Beijing: Fewer 'Floaters', Suddenly Feels More Like a *Real* Capital?
-
Hey, I've been traveling to Beijing a lot recently and it's clear that the city has fewer people compared to a few years ago. You see, people commonly refer to Beijing as “Imperial City” (or “capital”), because it used to be where old emperors resided.
- Although the center of the city, or "inside the Second Ring Road" as we say, looks busy with people going in and out, most of them are just tourists, not locals.
- Today, I had a long talk with a taxi driver who complained about making the same amount of money as an inexperienced laborer helping at a construction site, and he asked me how much impact the current economy is having on people.
- To tell you the truth, I think that today’s Beijing has a better sense of being that “Imperial City.”
- It feels like there's a presence of power and political vibe in the air, you can't really explain it clearly.
- People you run across on the street seem more intelligent and cultured.
- Moreover, we can also see friends from all around the world wandering around every corner.
- Reminder for my friends who are planning to visit Beijing:
- You will find that almost major scenic spots in Beijing, whether Chinese or foreign visitors, will now offer a relaxed and free stroll than before. No longer as overcrowded, definitely much comfier!
- Beijing today carries the good and bad reputation that a big city should have, but the disparity isn’t as striking as you may have heard.
- For example, housing prices haven’t been so intimidating comparing to those years either.
- The daily price of goods also seems more reasonable; competition is a bit fairer among merchants.
- Travel Tips (Pain Points are Resolved!)
- Taking a cab at South Station, one of the largest railway stations in Beijing, used to be a huge pain, but now its not such a challenge anymore.
- On the famous Yinchu line (Metro line 10), the number of passengers are not so densely packed, offering some breathing space and comfort.
- Everything seems to be getting better by degrees, yet somehow feels missing something.
- Perhaps it is due to Beijing’s “Urban slimming program”, transferring unrelated functions to keep the core essence of the capital?
-
I didn't expect my casual musings to resonate with so many people. This post is just to express my personal feelings about Beijing over the last 5 years. Since I'm not a 'Beijing drifter,' perhaps I can't quite relate as closely as some of you fellow netizens. Anyway, as the saying goes: Beijing welcomes you. Also, regarding the subway, my experiences mainly come from Lines 1, 5, 10, and 14. I hope everyone in the comments section can one day carve out their own success and become a true 'Jing Ye' (a proud Beijinger).
-
Or a 'Jing Nai' (respected Beijing lady) – that works too!
-
Honestly, on the subway, it feels like everyone is just slogging away, like beasts of burden. The only distinction seems to be between those who look a bit more 'refined' and those who resemble migrant workers. I don't get this vibe in other cities.
-
Seriously, when I went to Wuhan over the May Day holiday, I noticed how young everyone on the subway looked and how they lacked that 'just-left-the-office' vibe.
-
In my travel experience, Beijing is China's most fun big city, Hangzhou offers the most relaxed and comfortable visit, and Shanghai is the most novel and exciting.
-
Of the cities I've traveled to, Beijing's subway is currently the most crowded.
-
It just feels exceptionally crowded to me.
-
Every time I spend one or two hours on the Beijing subway, I feel like I'm about to explode.
-
Even small county towns have gotten noticeably more crowded this year.
-
Line 10 is still super congested.
-
For ordinary folks like us who hardly ever visit tourist attractions, we haven't really noticed much of a change.
-
It's the 'reduction-oriented development' policy.