Beijing/Haidian

Haidian (海淀 Hǎidiàn) is a large district in the north-west of Beijing.

Understand
Haidian was built during the Yuan Dynasty (Mongol period, 1279-1368). Throughout later dynastic history, the district grew to become a thriving commercial area, housing the summer palaces of the emperors. It is now a center of academic activity and technological development. Notable parts include:

Wudaokou
Wudaokou is one of the most well-known centers of nightlife in Beijing. Much of the district caters to nearby students (due to Haidian having many universities), and there is a bustling nightlife scene. Can be accessed through Line 13 of the Beijing subway, and has good transport links all around. There is a large Korean minority. Prices in Wudaokou are generally cheaper than other nightlife centers in the city.

Tsinghua/Peking Universities


The two universities of Tsinghua University and Peking University are regarded as the best universities in China. These two universities, along with others in the area, have expansive campuses and many services catering mostly to students.

Zhongguancun
Zhongguancun is Beijing's technological center, and can be accessed through Line 10 and Line 4. The region is littered with shops selling electronics and IT products as well as many places to eat and drink.

Get in
Lines 4 (north-south), 10 (north-south), 16 (north-south), 7 (entering from the southeast), 9 (north-south), 1 (east-west), 6 (east-west) and 13 (entering from the northeast) make it easy to reach Haidian's busier areas by public transport. Taxis from the central Beijing districts may take 30–45 minutes; buses even longer.

Do



 * National Library of China inside HDR 1.jpg
 * National Library of China inside HDR 1.jpg

Books
Haidian District is home to some of Beijing's largest bookstores that offer a wide selection of Chinese and foreign language books:

Eat




Wudaokou (五道口 Wǔdàokǒu), where most of the foreign and local university students hang out. There are a number of bars and restaurants which serve a great variety of wine, beer and liquor for cheap. This area is also well known for its huge Korean population and a good place to find Korean food.



Eat in the dining halls of Tsinghua University. Tsinghua is said to have the best dining halls among Chinese universities and there are nearly 20 dining halls in the campus, cost usually less than ¥10. On the lower levels, a prepaid card is needed to purchase anything but you can easily ask a student to swipe the card for you and you pay him cash. The stalls on the top floor accept cash outright. The dining halls could be very very crowded.