1/ TEMPLE OF AGRICULTURE
Backgrounder – While Beijing’s prime historic attractions include the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace, both of which can get busy with visitors at peak times, the Temple of Agriculture offers an alternative for groups seeking a less hectic itinerary.
To See & Do – On the Temple of Agriculture’s complex is the site where Ming and Qing dynasty emperors ploughed rice in honour of the deity worshipped in those days for overseeing farming.
Delegates with an interest in construction and its associated tools of the trade will find that the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum on the same site is a treat. Look above for highlights located in the ceiling with the caisson carvings (above) from the former Longfu Temple. Positioned in tiered circles, intricately crafted temples and dwellings can be seen, beginning with smaller-sized creations and rising to the more palatial, but no less model-like buildings.
Whereabouts – The Temple of Agriculture is directly south of the Forbidden City on Beijing’s age-old Central Axis and within walking distance of the Temple of Heaven to the east.
2/ HONGQIAO PEARL MARKET
Backgrounder – The art of bargaining at well known visitor destinations is a fraught one – buyers and sellers can either love or loathe the practice; but at Hongqiao Pearl Market it’s happily relished by the traders. Hint: they see you approach and begin with a high offering price, which quickly comes down to what sounds a bargain – at least to the potential buyer.
To See & Do – Though the market is reputed to be the largest pearl distributor in China, the treasures of the sea along with jade and jewellery are found on the upper floors, while clothing ranging from silks to T-shirts form the busiest sections along with electronics and gadgetry. Again, bargaining comes into play, but caveat emptor.
The top floor features private dining space while on the adjacent rooftop is a bar area and stage with the whole space available to organisers for al fresco events. One side boasts a view of the Temple of Heaven amid the greenery of Tiantan Park.
Whereabouts – A short distance from the Temple of Heaven and other historical marvels in Dongcheng district, which makes it a convenient itinerary stop that includes historical parks and buildings.
3/ POPLAND
Backgrounder – Labubo dolls have become a global sensation among a youthful and young-at-heart market eager to add the quirky characters to their collections. Retail sales are based on the blind-box principle: purchasers are not meant to know the character until they open the box and see whether the facial features of the cute ‘little monsters” bear a grimace or a more pleasant visage.
The Labubo craze – along with the Molly characters – has enriched Pop Mart, the company behind the products.
To See & Do – Pop Mart is taking a leaf out of Disney’s playbook when it comes to “art toys” with the securing of intellectual property rights and opening of this theme park. Although aimed at families and Labubo fans, corporate travel groups who can’t get enough of cuteness are likely to be in awe.
Pop Land gives groups a glimpse of business in China when it comes to making millions in the art-toy intellectual property market and the escapism world of cosplay and collecting Labubos.
After a walk through parkland and mini attractions there is the castle-like centrepiece housing a theatre and product store. A third-floor banqueting hall with a private dining room can cater to groups along with an adjacent terrace overlooking an outdoor performance area and the riverfront.
Whereabouts – About a 45-minute drive northeast from the Temple of Heaven and on Juzifang Road, along the edges of Dongba Country Park in Chaoyang district.
4/ CHAOYANG THEATRE
Backgrounder – This is where the “wow factor” truly comes into play as groups gasp in amazement at the skills and antics of acrobats, stunt performers and dancers. Chinese acrobatics plays a major part in the country’s heritage and the courage and skills of the performers is known throughout the world.
To See & Do – Seating in the 3,000sqm theatre is priced depending on proximity to the stage and the best seats from which to view the action. Chairs, plates and juggling apparatus comes into play alongside the astounding flexibility and athleticism of the performers. In a modern twist, motorcycles have been added to the repertoire with the machines being ridden in the wall-of-death style once popular in western fairgrounds.
Two hour-long main performances are held daily at 16:20 and 17:30. Itinerary organisers can arrange with the Chaoyang Theatre management beforehand for post-event pictures of their groups with a select few performers.
Whereabouts – Chaoyang Theatre is located near to other sports institution buildings along 3rd Ring Road North Side near Jing Guang Center and sharing a neighbourhood with the CCTV Tower, Mandarin Oriental, Conrad and Kerry hotels.
5/ LIANGMA RIVER
Backgrounder – Unlike Shanghai and Jiangsu province, Beijing is not famed for its scenic waterways. However, thanks to revitalisation work carried out by Chaoyang district authorities in recent years, Liangma River has become a recreation space for residents and visiting groups alike.
To See & Do – The river clean-up gave rise to kayaking in the warmer months and ice-skating in the winter. For groups, an evening river cruise can form a fine post-conference social or round-off the day’s itinerary with dining and cocktails, or there is an array of onshore restaurants including those of international hotels.
Providers such Trip.com also offer cruise packages with departures and stops from Yansha pier and Blue Harbour wharf, which are near embassies and corporate offices around the Saniltun area of Chaoyang district.
Routes can cover 6km of the river or there are shorter journeys of 2km that take in the lights of Beijing with trees, bridges and buildings aglow.
Whereabouts – Head to the Saniltun area near Chaoyang Park; along the East 3rd Ring North Road. Look out for Blue Harbour and Yansha piers.
Pictures via: Shutterstock; MIX; Chaoyang District Media Centre
