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My first day back in China…
Beijing Family Adventure: Hutongs, Street Food & Culture
Xiaomanyc's Beijing family adventure: Hutong rickshaws, tasty street food, and emperor cosplay! A heartwarming return to China.
So I just arrived with my entire family to China! Today I’m here with my wife in Beijing, which I haven’t been to in 15 years (although I have been to other parts of China in the interim), and I’m really excited to see how the city has changed.
In an earlier version of this video I clickbaitily described myself as “moving” to China even though we'll only be here for a little over a month, which some of you felt was excessive. I agree, and so I’ve updated the title and video to reflect.
Xiaomanyc returns to China after 15 years, revisiting Beijing with his family. He explores the city's transformation, experiencing a cashless society, a rickshaw ride through the hutongs, street food like fermented tofu juice, and even finds pearls in an oyster. The video also shows him trying on traditional Chinese emperor clothing and undergoing a unique street ear cleaning. It's a delightful mix of cultural immersion and personal rediscovery.
So I just arrived with my entire family to China! Today I’m here with my wife in Beijing, which I haven’t been to in 15 years (although I have been to other parts of China in the interim), and I’m really excited to see how the city has changed.
In an earlier version of this video I clickbaitily described myself as “moving” to China even though we'll only be here for a little over a month, which some of you felt was excessive. I agree, and so I’ve updated the title and video to reflect.
This vlog follows Xiaomanyc 小马在纽约 and his family on their first day back in Beijing after a 15-year absence. The video opens with Xiaomanyc reflecting on the surprising reactions he receives from fans in America who assume his videos are filmed in China, when in fact, he's been living in New York for two decades. He expresses his curiosity about how Beijing has changed, especially given the US government's travel advisory.
One of the first things Xiaomanyc notices is the prevalence of cashless payments. He uses WeChat Pay to pay for a hand-washing station, a unique and unexpected sight. He embarks on a spontaneous bicycle tour of the hutongs, traditional Beijing neighborhoods, with a local who, surprisingly, turns out to be a fellow native of Shaanxi province, Xiaomanyc's wife's home province. This leads to a delightful conversation in their shared dialect and an even more surprising discovery: they both hail from Hanzhong city.
The journey continues with Xiaomanyc experiencing the bustling street markets, where he finds incredibly affordable goods, a stark contrast to the prices in America. He also tries fermented mung bean juice, a unique culinary experience. The video further highlights the convenience of China's delivery services, with items arriving within 37 minutes. A chance encounter with a live-streamer leads to an amusing game of opening pearl clams.
Perhaps the most memorable moment is Xiaomanyc's experience getting his ears cleaned, a common practice in China. He showcases his impressive Chinese language skills, even speaking in Sichuanese dialect, and enjoys the relaxing and surprisingly enjoyable experience. The video ends with Xiaomanyc expressing his delight at his first day back in China, filled with unexpected encounters and heartwarming moments. Throughout the video, Xiaomanyc's personal insights and emotional responses to his experiences make for a compelling and engaging narrative.
Xiaomanyc 小马在纽约's first day back in Beijing after 15 years is filled with unexpected encounters and surprising discoveries. From cashless payments and a unique public hand-washing station to a serendipitous encounter with a fellow Shaanxi native leading to a hutong exploration, his journey is a delightful blend of cultural immersion and personal connection. The video captures the vibrant energy of Beijing's street markets, the warmth of local interactions, and the humor of Xiaomanyc's experiences navigating a changed China. Don't miss the unforgettable ear cleaning experience!
Xiaomanyc 小马在纽约's Beijing adventure: cashless payments, hutong exploration, and an unforgettable ear cleaning! A heartwarming return to China.
Beijing Exploration: Hutongs, Markets & Unique Experiences
2:43 Embrace the cashless society in China; most transactions are done via QR code payments using apps like WeChat Pay and Alipay. Be prepared to download these apps before your trip.
3:54 Explore Beijing's Hutongs by renting a bicycle. It's a fun and affordable way to experience the traditional neighborhoods and interact with locals.
7:23 Visit local street markets for unique souvenirs and affordable snacks. Bargaining is often expected and can lead to fun interactions with vendors.
9:24 Be adventurous and try local delicacies! Fermented mung bean juice is just one example of the diverse and sometimes unusual flavors you might encounter in China.
10:33 Download ride-hailing apps for convenient transportation, especially if you're going out at night. Some apps even offer designated driver services.
13:51 Consider trying traditional ear cleaning. While it might seem unusual, it's a popular and relaxing practice in many parts of China. Make sure to find a reputable place.
2:43 Embrace the cashless society in China; most transactions are done via QR code payments using apps like WeChat Pay and Alipay. Be prepared to download these apps before your trip.
3:54 Explore Beijing's Hutongs by renting a bicycle. It's a fun and affordable way to experience the traditional neighborhoods and interact with locals.
7:23 Visit local street markets for unique souvenirs and affordable snacks. Bargaining is often expected and can lead to fun interactions with vendors.
9:24 Be adventurous and try local delicacies! Fermented mung bean juice is just one example of the diverse and sometimes unusual flavors you might encounter in China.
10:33 Download ride-hailing apps for convenient transportation, especially if you're going out at night. Some apps even offer designated driver services.
13:51 Consider trying traditional ear cleaning. While it might seem unusual, it's a popular and relaxing practice in many parts of China. Make sure to find a reputable place.
0:00 Arrival in Beijing
2:43 Cashless hand washing
3:54 Hutong bicycle tour
7:23 Street market visit
9:24 Fermented mung bean juice
10:33 Ride hailing apps
11:18 Pearl clam game
13:51 Ear cleaning experience
2:42 China is a cashless society
3:47 Rickshaw ride through the hutongs
7:22 Buying a fan on the streets of Beijing
8:59 Trying fermented tofu juice for the first time
10:31 Useful things in China
11:16 Finding pearls in an oyster
13:06 Dressing up like a Chinese emperor
13:39 Deep ear cleaning on the street
xiaomanyc中國chinesexiaoma chinesexiaoma chinaxiaoma beijing北京travelvlogxiaoma wifexiaoma familyear cleaningWhat's the most surprising thing I found in Beijing?
Probably the one-yuan hand-washing stations and the fact that I didn't need a ticket to enter the Zhu-long cave!
How was the fermented mung bean juice?
The more I drank, the better it tasted! It's kind of like tofu stuffed in my socks for days on end!
What was the ear cleaning like?
It felt great! I even learned how to ask for it in Sichuanese!
