"The center of the world" Beijing by ntm2322

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

Lao She cha2 guan3, one of my favourite teahouses - Beijing
Lao She cha2 guan3, one of my favourite teahouses
My Beijing

Beijing is always in my heart, is one of those places I wish I could have the chance to work and live there.

I have had wonderful Beijing teachers in Macau. People born in Beijing are very nice and genuine, very different from southern people.

Every time I go to Beijing I avoid going to places such Wangfujing because these kinds of places are for tourists and do not reflect the true Beijing.

I prefer going to the traditional teahouses like the 'Laoshe cha guan' to drink tea, watch the show, listen to traditional Beijing music, chat, etc., it is indeed a wonderful atmosphere. I also like to go to 'Hu4 Guo2 Si4' and 'Jiu Men Xiao Chi', places where you can eat authentic traditional Beijing food.

Well, Beijing has so much to offer. Even if one stays there for 2 years still could not see and taste everything.

Friendship
Our good Beijing friends - Beijing

Our good Beijing friends

Last time we went to Beijing (Chinese New Year of 2006) my family and I had a great time with Yan Xian and Zhi Yu, a very nice Beijing family. It was Chinese New Year and we went to their house a couple of times, we made together some traditional Chinese food. Afterwards we had dinner and chatted all night long (in Mandarin, of course).

Always learning... - Beijing

Always learning...

The 'practical classes' I had with my host were also a great experience. I learned more about how to make jiao zi (dumplings) and xiao wo tou (small triangle shaped corn cakes).

Don't know which Beijing traditional snacks to eat? Check out my tips (4 pages).

  • Last visit to Beijing: Feb 2007
  • Intro Updated Jul 8, 2008
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (111)

Beijing duck (Bei3 Jing1 kao3 ya1) - Beijing Beijing duck (Bei3 Jing1 kao3 ya1) Restaurants (39)

I have already written dozens of tips of traditional Beijing snacks and so far none about the Beijing duck (Bei3 Jing1... more travel advice

Hot pot (huo3 guo1) - Beijing Hot pot (huo3 guo1) Restaurants (39)

Hot pot restaurants are dotted around the city. In Beijing, hot pot is eaten year-round but many people prefer... more travel advice

You can also eat zong4 zi any time in the year - Beijing Zong4 zi (Chinese rice dumplings) Restaurants (39)

This is a traditional Chinese food made of glutinous rice filled with different fillings and wrapped in bamboo leaves.... more travel advice

The handing tea ceremony - Beijing Spring Festival – most important customs... Local Customs (9)

Handing out ya1 sui4 qian2 Ya1 sui4 qian2 are also called “hong2 bao1” (red pockets) and its distribution is quite... more travel advice

Comments (7)

  • Reply
    kenHuocj's Profile Photo
    Apr 19, 2010 at 1:02 PM

    I certainly enjoyed your Gastronomic tour through Beijing, but it was what the locals eat that whets my appetite ;-)))

  • Reply
    melosh's Profile Photo
    Dec 6, 2008 at 7:38 AM

    I wish I had seen your Beijing food tips before my 4 visits to Beijing, but since I still hope to return again I hope to benefit from your experience. For me food is a great part of travel.

  • Reply
    mazzap's Profile Photo
    Sep 18, 2008 at 12:57 PM

    I saw your tip for fried dough twists on the VT homepage today, thats a fabulous pic! The huge pile of twists look yummy and the poeple look very happy :-) Marion.

  • Reply
    SLLiew's Profile Photo
    Jul 24, 2008 at 11:30 AM

    Excellent tips on Beijing. Will be there soon. Will check back on the rest of the tips. Cheers, SL :)

  • Reply
    Hopkid's Profile Photo
    Apr 28, 2008 at 4:10 PM

    Nuno! My man! I am so glad I found your page with all of the food tips on Beijing! I'm going in December and will definitely use these. I can't wait to read them all!

  • Reply
    hunterV's Profile Photo
    Jan 13, 2008 at 1:17 AM

    Nuno, thans for your thourough tips on that city. You made me feel at ease to travel there...

  • Reply
    MINOSUKE's Profile Photo
    Dec 1, 2007 at 6:43 AM

    The 'Shao Mai' is just what I want to eat. I've never been to Beijing, but I've eaten similar one in Taiwan. I miss that 'Shao Mai' very much.

ntm2322's Related Pages

Beijing Travel Guide

 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
ntm2322's Profile Photo

ntm2322 Visits Here Frequently!

ntm2322

“Know your world, be a better person”

Online Now

Male

Top 5,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 1 6 2 1

Badges & Stats in Beijing

  • 111 Reviews
  • 141 Photos
  • 0 Forum posts
  • 7 Comments
  • 3,733PageViews
  • See All Stats
  • See All Badges (3)

Have you been to Beijing?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in Beijing

Photos in Beijing

See All Photos (141)

Top 10 Pages

See All Travel Pages (18)

Friends

See All Friends (16)

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (5)

Latest Beijing hotel reviews

Lee Garden Service Apartments
163 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 10, 2013
Shangri-la Kerry Centre Hotel
153 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
Jade Palace Hotel
58 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 18, 2013
Swissotel Beijing
300 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 15, 2013
The Westin Beijing, Financial Street
290 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 18, 2013
GRAND HYATT BEIJING
616 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 20, 2013
Hilton Beijing
219 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 14, 2013
Beijing Hongkun International Hotel
20 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 22, 2013
Poly Plaza Hotel Beijing
22 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 13, 2013
Holiday Inn Downtown Beijing
98 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 8, 2013
Beijing Templeside Hutong Guest House (Shop 1)
22 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
Orange Hotel (Beijing Xizhimen)
11 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Aug 27, 2012