Temple of Heaven, Beijing: Current Crowd Level is... YIKES.
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Wow, this mini-holiday in Beijing during the Qingming Festival really gave me a taste of what it means to be "swamped with people everywhere!"
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To those unfamiliar with our culture:
- The "Qingming" holiday is a traditional day to pay respects to ancestors here, and it's also a government-designated short holiday. As such, a lot of local residents take this opportunity to travel or visit their hometowns.
- This implies that tourist attractions (especially those in popular locations like Beijing) will attract a tremendous number of visitors!
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So for me, my true feelings were:
- Want to view the scenery? Nope, all you get is probably a series of necks from behind.
- Planning to take photos? Forget about it; your shots will be entirely packed with people. Want to find a place free of crowds? Good luck!
- It’s like you came not just to see the scenic spots, but also a huge gathering of all Chinese people. The crowds truly made me question my life – moving forward literally required squirming!
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Attention: A few critical points for potential travelers!
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If you don't want to grapple with large crowds: Make sure to avoid China's national holidays, such as the Spring Festival, National Day, Labor Day, Qingming Festival, and so forth. Come during the lesser-known places’ off-season or the weekdays instead. Believe me, famous landmarks will be swamped with people that resemble “people mountains people seas” – a very literal description of how crowded they are.
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But if you really can't avoid the holiday time:
- Adjust your mindset: Accept that crowds are a norm, and try to stay at peace.
- Don't over-plan your itinerary: Leave fewer places for exploration, since visiting one site alone may consume much of your day due to the crowd.
- Wake up early: Try to enter attractions before the first tidal wave of tourists arrives; this may make things slightly better.
- Consider lesser-known attractions: In such a huge city like Beijing, there are plenty of interesting alternative options besides hotspots, like picturesque hutongs, less busy parks, or rarely crowded museums.
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Overall, this visit to Beijing left me with a deeper understanding of the "crowd phenomenon" in China! Hopefully, every visitor enjoys your experience and manages the crowds well! Enjoy your travels!
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The Temple of Heaven is probably foreigners' favorite spot in China, even more famous than the Forbidden City. I guess its name just translates really well.
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Looks like everyone's here to get a taste of the pollen allergies!
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Much prettier than the actual tourist spot.
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Wangjing Haitang Flower Stream.
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My ticket says 804 tables ahead of you. How are you going to top that? [smirk]
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If there are two of you, sharing a table is quicker.