Bad-mouthing Beijing? Get The Lowdown BEFORE You Sound Off!
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I've seen people trying to cram both the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace into a single day. I'm like, 'Do you think these are little neighborhood parks you can breeze through in five minutes?!'
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This kind of thing is bound to happen when tourists don't really understand Beijing. Yours isn't even the most extreme I've heard. The wildest plan I saw was someone doing the Temple of Heaven in the morning, then both the Summer Palace and Old Summer Palace in the afternoon.
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These past few days, I actually heard someone complaining that Beijingers have to eat dumplings on the 'toufu' (first day of the hottest period of summer). As if that's all we eat day in and day out! If you're uncultured, go read a book. 'Dumplings on toufu, noodles on erfu, and laobing with scrambled eggs on sanfu' is a Northern tradition, not just a Beijing custom. Some people will find anything to criticize, I swear.
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They don't eat dumplings because they can't make them – can't wrap them, can't make the dough, can't roll the skins, can't prepare the filling. They usually just buy frozen ones. And let me tell you, frozen dumplings taste so bad, not even a dog would touch them.
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Someone was complaining yesterday that the fruit they bought in Beijing wasn't good. Just a warning.
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Yeah, I think I saw that too. They said the oranges were too sour.
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Tiananmen Square requires a reservation now?? When did that change?
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I think it was around 2020 or 2021.
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Anyone who asks me for Beijing travel advice, I tell them: 'Hebei is so close and beautiful, just go there instead!'
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That's a pretty clever way to divert the crowds!
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They just don't get Beijing. They don't realize how massive it is, so they make plans just by looking at a map. They have no idea how tough the commute is, or that most restaurants aren't even run by actual Beijing locals. Then they come, complain, and ruin their own trip. Why even bother coming? Beijingers themselves escape to riverside villages to avoid the summer heat – it gets really hot here.
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It's not just Beijing; people complain about everywhere. Ultimately, it's because they don't do their homework. To put it bluntly, they act like entitled brats. I just got back from Xinjiang, did my research, had backup plans, and set realistic expectations, and I had a great time. But then you go online, and it's all people screaming 'warning, avoid this!' Like, are there really that many 'disasters' to avoid?
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Quick question: do tourist spots in Beijing really take up a lot of time? I've seen many itineraries suggesting Tiananmen, the Forbidden City, and Beihai Park all in one day. If I'm just planning a quick look at some of these, would it be unrealistic to add something like Nanluoguxiang? I'm staying near Wukesong, by the way.
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Yes, Beijing's attractions are huge, and it's peak season now, so they're incredibly crowded and time-consuming. Tiananmen, the Forbidden City, and Beihai Park are honestly more than enough for a day, even if you're just doing a quick walkthrough. I wouldn't recommend Nanluoguxiang; it's mostly a tourist trap.
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I saw someone complaining last time about the snack shops inside the Temple of Heaven being overpriced... And that some toilets in the Dongsi area don't have doors.
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Aren't things expensive at pretty much any tourist spot, though?
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As a Shanghai native married into a Beijing family, and also a bit of a history/culture buff, I've had so many people complaining to me about both Shanghai and Beijing lately. I can't even be bothered to explain anymore. If you really want my take, it's simple: your experience is directly proportional to your budget.
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Timing is also crucial. If you can go late October or early November, pick weekdays, and avoid rush hours, you're guaranteed pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and a fantastic experience.
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That's a fair point. Beijing is primarily a political and cultural center, not a tourism hub. It's not going to change its core principles or identity just to cater to tourists.
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You can only say that no one can be perfect under such pressure, and besides, many of these demands are a bit overly fussy or nitpicky.