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We Were WRONG About China 🇨🇳 (First Impressions of Beijing)
Beijing First Impressions: Forbidden City, Street Food & 798
Beijing changed everything we thought we knew about China 🇨🇳 After spending time in Shanghai, we thought we had China figured out. We were completely wrong. In just 48 hours in Beijing we visited the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Lama Temple and discovered why this city feels like...
Beijing changed everything we thought we knew about China 🇨🇳 After spending time in Shanghai, we thought we had China figured out. We were completely wrong. In just 48 hours in Beijing we visited the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Lama Temple and discovered why this city feels like nothing else we've ever experienced.<br><br>From eating Jianbing street wraps for under £1 at breakfast, to Peking Duck pancakes for under £10, navigating the metro with ease, uncovering hidden Easter eggs inside the Imperial Palace, stumbling across the 798 Art District, and ending our nights in the electric chaos of the Sanlitun bar street — Beijing genuinely blew our minds.<br><br>This is our honest first impressions of Beijing — the good, the surprising, and everything in between. If you've ever been on the fence about visiting China, watch this first.<br><br>🚂 Arrived by high speed train from Shanghai (4.5 hours)<br>🥟 Jianbing breakfast wrap under £1<br>🏯 Forbidden City jaw dropping scale<br>🛕 Temple of Heaven most peaceful place we've visited<br>☕ Lama Temple the hidden gem of Beijing<br>🦆 Peking Duck in Beijing worth every penny<br>🎨 798 Art District we had no idea this existed<br>🌙 Sanlitun bar street pure chaos (in the best way)<br>📍 Beijing, China
Fi and Nick thought they had China figured out after Shanghai, but Beijing shattered every expectation. In just 48 hours, they devour cheap Jianbing wraps, stand in awe before the Forbidden City, find peace at the Temple of Heaven, uncover hidden Easter eggs, and get lost in the electric chaos of Sanlitun bar street. This honest first-impressions vlog proves Beijing is a city of jaw-dropping contrasts — from ancient temples to vibrant art districts — and a must-visit for any traveler.
Beijing changed everything we thought we knew about China 🇨🇳 After spending time in Shanghai, we thought we had China figured out. We were completely wrong. In just 48 hours in Beijing we visited the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Lama Temple and discovered why this city feels like nothing else we've ever experienced.<br><br>From eating Jianbing street wraps for under £1 at breakfast, to Peking Duck pancakes for under £10, navigating the metro with ease, uncovering hidden Easter eggs inside the Imperial Palace, stumbling across the 798 Art District, and ending our nights in the electric chaos of the Sanlitun bar street — Beijing genuinely blew our minds.<br><br>This is our honest first impressions of Beijing — the good, the surprising, and everything in between. If you've ever been on the fence about visiting China, watch this first.<br><br>🚂 Arrived by high speed train from Shanghai (4.5 hours)<br>🥟 Jianbing breakfast wrap under £1<br>🏯 Forbidden City jaw dropping scale<br>🛕 Temple of Heaven most peaceful place we've visited<br>☕ Lama Temple the hidden gem of Beijing<br>🦆 Peking Duck in Beijing worth every penny<br>🎨 798 Art District we had no idea this existed<br>🌙 Sanlitun bar street pure chaos (in the best way)<br>📍 Beijing, China
Fi and Nick arrived in Beijing with preconceptions shaped by their time in Shanghai, but the capital quickly proved them wrong. Their first morning kicked off with a jianbing breakfast wrap for under £1—a street-food revelation that set the tone for the trip. They navigated the older, slightly grittier Beijing metro with ease, finding it just as functional as Shanghai's. At the Forbidden City, they were blown away by the sheer scale, the golden roofs stretching endlessly, and the crowds of locals in traditional dress. They discovered hidden Easter eggs: mythical animals on building edges indicating importance, and a thousand dragon heads that channel rainwater to look like the palace is weeping. The Temple of Heaven offered a peaceful evening escape, with locals jogging and practicing tai chi. The Lama Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, was a highlight—Fi and Nick burned complimentary incense and admired the massive wooden Buddha. Peking Duck at a local spot near the temple exceeded expectations; the half-duck with pancakes, sweet bean sauce, and a surprising dash of white sugar cost under £10. They also stumbled upon the 798 Art District, a former factory turned into a quirky art hub with train-car food stalls. Their final night took them to Shichahai, where the lantern-lit river and chaotic bar street buzzed with live karaoke and endless food stalls. Every interaction—from ordering Luckin Coffee via a local's app to watching someone use VR goggles on the street—underscored a modern, surprising China. Fi and Nick left Beijing feeling they had only scratched the surface, but the city left an indelible mark.
Fi and Nick's Beijing trip shattered their Shanghai expectations. From a £1 jianbing breakfast to the jaw-dropping Forbidden City, peaceful Temple of Heaven, hidden Lama Temple, incredible Peking Duck, and the electric chaos of Shichahai, they discovered a city of contrasts. The 798 Art District and local interactions revealed a modern, vibrant China. Beijing left them thoroughly impressed.
Fi and Nick explore Beijing's Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, and enjoy Peking Duck, discovering a city that surprises at every turn with its and
Beijing First Impressions: Forbidden City, Peking Duck & Hidden Gems
1:35 Beijing's metro is similar to Shanghai's, but older. Use the same process; non-backpack queue for faster entry at Forbidden City.
3:54 Enter Forbidden City without a backpack via the non-backpack queue for quicker access. Look for mythical animals on building edges to gauge importance.
12:30 Visit Temple of Heaven in the evening when main buildings are closed but the park is open for only 15 RMB. It's peaceful with locals walking and running.
15:28 Lama Temple offers complimentary incense per person. It's an active Buddhist temple, not just a tourist attraction. Entry is 25 RMB.
16:31 Order Peking Duck at a local spot near Lama Temple. Half duck with pancakes, rice, and beef pie for under £10. Traditional: sweet bean sauce, garlic, and white sugar.
20:25 Order Luckin Coffee via app for half the counter price. Friendly locals may help if your WeChat doesn't work. Try the coconut latte.
22:09 798 Art District is an old factory turned into art district with food stalls in train carts. Great for unique street art and independent museums.
1:35 Beijing's metro is similar to Shanghai's, but older. Use the same process; non-backpack queue for faster entry at Forbidden City.
3:54 Enter Forbidden City without a backpack via the non-backpack queue for quicker access. Look for mythical animals on building edges to gauge importance.
12:30 Visit Temple of Heaven in the evening when main buildings are closed but the park is open for only 15 RMB. It's peaceful with locals walking and running.
15:28 Lama Temple offers complimentary incense per person. It's an active Buddhist temple, not just a tourist attraction. Entry is 25 RMB.
16:31 Order Peking Duck at a local spot near Lama Temple. Half duck with pancakes, rice, and beef pie for under £10. Traditional: sweet bean sauce, garlic, and white sugar.
20:25 Order Luckin Coffee via app for half the counter price. Friendly locals may help if your WeChat doesn't work. Try the coconut latte.
22:09 798 Art District is an old factory turned into art district with food stalls in train carts. Great for unique street art and independent museums.
0:00 Introduction and arrival
0:38 Jianbing breakfast
3:40 Forbidden City scale
5:56 Easter eggs and mythical animals
11:30 Temple of Heaven evening
14:50 Lama Temple incense
16:31 Peking Duck tasting
22:09 798 Art District
25:32 Shichahai night chaos
0:00 We thought we knew China after Shanghai… we didn't
0:42 Jianbing breakfast under £1
2:57 Forbidden City nothing could have prepared us
5:55 Hidden Easter eggs
7:39 Qianmen Street surprise
8:43 Beijing Pie
11:25 Temple of Heaven silence in a capital city
14:49 Day 2: Lama Temple Beijing's hidden gem
16:30 Peking...
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Use Alipay or WeChat Pay. The lady helped us order Luckin Coffee on her app because it was cheaper.
What is the traditional way to eat Peking duck?
Spread sweet bean sauce on pancake, add duck, garlic paste, and a pinch of white sugar for the crispy skin.
What is the best time to visit Temple of Heaven?
In the evening when the main buildings are closed but the park is open for 15 RMB, it's peaceful and full of locals.
