23 amazing things to do in Beijing this weekend

Your weekend guide to the best of Beijing

Enjoy your long weekend with this incredible range of events. Whether you like art, classical music, markets or just drinking while doing any of the above, there's something for you.

As well as these highlights, there are many more things to do in Beijing this week: explore, enjoy and don't forget to Instagram us your snaps with #timeoutbeijing. 

Qingming in Beijing

Qingming Jie, or tomb-sweeping festival, is a national public holiday in China that commemorates family ancestors. Qingming is traditionally a time to visit your family tomb and offer the deceased gifts for the afterlife, such as paper money, cars and wine. Whether or not you're making a pilgrimage to your laojia (hometown) this Qingming, read up on the background of the holiday here.

Digital Photography 101

The SLab. 10am. Sat 6. 2,200RMB. 

For aspiring photographers, this digital photography programme is the perfect way to further your knowledge. Over the course of 12 hours, get a better understanding of operating techniques and photography theories. Acquire professional knowledge and see how you can achieve the best results when taking photos.

Three Shadows Photography Art Market

Three Shadows Photography Art Centre. 11am. Sat 6. Free.

For photo enthusiasts, make sure not to miss this year's Three Shadows' photography-themed market. Bringing together young Chinese and international artists and photographers, the art market will see music performances, photography lectures, photographic publications and handmade books on offer.

Scavenger Hunt in Old Dashilar Neighborhood

Beijing Postcards. 3pm. Sat 6. 300RMB. 

Explore the multilayered history of the old area of Dashilar with this scavenger hunt. Keep your eyes peeled for traces of Qing Dynasty architecture, Republican-era brothels and ornaments smashed up by the Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution.

Hutong Holi Party

Side Street. 8pm. Sat 6. Free. 

Head over to Side Street to get in the Holi spirit this Saturday. With colour, Bollywood music, drink specials and more colour, it'll be a party to truly celebrate spring and love.

Loreli Affordable Art Market

El Nido at The Other Place. 1pm. Sun 7. Free. 

An affordable range of magazines, cards, paintings and more will be available at this spring's Loreli Affordable Art Market. Join a talented band of local artists, including illustrators, designers, painters and photographers, and browse through a range of great, and affordable, artwork. For more information, click here.

Hutong Races

North Beihai Station. 2pm. Sun 7. 50RMB. 

This Sunday, race to find answers and complete challenges in seven hutongs around Prince Gong's Mansion. Teams from across Beijing will compete to win the Hutong Cup to prove they are China's most hardy expeditioners. Form a team with your friends and join in all the fun and activities. Hutong Races welcome newcomers and there are great prizes, freebies and rewards available at every level of the game, except here, every second counts. Extract the QR code below to register. 

Jammerz

Boxing Cat Brewery. 4pm. Sat 6. Free. 

Celebrate the sweeping of tombs with Comedy Club China and their pick of Beijing's silliest DJs. Day drink and enjoy great beats from DJs that may or may not have better day jobs. For all the necessary information (repeated), click here.

Jing-Jing Beer Garden

The Opposite House. 5pm. Sat 6. Free. 

Jing-Jing's official opening party kicks off this Saturday, with 50 free beers and small bites available for the first to arrive. Enjoy Jing A brews alongside small bites from Jing Yaa Tang while sitting below the streets of Sanlitun. Head to the sunken garden at The Opposite House for a full range of Jing A's core and seasonal brews. For more information, click here. 

Fancy Wall and Ciele

School Bar. 9pm. Thu 4. 60RMB.

Drop by School Bar for the release gig of Fancy Wall and folk artist Ciele. Playing songs from their new album, rock out with them and other artists like post-math artists Houhai de DiaoYu and rockers The Superhero Died in Vain.

Emily Burns

Dusk Dawn Club. 9pm. Thu 4. 80RMB; 60RMB (presale).

With hit songs 'Friends Don't Kiss Friends' and 'Girlfriend at the Time', Emily Burns has garnered millions of streams and support around the world. Following the release of her LP Seven Scenes from the Same Summer last year, Burns is set to release singles throughout this year – hopefully showcasing a few of those as she plays in Beijing. The young star draws inspiration from the likes of Tove Lo and sings of everything from love to spite, with heartfelt activism and earnest cynicism throughout all her work.

Robedoor

Zhao Dai. From 10pm. Thu 4. 80RMB. 

LA deep-dream doomsayers Robedoor embark on their inaugural China tour this week. The prodigious drone duo of Britt Brown (founder of seminal American DIY weirdo network Not Not Fun Records) and Alex Brown have let the smelted metal feedback loops pool and congeal on their latest full-length release, New Age Sewage. Catch them mid-ritual in Beijing.

Still Corners

Omni Space. 8.30pm. Fri 5. 160RMB; 130RMB (presale).

Soundtrack-inspired themes from the likes of Vangelis, David Lynch, Ennio Morricone and French new wave cinema combine with '80s synth pop and hushed '60s-style pop vocals to create Still Corner's alluring sound. The group released their fourth studio album Slow Air in 2018, but expect a selection of songs from throughout their career as they head to Beijing this weekend. 

Edor

Soi Baochao. From 9.30pm. Sat 6. Free. 

Edor (イドアー) is the moniker for Belgian producer, musician and songwriter Maxime Honhon. After collaborating with many other bands and artists during composition, production and live performances, Maxime decided to launch his solo project: Edor.

Tygapaw

Zhao Dai. 10pm. Sat 6. TBC. 

Brooklyn-based, Jamaican-born party starter Tygapaw makes her way to the capital this weekend. Known for the incredible queer parties she throws, Tygapaw shakes up everything on the dancefloor with heavy beats and lush mixes that represent a sonic soundscape to her life.

Luv*Jam, Chris Cruse and Liad Krispin

Dada. 10pm. Sat 6. 60RMB (before 11pm); 80RMB (after 11pm). 

Luv*Jam, the production and artist name of Andrew Cole, is a stalwart at Bestival, UK's leading festival. Playing the night along with him, Chris Cruse is a Los Angeles-based DJ whose sound is influenced by dark warehouses and West Coast sunshine. Finally, Liad Krispin, a resident favourite of Cocktail d'Amore in Berlin, brings in sets which include everything from happy disco to dark techno. For more information, click here. 

Shazam!

On general release from Fri 5. 

Set in the DC universe, Shazam! follows 14-year-old foster kid Billy Batson who can turn into the adult superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi) just at the utterance of that one word, Shazam! However, Batson needs to master his powers (and puberty) to fight the evil plan of Dr Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong).

The Mule

Camera Stylo. 8pm. Sun 7. Free. 

As a nonagenarian drug mule in way over his head, Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood) has to avoid detection from the war on drugs as he gets better and better in his drug-carrying career for a Mexican cartel. Directed by Eastwood himself, the film also stars Bradley Cooper and Laurence Fishburne.

Translation: The 11th Three Shadows Photography Award Exhibition

Three Shadows Photography Art Centre. Sat Apr 6-Sun May 19. Free.

The 11th year of Three Shadow's Photography Awards is upon us, with the 2019 winners announced at the opening of the gallery exhibit. Judging the awards are five experts from around the world: Hai Jie (critic, China), Kimi Himeno (director and chief editor, Japan), Marcel Feil (deputy director, Netherlands), Peter Pfrunder (director and curator, Switzerland) and Rong Rong (co-founder and director, China).

Wang Xingwei: The Code of Physiognomy

Galerie Urs Meile. Until Sun May 12. Free.

The Code of Physiognomy presents new works from Shenyang-born artist Wang Xingwei since his last solo exhibition in 2016. The works present a rather tongue-in-cheek look at life in China, with playful symbology and metaphors that may lead to a few gasps and muffled giggles. From depictions of soldiers to a series on once-influential public figures, Wang's paintings are daring, thought-provoking and something akin to a visual representation of an inside joke.

Zhang Haotian

NCPA. 7.30pm. Thu 4. 160-280RMB.

This Chinese-Canadian rising piano star from Nanjing has graced stages around the world. Admitted to the Royal Academy of Music at just 20 years old, Zhang has had a rather incredible career for someone so young. Hear a special recital at the NCPA this week and catch the young star in all his glory.

China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra

NCPA. 7.30pm. Sat 6. 80-480RMB. 

The China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra, founded back in 1949, plays from a large repertoire including both Chinese and international classics. Conducted by Ge Yanan, the orchestra will play a series of traditional Chinese pieces from around the country.

The Groom Has Cold Feet

Qing Lan Theatre. 2pm & 7pm. Sun 7. 80-180RMB. 

With all the fun characters of a western, and the twists and turns of a murder mystery, this interactive show will get you thinking. When the reviled Albert Webster turns up murdered the morning of his wedding to local sweetheart Kayla May Blossom, there’s no shortage of suspects in the sleepy town of Pine Grove. Can you help the team from Dreamaker Theatre solve the case?

For more great things to do in Beijing this weekend, hit 'Read more' below. 

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