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Only 48 Hours in China's LARGEST City
48 Hours in Beijing: Exploring China's Largest City
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Hi, we are Stephen, Jess, Hunter and baby Koa - an Australian...
Hi, we are Stephen, Jess, Hunter and baby Koa - an Australian family who have had quite the journey. After travelling the world as a couple in 2020 we had our very first baby, we then spent the following year self-converted a van before moving into it full-time to drive around Australia. Cut to 2023 we welcomed our second child Koa into the world before resuming full-time travel around the world.0:00 Intro
Experience a whirlwind 48 hours in Beijing, China's largest city! This family's adventure captures the vibrant street food scene, showcasing the unexpected delights of Chinese cuisine. Their journey offers a glimpse into daily life, revealing a city that might surprise you. From iconic landmarks to bustling markets, this vlog is a captivating exploration of Beijing's energy and charm.
Hi, we are Stephen, Jess, Hunter and baby Koa - an Australian family who have had quite the journey. After travelling the world as a couple in 2020 we had our very first baby, we then spent the following year self-converted a van before moving into it full-time to drive around Australia. Cut to 2023 we welcomed our second child Koa into the world before resuming full-time travel around the world.0:00 Intro
The Flying The Nest family – Stephen, Jess, and their kids – tackled Beijing with just 48 hours on the clock. Their adventure began at the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, where they were genuinely surprised by the cable car ride up. The wall was bustling but family-friendly, with barriers making it safe for toddler Koa. A highlight came when their guide, hearing it was Jess's birthday, produced a cake right on the wall – complete with candles and a local beer. After soaking in the history (21,000 km of wall, 2,000 years of construction), they descended via a toboggan slide, which Hunter drove himself. The drive back to central Beijing revealed a stunning hotel rooftop with a direct view of the Forbidden City. Next morning, they braved long lines at Tiananmen Square, the world's largest square (1 million people capacity), then entered the Forbidden City. The crowds were overwhelming – reminiscent of Vatican City – but the sheer scale of the palace complex, built by a million workers in 14 years, was awe-inspiring. The family grabbed themed ice creams (mango, panda, and Forbidden Palace dragon shapes) and then wandered into local streets lined with gray houses now turned into shops. They found a Michelin-starred noodle restaurant where they waited 15 minutes for a table. The meal was a DIY Beijing noodle dish with sesame sauce, fresh veggies, and a side of pickled green garlic – a pungent surprise. The entire bowl cost only $5.50 Australian, a steal compared to prices back home. Throughout the trip, Stephen and Jess marveled at how accessible China's history is today, reflecting on the fact that for centuries only emperors could enter the Forbidden City. The vlog balanced epic sights with intimate family moments, from birthday songs on the wall to Hunter's hand-counting lesson (Chinese numbers on one hand).
The Flying The Nest family squeezed a lifetime of Chinese history into 48 hours, starting with a jaw-dropping cable car ride to the Great Wall of China. A surprise birthday party on the wall, a wild toboggan descent, and then a forbidden palace tour capped off with a noodle feast that cost just $5.50. Beijing served up chaos, beauty, and the best garlic they’ve ever tasted.
An Australian family explores Beijing's Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square in 48 hours, with a surprise birthday party and $5.50 noodles.
48 Hours in Beijing: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Noodles
1:09 Mutianyu is a family-friendly Great Wall section with barriers and a cable car, perfect for young kids who like to run.
7:32 For a fun exit, take the toboggan slide down from the Great Wall – it's a thrilling ride and you control the speed.
13:30 Expect long lines at Tiananmen Square, especially on weekends. Arrive early or be prepared to queue for nearly an hour.
15:34 The Forbidden City is extremely crowded – similar to Vatican City. Plan for dense crowds but the beauty is worth it.
20:23 Look for local street food near the Forbidden City; the gray houses are now shops with noodles and unique magnets.
22:09 At the Michelin-starred noodle place, you get a free soy milk ice cream just for following them on social media.
23:56 Beijing noodles are served DIY: pour sesame sauce over the noodles, add veggies, and mix. It's like an Asian Alfredo.
1:09 Mutianyu is a family-friendly Great Wall section with barriers and a cable car, perfect for young kids who like to run.
7:32 For a fun exit, take the toboggan slide down from the Great Wall – it's a thrilling ride and you control the speed.
13:30 Expect long lines at Tiananmen Square, especially on weekends. Arrive early or be prepared to queue for nearly an hour.
15:34 The Forbidden City is extremely crowded – similar to Vatican City. Plan for dense crowds but the beauty is worth it.
20:23 Look for local street food near the Forbidden City; the gray houses are now shops with noodles and unique magnets.
22:09 At the Michelin-starred noodle place, you get a free soy milk ice cream just for following them on social media.
23:56 Beijing noodles are served DIY: pour sesame sauce over the noodles, add veggies, and mix. It's like an Asian Alfredo.
0:00 Intro
0:24 Cable car to Great Wall
3:14 Standing on the Great Wall
5:28 Birthday surprise on wall
7:30 Toboggan ride down
9:45 Hotel with Forbidden City view
12:55 Tiananmen Square
15:34 Entering Forbidden City
20:21 Noodle hunt and meal
23:56 Beijing noodle reveal
0:00 Intro
travel vlogdaily travel vlogflying the nestbig china citymegacity chinabiggest china citybiggest city chinabeijing vlogthings to do beijingbeijing china vlogshocked in chinachina not what we expectedgreat wall of china vlog中国街头美食food beijing中国生活见闻中国旅行视频中国旅行chinese street foodWhat were the Beijing noodles like?
It was like a thick creamy Alfredo with a sesame base, and we added fresh veggies.
What was the most surprising thing on the Great Wall?
The toboggan ride down – I had no idea you could do that!
How did you celebrate your birthday on the Great Wall?
Our guide brought us a cake and we sang happy birthday right there on the wall.
What was the garlic like?
It was pickled green garlic, very strong but tasty.
