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Why is EVERYONE Going to CHINA? We Had to Find Out!
Beijing Exploration: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square
This isn't the first 'China is not what you think it is vlog' on YouTube. It might not be even the first 1,000 BUT we have to say. It's all true.
We just landed in Beijing, China and have had one of the best days of travel that we've had in a long time. The Forbidden city, Tiananmen Square and...
This isn't the first 'China is not what you think it is vlog' on YouTube. It might not be even the first 1,000 BUT we have to say. It's all true.
We just landed in Beijing, China and have had one of the best days of travel that we've had in a long time. The Forbidden city, Tiananmen Square and eating with locals had Beijing feeling like rewinding the clock to when we first started international travel. Such an exciting culture shock and so different to anywhere else we've been!
If you're thinking about a trip to China, this China Vlog is your sign to book it!
Jordan and Emily, an Australian couple, share their incredible experience exploring Beijing, China. Their visit exceeded expectations, with the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square evoking a sense of nostalgia for their early international travels. The vibrant culture and unique experiences left a lasting impression, making it a trip they highly recommend. This vlog captures the excitement and wonder of their journey, showcasing the unexpected delights of modern China.
This isn't the first 'China is not what you think it is vlog' on YouTube. It might not be even the first 1,000 BUT we have to say. It's all true.
We just landed in Beijing, China and have had one of the best days of travel that we've had in a long time. The Forbidden city, Tiananmen Square and eating with locals had Beijing feeling like rewinding the clock to when we first started international travel. Such an exciting culture shock and so different to anywhere else we've been!
If you're thinking about a trip to China, this China Vlog is your sign to book it!
Jordan and Emily land in Beijing expecting a challenging trip, but within 24 hours, China becomes one of their favorite travel destinations. They start at the Forbidden City, arriving early to beat the crowds. The sheer scale—over 9,000 rooms and 1 million square meters—leaves them awestruck. They learn quirky facts: the emperor's exclusive central passageway, bronze vats gilded with gold used as fire extinguishers, and roofs designed to keep birds from perching. After a coffee break inside the palace complex, they head toward Tiananmen Square, discovering a short line at the southern entrance that saves them an hour. The square is vast, and they spot locals in traditional dress doing photo shoots. But the highlight comes when three local women overhear them speaking English, redirect them from a touristy restaurant to a hidden gem, and personally help them order Peking duck. The meal becomes a cultural lesson: add sugar, cucumber, and wrap it in a pancake. They also marvel at Beijing's quiet electric vehicles and the autumn colors lining the streets. The day ends with beers by the river, reflecting on the spontaneous kindness that made their experience unforgettable. <br><br> Throughout, Jordan and Emily emphasize that China is not the difficult travel destination they imagined. With proper app preparation (like DiDi and third-party ticket booking), the trip is smooth. They recommend booking Forbidden City tickets weeks in advance and using the southern entry to Tiananmen Square. The audio guide is nice but optional—you can read the same information. Most importantly, they urge travelers to embrace local interactions, as the best experiences often find you. This first day in Beijing shattered their preconceptions, leaving them exhilarated and eager for more.
Jordan and Emily's first day in Beijing shattered every expectation. From the awe-inspiring Forbidden City to an impromptu Peking duck feast with locals, they discovered that China's warmth and beauty are unmatched. This is travel magic you can't script.
Jordan and Emily explore Beijing's Forbidden City, eat Peking duck with locals, and fall in love with China's warmth and beauty.
Beijing First Impressions: Forbidden City, Peking Duck & Local Encount
22:00 Book Forbidden City tickets weeks in advance via third-party services like Viator; they sell out quickly.
34:31 Use the southernmost entry point to Tiananmen Square for a much shorter line than the main entrance.
25:42 Don't be afraid to let locals guide you—they know the best, cheapest places to eat and will even help you order.
2:32 Arrive early for the first entry slot (8:30) to enjoy the Forbidden City with fewer crowds and golden light.
31:03 Peking duck is best eaten with a little sugar, cucumber, and wrapped in a thin pancake—a local taught us this!
22:00 Book Forbidden City tickets weeks in advance via third-party services like Viator; they sell out quickly.
34:31 Use the southernmost entry point to Tiananmen Square for a much shorter line than the main entrance.
25:42 Don't be afraid to let locals guide you—they know the best, cheapest places to eat and will even help you order.
2:32 Arrive early for the first entry slot (8:30) to enjoy the Forbidden City with fewer crowds and golden light.
31:03 Peking duck is best eaten with a little sugar, cucumber, and wrapped in a thin pancake—a local taught us this!
2:32 Entering the Forbidden City
5:30 Tripod storage mishap
8:30 Hall of Supreme Harmony
17:34 Coffee break inside
25:42 Meeting locals for duck
31:03 Peking duck tutorial
34:31 Tiananmen Square entry tip
40:32 Evening drinks by the river
2:32 Entering the Forbidden City
5:30 Tripod storage mishap
8:30 Hall of Supreme Harmony
17:34 Coffee break inside
25:42 Meeting locals for duck
31:03 Peking duck tutorial
34:31 Tiananmen Square entry tip
40:32 Evening drinks by the river
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It's nice but you can read the same information; it's a preference thing.
How do you eat Peking duck properly?
Add a little sugar, some cucumber, and wrap it in a pancake.
How did they get the giant marble carving to the Forbidden City?
They dug wells along the route, waited for winter, and created an ice highway to slide the stone here.
