Beijing

Honestly a bit disappointed with the Great Wall at Badaling. I know it’s the most accessible, but that’s exactly the problem—it was packed shoulder to shoulder. The walk up was more about avoiding selfie sticks than taking in history. The wall itself is impressive, but the crowds and the endless vendor stalls completely killed the atmosphere. Maybe I chose the wrong section, but based on this experience I left feeling meh. If you can, go somewhere less advertised.

Summer Palace is stunning—the long corridor with its painted scenes, the marble boat, the views over Kunming Lake from the hill. We rented a paddleboat and it was lovely being on the water. The only downside was the sheer number of tour groups. Getting around the east gate felt like a crowded shopping street, and you had to wait ages for a good photo spot. Still, if you’ve never seen the imperial gardens, it deserves a spot on the list. Just go early or in the off-season.

Temple of Heaven at 7am felt like stepping into a different world. The local elders were practicing tai chi, a group was doing the spinning dance with silk fans, and someone had a bird in a tiny wooden cage hanging from a branch. The park is massive and full of ancient cypress trees. I sat on a bench for an hour just taking it all in. Paid to enter the grounds, but it was absolutely worth it. Genuine slice of everyday Beijing life.

Spent three days in Beijing and I keep thinking about the food. Our local guide took us through a hutong near Shichahai, and we had zhajiangmian at a tiny no-name shop that was pure comfort in a bowl. The Forbidden City was jaw-dropping, but the real highlight was wandering the narrow alleys and watching people play xiangqi in the late afternoon. The city feels huge and ancient and alive at the same time. I'd come back just for another bowl of noodles.

We did the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall on a crisp October morning and honestly it was one of the best days of our trip. Took the cable car up and the toboggan down—the wall snaking through the hills was even more beautiful than the photos. Only had to share the towers with a handful of people, and the air was clear enough to see the mountains for miles. Grab a water before you climb, but definitely go here instead of the other sections.

I visited in late October and caught Beijing at its absolute best. The sky was clear, the ginkgo trees turned the streets gold, and our sunrise hike along the Jinshanling portion of the Great Wall was pure magic—no crowds, just misty mountains and ancient stone curving ahead. The food was fantastic too, especially a tiny dumpling shop near our hotel. Everything felt effortless. If you can, go in autumn. You’ll fall hard for this city.