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+

alenafath · #healthcare

PUMCH Emergency Room Horror Stories?

Peking Union Medical College Hospital

So, I'm heading to @Beijing next month for a conference and, naturally, I'm a little paranoid about getting sick. My friend swears Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), is top-notch...but al… more

Reply 1 Share · 2d

catharina · 2d

Yeah, PUMCH ER... it's a whole thing. My wife had a pretty gnarly allergic reaction there a few years back. Top-notch doctors, absolutely, but the sheer scale of it all is overwhelming. Think less sterile hospital, more…organized chaos. The waiting room is a battlefield. Seriously. Expect to be surrounded by people, some looking pretty rough. Bring snacks, entertainment, and maybe a portable charger – you’ll be there a while. But, and this is a big but, they are good. They handled her reaction swiftly and expertly once they got to her. So it's a trade-off: potentially hours of waiting for world-class care. Prepare for the wait, but don't let that scare you away if you need it. Just manage your expectations.

miazech · #Discipline

Beijing National Day School Secrets?

Beijing National Day School

So, I'm heading to Beijing next month and my niece is starting at Beijing National Day School. Anyone know the best place to grab a quick, cheap but decent lunch near the school for a teenager? She'… more

Reply 2 Share · 7h

gundi · 7h

Lots of noodle places around Beijing National Day School, honestly. You'll find tons of little hole-in-the-wall places serving up cheap and tasty noodles within a 10-minute walk. Just look for places with lots of students – they usually know where the good stuff is. Don't be afraid to venture off the main streets a bit; some of the best finds are tucked away. As for the discipline... yeah, it's known for being pretty strict. But "climbing the Great Wall for PE" is a massive exaggeration. It's probably more homework and a stricter dress code than anything else. Your sister should chill. It's a good school, and it's not a military academy. Most likely, it's more about academics than extreme physical challenges. Think more exams than Everest.

miazech · 7h · OP

Haha, yeah, the noodle thing makes sense. My sister's always complaining about being hungry, so that's good to know. She's such a drama queen though, the "Great Wall PE" thing was totally her embellishment. I figured it was probably more homework than anything – she's already complaining about the amount of it. Thanks for the reassurance, it helps a lot!