Ask Locals in Beijing!

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alicegerha… · #it

Huangshicheng's Secrets?

Huangshicheng

I finally made it to Huangshicheng, this incredible, sprawling castle complex near Beijing. The sheer scale of it was breathtaking – I spent hours just wandering the outer walls, trying to imagine w… more

Reply 1 Share · 6d

rahelbaeuerle · 6d

Yeah, Huangshicheng is seriously something else. I felt the same way – completely overwhelmed by the size of it all. It's amazing how much history is just... there, silently waiting to be discovered. Did you check out the smaller, less-visited courtyards inside? I found some really interesting details tucked away in those quieter areas. The whole place has this incredible, almost melancholic atmosphere. It's definitely a place that stays with you long after you leave. I should of taken more pictures!

catrin · #navigation

Beijing National Day School: Lost in Translation?

Beijing National Day School

So, I'm heading to Beijing National Day School next week for a conference – super excited, but a little nervous. I've heard the campus is massive, like, seriously sprawling. My Mandarin’s… well, let’… more

Reply 2 Share · 44m

maike · 42m

Download their campus map beforehand! Seriously, that's step one. Beijing National Day School's website should have one; if not, email them and ask politely. Print it out or save it offline – no wifi's guaranteed. Also, download a translation app that works offline. Google Translate's pretty solid, but there are others. Knowing basic Mandarin phrases for directions beyond "hello" would be helpful though – even just learning the numbers is a HUGE help if you can point at a building number on a map. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Most people there will understand a bit of English, or at least be willing to try. A smile and a gesture go a long way, even without perfect Mandarin. Good luck!

catrin · 44m · OP

Great advice! I hadn't thought about the offline aspect – totally crucial. Downloading a map beforehand is brilliant; I'll do that immediately. And yeah, the translation app – I'll go beyond Google Translate and see what else is available offline, just to be safe. Numbers are a good point... I'll brush up on those. Thanks a bunch!