Tongzhou

Tongzhou, in Beijing, combines historic sights along the Grand Canal with distinctive modern public buildings, making it a good choice for a relaxed weekend or a family outing.

Modern Cultural Buildings

• Beijing City Library: Home to the world's largest single reading room, the library features a giant ginkgo-inspired canopy, terraced walkways through the bookshelves, and floor-to-ceiling windows framed in white. It is also a good spot for photos. Admission is free, with no reservation required.

• Grand Canal Museum: Exhibitions explore a thousand years of grain transport along the canal. There is an immersive cinema on the third floor, while the rooftop terrace offers panoramic canal views. Admission is free with an ID card.

• Beijing Performing Arts Centre: Its red-brick exterior takes inspiration from traditional granaries, and the symmetrical layout works well for photographs. The interior places a strong emphasis on acoustics. Visits require advance reservations.

Canal Heritage Sites and Parks

• Sanjiao Temple: This site brings together historic Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist buildings, along with the thousand-year-old Randeng Pagoda. On clear autumn days, the red walls and gray roof tiles stand out against the sky, making it a good setting for architectural photography.

• Xihaizi Park: A favorite everyday leisure spot for Tongzhou residents, with lake views and reflections of the pagoda. Visit Hulu Lake and the Monet Garden while you are here, or simply take a walk and rest between sights.

• Qianhe Xielu Bridge: This wave-shaped bridge has three levels of scenic walkways. Come in the evening to watch the sunset and capture Randeng Pagoda, the glowing sky, and the city skyline in a single frame.

Leisure and Evening Visits

• Moon River Town: This European-style neighborhood has a street-food night market, arts and crafts stalls, and outdoor music after dark. It is a pleasant place to slow down and wander.

• Grand Canal Night Cruise: Boats depart from Olympic Sports Park Wharf, and the trip takes about 50 minutes. Along the way, you can watch light shows and illuminated displays on both banks of the canal.

Where to Eat

Tongzhou's dining options include canal-inspired dishes and long-established local restaurants. Plan your meals around your sightseeing route.

• Nanmen Shuanrou (Grand Canal branch): Set on a boat on the canal, this restaurant serves copper-pot hot pot. In the evening, you can dine with views of the riverbanks. Consider trying the Canal Three Treasures Platter.

• Xiaolou Restaurant: This century-old halal restaurant is known for its braised catfish, recognized as intangible cultural heritage. Jiaoliu gezhi, crispy fried bean-flour sheets in sauce, is another local specialty.
• Qianhuifeng Dry Pot Duck Heads: In business for 17 years, this restaurant deep-fries duck heads before stir-frying them with dry seasonings for a rich, bold flavor. There is often a wait for a table.

• Moon River Night Market: Try snacks from different regions, including Tianshui malatang, grilled chicken carcasses, and oysters. A few dozen yuan is enough to make a meal of it while browsing the stalls.

• Dashunzhai: This long-established shop has a history of 300 years. Its tanghuoshao, sweet baked pastries, are crumbly and moderately sweet, making them a good food gift to take home.

Where to Stay

If you plan to stay overnight in Tongzhou and explore at a slower pace, consider these hotels based on your itinerary.

• Wanli Nuolan Hotel: Hanging gardens create a Babylonian-inspired setting. Its Western restaurant offers distant views of the Universal Studios castle, making it a good option for a couples' stay or a date.

• Molan Hotel: Close to Universal Studios and Wanli shopping mall, this hotel has distinctively designed rooms suited to travelers looking for both a place to stay and photo opportunities.
• Lavande Hotel (Tongzhou Beiguan Subway Station branch): Near the subway station, this hotel offers convenient transport and good value. It is a practical choice for itineraries focused on the canal and museums.

Suggested Itineraries

• One day: Cultural buildings and canal heritage: Spend the morning visiting and photographing Beijing City Library and the Grand Canal Museum, then have a simple lunch nearby. In the afternoon, walk to Xihaizi Park and Sanjiao Temple to explore the gardens and historic buildings. Head to Qianhe Xielu Bridge at dusk for the sunset and colorful evening sky, then eat and browse at Moon River Night Market.
• Two days: In-depth sightseeing and a relaxed getaway: On Day 1, follow the one-day itinerary, take a Grand Canal night cruise in the evening, and stay overnight in Tongzhou. On Day 2, visit Universal Studios, or see an exhibition at the Han Meilin Art Museum before cycling through Urban Green Heart Forest Park and enjoying the outdoors.

Transport and Travel Tips

• Getting around: Subway Line 6 is the main public transport option. Get off at Tongzhou Beiguan or Beiyunhe East station, then use a shared bike to reach most sights. Drivers can use the underground parking at the library and museum, but spaces are limited on weekends, so arrive early.
• Monday closures: Beijing City Library, the Grand Canal Museum, and Beijing Performing Arts Centre are all closed on Mondays. Plan your itinerary accordingly.
• Admission and reservations: The museum and library are free to enter, but you need to scan your ID card for admission. Check reservation requirements through official channels before setting out. Performances at Beijing Performing Arts Centre require separate tickets, while visits to its public spaces require advance reservations.
• Clothing and essentials: There is some distance between sights, so wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring insect repellent for the riverside and parks. It can be windy when sightseeing or taking a boat trip at night, so pack a light jacket.
• Access updates: Some areas around Qianhe Xielu Bridge, including Yuantou Island, may still be under construction. Check whether they are open before visiting to avoid detours.