Beijing Exploration: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square & Peking Duck

BEIJING CHINA is NOT what we expected - Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

Destination:ChinaCity:BeijingPopulation:21.5 million
BEIJING CHINA is NOT what we expected - Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
travelshorts2024-06-2942 min

We start our first full day in Beijing China after spending the past two days in Universal Studios. We have such a great time visiting the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and eating Peking Duck. We start the day by checking out of our hotel at Universal Studios and catching the subway from the Universal Station all the way to Wangfujing in Downtown Beijing. In Beijing we check into our hotel and we have a club room that overlooks the Forbidden City. We then go to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) and spend a few hours here walking around and enjoying the history and architecture the Forbidden City offers. After leaving the Forbidden City we walk across the road to Jingshan Park where we climb to the top of the hill and have a great view of the Forbidden City below us. We then get a taxi to Qianmen Street, a pedestrian street at the southern end of Tiananmen Square where we had dinner at Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant. Quanjude is a traditional Peking Duck restaurant as was founded in 1864. Qianmen Branch is the original restaurant of Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant with a history of ver 150 years. Built in a classic style, the whole building is full of traditional Chinese characteristics. We then head back to the hotel and enjoy a swim in the pool and the complementary food and drinks in the Club Lounge.

--- travelshorts
June 29, 2024, Summer in China

Video Chapters

  1. 0:00Introduction
  2. 00:47Universal Beijing Hotel
  3. 01:49Universal City Walk Beijing
  4. 02:30Metro from Universal to Beijing City Centre
  5. 07:20Renaissance Beijing Wangfujing Hotel
  6. 08:45Tiananmen Square
  7. 12:43Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
  8. 22:46Jingshan Park
  9. 25:24Qianmen Street
  10. 27:19Quanjude Peking Duck
  11. 38:05Subway back to hotel
  12. 41:07Thanks for watching

Travelshorts' Beijing family adventure: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Peking duck delights! An unforgettable China experience.

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

  1. Tip 1Navigating Beijing's subway system can be tricky for tourists. Ensure you have registered on the Jingtang app beforehand to purchase tickets using your passport details. This process can be time-consuming, so factor that into your travel plans. (2:41)
  2. Tip 2To enter Tiananmen Square, you need to make a reservation at least one day in advance through the WeChat app. This is free of charge and can be done easily, even if you don't read Chinese. (8:46)
  3. Tip 3Security checks at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City are very thorough. Be prepared for your bags to be checked carefully, and even items like camera batteries and GPS trackers may be scrutinized. (9:57)
  4. Tip 4Jingshan Park offers incredible views of the Forbidden City, and tickets are incredibly cheap – a must-see for budget travelers! (23:06)
  5. Tip 5Using ride-sharing apps like DiDi in China can be unreliable. It's wise to have a backup plan, such as hailing a taxi on the street, although be mindful of potential overcharging. (25:31)
  6. Tip 6If you don't have a Chinese phone number, using the automated ticket machines on Beijing's subway can be difficult. You may need to purchase tickets manually from a customer service representative. (39:12)

Travelshorts' epic Beijing adventure begins! From the whirlwind of Universal Studios to the serene beauty of the Forbidden City, this vlog captures it all. See the family navigate Beijing's subway system, marvel at Tiananmen Square, and savor the exquisite taste of authentic Peking duck. A must-watch for anyone planning a family trip to China!

More about the current video:( 4 / 18 )

BEIJING CHINA is NOT what we expected - Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

This vlog follows Travelshorts' family's exciting third day in Beijing, China. Their day begins with checking out of their Universal Studios hotel and navigating Beijing's subway system, a process more complex than anticipated due to the need for online registration and passport verification. Despite the initial subway challenges, they successfully reach their hotel, the Renaissance Wangfujing, boasting stunning views of the Forbidden City.

After settling in, they embark on a journey to Tiananmen Square, encountering multiple security checkpoints with thorough bag checks. The family secures pre-booked tickets via WeChat, a necessity for entry. The meticulous security measures highlight the importance of advanced planning for visitors. They then explore Tiananmen Square, capturing the iconic portrait of Chairman Mao.

Their exploration continues to the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), where they spend hours immersing themselves in the rich history and architecture. Travelshorts shares interesting details, like the water storage pots designed for fire prevention, showcasing the unique aspects of the palace complex. Despite the crowds, they manage to enjoy the imperial gardens before heading to Jingshan Park for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Forbidden City. The family's emotional connection to this long-awaited visit is palpable.

Their culinary adventure leads them to Quanjude, a renowned Peking duck restaurant, where they indulge in a traditional meal. The vlog details their experience, from the wait to the intricate preparation and the delicious taste of the Peking duck. The unique experience, including the duck broth and dessert platter, is thoroughly documented. Unfortunately, their plans to visit the Temple of Heaven are thwarted by time constraints, leaving them with a promise to return the following day. The vlog concludes with their return to the hotel, enjoying the club lounge and swimming pool, leaving viewers with a sense of their fulfilling day in Beijing.

Throughout the video, Travelshorts shares personal anecdotes and insights, creating an engaging and informative narrative. The unexpected challenges and surprising discoveries, coupled with the family's emotional moments, make this a captivating travelogue.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: How did we get to the city center from Universal Studios?
A: We took the subway, but it was a bit of a mission getting the tickets!
Q: What was the security like at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City?
A: Super strict! They checked everything in our bags, even the batteries in our cameras!
Q: How much was the Peking duck?
A: A whole one was 258 RMB, which is about 25 pounds.
Q: What was the dessert platter like?
A: It was a mix of pastries and cakes. Some were good, some were…interesting!
Q: What was the most memorable part of the day?
A: Definitely seeing the Forbidden City for the first time – it had been on my bucket list for ages!

Beijing Exploration: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square & Peking Duck

We start our first full day in Beijing China after spending the past two days in Universal Studios. We have such a great time visiting the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park and eating Peking Duck. We start the day by checking out of our hotel at Universal Studios, The Universal Grand Hotel and catching...

Beijing Exploration: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square & Peking Duck

Our Beijing adventure started after two days at Universal Studios. We checked out of the Universal Grand Hotel and took the subway to downtown Beijing, settling into the Renaissance Beijing Wangfujing Hotel with a Forbidden City view. Our exploration began at Tiananmen Square, followed by an immersive experience within the Forbidden City (Palace Museum). We spent several hours appreciating its history and architecture. Next, we climbed Jingshan Park for stunning Forbidden City views. Dinner was at the historic Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant on Qianmen Street, savoring traditional Peking duck. The day concluded with a relaxing swim and refreshments at the hotel.

Attractions in this video: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Jingshan Park, Temple Of Heaven