Beijing is packed with cafes, so if you’re looking for a place to chill or do work, there are plenty around. Along Wudaoying Hutong alone, it’s cafes upon cafes. Some are pretty small (2-4 tables), but are so worth the visit for the whimsical decorations.

You’ll find cafe regulars like lattes. But as you’re looking at the menu, you’ll realize this: a lot of coffee and latte drinks will be more expensive than your lunch. Drink prices are similar to US prices while food is much cheaper.

On a day when it hit 95 degrees, I spent a Saturday reading indoors with cool A/C blasting and this sweet lime concoction.

All the adorable cafes were also great for catching up with friends. Dessert x cool drinks = good times.

Don’t forget to check out the food menus, too. Found amazing avocado crostini at a cafe in the heart of 798.

And one awesome thing that you rarely find in the States: starting around dinner time, all the cafes’ menus change to include alcoholic beverages as well. So if you’re looking for a quiet place to relax with a beer or catch up with friends in a chill environment over wine, you can do it all without heading to a loud bar.

Some call it gentrification. Some say new x old. Either way, you’ll find plenty of large chain coffee shops with a traditional Chinese architectural twist. A lot of these can be found in the more touristy areas of Beijing.