Here’s a comprehensive travel guide to Beijing, tailored for those planning a visit soon. Feel free to bookmark it for future reference! ๐
Notes on Attending the Flag-Raising Ceremony:
- Advance bookings are required for attending the ceremony. Be sure to check the schedule for the day.
- On the 1st of each month and during major holidays, the ceremony is accompanied by a military band.
- Bring your original ID card. You may also want to bring a plastic stool for seating and resting. Dress warmly, especially during winter.
- Avoid carrying a bag to avoid the need for additional security checks. It’s also advisable to avoid driving as parking can be a hassle, especially near the National Grand Theatre.
- Unless it’s a special holiday, there’s no need to arrive too early. The ceremony usually begins around 4-5 am.
Classic 5-Day, 4-Night Beijing Itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrival in Beijing (24-hour pick-up service available) and check-in to the hotel.
- Day 2: Tiananmen Square – Mao Zedong Memorial Hall – The Forbidden City – Shichahai Scenic Area – Qianmen Street.
- Day 3: Flag-Raising Ceremony – Badaling Great Wall – Olympic Park – Bird’s Nest Stadium – Water Cube.
- Day 4: Summer Palace Museum – Temple of Heaven – Exterior views of Tsinghua University/Peking University.
- Day 5: Transfer to the airport/train station based on departure time and return home.
Tips: Beijing is vast with numerous attractions, and its public transportation network can be complex. For first-time visitors, it’s recommended to opt for a reliable local tour group. Packages similar to the above 5-day itinerary cost approximately 1500 yuan per person, inclusive of meals, accommodation, and transportation, saving you the hassle of worrying about luggage and commuting.
Airfare Booking Tips:
- Avoid booking during holidays. Flying on a Thursday and returning on a Monday may offer the cheapest international combinations.
- Searching for tickets late at night is often cheaper than during daylight hours. Within a week, Saturday departures tend to be cheaper.
- Airfare prices fluctuate daily. Generally, there are three price changes per day. The best time to buy is after 1 pm, and refreshing prices every five hours can be helpful.
Delicacies and Specialties of Beijing:
Top Ten Beijing Dishes: Old Beijing Roast Meat, Instant-Boiled Mutton, Clear Soup with Bird’s Nest, Kung Pao Chicken, Stir-Fried Fish Slices, Pork in Casserole, Braised Shark’s Fin with Yellow Wine, Chicken Wrapped in Vegetable Leaves, Shredded Pork in Sweet Bean Sauce, Peking Duck, Copper Pot Instant-Boiled Pork, and Deer Antler with Three Delicacies.
Beijing Specialties: Peking Duck, Erguotou Liquor, Imperial Cheese, Beijing Preserved Fruit, Beijing-style Cakes, Beijing Crisp Sugar, Liubiju Pickled Mustard Greens and Lingbing Cake, and Daoxiangcun Snacks.
Snacks: Donkey Roll, Bean Juice,ๅค็ ฎ็ซ็ง (Boiled Internal Organs with Spices and Toast), Sesame Sauce Meat Pie, Fried Intestines, Doornail Meat Pie, Aiwowo, Baogao, Fried Yellow Noodles, Pea Buns, and Dunbobobo.
