"Crazy Beijing" Beijing by vic&michael

Beijing Travel Guide: 6,188 reviews and 15,387 photos

Michael, Mao, and Me - Beijing
Michael, Mao, and Me

I have just come back from a 10 day holiday in Beijing. Wow, I have never been to such an exhausting and stimulating city.

Sorry to say, but Beijing made me and Michael very sick travellers! We were very careful with not drinking tap water, but we still got sick. Oh well. Part of the travelling experience eh?! A week later - Michael is still recovering! Next trip: bring acidophilis yogart/pills and other medicines!

There is so much to see and do in Beijing. We were happy to have 10 days there.

Highlights: Going to 'Tea City' and sitting down and choosing and tasting all different types of fragrant Chinese teas.
Walking around Beihai Park and lake early in the morning amongst all the locals. Watching the middle-aged & grandma ladies stretch and dance with fans and ribbons in the park. Watching old men practice with their swords in the park.
The Great Wall of China (a must-see of course!) go to the Mutianyu Wall and it is not crowded!
Tian'an Men Square (huuuge!) and the Forbidden City (huuuge!).

If you have 1 day in Beijing
Got to see Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden city, then taxi to Hou Hai lakes and have a relaxing Chinese dinner and drinks afterwards at the cozy bar/restaurants around the lake.

If you have 2 days in Beijing
First day: Same as above!
Second Day: Hit the marketplace for some shopping and people watching. Walk around Wangfujing area in the evening and choose a restaurant, then if you still have energy, check out the night market food stalls around the area.

If you have 3 days in Beijing
First Day: Same as above.
Second Day: Market shopping and maybe a massage because it's cheap and shopping is tiring! And you want to be energized for your 3rd day!
Third Day: You have to do the Great Wall of China! Try to go to an untouristy spot.

More than 3 days?
Look at my 'things to do' page and take your pick!

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Long & famous history, historical sites, crazy-loud people!, tasty food.
  • Cons:Polluted air, dirty toilets, poor customer service, crazy-loud people!
  • In a nutshell:Fun and Exhausting Holiday!
  • Last visit to Beijing: Aug 2005
  • Intro Updated Aug 22, 2005
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Reviews (28)

The Roads are huge! 5 lanes each way! - Beijing Biking Space Transportation (4)

There were not as many people biking around Beijing as I thought there would have been. I guess now it's the cool thing... more travel advice

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Tea makes a great souviner to take home and give away. Chinese teas come in many interesting forms. There are many... more travel advice

Sooo many Stairs!! - Beijing The Great Wall of China. Things to Do (6)

It felt amazing to be on the Great Wall. To imagine that it goes so far around China. To imagine what it would have been... more travel advice

Amazing Co-ordination and balance! - Beijing Chinese Acrobats Things to Do (6)

Chinese Acrobatics was amazing! We arranged it with our hostel, and they dropped us off and picked us up. Wow, I saw... more travel advice

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