Dongmen Peking Duck – A Local Hidden Gem In Beijing For Very Good Peking Duck

dongmen collage

Dongmen Peking Duck in Beijing is a hidden gem that was recommended by a local taxi driver when we told him we wanted to eat Peking Duck. He insisted we try this restaurant instead of the usual touristy must-visit Peking duck restaurants we might have had in mind.

We were skeptical about his recommendation at first but decided to give it a shot and we regretted nothing.

It was so good that we visited this restaurant twice during our stay in Beijing and here’s why you must dine at Dongmen Peking Duck too.

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10 Things To Do In Beijing – Why You Need To Visit The Capital Of China

temple of heaven

Beijing is a multifaceted metropolis filled with surprises at every street and corner. The vibrant city is not just the capital of China but also the country’s focal point of arts and culture.

There is so much to do and so much to see that all visitors are guaranteed a smashing good time.

From exploring Beijing’s best preserved historical alleyways, cruising the Kunming Lake at Summer Palace on a paddleboat to browsing through the 12-million book collection at China’s National Library, here is our guide to 10 Fun Activities To Do in Beijing.

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8 Affordable Bars in Beijing – Hidden Cocktail Bars And Popular Local Breweries

jing a beijing

In a city where Mandarin is the only language spoken amongst most natives, majority of non-Chinese travellers tend to find themselves lost when navigating around the capital of China. English information on Beijing’s bars is extremely scarce, too!

Many bars in Beijing are located in obscure and ancient alleyways or what they call hutong. Most of them are dimly lit (or none at all), hence making the accidental discovery of bars almost impossible. Having said that, not every bar is situated in dingy alleys. To our surprise, most of these bars share an interesting vision of injecting Chinese elements into their brews and concoctions.

Through word-of-mouth recommendations from likeminded guzzlers, we have successfully narrowed down a wallet-friendly list. We understand that affordability is of utmost importance to travellers and we are no exception. From hidden cocktail bar Mao Mao Chong to award-winning local brewery Jing A, here is our guide to 8 Affordable Bars in Beijing. READ ON

10 Instagram-Worthy Cafes in Beijing, China

Beijing Cafe Guide

The cafe industry in China is booming; according to consultancy Euromonitor, the cafe market is valued at over an estimated 12 billon yuan! Over the past few years, China’s capital saw the opening of many exciting third-wave coffee specialty establishments. These up-and-coming cafes are the brainchild of many ambitious entrepreneurs from all walks of life.

From the hidden boutique cafe Fnji (only accessible when you walk through its furniture retail section) to the impressively designed Maan Coffee which bears a striking resemblance to Hogwarts, we are excited to share with you 10 Instagram-Worthy Cafes in Beijing that we have visited recently. Each cafe inherently exudes a very different vibe – read on more to find out!

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The One Street Food You Must Eat in Beijing – Jian Bing

jian bing with meat

The Jian Bing is a tasty traditional crepe-like Chinese street food created by the Chinese since two millenniums ago in the Shandong Province. Legend has it that this heavenly dish had lifted the morales of an army troop during the Three Kingdoms Period and saved many soldiers from an ambush.

Jian Bings are an extremely popular take-away delicacy in Northern China and can be eaten throughout the day. Depending on one’s appetite, it can be consumed as a snack or even as a main.

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Si Ma Tai — The Road Less Travelled on The Great Wall of China

Great-Wall-of-China

The Great Wall of China is an ancient man-made world wonder that spans over 5,500 miles across the People’s Republic. The magnificent fortress — which commenced building since the 7th century BC — has awed travellers from all over the world for its jaw-dropping historical significance and impressive infrastructure. Ranked as one of the world’s top ten timeless wonders, The Great Wall of China is indeed a must-see attraction on everyone’s bucket list.

Located in the North of Miyun County, Si Ma Tai is approximately 120km away from the city centre of Beijing. Si Ma Tai is the only section on The Great Wall of China that still possesses original traits of the Ming Dynasty. It was previously closed for restoration but reopened to public recently in end 2014.

Read on more to find out why you should visit Si Mai Tai, how to get there and what the necessary steps are to be taken before making a special trip.

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48 Hours In Beijing – 15 Tips On What to See And Where to Eat

summer-palace

The capital of China is one of the world’s greatest ancient sites. Filled with many imperial relics dating back to over 3000 years, Beijing is a must-see destination for all travel enthusiasts and history buffs.

Today, the Chinese global city is a booming metropolis and is China’s arts, cultural and political centre. It is hard to believe that the municipality had only opened its doors to the outside world in 1978.

Exploring Beijing’s vastness without a plan in mind is not feasible, especially when you only have a limited period of time. One should not miss out on its UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the decadent Beijing cuisine!

This is our suggested itinerary for those who have a 48-hour layover in Beijing.

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