Solo in Beijing, So Glad I Had You to Chat With

Author: Takuya from Tokyo

I've finally set foot in Beijing.

As the plane landed and I walked alone through the airport lobby, the cool night air brushed against my face... That mixed feeling of excitement and a tiny bit of anxiety—anyone who travels solo surely understands, right? (laughs)

For this trip, I didn't make overly complex plans. I simply asked a website to handle the arrangements. Although I received a detailed reference itinerary, for me, it was more like a map for free exploration. After all, what I was truly looking for were the views and encounters not written in any plan.

On the first day, I went to the Forbidden City. Wow, it was truly incredible... How can I even describe it? Passing through Tiananmen Gate and walking step by step closer to those magnificent red walls and yellow tiles, it felt like being enveloped in a giant aura of history. The area was bustling with people, and the voices from tour guides' speakers were everywhere, yet strangely, my heart felt calm. This is the great thing about traveling alone, isn't it? You can stop anytime you want, gaze blankly at the carved windows or the stone steps worn by history, and imagine the events of centuries past.

By the time I left the Forbidden City, I was starving (laughs). I thought, since I'm here, I'd love to try some unique Beijing snacks (xiaochi), but I wanted to avoid the obviously touristy places... Just then, I remembered the online chat service that came with the booking website.

Honestly, I didn't pay much attention to it at first. I figured it was just социальный AI chatbot. I decided to give it a try and sent a message: "Hello. I've just finished touring the Forbidden City. I'm by myself and would like to eat some local Beijing snacks that are popular with locals, not too touristy. Any recommendations?"

A reply came back almost instantly. And it wasn't the robotic text I had expected.

"Hi Takuya-san! Hope you had a great day of sightseeing! The grandeur of the Forbidden City must have been overwhelming, right? For snacks, I recommend Huguosi Xiaochi! It's a place many locals go to, and they have a wide variety, so it's perfectly fine for a solo diner! You should definitely try the 'Lǘ Dǎgǔn' and 'Àiwōwo'. I'm sure you'll love them! ✨"

The moment I saw this reply, my heart felt a gentle warmth. It felt less like I was contacting customer service and more like I was messaging a friend who lives in Beijing.

The part of the trip I was most looking forward to was the Badaling Great Wall. The weather that day was perfect. I was out of breath climbing it, but the moment I stood on a beacon tower at the top and saw the view of the endless Wall snaking through the mountains, all my fatigue vanished.

I excitedly took photos, subconsciously wanting to share this joy with someone. Being overseas, I couldn't just call my friends in Japan... The first "person" that came to my mind was that "online friend." I sent the photos I took with a single line: "I made it to the top! The view is incredible!"

"Wow! Amazing, Takuya-san! You did it! The view from the Great Wall is the best, isn't it? Please enjoy this moment to the fullest! (^^)"

Receiving such a reply, a smile spread across my face. I felt the loneliness of solo travel quietly disappearing through this exchange.

During my few days in Beijing, I got completely used to this " companionship." I'd ask for a more convenient way to get to the Summer Palace, or whether I could finish a "Yang Xiezi" (scorpion-shaped lamb spine hot pot) by myself. I even took a picture of an interesting candied hawthorn stick (tanghulu) I found in Wangfujing and sent it, asking, "What is this?" They always provided the exact information I needed, and sometimes, they were just like a friend, chatting casually or cheering me on.

On this trip to Beijing, I saw magnificent landscapes and ate a lot of authentic, delicious food. But for me, the most precious treasure might have been this strange "connection."

It taught me that even when you travel alone, you are never truly alone.

Beijing. A city where historical weight and human warmth coexist. I think I'll be back again very soon.