Diners relax on the terrace of a dining bar enjoying the early summer breeze of Beijing and views of the Temple of Heaven to the west and the iconic CITIC Tower to the east.
As twilight descended, a screen rose. Locals and tourists converged spontaneously on the open-air cinema on the second-floor terrace of Chang’an Mills shopping plaza, in the iconic Shougang Park, Beijing. If anything rivals the magic of a summer night sky, it’s the jovial atmosphere brought about by the silver screen.
This summer, the Cultural Center of Shijingshan District in west Beijing presented open-air screenings – a public welfare film festival transforming commercial plazas into cinematic hubs. From July 11 to August 31, every Saturday and Sunday on Chang’an Mills’ west second-floor terrace, classic films lit up the night. Popular Chinese animations like GG Bond, Boonie Bears, and Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf were some of the movies which were shown for free, inviting audiences, especially those with children, to enjoy the fun outing.
Rooftop public spaces like this have been mushrooming across Beijing. As open-air spaces often offer beautiful views in bustling districts, they have also emerged as prime venues to revitalize urban economies.
People dine at a restaurant overlooking the central business district in Beijing.
Boosting Commercial Appeal
“I was instantly captivated by the stunning view upon my first visit. Unlike any ordinary terrace, this meticulously landscaped garden radiates contemporary flair and creativity. Being here, sipping bubble tea while chatting with friends is pure joy,” Peng Yao, a white collar worker in Beijing, told China Today.
She was on the seventh-floor rooftop of the MixC Mall in Xibeiwang Town, Haidian District, northwest Beijing, enjoying not only the late summer breeze in a terrace garden but also the view of Baiwang Mountain in the distance. This public space, named Wangji Garden (Seasonal View Garden), was completed and opened to the public in October 2024. Guided by the design philosophy of inviting the mountain into the garden, it masterfully integrates the graceful curves of Baiwang Mountain into its own garden layout, creating a commercial landscape where mountains seem within reach. Seats and parasols are also thoughtfully provided here.
Today, more shopping centers in the capital are tapping into their rooftop potential, seamlessly integrating terraces with experiential consumption, further unleashing market potential.
Boosting consumption remains a key word in Beijing’s economic agenda for 2025. On July 5, the Beijing municipal government issued the Action Plan for Deepening Reform and Boosting Consumption, implementing directives from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and State Council to boost service consumption and meet public demands for a better life.
The plan specifically called for tapping into new dimensions of cultural and entertainment consumption, such as leveraging capital cultural resources to revitalize accessible historic sites, and establishing new cultural spaces in industrial parks and commercial complexes.
As commercial complex designs become increasingly diverse, enriched consumption scenarios are reshaping consumer habits. Semi-outdoor sky gardens have emerged as pivotal footfall magnets for business districts – transforming architectural landmarks while boosting commercial appeal.
The lush Baiwang Mountain forms the background for the seventh-floor rooftop garden of the MixC Mall in Xibeiwang Town, Haidian District.
The “Fifth Façade” of the Central Axis
During the first half of 2025, Beijing’s Dongcheng District launched the Breeze Terrace Initiative, targeting the city’s Central Axis and five major commercial zones. By integrating hotel terraces, cultural spaces, cafés, and bars into a curated consumption experience, this urban reinvention campaign propelled local consumption upgrades. Over 300 distinctive terrace spaces opened to locals and tourists, delivering innovative experiences while preserving historical landscapes.
Opening the Breeze Terrace Atlas: Central Axis Stroll, a travel brochure under the Breeze Terrace Initiative, over 30 curated terraces thread through the 7.8-kilometer-long Central Axis. In preserving and utilizing this heritage corridor, the government synergizes historical conservation with innovative consumption spaces, boosting commercial vitality from street level to elevated terraces.
Terraces along the Central Axis in Beijing’s central areas are also multiplying.
At 33 Gulou West Street, visitors sip coffee and savor Western cuisine while enjoying commanding panoramic views of the Bell and Drum Towers. On the rooftop of Jinyu Jintai at 20 Zhaofu Street, the terrace doubles as a natural amphitheater for improv comedy and script readings, framed by the silhouette of the two towers.
Crowned by a sprawling “Sky Courtyard,” Longfu Plaza frequently hosts international fashion shows and cultural salons from time to time, capturing the fusion of ancient charm and modern vibrancy.
The rise of these vibrant terraces elevates dining and leisure with cultural richness – a testament to contemporary pursuits of heritage immersion, thanks to the collaboration among businesses, urban planners, and cultural workers.
“Life moves too fast; it’s time to slow down,” said Sun Xinjun, Dongcheng District Party Secretary, who invites people to “come savor the view from Dongcheng’s terraces.”
“This initiative is amazing! As an outdoor enthusiast, I always choose al fresco dining over indoor seating – and pick a terrace over ground level whenever possible,” said a Xiaohongshu (Red Note) blogger.
In fact, as early as 2022 – before the Central Axis secured the UNESCO World Heritage status – both Dongcheng and Xicheng Districts had revitalized the Axis’ “fifth facade” (rooftop terraces). Today, a harmonious urban skyline has emerged.
“Terraces unlock hidden architectural value,” said Fang Chao, operations director of Jinyu Jintai. “Once rarely accessed rooftops are now drawing crowds looking for new perspectives. They’ve become fresh cultural stages showcasing the Central Axis and Beijing’s ancient charm. At night, under vibrant landscape lighting, many restaurants enter their peak dining hours, and all outdoor seating is fully occupied.”
According to Fang, it’s common to see young people snuggle up here with a book for an entire afternoon. “Occasionally looking up, they’re greeted with unfolding views of traditional courtyard residences in the Qianmen area. Centuries-old architecture and modern views on life intertwine, weaving the living heritage of Beijing into a tangible present experience,” he said.
