Beijing Travel Diary!

Hey guys, I just got back from five days in Beijing, and I have so much to share! Even though I did a lot of research beforehand, I still fell into some tourist traps. Today, I'm going to give you the lowdown, so listen up if you're planning a trip to Beijing! 👭 👀First, let's talk about the weather. The temperature in Beijing has recently been between 0 and 12°C. It's freezing in the morning and evening, with wind that feels like knives on your face, but then it gets hot enough to sweat during the day.😥 The temperature difference is really unbearable. ⭕The following attractions no longer require reservations: 1. Temple of Heaven (combined ticket 35 RMB) 2. Lama Temple (25 RMB) 3. Summer Palace (30 RMB) 4. Old Summer Palace (combined ticket 25 RMB) 5. Jingshan Park (2 RMB) 6. Prince Gong's Mansion (40 RMB) 7. Badaling Great Wall (40 RMB) ⭕Attractions that still require reservations: 1. Palace Museum (60 RMB) 2. National Museum of China (free) 3. Tiananmen Square (free) 4. Tiananmen Tower (15 RMB) 5. Chairman Mao Memorial Hall (free) 6. Great Hall of the People (free) 7. Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution (free) 8. Capital Museum (free) 9. National Museum of Natural History (free) 10. National Archaeological Museum of China (free) 11. Tsinghua University (free) Tips for Traveling in Beijing⚠️ ❗️Tip 1: The flag-raising ceremony time is not fixed; it's generally at sunrise. It is recommended to arrive 1–2 hours in advance. If you want a front-row spot, you need to line up at 3–4 am (there will be a lot of people). ❗️Tip 2: It's recommended to buy tickets for the Palace Museum in the morning, as there won't be enough time to visit in the afternoon. If you're short on time, it's recommended to visit the attractions along the central axis, which takes about 2–3 hours. ❗️Tip 3: Only flat, undamaged power banks with a capacity of no more than 20,000 mAh are allowed in the National Museum of China. ❗️Tip 4: The Badaling Great Wall section is crowded but scenic. You can take a bus or the high-speed train from Beijing North Railway Station. Mutianyu Great Wall is much less crowded, but it's farther from the city center. ❗️Tip 5: When visiting the Temple of Heaven, don't enter from the East Gate. It's recommended to enter from the South Gate and exit from the North Gate, so you can see all the most distinctive sights. ❗️Tip 6: It's not recommended to buy a combined ticket for the Summer Palace, as it's too big to cover in a day. It's recommended to visit the main attractions first, such as the Long Corridor, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and the Grand Theater. ❗️Tip 7: To visit the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Tiananmen Tower, and the Great Hall of the People, take the subway to Tiananmen West Station and exit from Exit B. This will save you a lot of walking. ❗️Tip 9: Niujie Street mainly offers halal snacks. I found the taste average, and locals generally don't go there. If you want to try authentic Beijing cuisine, I recommend Huguosi Street. I had a pretty good time during my five days in Beijing. I booked a semi-independent tour, which was perfect for me. Find what suits you best, and you'll have a great time.