Meander through the colony of mausoleums built hundreds of years ago and be transported. While less frequented than the Great Wall or the Forbidden City, the Ming Dynasty Tombs are a lovely place to visit on a sunny day. 

Need an escape from the city? Head to the Red Brick Art Museum. A quick 30-40 minutes outside Beijing by car, it's an easy spot for a little day trip. Once you've arrived, you can get lost in the curves and corners of the building, enjoy the exhibitions, take a walk in the gardens or enjoy a latte at the sweet museum café.  

This Mongolian yurt-style restaurant is a true experience. This ain't your usual white-tablecloth spot. The vibe is surprisingly raucous, so it's the perfect place for a celebration or a big group. Lamb is their bread and butter; vegetarians are probably better off elsewhere.

Pak Pak Thai Kitchen is a buzzing restaurant that locals flock to week in, week out. The dishes are authentic and spicy (but manageably so!), and the Thai-inspired cocktails are definitely unforgettable.