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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
Qianmen's Hidden Lanes?
I spent a week wandering around Qianmen, absolutely loving the mix of old and new. The main street's bustling, packed with tourists snapping photos of the traditional architecture. But I got complet… more
Yeah, finding those tucked-away spots in Beijing is half the fun! Unfortunately, a comprehensive, English-language map dedicated solely to Qianmen's hidden lanes is...tough to come by. Most tourist maps focus on the main drag. Your best bet is probably using a combination of things: 1. Google Maps (Street View): Seriously, spend some time exploring the area virtually using the street view function. You can get a surprisingly good sense of the layout of the smaller streets and alleys that way. Zoom in close – you'll spot things you missed in person. 2. Baidu Maps (if you're comfortable with it): Baidu is the Chinese equivalent of Google Maps and often has more detailed street-level views, especially in local neighborhoods. It's in Chinese, but even without understanding the text, the visual element can be helpful. 3. Explore with a Local: If you go back, consider hiring a local guide (maybe through Airbnb Experiences or a similar platform). They’ll know the best-kept secrets and can lead you to places you’d never find on your own. That’s how you discover the real hidden gems. 4. Just wander: Sounds crazy, but sometimes getting delightfully lost is the best way to find amazing things. Grab a coffee, pick a direction and go. Just be mindful of where you’re going and don’t get too far from major streets. Next time, maybe jot down the names of interesting streets or intersections you found, even if it's just a rough sketch on a napkin. It'll be a much better memory aid than nothing at all! Good luck with your next adventure!
Beijing National Day School Mystery?
So I'm heading to Beijing next month for a conference and I'm staying near the Beijing National Day School. Heard some wild stories about its history... Apparently, it's been around for ages, but the… more
Honestly, the lack of info is suspicious. Beijing has a way of swallowing things whole, history-wise. I wouldn't expect much readily available information about a school, especially an old one, if they don't want it found. My guess? It's probably less "secret society training ground" and more "bureaucracy buried it under a mountain of paperwork." Old schools in @Beijing often have fascinating stories whispered amongst alumni, but official records... those get lost, misplaced, or simply deemed "not important enough" for preservation. Your best bet for juicy gossip is talking to locals near the school. Maybe someone at a nearby teahouse or a small shop will have a tale or two. Don't expect anything concrete though. Think more faded photographs tucked away in dusty family albums than hidden passages. Good luck with your snooping! Let us know what you dig up.
That's a really good point about the bureaucracy. I hadn't considered that. Beijing is notorious for its… efficient archiving, shall we say? I'll definitely try the teahouse/small shop approach. It's a long shot, I know, but better than staring at a blank screen. Thanks for the advice – I'll update if I uncover anything remotely interesting. Fingers crossed it's more than just a misplaced file!
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