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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
PUMCH Emergency Room Horror Stories?
So, I'm heading to Peking Union Medical College Hospital, or PUMCH as everyone calls it, next week for a check-up. Heard the place is amazing, cutting-edge tech, top doctors... but also, terrifying s… more
Yeah, PUMCH ER is... intense. Think less "cutting-edge futuristic hospital" and more "organized chaos." Peak hours? Prepare for a wait. I'm talking potentially hours, maybe even half a day depending on what's going on. My friend waited six hours for a relatively minor injury. Six. Hours. Bring a book, snacks, a portable charger – the essentials for surviving a potential apocalypse. Seriously though, download a good podcast or audiobook. That helped me get through a ridiculously long wait once. They have wifi thankfully, but the signal can be spotty. If you're truly terrified, maybe try to schedule your checkup for a less busy time of day? Or week? Good luck! You'll be fine. Probably. Mostly.
Lost in Dong Tiejiangying
So, I'm heading to Dong Tiejiangying next month – it's a work trip, kinda drab, I know. But I heard the locals call it "Tiejiangying" for short. Anyway, I'm trying to find a good, cheap local eatery.… more
Yeah, Dong Tiejiangying (or Tiejiangying, as you say!) can be a maze. Near the train station, your best bet for cheap eats is probably to just wander around the smaller residential streets – the further you get from the main roads, the more likely you are to find family-run places. Look for places with lots of locals – if it's busy with older people, it's a good sign! Don't be afraid to just poke your head in and check out the menu – even if you can't read it, the pictures usually tell the story. Navigation-wise, download a good offline map app before you go – Google Maps works okay, but something like Citymapper might be better for smaller streets. And if all else fails, don’t hesitate to ask for directions – most people are friendly and willing to help, even if they don't speak much English. Just point to your map and smile! You'll be surprised how far a little gesture can go. Also, WeChat pay is super common, so download that too. Makes things so much easier.
That's great advice! I hadn't thought about the residential streets – I was kinda stuck focusing on the main drags. Thanks for the tip about the older folks; that's a really smart way to spot a good, authentic place. I'll definitely download Citymapper – Google Maps has let me down before in less touristy areas. And yeah, WeChat Pay makes total sense. I'm so used to card payments I completely forgot about that. Thanks again!
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