Budget Beijing: Freakin' Exhausting!
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Sigh, if you ask me, trying to save money while visiting Beijing is quite a challenge. I would advise thinking twice if frugality is your top priority when planning such a trip.
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Prepare for crowds!
- As the capital of the country, Beijing's subway is always jam-packed, similar to canned sardines.
- Popular tourist spots like the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, etc., can get especially crowded, making it difficult to take photos without accidentally capturing other visitors.
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Watch out for your wallet – it’s not cheap!
- Day-to-day expenses can add up, particularly accommodation prices. If you desire a more comfortable stay, be prepared to increase your budget accordingly.
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Physical endurance will be tested – my back almost gave out!
- With preexisting issues with my back, after a day of exploration in Beijing, returning to the hotel saw me groaning due to discomfort. The sites are quite expansive and thus demanding.
To summarize my insights for international friends:
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Budget wisely – not too penny-pinching:
- Though the original quote mentions a "50,000 Yuan budget" which may sound exaggerated, the message conveyed here is that visiting Beijing does require more financial preparation than what might typically be spent in places like Southeast Asia to fully enjoy the experience. Do not expect to enjoy Beijing as much with a budget similar to those from less expensive destinations.
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️ Be sure to book your tickets, absolutely! absolutely!- How to book: There are many top tourist attractions that require reservations such as the Forbidden City (Forbidden City), the National Museum (National Museum). Bookings must be made at least a week ahead of time on their official websites or via WeChat Mini Programs – small, embedded applications within the popular WeChat app typically displaying in Chinese.
- Why book: Not booking tickets could mean that even traveling long distances to these locations may result in denied entry or a wasted journey, especially during peak travel seasons when tickets run out quickly.
- Tip: For those unfamiliar with Chinese interfaces, seek assistance from hotel staff or use previously prepared travel guides.
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Blaming Beijing for your own problems? That's quite a move.
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Did I ever say Beijing was bad? I said it's not suitable for budget travel. Who's the one twisting my words to say I think Beijing is bad?
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Beijing isn't really ideal for budget travel.
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Even being pretty frugal, I actually thought it was okay. Accommodation was a bit pricey, but hey, it's the capital. Food prices were reasonable too. Where I'm from in coastal Guangdong, everyday costs are pretty similar to Beijing, as long as you're not eating seafood. For two adults and two kids, our 6-day, 5-night trip, including major transport, came to about 11,000.
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Hotels are seriously expensive, and it's always packed with people.
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So true.
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50,000? That's a bit outrageous!
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Food in Beijing is actually pretty reasonable; it's understandable that hotels are expensive though.
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Beijingers... well, they're just different, aren't they?