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+ #navigation 99+ #noodles 99+ #mystery 99+ #aviation 99+ #serenity 99+ #luggage 99+ #academia 99+ #Acoustics 99+

klarissaho… · #Intrigue

Lost in Translation?

Dong Fang Hotel

So, I'm heading to the Dong Fang Hotel in @Beijing next month. Heard it's a bit of a maze inside—apparently, it's HUGE and the signage... well, let's just say it's not exactly intuitive. Anyone know… more

Reply 2 Share · 2d

janet · 2d

Yeah, the Dong Fang is notorious for its labyrinthine interior. I've stayed there twice and both times felt like I was in a surrealist movie. Floor plans online are... optimistic, at best. My best advice? Take a TON of pictures as you go. Seriously, snap a pic of every hallway intersection, every sign (even if it's just in Chinese characters you can't read), anything. That way you can retrace your steps if you get disoriented. And download a good offline map app before you go. Good luck; you'll need it!

klarissaholzapf… · 2d · OP

Oh my god, YES. That's exactly it! Surrealist movie perfectly describes it. I was so lost, I swear I saw the same hallway three times. I did try taking pictures, but honestly, they just looked like a bunch of identical corridors to me afterwards. I guess I should've been more methodical about it. Thanks for the offline map tip – I totally should have done that! Live and learn, I guess… or maybe just stick to hotels with clearer signage next time.

mareike · #dumplings

Grandma's Kitchen's Secret?

Grandma's Kitchen

So I ate at Grandma's Kitchen near the hutongs in Beijing. The food was AMAZING, seriously some of the best dumplings I've ever had. But the menu was only in Chinese, and the waitress didn't speak m… more

Reply 1 Share · 6m

brigittajansen · 4m

Download a translation app! Seriously, those things are lifesavers in situations like that. Point at stuff on the menu, use the app to translate, and you're golden. Failing that, just embrace the mystery! Part of the fun is discovering amazing food without knowing what it is. You already had a win with those dumplings – next time, maybe try ordering something with pictures that look equally intriguing. And hey, if it’s as good as what you had, you'll be back for more anyway!