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🇨🇳 3 NIGHTS IN BEIJING | FROM THE GREAT WALL TO XI’AN | Travel Vlog
Great Wall, Hutong & Michelin: 3 Nights in Beijing to Xi'an
The China adventure begins in Beijing! 🇨🇳
After arriving in one of the world’s most fascinating cities, I spend 3 nights exploring Beijing and experiencing as much of the city as possible.
From visiting Heaven’s Gate and exploring a traditional hutong village, to walking along the iconic Great...
The China adventure begins in Beijing!
After arriving in one of the world’s most fascinating cities, I spend 3 nights exploring Beijing and experiencing as much of the city as possible.
From visiting Heaven’s Gate and exploring a traditional hutong village, to walking along the iconic Great Wall of China, this trip is already off to an unforgettable start.
I also spend time simply wandering the streets of Beijing, discovering hidden spots, trying local food, and even stumbling across a Michelin Bib restaurant, where I sit down and eat alongside locals.
Then it’s time to leave Beijing behind and continue the journey west — boarding a train to Xi’an, the next stop on my solo adventure through China.
Locations: Heaven’s Gate, hutong village, the Great Wall of China, exploring the streets of Beijing, Michelin Bib Gourmand food, eating with locals, Beijing to Xi’an by train.
This is only the beginning…
Jake Sohanta kicks off his China journey in Beijing, turning three nights into a whirlwind of iconic sights and local discoveries. He checks off Heaven’s Gate, wanders a traditional hutong village, and walks the Great Wall before diving into street-level life—stumbling into a Michelin Bib Gourmand spot and eating shoulder-to-shoulder with locals. The adventure doesn’t stop there: he boards a train west to Xi’an, leaving viewers hungry for the next chapter of this solo China expedition.
The China adventure begins in Beijing!
After arriving in one of the world’s most fascinating cities, I spend 3 nights exploring Beijing and experiencing as much of the city as possible.
From visiting Heaven’s Gate and exploring a traditional hutong village, to walking along the iconic Great Wall of China, this trip is already off to an unforgettable start.
I also spend time simply wandering the streets of Beijing, discovering hidden spots, trying local food, and even stumbling across a Michelin Bib restaurant, where I sit down and eat alongside locals.
Then it’s time to leave Beijing behind and continue the journey west — boarding a train to Xi’an, the next stop on my solo adventure through China.
Locations: Heaven’s Gate, hutong village, the Great Wall of China, exploring the streets of Beijing, Michelin Bib Gourmand food, eating with locals, Beijing to Xi’an by train.
This is only the beginning…
Jake Sohanta's China adventure begins with a chaotic arrival at Beijing airport, where a fight breaks out over luggage. After a long flight, he checks into a hotel with a stunning view and heads out for his first meal—comfort Indian food—before calling it an early night.<br><br>Day one starts with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a 600-year-old imperial site. Jake finds it overcrowded but impressive, and locals even ask to take photos with him. The tour then takes a strange turn at a herbal foot massage place where doctors try to upsell medication. Escaping the tourist crowd, he explores a hutong village, enjoying a rooftop beer and a greasy beef pie. The evening ends with a surprise Brazilian barbecue dinner, where he dodges cow tongue.<br><br>On day two, plans change due to a typhoon, and Jake heads to the Great Wall of China instead. The initial fog disappoints, but as he descends, the sun clears the view, revealing breathtaking scenery. The steep hike leaves his legs like jelly. He skips the Forbidden City to grab McDonald's in a rainstorm, then sleeps in before a late dinner at a local Chinese restaurant—his first authentic Chinese meal, costing just 12 pounds.<br><br>On the final day in Beijing, Jake rebels against the tour group, leading a crew through back alleys to a self-serve beer spot and a Michelin Bib restaurant where they struggle with chopsticks but enjoy incredible noodles with locals. He also hits a massive flea market, haggling a souvenir down from 1,600 yuan to 300. The day ends with a four-hour bullet train to Xi'an, arriving late at night. Jake notes the contrast: Beijing's lights cut off at 10 p.m., but Xi'an has a glowing building like a casino. He's excited for the Terracotta Warriors and the rest of the journey.
Jake Sohanta's Beijing adventure kicks off with a chaotic airport arrival and an unexpected Indian meal. He battles language barriers and tourist traps, but finds magic at the Great Wall and a hidden Michelin Bib restaurant. A rebel day off the tour brings him closer to real Beijing.
Jake explores Beijing's Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, and hutongs, discovers local food, and boards a train to Xi'an, embracing chaos and hidden gems.
Beijing & Xi'an Travel: Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Local Food
22:46 Don't worry about VPN or SIM cards. Use Alipay to buy an eSIM and everything works—WhatsApp, Google, Instagram. It's straightforward and stress-free.
28:42 The Great Wall has many entry points. The Giang Jang entrance didn't have the best viewpoints, and drones are not allowed. Research alternatives for better views.
1:10:15 Chinese locals are surprisingly patient with language barriers. At Subway, it took 5 minutes to order salt and pepper, but they helped without frustration—unlike in the UK.
1:07:08 At the flea market, haggle hard. A souvenir quoted at 1,600 yuan (238 USD) was brought down to 300 yuan (35 USD). Negotiate with confidence and walk away if needed.
22:46 Don't worry about VPN or SIM cards. Use Alipay to buy an eSIM and everything works—WhatsApp, Google, Instagram. It's straightforward and stress-free.
28:42 The Great Wall has many entry points. The Giang Jang entrance didn't have the best viewpoints, and drones are not allowed. Research alternatives for better views.
1:10:15 Chinese locals are surprisingly patient with language barriers. At Subway, it took 5 minutes to order salt and pepper, but they helped without frustration—unlike in the UK.
1:07:08 At the flea market, haggle hard. A souvenir quoted at 1,600 yuan (238 USD) was brought down to 300 yuan (35 USD). Negotiate with confidence and walk away if needed.
0:04 Arrival chaos in Beijing
2:51 Hotel room reveal
9:15 Temple of Heaven visit
13:38 Hutong Village exploration
28:27 Great Wall hike begins
33:36 Descending the Great Wall
55:56 Michelin Bib noodle dinner
1:12:54 Train station and departure
1:15:28 Arrival in Xi'an
0:04 Arrival chaos in Beijing
2:51 Hotel room reveal
9:15 Temple of Heaven visit
13:38 Hutong Village exploration
28:27 Great Wall hike begins
33:36 Descending the Great Wall
55:56 Michelin Bib noodle dinner
1:12:54 Train station and departure
1:15:28 Arrival in Xi'an
china travel vlogbeijing tripgreat wall hike天壇local foodsolo travelhutong explorationcultural immersionflea market
