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My First 48 Hours in Beijing 🇨🇳 I Can’t Believe This is China!
Unbelievable Beijing: First 48 Hours at Great Wall & Hutongs
Join me on my first 48 hours in Beijing, China! From walking on the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, exploring hidden places, beautiful cafes, ancient temples, we will be discovering what Beijing is really like as a first-time visitor!
In this Beijing travel vlog I’ll take you through my first...
Join me on my first 48 hours in Beijing, China! From walking on the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, exploring hidden places, beautiful cafes, ancient temples, we will be discovering what Beijing is really like as a first-time visitor!<br>In this Beijing travel vlog I’ll take you through my first impressions of China, the best places to visit in Beijing, how to use the Chinese apps (Alipay and WeChat), taking the metro, and the hidden gems I found around the city.
In just 48 hours, Malina's Vibe dives into the heart of Beijing, from the iconic Great Wall at Mutianyu to hidden hutongs and bustling street food. This vlog captures the raw first impressions of a traveler discovering China's capital—navigating metro, using Alipay, and soaking in ancient temples. A whirlwind tour that blends modern marvels with timeless traditions, leaving viewers eager for more.
Join me on my first 48 hours in Beijing, China! From walking on the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu, exploring hidden places, beautiful cafes, ancient temples, we will be discovering what Beijing is really like as a first-time visitor!<br>In this Beijing travel vlog I’ll take you through my first impressions of China, the best places to visit in Beijing, how to use the Chinese apps (Alipay and WeChat), taking the metro, and the hidden gems I found around the city.
Malina's Vibe packed her first 48 hours in Beijing with iconic sights and hidden gems, starting with an early morning climb up Jingshan Park. Standing at the central point, she soaked in a breathtaking view of the Forbidden City, surrounded by fog and locals enjoying a quiet breakfast. The park's lush greenery and active morning crowd set a vibrant tone. <br> From there, she wandered into South Luogu Lane, a picturesque hutong lined with boutique shops, handmade souvenirs, and a bustling food court. She sampled fresh watermelon and watched a vendor fry treats, paying effortlessly with Alipay. A cycle rickshaw ride through the city's backstreets felt like a fairytale, thanks to a friendly cafe staff who helped negotiate with the drivers. The electric rickshaw was steady and fun, offering a unique perspective of Beijing's old lanes. <br> Next, Malina's Vibe visited the Lama Temple, the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing, where she received incense and observed locals praying. The temple was surprisingly uncrowded, and she noted that locals used their IDs for entry. She then took the metro, impressed by its cleanliness, English signage, and easy Alipay integration. The metro's security checkpoints felt thorough but efficient. <br> The evening brought her to Tiananmen Square, where she endured seven checkpoints – passport scans, luggage checks, and manual inspections – to reach the world's largest public square. The sheer scale and importance of the site left her in awe. Day two began with a pre-dawn drive to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, arranged through a driver found on Facebook. The early start paid off, as she avoided crowds and enjoyed a smooth shuttle bus ride to the entrance. <br> She opted for a chairlift up the wall, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. The Great Wall's steep, vertical sections surprised her, and she marveled at the restored watchtowers and the undeveloped segment beyond. The highlight was the toboggan ride down – a thrilling, slightly scary descent that she controlled with a simple brake. Back in the city, she ended her trip at a lakeside cafe near Houhai, sipping a drink while watching the sunset. The area's lively yet peaceful vibe became her favorite spot in Beijing. Throughout her whirlwind adventure, Malina's Vibe emphasized practical tips: using Alipay, making reservations for Tiananmen, and hiring a private driver for the Great Wall. Her genuine excitement and candid observations make this a relatable guide for first-time visitors.
Malina's Vibe spent an action-packed first 48 hours in Beijing, climbing Jingshan Park for a jaw-dropping view of the Forbidden City, bargaining for a cycle rickshaw ride, exploring the Lama Temple, and navigating Tiananmen Square's seven checkpoints. Day two took her to the Great Wall at Mutianyu, where she braved a chairlift and zoomed down a toboggan. From hidden hutongs to a serene lakeside cafe, Beijing's blend of ancient history and modern surprises left her in awe.
Malina's Vibe explores Beijing's top sights: Jingshan Park, Lama Temple, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall at Mutianyu, ending with a thrilling toboggan ride
Beijing First 48 Hours: Great Wall, Temples & Hidden Gems
1:34 Book tickets for Jingshan Park online in advance on weekends to secure a morning slot, but locals can enter with just their ID.
6:44 Use Alipay for payments by scanning the vendor's QR code – it's fast and widely accepted for street food and souvenirs.
8:24 Try a cycle rickshaw from a hutong area; negotiate the price with the help of a local English-speaking cafe staff if needed.
14:30 Activate your metro card via the Alipay app in the transportation section for easy tapping and navigation in Beijing's clean, English-friendly metro.
18:01 Make a reservation on WeChat for Tiananmen Square, bring your passport, and expect up to seven security checkpoints during weekends.
20:57 Hire a private driver for the Great Wall at Mutianyu to beat the crowds; we found ours on Facebook and paid 550 yuan for round trip.
23:18 Choose the chairlift up and toboggan down at Mutianyu for a fun experience; the toboggan is easy to control with a brake lever.
1:34 Book tickets for Jingshan Park online in advance on weekends to secure a morning slot, but locals can enter with just their ID.
6:44 Use Alipay for payments by scanning the vendor's QR code – it's fast and widely accepted for street food and souvenirs.
8:24 Try a cycle rickshaw from a hutong area; negotiate the price with the help of a local English-speaking cafe staff if needed.
14:30 Activate your metro card via the Alipay app in the transportation section for easy tapping and navigation in Beijing's clean, English-friendly metro.
18:01 Make a reservation on WeChat for Tiananmen Square, bring your passport, and expect up to seven security checkpoints during weekends.
20:57 Hire a private driver for the Great Wall at Mutianyu to beat the crowds; we found ours on Facebook and paid 550 yuan for round trip.
23:18 Choose the chairlift up and toboggan down at Mutianyu for a fun experience; the toboggan is easy to control with a brake lever.
0:24 Morning at Jingshan Park
4:00 Central point view of Forbidden City
5:00 Exploring South Luogu Lane
8:24 Cycle rickshaw ride
12:18 Visiting Lama Temple
14:23 Taking Beijing Metro
17:56 Tiananmen Square checkpoints
20:57 Arriving at Mutianyu Great Wall
28:01 Toboggan ride down
30:12 Relaxing at Houhai Lake
0:00 Intro
0:48 Jingshan Park
3:13 Forbidden City view from Jingshan Park
4:39 First impressions of Beijing
5:07 South Luogu Lane
6:18 Streetfood in Beijing
7:51 Beijing Cafe
8:24 Taking the Rickshaw in Beijing
10:48 Wudaoying Hutong alley
12:17 Lama Temple
14:20 Taking the metro in Beijing
15:46 Qianmen Alley
17:56 WeChat Mini Programs
18:30 Flag Landing in Tiananmen Square
20:57 Mutianyu, Great Wall of China
22:34 Shuttle Bus to the Mutianyu Entrance
23:27 Taking the Chairlift
25:49 About Mutianyu, Great Wall of China
28:01 Toboggan slide down the Great Wall
29:33 Sinchahai Lake
How did you get tickets for Jingshan Park?
We booked morning slots online since it was a weekend, but we saw locals entering with just their IDs, so on-site tickets might be available.
How did you pay for the fruit you bought?
We used Alipay to scan the vendor's QR code – it was super easy and fast.
How did you communicate with the cycle rickshaw drivers?
The staff from the cafe helped us talk to the cycle rickshaw drivers and negotiate the price because she spoke English well.
Do you need a reservation to visit Tiananmen Square?
Yes, you need to make a reservation online via WeChat, choose a time slot, and bring your passport. There were about 7 checkpoints before entering.
How did you arrange transportation to the Great Wall?
We found a driver on Facebook who drove us to Mutianyu before the buses arrived. It cost 550 yuan for the round trip and he waited for us.
