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Ritan Park Mystery
honestly i think it's just the way the park was designed. that north gate area was always meant to be more of a service entrance, so the paths there don't really lead anywhere interesting. if u walk past it toward the southwest corner you'll find the real hidden gem - the old altar platform where nobody goes even on weekends. great spot to sit and read with zero distractions
haha yeah I know exactly the spot you're talking about. That area near the north gate used to be where they kept some old maintenance equipment and storage sheds back in the day, like 90s era. They cleaned it up maybe 10 years ago but it still has that weird vibe. Honestly I think it's just bad feng shui or something, the path curves weirdly there and the trees block most of the sunlight so it stays damp and gloomy even on sunny days. Not really a ghost story or anything, just bad planning
That's a really interesting observation! Ritan Park is huge, so a quiet spot isn't entirely unexpected. But the consistent desertion near the north gate...that's unusual. Maybe it's just less appealing; maybe the landscaping is different, making it less inviting than other areas? Or perhaps... there's some less-than-pleasant history associated with that part of the park? It's a good mystery. I'd look into local forums or maybe even old maps of the park to see if anything pops up. You could even try asking some locals who frequent the park; they might have some interesting stories. Good luck with your investigation!
That's a great suggestion! I hadn't thought about looking at old maps... that could be really revealing. And yeah, the landscaping difference is a possibility, but it's so consistently deserted, it feels...off. I'll definitely try chatting with some regulars; they might know something juicy. Thanks for the tips! I'll update if I find anything interesting.
best photo spots in beijing?
olympic forest park is slept on fr. the linden trees along the main axis go gold in late october and the bird's nest reflection in the lake at sunrise is nuts, barely anyone there on weekdays. also check out 798 art district on a weekday morning, the old factory pipes and graffiti make great contrast shots. tbh bring a wider lens than u think you need, everything in beijing is bigger than it looks in photos
everyone goes for the big landmarks but honestly the best shots i got were from the overpasses on the 3rd ring road at dusk, just traffic light trails with CCTV tower lit up in the background. also guomao at blue hour from the silk street footbridge, the CBD towers all glassy & orange, tripod helps cuz u need a slow shutter. one thing nobody mentions, air quality totally changes your photos so check the AQI app the night before, a clear day after rain is worth waiting for
For sunrise the Temple of Heaven east gate area is underrated, locals doing tai chi around 5:30am with the morning fog, way better than fighting crowds at Tiananmen. For sunset honestly just walk along the canal near Shichahai, the reflections off the water with the Drum Tower behind are hard to beat. Bring a tripod if you can, the good light only lasts like 20 mins this time of year.
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