The Village: Shopping and night life

Even people who have never been to Beijing have heard of Beijing's nighttime hangout, Sanlitun.

In 2008, the former bar street got a massive facelift and now sports one of Beijing's best places to grab a seat and while away the hours.

Best known for opening Beijing's first official Apple computer store, The Village has numerous, but expensive, outlets including China's largest Adidas outlet.

The area also has some of the city's best dining, with the British pub Stumble Inn, the well-known Shanghai eatery Element Fresh, or the American-style sports bar, Union Bar and Grill.

But the main reason for its international recognition is a secluded bar street stuck behind the 3.3 Shopping Mall and The Village. An innocent shopping center by day, at night it thumps with bass beats blasting from bars like 1F Bar or Salud and clubs like Butterfly or Poachers.

The trees come alive at Solana at night.

Solana: Style beside the park

Built on the edge of Chaoyang Park, Solana Shopping Park is one of Beijing's most modern leisurely hangouts.

With lots of international brands including Zara, fast and sit-down restaurants and a bar street facing Shuizhui Lake, it has it all.

From the American All-Star Sports Bar and Grill to the elegant eatery Water, Solana is an international shopping area that boasts itself as a "lifestyle".

Anyone not interested in shedding their hard-earned cash in the shops lining the mall's massive open-air plaza can just grab a seat and observe the lifestyles of the rich and (sometimes) famous.

Wangfujing Street: Top shopping

Described by some as the 5th Avenue of China, Wangfujing has long been Beijing's top international street. Just a short slide down from the Forbidden City, Wangfujing is a melting pot of culture and architecture with some of the city's most famous shops.

One of the biggest draws is the Foreign Language Bookstore, sporting five floors of Chinese and English books. At one point it was the only place in Beijing to get English novel.

At night the street transforms into an episode of Fear Factor, with Wangfujing Snack Street offering up a freakish selection of foods from grilled scorpion to fried seahorse and silkworm cocoons.

Wudaoying: Beijing's up-and-comer

Across from the Yonghegong Lama Temple, Wudaoying has shown a lot of progress over the past few years.

It's the type of day or night hutong where dainty cafes and laidback bars mesh with the relaxed rhythm of traditional life.

Often hailed as Nanluoguxiang's little brother, tattoo parlors and vintage shops give the young hutong a fresh edge.

With classy restaurants at similar prices, The Vineyard, Argo and Saffron offer visitors to this street some of Beijing's hidden culinary gems.

Wangjing: A cultural crossroad

Location of Beijing's largest Korean population, Wangjing is a step outside of the capital's classic hangouts.

With fewer bars than some of the other locations, the district is an ideal place to grab a seat in Wangjing Cultural Square and observe a smattering of Korean culture.

Though the area remains true to its roots with Stove Fire, one of the best Korea restaurants in Beijing, it also stars one of the city's few-and-far-between Burger Kings.