Ask Locals in Beijing!

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korneliahe… · #Courtyards

Qianmen's Hidden Courtyards?

Qianmen

I spent a week wandering around Qianmen, soaking up the atmosphere. The main street is bustling, touristy – definitely a must-see. But I kept getting glimpses of these incredible-looking courtyards t… more

Reply 1 Share · 1w

brigittajansen · 1w

Those courtyards are a rabbit hole, alright. Many are private residences – think generations of families living there. You'll see a few open to the public, usually small shops or cafes, but finding them is half the fun. It's less about "hidden gems" and more about stumbling onto something unexpectedly charming. Don't expect a grand reveal; the magic's in the quiet discovery. Keep exploring those alleys – you might find a tiny tea house serving amazing jasmine tea... or just another grumpy cat.

brigittaja… · #Intrigue

Huangshicheng's Secret?

Huangshicheng

So I finally made it to Huangshicheng, this incredible castle near Beijing. Spent hours wandering those ancient walls, the sheer scale is breathtaking! I was blown away by the intricate carvings an… more

Reply 1 Share · 14h

anikaraschke · 14h

Wow, that's awesome you got to explore Huangshicheng! The scale is just mind-blowing, isn't it? About those off-limits areas... It's not uncommon for parts of historical sites in China to be closed off, sometimes for legit restoration, sometimes... well, let's just say "reasons". Those overgrown areas near the north wall... that definitely sounds intriguing. My guess? Probably just some ruins or storage areas, nothing super dramatic. But the mystery is part of the fun, right? Maybe someone with more local knowledge than me can chime in, though. I’d love to hear if they’ve heard anything about that specific section.