Let's break it: Beijing left us mixed feelings. The city looks like Manhattan (or La Défense near Paris, France) but much larger and in project.
But the real pain was that we could not get to Mongolia !!! The train we expected to get was booked 3 weeks in advance and there were no room in planes either... We even talked in a taxi driver to take us to the border...
Eventually, after 2 days wandering and wondering there were seats available in the planes. Asia's mysteries...
When we got back, no hassle, Beijing gave us a friendlier face. Thanks to the people.
In Beijing, you can still find alleys that have escaped real estate frenzy. And, in a small restaurant of one of these streets where we had a lot of difficulties asking for a serving of rice, one of our Chinese neighbors invited us (in a perfect English) to share his dinner, served in a ballet of delicious dishes. Wonderful !

see the pictures