A seven-day, six-night Beijing slow trip | From the hutongs to the Great Wall, discovering the ancient charm and warmth of a city

This journey took off from Taipei and landed in the ancient capital of Beijing. As the plane flew through layers of clouds, I wondered—how many stories and flavors does this city, with its thousand-year-old history, hold? ⸻ 🏮Day 1: Arriving in Beijing and Staying in the Heart of the Hutongs Departing from Capital Airport, my first glimpse of Beijing's sky was crisp, cold, and vast. After checking into the Qianmen Siheyuan Manxin Mansion, I pushed open the wooden door and was greeted by gray bricks, red windows, and an antique atmosphere, as if I had traveled back to the days of old Beijing. In the evening, I walked to Dashilar and Qianmen Street. The streetlights came on, and the aroma of candied haws and roasted chestnuts mingled with the cool air, a truly unique taste of Beijing. ⸻ 🍗Day 2: The Lively Life of the Imperial Palace and the Hutongs In the morning, I enjoyed a bowl of hot soy milk in the courtyard before heading straight to Siji Minfu Roast Duck Restaurant (Qianmen Branch). The first bite of the roast duck was filled with crispy, sweet skin and tender, juicy meat—at that moment, I understood the meaning of "You haven't really visited Beijing without trying roast duck." In the afternoon, we visited Prince Gong's Mansion and the Bell and Drum Tower. Climbing the Drum Tower, we gazed down at the gridded hutongs, where time seemed to stand still. We then ventured into Nanluoguxiang and Beiluoguxiang, where each alleyway was filled with the aroma of coffee, creative shops, and cats. In the evening, we returned to the Shichahai Scenic Area. Children skating on the ice, the shadows of bridges in the twilight—Beijing's romance often lies hidden in its quiet places. ⸻ 🏯Day Three: From the Forbidden City to the Temple of Heaven, Majesty and Poetry Day Three was dedicated to the historical centerpiece—the Palace Museum. Beneath its red walls and golden tiles, centuries of splendor have passed. Sunlight shone on the tiles of the Meridian Gate, like golden dust. In the afternoon, at the Temple of Heaven Park, elderly people played chess and practiced Tai Chi. This city, despite its profoundness, possessed a warmth. Standing in Tiananmen Square at sunset, watching the national flag slowly lower, I felt an indescribable emotion well up in my heart. ⸻ 🏔Day 4: The Magnificent Chapter of the Great Wall We woke up early and set off for Mutianyu Great Wall. The wind howled as the cable car ascended the mountain. The moment we reached the top, we were met with winding mountains and a sea of ​​clouds below. The wind was chilly from the top of the Great Wall, but the heroic spirit of "he who hasn't visited the Great Wall is not a true man" was enough to warm our hearts. ⸻ 🕊Day 5: An Elegant Stroll through the Imperial Gardens Today, we visited the Summer Palace, where the Seventeen-Arch Bridge was reflected in Kunming Lake, the water slightly frozen and the reeds swaying gently. We then headed to the Old Summer Palace to experience the vicissitudes of the ruins. In the afternoon, we visited the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, where modernity and classicism intertwine, adding layers to Beijing's sense of time. ⸻ 🎨Day 6: A Day in Artistic Beijing As our trip draws to a close, we've made a special stop at the 798 Art District. The red brick walls of old factories and graffiti-covered walls are awash with the inspiration of artists. In the evening, we'll stroll through Sanlitun, enjoy a cup of coffee, and watch the neon lights flicker – this is the rhythm of New Beijing. ⸻ 🛫Day 7: Looking Back at the City On our final day, we packed our bags and bid farewell to the Qianmen Siheyuan Manxin Mansion. As the plane took off, I looked back and saw the outlines of the city – ancient, modern, contradictory, yet captivating. Beijing is more than the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China from history textbooks; it's a city that invites us to slow down and redefine time. I imagine I'll remember the wind, the aroma of tea, the crispness of duck skin, and the yellow lights in the alleys at night during these seven days.