Some Beijing travel tips

Source

Earlier this year I went to Beijing. Here are some miscellaneous travel tips. What I am writing here is probably not unique or original, treat this just as my personal emphasis / endorsement.

  • Apps: download amap (or baidu), didi, Wechat (including linking a foreign credit card), letsvpn, pleco translation app. Download before going. If you feel paranoid about data security, do this on a separate phone.
  • Get SIM card ASAP. You often need a SIM card to connect to wifi.
  • Advance bookings for places which have long queues for tourists:
    • national museum
    • forbidden city
    • Maybe summer palace and great wall (depending on season)
  • Food to try:
    • malatang
    • peking duck
    • zhajiangmian
    • roubing (meat cakes)
  • Vegetarian options can be a bit hard to find, maybe search this in advance.
  • Look up how to use a squat toilet if necessary
  • Carry some toilet paper with you (not all toilets provide it)