Going Underground: Jishuitan

SELLING POINT
Originally named for marking the spot where the Yongding river poured into Beijing’s city center, Jishuitan remains a refreshing stop, literally and figuratively. It’s still a gateway to the three-lake oasis of Shichahai (Qianhai, Xihai and Houhai), but the neighborhood can also quench your thirst for history and culture.

LEARN
Head northeast to see the impressive Deshengmen, the last standing gate of Beijing’s ancient city wall. Curious about coins? Continue on inside to the Beijing Ancient Coins Exhibition Hall, where you can learn about 4,000 years of monetary history and gain access to the top of the watchtower. If you haven’t gotten your fill of history, stroll the edge of Xihai to the Former Residence of Soong Ching-ling (宋庆龄故居) and wander the serene gardens where Sun Yat-sen’s wife used to stroll.

ENRICH
Top off your history lesson with a performance at the Beijing People’s Liberation Army Opera House (解放军歌剧院), home of the Song and Dance Ensemble of the PLA General Political Department. Or try the Xihai branch of Alliance Française de Pekin for a French language lesson or art exhibition.

EAT
Want to continue your education in street food? Just south of Exit C, Xinjiekou Beidajie offers Beijing’s take on a doner kebab or sausage egg McMuffin. If street meat is too much to handle, follow the river east along the Second Ring to Jia He Yuan (嘉禾园) for some traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine.

Photo: Wikitravel

This article originally appeared on p9 in the March issue of the Beijinger.