Beijing Travel Guide
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
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:
- Discover the hidden secrets of the 24 emperors in the Forbidden City.
- Hike or even camp on the Great Wall of China.
- Enjoy the lit-up views on the Simatai Section of the Great Wall at night.
- Take a leisurely boat tour of Kunming Lake of the Summer Palace.
- Immerse yourself in the local culture while exploring the Hutongs.
- Savor the world-famous Peking duck.
- Experience the thrill of a kung fu show and the elegance of Peking opera with our Beijing Tours.
Read Beijing's Best Things to Do to discover more exciting activities in Beijing.
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.
For more detailed information on the weather and advice on what to wear in different months, read the Beijing Weather Guide.
Beijing Weather by Month
- Beijing in January
- Beijing in February
- Beijing in March
- Beijing in April
- Beijing in May
- Beijing in June
- Beijing in July
- Beijing in August
- Beijing in September
- Beijing in October
- Beijing in November
- Beijing in December
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
Find more Maps of Beijing.
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).
- Beijing Capital Airport is located 30 km (18 miles) northeast of the city center and typically takes about 1 hour to reach by car.
- 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.
Related Reading:
- Travel between Beijing and Xi’an
- Travel between Beijing and Shanghai
- Travel between Beijing and Hong Kong
- Travel between Beijing and Zhangjiajie
- Travel between Beijing and Harbin
- Travel between Beijing and Chengdu
- Travel between Beijing and Tianjin
- Traval between Beijing and Chongqing
- Traval between Beijing and Lhasa
- Traval between Beijing and Hangzhou
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......
Related Reading:
- Beijing - Xi’an Trains
- Beijing - Shanghai Trains
- Beijing - Hong Kong Trains
- Beijing - Tianjin Trains
- Beijing - Datong Trains
- Beijing - Pingyao Trains
Recommended Tours:
- 3-Day Xi'an Tour from Beijing by Bullet Train
- 3-Day Shanghai Tour from Beijing by Bullet Train
- 4-Day Inner Mongolia Xilamuren Grassland Tour from Beijing
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 Private Transfer
Private transfer is truly the most convenient way to explore Beijing. We'll pick a cozy, spacious vehicle that's just right for your group size. No sharing with strangers - the vehicle and driver are just for you!
Our drivers are familiar with local traffic conditions, you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy as much of the city as possible in your own sweet time.
- Beijing Airport to Beijing Hotel Transfer, or vice versa
- Tianjin Cruise Port to Beijing Hotel Transfer, or vice versa
- Tianjin Cruise Port to Beijing Airport Transfer, or vice versa
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)
Find more top hotel recommendations on Where to Stay in Beijing.
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.
- Peking Duck (roast duck)
- Mongolian Hotpot (instant-boiled mutton)
- Zha Jiang Mian (Soybean Paste Noodles)
Related Reading:
- Most Authentic Places to Try Peking Duck
- Best Beijing Street Food You Must Try
- Top Restaurants to Eat in Beijing
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. Read the Beijing Shopping Guide for more information.
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:
- Americas (6 countries): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile
- Asia (6 countries): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar
- 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
- 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.
Read Beijing's visa-exemption policy for more detailed requirements.
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.
Read How to Plan a Beijing Tour for suggested itineraries ranging from 1 to 7 days.
Recommended Beijing Tours
We offer customized private tours in Beijing with no fixed itineraries, no big buses, and no groups. Enjoy the comfort of a personal guide, driver, and private van, allowing you to sit back and relax!
Please feel free to share your travel ideas with us. Our popular Beijing tour package might inspire you:
- 4-Day Essence of Beijing Tour
- 3-Day Beijing Visa-free Tour
- 3-Days Night Tour on the Unrestored Wild Great Wall
China Tour Packages with Beijing
If this is your first time visiting China, we highly recommend exploring Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai. This Golden Triangle route offers a perfect blend of Old and New China. Check out our 8-Day China Classic Tour.
Another popular choice is our 10-Day Beijing-Xi'an-Zhangjiajie-Shanghai Tour, which mixes culture and natural beauty.
If you're traveling with family, consider our 13-Day Beijing-Xi'an-Chengdu-Guilin/Yangshuo-Shanghai Tour. It includes pandas, cultural activities, outdoor adventures, and iconic landmarks.
If the above tours don't catch your eye, just let us know your needs. Our professional travel advisors can create a custom tour tailored to your interests and requirements.