For years, city center-dwelling Beijingers largely only went to Wukesong for two reasons: for sport west-end neighborhood’s Wukesong Arena or for photography equipment at the vast Wukesong Camera Market. How times have changed.

The Wukesong Arena has been renamed several times, settling most recently on the Cadillac Center, and music lovers now have a Mao Livehouse (more on that here), arguably one of the best places to catch a gig in town, while a rich crop of restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, and more have moved in to cater to the new visitors and nearby residents.

Here we round up our favorite gems both in and around the massive and trendy Live Hi-Up complex that make this once sleepy neighborhood well worth a visit.

Su Thai
Like the Wukesong neighborhood that houses it, it’s easy to underestimate Su Thai but to do so would be a mistake. The restaurant (which at time of writing has five stars on Dianping) may be housed in a dingy Holiday Inn Express but its Thai offerings far outdo its surroundings. The decor, for example, features Buddhist figures etched into the brick walls, dark wood lattice dividing private tables, and intimate lighting from the glowing lamp-like fixtures overhead. As for the food, the crunchy, shrimp spring rolls (RMB 58 for eight) and satay chicken or beef skewers (RMB 68 for six) are especially delicious while we also recommend the hunk of juicy broiled pork with lime sauce or large bowl of chicken green curry (both RMB 78) for a main. They also offer Singha for a rock-bottom price of RMB 25 per bottle. All that and more make Su Thai a satisfying slice of the Land of Smiles.

Basic Element
Plenty of Beijing establishments strive for an easy breezy vibe. But one of the few to literally attain that quality is Basic Element. This café, located only a few short blocks north of Wukesong’s Live Hi-Up complex, has a sprawling floor space and picture windows that let in plenty of light. The employees are friendly and diligent, acting as guides to the florist with whom they share a space (an arrangement that also gives it plenty of background color). The menu features fancy imports like Costa Rican Geisha for a bargain RMB 39 (a price you’d never find at a more central Beijing café). They also bottle their own cold coffees for RMB 30, serving up the first Yirgacheffe we’ve ever had that wasn’t piping hot.

No. 9 Coffee
This café’s ambiance, while not groundbreaking, is nevertheless charming. The decor is notedly basic but benefits from a combination of spacious tables for laptop warriors and cushier laid-back chairs for idle friends meeting for java and a chat. Aside from lattes, Americanos, and other standard coffees for RMB 25-30, they also have a handful of desserts like fluffy coconut mousse (RMB 20) and mango layer cake (RMB 25).

Lift Bar
Wukesong’s cocktail scene is as parched as Sanlitun’s is saturated. In fact, Lift pretty much goes it alone in that west-end haunt. It also stands out from the gaudy lighting of most other Live Hi-Up bars with a design sleek enough to rival Sanlitun’s most hyped lounges. Lift occupies a very narrow space, but that only adds to the intimacy, and the drinks are even more appealing than the ambiance, including a refreshing and bitter-sweet Lady Basil cocktail made with vodka, watermelon syrup, vanilla liqueur, and basil. The Lolita’s Secret, meanwhile, had a sweet and creamy yogurt liqueur. Our only gripe: the prices are steep for Haidian; hovering around RMB 90 for a cocktail. Lift otherwise raises us up with its creative drinks and charming ambiance.

NBeer Pub
These craft brewers have certainly come a long way since opening their first Beijing west-end brewpub at Huguosi in 2013. After trying their hand in Sanlitun with a now-defunct second location, NBeer rebounded with a bigger and better spot in Wukesong’s Hi-Up complex in 2017. And there’s little wonder why NBeer Wukesong’s patio and interior are now often jam-packed with beer lovers. After all, this pub boasts 42 taps and an equally impressive 7,000 empty beer bottles placed around the bar. The latter were collected by co-owner Xiao Bian’r over the past dozen-odd years, prompting us to call it a “veritable beer bottle museum” after our first visit.

Pyro Pizza
The original Pyro Pizza is a real stalwart of Haidian’s restaurant scene, and also famous because after he conquering studentville with his pizzas, owner Jade Grey then went on to have great success with pizza behemoth Gung Ho! Pyro is the lower-key sibling restaurant in this family (that has also birthed popular spots like Haidian student hangout Lush) but holds its own with creative pizzas like their chicken satay (RMB 65-180) or the Mediterranean lamb (RMB 80-210). Just like Hi-Up neighbor NBeer, their dozen-odd outdoor tables attract big crowds during the warm weather.

Mao Live
Owned by a Shanghai corporation that split bitterly from the now-defunct Gulou original (the former of whom went on to open a chain of live houses across China), this Mao Livehouse at Wukesong is a fun venue that has been gaining a lot of steam of late. Punk legends Descendents tore up Mao’s stage this past spring, while esteemed indie vets Timber Timbre played a passionately bluesy set there not long after. When it opened in late 2017 we praised this latest Mao as a successful cross between its Gulou predecessor and the slicker Tango 3F livehouse, and we can’t wait to see what exciting acts they attract next.

Wukesong Cadillac Center
Beijing’s prime venue for major musical acts, this 19,000 capacity arena played host to Fall Out Boy last year, not to mention other household names like Metallica, Bruno Mars (back when it was called the Mastercard Center in 2014), and even bigger draws like The Eagles in 2011. More importantly for sports fans: the venue was completed so that it could host basketball preliminaries and finals at the 2008 Summer Olympics, and since then it has continued to host top b-ball matches for the Chinese Basketball Association, including an all-star game in 2017 which attracted some 18,000 spectators.

HeyTea Bakery
Not content to dominate the sweet tea market, or clog up malls around town with their notorious queues, HeyTea has also broken into the bakery scene, with one such store recently opening in Wukesong’s Hi-Up complex. The pastries at Hey Tea Bakery aren’t as noteworthy as their tea – think Wedome’s higher-end bakery that opened last year, rather than the more delectable textures and nuanced flavors found at artisanal dessert joints.

Wukesong Camera Market
Finally, Beijing’s biggest camera market is still standing, and still as popular as ever. About a 10-minute walk north of the Wukesong subway station, this multi-level mecca is the go-to spot for professional and amateur photographers and videographers looking for a wide range of kit and good bargains. All major brands and makes of cameras are represented here, as well as an enormous range of photography accessories and kit including tripods, lighting setups, camera bags, battery packs, memory cards, and much, much more. This is a one-stop shop for camera shopping, but the wide range of choice can be overwhelming, and almost no English is spoken here so do your research in advance and be prepared to haggle.

READ: Our Favorite Haunts in the Rising Northeast Neighborhood of Wangjing

Photos: asia.uli.org, Tracy Wang, cranberriesworld.com, Dianping, courtesy of Pyro, Will Griffith, gallagher-photo.com

After a stroll down Beiluogu Xiang or Wudaoying it seems like the norm to stumble into a restaurant or cutesy shop with walls plastered with Polaroid pictures from elated customers. I jumped on board the trend of taking instant photos too but wasn’t sure where to buy film anymore, as most information on the Internet was outdated. After a long hunt for myself, I decided to write this updated and Internet-generation-friendly lowdown on where to stock up on everything that you need to enjoy taking your own Polaroids.

Although the Polaroid Corporation, the company that first patented Polaroid cameras and made them available to the masses, was the pioneer of the medium, Fujifilm cameras have since taken off and are much, much cheaper and more accessible than its predecessor.

Online: Taobao
If you know what you want, and you don’t need to see it or try it before you buy it, Taobao offers many cameras and types of film at good prices. You can get one of the cute pastel Fujifilm mini8 cameras for RMB 428, or different sets with film and accessories at slightly higher prices. In terms of film, the plain white film costs approximately RMB 70 for a double pack (20 sheets). 

In terms of fun film with different prints, just search for ‘fujifilm 相纸‘, and a bunch of different options will appear: Hello Kitty, Winnie the Pooh, funky patterns, you name it, Fujifim has created it.

To set up an Alipay account to pay for your Taobao goods, check our instructions here. If you want to use Taobao without Alipay, check here. I’ve also on multiple occasions used expattaobao.com, a service that will help you place your order, while you pay via PayPal. Easy!

Online: JD.com
The selection on JD.com is pretty similar, but I prefer to use JD.com because not only do you not need Alipay and can you pay on arrival, but you can also have it delivered the next day if you order before 11am. 

Here are the cameras and the film. For instructions on how to use JD.com, pay, and have it delivered, check out this time I bought a fan online, but replace ‘fan’ with ‘polaroid’.

IRL: Wukesong Camera Market (Wukesong)
Wukesong Camera Market is still alive and buzzing, although the location isn’t ideal for many of us. There are a handful of Polaroid shops that sell film and the cameras, mostly selling double packs of black mini film at RMB 70, and themed film at RMB 50. 
Daily 10am-4.30pm. 40 Wukesong Lu, Haidian District (8811 9797)
五棵松摄影器材城：海淀区五棵松路40号

This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on November 16,2015

When Wukesong Ice World unveiled its multipurpose outdoor ice arena last Thursday, droves of skaters arrived with the hopes of lacing up and having fun on its gleaming sheets of fun. However, it was so attractive that the facility couldn’t handle the crowds, so it took one step backward and closed … and now due to reopen tomorrow.

Diehards hoping to practice their gold medal worthy triple axel, mellow couples and families looking to hold their loved ones’ hands as they glide along, will be awed at the new “Ice World.”

Anchored by a panoramic 1,800 square meter ice rink, the new center also features a 600-sqm square for “ice bumper cars”, a 10-meter high ice slide, and a winding, 150-meter long “fun channel.”

There’s also a coffee shop, a European-style hand-made candy shop and Mexican and American fast food on site.

Beginners and little ones need not fret: plastic seal toys, each dubbed “Bobby,” are available for small children to ride while parents pull them across the ice. Fully grown first-timers can also hold on to “Bobbies” for balance.

Entrance to the park is RMB 40 for 90 minutes and includes free skate rentals. Bumper cars are an additional RMB 40 for 5 minutes; the ice slide is RMB 10 per run, and Bobbies can be rented for RMB 50.

Be warned that interest in the park is high and tickets can sell out, so online advanced booking via Ctrip here is suggested (sorry, Chinese interface only).

The park is open daily from 10am-8pm and is located 300 meters east of Wukesong subway stations’s Exit B.

And if you don’t want to trek to Wukesong for your ice skating fun, here’s a host of other ice options:

INDOORS

All Star Ice Rink
This 800 square meter rink at Solana mall features private lessons (in Mandarin only) from Chinese national skating team coaches. Classes cost RMB 135/40min. Daily, 10am-10pm. 1/F, Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6328) 全明星滑冰俱乐部,朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区首层. Weekdays: RMB 30. Weekends: RMB 50.

Century Star Club
Famed for its top notch ice skating lessons, which make up for the somewhat limited space on this fairly small rink (which slightly less than regulation size). Private lessons: RMB 300/90mins. Group lessons: RMB 75/90mins.
Hours vary, visit the website or call for open times. B/F, Capital Gymnasium, 54 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Haidian District. (6834 6346) www.centurystar.com.cn 世纪星滑冰俱乐部,海淀区中关村南大街54号首都体育馆

Joy City
Located in the massive Joy City complex, this rink hosts a variety of hockey tournaments.
Weekdays 10am-8pm, Weekends 19am-7.15pm Floor 7, Joy City Mall, Chaoyang North Road No. 101, Chaoyang District, Beijing7F (8552 6871, 8552 6695). http://www.championrink.com/en-us/events/champion. Weekdays: RMB 50/1.5 hours from 10am-5pm, (RMB60/1.5 hours after 5pm). Weekends: RMB 60/1.5 hours.

Le Cool
A charming, popular little indoor rink with boisterous crowds and a buzzing atmosphere.
Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-7pm. B2/F, China World Shopping Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District.朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城B2楼 (6505 5776, lecool@cwtc.com) www.lecoolicerink.com. Weekdays: RMB 30 for 90 min (10am-6pm), RMB 40 for 90 min (6-10pm). Weekends: RMB 50 for 90 min. Skate rental included.

Xiyue Ice Skating
This 1000 square meter rink can easily help you kill a day, thanks to its location in the Xidan cultural centre, which is rife with shopping options and restaurants.
Daily 10am-9.30pm. Xidan Cultural Centre (in 77th Street), Xicheng District. (6602 0050)喜悦溜冰场, 西城区西单文化广场77街. Weekday mornings/afternoons: RMB 35/90 mins. Evenings/Weekends: RMB 45/90 mins.

OUTDOOR:

Houhai’s Qianhai
Beijing’s most popular outdoor skating spot is not only enjoyable for ice, but also the people watching (seeing newbies leaning on grade school classroom chairs to maintain their balance while wobbling along is an endlessly entertaining site). The charming nearby hutongs make for a charmingly unique backdrop as you lace up your skates and carve some ice of your own.
Daily, early morning until dusk. Qianhai, north side of Beihai Park, Xihai Beiyan, Xicheng District. (6612 5717) 后海地区, 西城区西海北沿(北海公园以北). Week-days: RMB 10. Weekends: RMB 15.

The Summer Palace
This park’s Qing Dynasty architecture makes for a fantastically exotic back-ground that skaters can enjoy while gliding across the massive lake. 
Daily, 6.30am-6pm. Qinglongqiao Jiedao, Haidian district (6288 1144). 颐和园,海淀区青龙桥街道. RMB 50 from Nov.-Apr.

Beihai Park
Like the summer palace, this historic park skating venue has a beautiful, culturally rich backdrop, including the White Tower, ie. Bai Ta pagoda.
Daily, 9am-5pm. 1 Wenjin Jie, Xicheng District 西城区文津街1号 (6404 0610, 6403 1102)

Dulwich College Beijing
This quiet little rink is an ideal place for youngsters to learn how to skate for the first time and sharpen their skills as they grow and improve. The venue has lessons for basic skating lessons, synchronized team skating, figure skating and hockey for students aged 4 to 18 (call the number below for registration details).
Weekends, 3:30pm-7pm (not open to the public on weekdays, opening time sometime change due to special events, call beforehand). Dulwich College Beijing, Legend Garden Villas, 89 Capital Airport Road, Shunyi District, Beijing (64549150). 北京市顺义区首都机场路89号丽京花园7区，北京德威英国国际学校. http://www.dulwich-beijing.cn/page.cfm?p=588. RMB 50 (skates included).

Weiming Lake
Skating Rink
This artificial lake at Peking University may just be the most affordable skating venues in town. Its quiet campus location makes for an ideal wintery escape from the busy city. RMB 8/hour.
Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Weekends and Holidays 9am-8pm 5 Yiheyuan Lu, Haidian District海淀区颐和园路5号

Zizhuyuan Park
According to Tour Beijing, this venue seems like a lower grade, outdoor rival of to Wukesong Ice World, this outdoor venue has a host of offbeat alternative ice activities like ice bicycles, ice chairs, ice ships and more.
Daily 8am – 6pm. 45 Baishiqiao Lu, Haidian District (8841 2830). Take bus No. 114, 300, 323, 334, 374, 811, 814 or 817 and get off at Bishiqiao stop. RMB 10 to skate. RMB 10/hour for an ice chair, RMB 30/30mins. for an ice bicycle, RMB 20/hour for an ice ship.

Photos: China Daily, Ctrip