Beijing Summer with the Trio: Day 2 - Still Standing!
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About the Place to Stay...
Kunming Hotel — A standalone hotel with its pros and cons
Smelly Room: I booked my room a month in advance and when I walked into it, the carpet seemed uncleaned, emitting that awful smell... It was quite embarrassing.
Air Conditioning Leaking Water: On the second day of my stay, the air conditioner began dripping water, making a loud noise. Fortunately, the quick maintenance guy arrived and it was like finding a savior!
One Advantage: The location is awesome! It's located in Beijing’s "First Ring Road" (pretty much the very heart of the city) and it's close to the Xuanwu Gate subway station, so getting around is convenient.
️ Nearby Food: There are plenty of local restaurants in nearby alleys that serve big portions with great flavors, definitely don't miss them!
About the Hotel Booking Platforms, let me Vent...
A Certain Social Media APP for Booking Hotels: It doesn’t handle reservations well and has poor user experience.
- In China, there are many popular video apps that can book hotels, but they might not be trustworthy.
Not recommended: Better choose well-known professional booking websites such as Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia or Ctrip used widely in China, that will give you peace of mind about your reservation.
️ Extra Important Tip:- Beijing's real estate market is crazy expensive (so the hotel room may be a bit smaller than you imagined), and it is better to ask exactly how big the beds are before you book!
- If your family occupies the room, select a bed that is at least 1.5 meters wide.
And a Few Things About Sightseeing...
Take a boat to the Summer Palace – Relive Empress Dowager Cixi's Days on the Water
- The Summer Palace was once an imperial summer residence. Empress Dowager Cixi was one of China’s most powerful female rulers who lived centuries ago.
Reserve in Advance: Boat tickets just one day ahead of the departure date would be fine. During the boat trip, you'll be accompanied by guides’ interesting explanations throughout the whole voyage.
In Zizhu Garden (you either pass through it on your boat ride or depart from here): You'll see elderly locals singing, dancing, resting, and playing freely in this beautiful place. Living in a capital city and taking full advantages of the parks could not get better than that.
Varity of Breakfast Options: Before setting out for pleasure, you can try varieties of Chinese pancakes, "lions head," and cold dishes at buffet prices.
️ Practical Touring Tips:
️ Arriving Before 11 o'clock AM: Buy your tickets and enter the park before the mass travel groups arrive at noon. You can inquire about combining with others as a group if you cannot form a crew for renting small boats alone while waiting in line.
️ Walking: The Summer Palace is enormous! You might need over three hours to do it justice if you wish to visit every sight. When I went, it was unbearably hot, and I didn't last an hour in the heat.
- 🥵 Heatwave Warning: You should come prepared for the heat and bring enough water because even you may have to stop the tour due to sunstroke if not cautious enough (as happened to me).
Public Bus Directly to Peking University: After visiting the Summer Palace, public transit can take you directly to Peking University’s entrance for that iconic photo op! Also, don't forget to purchase a keepsake at the official storefront near the gate.