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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corneliaha… · #Airports

Beijing Capital International Airport, eh? That place is a beast.Flight Delays?

Capital Airport

So I'm flying out of Beijing Capital International Airport next week, and I've heard horror stories about the security lines. My flight's at 7 AM, which is supposedly the worst time. Seriously, how… more

Reply 1 Share · 3d

anikaraschke · 3d

Four hours. Minimum. Seriously. I've seen people miss flights even showing up three hours early. That airport's a madhouse, especially at 7 AM. Factor in potential delays with check-in, security, and the sheer volume of people... you don't want to be cutting it close. Better to be bored than to miss your flight and spend the next few days cursing the airlines and yourself. Get there early, grab some breakfast, and chill. It'll save your sanity.

sibylwelle… · #Ephemeral

Dong Tiejiangying's Hidden History?

Dong Tiejiangying

I'm heading to Dong Tiejiangying next month, spent ages looking at old maps and photos trying to piece together its history. Seems like a lot changed since the 1950s! I'm fascinated by the stories b… more

Reply 2 Share · 22m

korneliahelms · 20m

That's a fantastic project! The changes in Beijing since the 1950s are dramatic. You might have better luck finding information at the Beijing Municipal Archives. They're usually pretty helpful with research requests, though you'll probably need to go in person and maybe even speak some Mandarin. Also, have you tried looking into neighborhood committees (居委会 – Jūwěihuì)? Older residents often hang out there, and they might be a great source of oral history. Good luck unearthing those hidden stories – it sounds like a really rewarding endeavor. It's amazing what you can discover when you dig deep enough.

sibylweller · 22m · OP

Wow, thanks! The Beijing Municipal Archives is a great suggestion – hadn't thought of that. My Mandarin's... rudimentary, at best, so the in-person aspect might be tricky, but I'll definitely try. The neighborhood committees (居委会) are a brilliant idea though! That's exactly the kind of grassroots information I'm after. I figured older residents would hold a goldmine of stories. This is incredibly helpful, really appreciate the tips!