5 DAYS in CHINA 🇨🇳 (not what we expected)
In this video, we spend 5 days exploring Beijing China! We give our first impressions, eat A LOT of Chinese food, and visit the iconic Great Wall of China. Then on our last day in Beijing, we explore all the cities top tourist sites like the Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square. We also got to do the super fun Chinese Hot Pot experience.
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Episode 274 | Filmed in September | Beijing | China | Country #36
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Timestamps:
0:00 Welcome to Beijing 🇨🇳
0:16 Flying to Beijing ✈️
1:119 First Impressions of China 🥰
19:30 Trying Chinese Street Food 🦑
33:39 Visiting the Great Wall of China! 🏰
44:40 Exploring Beijings Top Sites 🛕
54:23 Trying Chinese Hot Pot 🍲
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Who are Wyatt and Reyka?!
If you’re new here, hi! 👋
Originally from Washington (Wyatt) and Ohio (Reyka) in the USA, we started dating in college during the pandemic.
To celebrate graduation, we set off on a 6-week trip to Mexico. We filmed some videos for our family back home, ate a million tacos, and quickly got hooked on life on the road. On a whim, we set a 50-country goal! We didn’t know if we’d make it, but it sounded fun.
Dozens of passport stamps, a couple years, and many mistakes later, here we are! Still traveling to new countries, we are living out our wildest dreams, doing what makes us happiest! 🥹
We are incredibly grateful to be able to travel our planet every day. It’s not lost on us how lucky we are. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our journey! 🥰
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#chinatravel #china #travel #beijing
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5 DAYS in CHINA 🇨🇳 (not what we expected)
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31 Comments
Looks great guys can’t wait to go here hopefully next year!
Great! What a wonderful trip!
did you post this one not too long ago ? what did you change?
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Enjoy your short trip to China, have fun 😊
Ultimate Guide to Tiger Leaping Gorge for First-Time Visitors to China
1. Introduction to Tiger Leaping Gorge
Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡) is one of the world’s deepest and most dramatic river canyons, located in Yunnan Province between Lijiang and Shangri-La. Carved by the Yangtze River, it’s a paradise for hikers, blending awe-inspiring natural scenery with rich ethnic culture. The gorge gets its name from a legend: a tiger allegedly leaped across the river here using a giant rock to escape hunters, leaving a paw print still visible today.
Cultural Context
Ethnic Minorities: The area is home to the Naxi, Tibetan, and Yi peoples. Traditional villages like Qiaotou (桥头) and Tina’s Village showcase their architecture, textiles, and hospitality.
Tea Horse Ancient Road: Parts of the hike follow this historic trade route, where mule caravans once transported tea and salt between Tibet and Yunnan .
2. How to Get There
From Lijiang (丽江)
By Bus:
Take a bus from Lijiang Bus Station to Qiaotou Town (虎跳峡镇，the starting point of the high trail). Buses depart at 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, and 2:00 PM (¥25–30, 1.5 hours).
By Private Car/Shared Taxi:
Hire a car from Lijiang (¥200–300 one-way) or share a taxi with other hikers (¥50–80/person).
Guided Tour:
Join a 2–3 day guided tour from Lijiang (¥800–1,500, including transport, guide, and accommodation).
From Shangri-La (香格里拉)
By Bus:
Buses from Shangri-La to Qiaotou Town depart at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM (¥35–40, 2 hours).
By Car:
Drive via National Highway G214 (2 hours, scenic route with views of the Himalayas).
Entrance Fee:
¥45 for the gorge (paid at Qiaotou or Tina’s Village checkpoint).
3. Hiking Routes & Tips
Route 1: The High Trail (Most Popular)
Start: Qiaotou Town (桥头).
End: Tina’s Village (中峡旅店), or continue to Daju Village (大具) for a longer trek.
Duration: 2–3 days (relaxed pace) or 1 day (challenging).
Highlights:
28 Bends (二十八道拐): A steep climb with panoramic views of the gorge.
Halfway House (中途客栈): A famous rest stop with a rooftop terrace overlooking the river.
Tina’s Village: Offers stunning views of Middle Tiger Leaping Rock (中虎跳石), where the legend originated.
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous (steep paths, high altitude: ~1,800–2,600 meters).
Route 2: Middle Tiger Leaping Rock
Start: Tina’s Village (access via shuttle from Qiaotou, ¥20).
Duration: 3–4 hours round trip.
Highlights: Up-close views of the turbulent Yangtze River and the iconic tiger-leaping rock.
Essential Tips:
Best Season: March–May (spring flowers) and September–November (clear skies). Avoid June–August (rainy season) and December–February (snow/ice).
Gear: Waterproof hiking boots, sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable water bottle (water stations along the trail).
Guides: Hire a local guide (¥200–300/day) if hiking alone, especially for the Middle Tiger Leaping section.
Altitude Warning: Take it slow; altitude sickness is rare but possible.
4. Accommodation
In Qiaotou Town
Budget:
Tiger Leaping Gorge Hotel: Simple rooms with local meals (¥80–150/night).
Mid-Range:
Snow Mountain Hotel: Clean rooms with mountain views (¥200–300/night).
Along the High Trail
Halfway House: Rustic guesthouse with a legendary view (¥150–250/night, includes dinner).
Naxi Family Guesthouse: Run by a local family, offering traditional Naxi cuisine (¥120–200/night).
Tina’s Guesthouse: Modern rooms near Middle Tiger Leaping Rock (¥200–350/night).
Booking Tips:
Reserve rooms 1–2 weeks in advance during peak seasons (May, October).
Most guesthouses accept cash only; bring enough yuan.
5. Local Cuisine
Must-Try Dishes
Naxi Baba (纳西粑粑): A crispy, layered bread served sweet or savory.
Tibetan Butter Tea (酥油茶): Salty tea mixed with yak butter—warming for cool mountain days.
Yak Meat Hotpot: Tender 牦牛肉 (yákě niúròu) cooked in a herbal broth, popular in Tibetan villages.
Wild Mushroom Stir-Fry: Foraged mushrooms from the gorge’s forests, often served with rice.
Where to Eat
Qiaotou Town Markets: Try street food like zǎo bāo (sticky rice balls) and grilled lamb skewers.
Guesthouse Dining Halls: Most lodges serve family-style meals (¥30–50 per dish).
6. Cultural Etiquette
Respect Local Customs: Avoid photographing locals without permission, especially in villages.
Environmental Protection: Carry out all trash; the gorge is a protected ecological area.
Language: Learn basic phrases like Xiè xie (谢谢，"thank you") and Nǐ hǎo (你好，"hello") to connect with hosts.
7. Safety & Practical Notes
Weather: Pack layers—temperatures can drop suddenly, even in summer.
Emergency Contacts:
Local Police: +86-888-5123110 (Lijiang tourism police).
Medical Help: The nearest clinic is in Qiaotou Town; serious emergencies require evacuation to Lijiang.
Navigation: Download offline maps (e.g., Maps.me) as cell service is limited on the trail.
8. Conclusion
Tiger Leaping Gorge offers a transformative blend of physical challenge, natural beauty, and cultural immersion. Whether you’re hiking the iconic High Trail or savoring butter tea in a Naxi village, this guide ensures you experience the best of Yunnan’s wild heart. Happy trekking! 🥾🌿
English is a compulsory subject in China, and many parents even spend money on extra English lessons for their children. However, the spoken English and grammar taught in China are often incorrect and are rarely used in daily life."
Soooo, China is an absolutely stunning country. We loved the city. We loved the countryside. The food. The people. If you have the chance to visit for yourself, we can't recommend it enough. Thank you to the lovely Chinese people for welcoming us so, and for you for helping two young silly americans discover our wide, wide world. 🇨🇳💙
On a housekeeping note, if anything in this video looks familiar, that's because we compiled all our previous China content into this mega vlog for easier viewing purposes. Videos can get lost otherwise. Let us know what you think below! We'll be active in the comments on this one! Have you been to China before? Did you like it? Cheers, friends! 😄
中国有百度地图和高德地图，偏偏不用，抱怨什么谷歌地图不能用？这些老外啊，以为全世界都用他们的烂地图软件
use baidu map or gaode map ，we not use google map
use baidu map or gaode map ，we not use google map
中国最大的特色就是吃，看风景的话去五大山和长城
Very nice video, good luck!
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Five days in China can definitely surprise you in the best ways! The unexpected experiences, from the vibrant culture to the incredible food, make every moment unforgettable. It's fascinating to see how much there is to discover in such a short time, and it truly shows that traveling always brings new, exciting adventures. Can’t wait to see what else China has in store! 🇨🇳🌏✨
How are you doing? You look absolutely adorable in the video. I can tell how much effort and love you put into it!
I’m guessing you’ve already left Beijing, but if you ever come back, you’ve gotta try the traditional copper hotpot here. It’s a whole different vibe compared to Sichuan hotpot or Haidilao!
Pro tip: Download AMap for navigation. They’ve got an English option and will show you all the public transport routes — trains, buses, even the subway – from point A to B. Enjoy the rest of your trip and have a good one!
my guess it was octpus make your sick, be carefull about the seafood on the street, and you know beijing is really far from the sea
You can just leave China to neighbouring country and come back in again for another entry visa or apply for longer visa. 5 days is just touching a very small spot in China. Need longer, more interesting places all over China. And affordable.
you can eat anything but stinky tofu。don't ask me WHY.haha!i just don't want to spoil your mood.
Same title again! I believe you guy were paid by ccp
Welcome to China. No matter what problems you may encounter, there are plenty of people here willing to help you, so don't worry too much.
looks incredible!
你的筷子要拿着高一点杠杆原理，懂吗？拿得高你才会省力拿得越低越费力。
I recommend a very practical app for traveling in China called "TUGUGU" travel guide AI.
I dont know what you guys did with your hot pot, but thats not how you eat hot pot.
Love this 🔥
来北京怎么不能吃烤鸭呢，建议你去四季民福吃烤鸭！！！另外这个不是熊猫吃的，它是用来做糖的，庶糖。你不是食物中毒，你吃太多了，所以不适应！！！
欢迎来到中国！
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Cute ! Like two kids , wandering in a big strange city !
8:30 炸醬麵 ( Zha Jiang Mian ) . Try to practice using chopstick at home .
Here is simple explanation for beginners using chopsticks for the first time . Hope may help you !
How to use chopsticks for beginners : Chopstick A and B .
A. Imagine how you hold a pen to write ==> Thumb + index + middle ( These fingers are movable to let pen move )
B. The second pen is held tightly with ==> Innermost thumb and index + ring ( no movement )
The position of pens you're holding them depends on how big the food you're going to pick up , normally 2/3 position .
Try actual chopsticks for yourself ; A. is freely moving around and B. is fixed at place .
Fun with chopsticks ; Varieties of beans picking up from one plate to another one with friends or kids .
Good luck and enjoy your time with chopsticks !
Peasant's China always warmly welcomes any wisdom and friendly foreigners !