What to do in Beijing when it rains
Beijing keeps the rain at bay with its museums and galleries, its covered markets and its cafés — everything you need for an indoor day out.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- The Palace Museum 4 Jing Shan Qian Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100009
- National Museum of China 16 Dong Chang An Jie, 前门 Dong Cheng Qu, China, 100051
- Prince Gong Mansion 17 Qian Hai Xi Jie, Xi Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100035
- National Art Museum of China 1 Wu Si Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100875
- Mausoleum of Mao Zedong China, 北京市东城区天安门W93X+246 邮政编码: 100051
- Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall 20 Qian Men Dong Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100051
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- China Art Museum China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, 33, Dong Chang An Jie, 33号2层 Bei Jing Fan Dian, E座 邮政编码: 100006
- Imperial City Art Museum China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, 菖蒲河沿9号 邮政编码: 100006
- White Space Beijing WC2G+XR6, Bei Jing Zhan Dong Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100062
- Silk Road Painting & Calligr. Inst. China, Bei Jing Shi, Xi Cheng Qu, CN 北京市 西城区 100 米正西方向200米 邮政编码: 100031
- Zhengyang Art Museum 91 Qian Men Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100051
- 红门画廊 9 Chong Wen Men Dong Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100005
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Tiananmen W95W+FXQ, Dongcheng, China, 100051
- Prince Gong Mansion 17 Qian Hai Xi Jie, Xi Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100035
- Donghuamen China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, 景山前街4号 邮政编码: 100006
- Bell Tower （Wenjin Street） W9JQ+PF8, Di An Men Xi Da Jie, 西安门 Xi Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100035
- 天坛 China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, 东华门路 邮政编码: 100006
- 白塔 西安门 Xicheng District, China, 100034
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Hongqiao Market Dongcheng, China, 100062
- Hongqiao Tianhuan Market 52 Tian Tan Dong Lu, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100062
- Niujie Muslim Niuyangrou Market 1 Shu Ru Hu Tong, Xi Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100053
- Liulichang Cultural Market China, Bei Jing Shi, Xi Cheng Qu, 和平门外琉璃厂 邮政编码: 100031
- Donghuamen Subdistrict China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, 校尉胡同5号 邮政编码: 100006
- Beijing Wangfujing Sunny Vegetable Market 14 Xi La Hu Tong, 东单 Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100006
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Starbucks Coffee 138 Wang Fu Jing Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100006
- Starbucks Coffee 1 Qian Men Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100051
- Voyage Coffee Dongcheng, China, 100009
- Starbucks Coffee China, Bei Jing Shi, Dong Cheng Qu, Nan Luo Gu Xiang, 南鼓楼巷20 邮政编码: 100009
- Alley Cafe W9GX+5V8, Sha Tan Hou Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100006
- Starbucks Coffee 89 Jin Bao Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100005
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- 北京apm 138 Wang Fu Jing Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, China, 100006
- Joy City 131 Xi Dan Bei Da Jie, Xi Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100031
- Beijing New World Shopping Mall 5 Chong Wen Men Wai Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100051
- Beijing Department Store 255 Wang Fu Jing Da Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100006
- Xidan Shopping Mall 120 Xi Dan Bei Da Jie, Xidan, Xi Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100031
- Friendship Store 17 Jian Guo Men Wai Da Jie, 建外大街 Chao Yang Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100020
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.