Travel Guides & Tips in this video
- Tip 1Consider visiting the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall for a less crowded experience and the opportunity to enjoy a toboggan ride down the mountain. This offers a unique and exciting way to experience this historical landmark. (5:30)
- Tip 2Mutianyu offers a quieter alternative to the more popular Badaling section, allowing for a more peaceful and personal experience of the Great Wall. The toboggan ride down adds a unique and thrilling element to the visit. (7:13)
- Tip 3To visit Tiananmen Square, you'll need a reservation in advance. The ticketing system is entirely in Chinese, so it's helpful to use translation apps to navigate the process. Screenshots of the process are useful for showing guards upon arrival. (15:32)
- Tip 4Download a VPN before traveling to China to access blocked Western websites and apps. Surfshark is recommended by Doug Barnard. (5:48)
- Tip 5When tobogganing, lean against the curves to avoid wiping out. It's a fun and exciting way to descend the mountain, but caution is advised. (12:15)
Doug Barnard's China adventure takes an exciting turn as he explores the majestic Great Wall of China and the iconic Tiananmen Square. He shares his unique experience of tobogganing down the mountain from Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, offering a thrilling and less conventional way to experience this wonder. Doug also provides invaluable tips for navigating Tiananmen Square's new ticketing system, a crucial detail for any visitor. This vlog is packed with stunning visuals and practical advice, making it a must-watch for anyone planning a trip to China.
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This vlog follows Doug Barnard's exciting journey through Beijing, China, offering a unique perspective on visiting two iconic landmarks: the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square. The video begins with Doug's ascent to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall via chairlift, where he marvels at the breathtaking views and the sheer scale of this historical wonder. He emphasizes the wall's unique construction, highlighting its placement atop steep mountain peaks, defying the natural landscape.
Doug's journey along the wall is punctuated by encounters with local wildlife – a friendly cat basking in the sun – and quiet moments of reflection on the historical significance of the site. He notes the varying degrees of restoration along the wall, emphasizing the preservation of its original essence. The video highlights the less-crowded Mutianyu section as a preferable alternative to the more popular Badaling section.
The vlog then takes a thrilling turn as Doug describes and experiences the toboggan ride down the mountain, sharing both the excitement and the unexpected challenges of navigating the twists and turns. He offers tips for controlling the toboggan, and his experience adds a layer of fun and adventure to the traditional sightseeing narrative.
The second half of the vlog shifts to Tiananmen Square, where Doug explains the recently implemented ticketing system, a detail often overlooked by tourists. He provides a step-by-step guide to obtaining tickets through WeChat, a crucial piece of information for seamless access to this iconic location. He shares the importance of translating the Chinese instructions using screenshots and translation apps, offering practical advice for non-Chinese speakers. Doug's personal insights, coupled with stunning visuals, provide a comprehensive guide to navigating this significant historical site.
Throughout the video, Doug's enthusiasm and personal touch shine through, transforming the vlog into a captivating story that goes beyond a simple travelogue. His interactions, observations, and unique experiences make this video a valuable resource for anyone planning a trip to Beijing, and a testament to the power of personal storytelling in travel vlogging.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
- Q: How do I get tickets for Tiananmen Square?
- A: You need to reserve tickets in advance through a mini app on WeChat. The whole process is in Chinese, so you'll need to use a translator.
- Q: What's the best way to get to the Great Wall?
- A: I recommend going to Mutianyu, taking the chairlift up and the toboggan down. It's less crowded than Badaling and a lot of fun!
- Q: What should I do before coming to China?
- A: Download a good VPN! Most Western sites are blocked here, so you'll need one to access things like WhatsApp, YouTube, and Instagram.
