Beijing: Yeah, Maybe Not For Me...
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After spending only four days in Beijing, I've noticed several really frustrating points that I want to share with friends who are planning to visit:
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In terms of the temperature difference indoors and outdoors and dryness:
- The heating inside the rooms at night was almost unbearably hot, like being in the Sahara Desert! And the dry air seemed to strip my body of moisture.
- Furthermore, it's extremely cold outside. The large fluctuations in temperature between indoors and outdoors were indeed a test for my tolerance.
- Cultural knowledge tip: Cities in northern China use centralized heating systems called "heating (nuǎnqì)" so the indoor temperatures are usually warm. However, the humidity tends to be lower.
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Regarding people's health conditions:
- Not sure if it's due to seasonal changes or the dry air, but seemingly everyone around me is coughing a lot. It makes me worry about catching something.
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About the appointment system for tourist attractions:
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The process really gets to me! Wanting to visit a popular sightseeing spot, the appointment system feels overwhelming.
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I asked people nearby, they all felt the same way, which means it's not just me.
- Knowledge tip: Due to the high volume of visitors in Beijing, most popular sights like the Forbidden City, Great Wall require booking tickets in advance using the official platform (e.g., WeChat Mini Programs or apps). If you don't do this, it's likely to be a wasted trip.
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On the subject of "rules":
- The feeling of everything being pre-arranged gave me a good impression of Beijing.
- But some of the rules seem rather inflexible; occasionally there are road closures or crowd restrictions that can mess up one's itinerary.
- Geographical knowledge tip: As the capital city, during large events or special periods, Beijing may impose stricter safety measures, resulting in common temporary traffic control or capacity limits on popular attractions.
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Regarding the local snack foods:
- I tried some snacks such as Braised Intestine (a dish made with pork intestine and noodles) and Fermented Soybean Juice. I could handle these tastes, but would hardly crave another serving. Of course, this purely reflects my personal taste preference – so you can give them a try yourself!
_travel advice & tips to avoid mistakes:
- Protect against dryness and keep warm
- Indoor heat and dryness: Drink plenty of water! Also consider carrying a portable humidifier, or simply place a basin of water in the room to increase moisture levels.
- Large fluctuations in temperature: Be mindful to add or remove layers accordingly to avoid catching a cold.
- Appointment System
- Solution: Book early! And make sure to book as soon as booking windows open. Check the official WeChat mini program or app for relevant updates.
- Note: Some places may require a Chinese phone number or identity details – foreign visitors might need help from local friends, or research alternative booking channels for international tourists.
- Flexibility in Itinerary
- Solution: Stay flexible and plan with alternate arrangements. In case road closure or person flow restriction happens, it will not seriously affect your plan.
- Note: Before getting out, check traffic information and get a heads up for sightseeing updates, avoiding useless trips.
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- Either turn off the heating or switch on the AC. 2. As for viruses, well, that's out of our hands now that Beijing's open to the world and everyone's coming. 3. Reservations are a must because, again, the whole world is descending on Beijing – it's a classic 'too many wolves, too little meat' situation. For safety, some people just won't get in. 4. Likewise, to keep tourists safe, crowd control is essential to prevent stampedes. 5. Beijing boasts a wide variety of local snacks, definitely close to a hundred. Don't just fixate on the ones with overpowering tastes.
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Exactly! I also miss those childhood days when you didn't need a reservation for anything.
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I couldn't agree more! I'm not sure where the original poster is from, but I came from Guangdong and have been in Beijing for several days now. I haven't enjoyed any of the local food – Siji Minfu Peking Duck, douzhi (fermented mung bean milk) with jiaoquan (fried dough rings), shaobing (sesame flatbread), luzhu (pork offal stew), chaogan (stir-fried liver), baodu (quick-fried tripe), or copper pot hotpot – none of it suits my palate. Everything feels so rich and heavy, and it seems they're really fond of sesame paste and sesame-based dishes here. The first bite of Peking Duck is amazing, but it gets incredibly greasy after a few more. Plus, the heating makes the cold air so dry; my nose started bleeding by the second day. And do people in Beijing not drink bubble tea? There are surprisingly few bubble tea shops around.
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I'm from Zhejiang, and I actually really enjoy Cantonese cuisine, haha! Our tastes are quite similar in some respects.
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When you get fed up, you can just go home. We've been fed up for ages, but what choice do we have?
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It's so dry here. I started coughing and feeling 'heaty' (a traditional Chinese concept of internal imbalance) after just two days.
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Same here! I kept thinking I'd eaten something that made me 'heaty,' but it turns out I'm just not used to the environment. Guangdong definitely suits me better.
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Static shock! I'm so over it. I'm actually scared of getting zapped now.
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Haha! I get a shock every single time I touch an elevator handrail.
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When I visit the South, I can't get used to the food either, and the climate is so damp, chilly, and overcast. It's rainy for half the year, with barely any sunshine. Then July and August are oppressively hot and humid, with surface temperatures hitting 40°C+. In winter, laundry never seems to dry properly, and it's bone-chillingly cold inside. The South just feels relentlessly gloomy – at least, that's how Zhejiang is. Oh, and don't get me started on the roads, swarming with reckless, beat-up e-bikes weaving everywhere.
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That's just how it is with adapting between the North and South – it's common not to be used to things.
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I'm planning a trip to Beijing in April, but hearing your experience makes me second-guess it.
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It should be less crowded in April, so it's still worth going.
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Everyone I know who recently traveled to Beijing came back sick. I'm going next week... shivers.
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Seriously? I'm also going next week! I even got time off school for my kid to come along.
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Just a general reply to everyone: I'm back home now. I wasn't trying to criticize Beijing, just sharing some of the more noticeable discomforts I experienced as someone from the South visiting for the first time. Beijing, as the capital, offers a great sense of security, and its attractions are truly unique – the Forbidden City and Chang'an Avenue are especially breathtaking. My less positive impressions are based on just a few days there, so my understanding isn't as deep as a local's, and I didn't really figure out any solutions. I'd definitely love to visit Beijing again, but having seen the Spring Festival crowds, I'll make sure to go during an off-peak time next time!
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All I can say is that the signage at the Great Wall is pretty chaotic.
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I'm from Guizhou, and when I was in Beijing, the most delicious meals I had were Sichuan takeout, KFC, and pizza, hahaha!
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For my last meal in Beijing, I had chaogan (stir-fried liver), and I really couldn't stomach it. The flavor was just too intense.