Hi, we are Stephen, Jess, Hunter and baby Koa - an Australian family who have had quite the journey. After travelling the world as a couple in 2020 we had our very first baby, we then spent the following year self-converted a van before moving into it full-time to drive around Australia. Cut to 2023 we welcomed our second child Koa into the world before resuming full-time travel around the world.0:00 Intro
An Australian family explores Beijing's Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square in 48 hours, with a surprise birthday party and $5.50 noodles.
The Flying The Nest family squeezed a lifetime of Chinese history into 48 hours, starting with a jaw-dropping cable car ride to the Great Wall of China. A surprise birthday party on the wall, a wild toboggan descent, and then a forbidden palace tour capped off with a noodle feast that cost just $5.50. Beijing served up chaos, beauty, and the best garlic they’ve ever tasted.
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48 Hours in Beijing: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Noodles
Experience a whirlwind 48 hours in Beijing, China's largest city! This family's adventure captures the vibrant street food scene, showcasing the unexpected delights of Chinese cuisine. Their journey offers a glimpse into daily life, revealing a city that might surprise you. From iconic landmarks to bustling markets, this vlog is a captivating exploration of Beijing's energy and charm.
Attractions in this video: Great Wall Of China, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Mutianyu Great Wall
The Flying The Nest family – Stephen, Jess, and their kids – tackled Beijing with just 48 hours on the clock. Their adventure began at the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, where they were genuinely surprised by the cable car ride up. The wall was bustling but family-friendly, with barriers making it safe for toddler Koa. A highlight came when their guide, hearing it was Jess's birthday, produced a cake right on the wall – complete with candles and a local beer. After soaking in the history (21,000 km of wall, 2,000 years of construction), they descended via a toboggan slide, which Hunter drove himself. The drive back to central Beijing revealed a stunning hotel rooftop with a direct view of the Forbidden City. Next morning, they braved long lines at Tiananmen Square, the world's largest square (1 million people capacity), then entered the Forbidden City. The crowds were overwhelming – reminiscent of Vatican City – but the sheer scale of the palace complex, built by a million workers in 14 years, was awe-inspiring. The family grabbed themed ice creams (mango, panda, and Forbidden Palace dragon shapes) and then wandered into local streets lined with gray houses now turned into shops. They found a Michelin-starred noodle restaurant where they waited 15 minutes for a table. The meal was a DIY Beijing noodle dish with sesame sauce, fresh veggies, and a side of pickled green garlic – a pungent surprise. The entire bowl cost only $5.50 Australian, a steal compared to prices back home. Throughout the trip, Stephen and Jess marveled at how accessible China's history is today, reflecting on the fact that for centuries only emperors could enter the Forbidden City. The vlog balanced epic sights with intimate family moments, from birthday songs on the wall to Hunter's hand-counting lesson (Chinese numbers on one hand).
