Some Beijing travel tips

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)