24 hours in Beijing

7 p.m. to 8 p.m. -- Qianhai Lake

A restaurant beside the Qianhai Lake offering Sichuan hot dishes. [Photo/Chetang.com]

During the evening, the restaurants on QianHai Lake come alive with lights, lanterns, and live music. The light bounces off the lake, creating an ambiance you will not want to leave. There are so many well-decorated and inviting restaurants to choose from for dinner. You can sit out on the patio facing the lake or inside and to better enjoy live music. Vendors with street food and souvenirs can be found further down the lake. There are couples having dance lessons by the dock, and around the corner are groups of students playing different games.

Tips:

Time needed: 1 hour

Entry Fee: Free

Operating hours: Varies with venue

Directions：Take either Line 6 or 8 to Di'AnMen. Follow DianMen Avenue up to the Drum Tower or simply keep to the righthand banksof the Lakes and find your way along the route from Qianhai's Lotus Lane to Jinding Bridge

8 p.m. to 9 p.m. -- Houhai

Houhai. [Photo/China.org]

Qianhai Lake is found right before entering Houhai. When you come to Houhai you can see a community built around a lake that has a great evening atmosphere. Strolling around the lake, you can enjoy the colors of trendy restaurants and vendors. This is not an all-day excursion, but it does not lack things to do. There are paddle boats available to rent. You will need to put down a deposit before taking off into the sunset. Houhai is also well-known for its nightlife and bars. It's tucked away from the main streets, but once you find it you won't want to leave.

A store on the Houhai Lake. [Photo/China.org]

Tips：

Time needed: 1 hour

Entry Fee: Free

Operating hours: Lake Houhai: 24 hours a day.

Address: Yan Dai Xie Jie on Dianmen Outer Avenue (Di An Men Wai Da Jie)

Address (Chinese): 烟袋斜街 (地安门外大街)

Directions: The taxi driver will bring you to Yan Dai Xie Jie (烟袋斜街). Walk down the alley, notable for its many plenty of bars and souvenir shops, and you will then see Lake Houhai.