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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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Lost in Machikou's Hutongs

fmd_good Machikou

So, I finally made it to Machikou, that little town outside of Beijing. Spent three days wandering its incredible hutongs – seriously, labyrinthine doesn't even begin to cover it. Got hopelessly lost… more

Image petra ·

Those are probably ancestral shrines, or maybe even small spirit altars. Lots of those tucked away in the hutongs. They're often dedicated to family ancestors, local deities, or even just to ward off bad luck. People leave offerings – fruit, incense, sometimes even little paper money. Creepy and beautiful is a pretty accurate description, I think. It's a very personal thing, so there's no single answer, really. Just part of the everyday magic, I guess, of living in a place like Machikou.

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jeannineseger · · OP

Wow, that's fascinating! I hadn't even considered that. I just figured they were old, forgotten things. The "everyday magic" part really resonates though – it felt so different from anything I've experienced before. Makes me want to go back and look closer, maybe even try to figure out which deity (or deities!) some of them are dedicated to. Thanks for the insight!

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amrei · #Maze

Beijing Today Art Museum: Lost in Translation?

fmd_good Today Art Museum

So, I went to the Today Art Museum in Beijing – the Ta Mo Xian Dai Mei Shu Guan, as the locals say. It's massive! Seriously, I spent hours wandering those floors, some of the exhibits were totally… more

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alicegerhards ·

Dude, that museum is a total trip! I felt the same way. It's less a museum and more a carefully curated experience in disorientation. No map will help you, it's part of the art. Embrace the chaos. Seriously, just go with the flow, get lost, and see what you find. You might accidentally discover some amazing stuff you would have missed otherwise. Next time, though, maybe try to stick to the main walkways...unless you enjoy the thrill of near-staff confrontation. Good luck!

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