February 2017
We had joined a package tour to China in February 2017 mainly because it was so cheap(like, $550pp for 8 nights) and it included Huangshan, considered to be one of the most beautiful places in China. It started in Beijing, and we decided to go with the group and see what the tourists would see. The Forbidden City was packed mostly with domestic tourists. It used to be quite empty with only a handful of foreign tourists when we started going to Beijing around 2002. 15 years later, Chinese people were financially much better off & traveling more within the country. Buying tickets in advance online is recommended.
The situation was pretty much the same at the Summer Palace. It was actually nice to see that people could enjoy life more. Anyone traveling internationally know Chinese tourists dominate the world travel market these days. Those who may not be able to afford that could, at least, see more of their own country which has a lot to offer.
Small Wide World 