Dead Broke: 25 Free Things to Do in Beijing

Believe it or not, money and happiness do not go hand in hand. Well, at least in the city of Beijing they most certainly don't. There is a plethora of free experiences and events ready to be explored on days when your wallet is looking a little sad and empty, or in the run up to pay day. From captivating museums to historical parks, Beijing is filled with hidden gems that will cost you absolutely nothing.

Art

National Art Museum of China
Artistic Beijingers can visit the National Art Museum for a relaxing, inspiring trip. Admission has been free since 2011, simply take along a valid ID (a passport if you're foreign, or your shengfenzheng if you are Chinese). The museum houses more than 100,000 pieces of Chinese art from throughout history.

China National Film Museum
In addition to 20 permanent exhibition halls, China National Film Museum has a digital projection theater, three 35mm projection theaters, and an IMAX theater. The museum's displays explore the achievements of Chinese cinema through history. Especially recommended for movie buffs.

Beijing Center for the Arts
If you fancy contemporary art, then the Beijing Center for the Arts (BCA) is the place for you. Take advantage of the free pass and enjoy the exhibitions BCA has to offer. They also provide theater programs and lectures, as well as a multipurpose theater, a book store café, and a rooftop lounge.

Wan Fung Art Gallery
The Wan Fung Art Gallery chain has seven galleries and a woodcarving museum across mainland China and Hong Kong. Luckily, there is also one in Beijing. They often showcase up-and-coming Chinese artists and have a collection of over 13,000 pieces of Chinese fine art. Not to mention that it costs nada to visit one of Beijing’s most active galleries.

Museums

Beijing Museum of Natural History
Bask in one of the many exhibits at Beijing’s very own Natural History Museum. The museum boasts an aquarium, an animal kingdom exhibit, and the slightly unnerving hall of evolution, where you can find pickled human torsos and Siamese twins. This museum will enthrall you and creep you out at the same time, and all for free.

Capital Museum
The Capital museum features artifacts, architecture, and art from all around China. The museum is home to over 5,000 cultural relics and interactive displays with both Chinese and English descriptions, making it one of the more accessible museums for foreign visitors. Visitors need to book their tickets in advance on the museum’s website but, don't worry, they're free and visitors can pick up their free tickets upon arrival.

Lao She Memorial Hall
Literary lovers can now appreciate how incredible and revolutionary Lao She’s works are up close and personal without spending a single mao. This museum is located in the former residence of Lao She, where books, photos and manuscripts by the author are on display.

Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution
This museum showcases China’s impressive 5,000-year-long military history. The gratis admission applies to all five halls of exhibits. Visitors can view historical items from the 1930s Red Army’s Long March and there is also a collection of weapons from ancient China to up through the modern era.

National Museum of China
Located on the east side of Tiananmen Square and just across of the Great Hall of People, the National Museum of China is a must visit when in Beijing. The museum displays a vast collection of art and cultural relics from all ages. The informative exhibitions can be enjoyed for free, but don’t forget to bring a valid form of ID with you to obtain those tickets.

Parks

Temple of Sun Park/Ritan Park
History says that this park was where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties once offered sacrifices to the sun god. Today, you can take a leisurely walk through the park on the paved road lined with trees and comfortable benches while enjoying the views of the Court Dress Place, Temple Altar, and Yuxin Garden. Entrance fee is very affordable, at a total price of zero yuan.

Zizhuyuan Park (Purple Bamboo Park)
As the name suggests, Purple Bamboo Park is filled with an array of bamboo, with over 50 species altogether. Spanning across 14 hectares of land, there are three lakes and two small islands to enjoy inside the park. Also, photogenic bridges scattered around the park and a main garden area make the perfect Instagram post.

Fragrant Hills Park
Fragrant Hills Park is home to an assortment of trees such as pine, maple, and persimmon, as well as a large number of traditional architecture dating back to the Jing Dynasty. Don’t miss the culturally significant Pagoda of the Zongjing Monastery, Bright Temple, and Fragrant Temple when you visit this scenic park.

[Currently under construction until August] Honglingjin Park
If you need a little break from Beijing city life, Honglingjin Park is the place to go. Approximately 10 kilometers away from city center, Honglingjin Park is known for being kid-friendly and the greenery of the park makes it the perfect picnic spot. Moreover, the park holds annual garden party on June 1 each year, and a cultural festival for twins every year on October 1.

Iris River Park
True to its name, Iris River Park consists of a flowing river, amongst other things. Inside the 3.8 hectare park, visitors can find over 500 trees and 16,000 flowers, herbs, and aquatic plants. The park is renowned for its flowering calendar, so make sure you visit this park during the right season, so you can be enthralled by the beauty of flowers in season.

A Gentle Stroll

Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street
The Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street is a famous Beijing street that is lined with tobacco shops, bars, antique shops, and restaurants. The street is named so because it crosses diagonally, and because its shops specialize in tobacco products. Today, the street is under national protection for its heritage and has become popular amongst tourists. The landmarks on this street are definitely worth a visit.

Panjiayuan Antiques Market
Panjiyuan Market is China’s largest secondhand market, where you can find all kinds of cheap crafts, antiques, and periodicals. The market is packed with cultural relics brought by traders from all over China. You can window shop and study the natural habitat of hagglers, or try and make some new friends!

Dashilar Shopping Street
Dashilar Shopping Street is one of a kind. It has a history of more than 580 years and the remaining authentic shops are 100 years old on average. It is also considered the birthplace of Beijing opera and Xuannan Culture. Oh, and the first ever cinema in Beijing, Daguan Hall, was also located here. Go on, take a stroll in the street with profound cultural foundation. You won’t regret it. Here's our complete guide to the area.

Hutongs
To understand the heart of Beijing, the hutongs are the perfect place to start, representing the history and Beijing's cordial lifestyle. Its cultural significance has stood the test of time. There are numerous hutong enclaves in Beijing, and good starting points include the surrounding areas of Yonghegong Lama Temple, the Drum and Bell Towers, or Dashilar (see above). Dissecting alleys and identical gray-tiled houses – the maze-like quality of the hutongs are intriguing, but be careful not to get lost.

Events

To keep up to date on events happening in Beijing, check our events calendar regularly, as many of them are free. The ones listed below are just some events that we've picked that also don't cost anything to participate in.

Begonia Festival in the Yuan Dynasty Relics Park
The Yuan Dynasty Relics Park houses an abundance of begonias that bloom in the spring. Don’t miss their free annual begonia festival where visitors can enjoy the park’s natural beauty in season. The begonias begin to flower in early to mid-April, so make sure you get there just in time to witness them blossom.

Plum Blossom Festival in the Wall Park of Ming Dynasty
In 2003, more than 300 trees were planted in the Wall Park of Ming Dynasty. The result is a stunning park where seasonal trees and flowers such as magnolias and marigolds reside. This March, it’s the plum trees time to shine. Take time to admire the exquisite plum tree and the delightful relics of the Wall Park.

Pool Tournament V Sports
V Sports (located in Workers Stadium) hosts a pool tournament every Tuesday night, attendance is free and you can even walk away having earned money, as the first place winner gets a RMB 300 voucher and the second place winner gets a RMB 200 voucher. 

Pub Quiz
If you’re looking for something to do on a Wednesday night, consider joining Paddy O’Shea’s weekly pub quiz. There are six rounds of quiz fun and the first three teams win prizes. Of course, attendance is free, so this is definitely not a bad way to spend hump day.

Temple Bar
One of Beijing's favorite live music scenes is home to lots of great gigs, and they're all free. Located directly above Dada, you'll find some of China's coolest bands coming through here.

Lacrosse
Lacrosse players across Beijing gather at Chaoyang Park every Tuesdays to come out and play. Now that springtime is here and the pollution is clearing up, the weather is just perfect to play outside. The lacrosse team usually practices from 8pm to 10pm, so make sure you’re there to join!

Yellow Cab English-Chinese Corner (Language Exchange)
Looking for a language partner? Well you can do so whilst eating pizza. Yellow Cab Pizza Co. in Wangjing is home to a language exchange evening every Tuesday starting at 6.30pm. It's a great opportunity to socialize with people from different countries and practice your oratory skills. Why not spend your Tuesdays eating pizza (note: pizza not free) and making friends (definitely free, if you're making the right friends)? You could certainly do a lot worse.

Read more articles by this author here.

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