Houhai

After all the historical exploration, head to Houhai for an evening fix. The promenade around the lake is lined with some of the most happening bars and pubs in Beijing. Here you can rub shoulders with locals or just observe the cacophony of tuk tuks, bikes and traders trying to negotiate narrow lanes around the lake. A tuk tuk ride around Houhai gives an opportunity to soak in the modern lifestyle of young and happening locals. After the tuk tuk ride you can relax at one of the rooftop bars with the world famous Tsingtao beer. The bylanes of Houhai are full with souvenir shops selling Chinese mementoes, tea, tea mugs, chopsticks, scarves, sweets and much more. This is a great place to buy some knick-knacks for friends and family back home. Some of the best Uighur Muslim restaurants are located in the back lanes of Houhai, famous for their kebab and shashlik.