1 Visit the forbidden city

Why: To fully realise how big the place is.

Description: Home of the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors.

How to get there: Take the subway line no. 1 to Tiananmen West and walk east from there.

Special tip: Get an audio guide in your language. It is really well done and worth the money. Plus you don't need to rush after a group guide. You can enjoy the scenery at your own speed.

When you're finished don't miss the Tiananmen-Square on the opposite side.

2 See the Hutongs including the Bell and Drum Tower

Why: Because it sometimes is as beautiful as a dream to walk through the hutong alleys

Description: Hutongs are the traditional old Chinese houses. In this area most of them are in good shape and really nice to look at.

How to get there: Take the subway line no. 2 to Guloudajie station and walk south along the street with the same name until you notice the drum and bell tower on your left (a little bit in the back, not directly at the street). Walk there first and then explore the shopping street that starts right behind those two towers.

3 Go out and party in Wudaokou

Why: Wudaokou is a student area and hence cheaper and with a lot going on.

How to get there: Take the subway line no. 13 to Wudaokou station, exit to the west side and turn left into the Caijing East Road. On the first 200 metres of the road you will have a big choice of restaurants, bars and clubs.

4 Visit the Wangfujing Snack Street

Why: Because you can eat fried scorpions and do a lot of shopping after the shock

Description: Once you enter the big Wangfujing street the Wangfujing Snack Street will be on your left side after the first block. There you can get all kinds of snacks. It is famous for fried scorpions on the stick. It is a touristy place and not typically Chinese – but still interesting enough to be worth a look. The rest of the big shopping street is worth a visit too.

How to get there: Take the subway line no. 1 to Wangfujing station and exit the station towards the Wangfujing Street.

5 Eat Peking Duck

Why: It's a must try Beijing delicacy

How to get it: You can get it in many Beijing restaurants from cheap to expensive. I had it at the Yangmingguo Jinfu Restaurant, Wangzhuang Road near the Wudaokou subway station. At that time I was told that this is a restaurant chain, so if you find one near the place you stay go there and try it.

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