Once a 1950s military factory complex, 798 has been converted into Beijing’s best-known contemporary art district. The old concrete workshops and warehouses now house galleries, studios, and design shops, featuring everything from major exhibitions to small, experimental shows. You’ll find photography, video art, installations, and plenty of one-off pieces that change all the time. The area has also filled up with cafés, bars, and restaurants, so it’s easy to spend a few hours wandering, eating, and people-watching. It’s in the Dashanzi area, northeast of the centre, and the mix of Mao-era industrial buildings and modern art is half the experience.

At 2351 metres above sea level, the Pico is the highest point of Portuguese territory. At the top is a 700-meter crater, 30 meters deep. The entire landscape around the volcano is rich in geological formations, notably the vineyards at the base of the mountain, classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Take a tour with an official guide to make the most of this experience.

First opened in 1981 within the Confucian Temple, the Capital Museum relocated to a purpose-built modern building in 2006 to accommodate its growing collection. It holds over 200,000 cultural relics; approximately 5,000 are typically on display at any given time, featuring a diverse range of items including porcelain, jade, calligraphy, paintings, coins, and Buddhist statues.