Are you stuck in a cultural rut? Do you feel disconnected from local life? Don’t fret – there is life beyond Chaoyang Park and jazzy Sunday brunches. Beijing is a city rich in history and culture, which can often be accessed at often dirt-cheap prices. We forego the usual suspects to bring you a roundup of cultural activities, centers, classes, and parks that bring you closer to finding your inner Beijinger. We start off with activities…

Fly an Iconic Kite
Kite flying is a seasonal tradition in China and signals the arrival of spring. The kite of choice for many locals is called yashayan (崖沙燕) or sand martin, a migratory bird that closely resembles a swallow. The legend goes that Cao Xueqin, author of Dream of the Red Chamber, taught poor villagers how to make a living from making this simple kite. In Beijing, it’s a tradition to cut the kite string to symbolize that bad luck is – quite literally – gone with the wind. Get your kites in local supermarkets or visit this store in Nanluoguxiang.

Make a Traditional Chinese Handicraft
Test your dexterity (and patience) with one of China’s many traditional handicrafts. No good at knot-tying? Then try your hand at painting clay figurines, fashioning iron lanterns, building your own kite, blowing a delicate sugar sculpture, egg carving, papercutting, or calligraphy. The beauty of this variety is that there’s something for everyone. There’s a lot of places where you can do traditional handicrafts. Join Cultural Keys’ calligraphy workshop every first Saturday of the month, or visit this Qianmen shop and make traditional silk sachets.

Play Jianzi at the Park
If you know how to play hacky sack, then you know how to play jianzi (毽子). Also known as “Chinese hacky sack” in English, this popular folk game features a weighted shuttlecock with four feathers attached to a stack of plastic disks. The goal is to keep the jianzi from touching the ground using various body parts, but not the hands. Want to make friends fast? Show off your fancy footwork by joining a “circle kick” at the park or on the street. Jianzi are widely available at markets and the sporting section of major supermarket chains. Alternatively, you can make your own jianzi and here’s our step-by-step guide.

This article first appeared on our site in May 2012 and updated in May 2016.
Photos: stevendepolo, egorgrebnev, Timo Tervo (Flickr) and beijingkids file.

After hours of combing through our archives, we feature some places worth a visit over the holiday period to get the most out of Beijing before the cold has us shuddering at the thought of having to go outside. These place are action packed and hopefully the weather and air quality index permit a day out. Avoid the crowds at places like Tiananmen as even walking 200 meters will take an eternity.

Enormous not only in size, but also in educational fun, the China Science and Technology Museum 中国科技馆 will satisfy the thinker in children and adults alike. You can easily spend up an afternoon walking through four themed floors and nine different galleries. Once you’ve had your fill of the museum itself, check out the massive children’s play center  Science Paradise. Containing countless hands-on exhibits and displays, the museum provides children with a healthy mix of information and entertainment that will leave them wanting to know more. Mind-boggling exhibits and topics on the third and fourth floors can even kindle the Einstein in parents as well. Perfect on cold and dreary winter’s day, the museum is a fun indoor haven for the whole family.

After emerging from the Olympic Green subway exit (Line 8), make your way northeast through the Olympic Green park towards the museum, a rectangular white building. The west entrance of the China Science and Technology Museum lies just off Datun Beilu. Purchase your tickets at the outdoor ticket booth or opt for the automated ticket machines (in Chinese only) once you enter through the main door. If you have young children, make note of the neon sign reading “Science Paradise” to your left, as you may want to return to this immense play center later.

he busiest gallery in the museum is The Glory of China (1). Check out ancient Chinese technological innovations, taking in the technology of looms, plows, iron casting and more. Kids can turn a life-size waterwheel and watch the powerful effects. While en route,  admire the sailing ship commandeered by legendary Chinese admiral Zheng He. Take the small wooden set of stairs adjacent to the ship up to the traditional Chinese medicine exhibit. There, inspect models of diseased tongues and acupuncture charts. Head back down the stairs and keep looping around the circular path to discover the astronomy exhibit, where kids can gaze upon the stars. After fulfilling their astronomical aspirations, head to the age of ancient scientific exploration. Experiment with Pascal’s Triangle, Tangram puzzles, and blocks. Don’t spend too much time puzzling these conundrums though, as you have three more floors to scale.

Continue to find out what’s in store you here.

Check out the museum’s cinema review here.

Photo: Oscar Holland

Food markets are everywhere in Beijing, from designated tents to the footpath in front of your home. But when you go to grab for that vegetable, how do you know where it comes from? Here’s a guide of where to shop around town. There are plenty of online options for local and organic produce too, but we say there’s something more satisfying about going in person – you can see the vegetables for yourself and ask questions. The next step suggested by organizers? Pay a visit to the farms.

Veg*n Bash
For the organizers of this monthly market, environmental awareness is no joke – they insist you bring your own take-away containers and cutlery for getting in on the vegan and vegetarian food provided by farmers, restaurants and small business owners. If you forget, they have biodegradable, one-use utensils and containers for sale, or you just may need to wait until you get home to chow down. Aside from food, this market features green clothes and accessories, and household goods.
Number of vendors: 15
We recommend: If you’re hankering for an exceptionally nutritious salad, try Western-style kale from the Hao Ge Farm in Tongzhou District.
Contact: Check out their Weibo blog at blog.sina.com.cn/u/3314895873 for more information.
Location: Canadian International School of Beijing, 38 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (136 8128 0119)
朝阳区亮马桥路38号

Beijing Organic Farmers’ Market (Country Fair)
The Country Fair is the longest running and largest farmers’ market in Beijing, and while it’s probably best known for its stint in Nali Patio, it pops up in different locations. While “organic” is in their name, the majority of the independent farmers aren’t certified by national or international standards because of the high costs. However, organizers emphasize that the growers they work with use only trusted practices (no anti-biotics in meat, little or no conventional pesticides, etc.).

The ratio of fruits and vegetables to other food and gift items is one that favors those making artisanal jams and spreads, honey, skincare products, tea and even meats and cheese. Expect new vendors often. They can some-times be difficult to pin down, so for those who like to count on regular produce availability they can check out Country Fair’s newest endeavor, a community market in Sanyuanqiao’s Phoenix City.
Number of vendors: 40+
We recommend: Homemade pesto by De Run Wu, a family-run organic farm in Changping District. They use their own basil, which has been praised by World Health Store as “bursting with flavor.”
Contact: Join their mailing list at farmersmarketbj@gmail.comto find out their next location.

Community Market
A traveling farmers’ market may mean you’re always one step behind the vegetables, so those behind the Country Fair (opposite) decided to solve that problem by opening a community center and grocery store in Sanyuan-qiao’s Phoenix City. Not only can you find most of the items on sale at the traveling market, but they host corporate and public events such as a speaker series, organized farm visits, and children’s activities aimed at raising awareness of sustainability.
Number of vendors:40+
We recommend: I f you thought cheese was difficult to come by in Beijing, think again. Liu Yang, the French artisanal cheese maker behind Le Fromager de Pekin, sells his latest dairy endeavors that are hard to pass up when there are fresh organic grapes just a few stalls away.
Contact: See opposite
Daily 10am-9pm. N33 Phoenix City
Location: Shopping Street, Shuguang Xili, Chaoyang District (5742 8210)
朝阳门曙光西里甲5字幕凤凰城的
商业街N33号

Farm to Neighbors
The newest market to hit the city to date, Farm to Neighbors is the effort of Vice’s Creator’s Project editor Erica Huang, whose own qualms with food allergies and safe production methods motivated her to start seeking out local farmers who follow organic and eco friendly practices. While it’s currently an intimate venture, the number of farmers and food makers Huang is cooperating with is growing. You’ll see a steady participant or two, including Choonisang Vegetables, who host the only “organic” stall at Sanyuanli Market. Huang’s market uses Modernista’s space, so guests don’t have to wait until they get home to try the food as Modernista’s chefs will prepare healthy brunch items with a selection of the produce on stock.

Number of vendors: 5+
We recommend: Charlie’s Bacon by the Kitchen Collective, made with free-range pork belly and hickory-smoked in a hutong courtyard. Ask about availabilty ahead of time as vendors change.
Contact: For more info, friend “farm2neighbors” on WeChat.
Location: Sundays Noon-6pm. Modernista. 44 Baochao Hutong, Gulou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District (136 9142 5744)
东城区鼓楼东大街宝钞胡同44号

This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on October 4, 2014.

Photos: the Beijinger