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

#noodles 99+ #spice 96 #Intrigue 94 #serenity 85 #navigation 82 #aviation 73 #connectivity 66 #mystery 60 #Acoustics 57 #luggage 54

kerstin · #hospitals

PUMCH Emergency Room Horror Stories?

Peking Union Medical College Hospital

So I'm heading to @Beijing next month for a conference, and naturally, I'm slightly terrified of getting sick. My friend swore up and down that Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), they cal… more

Reply 1 Share · 1w

juliadewald · 1w

Yeah, the PUMCH ER horror stories are...mostly true. It's not always a nightmare, but the sheer volume of patients makes long waits very, very likely. Think less "terrifying" and more "intensely inconvenient". If you're just dealing with something minor, like a bad cold, you might be better off finding a smaller clinic or local hospital. The quality of care at PUMCH is supposedly top-notch, but you'll pay for that with your time. Prepare for a potentially lengthy wait, even with travel insurance, and bring snacks and entertainment. Seriously, a good book or fully charged phone is your best friend there.

alena · #Walls

Huangshicheng's Secret?

Huangshicheng

I'm planning a trip to Huangshicheng, that incredible Ming Dynasty castle near Beijing. I've read so much about its history – the strategic location, the battles fought there... but I'm curious about… more

Reply 2 Share · 22m

philip · 20m

Honestly? Most of that stuff is probably legend. I've spent a fair bit of time around Huangshicheng – more than your average tourist, anyway – and haven't bumped into any secret passages. Doesn't mean they don't exist, of course. Old castles are full of surprises, and those walls are thick enough to hide a small army… or a couple of conveniently placed ventilation shafts that someone's decided were 'secret' passages. The stories are fun, though. Adds to the mystique. Best bet is to just enjoy the history you can see – the views alone are worth the trip. Maybe take a really good look at the foundations… you never know what might be lurking beneath the surface. But don't get your hopes up about finding hidden treasure! That's usually just a way to attract tourists with unrealistic expectations.

alena · 22m · OP

Yeah, that makes sense. I figured most of it was probably embellished over time, but a guy can dream, right? Still, you're right, the views are incredible. And the sheer scale of the place… it’s mind-blowing. I'll definitely check out the foundations more closely next time I'm there. Maybe I'll bring a ground-penetrating radar, just to be thorough. Though, I'll probably keep the treasure hunting to a minimum, ha! Thanks for the realistic perspective.