5-Day Beijing Itinerary (Part 2)

Day 4️⃣ 📍Badaling Great Wall—Sanlitun Taikoo Li 🧗Climbing the Great Wall: We woke up early and took the high-speed train to the Badaling Great Wall, which took about half an hour, much faster than the bus. After arriving, we climbed from the first tower to the eighth tower on the north side and then returned the same way. It took less than three hours in total. We didn't need to take the cable car at all. The climb was very easy, and the scenery was also great. We conquered the Great Wall with ease🤏. Some sections of the route are slopes, not stairs, so it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and bring some snacks to replenish your energy. We returned in the afternoon after the climb. 🥘Dinner: We ate at Zi Guang Yuan, five-star recommendation⭐. The service was excellent. The must-try dishes are Peking duck, milk skin yogurt, shredded beef with green beans, and the duck rack. Overall, we were very satisfied with the meal. 🚶Shopping: We checked in at Sanlitun Taikoo Li in the evening. Most of the shops there are luxury brands. I walked around briefly and felt that there wasn't much to see (unless you're rich). Day 5️⃣ 📍Temple of Heaven 🍴Breakfast: We chose Yin San Dou Zhi, a popular restaurant near the Temple of Heaven. We ordered douzhi, miancha, jiaoquan, and braised meatballs. I almost threw up after trying the douzhi. It has a sour and stinky taste😥. I tried to find a good way to eat it but couldn't convince myself, so I ended up giving it to my boyfriend😙. Jiaoquan is crispy and doesn't have much of a taste on its own. Miancha is rich, and the braised meatballs are savory. These two were more acceptable. Overall, as a southerner, I'm not used to the taste😂. I'll just say I tried it. 🥳Entertainment: After breakfast, we immediately went to the Temple of Heaven. We saw the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Echo Wall, and the Circular Mound Altar. The architecture is solemn and sacred, and it's a great place to take photos. However, it was a bit of a pity to see that there were carvings on the walls, and the Echo Wall no longer echoes. We spent about two hours there and then left. ☝️Summary: Beijing's attractions are relatively concentrated, but most of them require reservations, so prepare in advance. Remember to bring your ID card! For hotels, it is recommended to stay within the Third Ring Road, near subway stations, which will make it more convenient to travel and visit various attractions. Also, the wind in Beijing in winter is really biting. It's best to buy earmuffs or a hat, otherwise, your ears will really hurt from the cold!