48 Hours in Beijing: My First Impressions of China 🇨🇳 | Culture Shock & Surprises!

English subtitles are available, turn them on in the video settings!
In this vlog, I spent less than two days exploring Beijing as part of a layover, and I was amazed by what I discovered. Join me as I navigate through the bustling streets, visit the Forbidden City, and briefly immerse myself in the vibrant culture of China for the very first time.
#BeijingVlog #ChinaTravel #FirstImpressions #TravelVlog #Travel #Vlog
For my shorter, cinematic videos or other vlogs, check out the other videos on my channel!
Comments and/or questions are very welcome, drop them in the comments!
Filmed in June 2024 and edited in July 2024
@TomasTravels

[@EnglishShanghai]

Beijing sky is so blue.

[@user-yz6wj2vy9c]

in BBC or CNN it is grey

[@ericliume]

Now you know how heavy the filter is on MSM

[@ipg6772]

​@@user-yz6wj2vy9c Beijing used to be a very smoggy city. But over the last 20y the government did an amazing job cleaning up the air by moving away factories, forcing into green energy transition, encouraging EV cars, etc... So, obviously results are there for everyone to see

[@zhangronald7307]

About 4 years ago, I was in Beijing together with a senior leader of our company (listed on NYSE). He took a lot of photos because he never expected the sky was so blue. Literally pure blue!

[@YongLi-np3wg]

These are not secret police. They are civilian clothing police (便衣警察). The square is such a politically sensitive place, having uniformed police wrestling with random protestors or riotors would make a scene on the news. That's why they are there. If you don't do anything out of ordinary, they won't pay attention to you.

[@cynthiazhu-lm2id]

Sam to white house. body guard also around baiden

[@cynthiazhu-lm2id]

security sometimes protect people because too many visitors squzzed together may happen some accident. nobody waste time to arrest people.China all 1billion population and no enough energy to take care others

[@TomasTravels]

Thank you for explaining that!

[@fenggao3171]

I don't think they are "Civilan clothing police". They are more like employees hired by secrity company.

[@alexanderhueber3910]

It is an interesting social phenomenon. POLICE has a totally different meaning between China and Europe. When you walk on the street, encountering the police in China means there is NO Trouble around, but in Europe...maybe I am in trouble. 🤣Watching us and Protecting us. Europeans don't trust the police, because of their terrible history experience, and bureaucracy. However, the Chinese people always believe in the latter..... Tomas can post a video describing the image of police in his country with the label China. the comments below must be interesting.

[@canalesjuan356]

"Square dancing" is the way of daily body exercises of old people in China.

[@TomasTravels]

Thank you for your informative comment! I did actually notice it was mostly older people dancing, I guess this is the secret how older people stay healthy in China ;)

[@canalesjuan356]

@@TomasTravels you should visit any Local parks If you have chance. Old people are more active there playing chess, cards, instrument, taichi, sports, practicing all kinds of hobbies. Also maintain a good social networks among the same ages

[@yezih2694]

@@canalesjuan356 it is quite similar lifestyle in Barcelona. The seniors likes to hangout in the park playing chess and exercising.

[@ericliume]

​@@canalesjuan356And don't forget matchmaking😊

[@MegaSuehan]

Foreigners always seem to have this thing about security. The security (police and CCTVs) is there to keep people safe and crime out. You have nothing to fear if you do not commit crimes. Apart from safety, China is also very clean.

[@celtycelluloid]

You don't need to tell other people about how they perceive what secrity is.

[@TomasTravels]

Thank you for your comment! I understand why security is there. I was merely showing my experience, seeing this kind of security as someone coming from Europe. The way China deals with security is quite different. Which is why it was an interesting experience for me.

[@sdssdsaia9041]

@@TomasTravels Security in Beijing is higher since it is capital, and Tiananmen sqaure (forbidden city) is probably the highest in China, since it is the symbol of politic and culture of China, also Zhongnanhai(Chinese white house where President Xi stay) is right next to it.

[@sdssdsaia9041]

@@TomasTravels In other city, metro security and CCTV is always there (good thing to me), police on the street(normally in their small police station) are less, also you won't experience many security check.

[@azzamatic4190]

Probably scared to get caught doing crime. Only people who are law abiding don't care cause they know cameras are there for everyone's safety

[@ayw3806]

Relax and enjoy your time in China!

[@zimuli3549]

You are welcome to visit China again. There is still much to see in Beijing, not to mention the whole of China. Greetings from Beijing.

[@serriajohn]

welcome to Beijing, You look a bit stressful, it might help if you have a friend in Beijing who can schedule for a tour. Cheers!

[@TomasTravels]

Thank you! Yes my first day was quite stressful indeed, I was not prepared enough as I was only there for a short amount of time (for a transit). When I visit for a proper trip, I will make sure to do my research, so I can enjoy it stress-free! :)

[@user-nd8ju5nz7e]

@@TomasTravels You need to have Alipay and VPN in China.

[@TheEricolala]

For a fleeting glimpse of Beijing, it seems you've already fallen in love with her.

[@TomasTravels]

It definitely really positively surprised me!

[@Backonthemicrophone]

Beautiful city😊❤

[@aquariuscz5449]

Chinese people are friendly, outgoing and enthusiastic, actually similar to the American people, not like Korean&Japanese at all.

[@TomasTravels]

Indeed! This was quite a pleasant surprise to me, after coming back from South Korea.

[@Nicholas-M-R]

Yes Koreans and Japanese are polite, respectful and clean.

[@shineluvslambiel]

@@Nicholas-M-Rbut you are not

[@user-wf3wb5rq9e]

@@Nicholas-M-R 这就吹上了

[@fleshkotai]

@@Nicholas-M-Rsorry , i do not feel Koreans are polite….

[@dayeaustin6667]

cameras are mostly there to help track down evidence after something illegal happens. Nobody's actually staring at you through the lens in real time-that'd be crazy, considering China's got 1.4 billion people! All you gotta do is enjoy your journey in this super safe environment with really low crime rates. Folks who truly dig life will catch onto and totally groove with this vibe super quick.

[@yonight6871]

Although Japan and South Korea are pro-Western countries, their consumption is very high and there are not many attractions. Japanese and Korean people are more conservative and aloof. Far less enthusiastic and open than the Chinese. Western media have been smearing China all year round, so China has restricted social apps, but China is very open. If you go to China next time, you can go to Shanghai, which is more international.

[@TomasTravels]

I did indeed hear from other travelers that Shanghai is more international, however, I did really enjoy that Beijing was not as international as I had expected it to be (it felt very authentic)!

[@yonight6871]

@@TomasTravels If you like cities with traditional culture, it is recommended that you arrange a trip to the ancient city of Xi'an, where you can see the ancient city walls (surrounding a city) and the Terracotta Warriors and Horses.There are also Huimin Street delicacies. There are so many delicacies and noodles, steamed buns, and mutton soaked in mozzarella, which is amazing.

[@user-oe2fs6bj1m]

其实我并不喜欢你们来到我的国家，我觉免签应该就是相互的你给我免签我给你免签，入境必须审核不然什么垃圾都放进来对我的国家不是什么好事！我个人是比较排外的，当然这个你别问我你自己也知道。

[@麦文烽]

@@user-oe2fs6bj1m格局小了

[@georwoogle]

@@user-oe2fs6bj1m 😂😂😂

[@dayeaustin6667]

Absolutely, no need to be nervous. Just look around, everyone's pretty chill. The place gets insanely crowded every day, so having strict security measures in place just for the bad guys is a must. You definitely wouldn't want to run into something like a terror attack while you're on vacation, right?

[@erwinfahrenheit4010]

Spend a year studying in the Nederland and im going back to China tomorrow. I had a good time here, and hope you had a good time as well!

[@peaceandloveSZ]

The Palace Museum is really easy to get lost, even we ourselves will go the wrong way

[@peaceandloveSZ]

In fact, don't worry too much about breaking the law in China, basically as long as you don't hurt others, you won't commit a crime

[@azzamatic4190]

Thank you for this very informative video

[@Siolengung]

Welcome to china.I hope you have nice travels.

[@boyanjin1247]

welcome to China❤

[@weiwei3841]

China is definately worth visiting.

[@yilong-wq3jl]

eSIM card is extremely important for foreign travellers, especially when entering a cashless country like China.

[@zsq_lovee]

I saw an excerpt of your video from a Chinese platform called Bilibili. very happy and proud to see that China gave u such a wonderful experience! there are so many provinces in China, and each of them has its unique beauty. Welcome to China more often whenever u are convinient :）~ only if u need, I am more than willing to recommend some beautiful cities in China~

[@morontracker9803]

How laughable. You don't have security dudes in the Netherlands? Secret police......😂You are fed very well by your medias.

[@user-nd8ju5nz7e]

故宫的确是格外多警察

[@morontracker9803]

@@user-nd8ju5nz7e 荷兰rijksmuseum 的警卫安保也很多，每个小展厅就一个黑衣人。这难道不是很正常吗，那么多游客。

[@morontracker9803]

@@user-nd8ju5nz7esomeone deleted my comment. Anyway, my point is, I saw loads of security guards at Dutch museums as well... Isn't that a standard operational thing to do when you have millions of visitors.

[@fenxian]

白宫没有吗，法国爱丽舍宫没有吗？​@@user-nd8ju5nz7e

[@Siolengung]

Thank you

[@user-zm1zb5tr1g]

Welcome to China and see you in Shenzhen China next time :)

[@kikikaikai6731]

那些觉得监控器侵犯人权的人，你可能真的觉得自己特别特别重要😂说实话作为北京2500万常驻人口，外地游客满街走的情况下，还觉得自己是被监控重点也是需要勇气的，一定是对自己有着百分之一百二十的自信！真的太自作多情了😂不犯法的人不害怕摄像头

[@haijin4168]

❤❤

[@fenggao3171]

Appreciate you posted your China video foot print on KZbin. It is true that traveling to S. Korea is easier than traveling to China. That becauses S. Korea and USA mutually waive visa for short period visitors. However it is not the case between USA and China. It is understandable that USA cannot give the chinese citizen the priliviege. Chinese goverment still gives the convinence to the travelers of most countries, including USA, UK, Japan. They can enter China using the 144 hrs transit visa, issued at airport, as long as they have the leaving tickets. Hope you can enjoy your time at China.

[@DavidSteele006]

👏👏Well done 👍

[@XW3126]

1. Only ‘Tian A Men Square’ area has tight security control. Other parts of Beijing has little security check. 2. International data plan will solve your internet access issue. You can access ANY website without needing to have WiFi.

[@georwoogle]

If you use roaming service of your home internet provider which is usually expensive, you even do not need VPN to access anything you like in China. People in China use China's own social media replacing Facebook, X, Google, etc. 😀

[@user-bf2sh4hy9w]

Amazing China ❤

[@sjfbrkdnjrkdkajdjoajfok-2]

Hey handsome, your China vlog is amazing! I’m expecting more❤

[@EnglishShanghai]

太棒了

[@canalesjuan356]

About the cash thing, it's illegal to refuse cash but in practical, small business now don't prepare enough charge since it's 99.9% cashless here in China. Even 95 yrs nanny use phone payment.

[@TomasTravels]

Yeah, I really noticed that! To be honest, Alipay and WeChat works quite well, I was just surprised how integrated into society it was, (even for older people), making cash payments quite inefficient and rare!

[@canalesjuan356]

@@TomasTravels cuz it's not only a digital wallet, but all your social activities can be done. Insurance, medical system, bank, financial investment, stock market, private Money transfer between individuals, even begging, Just literally anything.

[@YongLi-np3wg]

​@@TomasTravels Not just convenient for the consumer. If you look at it from a small business owner's point of view, mobile QRcode payment make their business much easier and efficient than cash: no need to use a hand to take cash and give change, no need to count money by the end of day, all money can be used for next's procurement right away.

[@manuelphotography]

Musk wants these kinda "super app" badly and that's why he acquired Twittter (now X)

[@user-xh3eg2tf2y]

@@TomasTravels you can pay your parents' electric bill from another city, another country.

[@dayeaustin6667]

You seem pretty tense, and I've seen that look on a lot of faces of foreigners who are new to China after being steeped in Western narratives. But usually, that expression doesn't stick around for more than three days. Have a great trip, buddy!

[@lizz7805]

i highly recommend summer palace which is used to be a royal summer palace, it's a perfect blend of manmade structure and nature.

[@frankm6218]

It is true a lot of policemen in Tiananmen square. It is a political sensitive place so nothing to worry if you have nothing political.

[@baby-lover-t5j]

Is there no security in Europe? Why do they always treat subway security guards and scenic security guards as police？

[@HKWong-kw9nm]

Nothing special, just thx for you capturing the blue sky without adding any grey filter 😊😊😊😂😂😂😂

[@ameliah8164]

😂 电话卡确实很重要

[@dayeaustin6667]

Getting to know a unknown country best starts by observing its people. Look around at the Chinese folks here-the vast majority are warm, friendly, peaceful, and lively. Under a regime of high pressure and terror, people just can't have such a positive demeanor. So, you get me？

[@00001111henry]

Cameras 🎥 safety. No cameras western countries crime is skyrocketing. I live there and I see my own eyes 👀. Chinese people are dancing their happiness.❤

[@user-se1uk6so4q]

视频很精彩，祝你在中国玩得开心。事实上在北京旅游对第一次来中国的外国人，难度挺高的，因为这个城市非常大，各类景点很多。就算是我们中国人，如果不是北京本地人，去北京玩也要提前查看资料，制定计划，不然也难以尽兴。对于外国人，旅游的准备，建议下飞机后办张本地电话卡，手机装支付宝或者微信程序，翻译软件，地图可以装百度或者高德地图，这两个地图APP会比谷歌地图精确很多，而且附加功能也很多，比如你可以查找附近的餐馆，酒店，景点，购物中心，地铁路线等等。

[@faehuang2268]

Have to say you’re not well prepared 😅 but understandably since it’s just a transit. Welcome back one day in future. Once you got used to the “surviving kit”, aka payment system, food ordering, transport system, map, translation tools, etc., it becomes very convenient to go around.

[@bk3289]

You are too tense, bro 😎. Relax and enjoy. Leave your western propaganda at home. Enjoy the present. ❤

[@slz-zu5lu]

It is recommended that Westerners who are traveling to China for the first time start in Shanghai, as Shanghai will help you adapt to the way Chinese society operates more quickly.

[@oui7890]

Go to Shanghai, Go Gansu,GO guangxi,Go Yunnan,Go Xinjiang,GO xizang.

[@malizzad]

Suburbs as clean as cities? What are the living conditions of slum dwellers? People usually photograph big cities in China. What about outside the big cities?

[@sjfbrkdnjrkdkajdjoajfok-2]

Still pretty clean.

[@reneeday5348]

Well I mean the the square is a politically sensitive area, including the forbidden city and due to many unexpected incidents happened years ago, the gov just put more restrictions

[@yaychai4801]

About internet you will need to buy a VPN to get connected with yotube or TikTok or other apps. VPN can be bought for monthly or annually it is not much but you feel more convenience. China is a huge country you should do a good research on your next trip before you land there. Each city should allow 3 days trip at least and big cities in China are scattered so you should count for travel time too. Good luck

[@tomsunuwar6940]

Wlc anicent beautiful freedoms modern great China 🇨🇳 ❤️‍🩹💐

[@randomname931]

when you said you were deprived of emotions in korea, it's quite unexpected since that's probably the impression that most people have of the chinese. that they have no emotions, they are told what to think and what to do.

[@fantasycelestial2908]

Hey bro? Don’t you Europeans and Americans make travel plans? We always make travel plans before going abroad. We rent a portable WIFI in advance, download local apps, activate the international roaming function of our phone cards in advance, apply for international credit cards in advance, and go to the bank to exchange dollars or other legal currencies of other countries in advance. We also learn about entry precautions in advance.

[@TomasTravels]

Thank you for your comment! I should indeed have been more prepared (as I said in the video as well), fair enough! However, I did prepare some things, before I even arrived in Beijing, I had Alipay and WeChat installed, and was simply (wrongly) assuming I would find WiFi when I needed it. Also WeChat blocked my account temporarily, exactly when I arrived in China... I learned my lesson though; three weeks later when I was in Beijing for my second day, I did indeed get a sim card and that made things way easier!

[@staym0118]

老哥确实让人心疼，啥叫“战战兢兢，如履薄冰”啊，哈哈哈

[@ricotheman8139]

You whining about security for 10 minutes, at literally the most highly secured area in China, if not the world.😂😂 in the most valuable and protected historical heritage site. I mean, what do you expect?

[@user-fm9jw9ib6p]

不用有任何担心，中国非常安全，没有宗教等各种禁忌，人们对外国人也很友好，尽情体验吧。

[@user-nd8ju5nz7e]

Apple map can work in china

[@antwango]

next time im in Buckingham Palace im going to question why im being dragged away by all the funny looking furry hatted cosplayers pretending to be soldiers or secret police!!!! At least you can freely walk about in the Forbidden City!!! Has anyone walked about Buckingham Palace complaining about why there are tons of cosplaying soldiers and security all over London!!!??? Exactly the same surely as this!!!???? These were just security just walking by LOL and the nervousness and concern and presumption about the tightness of security about ALL of China is eyeopening!!! Everyone is having a happy grand old day out and just the sight of military casually walking by has foreigners spooked!!!???? This is evidence that its not China But foreigners that have a problem... also im not trying to convince anybody of anything.... this is a visitor in China of his own accord..... taking advantage of 144 visa.... dude walking in a crowded sq thinks he might end up in jail on the last day because Chinese people find him interesting!!!???? is that not paranoia!!!?? Also "No one speaks English!?" Oh im sorry about that LOL seriously my mind is blown no offence to vlogger and he shouldnt have to apologise as it is his real reaction as well..... but im just finding it crazy people find security in a place where high profile officials do their business strange or surprising lol..... Do western people find it weird or point out the cctvs in London!???? Has anyone freely walked up to No. 10 Downing street and complained why ALL the security and the cctvs!!??? Why cant i bring my drone to no. 10 or Westminster abbey!??

[@TomasTravels]

Thank you for your comment, it seems like I have quite upset you with my video. I believe some of your points are a result of missed sarcasm in my video (the prison part, for example). With regard to the security situation, as I also pointed out in a response to someone else's comment; The video portrays my experience of a short time in Beijing, including how security works in Beijing. Of course that does not mean that I do not understand why major landmarks and important places require (serious) security, but just that I was surprised with how security in Beijing is different than I have experienced before, and a genuine portrayal of my reaction to that. Then you mention the drone. Whenever I travel with a drone I always make sure to look into the country's regulation. Therefore, I knew I was allowed to take my drone to China, however all of downtown Beijing is a no fly zone. Therefore, I purposely left my drone in my checked bagage (as explained in the video), because I foresaw trouble walking in Beijing with a drone (because it is not allowed to fly there, and it might seem like I want to fly when I am walking around with it). The part that surprised me is that when they saw my drone controller, they wanted to know my flight number, because I said the drone is not with me, but in the checked bagage. The "no one speaks English" part was referring to the fact that I was having a hard time when I first entered Beijing. Of course I do not expect anyone in a non-english speaking country to speak English. However, and to be fair this was not very clear in the part where I said this sentence, combined with my lack of internet (and therefore lack of translation tools), it did make traveling through Beijing quite difficult with my very very very basic Mandarin. I hope this cleared up some of your points, and I hope you still enjoyed the video, as it seems like you did fully watch it :)

[@joeymelbourne]

nice video, but you missed big part, the delicious Chinese food! you must have had a lot, don't be shy ;)

[@TomasTravels]

I did have some delicious Chinese food indeed! :)

[@hawke3141]

Gray shirts are security guards, maybe you are interested about them why not wear suit, cause so many camera watch them, if some people record [a part] of vidoes but not full records. you know.... something called camera filter....

[@Qiushishuo]

I am wondering which aspect do you suppose Beijing is not easier travel through than South Korean? Any suggestion?

[@TomasTravels]

I think it was mostly that South Korea is just extremely easy to travel through. Because everywhere takes MasterCard/Visa and the public transportation system is very easily accessible in English. However, once I got used to using Alipay/WeChat and the right map apps (Amap and Baidu maps), traveling through Beijing was not that hard as well. But still, figuring out which metro to take exactly required some effort for someone like me who cannot read Chinese characters, but it was fine!

[@Qiushishuo]

@@TomasTravels So you mean ticket machine in metro station is not good at English option?

[@TomasTravels]

@@Qiushishuo The ticket machine in the metro station did have an English language option! However, I meant that in order to know which station you need to go to, the Chinese map apps only show this in Chinese characters, so I ended up using the Chinese language option for the ticket machine anyways, which was fine! Then, after entering the metro station, to know which direction to take the metro in you also need to use the Chinese characters (as the metro direction is only written in Chinese, in the stations where I was). To be clear, it was all fine, I am not trying to complain. I am just explaining why I concluded South Korea was a bit easier to travel through.

[@Qiushishuo]

@@TomasTravels Normally, there is English name in the train direction sign. In most stations there is light sign to show the direction as well. So I suppose the key for your issue is map application option issue. That is not good, they need to improve.

[@xyaog9209]

因吹斯挺

[@posltlw]

Lol China is definitely not for beginners. There are a lot of things that even us natives find annoying or hard while traveling, and for us, there’s soooo much to see and learn about too. You’re always welcome to come back and explore more!

[@user-ru7ch7hs7h]

You have traveled from the Western world to the Eastern world, which may require a little bit of exploratory spirit

[@davec8836]

Relax dude

[@caffeineng7631]

bro why you look so tense😂😂

[@youness9302]

western propaganda

[@weiSteve-cz1sz]

try something can interact with chinese,they are enthusiasm,[like piaoliu]

[@makiyoheihei5445]

Chinese people are very mix character, but majority are like latino, sometime a little childish, but very open mind

[@skysthelimitrai7590]

Sadly to say. Not everywhere speaks English, nor Chinese, Hindi Spanish etc

[@birdyashiro1226]

没办法，人终究是社会动物。没人气的地方人就容易抑郁。

[@Qiushishuo]

It seems you are a little bit stressful, that is due to the western propaganda. That is sad.

[@patrick_lee]

That “ICE house” was where the emperors put those hundreds of un-favorable wives...not the place where you can find something COLD on a hot day...LOL

[@user-nd8ju5nz7e]

ice house是冰窖，应该是冬季储存食物的地方，冷宫不是ice house冷宫

[@Oldbrow]

😂😂😂你说的是“冷宫”，这个是“冰窖”，这个冰窖是皇帝把冬天河里的冰放在地下几十米的地方储存，等到夏天热的时候拿出来用做房屋冷却或制作冷饮的😊😊😊

[@user-xw5fs3ye2w]

当你丢了👛钱包，就会发现这些摄像头的重要性，如果你报警你的钱包很快就会被找到。

[@sjfbrkdnjrkdkajdjoajfok-2]

Wish there would be a Shanghai vlog soon😊

[@gsyoou]

There are telephone cards for foreigners at the airport, and foreign software can be used.

[@Oldbrow]

机场的好像贵不少

[@土馒头]

注意防晒

[@kevinaa114]

u r definitely not prepared. at least you should print all tickets

[@TomasTravels]

In retrospect, yes I should have! However, the e-mail confirmation for the tickets (from the official Forbidden City/Palace museum website) specifically mention that you just need to show your ID/Passport to enter the place. Which is why I didn't print the tickets...

[@kevinaa114]

@@TomasTravels in china beijing is famous for too big and not user friendly. southern cities such as shanghai ，guangzhou and chengdu are more convenient and subtle

[@kelanzhi7269]

一集的点击量比之前所有的视频总和还要多