Hidden City Game 2014 - 2017

It was easy to have fun with this exploring race. Some teams were super competitive while others took a leisurely pace and focused on having fun in the hutongs. Explorers covered many hutongs, discovering their history and attempted many challenges. There were variable time limits, so people could explore more (3.5 hours), or attend for short time (2.5 hours).

During these years, so many people got out to discover new, mysterious parts of Beijing. Plus there was a range of activities that everyone was writing home about. Each event was very different from the last one.

The prizes were given to the teams who discovered more of the secrets of Beijing in the least time. They completed many activities, used clues in the street and historical sites to check-off answers, and reach the finish line.

People joined together with their friends to form teams, or made new teams and new friends during the game. We had a mix of international and local Beijing players. It was the best way to make new friends. Most importantly, everyone had fun and it evolved to become the premier exploration event in Beijing.

Challenge levels

Master

• 21 challenging questions
• ~ 2.5 hours (150 minutes)
• 7 to 10 hutongs or sites
• One team member must be familiar with our events
• Winner receives the Master's Cup

Explorer

• A mix of easy and challenging questions
• 2.5 to 3.5 hours to complete with ample time for breaks
• Prizes are spread across different activities and skills
• If someone didn't have a team, we helped them find one to join
• Recommended for beginners, families, couples
• Winner receives the Hutong Cup

Prizes and sponsors

How did the game work?

When each team arrived at a hutong or site, the leader read at all the questions to their team mates, then walked down the hutong or into the site. Working together, the team answered as many questions as possible, looking at plagues, street art and anything interesting. They also checked for any picture clues in the area too. They marked the best response on a multiple-choice answer sheet as they discovered the answers.

Teams were given ample time to explore and we suggested they follow recommended times for walking without rushing. When finished, all teams returned to the finish line, handed in their answers and waited to get their score, while having a drink or meal. We then announced the winners and awarded medals and prizes.

The Amazing Hidden City Game Houhai outside Nevertheless Café, 37 Beiguanfang Hutong, Houhai Date: 2014.09.21 14:00 - 18:00 The first Hidden City Game, held around Prince Gong Mansion and the southern shores of Houhai Lake	Go West Xisi Await Café 59 Xisi South Street (beside a church) Date: 2014.10.25 14:00 - 18:00 The second Hidden City Game heads out west to Xisi, prospecting for rare gems and minerals. We visit temples, pagodas and the Yidali community.
The Show Must Go On Nanlougouxiang Penghao Theatre 35 Dongmianhua Hutong, Xicheng Date: 2014.11.23 13:00 - 18:00 Hidden City anounces that "The Show Must Go On". We start in Penghao Theatre, near Nanlouguxiang. In the hutongs hide cosplayers Arwin, Altair Ibn-La'Ahad and Ginny Weasley.	St Patricks Day Out Dongzhimen Paddy O'Shea's 28 Dongzhimenwai Dajie Chaoyang District Date: 2015.03.21 Everyone dressed in green was out in the hutongs either side of Ghost Street. The Culture Yard and Baijou Bar introduced new parts of Chinese culture, while paper planes were launched in Nanguan Park.
150 Minutes of Fame Yonghegong Dadu Museum No.28 Guozijian Street, Dongcheng Date: 2015.05.09 13:00 - 18:00 Instead of Andy Wahol's 15 minutes, we give everyone 150 minutes of fame, with an event centred on the Dadu Museum of Contemporary Art while biking about with Natooke.	In a Galaxy Far, Far, Away Yabaolu Galaxy SOHO, Central Plaza Date: 2015.07.11 13:00 - 18:00 The Hidden City heads into the outer reaches of the galaxy. We transport space fuel, plot sunshine, eat alien burgers, dance Flamenco and launch missions into ancient temples. This was our first bi-lingual event, finishing at Face Hotel.
The Not-So Winter Olympics Shichahai Beihai North Exit A, Line 7 Beijing Subway, Xicheng District Date: 2015.08.23 14:00 - 19:00 We return to Houhai celebrating the Beijing Olympic bid. We race competitors through an octathalon, with lasers and juggling water jars heads. Our first game with Explorers and Masters	Modern Art 798 Art Zone Israel Cultural Centre Date: 2015.09.27 13:00 - 17:00 Working with DD Live Tank, Israeli Cultural Centre and Galleria Continua, we explore the world of modern art across 798 and 751.
Halloween Xisi Await Café 59 Xisi South Street (beside a church) Date: 2015.10.30 14:00 - 18:30 In the grey of dusk, we explore the hutongs on Hallow's Eve for a scary adventure in the temples of Xisi. It's not for the feint of heart.	Saved by the Bell Gulou Modernista, 44 Baochao Hutong, Gulou, Dongcheng District Date: 2015.12.06 13:00 - 18:00 Around the Bell and Drum Towers we celebrate sound and music. We explore the north of Houhai, Guanghua Temple, Prince Chung's Mansion and make dumplings with Mr Shi.
St Patrick's in Beijing Dongzhimen Paddy O'Shea's 28 Dongzhimenwai Dajie Chaoyang District Date: 2016.03.20 13:00 - 17:30 For St Patrick's Day we will take a walk in emerald green parks, by the old canals and in amazing museums of exceptional variety. Over 10,000 RMB in prizes. Watch out for leprechauns and gaelic footballs.	Nanlouguxiang: Hutong Race Nanlougouxiang Passby Bar 108 Nanluoguxiang Dongcheng District Date: 2016.07.03 13:00 - 17:30 Beijing’s most impressive master teams will race to find cryptic questions. Explorer teams, are in the midst of the excitement - remote control racing, traditional Chinese culture, a mini-film festival and many other surprises plus 8000 RMB in prizes.
Hidden City Game: Adventure Island Beihai Park Five Dragon Pavillion, 500m west of Beihai Park North Gate, Beihai North Station, Line 6 Date: 2016.08.21 13:30 - 17:30 Plunge into adventure across the Jungle Trails of Beihai Park and to up to the peak of Jade Island. The Hidden City Game becomes a race for survival in the haze of summer, which it couldn't be cooler.	Hidden City Game: CBD Gold Rush CBD area Parkview Green, 9 Dongdaqiao Road, Chaoyang District. Dongdaqiao Station, Line 6 Date: 2016.09.25 13:30 - 18:30 The CBD is an exploration of surprise and not only for wealth and power. Use the opportunity and explore the area in a completely new way - Loads of fun and interesting discoveries are waiting!
Hidden City Game: Latin-America and Hispanic Culture Fangjia Hutong 46 Fangjia Hutong (just south of Guozijian Jie)Dongcheng District Date: 2016.10.16 13:30 - 18:30 We bring Latin-America to the area around Confucius Temple - discover this neighborhood in a completely new way. We invite you to challenge yourself, find your own way through the historic Hutongs and open your eyes to its many details and wonders.	St Patrick's Hutong Game Dongzhimen Culture Yard, 10 Shique Hutong, Dongcheng District Date: 2017.03.19 13:00 - 18:00 Starting at Culture Yard, dressed in green, we'll explore around the hutongs either side of Ghost Street, introducing outselves to new parts of Irish and Chinese culture, with paper planes launched in Nanguan Park.
Xicheng Art Gallery Xisi Xicheng Art Gallery Date: 2017.06.01 In honour of the XiCheng Art Gallery, we created a self-guided completion to explore Xisi and discover how one artist created paintings of hutong life.