Essential Tips for Enduring Beijing’s Travel Quarantine

Let’s be real: the idea of travel quarantine can feel like a major buzzkill, especially when you’ve been dreaming of exploring the hutongs, scaling the Great Wall, or savoring Peking duck. But whether it’s a mandatory requirement upon entry or a sudden circumstance during your stay, finding yourself

How to Bargain in Beijing’s Markets as an American

The moment you step into a Beijing market, you’re hit with a wave of sensory overload. The air hums with rapid-fire Mandarin, the scent of sizzling street food mingles with the earthy smell of antiques, and vibrant silks and intricate trinkets vie for your attention from every stall. For an American

Private Tai Chi Lessons in Beijing’s Imperial Gardens

Beijing, a city where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with modern life, offers travelers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the art of Tai Chi amidst its historic imperial gardens. Private Tai Chi lessons in these serene settings are not just a fitness activity—they’re a cultural expe

Summer Palace Beijing: Ticket Prices, Hours, and How to Get There

The Summer Palace in Beijing is not merely a destination; it is an epic poem written in pavilions, pagodas, and the still waters of Kunming Lake. It stands as a majestic testament to Chinese imperial garden design, a place where nature and human artistry have danced in harmony for centuries. Recogni

Beijing’s Best Bakeries & Western Food Options

Forget everything you think you know about food in Beijing. While the city rightfully boasts an incredible culinary heritage, from Peking duck to sizzling street food, a quieter, flour-dusted revolution has been taking place in its hutongs and high-rises. Today's Beijing is a global metropolis, and

Beijing’s Best Brunch Spots for Couples

The weekend sun filters through the ancient willow trees of a hutong, casting dappled shadows on grey brick walls. Somewhere, a steamer basket opens, releasing the fragrant plume of xiaolongbao. This is the magic of a Beijing morning, a city where imperial history and hyper-modernity collide. For co

Beijing Group Tours: Traditional Tea Experiences

The Great Wall snakes across the rugged hills, a majestic stone dragon against the North China sky. The Forbidden City sprawls in imperial grandeur, its golden roofs whispering tales of emperors past. These are the postcard images of Beijing, the must-see landmarks that draw millions. But for the tr

Best Hotels Near Beijing’s Top Markets and Bazaars

The soul of Beijing isn't just found in its imperial palaces or sprawling hutongs; it thrives in the vibrant, chaotic, and utterly captivating markets that dot the city. For the traveler who lives to hunt for treasures, negotiate with vendors, and immerse themselves in local culture, staying near th

Beijing’s Best Chocolate and Dessert Cafés

Beijing, a city celebrated for its ancient history and majestic landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, holds a delicious secret in its bustling hutongs and gleaming shopping districts. Beyond the Peking duck and steaming bowls of zhajiangmian lies a thriving, sophisticated dessert sce

Winter Visit to the Summer Palace: A Different Perspective

Most people imagine the Summer Palace, or Yihe Yuan, as it is properly known, under a blazing sun. They picture crowds shuffling across the Marble Boat, the surface of Kunming Lake shimmering with heat, and the Long Corridor packed with visitors seeking shade. This is the palace in its namesake seas