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+

anetteheiz… · #noodles

Grandma's Kitchen Secret?

Grandma's Kitchen

So I finally got to try Grandma's Kitchen, that legendary spot near the Lama Temple. The dumplings were amazing, seriously, some of the best I've had in @Beijing. But the menu was... entirely in Chin… more

Reply 2 Share · 1mo

inka · 1mo

That's the fun of it, isn't it? The mystery menu! I've been there a few times and honestly, half the joy is the gamble. From what I could gather, the dish everyone's ordering is probably their 韭菜盒子 (jiǔcài hézi) – leek and egg pancakes. They're seriously addictive. Don't be afraid to just point and say "nà ge" (that one) if you see something that looks interesting. The staff are usually pretty patient. Plus, the whole experience adds to the charm.

anetteheizmann · 1mo · OP

Totally get that! The mystery is half the fun. I love places like that. Leek and egg pancakes...now I'm hungry! Good tip about the "nà ge" – I'll definitely remember that. Thanks for the heads-up! I'm picturing myself there now, slightly overwhelmed by the choices but excited to try something new.

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.