Beijing: Some Hard Truths That Might Offend...

Traveling to Beijing was truly a bittersweet experience 😭 I didn't plan my route in advance, so when I arrived in Beijing, I was like a headless fly, wanting to go here one moment and there the next, resulting in wasting most of my time on the road. I also didn't check the opening hours of attractions beforehand, so I traveled all that way only to find they were closed—it was heartbreaking. Plus, I randomly picked a restaurant near a tourist site to eat, and the food was both expensive and terrible—I was completely miserable. But! Beijing is amazing, with deep historical heritage and a strong modern vibe. There are so many delicious foods and fun activities that you can never explore enough! Here's how to enjoy Beijing in May without any regrets~ Day 1: Arrive in Beijing → Sanlitun → Taste Beijing snacks Arrive in Beijing in the morning. I recommend choosing Beijing Capital International Airport as it's close to the city center with convenient transportation. Take the airport express train and transfer to the subway to your hotel. Staying near Xidan is ideal—transportation is convenient with everything you need in one place 🐉. After dropping off your luggage, visit Sanlitun for some shopping. It's fashionable and lively, filled with trendy shops and beautiful people, plus plenty of Instagram-worthy photo spots 📸. When you get tired, try some Beijing snacks like "baodu" (tripe) and "luzhu" (braised offal). They're delicious and will instantly make you fall in love with the city's vibrant atmosphere. Day 2: Tiananmen Square → Forbidden City → Jingshan Park Get up early, leaving around 4 AM to watch the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square. In May, the sun rises early, so arrive early to get a good spot. Remember not to bring lighters, selfie sticks, etc., as security is strict. After the ceremony, you can visit the Memorial Hall to pay respects to Chairman Mao (dress appropriately and remain quiet). Next, visit the Forbidden City. Arrive before 9 AM to see the three main halls along the central axis before the tour groups arrive. Get an audio guide to better understand the history and stories of the palace. After exiting the Forbidden City, go to Jingshan Park. Enter through the side gate, and within 10 minutes of climbing the stairs, you'll reach Wanchun Pavilion, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Forbidden City. Day 3: Badaling Great Wall → Olympic Park In the morning, take subway Line 2 to Jishuitan Station, exit from Gate A or B, and walk to Deshengmen Bus Station. Take bus 877 directly to Badaling Great Wall (fare: 12 yuan). Once at the Great Wall, I recommend hiking up for the best experience of its magnificence, though cable cars are available if you get tired. Be sure to visit Haohan Slope for a photo op. Standing on the beacon tower and looking into the distance gives you an incredible sense of achievement. In the afternoon, return from the Great Wall and visit Olympic Park to see the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. During the day, you can admire their unique architectural designs, and at night when they're lit up, the red Bird's Nest and blue Water Cube create a beautiful contrast for photos. There are many food courts nearby where you can treat yourself to a nice meal. Day 4: Summer Palace → Old Summer Palace → Tsinghua and Peking Universities (photo stops) From your hotel, take subway Line 4 to Beigongmen Station and enter the Summer Palace through the North Palace Gate to avoid crowds. First, take a boat ride to the Stone Boat, enjoying the lake breeze and scenery along the way—it's incredibly relaxing. Then walk along the Long Corridor, where each painting has a story behind it. Listen to the audio guide while viewing them—it's fascinating. You can climb up to the Tower of Buddhist Incense for a panoramic view of the entire Summer Palace, but there are many stairs, so wear comfortable shoes. Exit from the East Gate of the Summer Palace, then take a taxi (about 15 yuan) to the Old Summer Palace. Enter through the East Gate, which is close to the Western Mansions ruins, and visit the Grand Waterworks ruins to experience the historical changes. Afterward, go to Tsinghua University's West Gate and Peking University's East Gate for photos. Although you can't enter the campuses, it's still nice to experience the atmosphere of these top universities from the gates. Day 5: Temple of Heaven Park → Return Home In the morning, visit the Temple of Heaven Park. Buy the 34-yuan combo ticket and enter from the South Gate. First, go to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests—the morning light is perfect for photographing the red walls and blue tiles. Be sure to experience the Echo Wall too; standing at specific spots, you can actually hear echoes from the opposite side—it's magical. After touring the Temple of Heaven, enjoy a traditional Beijing hot pot meal nearby with freshly sliced lamb and sesame sauce—it's absolutely delicious and the perfect ending to your Beijing trip. After the meal, pack your bags and prepare for your return journey.