“If I had to describe Beijing in one word, it would be ‘wonderful’,” said Hugo Siles, Ambassador of Bolivia to China. His eyes alight up with admiration as he recounted his first impressions of the city.
In December 2023, Siles arrived in Beijing amid heavy snowfall. Yet despite the winter chill, he was immediately embraced by the warmth radiating from the city. “Even with subzero temperatures, the city was remarkably well-organized, and the people were welcoming and friendly,” he recalled. “I fell in love with Beijing the moment I saw the snow-covered ancient architecture standing in harmony with modern streetscapes.” Siles was especially touched by the inclusiveness and kindness of Beijing citizens. “This city is not only the capital of a major country and a global metropolis—it’s also a warm land full of human touch.”
Hugo Siles, Ambassador of Bolivia to China, in an Interview with Beijing Daily (Photo by Cai Daizheng)
Cycling is the best way to discover Beijing
As a history enthusiast, Siles embarked on a cultural journey upon arriving in Beijing. He immersed himself in the depths of Chinese civilization by visiting Beijing’s World Heritage Sites, including the Forbidden City with red walls and golden roofs, the Summer Palace known for beautiful lakes and hills, the solemn Tiananmen Square, and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in the Temple of Heaven, adorned with blue tiles and red pillars. “Standing in the snow at the Forbidden City, it felt as though I could hear echoes of history. The architectural design of the Temple of Heaven also left me in awe of ancient ingenuity,” he said. Siles smiled and added that he has never stopped his exploration of Beijing, “This city constantly reveals new faces, blending the charm of nature and culture.”
“Cycling through the hutongs and modern districts is the best way to explore Beijing.” Siles shared an interesting experience: he once came across a small stall selling roast duck wraps where he bought some and left. The dish was so delicious that he soon craved another, but he got lost as he doubled back to the stall. After much wandering, he finally retraced his steps—and there, amid the crowd, the owner immediately recognized him and greeted him warmly. “This kind of genuine warmth in an international metropolis is exactly what makes Beijing so special.” Siles also highlighted how the renovation and upgrading of facilities in Beijing’s hutongs balance preserving historical character with improving residents’ quality of life. “This people-centered approach to urban governance is what model cities worldwide should learn from.”
Coming from the tropical regions of Bolivia, Siles admitted that Beijing’s winter initially caught him off guard. Yet the city’s distinct four seasons soon revealed to him their unique charm. Blossoms in spring, moonlight in autumn, cool shade in summer, and quietness in snow-covered winter—all these have become part of his daily life. What impressed him even more was Beijing’s urban greenery. “Despite its massive population, Beijing has planned huge space for a city-wide network of parks and greenbelts, preserving the habitats of squirrels and other small animals. It’s nothing short of an ecological governance miracle.”
A smartphone enables smooth travel across Beijing
“In Beijing, a smartphone is all you need.” Siles spoke with familiarity and admiration about the city’s infrastructure, from mobile payments to shared mobility services.
On weekends, he usually prefers green transportation, taking the subway, riding shared bicycles, or using ride-hailing services. He recalled his first subway ride in Beijing, from Liangmaqiao to the Beijing Zoo, where clear signage, clean carriages, and polite passengers made the journey smooth and pleasant.
“Using ride-hailing services is also very convenient as the driver usually accepts the request within minutes,” said Siles. For shorter trips, he would choose to ride a shared bicycle. “The dedicated bike lanes make cycling both convenient and safe.”
He was also impressed by the convenience of mobile payments. “You can scan a QR code to pay anytime, anywhere, even at a small roadside shop.”
“The quiet efficiency of the subway, the convenience of scanning to ride or shop, and the swift, punctual arrival of ride-hailing cars, all showcase the city’s technological strength and its civic-minded culture,” said Siles. “It’s the collective effort of every individual that makes the city so convenient. This kind of subtle, seamless ease is a vivid reflection of high-quality development.”
Looking forward to more sci-tech and cultural exchanges with Beijing
Recently, the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum was successfully held in Beijing. In an interview with Chinese media, Foreign Minister of Bolivia Celinda Sosa Lunda stated that President Xi Jinping’s announcement to jointly launch five programs for shared development and revitalization, and to build a China-LAC community with a shared future, will bring significant development opportunities to Bolivia and other LAC countries. This will facilitate their access to advanced technologies and experience in areas such as energy transition and technological cooperation.
Siles expressed strong interest in expanding sci-tech cooperation with Beijing. He said, “After attending events like the Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, I was deeply impressed by the strong momentum in AI development here. I hope to enhance exchanges and cooperation in these remarkable technologies so that their benefits can be better shared by the people of both countries.”
“Culture connects souls across linguistic barriers,” said Siles, introducing the exhibition commemorating Bolivia’s 200th anniversary at the embassy. The year 2025 marks both the 40th anniversary of China-Bolivia diplomatic relations and the bicentennial of Bolivia’s independence. To celebrate these milestones, Bolivia plans to hold touring photo exhibitions in Beijing and other cities in China, as well as bring musicians and painters to China for cultural exchanges.
“Mirror of the Sky” warmly welcomes Beijing residents
Siles spoke passionately about his homeland, highlighting the world-famous Salar de Uyuni, also known as the “Mirror of the Sky”, the Pre-Columbian cultural site of Tiwanaku, Laguna Colorada, and other renowned attractions. He said, “Welcome Beijing residents to visit Bolivia.”
He also highly recommended the Oruro Carnival, describing it as “one of South America’s most distinctive festivals, where colorful masks, traditional dances, and barbecue feasts merge into an ocean of festivity.” Additionally, the historic city of Sucre, with its iconic white walls, red roofs, blue sky, and white clouds, is strongly endorsed by Siles. For nature lovers, he suggested exploring the Amazon rainforest: “My hometown is crisscrossed by rivers and covered by forests, home to thousands of bird species—truly a paradise for ecological adventures.”
“Our cuisine is as diverse as our landscape,” said Siles. He highly recommended Bolivian peanut soup, quinoa soup, aromatic grilled meat platters, and spicy Amazon-style beef jerky. “When paired with our potent spirits or red wine from the Andes, it becomes a feast for the taste buds. Bolivia’s richly flavored coffee is also well worth trying.”
Siles added that those interested could try Humita, a delicacy wrapped in corn husks. “It resembles Chinese Zongzi in appearance but differs in flavor, yet shares the same beautiful symbolism.”
