Thao Anh, 29, recently concluded a six-day and five-night self-guided trip to Beijing with her family in early November. The trip for three members cost approximately 60 million VND, with the primary goal of admiring the autumn foliage at historical sites.
Despite preparing for the peak season, Thao Anh noted that the reality was "crowded beyond imagination."
At popular attractions like the Forbidden City, most visitors wore ancient costumes. "There were as many as '10 princesses' standing in one square meter to check in", she recounted, adding that she also tried this service.
About one kilometer from the Forbidden City, a costume rental shop offered a package including makeup, hair styling, and attire for 199 CNY (approximately 740,000 VND). Thao Anh opted for a 120 CNY (450,000 VND) package that included costume and hair styling. Along the path from the rental shop to the Forbidden City, groups of tourists in colorful ancient attire walked through intersections.
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Corners within the Forbidden City were packed with visitors in ancient costumes taking photos. Photo: NVCC |
Corners within the Forbidden City were packed with visitors in ancient costumes taking photos. Photo: NVCC
The dense crowds meant Thao Anh had few good souvenir photos. "Every picture included other people; finding an empty spot required waiting for tens of minutes", she said. The rare photos without crowds were close-ups of the golden leaves on the palace roofs.
Her family also faced difficulties purchasing admission tickets, enduring long queues, and even finding some destinations sold out upon arrival. She learned the lesson that tickets must be booked online several days in advance, as purchasing on-site is not reliable.
During their journey, the Summer Palace (Di Hoa Vien) offered a more relaxed atmosphere due to its expansive grounds. Here, her family experienced a royal banquet, costing 1.5 million VND per person. Thao Anh rated the experience as "quite acceptable" but found the "food not as delicious as expected." For accommodation, her family booked a hotel room via an app, which included airport transfer services.
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The path from the costume rental shop to the Forbidden City was filled with people in ancient costumes. Photo: NVCC |
The path from the costume rental shop to the Forbidden City was filled with people in ancient costumes. Photo: NVCC
Beijing is currently in its peak season for admiring autumn leaves, which typically begins in late october and lasts through november. Tourist spots are adorned with vibrant golden ginkgo leaves. This crowded phenomenon aligns with forecasts from many travel companies in Vietnam. Dao Mai Dung, a representative from Nam Thanh Travel, stated that the number of Vietnamese customers booking autumn tours to China in august and september (for departures in october-november) is nearly equal to the total number of visitors for the entire autumn season of 2024.
The etrip4u.com platform also reported that autumn tours to China accounted for nearly 40% of all international tours sold in QII. According to experts, three main reasons contribute to this trend. The all-inclusive cost, which is half that of other Northeast Asian markets, is the most appealing factor for customers. The remaining reasons include diverse landscapes, rich experiences, and convenient procedures and travel.
Despite the inconveniences of visiting Beijing during its peak tourist season, Thao Anh believes the trip offered greater value. The tourist explored the culture and history of the ancient capital through magnificent structures like the Great Wall, and the Forbidden City, fulfilling her most important goal: taking her mother on a trip.
"Seeing my mother happy and excited to discover a new land made me content; other inconveniences felt minor", she said.
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A street corner in the Forbidden City attracts visitors for check-ins.
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Outside the Forbidden City, visitors also take photos.
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A rare corner without people.
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Experiencing a royal banquet in Beijing.
Thao Anh advised that Beijing's tourist attractions are vast and spread out. Visitors should dedicate at least one day to each site, such as the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven.
Many airlines fly to Beijing, offering both direct and transit flights. To save costs, tourists should choose transit flights, often through Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, with Chinese airlines. A round-trip journey can be two to 5 million VND cheaper than a direct flight. Travelers can find the cheapest flights via the skysanner website.
Additionally, Vietnamese visitors applying for a Chinese visa must provide financial proof, such as a savings book or bank statement.
Bich Phuong
Photo: NVCC
