Beijing’s night markets

December 8, 2016

Follow your nose as it’s tempted by an unmistakable wafting aroma of cooked food toward one of Beijing’s many night markets, located throughout the country, and you won’t be disappointed. When night falls, these markets come alive with an assortment of tasty treats from both southern and northern China. Mix in the energy of a bustling crowd and street vendors, and you’ll see why this is an attraction you shouldn't miss.

Dusk takes hold in Chongqing. The night markets are soon to open.

Dusk takes hold in Chongqing. The night markets are soon to open.

Dive right into the delicacies on offer. In most night markets, you can taste ubiquitous dumplings in every form imaginable, plus spring rolls, crab cakes, lamb, beef, and chicken skewers, quail eggs, candied fruit, various seafood, fried pancakes, and an assortment of cheeses. All of the good stuff is here.

The best thing to do upon arriving at a night market is to dive right in!

The best thing to do upon arriving at a night market is to dive right in!

There is also a creepy crawly side of the night market cuisine. This is probably what makes it most famous, since it’s the perfect way for travellers and food gurus to take home another “you ate that?” story to family and friends. The street vendors of the night markets seem to take immense joy in enticing foreigners to try such delicacies as deep fried scorpion, snake skewers, various types of deep fried crickets, sheep's testicles, silk worms, spiders, and anything else you can barely recognize, available deep fried on a stick. It’s not perhaps the most alluring offer to tickle your taste buds, but swallowing some creepy crawlies can make for one entertaining night.

All of the good stuff is here.

All of the good stuff is here.

The night markets of Beijing are a wonderful experience for travellers looking to immerse themselves in the variety of food on offer in China. The culinary culture here ranges from deliciously scrumptious treats to savoury dishes. No matter what your tastes, the night markets have a ton of incredible food to sample. It is a paradise for food lovers; they could easily spend long nights exploring every hidden nook and cranny of these amazing markets.

Take your camera and a seasoned stomach, because this is a night you won’t forget.

Swallowing some creepy crawlies can make for one entertaining night.

Swallowing some creepy crawlies can make for one entertaining night.

Getting There

G Adventures runs a number of departures in China encompassing a wide range of departure dates and activities to cater to different tastes. We’re thrilled at the prospect of showing you this big blue planet of ours — check out our small group trips here.

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