My 3 Beijing Trips: Screaming My WTF Lessons So YOU Don't Suffer!!!
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I just had a fantastic time in Beijing! The red palace walls, the green glazed tiles (which are characteristic features of ancient Chinese imperial architecture), and the national flag of China fluttering everywhere (the Five-Star Red Flag
) really gave me quite a feeling! I'll first go over my previous three trips to Beijing.-
First: I went for Zhang Jie's concert (he is an extremely famous Chinese singer). As a girl from Hunan, I made it all the way to Beijing to support this Sichuan-born singer by myself. The atmosphere at the concert was absolutely amazing! However, due to limited time, I only stayed for two days before I had to rush back to work. Beijing is a huge city with many tourist attractions far apart. So, I quickly visited some well-known attractions, feeling a little regretful in the end.
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Second: This trip was purely for sightseeing. To make up for the previous rushed experience, I invited several good friends along. With a large number of travel guides to choose from that can leave one dizzy, and given our unfamiliarity with the area, I decided to join a tour group out of consideration for safety and enjoyment. As someone who doesn't tend to plan things ahead, I joined the cheapest tour offered. Unfortunately, the quality of the group tour was terrible:
- Despite promising breakfast and lunch in the contract, I received nothing but a terrible roll and a chicken sausage.
- The lunch buffet served on the tour was also indescribably bad. (I have high standards when it comes to food!)
- Moreover, the guide's explanation of the sites was less than satisfactory and often brief. Overall, the tour experience was pretty terrible.
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Third: I brought my parents along for this outing. They grew up with a strong yearning for Beijing, hahah! Since I now have the means to do so, I brought them to see it with their own eyes. Considering that my parents had never been to Beijing before, I organized a guided tour to alleviate any potential travel stress. This time, I learned my lesson:
- I read numerous recommendations online and received many helpful tips from fellow netizens via the Red Book app (a platform widely used by Chinese people for sharing life experiences and recommending products). I also received patient guidance from two very understanding friends, which helped me find a local "pure-experience tour" in Beijing—one that specializes only in sightseeing without forcing customers to shop or participate in other spending ventures). During the entire journey, everything from dining to accommodations and transportation was arranged smoothly, and the guide and driver were native Beijingers who accompanied us throughout the trip, ensuring complete peace of mind.
- I particularly care about dining—hahaha! The meals provided on this trip were far superior than my last disappointing experience, with different dishes served each day.
- During my itinerary, we watched the raising of the national flag at the Tiananmen Square, explored the Forbidden City (where previous emperors once lived), visited the National Museum of China, Peking University and Tsinghua University (two of China's most prestigious universities), toured the Shichahai scenic area, climbed the Badaling Great Wall, visited the Summer Palace and Yuanmingyuan (imperial gardens), and marveled at the Water Cube (an Olympic venue).
- Every day's schedule consisted of two to three scenic spots, with a reasonable pace to ensure full enjoyment without exhausting anyone. We all thought it was amazing!
If you also plan to take a guided tour, keep these few tips in mind to avoid disappointment:
- Check if it's a "pure-tour": Confirm that you’re not being forced to buy anything or visit places for additional spending while sightseeing. Also, ask about whether more tourists will be added after confirming the group size.
- Local tour operator: It’s best to opt for a local traveling agency, preferably with a physical store presence. Most tourist affairs office (Cultural Tourism Bureau) generally oversees only local registered agencies, making it easier for them to address any issues during your trip.
- Hotel star status: Carefully verify that the hotel you booked through the travel contract matches its star standard.
- Formal Travel Contract: You must sign a national uniform travel contract from legitimate travel agencies. This contract alone weeds out 80% of unsuitable tour operators!
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How much is it?
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Can you recommend one?
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Looking for recommendations!
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Looking for recommendations for a small group tour.
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Which tour did you sign up for?
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I've sent it to you.
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Please advise.