What to do in Beijing, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. It is estimated that many friends from other places have to go to famous scenic spots to check in when they come back to Beijing for the first time. Nowadays, there are more and more people traveling independently. How can they enjoy Beijing in a deeper and more authentic way? Today, I will let Mr. Super Xiaobao, a Beijing native who has traveled around the world for more than ten years, tell you about the best ways to play and check in with the ancient style and national trend of Beijing.
The story starts from the Forbidden City...
The story begins with the Forbidden City. This year... people all over the world are living in a magical way, and Beijing has been hit by two waves of pornography. The Forbidden City has also been closed or restricted, but in the eyes of Beijingers, this wave of current restrictions can be described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
You must know that even if many Beijingers want to go to such a popular scenic spot as the Forbidden City, they will be discouraged because they are afraid of too many tourists. by your side. Thinking back, the last time I went to the Forbidden City was about ten years ago, and it was because my friends from other places came to Beijing to entertain guests as a landlord.
The scene of the sea of people is still unforgettable, and I also have a timid feeling towards the Forbidden City. However, this wave of current restrictions has come, and many Beijing natives who like to take pictures of ancient buildings are finally waiting for the opportunity. Especially in May and June, not only is the number of visitors limited to a few thousand per day, but also inter-provincial tourism is closed, and tourists from other provinces cannot enter Beijing. This is a godsend opportunity!
I used to teach how to take such an unpopular photo in a crowded scenic spot in a post, but now, all I do is a tripod! So cool!
Although many indoor venues are not open due to the epidemic, scenery and portrait photography are mainly outdoor locations, so it doesn't matter if you don't enter the Treasure Hall.
Look, how can such a clean composition wait? The Forbidden City has an average of 50,000 to 60,000 tourists per day. There will always be a lot of people at this kind of gate.
Traffic restrictions allow everyone who comes in to take pictures to have more room to play.
Narcissistic old men like me are in the minority, and the main ones who come to take pictures are young ladies and sisters.
With a clean background and a large environment with few people, it is equivalent to finding a natural location for shooting.
Therefore, many young ladies who pair up, or specially invite a photographer to come, basically pretend to be a full set of guys.
There are cosplay maids and cosplay Zhen Huan. Needless to say, with his head-to-toe outfit, it's as if he jumped out of a TV series!
Such a hot day is really hard for you! Let the ladies also feel how difficult it is for the ancients to have a summer.
Turn left at the exit of the north gate of the Forbidden City and you will find the Internet celebrity cafe, Forbidden City Corner Cafe, which has just emerged in the past two years.
If the weather is nice, you can sit outside and drink a cup of "Royal" coffee. The taste is... probably more water than the most ordinary Buck you have ever had.
Therefore, if you are a glutton or a coffee lover, just buy a latte with latte art or a coffee paper cup with "royal" printing to take a photo. The really good ones in their house are the small desserts, and the most popular one is the Qianli Jiangshan Roll.
As the name suggests, the two fillings in this roll are "Qianli" and "Jiangshan"...ah no, it's matcha and cream.
However, students who want to go there in the near future must check whether it is open online in advance. It has not been open recently.
Walk west along the Tongzi River for a few hundred meters from the coffee shop, and you will arrive at the real turret.
According to historical records, in the past, all lotus roots were planted in the water outside the turret. It is estimated that the palace also implemented a period of hard work and simplicity, and vigorously advocated self-production and self-sale.
It is estimated that during the Qianlong period, this piece of water could be full of lotus flowers every midsummer. Moreover, this is a moat after all, and it more or less acts as the last line of defense of the Forbidden City. The bottom of the lotus is full of mud, which can slow down the enemy's ability to move, and you can seize the opportunity to shoot arrows from the city wall to counterattack. Changing to other plants will not have this effect. Imagine if potatoes are planted outside the Forbidden City... then unless the enemy is attacking zombies, potatoes can turn into bombs to block it#_#But to be honest, in Plants vs. Zombies It's better to use winter melon, alas, it's far away again.
To the east of the turret, after turning the Wusi Street, you will arrive at the famous Red House of Peking University. Many people with lofty ideals have left their footprints here. Across the road from the Red Building of Peking University, there is Meiyuan Bookstore 1923 Cafe.
This house is said to be the location of the faculty and staff offices in the Red Building of Peking University.
Now it has been converted into a coffee bookstore. In the ancient rhyme and book fragrance, drinking a cup of authentic coffee (a little better than the one in the Forbidden City) will give you a special feeling.
Longfu Building——Guochao to in check-in place
After coming out of Meiyuan, go east at an intersection, pass the art museum, and the north side of the road is the Longfu Temple area, which was one of the hottest old business districts in Beijing back then. Now this place is also advancing with the times: Longfu Building rises from the middle of the hutong, and the surrounding open spaces have also become the forefront of fashion.
What I'm going to experience tonight is the "Guochao Book Fair", a market here.
It seems that the book market is quite popular. If you don't make an appointment in advance, you can basically change the show and go shopping elsewhere.
Even if you have an appointment, you have to line up to get the bracelet first. Because of the special period, after receiving the bracelet and taking a temperature test, you are not allowed to enter the venue.
The book market is full of people and lively! There are quite a lot of people who come here to visit the book market, and there are various types of books. What is more interesting is that many book stalls sell independent publications. For this alone, this book market is enough to browse for several hours, because every book in every book stall may be different, and it is likely to be unique or out of print.
A small square is crowded with various creative stalls and trendy people tonight.
In short, to use a Beijing dialect, come here to play, "very stylish"!
I didn’t turn around a few book stalls, but when I turned to the front, I found that all the stalls had become a market for creative small things, and walking forward, they were all food stalls!
The people here are denser, shoulder to shoulder, and I carry a big schoolbag, which feels like a tortoise shell, and I can't squeeze it wherever I go. At this time, I looked down at the bracelet just now, and suddenly found the words "Wood Eats Toker"!
Although I don't know Wood, and I don't know what Tok is, but just seeing the keyword in the middle, I instantly had a huge liking for the entire book market!
Hmm... I love the vibe of this market!
Since it is called Guochao Creative Market, the products sold in this "Wood Eat Tok" should not be too clichéd. For example, how many craft beers are there in Beijing? In the past, I only heard it from foreigner friends, but today I have found a place.
Next to this is the "Beijing A" version of the craft bar. Next time you have a chance, you can come to this alley for a drink or two.
Take a look at these creative (Hei) Italian (An) drinks full of personality...
There is also a cocoa monopoly in physical stores in Chaobei Joy City, Beijing. Look at the packaging, which is very particular. I didn't know but thought it was Japanese chocolate.
Seeing that I have been taking pictures, the young lady took the initiative to take out a plate for me to taste. This atmosphere...I like it so much! I'm not mainly because I eat it for free... This matcha taste is really good! This is definitely a paradise for foodies...hell for dieting dogs!
Going forward, the refrigerator magnets on this board attracted my attention.
It's so fun to make, and it looks like it's made by hand, and each one looks different. For hardcore magnet lovers like me, there is no room for the double doors of the refrigerator at home. I must not let go of such a baby with personality. I picked and picked the two that I thought were the most interesting. When I checked out, I found out that this stall does not seem to be a cultural and creative stall. It is full of bottles, big and small.
I said, what are you guys doing? Do you get free drinks when you buy fridge magnets? The young lady proudly said that our family makes small sesame oil, and the refrigerator magnets are only sold on behalf of others...
So at a stall selling sesame oil, I bought two handmade refrigerator magnets that are unlikely to hit the shirt in my life. The most important thing is that after the market is withdrawn, no one will be able to find this kind of refrigerator again. Posted it, hahahahaha... I love this market so much!
The good times are always very short. Just as I was sipping skewers and drinking the special iced drink, there was a sudden gust of wind. At first, I thought it was just to cool down, but I didn't expect the second gust of wind to overturn one-third of the stalls in the market.
The music on the stereo was still shaking, but the market was already in chaos. Because most people are in the same situation as me, walking well, suddenly a few giant umbrellas flew over from nowhere, blocking the way...
Only then could I see the sky, and it was already thundering and lightning. When I saw that the situation was not good, I hurriedly retreated to the nearby Longfu Building.
It is said that the distance is only a few hundred meters, but because of the clutter of people and umbrellas on the scene, the forward speed becomes very slow.
Seeing that the big raindrops had already fallen, they finally rushed into the building before the torrential rain began to pour. After entering the door with the front foot, it sounds like the faucet is turned on outside, "Wow~~~"
The one who rushed in half a minute after me was completely soaked! so close.
It was raining so hard and I didn't bring an umbrella, so I had to walk around the building first.
A biological art exhibition is being held on the first floor of the building, which combines the beauty of the original ecology of nature with artistic processing and modeling to sublimate a higher level of brilliance.
It can be seen that the artist named Christopher Marley has a lot of ideas. I like the whole art show too...
Because it's free, eh.
Next to it is Geng Book Club, which seems to be a combination of bookstore and coffee, but the design is completely different. If Meiyuan Bookstore is retro, then this one is basically science fiction.
Not only are there all kinds of naive ornaments in different shapes.
There is also a recording studio for some kind of program.
In addition to books, there are also retro old objects that have passed through the ages everywhere.
Mixed in the fashionable and simple design style, it seems that the whole tone is full of science fiction.
And the people who patronize here are mainly literary ladies, um...
In short, I also like the atmosphere of this bookstore!
Cosplay Bao Qingtian, Super Little Baozi, talk to ancestor Bao adults in the air
Peking Opera is the quintessence of the country and one of the biggest characteristics of Beijing. When many students go to Beijing to play, they want to learn about Peking Opera. But most people are not fanciers, and it is too solemn to go to a Beijing opera performance, not to mention that they may not understand it. At the east end of Xianyukou, there is a Beijing opera experience hall called Tianyuan, which can meet the needs of many people who want to understand Peking opera.
From the outside, Tianyuan may not seem big, but there is a universe inside it, and it has a lot of background. During the Qing Dynasty, it was one of the four famous theater buildings. Over the next 200 years, the four famous actors of Peking Opera, Mei Lanfang, Cheng Yanqiu, Shang Xiaoyun and Xun Huisheng all performed here.
The current Tianyuan Park can basically be said to be a one-stop experience of Peking Opera. Here, you can dress up in a full set of outfits, take pictures on the stage and in various antique backgrounds. If you want to experience a more perfect appearance, you can also have professional teachers make up to ensure that you become the most amazing boy in the crowd.
In addition to experiencing it yourself, you can also enjoy Peking Opera performances in Tianyuan. However, unlike ordinary theater buildings, the performances here are mainly "action dramas". After all, Beijing opera arias are just fun to most people who don't understand, but the movements are much more intuitive. Not only can you see the exquisite Peking Opera costumes, but you can also appreciate the wonderful body movements of the actors.
As soon as I entered the door, I was attracted by the antique decoration style here.
In the center of the room is a small stage, with gorgeous helmets and phoenix crowns on both sides, domineering beards and exquisite facial makeup on the walls.
In the hall that goes further in, on one side is the small Museum of Mei Lanfang’s Authentic Works. The walls are covered with collections related to Mr. Mei Lanfang, including the huqin he used, photos of the performance at that time, posters, the original score, etc. Wait, all are old objects from searching around.
On the other side is the dressing table, where I can "dress up" if I want to experience it.
Since you want to dress up, you might as well choose a commemorative character—Master Bao Qingtian. I asked my grandma, and she said that we can be regarded as Bao Zheng's dozens of generations of collateral grandchildren, really, my skin color may have followed my third uncle...
As soon as I wore a beard, I made a joke, because I didn't draw a face, so my "little white face" was directly left with two big black beard marks. The guys here seem to be dressed by real opera singers on stage, and the black paint on Baogong's face must inevitably be stained on the beard.
Putting on the boa robe, the jade belt, the black beard, and the gauze hat, I instantly felt like I had traveled through time.
It's the outfits all over the body that look bright, colorful and eye-catching, and it's really tiring to wear them.
It feels like just a piece of clothing weighs more than ten catties, let alone a hat. It is said that some headdresses weigh tens of catties. Thinking of this, I can't help but respect these old artists who are engaged in Peking Opera performances. Not to mention singing a big show with all beards and tails, I took a few photos of 13 in this costume, and I feel that the whole person is about to be steamed inside.
The super small steamed bun almost became a super steamed bun, and if I shoot for a while longer, I guess I will go directly to see my master Bao Qingtian.
There is a Royal Inn next to Tianyuan, which is a very distinctive boutique hotel. On the roof of the top floor, you can directly see the Qianmen Building in the distance.
Have a cup of summer special drink here, cool and open, it feels different-mainly to see the scenery.
If you are staying in the hotel, you can also enjoy the rooftop swimming pool next to it.
In the distance is the entire skyline of Beijing CBD. I don't know how many Beijingers like this place, but I'm sure foreigners will love this place so much, so basically there are foreign friends by the pool.
After passing Qianmenlouzi, continue to the north, walk along Beiheyan Street for a few more intersections, and return to the art museum.
The experience that was interrupted yesterday because of a heavy rain continued today.
The bustling bazaar has retreated, leaving only a small empty square. The reason why I came here again today is because there is another place to experience Chaowan check-in next to this place.
On the top floor of the Longfu Building next to it, there is an absolute Internet celebrity check-in place that is not popular but has an outstanding appearance.
Come in from the north gate and take the elevator directly to the ninth floor. When you get out of the elevator, you will find yourself outside. Moreover, the red walls and green tiles on both sides have the illusion of traveling to the Forbidden City!
Because the Cannes Film Festival is currently being held on the ninth floor, only tickets are allowed to enter the top floor.
This provides excellent conditions for punching in and taking pictures. There are few people and the scenery is good, so where to find it!
As the sun sets, the reflection of the shadow on the big red wall is particularly impressive. The most important thing is that today is not the weekend, so there are almost no one here when I come here!
The wall on the top floor has a viewing pavilion on the east and west sides, and you can even directly see the rolling mountains in the distance to the west—the air is so bright today!
Originally, I wanted to come up to take some good photos when there were few people, but I didn't expect to meet Teacher Wang Gang and Chun Ni. It seems that the crew also had the same idea as me: come when there are few people. I just came out of the Forbidden City, and I felt an inexplicable intimacy when I saw Lord Heshen, and it seemed that he was pretty good-looking.
In several buildings on the top floor, the Cannes Image Exhibition is being held, which is a full-scale 4D image experience.
There are a lot of short films, which can take you to experience the world of different themes like a wonderland!
Endless stories to tell, endless alleys to visit
An in-depth tour of Beijing is definitely a good way to miss the hutongs. From the Drum Tower to Dongsi, there are still many hutongs in old Beijing. Today, let’s go to these hutongs together!
If you really just visit the hutongs where other residents live, although you can feel the life scenes, it is unavoidably a bit too down-to-earth. So I recommend starting with Fangjia Hutong near Beixinqiao. In addition to some unique shops, Fangjia Hutong No. 46 has gradually become a trendy place in recent years.
Although the entrance of the hutong is too narrow, in fact, the more you walk in, the more spacious it becomes. There is a large open space at No. 46 Fangjia Hutong, which completely subverts your impression of houses in the hutong. Because the place is large, there is also a lot of room for development. A small theater was built here many years ago, and some pioneer dramas are often performed here. Up to now, there are both coffee and western food inside, and it has become a trendy gathering place.
This kind of place, in addition to Beijing literary youth, foreigners also love to patronize. The craft beer I drank at the market the day before yesterday was produced by their family, another Beijing-style craft beer that is as famous as "Jing A" - Beiping Jiji.
Looking at their bilingual menu and various Western-style light meals, it is not difficult to see who the main customer group here is.
In fact, even if you are a Beijinger, many people don’t know that Beijing also produces its own lager craft beer.
If you are free, you should sit here and order a few glasses of craft beer, and try to taste the difference between the "Emperor Capital Lager" and Yanjing Beer.
Come on, let’s continue to visit the hutongs. If no one gives you pointers in advance, most people will never notice this major feature of our Beijing hutongs.
These unattractive stone carvings are called "Shangma Stone". As long as you observe carefully, there will be a pair at the door of many large houses. In the past, when there were no bicycles or cars in Beijing, people used to ride horses and sedan chairs when they went out. If you look closely, you will find that these stones are all different in size and carving process. Walking down an alley, the financial resources and social status of each household in the past can be guessed from these small stones.
After leaving the west entrance of Fangjia Hutong and walking north for 100 meters, you will find the famous Guozijian Street.
On the archway to the west, there are three big gold characters of "Chengxian Street", shining brightly in the sun.
The Guozijian in this street was an institution of higher learning in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, which is equivalent to the concept of Peking University and Tsinghua University today.
However, with the development of the times, there are now several creative shops on Guozijian Street.
For example, this one is called "Haobai Store". When I saw the items sold in the store, I couldn't help sighing secretly: "Haobai!"
After strolling around the Guozijian, the east exit is the largest Lama Temple in Beijing—the Lama Temple. When the sun was about to set, many ordinary people came out to sit in the street to cool off and relax.
Of course, sitting on the street is definitely not the style of Beijingers.
Either put on a chessboard to catch opponents and fight for a few rounds, or hold a teacup and talk about the mountains all over the world. That's the right way.
There is a joke that in the eyes of Beijingers, everyone is an ordinary person. This is actually true. Since ancient times, Beijingers have lived at the feet of the emperor, and Beijingers are born with a kind of domineering spirit that is neither humble nor overbearing. If you listen to Beijingers talking about the mountains, you can talk about everything from astronomy to trivial matters. In the eyes of Beijingers, there is no hurdle that cannot be overcome, and there is no chapter that cannot be overcome. A bowl of noodles with fried sauce, three or two Erguotou, between pushing cups and changing cups, everything is full of laughter and cursing.
When the first ray of morning sun from the east shines on the golden glazed tiles of the Forbidden City, and flocks of white pigeons rustle across the courtyard between the drum towers, Beijing, the ancient capital of thousands of years, will usher in a new day.
