I have been on business trips to Beijing a few times, and my impression of the city at that time was characterized by a fast pace and high prices. I didn't spend much time wandering around; I only visited Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven. Other places required advance reservations to visit, and as a homebody, I wouldn't spend time sightseeing, thinking that attractions are all similar.
This time, I planned a four-day trip to Beijing. During this period, there wouldn't be too many people in Beijing. I told my wife that those who visit Beijing are either many or even more; it seems that Beijing is a city where people come to visit all year round.
After the homework (hw) ended, there were still many things to do. On the 21st, there was also a confidential review exam, which happened to conflict with my trip. Since I had already booked my flight tickets, I asked my boss for leave. This exam was also ridiculous; all the technical staff in the company signed up, but no one had time to prepare for it. So the boss wanted to have a large number of people take the exam, hoping that some would pass. A notice was sent out in the group stating that no one could take leave, but I had to ask for leave, and I couldn't refund my ticket, so I faced the pressure and didn't go to the exam.
During the hw period, it was a 996 work schedule, and I was almost unable to endure it, yet we weren't allowed to rest...
2024.12.19#
The flight was at 7:30 in the morning, so I had to get up around 4 or 5 o'clock to take a taxi to the airport. The taxi driver talked a lot, discussing national affairs and international situations, as well as trivial matters at home and the difficulty of finding work. But what I couldn't understand was how these two things didn't conflict; the difficulty of finding work wouldn't become easier just because you cared about national affairs, nor would your suggestions change the direction of the country. When it's hard for ordinary people to survive, there's no time to care about these things.
I arrived in Beijing around 10 o'clock, first went to the hotel, and then looked for a place to eat. I found a restaurant near Wangfujing, but it wasn't very authentic, and the food didn't taste good, so I just had a simple meal and returned to the hotel.
In the afternoon, I went to visit the Forbidden City, with its red bricks and green tiles, offering a unique flavor.
Donghuamen
I walked tens of thousands of steps.
2024.12.20#
On the 20th, I got up a bit late and hurried to the Tiananmen Gate, waiting in line and going through security checks.
The tickets for the Beijing Museum and Tiananmen were reserved for a close time. After visiting the Tiananmen Gate, I would have to go around from Donghuamen to get to the museum, and since taxis couldn't stop, I missed the museum and just strolled slowly.
In the afternoon, I didn't go out; my wife went to the ancient alleys and Jingshan Park while I stayed in the hotel watching anime.
In the evening, I went to eat Peking duck.
2024.12.21#
On the 21st, I packed my things, changed hotels, and went to visit the Summer Palace.
The bare trees, blue sky, and cold wind.
The frozen lake surface
I couldn't make a reservation for Tsinghua or Peking University; my wife went to explore while I stayed in the hotel watching anime.
On the 22nd, the last day, I prepared to go home and visited the Beijing Garden Expo Park.
I went to the airport early to prepare to fly back. The flight was at 22:30, and I got home around 2 o'clock, ending the trip.