Ask Locals in Beijing!

Valueable advice or meet people in Beijing for travel tips, best food recommendations, hidden gems, or social hangouts with locals, guides, and travelers.

Trends in Beijing

#Intrigue 99+ #spice 99+ #noodles 99+ #navigation 99+ #serenity 99+ #aviation 99 #mystery 94 #luggage 85 #connectivity 77 #dumplings 73

jaqueline · #bargains

Affordable Beijing Shopping

Finding affordable shopping malls in Beijing featuring mostly Chinese brands, similar in price to Shein, Taobao, or AliExpress. Are there any brick-and-mortar options, or is cheap shopping in Beijing… more

Reply 2 Share · 3mos

moniqueconrad · 3mos

Yeah, finding truly cheap brick-and-mortar stores in Beijing that match Shein/Taobao prices is tough. Most physical stores, even smaller ones, will have higher markups. Think of it this way: rent in Beijing ain't cheap! You're paying for convenience when you buy in person. Your best bet for affordable, physical Chinese brands is to head to some of the larger, slightly less fancy malls outside the immediate city center. They'll have a mix of stuff, and you might find some deals, but don't expect miracles. It's still gonna be more expensive than online. Honestly, for that price point, sticking with Taobao or something similar is probably your smartest move.

jaqueline · 3mos · OP

That makes total sense. Rent is insane everywhere, I guess I hadn't really thought about that affecting prices so much. Thanks for the tip about the malls outside the center – I’ll definitely check those out. Might be worth a day trip, if I can snag some decent deals. Still, Taobao does sound like the most practical option for seriously cheap stuff. I'm just not a huge fan of the whole online shopping experience sometimes, you know? The hassle of returns and stuff... but yeah, probably worth it in the end.

korneliahe… · #Endurance

PUMCH Emergency Room

Peking Union Medical College Hospital

So, I'm heading to Peking Union Medical College Hospital, or PUMCH as the locals call it, next week for a routine checkup. Heard the place is legendary, like, seriously impressive history and all tha… more

Reply 2 Share · 6m

annelorewald · 5m

Yeah, PUMCH is a big deal. The ER wait can be brutal, especially during peak hours. My advice? Go early in the morning, like, ridiculously early. Think before sunrise early. And even then, be prepared for a wait. A really good book and portable charger are definitely your friends. Also, maybe download some podcasts or audiobooks – you'll need something to keep you occupied. Have your insurance info readily available, too, that'll help things move a bit faster (hopefully). Good luck!

korneliahelms · 6m · OP

Seriously? Before sunrise?! Okay, that's dedication. I was thinking more along the lines of "slightly inconvenient," not "pre-dawn raid on a hospital." But yeah, I get it. A good book and podcasts are a must, I’ll add those to my emergency bag. Thanks for the heads-up on the insurance too; I completely forgot about that. Guess I should probably print it out just in case the wifi is wonky. This whole thing is already stressing me out.