Beijing: A Bit Disappointing. (Can I even say that?)
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Hello everyone! I just came back from Beijing feeling a mix of emotions
. Although I did extensive research before my trip, I still ended up facing quite a few setbacks 
. So today, I'll share my experiences and create a "Beijing Tourism Anti-Pit Manual" with practical tips for you:
The Forbidden City (ๆ
ๅฎซ)
๏ธ Attention: The Forbidden City is closed every Monday (excluding holidays and summer vacation periods). 
!
Key point: It's safer to buy tickets for later in the day
! Why? Because there are several checkpoints after you exit the subway station before entering the Forbidden City: identity verification first, followed by the permit inspection at Tiananmen Square, verification at the Forbidden City entrance, and finally security checks 
. These steps will take up at least 2 hours 
.
If you purchase a morning ticket that requires entry before 12 PM, you may miss out on your entry time if it takes too long to queue, which means that you won't get to visit the Forbidden City.
Watching the Raising of the National Flag at Tiananmen SquareIf you plan to watch the raising of the flag, remember to book a spot 1-9 days in advance!
With WeChat (popular Chinese app for socializing and payment), search for the "Tiananmen Square Online Booking"ๅฐ็จๅบ
. Select โindividual reservation -> visit reservation -> select the date you want to visit -> rising of the national flagโ one by one, and submit all the information 
.
Donโt forget to set an alarm clock early in the morning; watching the raising of the flag at the break of dawn in Tiananmen Square is a truly moving experience!
๏ธ The Summer PalaceThe Summer Palace is huge and endless! So I think that it isn't necessary to buy tickets that include all small attractions or try to visit every corner
.
Picking a few key attractions to visit would be enough, such as Seventeen-Arch Bridge (especially beautiful at sunset) and the Long Corridor (so many stories painted on it). Just randomly taking photos will really capture the essence of the place
.
Feel free to rest by Kunming Lake or have a good wind blow through.
Yuanyingyuan (ๅๆๅญ)If you wish to see the most famous and historical Western-style ruins (just the broken walls and sculptures), make sure to enter from the east gate and purchase a ticket that includes this particular section. These columns and sculptures evoke a sense of the long history, making for great photo material
.
After visiting the ruins, thereโs a lake called Fuhai nearby where you can rent a boat and imagine its glory as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
๏ธ The Temple of Heaven
Make sure to buy tickets that allow access into the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Otherwise, you'll only be able to look from afar, but never inside a building that literally embodies the soul of the temple complex! Its golden roof and blue glazed tiles are definitely impressive!
Tip: Remember to enter before 4:00 pm because the park, including the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, closes at 5:30 pm ๏ฝ
Special Exhibitions within The Forbidden CityI highly recommend 2 galleries: the Clock Gallery and Treasure Gallery!
Although there is an additional fee of 10 RMB per gallery ticket, they are worth your money
~ For instance, there are mechanical performance clocks from the West (with long names such as "้้้่ฝฌ่ฑๆฐดๆณไบบๆ้!") as well as jewels adorning the crowns worn by ancient empresses; these masterpieces will make you admire the ancient workmanship and wisdom!
Where to EatAs for food, I suggest that you bring some bread, snacks and water, because the prices at scenic sites are high and quality is mediocre
.
However, thereโs an exception: the National Museum allows you to bring food inside, but remember to take away all rubbish after you have finished your meal! After all, keeping a clean environment is a basic courtesy when visiting such culturally historical venues
ใ
Finally, here are a few reminders:Most scenic spots in Beijing requires "pre-booking online". Avoid overcrowded times if you wish to enjoy a more comfortable trip.
I personally suggest planning 1 or 2 major scenic spots per day, otherwise you may overexert yourself
.
I sincerely hope this little guide will help you avoid those common pitfalls and have fun taking great photos in Beijing! If you have any further questions, feel free to leave me comments below
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Hey, which hotel did you stay at? Could you recommend it? I'm planning a trip for the end of June, and putting together the itinerary is such a headache.
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I'm also not sure where to stay.
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Excuse me, for the morning session at the Forbidden City, what time do you need to queue up?
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It hasn't been too crowded lately, so anytime should be fine, really.
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I suggest queuing for the Forbidden City early in the morning. I wouldn't recommend going in the afternoon. If you do go in the afternoon, make sure to start heading out by 4 PM.
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Oh, why? Does it close early?
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That sounds exhausting.
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You can't go inside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, right? You can only view it from the outside.
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You've never been able to go inside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Right now, the Imperial Ancestral Temple (Taimiao) is the only main hall you can actually enter.
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Looking for hotel recommendations, please!
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That's such a shame you're already in Beijing. Otherwise, I'd totally recommend the tour bus I took with a group before. It genuinely had one seat per person, so even the back row wasn't three people squeezed together. You spend a lot of time on the bus each day, and uncomfortable seats can make you really tired! Beijing is just so huge!
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Any recommendations?
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Go in winter when it snows; it just doesn't have the same vibe in the summer.
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Beijing is really tough on your legs!
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Hi there, which hotel is this? It looks quite clean and tidy.
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Same question here.