Essential things to do this week in Beijing

Your weekly guide to the best of Beijing

With Beijing embracing its first snow galore of 2020, we’re getting off to a rather slow start of the week. There's plenty to do indoors and to ease yourselves into work, if going ice skating on one of the city's brilliant frozen lakes doesn't really sound like your cup of tea. Read up our picks for making the most out of this week.

Beat the hump day blues with these midweek offers 

Always end up spending more kuai than you can afford when going out? Well you can land a bargain if you know what you’re doing. Here to help is our guide to a number of great-value dining and drinking deals occurring every Wednesday – 'cos well, to keep your wallet happy, and help you forget that you have two more days of work.

Ease into Veganuary with these offers

Photo: Gung Ho! Pizza/WeChat

Speaking of deals, we're in the midst of Veganuary. Whether you're a full-fledged vegan, giving Veganuary a go or simply want to eat less meat, there are some great dining deals to make going vegan or vegetarian in Beijing a lot more effortless. Check out what’s happening this month here, as well as these excellent meat-free offers that last all year round. 

Get your skate on at these spots

Skating outside on one of the city's picturesque frozen lakes is one of the joys of Beijing. There’s a whole lot of frozen fun to be had in these open-air ice rinks. Do what the locals do and grab a pair of skates (or an ice bike...) at one of these great spots.

Catch these new releases in cinema  

Photo: Big Beach Films

Farewell. On general release from Fri 10

After being pulled from Chinese cinemas last minute before its original release date, Farewell is finally scheduled to hit the big screen this Friday. Awkwafina arrived in a big way with Lulu Wang’s dramatic showcase, one that glowed with an unusually deep commitment from its star. The Queens-raised rapper-comedian plays Billi, a New Yorker in China hoping to reconnect with a past that’s fading. The performance is notable for how quiet it is: Billi is someone who only wants to bask in her grandmother’s teasing affection before it’s gone. Read the full Time Out review here. 

Photo:  Melampo Cinematografica

Life is Beautiful. On general release now

More than 20 years after its initial release, the Oscar-winning classic Life is Beautiful (La vita è bella) makes its way to Chinese cinemas for the first time. Directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, it tells a poignant story about a loving Jewish father who despite being victims of Holocaust, protects his son from the harsh life of the concentration camp by telling him it is nothing but a game.

Party it up at these Beijing gigs

Photo: Dada/WeChat

Junks. Dada. Sat 11. 10pm-late. 60RMB

Emerging from the neon-lit streets of Hangzhou, Junks is a dystopian, synth-wave band who makes 80s-influenced, futuristic pop music that reflects their acid-rain soaked surroundings. They’ve gained much acclaim, after playing at several packed shows and festivals at home and abroad. Don't miss their nostalgic, retro sounds in Dada this Saturday.  

Photo: Lantern/WeChat

Gotshell. Lantern. Fri 10. 10.30pm-late. 80RMB/50RMB adv

Lantern welcomes Colombia-born producer Gotshell, aka Alessan Mainis. Dubbed a flag-bearer of the underground techno scene in Colombia, he delivers straightforward techno without hype or fanfare, through unpredictable rhythms and psychedelic soundscapes in his live sets. 

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