While Cultural Keys can be considered your go-to for a variety of traditional Chinese culture activities, there are of course plenty of other fun and interesting cultural events happening around the capital every month!
Here’s our round-up of activities connected with Chinese culture and history for July in Beijing!
Please note: Cultural Keys is in no way affiliated with any of the events or organisations listed in this article, unless explicitly stated. We offer no guarantee about the quality of any third party events, and strongly suggest interested participants contact the relevant organizers to clarify event details before attending.
Exhibition: Ink Splendor and Cultural Context – Exhibition on Bada Shanren, Shi Tao and Chinese Xieyi Art Since the 20th Century 墨韵文脉——八大山人、石涛与20世纪以来中国写意艺术展
Date: May 23rd-August 6th 2023
Location: National Art Museum of China
Time: 9.00 – 17.00 (last entry 16.00)
Price: Free
Payment: Reservation required via WeChat mini-program: 中国美术馆
Language: Chinese and English
Part of the exhibition series in celebration of the 60th anniversary of NAMOC, this is a rare opportunity to see so many works by several seminal artists – including many by Qi Baishi – in one place. A special treat is the paintings of Bada Shanren, one of China’s most important artists. Born a prince, he became a monk and only started painting professionally in his sixties. His unique paintings reflect his eccentricity – some say madness – and this is an exhibition well worth seeing.
Walking Tour: Boxer Rebellion – Under Siege Walking Tour
徒步之旅：了解义和团运动的步行之旅
Date: July 1st 2023
Location: Chongwenmen Subway Station, Exit B 崇文门地铁站B口
Time: 15:00 PM – 17:30 PM
Price: 300RMB/person; 150RMB/child
Payment: Reservation required via online platform:
https://www.beijing-postcards.com/public-events/boxer-rebellion-under-siege-walking-tour-jul-01
Language: English
Hear the incredible story of the summer of 1900, when 4,000 foreigners and Chinese lived under siege from radical mystic rebels for 55 days. Follow us into the old Legation Quarter to hear stories about the bombing of the French embassy, the wavering Qing Court and how 200,000 bullets flew into the sky without finding a single target. The walk ends at our hutong gallery for a small exhibition curated by Beijing Postcards of original photos and maps from the early 1900’s.
Walking Tour: A Crash Course to the Forbidden City 徒步之旅：紫禁城速成班
Date: July 2nd 2023
Location: Donghuamen, Outside of TRB Forbidden City 紫禁城东华门外
Time: 13:00 PM – 16:30 PM
Price: 420 RMB per person; 210 RMB per child (for 7-12 years old)
Payment: Reservation required via online platform:
https://www.beijing-postcards.com/public-events/a-crash-course-to-the-forbidden-city-jul-02
Language: English
During the dynasties the Imperial Palace existed only as an idea to most people. It was the root of power. A mysterious presence that balanced heaven and earth. Present yet concealed right in the middle of the Capital. Stories of the castrated eunuch servants, the beautiful concubines and not least the vast amount of treasure in the palace were told all around the empire, but surrounded by a more than 10 meter high wall. No commoner could freely take a glance at the Imperial residence, in fact people did not even know what the emperor looked like. This was what earned the palace the name the Forbidden City. Today we can freely enter, hordes of people are everyday moving through the most sacred halls of Imperial China, but what is kept away from us, what we cannot readily access is the mindset, the ideas so deeply rooted in the imperial architecture.
“A Crash Course to the Forbidden City” is a humble attempt to unlock the meaning behind the chambers of the Palace. In a condensed and hopefully entertaining way, we wish to give you a comprehensive history of the palace from when it was built 600 years ago until when the last boy-emperor finally left in 1924.
Guided Tour of the Poly Art Museum
Date: July 5th 2023
Location: Poly Art Museum 9/F, New Poly Plaza, 1 Chaoyangmen North Street
Dongcheng District, Beijing
Time: 14:00-16:00
Price: 20RMB
Payment: Contact Jenny to book and pay (WeChat: pandapanjin)
Language: English
This boutique museum is a treasure house of some of China’s finest 3,000-year-old bronzes and 1,500-year-old Buddhist sculptures, most of them repatriated from overseas auctions. This museum has very little traffic, so we will likely have the exclusive VIP experience. The museum website is http://www.polyartmuseum.com/zl. We will spend two hours there and share the stories behind masterpieces. This museum is not free; the ticket is 20 RMB per person. The tour service is free.
Countryside Cycling to the “Sea of Flowers”
Date: July 9th 2023
Location: 7:30am departure from the Liangmaqiao subway area / 8:00am departure from the Lido Metropark Hotel Starbucks
Time: 7.30AM – 19.30PM (estimated)
Price: 518RMB per adult, 478 per child aged 5-12 including bike, helmet and lunch
Payment: Reservation required via website: https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/1712/countryside-cycling-to-the-sea-of-flowers/
Language: Chinese and English
An easy bike ride along forested country lanes and roads, passing by rivers and woods on the way to the ‘Sea of Flowers’.
Exhibition: South China Fishing Culture
Date: May 25th-July 19th 2023
Location: Cafe Zarah, 46 Gulou East St. 鼓楼东大街46号
Time: 10am-12pm daily
Price: Free
Cecile Zehnacker is a French photographer who has been living in Beijing since 2014. She has since travelled through China and Asia to capture people and local cultures, with a special focus on vanishing local traditions. You can find out more about her work at www.cecilezehnacker.com.
Beijing International Tea Culture Festival
Date: July 1st-23rd 2023
Location: Taikooli and Sanlitun SOHO
Time: 10am-9.30pm
Price: FREE
Language: English and Chinese
This international tea festival offers attendees the chance to taste and buy teas from around the world, and learn more about their history and culture. Chinese tea will be front and centre!
Cuandixia Ming Village Day Trip
Date: July 22nd 2023
Location: Pickup from the Liangmaqiao subway area
Time: 7:30am departure
Price: 450RMB for adults, 200RMB for kids
Payment: https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/1267/ming-village-day-trip-2/
Spend the day out in Cuandixia, a Ming Dynasty-era village in the mountains west of Beijing – first a walk in the hills near the village, then a good look about the old courtyards, temples, and narrow lanes of the village itself. Lunch included.
Sip & Speak Chinese Speaking Club
Foreigners living in China often have the luxury of using English in their dealings with locals. Now it’s the locals’ chance to put foreigners in the language hot seat! Unlike language exchange, where people take turns speaking different languages, this group’s purpose is to converse in one language: Chinese. Suitable for learners HSK 3 and up.
Date: July 22nd 2023
Location: Sanlitun
Time: 7-8.30pm
Places: Unlimited
Price: RMB88 (beer provided)
Payment: Add Jason (WeChat: james202020) to sign up and pay
Presentation: The History of the Shaolin Temple
Date: July 27th 2023
Location: Online via Zoom
Time: 7-8pm (Beijing time)
Places: Unlimited
Price: FREE for members of Cultural Key’s WeChat group; 80RMB for non-members.
Payment: Prepayment via PayPal (no PayPal account needed), WeChat, or Alipay.
Almost everyone has heard of kung fu, Jet Lee, Zen or the Shaolin Temple – but most people don’t know much about them, or even realise that they are connected! Join Cultural Keys for an online presentation to learn about the history of the Shaolin Temple and how it is related to martial arts and Zen Buddhism!
Martial Arts: Chaoyang Park Tai Chi Class 朝阳公园 太极课
Date: Every Saturday
Location: Chaoyang Park West Gate 3 (Zaoying Subway Exit A)
Time: 9-11am
Places: Unlimited
Price: 100RMB/class or 800RMB/10 classes
Payment: Add Eric (WeChat:sanfengtaiji) to sign up and pay
The class is instructed by English speaking Tai Chi master Eric Liu. In the class, you’ll not only learn the authentic tai chi through a simple step-by-step proven method, but also go much deeper than just learning the forms. He’ll assist you in understanding Yin Yang theory, Taoist philosophy and “Qi” (energy) through natural, gentle exercise. You will also learn basic methods of self massage to relieve pain and stress from daily life.
Did we miss anything? What events are you attending this month? Let us know in the comments below. We would love to hear your thoughts and insights on traditional Chinese culture!
Photo Credits
– The organisers
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Cultural Keys helps you access, understand and enjoy life in China through traditional Chinese culture. Click here to read more about Cultural Keys and what we can do for you, your school, company or group to help you get more out of your time in China!