5 Things to Do in Beijing This Week
Through Mar 25: The Bookworm Literary Festival
It seems like an eternity since the last one but finally, The Bookworm Literary Festival is upon us and, damn, was it worth the wait, with the just-over-two-week program including dozens of talks, panels, performances and shows. Speakers include fiction and nonfiction authors such as Xu Xi, Geoff Dyer and Zhang Lijia; foreign correspondents; poets; and Nobel Peace Prize photographers (Sim Chi Yin). Basically, there’s something for everyone: North Korean knick-knacks, graphic novels, podcasts, panels – you name it.
Through Mar 25; times and ticket prices vary; The Bookworm, 4 Sanlitun South Street 三里屯南街4号楼 (6586 9507, for more info, including a full schedule, visit beijingbookworm.com).
Mar 23-25: Beijing Invitational Craft Beer Festival
Beijing and craft beer go hand-in-hand like roadside chuan’r and gutter oil – and that’s all thanks to Great Leap, the capital’s original microbrewery. The hawkers of the Honey Ma not only serve damn tasty brews, but they also throw a mighty fine festival. Witness the boozy glory for yourself at their Fourth Beijing Invitational Craft Beer Festival.
Breweries from around the world will be descending upon Beijing for a weekend of tasting sessions, and this year’s got quite the lineup: Breweries from America, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand, Australia and more will all be here serving fresh kegs of their best beers. A ticket to any of the weekend’s tasting sessions gives you free-flow beers, canapés provided by TRB, and the chance to meet brewers from around the world. And for the serious hop heads, tickets for a 5-course TRB brunch with beer pairings are also available.
Fri Mar 23-Sun Mar 25; RMB200 (single session), RMB488 (brunch), RMB550 (weekend pass, good for three sessions), RMB988 (all access pass, entrance to all sessions and brunch); TRB Copper, Compound 13, Nafu Hutong 东城区钠福胡同13号大院 (8400 2232, tickets are available at all Great Leap Brewing locations, as well as online at https://www.247tickets.com/t/beijing-invitational-craft-beer-festival)
Mar 24: Spring Showcase
If you love food, photography and music – and lets face it, who doesn’t? – then check out Yue Space, because, for one day this month, you can enjoy all three at the culture hub. The venue will host a food market and photography exhibition in the afternoon and a gig in the evening (8.30pm).
Don’t miss Chinese musician Mo Xizi as he showcases his new album, Yuegang Baidehen. According to the folk-rock musician: “Music is a part. It should be performed live, and not live in a box, but fun, and free.” The artist’s new album combines electric guitar, bass and keyboard for a ‘wild’ sound.
Sat Mar 24, 2pm-late; RMB180 (door), RMB150 (presale); Yue Space, 7 Banqiaonanxiang, Dongcheng 北新桥街道板桥南巷7号人民美术印刷厂内 (185 4891 9448, tickets via wap.showstart.com/event/45159)
Mar 25: Cookie Monster Charity Bake-Off Competition
Beijing’s most carbtastic annual event is back for its fifth year. The Hutong and LumDimSum.com will be judging the cookies of the capital, and while it’s too late for you to enter your own recipe, anyone can come taste the delicious spread on offer. Your ticket will get you sample bites of all 15 cookies, plus a glass of warm milk. The Hutong will also serve hot chocolate and hot toddys.
Sun Mar 25, RMB150 (RMB100 for Hutong members); The Hutong, 1 Jiudaowan Hutong Beixinqiao 九道湾胡同1号 (159 0104 6127)
Mar 25: Wild Great Wall BBQ
Explore a new part of the Great Wall this month with Beijing Experience’s BBQ tour. The crew will take you to an untouched stretch of the wall for a rugged feast of craft sausages, Uruguayan beef, homemade pies and wine and beer to wash it all down.
Sun Mar 25, 8.45am; RMB550 (including transportation, food and drinks); meet at Dongzhimen subway station (book via WeChat: 13071139166)
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