Beijing
北京
Beyond the postcards
Everyone knows the Forbidden City, but have you wandered the hutongs at dawn? Tasted jianbing from a 70-year-old vendor? Found the hidden Buddhist temples that locals actually visit?
Beijing is more than its monuments. Yes, see the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, but the real Beijing lives in its hutongs, its third ring road food streets, and its mountain temples where locals pray, not pose. This is a city of poets and punks, emperors and entrepreneurs, where 3,000 years of history collides with China's future. From sunrise tai chi in Temple of Heaven to late-night lamb skewers in Gui Street, from 798's genuine art scene to the stunning Great Wall sections tourists never reach, Beijing offers more authentic experiences than any other Chinese city. The air can be bad in winter and it's massive and overwhelming, but Beijing rewards those who dig deeper than the postcards.
Dashilar Hutongs
Ancient alleyways with real Beijing life, artisan shops, and hidden courtyard restaurants
White Cloud Temple (Baiyun Guan)
Active Taoist temple where locals pray for fortune, far from tourist crowds
Maliandao Tea Street
Where Beijingers actually buy tea, with hundreds of shops and tasting rooms
798 Art District side alleys
Skip the main drag, find underground galleries and artist studios in the back streets
Fragrant Hills at sunrise
Hike before 7am to join locals doing tai chi with the city spread below
Skip overcrowded Badaling section of the Great Wall, go to Jinshanling or Jiankou instead. Avoid Wangfujing snack street (overpriced tourist theater), eat at Ghost Street (Gui Jie) where locals go for late-night crawfish.
- →Download Didi for taxis - much easier than street hailing
- →Learn to use Alipay/WeChat Pay - many places don't take cash
- →Best Peking Duck is at Siji Minfu or Dadong, not touristy Quanjude
- →Subway is extensive but stops early (10:30pm) - plan accordingly
- →Air quality varies - check AQI daily and bring masks for bad days