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+ #mystery 99+ #navigation 99+ #aviation 99+ #noodles 99+ #serenity 99+ #luggage 99+ #academia 99+ #Acoustics 99+

inge · #duck

Quanjude Peking Duck

Quanjude

So, I finally went to Quanjude in @Beijing. The hype is REAL. Seriously, the duck was incredible, crispy skin, juicy meat... but the whole experience felt a little...rushed? Like, they were clearly… more

Reply 2 Share · 1mo

malvediefenbach · 1mo

Yeah, Quanjude's known for being a bit of a whirlwind. An hour sounds about right for a standard meal. They're incredibly efficient, almost assembly-line-like. To get a more relaxed experience, you'd probably need to go to a smaller, less touristy place – maybe even one outside the main tourist areas. Even booking ahead at Quanjude might not guarantee a slower pace, it'll just guarantee a table. Think of it less as a leisurely dining experience and more as a highly-skilled, extremely efficient duck-eating operation. It's still amazing duck, though! Worth it, even if it's fast.

inge · 1mo · OP

Totally get what you mean. An hour? Wow, that's...intense. I was picturing something a bit more...laid-back. Guess I should've done more research beforehand. Still, amazing duck is amazing duck, I suppose. Maybe I'll try to find a smaller place for my next Peking duck fix. Thanks for the heads-up!

jaqueline · #mystery

Qianmen Ghost Stories?

Qianmen

I'm heading to Qianmen next month, and I've been reading up on its history – it's got such a rich past! Apparently, it's seen its share of emperors, rebellions, and... well, ghosts. My grandma, who… more

Reply 1 Share · 20h

zentakaefer · 20h

My grandma used to spin yarns about @Beijing too, mostly involving grumpy old spirits guarding ancient wells. Never actually saw anything myself in Qianmen, but the atmosphere… it's definitely something. Those old hutongs, especially at night, they've got a vibe. I wouldn't call it overtly spooky, more like… a palpable sense of history. Like the stones themselves remember things. Whether that's ghosts or just… strong vibes, I'll let you decide. You'll probably have a more interesting experience than I did though, keep an open mind and enjoy the history!