The 11 Best Things to See and Do in Xidan, Beijing
Located in the center of Xicheng District in Beijing is Xidan, a major commercial area. Full of culture and shopping opportunities, the area makes for an enjoyable way to while away anywhere from a few hours to a day. For bibliophiles, foodies, shopaholics, and the like, Xidan is an area full of excitement. Continue reading for our guide to the best things to see and do in Xidan, Beijing.
1. Spend your day surrounded by literature at Xidan Books Building
Building
2. Explore Xidan’s sprawling Culture Square
Building
3. Visit Xidan’s namesake paifang
Building
4. Try some traditional Chinese confectionary at Daoxiangcun
Bakery, Chinese
5. Fill a day with shopping in Xidan’s Shopping Center
Shopping Mall
6. Get in touch with your competitive side at Backyard Board Game Room
Shop
7. Treat yourself to some of the area’s finest gelato at Vai Milano
Restaurant, Chinese, Dessert
8. Buy Beijing souvenirs at one of Xidan’s many malls
Shopping Mall
9. Take a walk through history while strolling down Lingjing Hutong
Building
10. Indulge in one of Xidan’s most outrageous desserts at Freak Shake
Restaurant, Dessert Shop, Japanese
Specializing in monstrous milkshakes, Freak Shake, located in Xidan’s Joy City mall, is an ice cream oasis serving up some of the city’s craziest treats. Very appropriately named, Freak Shake is known for concocting milkshake creations unlike any other – served in large mason jar mugs, the shakes and their flavors cannot be contained. Freak Shake offers a wide variety of flavors, ranging from chocolate pretzel to strawberry shortcake, and are equipped with all the works – salty pretzels, strawberry syrup, whipped cream, and macaroon toppings spill over the sides of the mugs. While the milkshakes are out-of-this-world when it comes to creativity and taste, their size is almost too large to enjoy on your own, so grab a friend and couple of spoons and indulge in Xidan’s most decadent dessert.
11. Catch a Chinese film at Capital Cinema
Cinema
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