Street food in Beijing: night markets
Beijing cuisine cannot be understood without its night markets. Skewers, dumplings and traditional sweets fill the air with aromas. I toured several markets using transport in Beijing, which runs late. Between stalls, I tried specialities I would not find in any restaurant. If you travel to Beijing and you love food, dedicate at least one […]
How much it costs to travel to Beijing: a real budget
One of the questions I was asked most before travelling to Beijing was how much it cost. The answer: less than you imagine. Transport in Beijing is cheap, Beijing cuisine has options for every budget and there is accommodation in Beijing from very affordable prices in the hutongs. The biggest expenses were the tickets to […]
Transport guide: how to get around Beijing
Mastering transport in Beijing transformed my trip. The metro is clean, punctual and very cheap. The first thing I did was get a rechargeable card. With it I travelled to the Great Wall of China, to the Forbidden City and to my accommodation in Beijing without complications. For anyone planning to travel to Beijing, understanding […]
The Temple of Heaven at dawn
Visiting the Temple of Heaven first thing in the morning is a different experience. The park fills with locals doing tai chi. I arrived early thanks to transport in Beijing, which runs from very early. The contrast between the solemnity of the Temple of Heaven and the everyday life of the park is beautiful. If […]
An afternoon at the Summer Palace
The Summer Palace was my escape from the bustle of the centre. Its gardens beside Kunming Lake invite you to stroll without rushing. To get there I used transport in Beijing, combining the metro and a short walk. The Summer Palace is ideal for a quiet afternoon after intense days of sightseeing. If you travel […]
Getting lost in the hutongs: the best way to know Beijing
The hutongs of Beijing are my favourite memory of the trip. These traditional alleys preserve the essence of the old city. I rented a bicycle, a great part of transport in Beijing, and let myself get lost among courtyard houses and tea houses. Near Houhai Lake I found some of the best preserved hutongs of […]
Peking duck: where to eat the best in Beijing
You cannot talk about Beijing cuisine without dedicating an entire article to Peking duck. It is the most emblematic dish of the city. I tried three different restaurants during my stay. The ritual of carving the duck at the table and wrapping it in thin pancakes is quite a spectacle. To reach the most famous […]
A full day in the Forbidden City
Dedicating a whole day to the Forbidden City is not excessive. The complex is immense and every courtyard hides fascinating details. I booked the ticket in advance, which is essential. After the visit, I took advantage of the fact that the Temple of Heaven was not far to combine both in the same day using […]
Where I stayed in Beijing and why I recommend it
After a lot of research, I chose my accommodation in Beijing in the Dongcheng district, a short walk from the Forbidden City. The location turned out to be perfect: close to the metro, surrounded by hutongs of Beijing and with dozens of places to try Beijing cuisine a few minutes walk away. My advice if […]
How to climb the Great Wall without dying trying
Visiting the Great Wall of China was, without doubt, the most anticipated moment of my trip. I chose the Mutianyu section on the recommendation of several travellers, and I do not regret it. To get there I used transport in Beijing, combining the metro and a tourist bus. The climb is demanding but there is […]