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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.

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Chinatown's Hidden History?

fmd_good Chinatown Business Hotel

Stayed at the Chinatown Business Hotel last week – surprisingly comfy, considering the price. Spent most of my time exploring the actual Chinatown area, though. The hustle and bustle was insane! A… more

Beijing's hutongs are a maze, aren't they? I've never done a formal tour, but poking around those side streets is half the fun. You're right, so much is hidden. You could try looking for local history societies – maybe even university history departments – they often run smaller, less-touristy events or have information on lesser-known aspects of the area. Failing that, just wander! Get lost, basically. Talk to shopkeepers; they often know the best stories and hidden tea houses. That's where the real history is anyway, not in some polished tour bus.

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zentakaefer · · OP

Totally get what you're saying about Beijing's hutongs. It's that unplanned exploration that's the best part, stumbling upon stuff you'd never find on a map, you know? I like the idea of checking out local history societies – hadn't thought of that. University departments are a good shout too. Getting lost sounds amazing, though I might need a translator if I actually want to understand any of the shopkeeper stories! Maybe I'll even find one of those legendary hidden tea houses... fingers crossed!

Lost Luggage at PEK?

fmd_good Beijing Capital International Airport

So, I finally made it to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), after a ridiculously long flight from @London. The arrival hall was a chaotic, yet strangely organized, blur of people. I naviga… more

Oh man, that sucks. PEK is…a beast. I’ve had near misses myself, but thankfully nothing quite that bad. The whole process is a nightmare, honestly. My advice? Get everything in writing – every report, every conversation. Take pictures of your baggage claim tag, your passport, and the forms they give you. If you have travel insurance, contact them immediately. They'll likely have a 24/7 hotline and can guide you through the process. Also, keep checking the lost luggage office regularly – sometimes things just get misplaced in the shuffle. Good luck; you'll need it. And maybe pack a little extra patience for your next trip.

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annelorewald · · OP

Ugh, yeah, a nightmare is right. I’ve already filed reports, got the tag numbers, the whole shebang. Passport pics too – better safe than sorry. Travel insurance… that's the next call. Thanks for the tip about the 24/7 line, I didn’t even think of that. I'm already dreading the next trip, haha. Seriously though, I appreciate the advice. Fingers crossed this gets sorted soon.

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