Another entry in the “I’m way behind” series. This trip was taken in December 2025.

China has always been on our bucket list, and we knew we’d eventually get there – but this trip offered a wonderful twist we hadn’t anticipated – China, planned entirely by our daughter-in-law, Maggie.

Maggie was born in Beijing and lived her first roughly 20 years there, which meant this wasn’t just a trip. It was a layered experience: tourist highlights, local insight, and the kind of access you only get when someone in your group knows the place.

Even better? We got to share it with Jake and Maggie—and for part of the trip, Maggie’s mom. That alone made it unforgettable.

Beijing: Big History, Bigger Contrast

Beijing felt… intense.

Our first stop was Tiananmen Square—massive, heavily secured, and hard to fully take in at first. From there, we moved into the Forbidden City, which is as over-the-top as you’d expect. Endless courtyards, sprawling buildings, and the constant reminder that all of this once existed for one emperor and his world. The concubine stories alone could fill a Netflix series.

We climbed up to Jingshan Park for a view overlooking it all, and that perspective helped—it pulled the scale of the city into focus.

Food in Beijing quickly became part adventure, part comedy. At one dinner, a “dessert plate” showed up, and Maggie walked us through it: “This one is made of peas…” “…this one, green beans…” “…this one is bean paste…” At some point I had to ask — you’ve heard of chocolate, right?

The Summer Palace gave us a softer side of Beijing—serene, beautiful, and layered with stories about an empress who didn’t exactly leave things better than she found them.

We even did a formal dress-up experience—full traditional outfits, elaborate setting, tons of photos… and one very heavy hat that I was quite ready to remove.

The Great Wall

The Great Wall is one of those places that actually lives up to the hype.

It’s rugged, sprawling, and almost hard to believe humans built it—stretching across mountain ridges for thousands of miles. Stark winter scenery made it feel even more dramatic. Standing on the Wall is something we won’t forget.

Some of my favorite moments weren’t the big landmarks. They were the smaller, more local experiences, like sitting down for family hot pot or wandering markets where someone inevitably leans in and says, “You want some tea?” like they’re selling drugs.

Beijing itself felt rigid—gray, structured, almost austere in places. In many respects, it feels ancient. And yet, the use of technology is top-notch. We saw very few other Westerners. It was surreal.

And then we took the train to Shanghai… and everything shifted.

Shanghai: Modern, Global, and Just a Bit Wild

Shanghai felt like a different country. More international, more polished, more familiar—but still distinctly China. And our guide, Jack, was a key part of the craziness of the experience there – he was, well let’s just say, a hoot.

Also, Andy became a minor celebrity because of his height. People stared. Some asked for photos. Of course, he handled his fame with a smile and always willing to take a pic.

We wandered neighborhoods, explored gardens, ate some truly excellent steamed buns (which I officially decided were my favorite food of the trip), and tried to wrap our heads around the scale of everything—endless high-rises, massive developments, and in some places… hardly anyone around.

Beyond Shanghai: Canal Towns and Quiet Moments

Getting outside the city added another layer.

Suzhou gave us gardens, silk-making demonstrations (followed immediately by a very enthusiastic sales pitch), and charming riverside scenes.

Wuzhen felt like stepping into another world—a canal town, especially beautiful at night, when everything lit up and slowed down. We wandered without a guide and just soaked it in.

Hangzhou brought temples, tea ceremonies, and peaceful water views—one of those places where you just exhale a little deeper.  

The Best Part

Yes, China was fascinating. The history, the scale, the contrast between old and new—it’s unlike anywhere else we’ve been.

But what made this trip truly special was how we experienced it.

Having Maggie guide us through her home country changed everything. Having Jake there made it even better. And spending time with Maggie’s mom added a whole new layer of meaning. And doing it all at Christmas? Priceless.

It wasn’t just about what we saw—it was about how we saw it.

Through family. Through stories. Through shared moments and shared meals.