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Episode 4: The BIG BEIJING DAY 🇨🇳 China 2025 with Kids + FREE Global eSIM Giveaway
Beijing Family Adventure: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square
The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square — two of China’s most iconic landmarks. But is visiting them in 2025 with 3 kids actually worth it?
In this new episode of Our Travel Journal, we explore these famous sites in Beijing — and find ourselves both inspired and overwhelmed.From record-breaking...
The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square—two of China’s most iconic landmarks. But is visiting them in 2025 with 3 kids actually worth it?
In this new episode of Our Travel Journal, we explore these famous sites in Beijing—and find ourselves both inspired and overwhelmed.From record-breaking crowds to the most intense security check we’ve ever faced, this visit tested our patience… but also gave us unexpected joy in small places like the Forbidden City’s old postal service where we sent postcards to Germany!
Forbidden City (故宫):Once home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the world’s largest and most visited palace complexes. With over 900 buildings, it's a monumental glimpse into China’s imperial past.
Tiananmen Square (天安门广场):One of the world’s largest public squares, it holds deep political and cultural significance. Today, it’s known for its national ceremonies, strict security, and proximity to historical landmarks like the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the National Museum.
Our family's Beijing adventure in 2025 was a whirlwind of iconic landmarks and unexpected challenges. Navigating the colossal Forbidden City with three kids proved both inspiring and overwhelming, from massive crowds to intense security checks. Yet, amidst the chaos, simple joys emerged – like sending postcards from the old postal service. Tiananmen Square's political and cultural weight was palpable, a stark contrast to the charming local bakery. Beijing's blend of history, culture, and modern life left a lasting impression, a testament to the city's enduring spirit.
The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square—two of China’s most iconic landmarks. But is visiting them in 2025 with 3 kids actually worth it?
In this new episode of Our Travel Journal, we explore these famous sites in Beijing—and find ourselves both inspired and overwhelmed.From record-breaking crowds to the most intense security check we’ve ever faced, this visit tested our patience… but also gave us unexpected joy in small places like the Forbidden City’s old postal service where we sent postcards to Germany!
Forbidden City (故宫):Once home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the world’s largest and most visited palace complexes. With over 900 buildings, it's a monumental glimpse into China’s imperial past.
Tiananmen Square (天安门广场):One of the world’s largest public squares, it holds deep political and cultural significance. Today, it’s known for its national ceremonies, strict security, and proximity to historical landmarks like the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the National Museum.
This episode of Our Travel Journal follows the family's adventure-filled day in Beijing, visiting the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. The Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, proved to be both magnificent and overwhelmingly crowded. Our Travel Journal found themselves navigating massive crowds and intense security checks, testing their patience but also revealing unexpected moments of joy.
The sheer scale of the Forbidden City, with its nearly 1,000 buildings and over 8,000 rooms, left a lasting impression. Despite the crowds, the family found pockets of calm, such as sending postcards from the old Imperial Postal Service building, adding a personal touch to their historical exploration.
Tiananmen Square, another iconic landmark, presented its own unique challenges. The family encountered rigorous security checks, a stark contrast to the more relaxed atmosphere they found in other parts of Beijing. Despite the initial stress of the security process, they found the square itself to be impressive and enormous.
Throughout their journey, Our Travel Journal interacted with locals, creating heartwarming moments and showcasing the openness of the people they encountered. These small interactions added a layer of authenticity and personal connection to their experience. The video ends with a reflection on their day, highlighting the worth of visiting these iconic sites despite the challenges, encouraging viewers to prepare for crowds and set realistic expectations. The family's experience is a testament to the rewards of embracing both the grand spectacle and the intimate moments of travel.
Our Travel Journal's episode on Beijing is a whirlwind tour of iconic landmarks and unexpected discoveries. From navigating massive crowds at the Forbidden City to the intense security checks of Tiananmen Square, the family experienced both the awe-inspiring scale of these sites and the challenges of travel with kids. The video captures heartwarming moments of local interaction and surprising joys, like sending postcards from the old Imperial Postal Service. A must-watch for anyone planning a family trip to China!
Our Travel Journal explores Beijing's Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, balancing the wonder of these iconic landmarks with the challenges of navigating huge crowds and tight security. A memorable family adventure!
Beijing Exploration: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square
2:10 eSIMs are super convenient and reliable for staying connected while traveling. Download the Eskimo app, choose your plan, and activate when ready. Data doesn't expire, and topping up extends the validity.
4:44 If you can't book Forbidden City tickets in advance, try showing up early; some agencies can help with same-day entry.
8:12 Entrance fees to the Forbidden City are reasonable, especially for families with children (students).
20:34 Sending postcards from the old Imperial Postal Service building adds a unique and memorable touch to your visit.
32:20 Booking tours through a local agency can simplify the process of securing tickets and navigating potential language barriers.
43:15 Visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square early, be patient, and manage your expectations for large crowds. Find quiet moments when needed.
2:10 eSIMs are super convenient and reliable for staying connected while traveling. Download the Eskimo app, choose your plan, and activate when ready. Data doesn't expire, and topping up extends the validity.
4:44 If you can't book Forbidden City tickets in advance, try showing up early; some agencies can help with same-day entry.
8:12 Entrance fees to the Forbidden City are reasonable, especially for families with children (students).
20:34 Sending postcards from the old Imperial Postal Service building adds a unique and memorable touch to your visit.
32:20 Booking tours through a local agency can simplify the process of securing tickets and navigating potential language barriers.
43:15 Visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square early, be patient, and manage your expectations for large crowds. Find quiet moments when needed.
0:06 Massive crowds, ancient palaces
0:34 Forbidden City experience
4:15 Journey to Forbidden City
7:31 Entering Forbidden City
12:58 Overwhelming crowds
15:34 UNESCO World Heritage site
20:27 Imperial Postal Service
30:54 Tiananmen Square security
33:53 Security measures
43:09 Beijing day resume
00:00 Intro
03:12 China at 8am
05:57 Forbidden City Tour
20:27 My favorite spot
24:44 Chinese Food
30:53 Tiananmen Square
37:20 Happy Kids in Beijing, China
39:15 Chinese Bakery
42:20 We love Beijing
44:10 OTJ Membership
china travelfamily travel vlogbeijingforbidden citypekingfamily vacationforeigner in chinagiveawayotjfamilychina with kidschinese foodchina travel vlog 2025forbidden city chinais china safe 2025china visa-freebeijing travel vlogtravel chinahonest travel vlogour travel journalchina 2025esimfamily vlogforeign family in chinatravel to chinafirst days in chinabeijing traveltravel vlogchina travel videoHow was the security at Tiananmen Square?
The security was next level! They checked my bag and purse thoroughly, taking everything out and looking through it twice. It was intense!
What was the most memorable part of the Forbidden City?
Sending postcards from the old Imperial Postal Service building was a really special moment. It made this giant place feel more human.
What was it like navigating the crowds?
It was crazy! So many people, tour groups shouting in every language, and whole schools of kids. It felt like everyone decided to visit at the same time!
What was your overall impression of the day?
Worth seeing once for sure, but go early, be patient, and set your expectations. We were glad we saw these huge Beijing sites!
