Beijing

1. Do's and Don'ts

Experience The Hutongs: Take a hutong tour (by rickshaw or bike is cool!) to get a feel for old Beijing's culture and history. The White Pagoda Temple to Xisi area is a great route, perfect for a city walk.
Get an English-Speaking Guide: When visiting historical sites like the Forbidden City or Summer Palace, definitely hire or pre-book a professional English-speaking guide. It'll make your experience way better and you'll learn so much more about the history.
Join Local Activities: If you have time, try joining some local community activities, like a calligraphy class or Tai Chi lesson. It’s a great way to experience Chinese culture up close and meet new people.
Experience Traditional Tea Culture: Spend some time in a traditional teahouse. You can sip tea and watch traditional opera or other performances. Check the schedule beforehand and maybe even book a seat.

Skip the tourist traps: Restaurants with names like "Old Beijing (老北京)" are often overpriced and not very authentic.
Avoid rush hour on the subway: The subway gets super crowded during rush hour (7:30-9:00 am and 5:30-7:00 pm). Try to avoid these times if you can.
Skip the "one-day tours": They're often scams, even for locals, so definitely avoid them. Except for the one-day trip to Mutianyu section of Great Wall, which will save you a lot.

Wangfujing Area: Close to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, this area is great if you like shopping and being in the heart of the action.
Xinjiekou Area: This area is perfect if you’re looking for a quieter vibe. There are lots of traditional buildings and cultural spots nearby.
Gulou Area: This is a fantastic choice if you want to experience old Beijing life. There are tons of street food stalls and night markets in the area.

全聚德 (Quánjùdé): Quanjude Roast Duck (a classic!)
东来顺 (Dōngláishùn): Donglaishun Hot Pot (try the mutton hot pot and other Mongolian dishes)
护国寺小吃 (Hùguósì xiǎochī): Huguosi Snacks (try local Beijing snacks like douzhi and fried dough rings)
便宜坊 (Biànyífāng): Bianyifang Roast Duck (another famous roast duck restaurant)
庆丰包子铺 (Qìngfēng bāozi pù): Qingfeng Steamed Buns (for quick, cheap eats like steamed buns and other Chinese fast food)
都一处烧麦馆 (Dūyīchù shāomài guǎn): Duyichu Shaomai (famous for its shaomai dumplings)

老西安饭庄 (Lǎo Xī'ān fànzhuāng): Old Xi'an Restaurant (Northwest Chinese cuisine; try the mutton paomo and lamb skewers)
富华斋 (Fùhuá zhāi): Fuhua Zhai (Imperial pastries; the founder was a Qing Dynasty imperial chef!)
四季民福烤鸭店 (Sìjì mínfú kǎoyā diàn): Siji Minfu Roast Duck (they have other traditional dishes besides duck)
砂锅居 (Shāguō jū): Shaguoju Restaurant (a historic restaurant specializing in clay pot dishes)
门框卤煮 (Ménkuāng lǔzhǔ): Menkuang Luzhu (try local Beijing snacks like zhajiangmian, luzhu huoshao, and fried sausage)

簋街 (Guǐ jiē): Ghost Street (a famous night market with tons of street food and drinks)
牛街清真超市 (Niújiē Qīngzhēn chāoshì): Niujie Muslim Supermarket (for various Muslim foods)
爆肚张 (Bàodù Zhāng): Baodu Zhang (try the traditional Beijing dish, quick-fried tripe)
鸦儿李记 (Yāér Lǐjì): Ya'er Liji (another good spot for mutton hot pot)

Shared Bikes: You'll see shared bikes everywhere in Beijing. You can unlock them with Alipay or WeChat Pay. They're great for short trips, especially around tourist areas.
Public Transportation (Buses and Subway): Beijing has an extensive network of buses and subways. You can use mobile payments (through WeChat and Alipay) and check real-time info on Baidu Maps or AMap (高德地图).
Ride-Hailing Apps: Use Didi Chuxing (it's like Uber). It has an English interface and you can even access it directly through WeChat or Alipay (search for "DiDi" within the app). Taxis aren't as recommended.
Getting to the Great Wall: The train (S2 line) is a good option. You can buy tickets in advance on the 12306 website. Or use Didi if it's more convenient for you.
Buying Forbidden City tickets on-site (Without reservation): You can buy the tickets on site with passport at meridian gate (Wumen). Policies may vary over time, so take this as a backup plan.

Go to a Xiangsheng (Crosstalk) Show: Xiangsheng is a traditional Chinese comedic performance. You can catch a show at the Deyunshe Theater or other smaller venues. You can usually buy tickets at the door unless it's a holiday.
Catch a Soccer Game: Beijing has a big soccer scene (even if the national team isn't the best). If you're there during the season, check out a game at Workers' Stadium. You can usually buy tickets through official channels.
Visit a Temple Fair: If you're in Beijing during Chinese New Year, many temples host temple fairs with food, crafts, and traditional activities. It's a great way to experience the festive atmosphere.

Jingshan Park: Head to the top of Jingshan Park at sunset for amazing views of the Forbidden City and the surrounding area.
Forbidden City Corner Towers in Winter (after a snowfall): The corner towers covered in snow are incredibly beautiful.
White Pagoda Temple City Walk: Wander the hutongs around the White Pagoda Temple during the day to discover hidden historical gems.
Winter Swimming at Houhai Lake: If you're there in the winter, you might see some locals taking a dip in Houhai Lake. It's a pretty impressive sight!