OlymPicks: Downtown Hotels Added to Closed-Loop System & Where to Catch the Games Around Town

In OlymPicks, we highlight news, gossip, and developments regarding the buildup to Beijing's 2022 Winter Olympics.

Curling kicks off Olympic events, Feb 2

While Beijing 2022 will officially begin Feb 4 with the opening ceremony, the actual events kick-off two days prior – Feb 2 – with curling.

We know, we know, probably not the most exciting sport to ring in the Winter Games, but we’re not the ones deciding the schedule.

That being said, while curling might not be all that fun to watch, maybe it’s worth trying yourself to see if it’s actually as boring as people say. One place to try it out is CTI Olympic Curling Center near Ditan.

Not only is it centrally located, but they'll also be open during the CNY holiday – keep in mind that it’s only open for advance bookings, so make a reservation by calling 18610321517.

Downtown hotels shut to public for closed-loop management

We’ve covered the closed-loop system – Beijing’s efforts to keep Covid spreading from the city to the Games and vise versa – in previous OlymPicks posts, however, now it’s rearing its ugly head once again.

The Olympic Village isn’t the only place within the closed-loop but a number of popular hotels are as well.

Hotels within the loop not only include names like the St. Regis, Bvlgari, InterContinental Beichen and Kempinski Sunrise, but there’s a dozen more that have been reserved solely for the press, with a list to be found here.

If you’re curious whether a hotel you intend to staycation or drink and dine at is roped off, it’s best to call ahead and double-check.

Here’s where to watch the Games in Beijing

Despite what we said earlier about playing things safe with Covid and considering streaming the Games for now, if you really have the urge to go out and catch some events, there are plenty of places in the capital to do so.

Here’s a handy list:

Q MEX (showing at all locations except Q MEX Taqueria)
Jing-A (showing at all locations except Tongzhou)
Slow Boat (showing at Maizidian Brewpub)
Beersmith (showing on big screen throughout entire games)
Home Plate (showing at bar, on TVs and on projector)
Paddy O’Sheas (showing on all screens)
The Local
Great Leap Brewing

Plus, the opening ceremony and subsequent events will be shown at public squares throughout the city. Here's a handful:

Guangning Street Winter Olympic Community Cultural Fitness Square
广宁街道冬奥社区文化健身广场
26 Gaojing Road, Shijingshan District
石景山区高井路26号

Beijing Badaling Intl Convention & Exhibition Center Cultural Square
北京八达岭国际会展中心文化广场
65 Qingyuan Street, Yanqing Village, Yanqing District
延庆区延庆镇庆园街65号

Jinzhong Capital Park Cultural Square 金中都公园文化广场
64 Guang’anmen South Street, Xicheng District
西城区广安门南街64号

Tongzhou Canal Cultural Square运河文化广场
9 Furong West Road, Tongzhou District
通州区芙蓉西路9号

Shunyi Park Cultural Square 顺义公园文化广场
26 Guangming South Street, Shunyi District
顺义区光明南街26号

Tiantong Court Culture & Art Center 天通苑文化艺术中心文化广场
Taipingzhuang Middle First Street, Changping District
昌平区太平庄中一街

China Natl Film Museum Cultural Square 中国电影博物馆文化广场
9 Nanying Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区南影路9号

READ: OlymPicks: With Public Ticketing Closed, Here's How to Watch the Games

Images: China Internet Information Center, atsulae.com, China Natl Film Museum