Everything you need to know about this historical city!
So you've decided to embark on the trip of a lifetime to the Far East. China is one of the oldest and most culturally rich civilizations in the World with over 5000 years of history. There is no place quite like the Capital, Beijing, to get a true feel for this unique culture with its spectacular selection of tourist sites and markets. If food is your thing then you're in for a mouth-watering treat as Beijing is the birthplace of some of the most delicious dishes The Middle Kingdom has to offer.
I spent 6 months living and studying Chinese language in Beijing as part of my exchange year. I immediately fell in love with the ancient city as, upon closer inspection, everywhere I looked offered an insight into a time gone by and the influences that shaped the China of today. I found that the enormously different culture compared to the West can be alienating for some visitors so I created this blog to help explorers overcome this 'culture shock' and enjoy the best Beijing has to offer!
（Picture: Scandanavian Traveller）
Where to Stay
I was living in the university International Students' Dormitory for the duration of my time in Beijing so I didn't end up staying in airbnb's or hotels. My family stayed in The Grand Gongda Jianguo Hotel in Chaoyang when they visited me. They were delighted with their stay there, noting clean, comfortable rooms and a great location with the subway station just across the road. The cost of staying here is around €114 per night for a King sized bed. I would also recommend checking airbnb where you can find a cozy home to stay in at a reasonable price (from €20-€80 per night).
Food
Now it's time to figure out where to eat in Beijing. For meat eaters, Peking duck is the most famous dish the city has to offer and for good reason. The dish which contains thin, crispy pieces of duck is one of the best I've tried in Asia! I stayed in the Chaoyang District of Beijing when I lived there and the tastiest local Peking duck restaurant was called "Yulin Roast Duck Shop". I'd definitely recommend you to eat there if you're staying nearby. Dadong Restaurant in Sanlitun is a little more pricey but served the most delicious roast duck I tried in Beijing. They also serve pigeon which is surprisingly good! If you're not staying in Chaoyang or Sanlitun, your best bet is to ask a local where they advise you to try the aromatic specialty. Beijing is also well known for its dumplings and you should have no problem finding the scrumptious steamed buns as there are restaurants which sell them everywhere! For vegetarians, King's Joy near the Lama Temple is the perfect choice for your dietary requirements. It's even won a Michelin star!
Nightlife
As someone who has lived as a student in Beijing for half a year, I can confirm that the party scene in the Chinese capital is incredible. You don't need to bring ID when you're on a night out or buying drink in China which really surprised me when I first arrived there.
If you're keen on dancing the night away then 'Sanlitun' is the place to be with its many nightclubs to choose from. My personal favorite is 'Mix' by the Worker's Stadium. For a 50 Rmb (€6.50) entrance fee, you'll enjoy free drinks for the night with EDM upstairs and a hip-hop room downstairs. For the electronic music enthusiasts out there, Lantern is also nearby which showcases international and resident techno DJs every weekend.
If you prefer bars or are on a student budget, Wudaokou is perfect. It is located near many of Beijing's Universities so is extremely popular among young people in Beijing. I have spent many nights in this lively area chatting to locals and enjoying a drink for just 10 Rmb (€1.30!!) in some bars.
The various Hutongs scattered across the city also have some trendy bars and clubs. DADA club is my top pick!
Attractions
One of the main reasons Beijing attracts so many tourists each year is because of the various places of interest which capture the Northern city's fascinating history. Each place I will mention has blown me away in different ways.
The Great Wall of China:
Can you really say you've been to Beijing if you don't travel to the Great Wall? It is said the wall was built to protect China from Mongolian invaders in the 7th Century and has since become one of the seven wonders of the World. I was delighted to tick it off my bucket list and enjoy the spectacular mountain views and recommend everyone to do the same. To get to the Badaling section of the wall you can travel on metro line 8 or 13 to Huoying Station. From there, you have to take the S2 train to Badaling railway station before a 20 minute walk to the Wall.
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is steeped in history and is a must for anyone visiting Beijing. It was the formal imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. It is located very centrally in Tiananmen with metro stops just a few minutes walk away. You could easily spend three to four hours here taking in the beautiful temples and artifacts in the Palace museum. Remember to bring your passport with you as it is required when buying tickets for the Forbidden City.
798 Art District
798 was definitely one of my favourite hangout spots in the city. What used to be a collection of military factories now showcases some of the best artistic talent in China. Check out the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in the vicinity to sample the creativity of both established and up-and-coming local artists. You can also enjoy the various chic cafes and restaurants in the area. I recommend picking up an Oolong Milk Tea and enjoying some live performances or profound sculptures.
Hutongs
While downtown Beijing looks like a modern metropolis with its shiny skyscrapers and huge apartment blocks, the city's Hutongs showcase the urban layout of a time gone by. Hutongs are narrow streets formed by the lines of 'siheyuan', or traditional courtyard residences. This is the 'old Beijing' and it is a fascinating cultural experience strolling down these alleyways, listening to the local dialect and watching on as Beijingers trade or craft handmade souvenirs. The Mao-er Hutong and Nanougu Hutong are my personal favourites.
(Picture: https://urbanland.uli.org/)You can find out a bit more about Hutongs in the video below:
Customs and Cultural Differences
While there are naturally various cultural differences between China and Ireland, everyone smiles in the same language and ultimately we are all human! This should be kept in mind in Beijing where you can have extremely positive interactions with the locals by smiling and holding a polite demeanor. Respect seriously matters in a country where saving face is of utmost importance. Knowing some basic words and phrases can also help a lot to impress the locals and make your life a bit easier. 'Nihao' (pronounced kneehow) means Hello in Chinese and you will hear it everyday during your stay in Beijing. 'Xiexie' (syehsyeh) means thank you and 'zhege' (jihguh) translates to this one which can be useful in the markets when pointing at the item you would like to buy. It is also a good idea to keep the name of the hotel or airbnb you'll be staying at with you at all times to show taxi drivers.
Considering the huge population of Beijing (almost 22 million!!), personal space is a lot tighter than is seen in Western countries. If you're prone to getting a bit claustrophobic, try to avoid the the metro at rush hours (7-9.30 AM and 5.30-8.30 PM). Personal privacy is also less prevalent than in the West. Don't be surprised if a local asks you a question that you would elsewhere be too personal to share, for example why have you not married yet. Chinese people do not seek to cause offence by asking such questions. Criticizing the Government or asking about sensitive issues in Chinese history should also be avoided.
If you plan on going out for dinner with some locals, there are a few things which should be kept in mind. Meals in China are shared among all the guests whilst bills are never split, but paid for by the host. You may even embarrass the host if you end up contributing to the bill. Allow your host to pick your seat and don't eat until the oldest person at the table has started (to show your respect). You should never lick your chopsticks, point them at anyone, or stick them straight up in rice. I learned this the hard way! It's normal for people to slurp loudly when eating so try not be too grossed out if you hear these supplementary sound effects in the city's restaurants.
My 3 top tips for an amazing trip to Beijing:
1. Bring toilet paper with you everywhere as most public toilets don't provide any (trust me on this one, you'll thank me later!!).
2. When bargaining in The Silk or Pearl Market, never accept the first price the vendor offers you. As a rough guide, the price should drop to 10 percent of the first price the vendor states!
3. Immediately reject If someone offers to take you to a tea house. This is a well known scam across China and you will be charged through the roof for some tea and will be put under pressure to pay up. Check out this video to find out a bit more.
Thanks a lot for reading guys. I hope you have an amazing time in Beijing. A week should be more than enough time to visit all the places I recommended. Be sure to tag me in any photos on Instagram when you FIND: Beijing.
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