Live Your Best Lives
As a Liaoning native, Beijing is like a garden I can always visit. I've been there countless times to hang out with classmates, eat and drink, but I've never really explored the Forbidden City or the Great Wall. I always feel like buying a train ticket and going. However, the more readily available a scenery is, the less we appreciate it. It wasn't until I moved to Shanghai for work that Beijing seemed so far away. The Forbidden City seemed so enchanting.
Beijing, the capital. For most people, it's a must-see. If you have limited time, then a visit to the National Museum and the Forbidden City is a must-see. They're places that make every Chinese person proud, and they'll make you marvel at the wisdom and exquisite craftsmanship of the ancient Chinese.
Universal Studios Beijing was a last-minute addition to the itinerary, added on the last day.
The attractions and accommodations recorded in this travelogue are based on personal experiences. This review represents only my personal opinion.
The photos were taken with great effort, please do not steal them. Please indicate the source when reprinting.
2021.9.19~2021.9.25
The last time I wrote my travelogue, I hoped the epidemic would end soon. I still hope so this time.
Note:
1. During the epidemic, search for "Beijing Health Code" on WeChat and register your information. Every day, at every tourist attraction, and even at every restaurant, you'll need to scan the QR code with the Beijing Health Code to register.
2. Download the Yitongxing app in advance. It works on the Beijing subway and bus, and it also provides a subway map, which is very convenient.
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Day 1:Shanghai-Beijing China Eastern Airlines MU5105 10:00-12:15
The weather was not good. Although we arrived at noon, the heavy rain that day completely disrupted our plans for the day.
The Four Seasons Hotel (Xidan) we had booked was still being cleaned when we arrived. So we wandered around the shopping malls near Xidan. I'd planned a bunch of local Beijing food, but ended up having Hunan rice noodles for my first meal—a bit of a reunion. I wonder if this should become a ritual, making sure every new trip starts with a reunion meal q(≧▽≦q)
I don't know why, but I've been craving braised beef noodles lately, and this time I finally got what I wanted.
By the time I checked in, it was already past 4:00. I had an evening date with an old friend I hadn't seen in a while, so I decided to skip the day and just relax.
Hotel Complaint: This is the smallest room I've ever stayed at at the All Seasons. I complain about the 1.5-meter double bed a few times a day. There were no disposable toiletries, so I had to go to the front desk every day to get toothpaste and a toothbrush. I put up a cleaning sign, but when I came back, I found that they had only made up the bed. The toilet paper wasn't replenished, and the room was still messy. They also forgot to refill the mineral water and body wash.
Hotel praise: Although I complain about the small beds every day, the mattress and pillows in the stress-free room are so comfortable! If you're booking a Four Seasons hotel, definitely choose this one if they have one. Just pay attention to the size of the lower bed. When I first arrived, I thought I was given the wrong room. It turns out they did specify a 1.5m bed. Learned from this experience and will look more carefully next time~
It was still raining heavily. I chatted with good friends until late, and after a luxurious Western meal, I went back to rest. Looking forward to my trip to the National Museum tomorrow~
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Day 2: National Museum
Tickets:Free, admission requires ID card, reservations must be made a week in advance via the WeChat mini-program.
Transportation: Get off at Tiananmen East Station on Line 1. (There will be a temporary ID check upon exiting the subway.)
Security: Security at the National Museum is even stricter than at an airport. Someone's fancy power bank was forced to be stored. Hahahaha
Food: There is a food area inside the National Museum, but it mostly serves self-heating rice and snacks.
After passing through the strict security check, we finally entered the National Museum. The only word to describe the experience upon entering the venue is shocking. Oh, absolutely shocking! I've visited several museums myself, but nothing compares to the grandeur of the National Museum. Arriving at the National Museum, I truly felt its national-level grandeur and majesty. A Baidu search revealed that the National Museum is the world's largest museum by single building area and boasts one of the richest collections of Chinese cultural relics. With a total floor area of nearly 200,000 square meters, it houses over one million artifacts and 48 exhibition halls. Numerous national treasures featured in history books are housed here.
▼National Museum Hall
Starting from B1, the exhibition displays classic artifacts from each dynasty, beginning with primitive society and progressing through the historical development of Chinese society. It brings together exquisite authentic works from museums across China, like a catalog of Chinese history.
▼Houmuwu Ding
I remember when I was in school, history textbooks called it the "Simuwu Ding." Now it's been renamed the "Houmuwu Ding." A closer look reveals intricate coiled dragon patterns. This artifact is prohibited from being exhibited outside the country. If you want to see the real thing, you can only visit the National Museum of China.
The museum has many guided tours. Their explanations are incredibly detailed. They don't recite text, but rather tell stories. Many of the guides are middle-aged men with authentic Beijing accents. Some even hold history books, telling stories and explaining the contents to the children around them. It's very lively and engaging. (If I could come here and meet a tour guide like this when I was in school, my history grades would definitely improve by leaps and bounds~haha)
▼Four-ram Square Tripod
▼Painted Bronze Lantern with Geese and Fish
We visited the museum along the way and listened to various explanations. Whenever we saw an object that appeared in history books, we would go up and take a closer look. As I was walking, I suddenly thought: “Hey? This isn’t from the book!” I sighed (≧▽≦q). Look closely, this goose is really colorful. And the feathers are very delicately carved.
▼Sanxingdui Mask
This is the bronze mask of Sanxingdui that has been very popular recently~
▼Bronze Rhinoceros Zun with Inlaid Gold and Silver Cloud Patterns
Zoom in and take a closer look at the cloud pattern on the rhinoceros. It is really exquisite. I went back and forth to look at it many times. According to the explanation, rhinoceroses became extinct in the Guanzhong area by the late Western Han Dynasty, due to the use of rhino hides for warrior equipment during the Warring States Period. ▼ Bronze Shell Storage Vessel Depicting a Curse and Alliance Scene
This is also very interesting. It depicts a sacrificial scene. There are 127 houses and figures on it. Inside the room is a high priest, surrounded by large drums. There are men bound hand and foot awaiting execution, and women holding sacrificial offerings. Each figure is unique and lifelike. Each exhibit has a QR code explaining the exhibit. The National Museum recommends visiting alone. Walk slowly and savor the exhibits. The entire basement level is dedicated to the Ancient China Exhibition Hall. It took us four hours to complete the tour (though we didn't fully explore every exhibit). Upon exiting the Ancient China Pavilion, my legs felt like they weren't my own, and my feet felt like they weren't my own. There are many more pavilions above the first floor, so it's impossible to see them all. My favorite is the Memorial Hall of the Founding Ceremony. It features the salutes used at the ceremony, the national emblem, and the national flag from that time. There's even the floor-standing microphone used by Chairman Mao at the ceremony. A full day at this National Museum still feels like it's not enough. Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall I asked friends in Beijing ahead of time, and none of them recommended Badaling. So, I quietly refunded my Badaling tickets. Mutianyu Great Wall is also a 5A-rated scenic spot. It's quite far from the city center. I booked a day trip bus with China-TravelNote, which was very convenient. Getting there: There's a Beijing Tourism Distribution Center just outside Qianmen Metro Station. The bus there goes directly to Mutianyu Great Wall.
Tickets: You can buy tickets on China-TravelNote or from the tour guide on the bus. The price is the same.
Along the way, the tour guide explained in detail how to visit Mutianyu Great Wall. You can't just climb it as soon as you arrive at the scenic area. You first need to take the scenic area shuttle to the cable car area. Then you can buy a cable car ticket to go up the mountain and start your tour of the Great Wall.
This cable car is a rip-off. In the middle of the Great Wall, two companies have built cable cars, and the cable car tickets don't connect.
So you have to finish your tour and return the same way you came. It's impossible to get down the mountain without backtracking.
▼Scenic Area Guide
A brief introduction to the two tour options:
A: East Route. Take the cable car up to Arrow Tower No. 6. Tour the route in order of 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. For descent, you can return to Arrow Tower No. 6 and take the cable car down. Alternatively, you can take the cable car down from Arrow Tower No. 6. This route has steep steps and is challenging. It's recommended for younger visitors. The cable car is quite fun.
B: West Route: Take the cable car up and down. No cable car is available. The cable car goes up to Arrow Tower No. 15. You can tour the route on the 15th, 14th, 13th, 12th, and 11th, and then return the same way.
If you don't want to backtrack, you'll need to buy a one-way ticket. However, the cable car costs 120 yuan round trip, and 100 yuan one way (the price is quite steep). For reference, buying tickets on the tour bus is the same price as buying them at the ticket counter. We saved ourselves the trouble and bought them directly on the bus. It was very convenient. There were no extra charges, so I highly recommend it.
We definitely chose the east route—after all, the slide is quite attractive.
There's a lot of preparation before climbing the Great Wall. Another bowl of beef noodles! Someone needs to take a heroic poop! And some sugar-roasted chestnuts? Oh well... By the time we were done, the area was already packed with people—the tour buses were arriving one after another. No problem—once you've reached the Great Wall, you're a hero. Don't rush, climb slowly.
▼The Donglin Trail is open-air.
There are chestnut trees at your feet. So many furry chestnuts! Hurry up! I'm going to be a hero!
Get off the bus! First, have a Great Wall ice cream and check in!
The azure sky and white clouds—it's as if the heavy rain of the past two days never even existed. Okay, okay, photos are done, let's eat!
It's the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. There really aren't that many people here. Thinking about the "grand spectacle" of the Badaling Great Wall during holidays in the news, I'm glad I chose Mutianyu.
We headed towards Arrow Tower No. 1 according to the tour order. As soon as we reached the top of the Great Wall, we were greeted by breathtaking views.
There were really fewer people on holidays.
We took a break after climbing each arrow tower. The view from the towers was truly breathtaking.
Maybe it was due to the season, but the entire route was dotted with long centipedes... Be sure to pay attention while walking. I won't post photos. Shivering.jpg
The steps are very steep in many places, and it feels like you're facing a wall as soon as you walk up. I had no choice but to actually climb the Great Wall.
I encountered many kittens on the Great Wall, but most of them were encountered when I first arrived in the morning. There were more people at noon, so the kitten disappeared. Maybe they all ate their fill and went to sleep.
The Great Wall winds along the mountain. Standing at a high point, you can take in the beautiful scenery. I just can't get enough of it~
A family photo is here~
One last picture to wrap it up~
For dinner, we enjoyed our friend's Old Beijing Copper Hot Pot. It was incredibly satisfying!
Afterwards, we went to the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube to help digest the food. Maybe because of the pandemic, there were really few people.
Day 4: The Palace Museum
The much-anticipated Forbidden City was finally here! The last time I visited the Forbidden City was when I was in elementary school. Back then, I had no idea what it was or how impressive its exhibits were. But as a kid, I knew all about the Eight-Nation Alliance, the villains who burned down the Old Summer Palace and looted the Forbidden City's treasures! My only memory is my dad telling me about how the bad guys used bayonets to scrape the gold off the lions. (Patriotic spirit was cultivated from a young age.) I've always wanted the chance to calm down and properly visit the Forbidden City again—and finally, my wish has come true. I chose a weekday specifically, thinking there would be fewer people (how naive I was). I should have rushed here early in the morning, but getting up early was incredibly difficult. Tickets: Be sure to book a week in advance. You can use China-TravelNote or the official website. I bought a ticket that included the Treasure House and the Clock and Watch House. It was definitely worth it. Admission requires ID card; there are no paper tickets. (A bit of a shame for someone like me who likes to save ticket stubs.) Transportation: Take the subway to Tiananmen East or Tiananmen West, then enter through the Meridian Gate.
I had read tons of guides on Douyin (TikTok), but when I got to the Forbidden City, I couldn't recall a single one. There were people everywhere. And lots of young ladies taking artistic photos. I scrolled through my Douyin collection. Never mind... Just follow the guide and go wherever you want.
There are guides for rent at the entrance. If you don't have a guide, you can rent one. They're great, with a map on the back with highlights. Every time you reach a key location, the guide automatically explains. We chose Professor Wang Gang's voice (sounds like Heshen introducing his office, haha).
Let's start with the Meridian Gate~
Meridian Gate—I guess everyone can recall the same line, "Push him outside the Meridian Gate and behead him!" But the beheading didn't actually take place at the Meridian Gate. "Meridian Gate" was simply the imperial gate. It was meant to be pushed out the door for beheading. It was meant to be pushed to Caishikou. There are often exhibitions at the Meridian Gate. You can check the official website or mini-program for information in advance. Some exhibitions require advance reservations. This time, I saw the Dunhuang exhibition. Personally, I think those traveling from far away should try to make time for the Forbidden City. If you only have one day to visit the Forbidden City, time is really tight. If there's no exhibition you're particularly excited to see, I recommend skipping it. (This is just my personal opinion, not necessarily the correct one.) This is the angle I saw on TikTok. It's a shame we entered so late; the park was already packed... There were so many people taking artistic photos. I saw several emperors along the way (～￣▽￣)～
I could only take a few photos of the roof for now
It’s not bad~ The unicorn is so cute~
Below are the white marble steps of the "Cloud Dragon Reliefs" in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The reliefs in the middle are carved from a single block of white marble. The heaviest piece is said to weigh over 200 tons. The guide explained that the huge stones were transported in the winter by digging wells along the way and then pouring water on the road. Once the ice froze, the stones were placed on logs and transported into the palace.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony – the largest of the three main halls. It's also known as the "Golden Throne Hall"! However, it wasn't used for court sessions, but rather for various ceremonies.
This is a panoramic shot I took near the end of the afternoon – it was so cool to take photos when there were no people around!
The Hall of Supreme Harmony is truly stunning if you find the right angle. I've picked out the ones with watermarks to share on WeChat Moments~ Hee hee. There are also cranes here, which are a symbol of longevity.
There are also cranes here, which are a symbol of longevity.
Continue the tour~
When you buy your ticket, there's a "Clock and Watch Museum" and a "Treasure Museum." These require an additional fee. Don't think this is optional. It's a must-see!
▼Clock and Watch Museum
A variety of exquisitely shaped and ingeniously designed clocks.
That's right, everything is gold-plated.
These are the huge horological treasures in the exhibition hall. Just when you think this one must be the treasure of the town~ . . . there is always another one!
This is my favorite armillary sphere... . . Gold-plated, inlaid with pearls, can rotate, corresponds to constellations, solar terms, and stars... . .
Absolutely amazing. This is definitely the treasure of the town in my heart!
Every item is a masterpiece, I really can't see enough.
▼Treasure House
Gold? What is it... Oh... The ordinary metals in the treasure house are so ordinary... I don't even know if gold is a rare metal anymore.
This craftsmanship, this detail. After leaving the Treasure House, I continued to stroll around and arrived at the Qianqing Gate. There's this gilded bronze lion at the entrance again~
Oh, this is the Forbidden City's famous drainage system! Everyone has seen it in the news~
We passed by the Nine Dragon Screen. It's too long to be photographed, so I picked out my favorite dragon to take a picture of~
We also passed by the famous Zhenfei Well. (The entrance is so small... How did we get in...)
It was already afternoon~ The tour groups had gradually left, and the Forbidden City had become much quieter~
But it was still scorching hot. I really love the horned beasts on the eaves. So cute. Ah~ I can't remember the order in which I visited. I've given up on organizing...
We've been to several famous palaces, including the Qianqing Palace, the Cining Palace, the Kunning Palace, and the Shoukang Palace...
The Yanxi Palace became famous after the TV series became popular. However, the real Yanxi Palace... is an unfinished building... It is said that after the fire that year, they wanted to renovate it and make it into a crystal palace (although it is also very weird), but it was never completed. It has been shelved.
Don't forget to get a Forbidden City popsicle~
There are water shops and restaurants inside the Forbidden City. The prices are moderate and acceptable. You don't need to carry too much food~
Towards the end of the park, we went to the Imperial Garden. I always thought it was huge from watching TV shows. But after looking at the map, I realized it's just one of the gardens inside the Forbidden City and it's not very large. It was too crowded at that time.
The ancient trees inside, think about these ancient trees and buildings, they are the masters of the garden, watching the flowers bloom and wither, and people leave.
It’s time to leave the park, so I should hurry to Jingshan Park to see the panoramic view of the Forbidden City~
Looking back, I saw the sign for the Palace Museum was right here
I didn’t expect that even entering Jingshan Park requires climbing a mountain. Yeah, how can you see far without climbing high? But after a whole day of walking, it felt like a soulless corpse moving around. Why not find a chair and rest for a bit?
Up on the mountain, many photographers had already taken spots. They were probably taking pictures of the sunset or the night lights.
There were quite a lot of people at the top, so I finally made it to the front. The air was a bit foggy.
Although I'm just an ordinary citizen, standing here, I always have the illusion of "This is the kingdom I built for you!" haha (～￣▽￣)～
Standing at the top of the mountain to enjoy the breeze, petting a kitten, and then hurried down the mountain.
We were so tired. We needed to refuel.
Day 5 Chairman Mao Memorial Hall · Old Summer Palace
To visit Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, you must check in your bags in advance. The baggage storage is across the street, which is really a bit inconvenient. You can't take photos inside, and the maximum time to walk around the site is 5 minutes. Friends who are not obsessed with the crystal coffin can pass this attraction. I was really a little scared. I didn't dare to look much.
You also have to go through security to enter Tiananmen Square. In short, at Tiananmen Station, there are all kinds of security checks. You must carry your ID card with you.
No introduction needed~
There are 2 main tasks today, the Summer Palace & the Old Summer Palace. But the morning was almost over. I could only choose one. Let's go to the Old Summer Palace first~
The lotus season had passed, and only a few lotus leaves were still swaying in the pond.
Not far from the entrance, many people were sketching. This bridge is the only real arch bridge in the garden. The other arch bridges were destroyed in the previous fire and later rebuilt. That's why many people come here to check in.
· Guiyue Bridge
I walked over 20,000 steps every day for several days in a row. I was so tired that I couldn't walk for more than a few steps. I had a cultural and creative ice cream to relax~
Ice cream nowadays is too curly...
The park is very large, and there are sightseeing buses and tour guides. However, we still like to be casual and just go wherever we go. As long as we check in at “that” point, that’s all.
On the way, we met a little squirrel that was stockpiling food.
Like us, standing on the shore admiring the scenery... a magpie???
There were also many wild ducks, preening their feathers after eating.
I kind of want to stand on this leaf and take a look...
After walking around a large lake, we arrived at a maze. At the center of the maze stood a pavilion. Legend has it that the emperor, perched atop the pavilion, would reward the palace maids and eunuchs who could reach the center the fastest. Seeing their bewildered faces, the emperor was delighted!
Yes, this is a replica of the original maze. During the actual walk, I lost track several times and had to backtrack. From afar, I saw people in the central pavilion. Guess they were watching us with amusement! (Because once we reached the central pavilion, we felt a bit of schadenfreude watching the lost people. Hahaha~)
The sun is setting~ I quickly cleared my mind of the obsession.
· Western Building Ruins
This is a fountain. Originally, there were pillars around it representing the 12 zodiac animals, corresponding to the 24 hours and 12 hours. At each hour, the corresponding animal would spray water. Burnt... All burned... After watching this, my obsession with the Old Summer Palace vanished. Day 6: Universal Studios Beijing After basking in the sun at the Forbidden City and Old Summer Palace, it suddenly rained heavily at Universal Studios Beijing. Shivering in the autumn breeze, we entered the park. Smartly, I'd prepared a disposable raincoat and a small umbrella. Found this ball and snapped it up~
After entering, it's inevitable to compare it to Disneyland. There aren't too many NPCs along the way. This Monroe is quite eye-catching~
I resisted looking at the guide. Just in case you're spoiled, here are a few must-see places to check in!
First stop: Minion Land
I highly recommend the banana-flavored ice cream. There's even a banana-flavored popcorn bucket nearby. That line almost discouraged us from going.
Actually, by the time I got to this point in my travelogue, I'd already forgotten what the attractions were in Minion Land. `(*>﹏<*)′ should be pretty good, too. I remember that aside from the magic wand show, there weren't any other disappointments. I can't remember... I can't remember... Jurassic Park is pretty authentic. After entering Jurassic World, I felt like I was a visitor in the movie. The velociraptors are super cute.
The park had just opened when I went there, but there were so many people lining up. The experience was a bit disappointing.
Jurassic Sea Leap wasn't open yet. It's still in the trial phase. A bit of a letdown.
After I came out, I saw the incredibly popular Megatron! (They talk a lot~haha~)
It seemed like the actors were having a hard time.
There was also the Decepticon roller coaster. Just watching it made my heart pound. In the end, I didn't try it.
I calculated the time and went to see a Waterworld show. This performance is highly recommended~
The seats have a wet zone, a semi-wet zone, and a safe zone. The good spot was already taken when we went. Then we rushed to the first three rows! I won’t spoil the plot. Before going there, we even watched a movie at home. Anyway! Wear your raincoat! Rush!
Looked at the number of people in the Harry Potter park. . . Hey. . Have a meal to calm down.
The burger tastes surprisingly good~ There is no need for this minion cake. . . Nothing but good looks.
Eat it quickly ~ I feel like I can fight another 500 rounds! Be in high spirits, Harry Potter Park! Rush!
This guy. . Ouch~
You have to queue up to enter the wand shop, come and choose your own wand~
There are many shops here that are very interesting ~ Do you still remember the chocolate frog?
Not recommended to buy. Haha. Giant chocolate frog! ! ! My jaw dropped when I opened it when I got home!
Also, Harry and Ron ate jelly beans on the train when they first met. I couldn't help it and bought some back.
The first bite tasted like soap!
There is a wand show in the Harry Potter area. . It's a bit awkward and dramatic when there are a lot of people. . I personally think it's the only one.
As for the popular Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, it is really the best today! Must play.
Come out and have a butterbeer~
No alcohol. It's not as bad as what people say on the Internet, but it's certainly not good. It's a bit too sweet~
Let's have a night view of the castle~
There are a lot of online spoilers for the light show. It was really shocking when I saw it for the first time!
Super beautiful~
Later, I added the hippogriff flying roller coaster~haha. A certain child seemed to be frightened to tears. (laughing)
There is also the rotating swing in the Kung Fu Panda House. (The time is too short)
Overall, there are not many attractions ~ and the fast pass tickets need to be purchased separately. Otherwise it would be really painful. In terms of value for money, it’s not as good as Disney. NPCs are not as involved as Disney's.
However, the project and Disney have their own merits, and overall it is good. Although I won’t play it twice, it’s still worth a once-in-a-lifetime series!
Day7 Beijing-Shanghai
Finished surfing~ ready to go back~
PS: This is my first time at Daxing Airport. It's really too big. So beautiful! Our motherland is so awesome!
The following is the budget list~
Back home~~
~END~
Number of days：3 days, Average cost: 3222 yuan,
Number of days: 20 days, Average cost: 12,000 yuan, Updated: 2020.07.20
Number of days: 1 day, Average cost: 333 yuan,
Number of days: 1 day, , Updated: 2021.03.26
Number of days: 2 days, Average cost: 500 yuan,
Number of days: 2 days, Average cost: 500 yuan, Updated: 2022.07.02
