Beijing Now: Haven't Been Yet? DON'T. Seriously, This is Your 'Hard Pass' Warning.
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Hey there, I just came back from a five-day trip to Beijing and have some things that really need to be shared!
I understand many friends would like to visit Beijing, but as it's their first time, they feel clueless about where to start. Therefore, I've taken my personal experiences (totally subjective views and feelings) and organized them into this post to hopefully assist you all!
Key points here, pay attention!-
Forbidden City Tour Tips:
Important Note: Selfie sticks exceeding 1.3 meters cannot enter the Forbidden City and must be stored at the entrance.
Tip: Special "no-bag passages" exist for the Forbidden City, National Museum, and Prince Gong's Mansion, allowing quicker entry if you're not carrying any bags.- Important Note: The ticket for the Forbidden City's "afternoon session" allows you in as early as 11 am at the latest.
- Beware of the one-way path: Never casually pass through the large archway by Jinshui River bridge随意过金水桥中间的大门拱门，因为那是单行道。一旦入内，想出来就得绕一圈，可能得再多走半个小时！（在金水桥的这个大门洞，一旦走过去便是故宫博物院正式的入口了）！
- A secret way to swiftly enter the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City: Fewer lines at security checkpoints along several routes can avoid the long line-ups: 1. Walk through Zhongshan Park; 2. Enter via the East Gate of the Temple of Working People and head out through the West gate to the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City; 3. From the East Gate, head over towards the Meridian Gate; 4. From the West Gate, walk over to the Meridian Gate. (These areas around the Forbidden City are parks or side gates).
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Surroundings of Tiananmen Square:
- Visits to Tiananmen Square and Tiananmen Gate (the building sporting Chairman Mao's portrait) require prior booking of tickets.
- Just want photos with Tiananmen Gate and avoid crowds and security checks? It's simple! Take the subway to Tiananmen West Station without passing through the checkpoint, and take photos at National Museum.
- Important Note: When visiting Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, all bags and cameras are forbidden, but your phone is allowed, provided it doesn’t capture anything. Storing your belongings beforehand helps save valuable time.
- Tip: Beverages aren't permitted inside Great Hall of the People, even water bottles must be empty.
- Watching Flag Raising Ceremony: While visitors can bring bags during the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square, I honestly don't recommend it. Early arrival抢占理想拍摄位置，还需奔跑，拖着背包不方便，存包处还远，浪费太多时间了！
- Very important: Always carry identification (for foreign friends, that means passports)! Security check locations abound especially in the Tiananmen area.
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Other Scenic Spots:
- Important Note: Temple of Heaven’s prayer hall stops accepting visitors at 4 pm, closing around 5 pm. If you wish to see it, plan your trip carefully.
- Badaling Great Wall: You don't have to trek the entire length. Héroes Stele/Monument in the South section is less congested, though perhaps the landscape isn't as spectacular. Conversely, more people tend to visit the North section which features classic views.
- Summer Palace: Not many benefit from purchasing combined tickets for small sites within the garden. Given the palace’s vast scale - a full exploration might spend a whole day, making a combined ticket not economical.
- Important Note: Charging smartphones using power banks is not permitted in National Museum: make sure your phones are well charged before entering!
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Complaints & Advice on Security Checks:
- Super Important: Beijing security checks are extremely strict, particularly at Tiananmen Square, National Museum, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, and Great Hall of the People. They search every item in your bag, including papers, sheet by sheet.
- As such, I strongly suggest bringing minimal items or leaving empty-handed. This will drastically reduce your queuing time before security checks, providing ample time to explore the vast Forbidden City and enjoy every aspect of it without wasting precious moments.
This share comes from personal experience, not official guidelines! #ForbiddenCityVisit #GuidetoBeijingTour #TravelTipsinBeijing #BeijingCity #CrowdedEverywhere #CrammedWithPeople
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Sis, how did you do your trip and for how many days? Could you share some details?
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I went for five days with this guy, @XiaoFuInBeijing. It was super convenient; he took care of everything – food, accommodation, transport, the lot.
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Oh, did you go during the May Day holiday, or just a few days ago?
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My elderly companion has mobility issues. Is it possible to use an electric wheelchair to get in?
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Would Monday to Friday work?
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It's actually not too bad today.
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No way...
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I'm not going anymore.
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Was it an independent trip?