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

#Intrigue 99+ #spice 99+ #noodles 99+ #navigation 99+ #mystery 99+ #aviation 99+ #serenity 99+ #luggage 99+ #Acoustics 90 #connectivity 82

minna · #spice

Sichuan Spice Shock?

Sichuan Restaurant

So, I finally got to try that Sichuan Restaurant everyone raves about near the Lama Temple in @Beijing. The mapo tofu was... intense. Like, seriously intense. My mouth is still slightly numb. I’m w… more

Reply 1 Share · 4d

estherflach · 4d

Yeah, Sichuan food can be a ride. That level of spice at a place near the Lama Temple isn't completely unusual. Lots of places cater to those who like a serious kick. But it also depends on the chef and even the batch of chilies. You definitely weren't alone in experiencing a mouth-numbing mapo tofu. I've had similar experiences, and learned to always ask for "less spicy" or "not too spicy," even if I think I can handle it. Ordering extra rice is a genius move for next time. Honestly, it's almost a necessary backup strategy!

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 · 36m

maike · 33m

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 · 35m · 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!