Live Your Best Lives
In early autumn, I traveled thousands of miles, all the way to the capital of our great Celestial Empire, to celebrate the birthday of our motherland! — Please give me a round of applause, thank you!
I can sum up this National Day trip in one sentence: "The walking exhausted me physically and mentally, and the crowds exhausted me emotionally and physically." If I say too much, I'm just crying...
The first half has more text, so let’s take a look at a few pictures of the building first.
Finally, here's a portrait to cap it off.
Cause and Effect
Not every long journey is driven by longing, and not every journey is filled with joy.
I revised this paragraph over ten times, writing and deleting, deleting and writing again, just to make it read lightly and briefly, and more importantly, to avoid repeating the mistakes of careless words.
Sometimes people are so strange. They do things they know they shouldn’t do, say things they know they shouldn’t say, and run into a wall even though they know there’s one in front of them.
A word for all those who have ever been in middle school and thought of themselves as the heroine in a workplace drama
——"We were all vulnerable once, but we will eventually be invulnerable"
10 things you must experience in Beijing
1. Climb the Great Wall
2. Check in at iconic buildings (Forbidden City, Prince Gong's Mansion, Summer Palace, Old Summer Palace, Bird's Nest, Water Cube, etc.)
3. Cultivate your artistic sentiment at art galleries and museums. After all, the capital city has famous paintings and antiques that cannot be compared with museums in other cities
4. Famous universities (Tsinghua University and Peking University, come and torture the poor students like me)
5. Go to Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama to see the handsome men and beautiful women of today and the stars of the future
6. Wander around Beijing's alleys to experience the old Beijing style
7. Don't miss Beijing's autumn scenery: Ditan Park's Ginkgo Avenue, Zhanggezhuang's Ginkgo Grove, Xiaojing Village's Ginkgo Grove, and Diaoyutai's Ginkgo Avenue (why visit all of them? Because they're so crowded! Cast a wide net to find less crowded spots for great portraits. If you can capture a good one, you can skip the others... I didn't even go to the last one.)
8. Enjoy the most authentic Old Beijing mutton hot pot at Xiyuanju Old Beijing Hot Pot, and stroll through Dashilar. Experience the feeling of Old Beijing.
9. Go to the Grand Theatre to see a play in the evening (later I checked the performance schedule on the National Theatre’s official website. It’s National Day, so the theme should be highlighted, right? A bunch of revolutionary dramas, so unfortunately we didn’t go to check in. Alas, with my political awareness, it would be strange if I didn’t make mistakes)
10. Experience unique shops: Beijing bars, literary coffee shops, and literary bookstores (actually, it was all for taking pictures, hehe. I didn’t check in at the last one. I can only answer: probably because I was influenced by the authentic attractions and atmosphere, and forget about the petty bourgeoisie)
Go beyond your physical fitness and climb the Mutianyu Great Wall
This time, I chose Mutianyu. While the commute was a bit more complicated, it was also less crowded! Badaling is more accessible and the most well-known section of the Great Wall, but it's incredibly crowded. If you want to avoid the hassles of traveling, then Badaling is the best choice; if you don't mind the crowds, then Badaling is the best choice. I feel incredibly lucky. Getting to Mutianyu requires taking the highway. I chose Mutianyu purely for the low crowds and relatively convenient transportation, not even considering the traffic on Highway 11. There wasn't any, and I'm incredibly grateful. So, sometimes overthinking can restrict your actions and lead to missed opportunities. If I'd considered the potential for traffic jams, I probably wouldn't have chosen Mutianyu. I went there quite early and took a lot of photos. When I had almost finished, more people started to come. Although it was quite cold that day and it was drizzling, it was National Day after all. Some people were holding umbrellas, some were wearing raincoats, and some were just wrapped in thick clothes. There were more and more people on the Great Wall. By 9 o'clock, there was no longer any empty scenery. After climbing the Great Wall in the morning, we took the bus back to the city in the afternoon. If you're staying near the Great Wall, I recommend walking directly to the bus stop, which takes about 20-30 minutes. It's downhill, so it's not tiring. The asphalt road is in great condition, with almost no cars coming up. The scenery along the way is truly beautiful, and you can stop and take photos. Enjoying the night view of Shichahai by bike. After resting at the hotel, washing up, and having dinner, it was already evening, and Saijuan hadn't arrived yet. Since she wouldn't have the energy to wander around after her arrival, and I was already bored, I packed up, rented a bike, and went to explore the area.
We went to the Bell and Drum Tower and finally arrived at Shichahai. There were so many people there. Look at the black area behind the white railings on the opposite side of the river, which was full of people.
Look at the people in the picture~~~ I have no desire to go in at all. Climbing the Longevity Pavilion to Grab a Shot
To capture a panoramic view of the deserted Forbidden City, we headed straight to Jingshan Park early in the morning, joining a throng of elderly Beijingers doing their morning exercises. The Longevity Pavilion in Jingshan Park offers the best vantage point for panoramic views of the Forbidden City. We were originally the first to reach the pavilion, but halfway up, we were both breathless, each step a struggle. A nimble man behind us, shouting in his Beijing accent, overtook us and successfully secured first place. If it weren't for the vantage point, I would have climbed and rested, just like I do at the Great Wall. We gritted our teeth and pressed on, ultimately reaching the summit in fourth place. I took photos of the sunrise over Beijing from the Wanshou Pavilion. Due to the weather, the photos didn't turn out well. I suspect it was the smog. While there haven't been any gray skies in Beijing these past few days, the skies in all my photos haven't been good. The photos in this travelogue have all been post-processed, so of course they look good. This photo got me the idea after seeing a photographer's post on Weibo. Combining multiple exposures with the portrait should work well.
After taking the panoramic photo of the Forbidden City, the merit is complete. Personally, I think Jingshan Park is nothing special to visit. It is just an ordinary morning exercise park. On the way to the Wanshou Pavilion, you will encounter the place where Chongzhen hanged himself. It is a pavilion and you can stop and take a look.
Crowds of people visiting attractions within the Second Ring Road
We went to Prince Gong's Mansion first. There were too many people, so I basically didn't take any photos. I just took a look. Prince Gong's Mansion was once the residence of Heshen. It's worth noting that there's a rockery in the garden. It's said that Heshen stole a stele with the Chinese character "Fu" written on it by Emperor Kangxi and hid it there. We originally planned to see the original, but as we all expected, it was packed! The small rockery was packed with people, so we didn't get to see it.
Why are vegetables grown in Prince Gong's Mansion? Looking at the cucumbers, chili peppers, and other vegetables in the picture, I'm curious and envious. If I could grow flowers and vegetables in Beijing's auspicious Feng Shui location, just imagine what bragging rights I'd have!
Strolling through the alleys of Shichahai, I thought these spider-web-like crisscrossing wires were only found in smaller areas of third- and fourth-tier cities. After all, in my small town, such a scene had long been absent. Unexpectedly, it is a very common sight in the small alleys of the capital of our great China.
Such a leisurely scene! I remember that this kind of scene was very common in my hometown when I was a child. With urban planning, demolitions are everywhere, and commercial housing is springing up everywhere. The entire city has become a giant construction site. These small, single-family houses are no longer seen except in rural areas. When we're behind, we yearn for urbanization, but once we've become urbanized, we yearn to return to a simpler environment. Humanity is so contradictory and unsatisfied. The sunshine is so nice that I couldn’t help but take some photos!
After leaving the Lama Temple, I went to Beihai. I have to complain about the crowds. It was comparable to the Spring Festival travel rush. I didn’t even have the desire to walk around after buying the ticket. I just took a break near the entrance. Why was this picture taken like this? Because even the lake was full of cruise ships full of people~~
Take a walk on the central axis
Wandering around Tiananmen Square on the central axis at night
Tiananmen Square - There are people under the Monument to the People's Heroes. Please forgive my strange style of taking such a picture.
Look at how the PLA soldiers stand compared to the crowd. Honestly, you're all so well-proportioned, is it because the Party forces you not to eat meat?
As the sky darkened in Tiananmen Square, the sky in the photo was blue. I forgot to mention that we happened to be there for the flag-lowering ceremony. What a shame, the crowd was so dense that it stretched outward from the center of the flagpole, and I couldn't even squeeze in.
It was getting dark soon after I walked around.
We were hungry, so we called to make a reservation for roast duck at Siji Minfu in nearby Dashilar. However, we were too late, so it took two hours for our turn. So, we just wandered around Dashilar with nothing to do.
We bought a candied haws to satisfy our hunger and have a little fun.
Should we go in and take a look? No! Because I'd already seen the one in Hong Kong.
The roast duck production process is completely transparent; the kitchen is open, and you can see the entire process through the large floor-to-ceiling glass walls. It was the first time I realized how luxurious and wasteful Peking duck is. A whole roast duck costs nearly 300 yuan, and a half portion is over 100 yuan. Yet, the chef only slices a small portion, including the skin, and throws all the rest of the meat straight into the trash! Watching from outside, I was stunned and heartbroken! I don't really care about roast duck in the first place. It's said that such a large company like Quanjude's sales are less than a third of Juewei Duck Neck's. What a waste of a brand. Let's go for hot pot~
Xiyuanju Old Beijing Hot Pot (Qianmen Store) ~ Let's have a feast.
Xiyuanju Old Beijing Hot Pot. I had planned a variety of culinary experiences before arriving in Beijing. I was particularly craving Old Beijing Hot Pot. This place was recommended by the inn owner. It's said to be a time-honored brand with unchanging quality, and it's a frequent haunt of Beijingers. We went there after a short evening stroll.
This traditional Beijing hot pot broth is simply boiling water with chopped scallions, ginger slices, and goji berries. Compared to the colorful broths we usually eat, it's truly refreshing. While the broth may seem insignificant for the dish, it allows you to savor the mutton's true flavor. My favorite topping at Xiyuanju Old Beijing Shabu-Shabu is the sesame sauce. They say it's the true flavor of Beijing! It's made with fermented bean curd, chives, shrimp oil, and chopped cilantro (optional). It's both fresh and salty, with a rich, satisfying texture! Each table also comes with a free phone charging cable, which is very convenient.
Xiyuanju Old Beijing Hot Pot
Xiyuanju Old Beijing Hot Pot
Xiyuanju Old Beijing Hot Pot specializes in lamb and beef. They partner with a ranch on the grasslands of Sunite, Inner Mongolia. They offer a variety of lamb cuts, each fresh and hand-cut, each with a distinct texture and a light touch of fat. The meat is delicate, slightly greasy, yet not greasy. Their signature dish is their homemade 100-day-old lamb and goat melon strips, considered must-try dishes in Beijing-style hot pot. Dipped in clear broth, they are tender and springy, their juicy flesh oozing from the flesh, becoming increasingly fragrant with every chew. The flavor is truly savory and delicious.
After leaving the restaurant, Saijuan no longer had the energy to continue shopping, but I still had a few night scenes to check out, so Saijuan and I split up. She took the takeaway box back to the hotel to rest, while I carried my camera and continued checking in.
Sorry, my political awareness is relatively low, I have forgotten what these buildings are called... Visiting the two parks under the scorching sun Originally, we planned to visit the two parks and Tsinghua University and Peking University in two days, but because there were too many people in the two parks, the number of people was restricted everywhere. People outside could only enter after people inside left. There was a wave of people coming in, and if you wanted to stop and look for a while, you would be pushed forward by the people behind, just like a commodity production line. After a quick tour of the two parks, only half of the morning was gone. With most of the day left, I decided to visit Tsinghua University and Peking University.
The Seventeen-Arch Bridge, which is a must-see for tour groups, was almost deserted when we arrived at the Summer Palace. By the time we came back after a walk around, around 9:30, it was already packed with people. The picture below was taken when we came back, and the bridge was full of people.
The sun is shining, the sun is shining, without further ado, let me pose for two photos
Coming out of the Summer Palace, we went to the Old Summer Palace. We were not so lucky. It was crowded at this time. Fortunately, the places I liked were those that others had overlooked.
Arriving at the ruins, we must remember the heavy weight of history. Never forget and strive for self-improvement!
The Old Summer Palace
After dinner at the Old Summer Palace, we rode our bikes straight to Tsinghua University. We were very lucky and entered through a small gate with smooth traffic. Later we learned that because there were so many people visiting the school during the National Day holiday, tourists had to queue up to check their ID cards, fill out forms to register, and were limited to a time period before entering. We were not so lucky when we went to Peking University. We went around the wall and none of the side gates would let us in. We could only enter through the designated gates. We went to the only gate open to tourists, but the line was very long, and there were still more than two hours before the closing time, but people could not leave. We waited in line for half an hour, and then another long line came up behind us. The sun was really strong, so after weighing the pros and cons, we decided to come again next time. We had a quick dinner. After a satisfying meal, we headed to the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube to check in. Because I wanted to take those panoramic photos of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube you see online, Saijuan and I split up. She went to explore the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, while I rode my bike up the elevated road and into the tall buildings, searching for a vantage point with the perfect view. The internet suggested the best spot for photos was the overpass next to the subway station. I sneaked up, but amidst the high-speed traffic, a row of tall trees obscured my view, making for a poor shot. So I ventured into the surrounding high-rise buildings and, after a quick tour, discovered that commercial buildings had rooftops and residential buildings were completely inaccessible. Finally, I found the best vantage point: the nearby Olympic Tower. But after looking at the ticket price, I decided against it. I only took photos of the Bird's Nest. The most popular photo online shows the nest reflected in the lake, but after a quick tour, I couldn't see any lake. I was exhausted from walking so much and didn't want to look for more. I didn't even have the energy to take photos of the Water Cube.
This photo was taken from the overpass next to the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube.
Last night before bed, Saijuan said she wanted to visit the Badaling Great Wall. I asked her why, and she said Xiao Ke looked down on her. She said that if you come to Beijing and don't visit the Great Wall, it's like you haven't been to Beijing at all. Xiao Ke was also our college roommate, and Saijuan live-streamed her progress to her the entire way. Okay, so I'll check in alone today.
I rushed to the Temple of Heaven early in the morning just to take pictures of the deserted Temple.
I mainly wanted to take pictures of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. This is the very long avenue leading to it. The spire protruding behind the three doors in the picture below is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, which can be seen from quite a distance.
It was still an hour before the gates opened, so I took some photos of the surrounding scenery. As I approached the wall, I could see the Imperial Hall and a corner of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
As the door of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests opened, I was the first one to rush in and take this picture, but I found that the staff had already been hanging around inside... Which door did they enter from?
Then I turned on the selfie mode again. I hid in the crowd, put down the phone tripod, walked over calmly to take a picture, walked back to put the tripod back, the whole process was done in one go, as if nothing had happened.
When I arrived at the Circular Mound, the only pictures I could take were like this. There's a famous echo wall here, a thick circular wall. It's said that if two people stand on opposite sides of the wall and whisper close to it, the other person can hear them clearly. I've seen many people experimenting with it, but I'm not sure if it really works. If you're curious, you can give it a try.
I wandered around and ended up in Beiluo, across the street from Nanluo. It was very quiet, with almost no one around.
This restaurant has a lot of cats in it, and it's quite crowded, but the food is a bit...
Leisurely strolling through the Forbidden City
Today is the last day of my trip. I've carefully considered and weighed the pros and cons of leaving the Forbidden City for last.
After passing through Tiananmen Tower and walking further in, you'll reach the Forbidden City's Meridian Gate. The Forbidden City is a one-way tour, from south to north: enter through the Meridian Gate and exit through the Shenwu Gate. Of course, if you're more energetic, you can walk back and forth as many times as you like. Beyond the Shenwu Gate, Jingshan Park is across the street. Oh, and there's also a moat between them. Looking up, you can see cameras and cannons shooting from the Wanshou Pavilion across the street.
Since we couldn't take in the Forbidden City's central axis, the most important part, we decided to just wander around. We bought a combined ticket that included the Clock and Watch Museum and the Treasure House. The Clock and Watch Museum has a three-minute clock show at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. I strongly recommend visiting the Treasure House and the Clock House, which are absolutely worth the price of admission.
Without further ado, here are the pictures. I've forgotten what these halls are. I'm one of those people who forgets what they say, and it's shameful to be uneducated. Don't follow my lead.
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City src="https://dimg04.c-ctrip.com/images/0101t1200081t30tr1C09_W_671_0_Q90.jpg?proc=autoorient" />
Forbidden City
Forbidden City Ha! I’m wearing my yellow skirt again. It matches the red walls of the Forbidden City perfectly! I find this scene at the Forbidden City quite interesting. It's quite a contrast to seeing a construction site so brimming with modern life in a place as solemn and elegant as the Forbidden City. I find it quite amusing to jokingly say, "I'm repairing cultural relics in the Forbidden City."
This long corridor in the Forbidden City shocked me. The high red walls on both sides vividly interpret what it means to be "a lonely empty courtyard as spring is about to end"
The following two puzzles were taken in the Clock and Watch Museum and the Treasure House. Photos cannot reflect one ten-thousandth of their essence. You must see it with your own eyes, you must see it with your own eyes, you must see it with your own eyes. I say it three times because it is important!!! This chair is unassuming and made entirely of deer antlers. I'm stunned. Just imagine my expression of eating a whale.
This chair is unassuming and made entirely of deer antlers. I'm stunned. Just imagine my expression of eating a whale.
Ha, after visiting the Treasure House and the Clock and Watch Museum, I struck two more poses.
Finally, here are three photos with Saijuan.
Img src="https://dimg04.c-ctrip.com/images/0105d1200081t30d2724B_W_671_0_Q90.jpg?proc=autoorient"
After 7 months, I've finally finished my Beijing travelogue. I actually have many more memories of the Imperial Capital. I'll share them with you next time.
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