Beijing is the capital of China with a history of over 3,000 years. This ancient city has become a charming destination that mixes traditional culture with modern style. Among its most famous landmarks are the Great Wall, a magnificent structure that stretches for thousands of miles, and the Forbidden City, an imperial palace complex that served as the home of emperors for nearly 500 years.

Beijing is a must-see city if you're visiting China for the first time.

Beijing Facts

Chinese Name: 北京

Pinyin: běi jīng

Area: 16,410.54 sq km (6,336.15 sq mi)

Population: about 21.89 million

Tel Code: 010

Zip Code: 100000

Time Zone: China Standard Time (GMT+8)

Best Attractions in Beijing

1.Tian'anmen Square

Measuring 440, 000 square meters, Tian'anmen Square is one of the largest squares in the world. Tian'anmen Square is located on the central axis of Beijing, surrounded by the China National Museum, the Great Hall of the People, the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, and the Tian'anmen Tower. Thousands of Chinese people come here to watch the flag-raising ceremony every day.

Tian'anmen Square is a national symbol of China and is a must-see during your visit to Beijing.  

2. The Forbidden City

With a long history of over 600 years, the Forbidden City (故宫 Gugong in Chinese), was the home of Chinese last 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is internationally recognized as the top one of the top five ancient palatial complexes in the world.

The other four are the Palace of Versailles in France, Buckingham Palace in the UK, the White House in the US, and the Kremlin in Russia. The Forbidden City represents some of the greatest technical and artistic achievements in China.

It was listed by UNESCO as a “World Cultural Heritage” in 1987. With its treasures and secrets, it has for centuries attracted an endless stream of admirers.

3. Great Wall of China 

The Great Wall of China, built over 2,700 years ago, is an extensive military fortification system designed to protect ancient China from the invasions of northern ethnic minorities. It is recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.

With a total length of 21,196 kilometers, the Great Wall of China is the longest wall in the world, and it is seen as a symbol of Chinese civilization.

4. Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven was a special altar for the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties to worship heaven (in winter), to pray for rain (in summer), and to pray for a good harvest (in spring). It was built in 1420 when the city of Beijing was designated as the capital of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and a full range of palaces were therefore constructed.

With an area of 273 hectares, four times the size of the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven is the largest group of altar architecture in China and has been considered a masterpiece of architecture that is unparalleled in the world.

5. Summer Palace

Located in the western suburbs of Beijing and only 1 kilometer from the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan), the 716-acre Summer Palace is the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China.

From 1750 to 1764, it took 14 years to complete the construction of the Summer Palace in the beginning. It is huge and glorious enough for visitors to spend at least a half-day to fully admire its landscape.

6. Beijing Hutong

Hutongs are Beijing’s traditional alleyways, associated with courtyard dwellings, a cultural feature, and the foundation of old Beijing. If you want to catch a glimpse of the traditional and authentic life of Beijingers, a half-day hutong tour will be one of the top priorities in your travel diary.

Top Things to Do in Beijing

As an ancient capital, Beijing holds countless stories within its thousands of years of history, waiting for you to explore. Here are some of the highlights:

1. Discover the hidden secrets of the 24 emperors in the Forbidden City.

2. Hike or even camp on the Great Wall of China.

3. Enjoy the lit-up views on the Simatai Section of the Great Wall at night.

4. Take a leisurely boat tour of Kunming Lake of the Summer Palace.

5. Immerse yourself in the local culture while exploring the Hutongs.

6. Savor the world-famous Peking duck.

7. Experience the thrill of a kung fu show and the elegance of Peking opera with our Beijing Tours.

Beijing Weather

Beijing has a temperate monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are short, while winter and summer are longer.

The average annual temperature in Beijing is between 11 to 13°C. Most rainfall happens in the summer (June to August), with heavy rain often occurring in July.

Best Time to Visit Beijing

Beijing is a destination that can be visited year-round. However, the best time to visit Beijing is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) seasons.

During these months, the weather is generally mild and pleasant, with clear skies and comfortable temperatures ranging between 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F).

Spring brings blooming flowers and lush greenery, while autumn offers vibrant fall foliage and fresh air, making outdoor sightseeing enjoyable.

Beijing Maps

Beijing Transportation

Beijing boasts advanced transportation networks, making it a major center for railway, highway, and air travel in China.

For international passengers, Beijing is often the first choice as the gateway city, given the abundant inbound and outbound international flights provided by its two international airports daily.

For those traveling within China, it's very easy to reach Beijing by plane or high-speed train as there are many options every day.

Travel to Beijing by Flight

Beijing has two major airports - Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX).

1. Beijing Capital Airport is located 30 km (18 miles) northeast of the city center and typically takes about 1 hour to reach by car.

2. Beijing Daxing Airport,the newest and largest international airport in Beijing, is located 50 km (31 miles) south of the city center. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive there.

These two airports in Beijing connect to numerous global cities, including Hong Kong, London, San Francisco, Boston, Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok, and more. If you're flying from overseas, you will probably land at Beijing Capital Airport.

Many domestic flights connect Beijing to other cities like Xi’an, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Guilin, Guiyang, Zhangjiajie, Huangshan, and Lhasa. Most of these direct flights take about 2 to 4 hours.

Travel to Beijing by High-speed Train

Beijing has several major train stations, including Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, and Beijing South Railway Station.

Here are the main departure directions from several different train stations in Beijing:

Beijing Railway Station: Trains to Harbin, Shenyang, Changchun...... Chaoyang Railway Station: Trains to Harbin, Shenyang, Changchun...... Beijing South Railway Station: Trains to Tianjin, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Huangshan, Zhangjiajie...... Beijing West Railway Station: Trains to Xi'an, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Guilin, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming...... Beijing North Railway Station: Trains to Hohhot, Zhangjiakou, Datong......

Beijing Subway

The quickest and cheapest way to travel around Beijing is using the Beijing subway. The ticket price is RMB3-9 (Capital Airport Line is RMB25, Daxing Airport Line is RMB10-50, Xijiao Line, and Yizhuang Line T1 are separately charged).

You can purchase metro tickets from either manned ticket windows or self-service machines. These self-service machines offer a variety of payment options including cash, Alipay, and WeChat Pay.

Beijing Taxi

A taxi ride in Beijing starts at RMB13 for the first 3 kilometers. From there up to 15 kilometers, it's RMB2.3 per kilometer. Beyond 15 kilometers, the price goes up by 50% to RMB3.5 per kilometer. 

A 20% surcharge is added to the base fare for services operating from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following day.

When the passenger asks a taxi to stop and wait, or when the speed is less than 12 km/h due to road conditions, an additional fare is charged. During morning and evening rush hours (from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM), this is equivalent to the fare for 2 kilometers every 5 minutes. Other times, it's the fare for 1 kilometer every 5 minutes.

Beijing Accommodation - Where to Stay in Beijing

Beijing is a huge city with many places to stay, fitting all budgets. You can choose from standard hotels, boutique hotels, hostels, and traditional hutong courtyards. Here we recommend three popular areas for you to consider when choosing where to stay in Beijing. These areas each offer something special, making sure you have a great stay in Beijing.

1. Wangfujing Street Area Best For: First-time visitors and shopping lovers. Highlights: Close to the Forbidden City and many shops and restaurants. Recommended Hotels: Sunworld Hotel Beijing (3-star), Novotel Peace Beijing (4-star), Regent Hotel Beijing (5-star)

2. Qianmen Street Area Best For: First-time visitors and sightseeing travelers. Highlights: Near Tian’anmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and the National Museum of China, which are great for exploring history. Recommended Hotels: Dongfang Hotel Beijing (3-star), New World Beijing Hotel (5-star)

3. Hutong Area Best For: Families with kids and culture lovers. Highlights: Close to the Lama Temple, the Bell Tower, and Drum Tower, offering a taste of traditional Beijing life. Recommended Hotels: Beijing Soluxe Courtyard Hotel (4-star), The Orchid Hotel Beijing (5-star)

Beijing Food - What to Eat in Beijing

As the capital of China, Beijing brings together food from all over the country and incorporates the culinary traditions of northern ethnic minorities.

Beijing Food mixes traditional imperial flavors and popular street food. Here are some popular foods we suggest you try when you visit Beijing.

1. Peking Duck (roast duck)

2. Mongolian Hotpot (instant-boiled mutton)

3. Zha Jiang Mian (Soybean Paste Noodles)

Best Shopping Places in Beijing

Beijing offers a mix of traditional markets and modern malls. You can explore Wangfujing Street for high-end brands or visit the Silk Market for bargains. Don't miss the Panjiayuan Antique Market for unique souvenirs.

Whether you're looking for fashion, electronics, or traditional Chinese crafts, Beijing has something for everyone. 

Do I Need a Visa for Beijing

Citizens of the 54 listed countries are eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit in Beijing. They are: 

1. Americas (6 countries): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile

2. Asia (6 countries): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar

3. Europe (40 countries): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus, Norway

4. Oceania (2 countries): Australia and New Zealand

Your departure and destination cities must be different to qualify for this visa-free policy. For example, traveling from London to Beijing and back to London does not qualify, but traveling from London to Beijing and then to Hong Kong is acceptable.

How Many Days Are Enough for a Beijing Trip?

If you're planning your first visit to Beijing, 4 days are enough to experience its highlights. Here is a recommended 4-Day Essential Beijing Tour for you:

Day 1. Check in and adjust to the time zone; enjoy Peking Duck for dinner.

Day 2. Explore Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Hutongs.

Day 3. Watch local people doing morning exercises at the Temple of Heaven, and climb up the Mutianyu Great Wall in the afternoon.

Day 4. Visit the Summer Palace, and depart Beijing for your next destination.