4. Lively Outdoor Markets
Beijing has several shopping districts offering a mind-boggling variety of
goods. Besides the traditional shopping districts, including Wangfujing
Street and Qianmen Street, the lively outdoor markets should not be
missed by foreign travelers. Check out Panjiayuan "Antiques" Market and
Xiushui Street for local specialties such as fresh-water pearls, antiques,
silk, and much more.
5. Colorful Nightlife
As the capital city of China, Beijing attracts people from all over the
country and the world. The diversity and vitality of the city has endowed
Beijing with a varied and colorful nightlife. Lots of people choose to relax
themselves in the bars. The numerous shows and performances,
including Peking Opera and acrobatics, are attractive to lovers of live
entertainment.
The Legend of Kung Fu Show (Group)
Gay Clubs in Beijing
Beijing’s gay scene has grown rapidly over the past few years. Here are
the most gay-popular destinations in the city. Many trendy bars and
clubs in Beijing are located within hotels and the crowds are usually
mixed. Some venues feature a weekly gay night.
Destination Club 7 Gongti Xi Lu, Chaoyang District
＋86 10 6552 8180 | Weekday opening times: 20:00 - 02:00
Weekend opening times: 20:00 –
Destination Club is the largest and one of the most popular gay dance
clubs in the city. This stylish venue features different bar areas and a
large dance floor. Most cute & friendly staff speak some
English. Regular themed evenings include the ever-popular monthly
‘Bear Hunting’ Friday. Free WiFi is available. Features: bar, music,
dancing, free wi-fi
6. Accommodation of All Levels
Beijing has great appeal to both domestic and international travelers. To
cater for the booming tourist industry, Beijing provides accommodation
that can meet all budget levels, including boutique hotels, star-rated
hotels, hostels and inns.
7. Convenient Transportation
As the nation's capital, Beijing is the center of domestic transportation. It
also has many international direct flights to major cities of the world. Air
and rail connections link Beijing to virtually every point in China, and
fleets of buses head to destinations around Beijing.
8. Post-Olympic Atmosphere
Beijing magnificently hosted the 2008 Olympics. The city as well as the
whole nation geared up enthusiastically for the Games. The city has
become even more beautiful and the air cleaner as a result.
A visit to the Olympic site will offer you an aftertaste of the glorious
moments of this magnificent event, and a chance to view a couple of
architectural marvels holding state-of-the-art sports facilities.
Olympic Green
A vision of Beijing's future, the Olympic Green is where to head to
see the capital's most cutting edge architecture. The legacy of the
2008 Olympic, it is home to the famous Bird's Nest National
Stadium and the Watercube National Aquatics Center (which now
also houses a mega water park). Besides being full of jaw-dropping
structures, it's also a pretty good place to see leaves, grass and
ponds and take a relaxing stroll in the middle of town.
Why Visitors to Beijing Just KEEP COMING BACK
Before you ask yourself why should I travel to Beijing? You might ponder
upon why so many travelers keep coming back? Records from tourism
bureaus in Beijing and other Chinese destinations like Shanghai, Tibet
and Yunnan reveal that thousands of tourists year after year return to
these same places. Beijing in particular has a long line of loyal visitors. So
what keeps them coming back?
There’s So Much to Do!
The volume of sites, shopping and cuisines can be intimidating, but it’s
also the first reason visitors can’t keep their teeth out the luscious capital.
Beijing is a monster of a city. 20 million locals, 16 massive districts and
17,000 square kilometers full of modern to ancient sights and vistas that
would decorate any facebook photo album ten times over.
These include:
Qianmen Street
The Great Wall
The Forbidden City
The Temple of Heaven
The Summer Palace
The hutongs
The Olympic Park
Wangfujing Shopping Street
Tian’anmen Square
Beijing Zoo
Grand View Garden
Jingdong Grand Canyon
The Ming Tombs
Lama Temple
Zhongguancun (China’s Silicon Valley)
The Silk Market
Shidu Karst Scenic Area
Sanlitun Bar Street
The 798 Art Zone
Fragrant Hill
Houhai Lake
Tianmo Desert
Beijing Drum Tower
The Military Museum
The Temple of the Earth
Nanshan Ski Resort
Huabei Ski Resort
Snow World Ski Resort
And these are just are just a mere few of more than 900 attractions or
government protected sites. Many Beijing locals haven’t seen them all.
See Beijing Attractions. The options are literally endless and there’s sure
to be something that appeals to all walks of tourists.
Broken into 5 ring roads the city has more to see than stars in the sky.
The first ring is the center of tourism: China’s Modern History Museum,
the mysteries of The Forbidden City and the world famous Tian’anmen
Square.
The second and third rings are rich with shopping centers like Golden
Resource Mall, the largest in the Asia, international restaurants,
including the Diao Yu Tai Restaurant, regular host to President Barack
Obama during his Beijing visits and nightlife like Vics and Mix in the
Sanlitun bar and club center.
The fourth and fifth rings allow visitors to enter the peaceful and
mountainous views of the country side. Fragrant Hill, the city’s most
visited hiking and camping locale as well as the breath-taking Sakura
Preservation Park both serve as escapes from the bustling city center
streets.
Diverse Retail
There is also some of the most diverse shopping anywhere in the world.
The Ya Show Shopping Center, Zoo Whole Sale Market, and Silk Market
offer some of the world’s hottest brands at the world’s cheapest prices.
Definitely stops for any shopper with a taste for luxury brands.
On both the Wangfujing Shopping Street and Qianmen Street one can
find a variety of ethnic souvenirs that range from Tibetan prayer beads to
Mao Era memorabilia. Zhongguancun, dubbed China’s Silicon Valley,
offers cheaper than ever wholesale costs on top-brand electronics with a
little bargaining.
Population Advantage
Many travelers worry about the number of people in the city but unlike
most overcrowded metropolises Beijing has what is called a population
advantage.
The 56 ethnicities from every corner of the country are concentrated in
the city, making it not just the political but cultural capital as well.
Cuisines and tastes that are foreign to even the Beijing locals tempt
tourists to return even before finishing their meals.
No matter what part of the city tourists find themselves in, Beijing will
offer enough culture and history that even a detailed tour is just an
inkling of what is offered. This is what keeps visitors coming back to
Beijing, like the exotic ethnic cuisines, it is so good that they’re never full.
Return to Beijing with China Highlights
Best season to visit Beijing
The Great Wall offers a timeless charm to tourists, but scenery varies
with seasons. Visit it in different times to get a quite different scene. In
spring, when trees and plants begin to turn green, the wall wonders
among the lush vegetation. Every thing looks so fresh. It is a good time to
avoid the crowd tourists in summer and autumn. In late Spring with the
flowers bloom is a great time to find a wild section of the wall and hike
up to it. Summer comes, the booming flowers and colored leaves
cover the mountains. The Great Wall snakes its way like a silver necklace.
What a nice sight! When fall comes, the mountains are blanketed by
colors, creating an amazing view and the weather during this time is
pleasant. This season could be the best season to visit. The mountains
and the wall itself are covered with snow in winter, offering an awesome
snowy scene. The weather in this time of the year will be frozenly cold
and tourists are fewer. It is the best time to get the whole view of the
wall. You can visit Beijing at almost any time of the year, but the peak
tourist season is from June through until August, when many of the
hotels increase their rates, and trips out the Great Wall tend to be
blighted by the sheer number of tourists. Autumn brings the best
weather of the year, and is also a quieter time to visit, although Beijing is
home to so many people that the streets are still pretty busy. If you go
in winter, you'll benefit from really low prices on the hotels, and Beijing
will be very quiet, although this is because the temperature gets really
low, and is rather unpleasant. Chinese New Year is celebrated in Beijing
more than anywhere else in the world, which means that the hotels tend
to be very busy, and it can be difficult to get a room, although if you book
well in advance, it is a spectacular, and unforgettable time to visit