Visit Beijing China: 8 tips for a smooth experience

We were excited to visit Beijing China and of course cross off another ‘Wonder of the World’ from our list. After a ton of research, we were ready to see the best of Beijing! We had our smog masks and hand sanitizer ready, however, I don’t think any amount of research could have quite prepared us for the smog, the intense traffic congestion, and the number of older people in Beijing spitting on the ground.

Oh and apparently burping loudly whenever you feel the urge and passing gas is very acceptable in public too. Apparently it’s a sign of an enjoyable meal, so the loud belching and trumpeting sounds from below the table in restaurants were constant entertainment for the boys. Full disclosure, it was usually older people, and the city is THICK with smog, so I think it’s a practical matter and a cultural thing. Anyway, if I haven’t scared you off yet, read on for our favorite activities when you visit Beijing, China!

1. Climb the Great Wall when you visit Beijing, China

Just north of Beijing, you’ll find one of the most famous monuments in the world, the Great Wall of China.This was by far the highlight for us. Although it’s unlikely you’ll see the whole thing, after all, it measures about 5,500 miles long. There are different sections you can visit, and we chose The Mutianyu Great Wall. We chose this because it’s one of the best preserved sections, and is only a 2.5 hour drive from Beijing.

This section is less crowded and you can walk for long distances and a cable car takes you to the entrance. I would HIGHLY recommend you bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks, as it gets incredibly hot, smoggy, and there are limited places to purchase refreshments.

You can walk for miles along the wall and there are plenty of places to rest and get some shade should you need it, before you continue hiking.

The hike alone is quite strenuous, and with the thick smog and hot weather, it can take its toll on unprepared visitors.

The fun part for us was taking the luge down. I have to say, it’s pretty spectacular luging down the great Wall of China.

 2. Visit the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum, once served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 – 1911). This massive complex sits on the northern edge of Tiananmen Square at the epicenter of Beijing. It gets crazy busy with loooooong lines, so I’d suggest you purchase tickets online ahead of time if possible. Once they sell about 80,000 tickets (yes you read that correctly) for the day they close ticket sales.

Despite the crowds, the palace is a beautiful place to visit and the history and architecture are fabulous. Again, be prepared for lots of walking and have plenty of fluids with you.

3.  Check out Tiananmen Square

The iconic plaza Tiananmen Square, is among the world’s most famous public spaces, and is a place most western visitors and Chinese people want to visit. It’s pretty interesting seeing the large portrait of Chairman Mao staring at you, and even more interesting knowing he is lying in a mausoleum close by. Although Mao had wished to be cremated, his body was embalmed and construction of a mausoleum began shortly after his death. This highly popular attraction is located in the middle of the square.  Chinese tourists flock here due to their national pride.

The heat, the crowds, and the strict security check made for a long and fairly uncomfortable day. You need your passport to visit and foreigners enter through a different entrance than the Chinese, but it’s worth the hassle. It’s free to enter, although there are insanely long lines, filled mostly with Chinese people paying their respects.

The boys seriously felt like Justin Bieber, as we encountered groups of giggling Chinese school kids (and older people too) who were shocked to see blonde hair, and wanted to take pictures with them at every turn. For many visitors we were probably the first foreigner they have ever spoken to.

Even our tour guide at the end sheepishly asked if she could have a picture with them… and they were happy to oblige.

4. Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven was built from 1406 to 1420 and is where the emperors prayed for good harvests. The temple itself is truly impressive as no nails were used during construction, and there is a smaller temple area that you can visit, which was a private retreat for the Emperor.

The green park is a peaceful sanctuary and offers respite from the smog and busy city amongst the old cypress trees.  We were stunned by the beauty (and people-watching) in the park. There’s all kinds of activities going on (card games, Tai Chi, chess, music, sports), and the boys had a blast trying to beat the local old Chinese men at checkers!

5.  Eat Dim Sum for breakfast when you visit Beijing, China

We ate Dim Sum every day for breakfast and lunch. The native steamed buns stuffed with meat and vegetables, along with Chow mein, rice and soup, were simply delicious. The food in Beijing is incredible.

Beijing has experienced a period of rapid growth and change over the years. While much of the country and facilities have seen modernization and western amenities are now available, there are still many areas that might catch you unprepared.

Here are some tips when you visit Beijing China:

1. The Internet is censored with strict restrictions and many social sites such as Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, Google etc. are blocked.
2. Almost all public restrooms are squat style, and most of them do not provide toilet paper. Bring small packages of tissue with you EVERYWHERE. You’ll need it.
3. The Chinese roads are insanely chaotic, so self-driving is only recommended for the particularly brave.
4. Prepare for the poor air quality. The pollution levels are no surprise, and the air quality will have a bigger impact on your trip than you expect. Be sure to bring surgical masks… you’ll need them!
5. Be prepared for security and passport checks wherever you go. You may be frisked and patted down before entering public places, but just go with it and realize it’s all part of the experience.
6. Unlike most other places we travel to, most people in China do NOT speak English. Bring a language app or translation book, you’ll need it.
7. Don’t ever plant your chopsticks upright in a bowl of food. This is considered an offensive gesture.
8. The Great Firewall of China is a censorship and surveillance project that blocks potentially unfavorable incoming data from foreign countries, and is very real.

Would you like to visit Beijing, China?

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