If anything, I felt less enthusiasm about returning to Beijing than I had for revisiting Dalian. I had enjoyed the city during my first trip in 2008 as a solo traveler, when it felt lively and spontaneous, leading to various unique adventures. However, my experience in 2019 was quite different. China had launched a modernization initiative, and I found no street markets; instead, there were strictly regulated restaurant streets that felt artificial and sterile. With little expectation of encountering anything surprising while walking around, I came to realize how limited Beijing seemed, especially considering it was the capital of the most populous nation in the world. I had already visited the Forbidden City and the Badaling Great Wall in 2008 and had been disappointed; the former struck me as a vast, dusty museum, while the latter was an overly restored and crowded tourist destination. I had likely enjoyed the Summer Palace the most, yet I had no desire to return. However, Cleo's summer camp included five days in Beijing, leaving me with no choice but to make my third visit. Mei Ling, on the other hand, didn't share my hesitance—she had lived in Beijing for many years before we met and had several friends she was eager to reconnect with.
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