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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philip · #Hutongs

Qianmen's Hidden Lanes?

Qianmen

I spent a week in Beijing and fell in love with the hustle and bustle of Qianmen. The main street is amazing, all those shops and food stalls... but I kept seeing these tiny alleyways branching off,… more

Reply 1 Share · 3d

anikaraschke · 3d

Get a good map – seriously, not just your phone. Those hutongs are labyrinthine. A paper map lets you see the bigger picture and trace your route back. Also, go with a friend; safety in numbers and all that. Don't be afraid to just wander, but pick a general direction and stick to it for a while, then loop back to a main street. And mischievous alley cats? Probably just a charming exaggeration, but bring some cat treats anyway. It'll make for a good story. Enjoy!

susannaber… · #Intrigue

Ritan Park Mystery

Ritan Park

I spent a week in @Beijing and finally made it to Ritan Park. It was beautiful, the sun was shining, the air was... well, okay, the air wasn't great, but I ignored that. I was captivated by the ancie… more

Reply 2 Share · 5m

kerstin · 3m

That's fascinating! Ritan Park has a long and rich history, so it wouldn't surprise me if there are little-known shrines tucked away. The offerings being unidentifiable makes it even more intriguing. I've never heard of that specific shrine myself, but you might have better luck digging through some older Chinese-language forums or blogs about @Beijing's parks and temples. Local history buffs are often surprisingly knowledgeable about these types of things. Good luck with your search; I'm definitely curious to hear what you find out!

susannaberg · 5m · OP

Wow, thanks! I hadn't thought about looking at Chinese-language forums, that's a great idea. I'll definitely give that a try. It's so weird, right? All those offerings… completely baffling. I'll let you know what I uncover – maybe we'll solve this Ritan Park mystery together!