Exploring The REAL Beijing...🇨🇳

We met up with one of our subscribers Lu, he showed us abit of everything, from classical architecture, to the best local lunch spots and modern art malls.
We seen a side to China's capital city that we would never have found on our own.
Lu is an absolute legend!
#travel #china #travelvlog #Beijing

[@alvinnnliu]

Being with a local friend as a guide is brilliant 🎉

[@alanshannon3884]

The best, we are so lucky!!

[@alexracoon4513]

One word to describe China is "WOW" Beauty is a constant, and cities are made to please the Chinese people

[@alanshannon3884]

We are forever saying WOW in China

[@jose1234427]

@@alanshannon3884😂😂❤❤great

[@thisiskevin1000]

21st century architectures made by various Chinese and foreign design firms across various cities such as in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, Tianjin, Chongqing, Xiamen, Qingdao, Nanjing, Suzhou, Urumqi (Xinjiang), Guiyang (Guizhou), Dalian, Shenyang, Jinan and Chengdu

[@YongLi-np3wg]

I think by now you guys will understand what "China is a civilization disguised as a nation" means. Each province is essentially like a country in other part of the world. It is highly recommended to contact a local fan better with oversea living experience to give you a guide and taking calls when necessary. It will make your trip way more interesting and memorizable. BTW I start to count the number of WOWs Alan uses in each episode as an indicator of favor-ness. So far Xian wins LOL, my hometown though I've stettled in Beijing for 20yrs. Thank you guys for bring me such a good memory.

[@yls8224]

Very grounded and honest video, I think Chinese people would really appreciate it if foreigners could report honestly about their country, I know your trip in China was not exactly "perfect", but it is not a poor, backward and dirty country as some media say, thanks for the video.

[@alanshannon3884]

Exactly, we can only be honest and at times it looks fake as we only have good things to say but there ain’t much negative so far

[@constantineding8700]

After watching half a dozen of your videos, now I'm confident to say Scottish accent is no longer a issue for me. That's the benefit I've never thought of I could get from watching KZbin. Thank you guys

[@lieutsatan4257]

I'm still adapting.

[@yggdrasill7811]

lol very true i think im at least 40% better than at the start in understanding the accent.

[@alanshannon3884]

Ahhhh thank you so much, that is so cool haha!

[@alanshannon3884]

Thats so amazing haha!

[@alanshannon3884]

You will get it in no time! Hardest accent in the world

[@kevinaa114]

i am the kevin in the beihai park

[@hohohohoho262]

See I told you guys this is how good their videos would be without language barrier! XD

[@alanshannon3884]

Thank you for watching😁

[@longbeach4614]

The blue skies are really going to confuse the chinese haters LOL

[@LW78321]

😂😂😂 The anti-China crew are having a mini meltdown watching this

[@longbeach4614]

They will say the CCP paid these youtubers to colour edit the video LOL@@LW78321

[@LamFam-cr9om]

The sky is obviously CGI.

[@cheetaih]

CCP haters more precisely I guess.

[@mguo8190]

Although it’s not been long since you got to China, you probably have a sense that many Chinese people don’t show affections much, like kisses, hugs, etc. But when they like you, they will bring you to their favorite place to share a meal with you. Chinese people have a very deep connection with their food, from which they connect with one another. The warmth you guys bring with you will soon get you invited to someone’s home for a home cooked meal. And I can’t wait to watch that video.

[@SlimJim3082]

It's not only a Chinese thing. It's an Asian thing. Kisses and hugs are seen as awkward and weird in most Asian societies.

[@revenchou8798]

definitely trueeeeeee

[@kjseajp809]

​@@SlimJim3082對，不要隨隨便便跟我來一個親吻和擁抱以示友好，我寧可你在我手臂上輕輕來一拳，我會更接受😊

[@davenobody407]

Wow what a traditional charcoal hotpot! I am so glad that someone local is taking you to a proper restaurant, not only street foods. Next - try the authentic imperial Peking. Although don’t choose a high end restaurant as it could be very costly.

[@jinniwind]

You meant Peking duck.

[@davenobody407]

@@jinniwind it was my typical fat finger error meets the auto-spelling correction.

[@RicknMorty85]

Your journey through China is amazing, so refreshing to see you going to different cities besides Shanghai and experiencing the real China. Everyone seems so friendly and everything looks so clean.

[@thewishmastur]

much much better video with a guide. China is so beautiful with great tradition. Chinese people are so friendly and hospitable. We in the west are not as hospitable as them.

[@wii_0576]

chinese like white people

[@user-rz4or3bi2w]

Welcome this Scottish couple visit China! I'm a person from Northeast China and study in the UK now. I super recommend you travel to Harbin China becasue there are hosting Winter Festival now. You can feel minus 30 degree，watch awesome and colourful ice and snow sculptures at night and enjoy 400 meters longer ice slides.

[@Alice-hh5kd]

I am glad both of you finally found your friend to show you around China. Hope both of you gained sweet and long lasting memories in Beijing 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@alanshannon3884]

Its a great city, modern and futuristic but not too much, it still has its old fashioned charm

[@jrwkd6114]

@@alanshannon3884 The new city of Beijing (Xiong'an) is even more futuristic. In addition, you can also experience autonomous driving in Beijing. I hope this Beijing friend can take you on an unmanned taxi.Currently in free operation status

[@LW78321]

So lucky to have a local show you around! That meat bun at the start looked yummy

[@alanshannon3884]

I know we are so lucky to meet so many amazing people on our travels😀

[@deerbeau]

Lu is very charming.

[@wiang6322]

Lu is our Man of the match...👏👏👏

[@zardsucks]

Well done,LU! Alan and Shannon can finally experience like a local.🎉

[@user-es1xz8xg5d]

Lu is such a gracious host.

[@jtang8768]

You are such a lovely couple, I love watching your authentic first reactions to the very different things in China from your culture, which made your videos so fun. Wish you a happy time in China

[@w.z.6062]

It's great to have a nice local friend to show you around! Lu is a cool guy. Hope you are enjoying Beijing!

[@bryanbai7302]

Lu is so good and nice! Enjoy your rest of the trip in China

[@carinasung654]

This one day trip is so decent and authentic that some people mistook your friend Lu as a professional tour guide. 😆

[@paulng2094]

that lamb hot pot meal looks so delicious! wish i could join you! i suppose winter is not the best time to visit beijing because it is far too cold. people say october is best

[@alanshannon3884]

One of our favourite meals we have had in a long time😋

[@jrwkd6114]

@@alanshannon3884 In fact, you have missed out on many delicious foods. Beijing's food is at the bottom of China in terms of preparation and taste😂

[@xiaojichen5311]

@@alanshannon3884北方牧场多 羊肉的品种好 肉质很好 所以清水可以吃到羊肉本身的味道。 北方火锅的蘸料是芝麻酱 南方火锅蘸料是香油 蒜 耗油。

[@fredwangleboy1490]

@@alanshannon3884 you could have had far better food along the way really... each video i was like, why don't you go to the real good places in the city. so you do need a local guide.

[@changshu6463]

​@@alanshannon3884 Your guide is a really considerate person for introducing food. That lamb hot pot is one of the best and most easy to adapt beijing foods. (it's mongolia originated.) Another one and my favorite is beijing roast duck. Some authentic Beijing foods are very crazy and "dark", not much people, even Chinese, can enjoy them.

[@charmedsg]

Love your China series and in fact I was in Shanghai a day after you 2 and your video came in super handy for me. Glad that you are enjoying the Chinese culture.

[@Stekopo]

He was an amazing guide and made for a fabulous video tour of Beijing.

[@positivemindsets2225]

Love your journey in beautiful China with great people there

[@ruedelta]

Great tour guide! Best way to experience Beijing is with a local who's got opinions on how to make the best of it.

[@davidhudw]

Thank you for your true introduction to China. Chinese are very friendly. Every city in China is very safe, and you can go wherever you want.. But it's winter now. I suggest you go to the south, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan,Fujian and Hainan

[@davidhudw]

It's too cold in the north.

[@cmonman85]

I'm honestly impressed by the time and effort you put into these videos ... Keep it up! 💛💛💛

[@kenyup7936]

Ty for releasing your new video in this time slot, you guys so sweet, and I’m so excited Who was the guest, he has good English though, probably perfect English

[@breezybench2510]

Ur Beijing trip is wonderful. Beautiful parks, sumptious food, old & new places, elaborate details on things, one of the most interesting & authentic video. I really enjoyed it. Thks to Lu and both of u.

[@jap5205]

Just another great video

[@xuzijin430]

When you hold that pie and went straight to bite on it, I was really shouting out 'wait! Wait! Wait!'

[@alanshannon3884]

🤣🤣🤣 I learnt my lesson

[@xuzijin430]

@@alanshannon3884 no doubt 😆

[@jose1234427]

@@alanshannon3884❤❤❤❤funny 😂😂

[@ChrisBrisingr]

After watching your videos, I'm confused about why the western media are all trying to depict China as a country almost like North Korea or at least Soviet Union😂people living under cameras, strictly monitored and restricted by the government, many things are banned, etc. But the truth is China is equally developed, commercialized, and capitalized as any other countries in the west!

[@user-dn8we2oc6p]

In fact, no one will watch those surveillances. Most surveillances are set up in businesses or public places. This can greatly reduce the crime rate and speed up the detection of crimes. If nothing happens, no one will be willing to stare at the screen all the time. Additionally, surveillance will not be allowed in private locations, even in hotels.As a Chinese, I think that with surveillance, at least I won't worry about being robbed or stolen suddenly on the street.

[@ChrisBrisingr]

@@user-dn8we2oc6p True dude, if you're a good person, then surveillances are protections to you, that's the goal of setting them: to protect people from crimes. But the bad side is, if the government is bad, they would spy on their people（like North Korea）, and that's how the western media dipict China. But based on the videos, that's not the truth. And I'm wondering how is it possible to spy on 20 million people anywhere, anytime.lol

[@Lishanmao]

And very safe

[@isaaclee1634]

I was up at the park looking over The Forbidden City, what a view. Still have a picture of a old man practicing wushu there in the morning. Visited and walk the same places in your video. Totally amazed

[@isaaclee1634]

I was There in The Summer, must be very beautiful to look at the Forbidden city from the hill in the winter. Not sure if you can visit the Great Wall in the winter, would be breath taking with all the snow

[@Alonebe]

Amazing !

[@blardymunggas6884]

What a nice chap for showing you both around beijing. So generous and kind of him❤

[@LL-ls8es]

Amazing off the beaten path, old Beijing restaurant a tourist would have never encounter on their own.

[@wangstone3086]

LEGEND LU , ABSOLUTELY

[@alanshannon3884]

You said it!

[@Yizhilihuazzz]

Hope you can eat more Chinese foods in your journey. I’m so hungry after look your video. I decided to eat lamb hot pot tomorrow 😂

[@stevenmiller6001]

my mouth is watering seeing those hotpots 🥲

[@leekimwah]

Was in Beijing back in October last year. Must try the Beijing roast duck !

[@iwantmorenews557]

Good guide, good day out 👍

[@alanshannon3884]

Successful day👍🏼

[@longbeach4614]

Beijing looks amazing!

[@YRen-wm9xe]

Finally can see you guys have some real Chinese food experience instead of some fastfood that couldnt represent the real Chinese food 😂 it was painful for me to see you trying some of the food before , well done!❤

[@ruiyu9777]

So wise to get a local!

[@changfenggu3376]

finally a decend meal!🤔🤔🤔 you guys should have a local with u in each city~!

[@zimuli3549]

As a Beijinger, I think you've found a great "guide"! Welcome to Beijing, haha...

[@anthonymathews3872]

My Gran's terraced mill house in King's Cross, Halifax, Yorks, UK, did not have an inside toilet or bath in the early 1960's. They converted the 'box' bedroom in 1969.

[@XW3126]

Yeah. In old times when the houses were built there were no such modern amenities. Many of the Beijing traditional old courtyards are remodeled with indoor bathrooms nowadays.

[@alextjflorida]

Mutton hot pot is the best food in winter. that fried bun is my favorite.

[@alanshannon3884]

Good day of eating!!

[@alexanderyoung4066]

Great videos definitely the best scottish accent in Beijing for the time being

[@ivyshy98]

got a personal tour, what a legend lu :D

[@mathewweeks9069]

Awesome be safe out there

[@jlee8041]

Love your video 👍

[@alanshannon3884]

Thank you so much 😀

[@2ndeye115]

Just inform the next station and a fan will surely volunteer to take you on a tour of China's greatness!

[@kumababara1631]

He's so handsome. The view's good too.

[@guestonearth1274]

love your channel

[@alanshannon3884]

Love you too!

[@syncmaster915n]

Couple of thoughts on where you visited: 1) When Shannon held up the 'door knob pie', i immediately knew why it was named. I didn't know it was filled with juice though. Reminded me soup dumpling. 2) The hutongs are gems, like a maze to be explored. The houses are a lot more livable now. Lots of expats live there. 3) The Jingshan Park is actually an artificial hill made from the earth and soil dug up from the moat that surrounds the Forbidden City during its construction. 4) Beihai Park is even more beautiful in the summer. It was a natural lake enlarged to become a royal lake. The last dowager empress of China was said to have used the fund intended for Qing Dynast's last navy only for her to build a marble royal barge for herself. And yes, you can skate on some parts of the lake. 5) The hotpot you had is a form of traditional Mongolian hotpot. 6) Man Utd was huge in Beijing during the Rooney-Ronaldo era. I don't know about it now 😂😂 7) The mall with many art installations. That's pretty unique! One better than Shanghai hehe. 8) End your day with a visit to the 'local' pub. Why not, eh?

[@XW3126]

I love the Scottish accent! Can’t get enough of it!

[@realhahahehe]

Lu is decent and knowledge, such a pleasure you know each other

[@ray-np5hi]

I am so glad your friend took you to the peking lamb hot pot instead of peking roast duck. excellent choice!

[@pandabearoceanpark]

Great local guy. Nice arrangement of activities. and you managed to have the lamb hot pot without a pair of public chopsticks. I guess you guys are polite

[@treeinafield5022]

you guys are great

[@babu_neco]

you got a nice guide 🥳

[@kennethzhang8696]

If there is any chance you guys come to Guangzhou in the future. I'm more than happy to show you around and have some local food!

[@ThatWhopperGood126-hj8vv]

Are you a boring guy. Do you speak broken English

[@user-jb2qj8lz3z]

@@ThatWhopperGood126-hj8vv你有点毛病吧

[@HangYuriYangFX]

hell yeah, the real hot pot!! Welcome to Beijiing where I grew up. Nice to see so many familiar places

[@yenphung8809]

Lu is such a good friend.

[@weijiaCAI]

so handsome that guy😃

[@Matt-li6gn]

Beautiful. I'm visiting at the end of March. Thanks for your amazing videos! Do you have the name/location of the lamb hotpot restaurant?

[@Radiant-Revelry]

你自己来嘛？找个当地人，这种火锅店有很多，当地人都知道哪里好吃

[@Matt-li6gn]

@@Radiant-Revelry 好的好的。谢谢！

[@jeffreylee59]

This restaurant is the 前门张记涮肉. In the Qianmen (front gate) area, South of the Tiananmen Square.

[@lieutsatan4257]

北京市西城区煤市街95号

[@Rockieoo]

聚宝源，南门涮肉，常赢三兄弟，鸦儿李记，北京的火锅店都好吃的

[@treg9492]

You guys could do a bit of skiing whilst in Beijing (if you're into it). Nobody's covering skiing in China. Nearest resort is Nanshan which i heard you could get a metro and bus to.

[@gratefuldeadly7899]

Your Scottish accent sounds nothing like grounds keeper Willie from the Simpsons. absolutely love it, it is very musical almost like the Trinidadian sing-song accent .

[@user-pg5cj3dl2t]

自媒体时代，很多有政治立场的官方媒体编织的谎言被打破。这很好。作为中国人，很高兴看到你们在中国的愉快旅程。虽然过程中因为文化差异有一些中国人不能理解的发言，我个人认为很正常，因为缺乏交流不是吗？

[@user-pg5cj3dl2t]

In the era of "We Media", many lies woven by official media with political positions have been broken. That's fine. As Chinese, I am very glad to see your pleasant journey in China. Although there are some speeches that Chinese people cannot understand due to cultural differences in the process, I personally think it is quite normal because of the lack of communication, right?

[@user-nq2sw6sg8q]

没错

[@likevin3087]

Lu is so nice❤

[@alanshannon3884]

He is a legend

[@bowenxu1002]

I’m in Beijing right now. Really want to join you guys to discover Beijing together

[@ThatWhopperGood126-hj8vv]

are you a boring guy ?

[@soha7271]

That’s what I missed so much about this lamb hotpot as those old restaurants disappeared in Hk

[@LyxYun]

14:00 that's Beihai Park, not Bay High 😅 enjoyed the video btw!

[@allie3306]

the local guy is amazing

[@fongfongc8845]

Come to my city I want to invite you two try Cantonese Yum Cha , eat dim sum.My city is next to Shenzhen.

[@jiegao574]

他之前说了他要去南方过中国的春节，你要是没事可以带他玩玩。

[@fongfongc8845]

@@jiegao574 我们这小城市什么气氛好玩的都没有

[@donewow9112]

@@fongfongc8845 😁能给他们夫妇提供一个Short的视频也可以的嘛，对不？只要你有时间。

[@DavidT-lj8zq]

“.. two rivers and a canal.” What an understatement! He was referring to The Grand Canal.

[@lesleyM84]

what a beautiful poem of community and diversity of traditions and lives, the two of you together❣️❣️❣️.. Scotland in the Asian House!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!! we truly are, all connected by our humanity, unique to our ancestors and lands, but all sweet souls, navigating our special lives!! what a gracious, beautiful video!!

[@lesleyM84]

China has been so misrepresented by virtually ALL media.. it truly IS an incredible, amazing, soulful, gracious, safe, accepting, progressive, clean collaboration of Communities.. i am entranced..

[@lesleyM84]

ohhh and now The Forbidden City is a museum!! that’s absolutely extraordinary…

[@lesleyM84]

cooking your own lamb pieces tabletop is so fun!!!!! what a beautiful dining experience ✨✨ sad for wee lil lamby but tasty i guess😢😋

[@kongming2005]

Thought you guys are on transit visa....... it seems that you can do a lot with transit visa. Very good, I just came back from China to enjoy the visa free for Malaysian =D

[@alanshannon3884]

No we have a 2 year visa, amazing hope you have an amazing time😁

[@duileyah]

13:09 LOL....I'm sure stonehenge is like a ten minute walk from westminster.

[@cuctacuctac]

Best one in the China series so far. Hands down.

[@alanshannon3884]

Thank you♥️

[@lightmarkv]

who is this handsome guide 😍😍😍

[@CHINAxiaobei]

The number of subscribers has exceeded 10000. Congratulations

[@jacintochua6885]

Door nail meat pie,was named as,such because it,was made for the former Dowager Empress in the 1800s. They look like the huge door nail on the Forbidden Palace front gate.

[@patrickchen9992]

Where are you guys right now and how long do you plan to stay in CN? If you plan to visit Guangzhou /Foshan/Shunde, definitely try the dimsum there!

[@christinalin5658]

This is typical Beijing hotpot, totally different from those hotpot in southwest (Chengdu, Chongqing region) and southeast (Fujian,Guangdong area), I’m glad you guys had a local accompany you so that you got authentic Beijing cuisine 👍

[@Gopherminator]

Epic ❤

[@kind03cn]

plz get a thick down jacket... every episode i was worried that you guys seemed very cold and would catch cold or even get fever in any time soon😂

[@robinsonshawqx]

How did I miss out on this one--literally just finished a bottle of Auchentoshan yesterday! 37:05

[@0animalproductworld558]

God thinks you are so funny and cute Shannon! A very very very good kid to him

[@goolooggg9005]

Beijing was also the capital from 1153 for these 2 dynasties: 1. Jin Dynasty called Zhongdu 2. Yuan Dynasty called Khanbaliq Let see whether can find relics of these 2 dynasties in Beijing today since it's almost 900 years ago...

[@ruedelta]

Beijing City Museum is great for that. Much less frequented too, so you can actually get some decent peace and quiet.

[@goolooggg9005]

@@ruedelta Kublai Khan's Palace maybe underneath the Forbidden City

[@intmainvoid8227]

辽代建筑只有城墙和一批石塔留存，金代有不少砖石建筑，最著名的就是卢沟桥和团城。元代的城墙、运河、人工湖有许多到现在都还在，孔庙、国子监、白塔到现在还是公园，甚至还有一批木结构建筑。

[@jean-philippeleblanc2660]

pretty much off season for Northern China tourism doh(except harbin snow festival). would have been more enjoyable to do south china this time of year. gray bricks with no green tree's around always make stuff seem a bit rundown in winter also the wind pattern are stagnant over large part of the north you get a lot of dust coming from the dessert then stalling factor in the heating pollution and air quality in winter can be shitty.

[@user-vw4si8bb2l]

I think the best season for traveling in Beijing is from August to October

[@xuemingzeng2094]

sept to nov

[@alexwang-hg8uz]

老北京涮羊肉很棒，欢迎来到北京

[@alanshannon3884]

We loved the hot pot

[@violetviolet888]

@@alanshannon3884 13:33 The fruit in the trees are persimmons. You can find the dried in many places. Even if you bought a fresh ripe persimmon, you could put them in the freezer and then you have an instant sorbet any time. But they are often peeled and hung to dry and are a prized dried fruit. Look up photos, they transform villages when they are drying. They are not "growing" on the tree. It looks like they were too high to be harvested. Gorgeous.

[@ianli2156]

Kudos to to the guider I'd say as a Chinese I don't know Beijing such well (especially the Whiskey bar). 😆

[@user-iq5hq9ly2x]

That fruit is persimmon I think,and actually 9 was considered the biggest number in Ancient Chinese culture,no number is bigger than 9,that’s why Chinese people love 9,if you go to some temples,the number of the stairs usually is 9 or 99,999,or 9999. It’s related to Yin and Yang.

[@user-es1xz8xg5d]

9 also symbolize perpetuity or everlasting.

[@Alex_k_Q]

23:06 the one on the left should be thigh meat, in the middle I think is from chest like ribeye/lamb chop, the one one the right side I believe is tenderloin or neck meat (thick cut)