Places In Beijing To Get Into the Christmas Spirit, For Free!
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Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But [inside] is so delightful
And since we [can't leave Beijing]
[Here's where to go to get that Christmas-y glow]
Okay clearly I'm not cut out to be a songwriter, but those holiday tunes have ear-wormed their way into my brain and are stuck there until Christmas, so we might as well throw ourselves into the festive season wholeheartedly! We've looked around the city and found some of the places, outside of hotels, with the nicest holiday decorations to help you get into the Christmas spirit, and most of them are free!
Need more twinkle lights or Christmas ornaments? Well then, IKEA is a great place to go for those, because you'll see loads of those very same items displayed all over the shop in the Siyuanqiao store right now. The Strala Christmas stars are particularly eye-catching! While you're there, check out their family Christmas menu for four, priced reasonably at RMB 158. Don't forget to grab a DIY gingerbread house on your way out!
A top favorite with locals and expats alike, Solana Mall is known for imaginative decorations peppered throughout its many outdoor spaces. This year's theme is the Winter Olympics, so you'll find decorations such as a ice hockey player sculpture and an inflatable ice-skating donut all around the huge shopping area. Restaurants such as Wood Garden House and Kitty and Daniel's also sport great decorations and a Christmas menu to match!
*Also worth mentioning is the Urban Glamping site just across Solana in Chaoyang Park, which features a whole Christmas tree house setup complete with Santa Claus meet & greets included in the price of tea.
QiHao Mansion 北京启皓
This hidden gem is tucked away in an office building north of Sanlitun near the Liangma River but boasts a great backdrop for photos on a sunny afternoon. It's a little nook in the building lobby that is all decked out with Christmas trees, a cushy armchair, and all sorts of lovely toys (even a nutcracker!) and decorations, and it's not far from Solana so it might be worth combining the two to make it worth the trip!
This mall may be new to you, but if school's already out, you may as well explore the further reaches of Beijing and check out this spot down south by the fifth ring road. The mall is currently exhibiting a huge Christmas tree where they'll periodically have a countdown and spray confetti – which as we all know, kids love to play with. There's also kid-friendly live performances throughout the day, as well as a fun exhibition space to explore with some games and activities for little ones.
Images: Pexels, Dianping
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