Fish-shaped lanterns are ready to greet the Spring Festival on Gongshui River in Xuanen County, central China's Hubei Province this Jan. 28. (Photo : Getty Images)
There are hundreds of things to do during the Spring Festival. You can visit temple fairs, watch movies and shows, shop, or just spend time with your family.
Known as Chinese New Year, the Spring Festival is the most important, highly anticipated festival in China as well as neighboring countries. This year, the festival starts on Jan. 28.
But there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss--going on a food trip with your family and friends.
Here are five great food trip spots you should see this Spring Festival:
1) Shichahai. A quiet place in the busy Beijing, Shichahai is often referred as “Houhai” or “Back Lake” by foreign visitors. It is composed of three lakes--Quanhai (front lake), Houhai (back lake), Xihai (west lake), all surrounded by old style Beijing houses, courtyards, and hutong.
Here, West meets East. It is a fastest-growing sport for late-night drinking. This remains the finest place in the city for a quiet drink. Foreign visitors kill time in this bar area in the evening.
How to get there: Take Trolley Bus 111 and 118 or Bus 13, 701, 810, 850, and 823. Get off at the stop of Beihai Northern Gate, or take Bus 5 to get off at Gulou stop.
2) Nanluoguxiang. This one’s perfect for backpackers. Located several kilometers north of the Forbidden City and just east of Houhai Lake, Nanluoguxiang is an 800-meter long north-south alleyway filled with cafes, bars, and shops all designated in classical Chinese hutong style.
Popular sports include eateries like Paper, cheeky Beijing-themed T-shirt vendor Plastered 8, gig venue MAO Livehouse, the late night snack outlet, Fish Nation, and Passby Bar that serves Western and Chinese food, gin and tonics, and has a lovely courtyard atmosphere.
How to get there: Nanluoguxiang is located in Beijing's Dongcheng District north east of Beihai Lake and north of the Forbidden City. Walk west or short taxi ride from either Beixinqiao or Zhangzizhonglu Subway Stations on Line 5.
3) Sanlitun. This place is frequented by expats and foreign visitors as this is situated adjacent to embassies and seven foreign offices. Here you can choose from Western to Asian restaurants.
Sanlitun is world-famous for its Bar Street. More than 60 percent of Beijing’s bars are located here. With over 80 bars line both sides, you can party until wee hours everyday.
How to get there: Bus 113, 115, 431, 701 takes you directly there. You can also try the Subway or taxi, but not at night or if there’s no traffic jam.
4) Guijie (Ghost Street). Located near DOngzhimen, this 1.5-km street has over 100 restaurants to choose from. They serve Sichuan, Shandong and Canton dishes, as well as snacks, hotpot, barbeque, and ethnic minority dishes.
Visit at night to appreciate the street lit-up by red lanterns, and the fragrance of chili and prickly ash.
How to get there: Take the subway Line 2 to Dongzhimen. Leave through Exit A or D, then walk. Bus 107, 106, 24, 117 all directly go to Gujie.
5) Niujie. This is home to the majority of Muslim people in Beijing. Here you’ll get to experience rich Muslim culture, taste street Muslim food. Today, 200 different snacks are produced here.
How to get there: If you’re going by bus, you can get off at Niu Jie Li Bai Si, Niujie Lukou Xi, or Niujie Lukou Dong Stations. If you prefer to take the Subway, take Subway Line 2 to Changchun Jie Station, get out from Exit C1 and walk about 1.5 km south to it, or get out from Exit A and take bus 10 for only four stops.
Kiong Hee Huat Tsai! Kung Hei Fat Choi!
