China’s sheer size can be overwhelming, but I won’t bore you with numbers. Though normally I like to see as much as I can of a country so I don’t feel the need to go back immediately, China is a different story. There are so many things to do in China on my list, such as the Great Wall, Shanghai, Zhangjiajie National Park with the Avatar mountains, and Chengdu, the panda city. But I had to start somewhere. And Beijing it was!
My first time in China: Beijing for beginners
I never had a particular interest in China. Yet slowly but surely, I became more interested in seeing this country for myself. Of course there’s not this one “thing” that’s uniquely China, especially if you choose Beijing and surroundings for your first impression. But with direct flights from Berlin on Hainan Airlines, the decision was a no-brainer. I didn’t even need a visa for China as a German, which made things even easier. I should have invested the time I saved to do better research and planning because visiting the most famous sights in Beijing is no easy feat. Everything is strictly organized and you can only access those sites with prebooked tickets that are linked to your passport. Big brother is watching! Luckily I found a way to see the Forbidden City even without booking a ticket in advance.
China Travel Tips for Digital Nomads
These China travel tips are useful for anyone traveling to this diverse country, but as a digital nomad, I have a unique insight into visiting China on a budget and working with China’s blocked internet access to keep my clients happy. Visiting the Great Wall of China without a guided tour and visiting the Forbidden City without a booking are just some of the challenges I overcame during my first-time visit to China – tips in the blog posts below.
How To Visit the Forbidden City if Tickets Are Sold Out
Ultimate Guide to Using the Internet in China
How To Travel to China Without a Visa
Exploring Beijing: A Digital Nomad’s Take on China’s Ancient Wonders and Modern Struggles
I can’t judge China in its entirety after being there for only five days. But I got a first glimpse at digital nomad life in Beijing and the challenges that come with it. If you imagine Beijing as being polluted and the sky heavy with grey clouds, think again. The city seems to have done a 360-degree turn on new mobility, maybe not with the environment in mind, but it sure has a positive effect. The city is unbelievable quiet contrary to other countries in Asia (looking at you, Vietnam), you need your eyes to verify the street is safe to cross. From electric scooters and bikes to electric busses and cars, a turn away from fossil fuel means you can whisper in the streets of Beijing, and not just to yourself – who would’ve thought.
Beijing’s sightseeing points are just as wondrous as Beijing’s new-found blue skies. Tiananmen Square has more security than an average airport and there was no way for me to get in without prebooking. Shame on me for not planning ahead. Just as much as visiting a giant empty square that’s full of people, I visited the Forbidden City with a little hack because again, I did not book it in advance. Needless to say, the gardens, buildings, and just people watching filled a good few hours of our day.
A two-hour bus ride brings you from the mega city of Beijing to the wonders of the ancient world. From high rises and shared bicycles to lush green hills and a snake-like construction as far as the eye can see. The French were building fancy castles when the wall was built roughly 600 years ago, making it seem much older than it actually is in my opinion.