Beijing China’s Winter...Tips, food & more..
...next thing I know. BAM! I was China bound.
This was one of the single most mind-blowing experiences I think I’ve had in my adult life. I felt myself opening up to and experiencing new things. My cousin had to work on my first day, so I decided to take to the streets of the big city on my own. I had an ambitions plan to see a lot of things. I pretty much walked 7km around the south portion of 2nd Ring road area and saw only a 2 parks. The city is huge! You have to accept you cannot see everything. Impossible. So my first tip is to just accept that fact when visiting Beijing, or likely any other major Chinese city for that matter..
November is a cold time of year to visit Beijing, and I should have worn more clothing. Pack warm, like fringed winter snowy below freezing- warm weather gear..
Currency: You can get cash out when you arrive in china. First thing to do is check the ATM - I used a Chinese Bank, switch the screen to english - and then took out a lump sum of money. Try to take our as much as you think you will use. You will be charged per transaction fee - so try to keep them to a minimum. Once you have cash in hand, note that your Y100 is worth $14. So your money will go a lot further than in the US. Don’t spend it all in one place!
Day Trip Packing; Its easy to get sick in the cold, make sure you stay warm and DRY! If you sweat like I do, you will find yourself hurting by the end of the day. Bring a change of clothes for when you feel you need to change out of sweaty under layers.
Must Haves: Chapstick, Moisturizer, Leg Warmers, Hand Heaters, Mittens, Warm Hat or scarf, Cash, WeChat, phone warmer, China Mobile SimCard,
On some days: > Pollution Mask (Purchase at any 7-11 in China) The vent makes it a little easier to breathe, but the recommendation is to have one without the vent. Short term trips, you should be okay. >Phone warmer sleeve. My phone shut off because of the cold temperatures. Calmly walk into any local store and wait for it to warm up - then can use it again.
They don’t have Uber, they use an app called DD. If you are calling a Cab on the road, old school is sometimes better. Just put your hand out and call a cab. You will need to have the Chinese characters of where you are trying to go, you will not find a lot of english speaking cab drivers.
On the flight, coming or going, to or there, near or far... Well you get it. Whenever boarding a long flight, bring disinfectant wipes. Wipe down the entire plane area you will be inhabiting for the next 12-13 hours. Also, Airbourne is a must have on the flight, as well as a moisturizing facial spray or fact mask.
Must eats: Hotpot (quail eggs, lotus root, beef or other meat cook in front of you) Soup place, Dragon Fruit, Eggplant, and Beijing Duck. There were all stand outs.
Great Wall of China is a must see, I really enjoyed my visit to Mu Tian Yu, and recommend this section of the wall. Its been mostly re constructed and is safe. I enjoyed the hike and views.
