Beijing: Just Plain Unfriendly to Tourists.
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Hello everyone! I've just returned from my trip to Beijing, and after all this time away, I feel that losing a few pounds is only fair for all the sweat I put in. But seriously, I still have so much to share about what visiting Beijing was like.
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What Makes Beijing So Attractive?!
- Honestly, even with two weeks of planning, I could barely hold on to tickets for attractions like the Great Wall (yes, that one)! With several of us bidding together, we still fell short against scalpers - those people who would buy up tickets and resell them at high prices.
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Upon Arrival, Wow!
- I had already expected the crowds at every tourist spot.
- Multiple ID checks at Tiananmen Square – the central plaza in Beijing – helped me understand the need for safety in the capital.
- However, being constantly guided by the crowd control or even "diverted" by police (meaning, the officers will direct you to specific routes) was quite frustrating, as it would end up making us walk a few extra kilometers.
- Now I understand why there are so many wheels-for-hire booths in Beijing - our legs nearly gave out!
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Our Tourist Marathon Routine:
- Mornings started earlier than work hours, we prepared early to enter the scenic spots.
- Lunch generally came from our own packed food.
- For an evening feast? Not really. Queuing up to order meals is common, once time I waited from 3 pm, only to find out there were still hundreds of tables ahead of me with no estimated wait time of till around half past eleven - I just dropped out and ordered takeaway instead.
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️Special Caution: Housing Matters (Particularly for Those Renting Homestays):- To save time on travel, I booked a homestay above a subway station.
- Every morning and night, I faced questioning from guards and police, who checked identities and even took photos – it felt as though we had committed some kind of a crime!
- (I later learned it was due to the unlicensed status of such facilities.)
- Suggestion: It is recommended to stay at established hotels instead to avoid such hassle.
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️Bars and Dining:
- At the end of a tiring day, hoping to enjoy some night-time dining could disappoint – a lot of places close after 9 pm.
- Probably the servers also need to catch a long subway ride back home.
- Suggestion: Order meals early or investigate opening hours – otherwise, getting dinner would truly be a problem.
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Trip Summary:
- Every day in Beijing, I felt so tired, hungry, and sleepy.
- I’ve never wanted to go home so badly during a trip.
- Being back home, I felt as if I accomplished something significant.
- For a fellow from Guangdong - South China’s cuisine capital, the trip somehow broke my heart.
- I had also planned to bring my elderly family over but am now reconsidering it thinking that they might not find the journey enjoyable.
Hope this review could give you a heads up – visit Beijing and be well-prepared both mentally and physically!
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As someone from Guangdong currently experiencing this in Beijing, I'm too exhausted to even complain. It's incredibly tiring, and the attitude of people here is terrible – whether it's at the hotel, restaurants, or even supermarkets!
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They're not welcoming at all.
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I've visited so many cities, but this trip to Beijing has been a complete disappointment. The experience was just awful, and I never want to come back.
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That's what everyone says – you just have to go through the wringer once.
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It's so exhausting. It feels less like a vacation and more like an ordeal.
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It's like willingly putting yourself through hardship.
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I totally get it; every point you made resonates deeply. Guess why I commented on your post? I actually searched specifically for 'bad Beijing travel experiences'.
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Hahaha, ladies! My heartfelt post has unexpectedly blown up.
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Beijing is one of those cities you just can't bring yourself to like after visiting as a tourist.
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And even living here now, the longer I stay, the more I want to leave.
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It's genuinely a tough experience; even if you have money, you can't seem to have a good time.
Plus, the subways are insanely crowded and not convenient at all. I'm never coming alone again. -
Hugs, sis.
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Guess why I searched for this?
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Hahaha, the victim's alliance!
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I hesitate to complain, but it was definitely the most exhausting trip I've ever had. Still, it's one of those places you feel you have to visit once in your lifetime.
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Hahaha, true! Once is definitely enough. Hopefully, any future visit can be a bit more relaxed.
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An older woman was trying to get me to take her car service. I declined. After we chatted a bit, she offered a lower price. I still said, 'Never mind, I'm not interested.' She then snapped, 'What do you think Beijing is? A place where you can just decide to take a ride or not whenever you please? You think this is your own home or something?!' I was stunned. Was it just her bad manners, or some kind of local superiority complex? I just retorted, 'Yeah, it's your city, your rules, fine.'
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She's out there hustling for passengers, what's there to be so arrogant about?
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I've been here for days and haven't had a single satisfying meal. The Luzhu (a local stew) was incredibly salty and even bitter. I ate at a mall food court and ended up with diarrhea after 2 AM.