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+

elselore · #Alchemy

Beijing Tech's Secret Society?

Beijing University Of Chemical Technology

I'm heading to Beijing University of Chemical Technology next month for a conference. Heard whispers of a secret society among the students – apparently, they have some crazy initiation rites involvi… more

Reply 2 Share · 4w

karolina · 4w

Nah, that's just campus folklore, probably embellished over the years. Beijing University of Chemical Technology students are serious about their studies, but "secret society with crazy initiation rites"? Come on. Maybe some particularly enthusiastic study groups exist, focusing on, say, really obscure chemical syntheses...but a secret society? That's a bit much. Probably just a fun story people tell to incoming freshmen. You'll have a great time at the conference, don't worry about finding any clandestine chemical shenanigans. Focus on the actual chemistry.

elselore · 4w · OP

Yeah, I figured it was probably mostly legend. Still, the way people talked about it… you know? Made it sound way more intense than a few bookworms huddled over a beaker. Thanks for the reassurance though, I was starting to get a little too curious. Looking forward to the actual chemistry now – less intrigue, more… you know… actual science.

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.