3 Cool Things To Do in Beijing

When one wonders of the top things to do in Beijing, trying fried scorpions on Wangfujing Street or seeing the giant pandas at the Beijing Zoo come to mind. And don't forget the nearby Great Wall of China! But what about some more unique things to try during your trip to Beijing? Here are 3 cool Beijing activities to do in between the highlights.

1. Get an Asian foot massage

Foot massage

When in Asia, you MUST try a foot massage. These massages are different than your typical massage as the style is very different. It's not just for relaxation and sore muscles, it's for your circulatory system and health.

The chairs are extremely comfortable and you keep your clothes on. Sometimes the massage will come with a glass of hot water and watermelon.

The pressure is usually much harder than an average massage and your limbs are lightly tugged in many directions. I often found that the pressure would be too much, though saying "ow" communicated to the masseuse to tone it down a bit. Also, while they're labeled as a foot massage, it typically includes other parts of your body, such as shoulders, arms, calves, and sometimes the head.

A couple of massages we went to also kept Chinese reality TV on in the background, which made for a humorous and entertaining note.

2. See Beijing from above at Jingshan Park

Forbidden City

For unrivaled, panoramic views of the Beijing, head to the top of the hill at Jingshan Park. You'll see the city buildings, though the best view is perhaps of the Forbidden City behind Tienanmen Square - from above, you can truly see its enormity.

The park is quite large, though, so you'll be able to find beautiful scenery around the area as well. Perfect for photo ops or to simply get away from the hustle and bustle of the city!

3. English Corner on Friday nights

English Corner Remnin

Remnin University of China is located in northwest Beijing. Every Friday night there is the English Corner, a place where anyone can gather to converse with others to practice English. There are no rules, just an open space for anyone to participate.

Our (all American) staff went to the English Corner and everyone literally flocked to us in under five seconds. We each had our own circle of Chinese people firing off questions, curious about our culture. I asked if they could teach me some Mandarin phrases, which they taught me a few, but they were like, "No! This is for speaking English! We speak Chinese every day!"

It was fun to converse and joke around with local Chinese people about everyday life, Netflix, dating, food, and culture. Definitely recommend this.

A Few Things That Surprised Me About China

The Great Wall of China

While I only spent a couple of weeks in China, I'd love to return to spend more time in this fascinating country. From the culture to everyday life, China has so much to offer any visitor.

It's definitely the most "different" place I've been to, but that's why I enjoyed it so much.

Experiencing new places with a completely different way of life allows you to look back at your own way of living, as well as ensure you don't take your "luxuries" at home for granted.

1. Pizza Hut is a fancy restaurant

In China, Pizza Hut is definitely not the fast food joint you'd see at your local strip mall in the US. No joke.

There are real plates, bowls, silverware, and candles on the tables. The servers wear bow ties and come to the table to take your order. The furniture and decor are of nice quality. The music is classical, what I'd expect to be hearing at a steakhouse in New York City. Dessert options include tiramasu.

Don't get too excited about western fast food in China, though...KFC is still your typical KFC.

2. The food is really, really good

Beijing Meal

I already expected the food to be good, but didn't realize how much I'd truly enjoy it. Dining in a circle and sharing every dish with the whole table makes for fun, social, and communal experience.

Also Read: 10 Foods You Must Try In China

3. The food is also really cheap

It's still good quality, though for a meal at a restaurant you'll be able to save plenty of cash, at least compared to the US and Western Europe. Many of my restaurant meals were between 15-20 yuan - about $3-4 USD - and typically included a main dish, side order, and a Coca Cola.

4. To compliment someone, you say, "it is big."

The Great Wall of China

Where I come from, a compliment would be "that's nice," or "that's cool," or "very interesting." In China, however, calling something "big" (even if it's not truly "big") comes from bigger being more expensive and of higher quality.

The exception to this is women...never call a woman big! Instead, one would compliment a woman by saying she is "white," since pale skin is the beauty standard for Chinese women.

5. Not everyone on the street wears face masks

Beijing Face Mask

Supposedly the air pollution in Beijing isn't as bad this year as it was last year, though I saw less people on the streets wearing face masks than originally expected. I never felt the need to wear one, though I definitely got the infamous sore throat a couple times that comes with spending all day outside in the air.

I also heard that one of the main reasons people wear face masks is if they're sick - they do it to prevent germs from spreading to others. Very considerate!

6. A ticket scalper is called a "yellow ox"

This one is random, though I found it interesting that the term for people selling last-minute tickets outside of event venues is an animal. Supposedly it doesn't have anything to do with oxen being bad, as the ox is one of the Chinese zodiac animals. It's just the term for them.

GOING TO CHINA SOON?

Book a place to stay - my all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!

READ NEXT:

China Travel Guide

10 Foods You Must Try in China

A Few Things That Surprised Me About China

You Need To Add Hangzhou To Your China Itinerary

Even though Hangzhou has a population of 9 million, chances are you haven't yet heard of it. Which is a shame, because being in this city is like walking through a fairy tale. Though a modern city, Hangzhou still contains its traditional Chinese roots. It is the "capital of green tea," has the naturally beautiful West Lake, and famous Buddhist temples.

If a picture's worth a thousand words, here are a few thousand reasons why you need to add Hangzhou to your China itinerary:

Hangzhou Boat Lanterns

Hangzhou Boat

Hangzhou Buddha Rock Carving

Hangzhou Flower

Hangzhou Lanterns

Hangzhou Lillies

Hangzhou Monks

Hangzhou Pond

Hangzhou Tree Scenery

Hangzhou Trees

GOING TO CHINA SOON?

Book a place to stay - my all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!

READ NEXT:

China Travel Guide

10 Foods You Must Try in China

A Few Things That Surprised Me About China

10 Foods You Must Try in China

10 Foods You Must Try in China

Chinese Street Meat

One of the most exciting aspects of traveling is trying new food, typically different from what you're used to back home.

Whether it's completely new or the authentic version of the replicas in your home country, eating in China is definitely an experience.

Here are 10 foods you must try while in China:

Hot soup dumplings (xiao long bao)

Fried Hot Soup Dumplings

The most famous are in Shanghai, though you'll find them at many restaurants. I especially enjoyed a lightly fried version I had (pictured above) in Hangzhou!

To eat the dumplings without having the soup explode everywhere, simply take a small bite of the dumpling to make a hole, suck out the soup, and then eat the rest.

Black rice crackers

Black Rice Cake Crackers

These light, airy black rice cakes (this kind is actually purple) are some of the best snacks I've had! Both sweet and salty, they satisfy any snack craving.

Hot pot

Hot pot is great any time of year, but this would be especially good in the cold winter months. The pot is full of boiling broth, to which you add meat, noodles, and vegetables and let them cook. Then you take out what you'd like from the pot and dip it into some sauce.

Lychee-flavored popsicles

Chinese Popsicle

You'll find these all over the streets and see a ton of people eating them on a hot, summer day.

If you're a foreigner, the street seller will most likely try to charge you a higher price - our Chinese co-worker told us that the seller literally told him that if he weren't with us, she would've charged us many times what we paid!

We got these for 1 yuan each (super cheap, that's about $0.16 USD).

Peking duck

Peking Duck Carving

Beijing is known for Peking duck and you are bound to stumble upon restaurants specializing in it. Take freshly carved duck slices and wrap them up in a small, thin rice "tortilla" with a small selection of vegetables or even rice.

Ice Monster (shaved ice)

This is not your average dessert. Originally from Taiwan, the shaved ice is not like a snow cone, rather it is much lighter and sweeter.

The shaved ice tops ice cream and fruit - we tried the most popular mango version, which came with mango shaved ice, mango sorbet, and actual slices of mango.

Here's a photo of what it looks like. It's huge, so make sure to share with a friend or two (or get a container to have leftovers).

Sweet and sour pork

The Chinese eat more pork than every other country in the world combined, so you'll find no shortage of it in this country.

Sweet and sour pork is a safe option for those less adventurous, though very delicious all the same.

Green tea

Green Tea

Green tea originates from China so you are bound to find the best, freshest green tea here. Visit a tea plantation (they're incredibly beautiful!) to learn more about the process of green tea.

Watermelon

Chances are you've already tried watermelon in life and it's not a surprising food to see in many places. However, you're bound to find watermelon served at many,  if not all, meals of the day, and even served sliced fresh in bowls on the street.

It makes for a sweet break from spicy, sauce-heavy options during a meal.

Frozen froyo popsicle

Froyo Popsicle

Okay, so this froyo shop is originally from Australia (Melbourne) but if you find yourself at the Jiuxianquao Indigo mall in Beijing you HAVE to try it. Seriously such a great invention.

For the extra adventurous...

Fried scorpions, frog legs, and chicken feet are a few other food options you may come across. If that's new to you and you're willing to try it, then go for it! Who knows, you just might find your new favorite food.

Also, some restaurants serve smelly tofu. This is literally labeled "smelly tofu" on menus because of its supposedly strong, unbearable stench. Order only if you dare!

These are just a few of many foods to try in China. Feel free to add your suggestions in the comments below!

10 Foods You Must Try in China

GOING TO CHINA SOON?

Book a place to stay - my all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!

READ NEXT:

China Travel Guide

10 Foods You Must Try in China

A Few Things That Surprised Me About China

7 Tips To Help You Prepare For Your Trip To China

The 10 Best Souvenirs To Buy in Italy

The 10 Best Souvenirs To Buy in Italy

Memories and experiences are more important than things, though when you travel it can be fun to shop around and see what the local specialties are. If you're looking for what souvenirs to buy in Italy, here's what you should get - these are much better than your average refrigerator magnet or key chain.

1. Limoncello

Made in Southern Italy on the Amalfi Coast, this Italian liqueur is a sweet ending to a meal. I've seen it cost much more in the US, so bring a bottle back if you fancy it.

2. Wine

Like pasta, wine in Italy is seriously the best. If you take a bottle home make sure to have it wrapped up in some type of padded wine bag to avoid breakage.

A sip of Italian wine will transport you back to your trip while allowing friends and family to have a taste.

3. Dry pasta

Even the local bagged pasta from grocery stores is amazing. You'll be having the best pasta while in Italy - and when you get home and compare it to your average grocery store pasta, you'll truly taste how much better the real thing is.

4. Italian or European brand name items

Taxes will be cheaper since they have to ship the items shorter distances, so if you're contemplating buying an Italian or European designer item, it tends to be cheaper than back in your home country. –

For example, my black Longchamp bag (a French brand) from Florence turned out to be less expensive in Italy than it would’ve been if I had bought it in the states.

5. Leather

One product Italy is known for is leather - you can find markets, shops, and department stores carrying different types of leather clothing and shoes, such as leather jackets or boots, and even accessories like luggage tags or handbags.

It's always high quality and will last a long time - just make sure to take good care of it!

6. Shoes

Italians truly know what quality, comfortable shoes are. My custom-made sandals from Capri and short leather motorcycle boots are not only some of my favorite pairs, they are also far more durable than other shoes on the cobblestone streets.

7. Porcelain

You'll see porcelain ceramics, especially dishes, at shops or markets around Italy. Whether it's a coffee mug or a wine bottle stopper you'll have a piece of Italy back home with you in your kitchen.

8. Glass

Venice is known for its handmade Murano glass and you'll find many shops and stalls selling it - everything from jewelry to decorative figurines.

9. Olive Oil

Why is there yet another food item on this list? Because the food in Italy is just that fantastic! I've always said that Italy is the food capital of Europe, and even if you can find these foods at home it is likely they won't even compare to the real stuff.

So yes, a bottle of silky, smooth olive oil from Italy is definitely worth bringing back.

10. Postcards

Postcards make for light souvenir that take up hardly any space. You can send them to your loved ones from abroad or keep them to frame or display at home.

Tuck them inside something like a book or magazine (I usually put paper products in my laptop case) to prevent bending.

Quick tip: Make sure to review your government's website for information on bringing back food items. You wouldn't want to bring back a large quantity of a certain item  only to have it taken away at the airport!

Going to Europe Soon?

Book a place to stay - my all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!

Check out these posts:

What To Pack For Europe: Fall & Winter

What To Pack For Europe: Spring & Summer

How To Travel Europe: Tips & Advice! (VIDEO)

Four Amazing Day Trips from Florence, Italy

16 Italian Experience You Need to Have in Italy

Digital Nomad Tips:

The Ultimate List of Jobs That Pay You To Travel

How To Travel as a Digital Nomad: 3 Quick Tips

Traveling to Italy as a digital nomad and working remotely? Check out Citrix vdi and Hosted QuickBooks, two remote technologies that let you access your work anywhere on any device.

They have all day, year-round technical support with Apps4Rent which powers O365cloudexperts. Personally, I use QuickBooks Self-Employed to keep the finance side of my online business running and highly recommend it - I use it through the mobile app so I can do updates from anywhere in the world.

This post may contain affiliate links, which help the support the site at no extra cost to you!

20 Quotes For Every 20-Something Traveler

20 Quotes For Every 20-Something Traveler

1. "This is the time for small paychecks and big memories." - Jessy Tapper

2. "Travel. As much as you can. As far as you can. As long as you can. Life's not meant to be lived in one place."

3. “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” - Aldous Huxley

4. “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” - Robert Louis Stevenson

5. “A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.” - Lao Tzu

6. "You don't have to be rich to travel well." - Eugene Fodor

7. “When overseas you learn more about your own country, than you do the place you’re visiting.” - Clint Borgen

8. “Not I - not anyone else, can travel that road for you, You must travel it for yourself.” - Walt Whitman

9. “If you’re twenty-two, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel – as far and as widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and eat and cook. Learn from them – wherever you go.” - Anthony Bourdain

10. “I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” - Mary Anne Radmacher

11. "One's journey is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things." - Henry Miller

12. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” - Neale Donald Walsch

13. “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” - Maya Angelou

14. “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” - Scott Cameron

15. “Once a year go somewhere you have never been before.” - Dalai Lama

16. "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

17. “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

18. “Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life.” - Michael Palin

19. "Figure out what your purpose is in life, what you really and truly want to do with your time and your life; then be willing to sacrifice everything and then some to achieve it. If you are not willing to make the sacrifice then keep searching" - Quintina Ragnacci

20. “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” - Susan Sontag

5 Things To Do In Pacific Beach, San Diego

This isn't just any beach town. With its own flair and attitude, Pacific Beach has a different feel compared to others in Southern California, and this neighborhood is a must during any visit to San Diego. I had been to SD (La Jolla and Coronado) previously when I was younger with family, though it was nice to re-visit the city in my 20s - I have some friends that live there that could show me around, as well as get some beach time in!

5 Things To Do In Pacific Beach, San Diego

San Diego Pacific Beach

1. Beach

Because, obviously. :)

(This was taken on Fourth of July, my friends said it was much more crowded than nomal!)

2. Walk along the pier

Pier San Diego Pacific Beach

Beautiful homes, beautiful views, and people watching (or surfer watching).

3. Grab some fish tacos or an acai bowl

Acai bowl copy

A Southern California classic - quality Mexican food. It is close to the border, after all! Head to Oscar's or, well, pretty much anywhere for a bite. There is no shortage of good Mexican food in San Diego.

You'll also find acai bowls everywhere, from coffee shops to cafes to Mexican restaurants. My favorite was from PB Beach Cafe on Garnet - the agave nectar, coconut flakes, and blackberries set this one far ahead of the rest. I'd even go as much to say it's the best acai bowl I've ever had!

4. Rooftop and beach bars

Spend your Saturday (or any day, we won't judge) having a cold one outdoors. There's an abundance of rooftop lounges and outdoor patios by or near the beach, so you can't go wrong here.

5. Nightlife

Take the casual daytime buzz from the beach bar and head into the night. You'll definitely see people of all ages, especially in their 20s-30s, out and about.

While these things to do could be done in many places, experiencing it in Pacific Beach is simply different - it's cool, relaxed, and unique, in my opinion! 

Headed to San Diego?

Book a place to stay - my all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!