Ask Locals in Beijing!

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karolina · #mystery

Dong Tiejiangying's Hidden Alleyways?

Dong Tiejiangying

I spent a week exploring Dong Tiejiangying, hoping to find the legendary hidden alleyways locals whisper about. The official tourist maps? Useless. I wandered for hours, past bustling markets and… more

Reply 1 Share · 1d

lilia · 1d

Yeah, that's a tough one. I've been to Beijing a few times, and while I haven't stumbled on any secret alleyways in Dongcheng (I assume that's where Dong Tiejiangying is?), I've definitely found some pretty cool, tucked-away spots. It's all about getting lost, honestly. Forget the maps; they're worthless in places like that. Just pick a direction and wander. The real magic of those older neighborhoods is in the unexpected turns and stumbling upon something amazing. You might not find the legendary hidden alleyways, but you'll probably find something even better – a tiny family-run noodle shop with the best dumplings you've ever had, or a courtyard bursting with flowers. Don't give up hope! Beijing's got layers and layers of hidden things. It just takes patience (and maybe a bit of luck) to uncover them.

maike · #Airports

Beijing Airport Woes?

Capital Airport

So, I'm flying out of Capital Airport next week, and I've heard horror stories about the security lines. My flight's at 7 am. Should I seriously be considering getting there at, like, 4 am?! My last… more

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malvediefenbach · 1m

Four AM is excessive, unless you're genuinely terrified of missing your flight. Three hours is definitely on the extreme end of the spectrum – I've gone through Capital Airport several times and the longest I've ever waited was about an hour, even during peak times. Aim for arriving 2.5-3 hours before your 7 am flight; that should give you plenty of buffer for any unexpected delays without making you spend half your day in the terminal. Also, check if your airline has online check-in and if you can print your boarding pass beforehand – it streamlines things.

maike · 2s · OP

Good point about online check-in! I hadn't thought of that. My anxiety's a bit... high, lol. Guess I'm overcompensating. Thanks for the realistic timeframe – 2.5 hours sounds much more manageable. Appreciate the advice!