Moonstruck: The Best Rooftop Terraces to Gaze at the Moon this Mid-Autumn Festival
For most of us, Mid-Autumn Festival may mean little more than a cheeky three-day weekend but, like all Chinese festive occasions, it comes with a complicated backdrop of customs and practices. Chief among preferred Mid-Autumn Festival activities is "gazing at the moon," since the full moon is meant to symbolize family reunion. Note that although Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Thursday, September 15, technically the full moon comes out on Saturday, September 17.
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Weather.com.cn has produced a list of the best places to view the full moon based on weather patterns between 1951 and 2013. According to their calculations, some of the places with a 70 percent chance of less than 50 percent cloud cover (confusing, we know) include the Forbidden City and Marco Polo Bridge in Beijing, Tang Paradise theme park in Xi'an, and the appropriately-named Crescent Lake in Dunhuang.
If you can't make it all the way to Dunhuang, or would rather enjoy a drink while you gaze at the moon, Beijing has plenty of roof terraces that fit the bill. To enjoy the moon at its best, you're going to want to find a roof terrace with a western-facing aspect. Below are a few of our favorites, whether you're looking to party in the moonlight or enjoy a quiet night out.
Migas
Beijing’s rooftop nightlife scene reaches its apotheosis at Migas, the ultimate place to see and be seen. Look out at the full moon over the glittering lights of Sanlitun and feel like you own the city. Don’t kid yourself, it’s a three-day weekend, you know you’re going to end up here at some point. They’ve got four nights of music planned, from disco to house, so there should be something for everyone. More event information via their venue listing.
The Orchid
The Orchid is our favorite outdoor spot in Gulou, bar none. Their petite roof terrace has panoramic views of the Drum and Bell Towers and the surrounding hutongs. Imagine all the likes you'd get for an Instagram of the full moon rising behind the Bell Tower with a cheeky glass of red wine in the foreground (#blessed). In all seriousness, book a table for dinner at Toast, The Orchid's restaurant concept, and while away the evening with a couple of bottles of wine from their expertly selected wine list.
Yin on 12
Chongwenmen may be slightly off the beaten path for most expats, but you'll be glad you made the trek when you see the expansive roof terrace at Yin on 12. Set on the top floor of the New World Hotel, we'll be honest and say we're not big fans of the drinks here (although they do mix a good martini), however, grab a seat on the west side of the terrace and the views over southern and western Beijing are unparalleled.
Q Bar
After a renovation and relaunch last year, south Sanlitun's Q Bar is once again back on our radar. Formerly one of Beijing's most popular cocktail bars, current owner George Zhou also mixes a mean drink, with a daily buy-one-get-one-free happy hour from 5-8pm, with cocktails starting from RMB 50. The extensive terrace is quieter than some of its competitors in Sanlitun, good for all that contemplative moon gazing you'll be doing.
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