Beijing changed everything we thought we knew about China 🇨🇳 After spending time in Shanghai, we thought we had China figured out. We were completely wrong. In just 48 hours in Beijing we visited the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Lama Temple and discovered why this city feels like nothing else we've ever experienced.<br><br>From eating Jianbing street wraps for under £1 at breakfast, to Peking Duck pancakes for under £10, navigating the metro with ease, uncovering hidden Easter eggs inside the Imperial Palace, stumbling across the 798 Art District, and ending our nights in the electric chaos of the Sanlitun bar street — Beijing genuinely blew our minds.<br><br>This is our honest first impressions of Beijing — the good, the surprising, and everything in between. If you've ever been on the fence about visiting China, watch this first.<br><br>🚂 Arrived by high speed train from Shanghai (4.5 hours)<br>🥟 Jianbing breakfast wrap under £1<br>🏯 Forbidden City jaw dropping scale<br>🛕 Temple of Heaven most peaceful place we've visited<br>☕ Lama Temple the hidden gem of Beijing<br>🦆 Peking Duck in Beijing worth every penny<br>🎨 798 Art District we had no idea this existed<br>🌙 Sanlitun bar street pure chaos (in the best way)<br>📍 Beijing, China
Fi and Nick explore Beijing's Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, and enjoy Peking Duck, discovering a city that surprises at every turn with its and
Fi and Nick's Beijing trip shattered their Shanghai expectations. From a £1 jianbing breakfast to the jaw-dropping Forbidden City, peaceful Temple of Heaven, hidden Lama Temple, incredible Peking Duck, and the electric chaos of Shichahai, they discovered a city of contrasts. The 798 Art District and local interactions revealed a modern, vibrant China. Beijing left them thoroughly impressed.
Beijing changed everything we thought we knew about China 🇨🇳 After spending time in Shanghai, we thought we had China figured out. We were completely wrong. In just 48 hours in Beijing we visited the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Lama Temple and discovered why this city feels like...
Beijing First Impressions: Forbidden City, Peking Duck & Hidden Gems
Fi and Nick thought they had China figured out after Shanghai, but Beijing shattered every expectation. In just 48 hours, they devour cheap Jianbing wraps, stand in awe before the Forbidden City, find peace at the Temple of Heaven, uncover hidden Easter eggs, and get lost in the electric chaos of Sanlitun bar street. This honest first-impressions vlog proves Beijing is a city of jaw-dropping contrasts — from ancient temples to vibrant art districts — and a must-visit for any traveler.
Attractions in this video: Forbidden City, Temple Of Heaven, Lama Temple, 798 Art District, Shichahai
Fi and Nick arrived in Beijing with preconceptions shaped by their time in Shanghai, but the capital quickly proved them wrong. Their first morning kicked off with a jianbing breakfast wrap for under £1—a street-food revelation that set the tone for the trip. They navigated the older, slightly grittier Beijing metro with ease, finding it just as functional as Shanghai's. At the Forbidden City, they were blown away by the sheer scale, the golden roofs stretching endlessly, and the crowds of locals in traditional dress. They discovered hidden Easter eggs: mythical animals on building edges indicating importance, and a thousand dragon heads that channel rainwater to look like the palace is weeping. The Temple of Heaven offered a peaceful evening escape, with locals jogging and practicing tai chi. The Lama Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, was a highlight—Fi and Nick burned complimentary incense and admired the massive wooden Buddha. Peking Duck at a local spot near the temple exceeded expectations; the half-duck with pancakes, sweet bean sauce, and a surprising dash of white sugar cost under £10. They also stumbled upon the 798 Art District, a former factory turned into a quirky art hub with train-car food stalls. Their final night took them to Shichahai, where the lantern-lit river and chaotic bar street buzzed with live karaoke and endless food stalls. Every interaction—from ordering Luckin Coffee via a local's app to watching someone use VR goggles on the street—underscored a modern, surprising China. Fi and Nick left Beijing feeling they had only scratched the surface, but the city left an indelible mark.
