Gay Friendly Guide • BEIJING | What to See, Where to Stay, Best Gay Bars and Restaurants | LGBT Guide
- World Mappers
- Jul 16
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 29
GAY BEIJING
Discover this City with our Quick and Practical Guide to Visit the Best Attractions, Savor Typical Dishes and Have Fun in the Best Gay Bars. All this through the Rainbow Eyes of the World Mappers
What to See, Best Places to Sleep, Where to Eat and to Have Fun in BEIJING?
Find it out with the World Mappers !
WHAT TO SEE in BEIJING?
10 THINGS TO SEE in BEIJING
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is one of the largest public squares in the world and represents the political heart of China. Important government buildings, the Mao Zedong Mausoleum and the Monument to the People's Heroes are located here. It is also famous for being the place where Mao proclaimed the birth of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and for the historical events of 1989.
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is the largest imperial palace complex in China and was the residence of the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for nearly five centuries. Consisting of over 900 buildings, it is a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture. Today it houses the Palace Museum, which houses precious artefacts, works of art and testimonies of imperial history.
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is one of Beijing's most important monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 15th century, it was the place where emperors prayed for good harvests and prosperity. The most famous building is the Hall of Prayer for the Good Harvest, characterized by its elegant circular wooden structure and blue roofs.
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace was the summer residence of the imperial family and represents one of the finest examples of a Chinese landscape garden. The complex includes the evocative Kunming Lake, the Hill of Longevity and the famous Long Corridor decorated with thousands of paintings. It is the ideal place to stroll through nature, history and architecture.
Hutong of Beijing
Hutongs are Beijing's ancient traditional alleys, consisting of narrow streets and residential courtyards called siheyuan. Walking through these neighborhoods allows you to learn about the daily life of the city, far from modern skyscrapers. Many hutongs are now home to small shops, cafes, traditional restaurants and charming artisan workshops.
Lama Temple (Yonghe Gong)
The Lama Temple, known as Yonghe Gong, is the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing. Originally built as an imperial residence, it was transformed into a monastery in the 18th century. Inside there are splendid decorated halls, golden statues and a gigantic Maitreya Buddha statue about 18 meters high, carved from a single sandalwood trunk.
Zhengyangmen
Also known as Qianmen, it is one of the ancient monumental gates of the walls of Beijing. Built in the 15th century during the Ming Dynasty, it was the main entrance to the imperial city. The complex includes a watchtower and an archery tower, connected by fortified walls. Today it is one of the most important historical symbols of the capital and offers a panoramic view of the city.
Nan Luo Gu Xiang, Bell Tower & Drum Tower
Nan Luo Gu Xiang is one of Beijing's best-preserved hutongs, famous for its historic alleys, traditional shops, cafes, and traditional restaurants. Walking along this area you reach the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower, two ancient towers built during the Yuan and Ming dynasties that once served to mark time in the city. Today they represent important testimonies of Beijing's history and traditional architecture.
National Museum of China
The National Museum of China, located next to Tiananmen Square, is one of the largest museums in the world. Its collections tell the story of China from the most ancient civilizations to contemporary times. Among the most important finds are bronzes, ceramics, imperial artefacts, historical documents and works of art of great cultural value.
Bird’s Nest e Water Cube (Olympic Stadiums)
The Bird's Nest and the Water Cube are the two iconic structures of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Bird's Nest, the National Stadium, is striking for its structure reminiscent of a woven nest, while the Water Cube features a facade inspired by water bubbles. Today they host sporting events, shows and spectacular evening illuminations.
Below are Discounted Tickets for Top Attractions - Click Here
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Visiting this city at its best depends essentially on how long you have to fully enjoy it. Here is a solution based on the number of days available to you:
Day 1 - Beijing (Forbidden City and surrounding areas) - Google Maps
Day 2 - Beijing (Temples) - Google Maps
Extra - Wall of China (Badaling) (by Didi) - Google Maps or Muraglia Cinese (Mutianyu) (by Didi) - Google Maps
(By opening the Maps with Google, you can easily follow our path)
5 BEST EXCURSIONS from BEIJING
We advise you to book the best excursions here: Viator - Musement - Get Your Guide
Great Wall
Pingyao
Datong
Chengde
Xi'an
Click'n'Go - Click on Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Clubs
to find them on the Map or visit their Website
WHERE TO SLEEP in BEIJING?
10 BEST GAY FRIENDLY HOTELS in BEIJING
WHERE TO EAT in BEIJING?
10 BEST RESTAURANTS in BEIJING Quality / Price
€€€ - Beijing Da Dong
€€€ - Xinrongji
€€ - Shijiu
€€ - Din Tai Fung €€ - Najia Garden Restaurant
€€ - Siji Minfu
€ - Little Yunnan
GAY NIGHTLIFE in BEIJING
BEST GAY PLACES, BARS & CLUBS in BEIJING
Destination (Gay Club)
Kai Club (Gay Bar)
TRAVEL TIPS about BEIJING by World Mappers
Don't miss the wonderful Beihai Park: it is one of the oldest and best preserved imperial gardens in China. The park is built around a large lake, in the center of which stands Qionghua Island with its characteristic White Pagoda. It is a popular place for tourists and Beijingers alike, perfect for relaxing and enjoying outdoor activities.
Want to visit a beautiful contemporary art center? 798 Art District is the place for you! It was born from the redevelopment of a former industrial complex. It is home to numerous galleries, museums, artists' studios, cafes and design shops. Its streets are enriched with murals, installations and sculptures, creating a creative environment that combines modern art and industrial archaeology.
You can't leave Beijing without sampling the famous Peking duck, one of the most iconic dishes of Chinese cuisine. For an authentic experience, one of the best choices is Bianyifang Roast Duck, a historic restaurant founded in 1416. Here the duck is cooked with an ancient technique in a closed oven that makes the meat very tender and the skin crispy. It is served with thin crêpes, spring onion, cucumber and sweet sauce, to be assembled directly at the table according to tradition.
Spend a few hours strolling along Beijing Dashilan, one of Beijing's oldest and most distinctive shopping streets, located just steps from Tiananmen Square. This historic district retains the charm of the imperial city thanks to its traditional buildings, historic shops, teahouses, and shops selling traditional and artisanal products. It's the perfect place to soak up the capital's authentic atmosphere, sample local specialties, and shop away from modern shopping centers.
In China, even the smallest merchant now uses digital payment systems, and Alipay is one of the most popular tools for paying virtually anywhere. For this reason, it's essential to have the app installed and configured before your trip: it can be used not only in shops, restaurants, and markets, but also for many everyday services, including public transportation and other travel. While it's still advisable to carry an international card enabled for payments abroad and a small amount of cash in yuan as an emergency solution, in China most transactions now occur via digital payments.
Among the most curious experiences for those visiting Beijing is a stop at the Fake Markets of Fakes, where you can find imitations of clothing, bags, watches, accessories, souvenirs, and many other products. One of the best known is the Silk Market (Xiushui Market), located in the Chaoyang district, a central and easily accessible area. To get there we opted for the metro: the most convenient stop is Yong'anli Station (line 1), which leads directly to the vicinity of the market.
Inside, there are numerous shops organized on multiple floors, with vendors often very skilled at bargaining: the initial price can be much higher than the actual value of the item, so it's normal to negotiate and compare multiple stalls before purchasing. Remember, however, that these are counterfeit products: the purchase and especially the transport of fake items may be subject to customs restrictions in your country of return. For a more pleasant experience, visit the market calmly, without being persuaded by the pressure of the vendors, and consider the visit above all as an immersion in the city's vibrant commercial culture.
Many of Beijing's most visited sites, such as the Forbidden City, require online reservations well in advance and require a maximum number of daily visitors. During peak season or Chinese holidays, tickets can sell out quickly. Organizing visits before departure allows you to avoid long waits and the risk of not being able to access the most famous monuments.
Many visitors focus exclusively on the main attractions, but to really get to know Beijing, it's also worth exploring the ancient hutongs. Strolling through historic alleys, traditional courtyards, small shops, and restaurants frequented by locals, you can discover a more authentic face of the city. These neighborhoods tell the story and traditions of Beijing far more than any museum.
Download offline maps and a working translator without Internet. Many online services used routinely in Europe may operate in a limited way or be impractical during your stay. For this, it is useful to download offline maps of the city and a translation app with language packages available without connection before departure. Having addresses, itineraries, and essential phrases always accessible facilitates travel and communication, especially in less touristy neighborhoods.
Always carry the hotel name written in Chinese! Many taxi drivers and some merchants do not speak English and may have difficulty understanding an address spoken in a foreign language. Keeping a photo or ticket with the hotel's name and address written in Chinese characters helps avoid misunderstandings and make it easy to return at any time of day, even if your phone is dead or you don't have an internet connection.
Below are Discounted Tickets for Top Attractions - Click Here
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