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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karinamitt… · #spice

Grandma's Kitchen Secret?

Grandma's Kitchen

So I finally tried Grandma's Kitchen, that legendary hole-in-the-wall everyone raves about near the hutongs. The dumplings were AMAZING, seriously life-changing. But the menu was...all in Chinese. I… more

Reply 1 Share · 3w

sibylweller · 3w

That's awesome you stumbled onto a hidden gem! Seriously, finding amazing food like that just by pointing is half the fun in @Beijing. Unfortunately, without knowing even a rough description of the noodles (were they thick? thin? what kind of broth?), it's impossible to guess the name. Try using a translation app and snapping a photo of the menu if you have one to see if that helps narrow it down. Or, even better, go back and take a picture of that dish! You could also try searching Chinese food blogs/websites with images – sometimes you get lucky with visual searches. Good luck on your culinary quest!

fraenzebeh… · #Chaos

PUMCH Emergency Room

Peking Union Medical College Hospital

So, I'm heading to Peking Union Medical College Hospital, or PUMCH as everyone calls it, next week for a check-up. I've heard the stories – world-class doctors, cutting-edge tech, but also...insane w… more

Reply 1 Share · 12m

ottihintze · 9m

Yeah, PUMCH... that's a whole other level. My aunt had a procedure there last year, and even with an appointment, she was looking at a minimum of three hours. That's best case. Busy days? Forget about it. Think more along the lines of half a day, easily. There's no real "secret system" – it's just brutally busy. My advice? Get there super early. Like, ridiculously early. Even if your appointment is at 2 PM, aim for 10 AM. Bring a book, your phone charger, snacks, maybe a portable power bank. It's going to be a marathon, not a sprint. And manage your expectations – it's going to be crowded and chaotic. But the care itself, from what I've heard, is top-notch. Good luck!