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  4. Beijing: Great. Never Again.

Beijing: Great. Never Again.

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    Karen Zulauf
    wrote last edited by
    #2

    So many locals warned us against coming during the summer break, but we just wouldn't listen and came anyway. Well, how did that turn out? It really pays to listen to good advice.

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      Karen Bruen
      wrote last edited by
      #3

      Everyone knows it's better to travel off-peak. The thing is, kids have school, so holidays are pretty much the only time we get. Do you really think adults want to come during peak season? Wouldn't lounging somewhere cool be much nicer?

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        Madeline Hermann III
        wrote last edited by
        #4

        Beijing's attractions are all incredibly tiring on the legs. With tour groups, the schedule is tight because they rush you through for just a fleeting glimpse. But if you travel independently, you'll walk so much you'll start questioning your life choices!

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          Iris Marquardt
          wrote last edited by
          #5

          It was so painful. I'm definitely never going to Beijing during summer vacation again.

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            Antoinette Ferry
            wrote last edited by
            #6

            That's just how it is around Tiananmen Square. That's why so many people put it on their must-see list, thinking it's just a quick walk-through. I went three times in five days, and I felt each visit was a little different. But even after going three times, I still couldn't get my bearings and tell which entrance was which. I was constantly alternating between being lost and finding my way.

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              Dr. Guadalupe Homenick
              wrote last edited by
              #7

              It was genuinely too painful. There's absolutely no way I'm going to Beijing during summer vacation again. Not a chance.

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                Misty Anderson DDS
                wrote last edited by
                #8

                Girl, you're hilarious! That bit about the 'rat crossing the street'—I can totally picture the scene.

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                  Miss Alison Collier
                  wrote last edited by
                  #9

                  If it weren't for the armed police or traffic police constantly telling us to keep moving forward, I would have genuinely thought we were being scammed! It was always 'you can turn at the next intersection,' and two hours later, we still hadn't made it in.

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                    Jermaine Satterfield
                    wrote last edited by
                    #10

                    When I saw that part about cycling, I admit I had a bit of a mean laugh, because it reminded me of myself. Yesterday at the Forbidden City, I was halfway through and absolutely exhausted and starving. Turning back wasn't really an option, so I just had to tough it out and keep going.

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                      Theresa Sporer
                      wrote last edited by
                      #11

                      Honestly, I'm speechless. Maybe I should count myself lucky I didn't manage to book the Forbidden City? Otherwise, it would have been two days straight of being this exhausted. The mere thought is unbearable.

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                        Elsa Wyman
                        wrote last edited by
                        #12

                        Our original plan was to see the flag-raising ceremony, the Tiananmen Rostrum, the Great Hall of the People, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and the Palace Museum. However, we left late, and on top of that, there were road closures. So, with two elderly folks and one child in tow, we ended up power-walking for over half an hour, completely exhausted, and managed to perfectly miss the flag-raising. Afterwards, we decided to queue for the Chairman Mao Memorial. Initially, staff said people over 65 could use a fast-track lane, but by the time it was our turn, the rule suddenly changed to 70 and over, wasting another hour of queuing time. We had no choice but to rejoin the regular line. After another two and a half hours baking under the scorching sun, we finally saw Chairman Mao. By then, we had absolutely no energy left for the rest of the itinerary. The whole family just went back to the hotel and slept until evening.

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                          Sally Breitenberg
                          wrote last edited by
                          #13

                          Seriously, just thinking about it makes me break out in a sweat! When did you all go? Was it during the summer vacation too? It must be much easier to visit these past couple of days. Some friends of ours went after school started and were able to hit up all the spots. I, on the other hand, didn't manage to make it anywhere.

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                            Madeline Hermann III
                            wrote last edited by
                            #14

                            You set off without proper preparation and didn't plan your itinerary well! Just a spontaneous 'let's go' trip! All I can say is, you reap what you sow.

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                              Sally Breitenberg
                              wrote last edited by
                              #15

                              Tell me about it!

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                                Reginald Ziemann
                                wrote last edited by
                                #16

                                It truly is a bit of a food desert. The Peking duck from a place near my home is tastier than what you get at Siji Minfu, and it costs less than 20% of their price. It really feels like you're just paying to suffer.

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