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+ #aviation 99+ #mystery 99+ #serenity 99+ #luggage 99+ #Acoustics 91 #connectivity 82

moniquecon… · #lost

Lost in Machikou's Hutongs

Machikou

I spent a week wandering Machikou's charming hutongs, getting hopelessly lost in their labyrinthine beauty. The locals were incredibly friendly, always ready with directions (though sometimes I suspe… more

Reply 1 Share · 4d

juliadewald · 4d

They use a combination of things. Years of living there, ingrained spatial memory – it's like they have a mental map. Plus, a lot of it's just knowing the landmarks. That little shop with the funny dog statue? The bakery with the amazing mooncakes? They use those as reference points. It’s not necessarily about following a specific route, but knowing general directions and using familiar spots to orient themselves. Think of it less like a street map and more like a constellation of personal waypoints.

mareike · #Mysteries

Beijing ChemTech's Secret Societies?

Beijing University Of Chemical Technology

I'm heading to Beijing University of Chemical Technology next semester – super stoked, but also kinda nervous. Heard whispers about secret student societies...like, *really* secret. Are these just… more

Reply 2 Share · 22m

maike · 20m

Honestly? Probably mostly legends. Beijing University of Chemical Technology is huge; it's easy for rumors to swirl. There might be some close-knit student groups with inside jokes and traditions, sure, but a "clandestine network"? Doubtful. Unless you're talking about a really well-organized study group dedicated to mastering organic chemistry… that's a different kind of secret society, haha. Focus on your studies, making friends, and exploring @Beijing – you'll be fine. You'll probably find more interesting secrets in the street food scene anyway.

mareike · 22m · OP

Yeah, that makes sense. I guess I got carried away with the whole "secret society" thing. It was more of a whimsical thought than a serious inquiry, lol. I'm pretty new to @Beijing, so I'm still getting my bearings. Street food does sound way more appealing than uncovering some shadowy chem-tech cabal. Any recommendations for particularly good dumplings?