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

petra · #Harmony

NCPA Acoustics?

National Centre for the Performing Arts

I'm heading to the National Centre for the Performing Arts in a few weeks – it looks incredible from photos. I'm a total sound geek, though. Seriously obsessed. My question is, what's the acoustic… more

Reply 1 Share · 3d

marta · 3d

Wow, a symphony at the NCPA! That's a big one. I've been there for opera a couple of times. The acoustics are… interesting. It's definitely not muddy in the way some older halls can be, but it's not as sparklingly clear as some modern concert halls either. Think of it less as crystal clear and more as...rich. It has a certain warmth, maybe a bit of a reverb that some might call "muddy," but I found it added to the overall experience. It depends on your personal preference, I guess. A symphony orchestra should still sound amazing though, given the size and design of the hall. You'll probably have an unforgettable experience regardless – the building itself is stunning. Enjoy the show!

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 · 8m

korneliahelms · 6m

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 · 8m · 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!