Going Underground: Ink or Swim In Andingmen

Selling Point
Hiding in the shadow of the majestic Drum and Bell Towers and Lama Temple, Andingmen appears trivial but its proximity to hip hutongs and the Gulou area make it anything but.

Shop
Clothes shops line the street from the south of the station all the way down Gulou Dongdajie. Towards the north end of Nanluogu Xiang, more “up to date” designs can be found hanging on the racks. Bargain hard – you might surprise yourself by how many lovely pieces you can get with 100 kuai. This is also the area to get bikes, musical instruments, video games and even some ink in your skin.

Walk
At dawn, walk northeast to see people practicing taijiquan in Ditan Park; at dusk, step southwest and you’ll see middle-aged locals gathering in the garden next to the Second Ring Road chanting old Chinese songs about the revolution. It’s a slice of “real” Beijing.

Sport
Why venture beyond the Fourth Ring to play football with your mates when Ditan Gymnasium (built for the Asian Games in 1990) is open to the public? With a full-size football pitch, three basketball courts, an ice rink, an indoor swimming pool and facilities for table tennis, badminton and bowling, it’s a great downtown
option for keeping fit.

Photo: Amy Richard