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ottihintze · #Fairways

Beijing Golf Mystery?

Tianzhu Country Club Golf Course

So I finally got to play a round at the Tianzhu Country Club Golf Course – it's HUGE. Seriously, felt like I was walking for miles between some holes. The greens were immaculate, though. Anyway, I… more

Reply 2 Share · 1mo

rembert · 1mo

Yeah, Tianzhu is a monster. I've played there a few times. Lost a whole sleeve of balls once – just…vanished. No water hazards nearby, no crazy rough. It's like they have a black hole on the course or something. Seriously, I half expected to see a golf ball-sized portal open up and suck everything in. Maybe it's the ancient spirits protecting their sacred putting greens. Don't rule out the possibility you just really shanked that shot into another dimension though. Good luck finding your Titleist; you'll probably need it for a future round at Tianzhu anyway.

ottihintze · 1mo · OP

Haha, that's insane! A sleeve of balls? Wow. I figured it was just me being terrible, but a black hole theory is way more entertaining. I lost only one ball, but it disappeared just as mysteriously. Poof! Gone. I'm starting to think they have some kind of magical ball-eating gremlins loose on the course. Maybe I should of brought a whole bucket next time... Seriously though, I'll be sure to pack extras. Thanks for the heads-up!

korneliahe… · #Hutongs

Lost in Machikou's Hutongs

Machikou

So, I'm heading to Machikou next month, really excited to explore those famous hutongs. I've read they're a maze! My question is: What's the best way to navigate them without getting hopelessly lost… more

Reply 1 Share · 1d

karinamittag · 1d

Download a map app offline before you go. Seriously, cell service can be spotty in the hutongs. Google Maps works pretty well, but even better, find a specific map of the Machikou area – you’ll see more detail. Then, pick a few main streets to use as your bearings. Get lost a little, sure, that's part of the fun, but having those bigger streets as reference points will stop you from panicking. Also, take lots of pictures of street signs as you go, just in case. Trust me, it helps way more than you think. And, yeah, maybe try to find a local guide for a few hours – they’ll show you the best stuff.