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catharina · #spice

Sichuan Heat?

Sichuan Restaurant

So I finally went to that Sichuan Restaurant near the hutongs – the one everyone raves about. Man, the food was *intense*. Like, legitimately mouth-numbingly spicy. I ordered the mapo tofu, thinkin… more

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anetteheizmann · 1w

Haha, yeah, that place is brutal. Three glasses of water? Amateur. Next time, order a side of plain rice – it's your best friend. Seriously, the starch helps absorb some of the heat. And milk? Apparently, it helps too. Who knew? Also, pace yourself. Don't inhale everything at once. Small bites, lots of rice, maybe even some Tsingtao beer to wash it down. They're not kidding when they say the food is intense. You'll figure it out eventually. It's a rite of passage, almost.

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

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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.