Beijing: Great Wall Hike & Palace Exploration

Climbing the great wall of China and exploring Beijing palaces // Beijing - #2

Destination:ChinaCity:BeijingPopulation:21.5 million
Climbing the great wall of China and exploring Beijing palaces // Beijing - #2
Fin and Beth2025-03-2119 min

In our first week vlogging our China travel, we explore Beijing’s forbidden City and the summer palace. Then hike up to the peak great wall of china, before tobogganing down it. We end our Beijing experience in full western fashion - in a maccies.

--- Fin and Beth
March 21, 2025, Spring in China

Video Chapters

  1. 0:45Forbidden City exploration
  2. 2:08Summer Palace visit
  3. 5:56Live music street exploration
  4. 7:46Great Wall adventure begins
  5. 8:41Reaching the Great Wall peak
  6. 14:35Tobogganing down the wall
  7. 15:45Last night in Beijing
  8. 16:10Exploring a new area
  9. 17:21McDonald's experience

Fin And Beth's Beijing trip: Forbidden City, Great Wall hike, and McDonald's! Incredible views and cultural immersion create unforgettable memories.

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

  1. Tip 1The Summer Palace was the emperor's summer retreat due to the water features, offering a refreshing escape from the heat. (2:10)
  2. Tip 2Public toilets in Beijing are generally clean and well-maintained, reflecting the city's respect for public spaces. (4:47)
  3. Tip 3While clean, many public toilets in Beijing are simple, with holes in the floor instead of traditional toilets. This is especially important for female travelers to be aware of. (5:17)
  4. Tip 4Reaching the Great Wall cost only £14 and took an hour and 20 minutes, making it a surprisingly accessible wonder. (7:48)
  5. Tip 5The Great Wall of China is 13,000 miles long, though not all sections are well-preserved. ChatGPT provided helpful historical information. (9:52)
  6. Tip 6When in a new country, try the local version of familiar fast-food chains for a fun cultural experience. It's a great way to compare and contrast. (17:38)

Fin And Beth's Beijing adventure is a whirlwind of iconic landmarks and unexpected delights! From the serene Summer Palace to the bustling Forbidden City, they soak in the rich history and vibrant culture. Their thrilling ascent of the Great Wall culminates in breathtaking views and a unique souvenir purchase. The video ends on a surprisingly relatable note—a McDonald's feast, showcasing that even seasoned travelers crave a familiar comfort.

More about the current video:

Climbing the great wall of China and exploring Beijing palaces // Beijing - #2

This vlog follows Fin And Beth's exciting exploration of Beijing, China. Their journey begins at the Forbidden City, where they're struck by the friendliness of the locals and imagine historical kung fu displays within the ancient courtyards.

Next, they visit the Summer Palace, marveling at its beauty and learning about its history, including the unfortunate looting and burning by Britain in the 1800s. This prompts them to spend money in the palace shop as a symbolic repayment.

Their evening takes an unexpected turn as they explore a vibrant street filled with live music venues, ranging from reggae to karaoke bars. The unexpected discovery of a Jamaican bar adds a unique cultural layer to their experience.

The highlight of their trip is undoubtedly their visit to the Great Wall of China. The arduous climb is rewarded with stunning panoramic views, and they even purchase personalized medals to commemorate their achievement. The descent involves a thrilling toboggan ride down the mountain.

Their final night in Beijing is spent exploring a new area with charming bars and restaurants, culminating in a McDonald's dinner – a humorous and relatable end to their cultural immersion. The vlog concludes with their departure to Xi'an, signifying the continuation of their Chinese adventure.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: What did you think of the Summer Palace?
A: It was absolutely beautiful and peaceful, like being on a meditation retreat!
Q: What was the most memorable part of the Great Wall experience?
A: Definitely reaching the top! The view was unbelievable, and getting that medal was a great souvenir!
Q: What was your favorite unexpected discovery in Beijing?
A: Probably the Jamaican bar! Who knew Beijing had such a vibrant reggae scene?
Q: What was the food like in Beijing?
A: We tried lots of street food, and it was all delicious! We also ended up at McDonald's for a familiar taste, which was a fun experience.

Beijing: Great Wall Hike & Palace Exploration

In our first week vlogging our China travel, we explore Beijing’s forbidden City and the summer palace. Then hike up to the peak great wall of china, before tobogganing down it. We end our Beijing experience in full western fashion - in a maccies.

Beijing Exploration: Forbidden City, Great Wall Hike, and Unique Discoveries

Embark on an unforgettable journey to Beijing with Fin and Beth as they explore the majestic Forbidden City and the serene Summer Palace. Their adventure continues with a thrilling hike to the peak of the Great Wall, followed by a exhilarating toboggan ride down. Conclude this epic Beijing escapade with a taste of the West.

Attractions in this video: Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Great Wall Of China