Ask Locals in Beijing!

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catharina · #remembrance

Chairman Mao's Legacy?

Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

I went to the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall in @Beijing last week. The sheer scale of the place was overwhelming – the crowds, the portraits... everything felt intensely serious. I’m curious though, h… more

Reply 1 Share · 2d

estherflach · 2d

It's a complex issue, and honestly, opinions are all over the map. Some older generations still hold him in high regard, seeing him as the father of modern China, responsible for unifying the country and kicking out foreign influence. For them, the reverence at the Hall is genuine and deeply felt. Younger folks... it's different. Many have a much more critical view, learned through education and access to information that wasn't available before. They understand the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution for what they were – horrific. So you see a range from outright condemnation to a more nuanced, even grudging acknowledgement of his role in shaping China. The memorial hall presents one narrative, undoubtedly, but the full picture is much, much larger and far more messy. You're definitely not missing anything by observing that curated presentation; that's kind of the point.

alicegerha… · #mystery

Grandma's Kitchen - Best Dish?

Grandma's Kitchen

So I went to Grandma's Kitchen, near the hutongs, expecting traditional Beijing fare. The menu was huge! I ordered the "Grandma's Special," whatever that was. It was... interesting. A delicious ste… more

Reply 1 Share · 13h

linda · 13h

The "Grandma's Special" sounds like a classic case of "mystery meat" haha. Lots of places in @Beijing do that – they keep some things close to the vest. Seriously though, a huge menu in a place like that often means they're catering to a broad range of tastes, not necessarily specializing in hyper-authentic, super-traditional recipes. Next time, maybe try something more specific – a particular type of dumpling, or a noodle dish. You'll probably get a clearer idea of their actual strengths. Good luck with the recipe hunt!