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EPIC 48 hours in Beijing, China
Beijing in 48 Hours: Great Wall Mutianyu, Peking Duck, Huton
Finally got the chance to visit China's capital - Beijing with my buddy @tobyato, who's an insanely talented visual artist here in Singapore. 48 hours was way too short, but I'm still thankful to have conquered the Great Wall, and tried really interesting food there.
*WHERE I GET MUSIC FOR CINEMATIC...
Beijing adventure in 48 hours with friend Toby. They kick off with a comforting Pork Stew Brunch and then explore the cutting edge at 798 Art Zone. A serene pause at the Temple of Heaven contrasts with a feast of Peking Duck later that night. A quick Courtyard Hotel tour shows classic Beijing living before they chase the monumental Great Wall at Mutianyu, capped by a tob oggan ride that adds a twist to the climb and the scenery. A lively Great Wall conversation follows, then dinner with spicy Chinese Crayfish. The day closes with a view of the Forbidden City from Jingshan Park, and a stroll through Nanluoguxiang Hutong. A Mishap moment adds spice to the narrative, before wrapping with Overall Thoughts on the whirlwind two days in the capital. The travel vibe blends food, culture, history, and personal discovery in a fast-paced Beijing highlights reel.
Shawneydepp takes us on a brisk 48 hour sprint through Beijing with a partner in crime, Toby, weaving a cinematic story that lands somewhere between travel diary and foodie pilgrimage. The trip kicks off with a hearty Pork Stew Brunch that sets a cozy tone before they dive into the city’s creative pulse at the 798 Art Zone. Next comes a spiritual and architectural contrast at the Temple of Heaven, followed by a glistening reward in a Peking Duck dinner that seals the day with iconic flavors. A quick Courtyard Hotel tour gives a glimpse of traditional Beijing living, then the pair head out for the monumental highlight: the Great Wall at Mutianyu, including a thrilling Toboggan ride that adds adrenaline to the panoramic vistas. The wall visit is paired with a candid Great Wall convo that blends history with personal reaction, showing both awe and the effort involved in conquering such a landmark. Dinner afterward features Chinese Crayfish, offering a spicy foil to the earlier dish’s rich
Beijing adventure in 48 hours with friend Toby. They kick off with a comforting Pork Stew Brunch and then explore the cutting edge at 798 Art Zone. A serene pause at the Temple of Heaven contrasts with a feast of Peking Duck later that night. A quick Courtyard Hotel tour shows classic Beijing living before they chase the monumental Great Wall at Mutianyu, capped by a tob oggan ride that adds a twist to the climb and the scenery. A lively Great Wall conversation follows, then dinner with spicy Chinese Crayfish. The day closes with a view of the Forbidden City from Jingshan Park, and a stroll through Nanluoguxiang Hutong. A Mishap moment adds spice to the narrative, before wrapping with Overall Thoughts on the whirlwind two days in the capital. The travel vibe blends food, culture, history, and personal discovery in a fast-paced Beijing highlights reel.
In this 48-hour Beijing whirlwind, Shawneydepp and his friend Toby, guided by local artist Steven, dive steven, pack in a staggering amount. <br><br>The adventure kicks off with a deep dive into local cuisine: a brunch of *luzhu*—a hearty stew of large intestines, tofu, and doughy noodles. The rich, plump texture of the intestines is a revelation, described as 'squirting out on your tongue,' a far cry from any street stall version. <br><br>Next, they hit the 798 Art Zone, a vibrant hub of galleries, industrial architecture, and quirky shops, including one selling dented luggage—a standout detail. But a major disappointment follows at the Temple of Heaven, which is closed on Mondays, leaving them to admire its iconic round silhouette from afar. The loss is softened by a visit to a smaller, intricately detailed temple bathed in sunset light. <br><br>A highlight is, of course, the Peking duck dinner. The skin is exceptionally thick and fragrant, paired perfectly with condiments and wrapped in a pancake. The meal also includes a surprisingly soft pork liver and comforting pear soup. <br><br>The next day is dedicated to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Shawneydepp shows off his courtyard hotel in a traditional hutong before detailing the affordable 1.5-hour Didi ride. At the Wall, the trio is struck by its sheer scale and the realization that hundreds of thousands of laborers likely died building it. This sparks a reflective conversation about life, creativity, and gratitude for their own paths. The descent is pure joy—a high-speed toboggan ride offering a unique thrill. <br><br>Dinner features spicy Chinese crayfish (xiaolongxia) in garlic and mala flavors, recommended by their Didi driver. The following morning, they visit Jingshan Park for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Forbidden City, though time constraints prevent entry. A quick stroll through Nanluoguxiang Hutong includes sampling lamb tripe with peanut and chili sauce, which surprisingly isn't gamey. A gross but memorable moment occurs when Shawneydepp's tripod lands in spit, summing up the unfiltered China experience. The trip ends with a desire for more time, especially to explore the Forbidden City. The Great Wall stands as the absolute highlight, paired with incredible food and meaningful conversations.
In just 48 whirlwind hours, Shawneydepp and his friend Toby dive into Beijing's soul with a local guide. From gritty street food to the monumental Great Wall, this fast-paced adventure captures the city's raw energy and ancient grandeur—with a toboggan ride twist that's pure adrenaline.
Shawneydepp races through Beijing in 48 hours, hitting the Great Wall, local snacks, and cultural landmarks, blending food, history, and spontaneous discovery.
48 Hours in Beijing: Great Wall, Food & Local Tips
0:54 Try luzhu, a local Beijing stew of large intestines, tofu, and doughy noodles. It's a breakfast only locals usually eat—rich, plump, and deeply flavorful.
2:57 Check the Temple of Heaven's opening days carefully. It's closed on Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly to avoid disappointment.
6:31 Use Didi to reach the Great Wall at Mutianyu. It's about 1.5 hours from central Beijing and costs around 30 Singapore dollars—a real bargain.
10:55 Don't miss the toboggan ride down from the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. It's a unique, thrilling way to descend and offers great sunset views.
11:58 Ask your Didi driver for local food recommendations. The spicy crayfish at Huda was a fantastic find, especially the garlic and mala flavors.
0:54 Try luzhu, a local Beijing stew of large intestines, tofu, and doughy noodles. It's a breakfast only locals usually eat—rich, plump, and deeply flavorful.
2:57 Check the Temple of Heaven's opening days carefully. It's closed on Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly to avoid disappointment.
6:31 Use Didi to reach the Great Wall at Mutianyu. It's about 1.5 hours from central Beijing and costs around 30 Singapore dollars—a real bargain.
10:55 Don't miss the toboggan ride down from the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. It's a unique, thrilling way to descend and offers great sunset views.
11:58 Ask your Didi driver for local food recommendations. The spicy crayfish at Huda was a fantastic find, especially the garlic and mala flavors.
0:02 48-hour Beijing challenge begins
0:54 Local Luzhu brunch experience
2:18 Exploring 798 Art Zone
2:57 Temple of Heaven disappointment
4:25 Peking duck feast
5:49 Courtyard hotel tour
6:31 Heading to Great Wall
8:05 Reflections on the Great Wall
10:55 Toboggan ride down
11:58 Crayfish dinner at Huda
0:00 Intro
0:48 Pork Stew Brunch
2:15 798 Art Zone
2:51 Temple of Heaven
4:23 Peking Duck dinner
5:47 Quick Courtyard Hotel Tour
6:29 Going to the Great Wall
7:16 The Great Wall (Mutianyu)
9:28 Great Wall Convo
10:53 Toboggan down the Great Wall
11:46 Chinese Crayfish Dinner
12:49 Jingshan Park (Forbidden City view)
14:16 Nanluoguxiang Hutong Alley
15:44 Mishap
16:14 Overall Thoughts
shawne kohshawneydepp北京中国beijing travelbeijing travel vlogthings to do in beijingwhat to do in beijingwhat to eat in beijingthe great wallmutianyumutianyu great wallWhat was the luzhu brunch like?
It was a hearty stew of large intestines, tofu, and doughy noodles. The intestines were plump and squirted juice on your tongue—way better than street stall versions.
Why couldn't you visit the Temple of Heaven?
It was closed on Mondays, and that was our only day in Beijing. We could only see it from afar, which was disappointing but better than nothing.
How was the toboggan ride at the Great Wall?
It was epic and quite fast, especially with the sunset. It's the only section of the Wall where you can do this, and it made the descent thrilling.
What did your Didi driver recommend for dinner?
A}:
What was the gross mishap at the end?
I accidentally set my tripod down on a patch of spit on the street. It was disgusting but also a funny, raw welcome to China.
