Beijing: My First-Trip Facepalms 😓 (Wish I Knew!)

[Guadalupe Barton]

Hi, friends who are coming to Beijing for a visit! I want to share some authentic experiences and suggestions that may help you!

• About Commuting:

  • The Beijing subway is packed with people, especially during the morning peak hours at around 8 am, where queuing is necessary. But it does offer dense timetables, so there's not much waiting time. However, some transfer stations require quite a lot of walking, as if your legs could snap any moment!
  • Remember when taking the bus, scan/swipe once on boarding (or pay in cash), then swipe again when disembarking! Otherwise, they will charge you for the farthest distance traveled, which can be costly!
  • Important Reminder:
    • Always carry your passport or ID card when going out! Especially around Tiananmen Square, even crossing the street may require a security check. This is because Tiananmen Square is a very important political center that has strict security measures.
    • For visiting Tiananmen Square, appointment reservation online is mandatory!

• About Attractions:

  • Nanluoguxiang, Qianmen Street, Yan Dag Xiaojie: These places are rather commercialized with shops everywhere. But it's still fun to explore, and you might find all sorts of interesting trinkets.
  • If you want to experience the tuk-tuk-like "yellow cab" (human-pulled rickshaw) of old Beijing, head over to Shichahai area, where you'll see plenty of them.
  • Shichahai, a beautiful historical district with a lake, is undoubtedly best visited in the evening, when the sunset view is beautiful enough to make you shed a tear!

• About Dining and Drinking:

  • Eating here is slightly pricey. A simple meal may cost around RMB 30-40. Even a regular bowl of noodles costs roughly RMB 20.
  • Beijing Zhajiangmian (noodles with dark sauce): It's a little bit different from what you may imagine, and many people don't fancy it.
  • Highly Warning!: Dou Jier (a fermented soybean drink). The taste is... hmm... personally, I think it tastes like sour dishwater, so honestly not recommended. However, some people enjoy it; you could test your limit?
  • Food Recommendation!
    • Go taste the Fangzhuanchang No.69 Braised Tripe!, costing about RMB 35, which is beef or mutton stomach stir-fried quickly. When dipped in sesame sauce, it's just heavenly!
    • Men Ding Rou Jian, absolutely worth a try! A juicy meat pie. One costs RMB 15.
    • For dessert, go to "San Yuan Mei Yuan" to taste Double Milk Roll and Almond Panna Cotta, both of which are yummy!

• About Beijing winter (for your winter visit)!

  • Warning! Key point about keeping warm during winter!
    • It is very chilly in winter and the wind will chill you to the bone! Thus, wearing thermal underwear is essential.
    • Gloves🧤 and masks are lifesavers! Without masks, your nose may freeze until it starts discharging; always remember a box of napkins.
  • Note! Winter daylight hours!
    • In winter, it has already started to get dark at around 4 PM in Beijing, hence your itinerary should be scheduled earlier not to be late for night.

• Other Tips:

  • You'll see in Beijing streets many dashing soldiers (armed men) and friends from all over the world.
  • Beijing has a lot of clean public restrooms, which is great! Many hutongs (an old city lane) outside have plenty, which is convenient.

Hope these help you have fun in Beijing!
#lifestylefragment #cityphotography #localflavorinthecity #firstimpressionsofacity #memoircapture #citymemory #CityWalkBeijing #dailyroutine #BeijingWinter