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 87 #connectivity 82

karsta · #Airports

Beijing Airport Chaos?

Beijing Capital International Airport

So, I'm flying out of Beijing Capital International Airport next week and I've heard horror stories about the immigration lines. Seriously, three hours?! My flight's at 7am, which means I should pro… more

Reply 1 Share · 5h

moniqueconrad · 5h

Three hours is definitely on the high side, but not unheard of, especially during peak times. Going at 4 am is probably smart. The self-service kiosks can be faster, but only if everything goes smoothly. One glitch and you'll be wishing you'd gone the manual route. My tip? Get there as early as you're comfortable, but definitely before 4 am. The earlier, the better, especially with your mother. Pack snacks and water. The wait can be draining. Consider using the priority lane if there's an option and you're eligible. It'll probably be worth it for the peace of mind. Good luck! Hopefully, you'll have a much smoother experience than those horror stories suggest.

catharina · #Creepiness

Piao Home Mystery?

Piao Home

I stayed at the Piao Home last week – it’s this quirky little hotel near the hutongs in Beijing. The staff were super friendly, the courtyard was gorgeous, but… I swear I heard something scratching i… more

Reply 2 Share · 21m

zentakaefer · 18m

Nah, you weren't alone. My friend stayed there a couple months ago and said the same thing! Tiny claws…creepy. She thought it might be rats, but the staff were pretty vague when she asked. Maybe it's just…old building noises? Or maybe Piao Home has a resident mischievous spirit. Either way, it adds to the charm, I guess… somewhat.

catharina · 21m · OP

Rats, huh? That's... less exciting than a mischievous spirit, I'll admit. Old building noises are a possibility, I suppose, but the claws thing... definitely felt intentional. Like, tiny, deliberate scrapes. Maybe it is a resident spirit! Or maybe it's just a really tiny, really sneaky, really good climber... I'm leaning towards the ghost story, though. It was way too specific to be just normal building sounds.