Beijing
Ancient history meets vibrant modernity — the essential guide to China's capital.
⚡ Quick Facts
Best Time
Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
Suggested Stay
4–5 days
Airport
PEK / PKX
Train Hub
Beijing South / Beijing West
🏛️ Must-See Attractions
Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
★★★ MustThe world's largest palace complex — 980 buildings, 500+ years of imperial history. Plan 4+ hours minimum.
No same-day tickets · No on-site sales · Book 7 days ahead (tickets release at 8 PM)
Great Wall (Mutianyu)
★★★ MustLess crowded than Badaling, stunning scenery, and you can take the toboggan down. A full-day trip from central Beijing.
Temple of Heaven
★★★ MustWhere emperors prayed for good harvests. The park around it is where locals practice tai chi, play chess, and sing opera — arrive early morning for the best people-watching.
Summer Palace
★★ RecommendedThe imperial family's summer retreat — a vast lakeside garden with temples, pavilions, and the famous Long Corridor. Rent a boat on Kunming Lake.
Hutongs (Nanluoguxiang & Shichahai)
★★ RecommendedBeijing's traditional alleyway neighborhoods — the real old Beijing. Wander the narrow lanes, visit courtyard homes, and grab street food. Best explored in the late afternoon and evening.
🍜 What to Eat
Peking Duck
Beijing's iconic dish — crispy skin, tender meat, thin pancakes, sweet bean sauce, scallions. A must-try.
Where: Siji Minfu (popular with locals, expect queues) · Quanjude (classic, tourist-friendly) · Bianyifang (oven-roasted style)
Price: ¥120–250 per person
Zhajiangmian (Fried Sauce Noodles)
Beijing's everyday comfort food — wheat noodles topped with savory meat sauce and fresh vegetables. Cheap, filling, and everywhere.
Price: ¥25–50 per bowl
Copper Pot Hot Pot
Not Sichuan-style! Beijing hot pot uses a charcoal-fired copper pot with clear broth and thin-sliced lamb. Dip in sesame sauce — it's completely different from what you've tried before.
Where: Nanmen Shuanrou (classic, near Temple of Heaven) · Jubao Yuan
Price: ¥100–150 per person
🚇 Getting Around
Metro: Extensive and cheap (¥3–8). Use Alipay — open the app → Transport (出行) → Metro (地铁) → select Beijing → scan QR at gates. Covers all major attractions.
DiDi: Best for getting to the Great Wall or when the metro is packed. Available inside Alipay — fully English interface.
Walking: The hutong areas and around the Forbidden City are very walkable. Everywhere else — use the metro.
Beijing is HUGE. Don’t try to walk between attractions that look close on the map — they’re not. Always check metro routes first.
For detailed transport guides, see Transport & Getting Around.
💡 Insider Tips
Don't combine the Great Wall and Forbidden City in one day
Both deserve a full day each. Cramming them together ruins both experiences.
Book Forbidden City tickets 7 days in advance
Tickets sell out fast, especially on weekends. Book via the official "Palace Museum" WeChat mini-program — tickets release at 8 PM, 7 days before your visit. No same-day tickets, no on-site sales. The museum has NOT authorized any third-party sellers.
Visit the Temple of Heaven at 7 AM
The park comes alive with locals doing tai chi, singing, dancing, and playing games. The architecture is the backdrop — the people are the show.
Stay in Dongcheng or Chaoyang district
Best transport connections for tourists. Don't stay near a specific attraction — stay near a metro hub.
Avoid national holidays at all costs
During Golden Week (Oct 1–7) and Spring Festival, the Forbidden City hits its 80,000 daily visitor cap by 9 AM.