Beijing: Consider My Bubble Burst. Travel's True Mission: To Shatter Your Reality.

[Ms. Wanda Kilback]

Hello everyone! At one point, my heart was set on becoming a blogger who updates daily to share the small details of my life. However, truth be told, before long, thinking about what to post each day became quite a burden for me…

Recently during a holiday, I visited Beijing, the bustling metropolis that had captured my imagination. Prior to going there, my vision of Beijing was nothing short of perfect.

• When I arrived at Beijing South Railway Station (a major train station), as soon as I stepped outside, a layer of "beauty filter" had already begun to shatter.
  • It turns out that the capital also possesses areas like the southern part (south of the city, historically developing more slowly) where signs of ongoing growth are still evident.
  • The ground in Beijing wasn't quite spotless, contrary to my expectations.
• But Beijing definitely stands unique!
• As someone accustomed to living in cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou to the south, there are numerous 'urban villages' around that place. These are old communities within urban areas with densely clustered housing and a vibrant atmosphere. When walking by, you might hear grandpas and grandmas chatting in their local dialects.
• In Beijing, this feeling transforms into strolling down the ancient 'alleyways called hutongs.' Each hutong has its own distinct flavor.
• During the daytime, young people rush to catch public transportation; by contrast, those older ‘uncles’ (a term of respect for older men), take things leisurely, often with a stringed trinket (like a walnut or rosary) hanging from one hand and a camera around their neck, capturing the city’s nooks and crannies.
• What's more, most Beijing folks are rather courteous, undoubtedly due to the area's emphasis on 'human warmth' and approachability.
• Speaking of meals, I tried a bowl of 'stewed organs soup' which is made from pork liver and intestine served mainly with garlic and starch – a local Beijing breakfast staple.

Foodies, take note!
In truth, I found the Beijing traditional breakfast fare exceedingly intense in taste! A hearty, thick soup made chiefly from internal organs as an early morning meal… well, they must be fond of it given their long-term adaptation.
Arriving from our 'Rice Noodle Rolls Nation’ (Guangdong Province, renowned for delightful dishes and sophisticated dim sum), being accustomed to all sorts of raw seafood and exquisite pastries, I felt a bit reluctant in trying Beijing's food despite its unique differences.

I still have a good look on Beijing other than the Southern city and food – its transportation system…

• Tourists, beware: Be mentally prepared for travel in Beijing!
  • For instance, at some stations in Nanjing, around 20 exits can be found which is quite convenient.
  • However, get ready for quite an arduous journey. Upon getting out of one line’s platform onto another line within a subway station in Beijing, you will most likely encounter about twenty flights of stairs! Traveling around Beijing feels like a strenuous activity. I was somewhat skeptical when I heard online claims about Beijing’s poor transportation facility but this first-hand experience proved it.
• The trip nonetheless remains enjoyable.
• It is great just to saunter about the city, especially places like Shichahai Park where one can take a walk and witness local elders' performances (like flying diablos, or Peking Opera singing).
• The nightlife is vibrant too. On the evenings, a few drinks along bars streets such as Sanlitun, or at iconic landmark Beijing Liang, or the Nightlife area of Workers’ Stadium wouldn’t be a disappointment.

Travel certainly changed my stance on many things.

I’ve learned that the essence of travel lies in 'being on the go'. In Beijing, for five days, I would make plan only after stepping outside each day.
The most pleasant feeling I experienced was randomly wandering around a city which calmed and cleared my mind with interesting sights all around it:
Like being helped by kind-hearted Beijing locals who were first-timers as well while trying to find directions.
Another good example was witnessing visitors posing pictures in the Temple of Heaven – ladies clad neatly in bright attires, capturing their momentous visit to the city’s cultural icon.

Along the way, there were so many fun encounters. Taking time off from our daily grind and city routines, walking around a place someone else takes for granted can offer great insights. This experience breaks down some previous beliefs of big cities and enriches my understanding of lives in general.

Beijing is pretty nice, although the next time might not come again, haha.

In summary, 'demystifying' is truly experiencing life with personal journey and understanding

Demystify # Experience Defines Reality # Solo Travel # Beijing

[Johnathan Schmeler]

That 'offal drenched in thick sauce' line? Hilarious! Such a savagely witty remark, I love it.

[Johnathan Schmeler]

Oh, there's definitely good food! Things like Chao Gan (stir-fried liver), Dou Zhi (fermented mung bean milk), and Jiao Quan (crispy fried rings)—honestly, even back in the day, they weren't exactly gourmet, more like local specialties. You'd be better off trying copper pot hot pot, 'zizi' barbecue, Peking duck, and for desserts, hit up a traditional 'Bobopu' (Beijing bakery) or other pastry shops. (Just my two cents!). And about the South City, I know the area you mean, probably around Niujie? It is a bit run-down there for various reasons, but it gets better if you venture a little further out.

[Karen Bruen]

A lot of those places are just tourist traps.

[Jermaine Satterfield]

You make it sound like the locals are to blame for the area being dirty, messy, and run-down.

[Franklin Weimann IV]

Beijing is the dream destination for all elderly folks...

[Rosemarie Sawayn PhD]

That's a really fair assessment.

[Barry Kuphal]

It's probably a matter of regional taste. As someone from the South, I also find Beijing's cuisine hard to get used to.