Beijing's Great... Thanks, But No Thanks (For a Repeat Trip!)
-
Wow, the historical buildings in Beijing are truly impressive, their grandeur is beyond words! But to be honest, this might be the only good thing I can say about it.
- Overall, things can be quite troublesome:
- I live in that area, and it’s really hard to find a proper place to eat within walking distance – it’s even difficult to find a convenience store. (Can anyone explain to me why?
)
- I live in that area, and it’s really hard to find a proper place to eat within walking distance – it’s even difficult to find a convenience store. (Can anyone explain to me why?
- Traffic, oh my gosh:
- Take a three-kilometer drive for example; it could take over twenty minutes due to traffic jams, that’s quite discouraging.
- Navigating the subway system is also quite challenging – the walking distance between stations is very long; it feels like you’re walking forever.
- A special reminder for foreign friends:
- Some areas in Beijing have restricted access (which is referred to as "xiànxíng lùduàn"), meaning specific time periods or certain types of vehicles are not allowed to enter these areas.
- This means that you probably cannot take the subway there, nor can you drive; you would have to walk. Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and check the route in advance – some places really require walking to get around.
- Experience at attractions (currently visited the Forbidden City):
- Probably due to the rainy weather and my mood, I felt the layout and exhibits of the Palace Museum were somewhat… basic?
- It’s hard to appreciate the displayed items since they are blocked by crowds and their view is obstructed.
- It’s very noisy in the gallery, and speakers continuously announce “Keep moving! Don’t stop!”
- Honestly, compared to the Taipei Palace Museum, there seems to be a lack of attention to detail in the exhibit sections, lighting, and introduction texts. Such wonderful treasures feel somewhat neglected in this environment.
- On the food front:
- I couldn’t find any good dishes, and they were also quite expensive.
- Risking making a bold summary here:
- People should follow their nature. If you are used to living in places where it’s convenient and there are plenty of delicious foods, Beijing might not be your cup of tea.
#Get out and about #Visiting the Forbidden City is a must #Window Shopping
- Overall, things can be quite troublesome:
-
I honestly didn't expect the subway to be like that – transfers and exits involved so much walking, my legs were killing me! Staying near Qianmen often meant detours, which I guess is understandable given its proximity to Tiananmen Square. Other aspects were inconvenient too, so I ended up taking taxis, only to find them stuck in traffic as well. The food wasn't too expensive for me, but it didn't quite suit a Southerner's palate. What I'll truly remember about Beijing are its ancient architecture and cultural relics. And, of course, it's the capital – as a Chinese person, I'm glad I've made the visit.
-
Oh, so you don't walk back in your hometown? Suddenly too precious to walk in Beijing, are we?
-
Great! This kind of post really needs to be upvoted. The fewer people who come, the better.
-
I totally get it. When I visit other places, everything feels so close and small, and I can easily hit 5 attractions in a day. It's completely understandable not to adapt well when you're in a massive city.
-
In Beijing, as long as you're not chasing those trendy 'influencer' restaurants, you can actually find food that's quite affordable and tasty.
-
It's just that it doesn't really have any distinct character anymore.
-
Beijing just isn't very convenient for tourism, and its daily life convenience isn't great either. It lacks that lively, down-to-earth atmosphere – even we permanent residents acknowledge this. So, tourists visiting Beijing really need to do thorough research or adopt a 'whirlwind tour' approach, otherwise they definitely won't have a good experience.
-
Thanks for understanding. Beijing is truly way bigger than I ever imagined! I initially wanted to visit two attractions a day (one distant, one near the hotel), but I found I had absolutely no time and got so tired I even got grumpy with my family. So, I decisively changed my strategy to just one attraction per day, and my mood instantly improved. Even though I still walked just as much, hey, that's Beijing for you – so grand and magnificent! And that's exactly what we came to see, and we love it, haha.
-
Is Beijing considered part of Northern China?
-
If Beijing isn't Northern China, then what is? It's a quintessential Northern city.
-
Where on earth did you stay for it to be so inconvenient? Were you perhaps here during the May Day holiday? During major holidays like May Day, National Day, and Chinese New Year, there are traffic controls, and buses and subways often bypass Tiananmen Square stops.
-
I totally agree. I've never had such a poor experience in any other city. You spend the entire day just commuting, either by vehicle or on foot. The hotel wasn't near any commercial district either, and 60km to the airport is just ridiculously far.
-
I love Beijing! It's the most beautiful city I've ever visited. I plan to go back in autumn and winter.
-
I second that! Everyone should just go to Shanghai (the 'Magic City') next time.