Beijing 北京
About Beijing 北京
Highlights
- ✓ Forbidden City — the largest palace complex in the world
- ✓ Great Wall at Badaling or Mutianyu sections
- ✓ Summer Palace — lakeside imperial garden
- ✓ Temple of Heaven — where emperors prayed for good harvests
- ✓ Wangfujing Street — historic shopping and food street
- ✓ Hutong alleyways — Beijing's ancient street system
- ✓ Peking Duck — the city's most famous dish
Trip Essentials
Photo Gallery
Forbidden City in Beijing, China
Local cuisine
Local people
Adventure
Beijing 北京 Itinerary
Suggested Travel Plan
Suggested Itinerary
Forbidden City
Enter through the Meridian Gate. Explore the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Imperial Garden, and the rear palace complex. Allow at least 3 hours.
Lunch at Nanluoguxiang
The nearby hutong street is packed with restaurants. Try Peking duck or zhajiang mian.
Temple of Heaven
The emperor's prayer hall. Walk the circular park and join the local elderly in morning exercises.
Wangfujing Street
Beijing's oldest commercial street. Snacks, street food, and shopping.
Beijing Duck Dinner
A full Peking duck meal at a classic restaurant. The crispy skin, wrapped in thin pancakes with scallions and sweet bean paste, is unforgettable.
Great Wall at Mutianyu
Less crowded than Badaling. Take the cable car up, walk the 12 watchtowers, and toboggan down.
Lunch in the Great Wall Village
Try the local mountain cuisine: braised pork, wild vegetables, and corn porridge.
Summer Palace
The emperor's lakeside retreat. Walk the 728m Long Corridor, cross the 17-arch bridge, and climb the Longevity Hill.
Boat Ride on Kunming Lake
A peaceful rowboat cruise on the lake. The view of the Seventeen-Arch Bridge from the water is stunning.
Dinner in the Hutongs
A local hutong restaurant. Try Beijing roast duck, jiaozi, and mapo tofu.
Location
Practical Information
✈️ Getting There
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and the newer Daxing International Airport (PKX) serve the city. High-speed trains from Shanghai (4.5h), Xi'an (5h), and Guangzhou (8h) arrive at Beijing South Station. The city has an extensive subway system — get a Yangguang Card at the airport.
🏨 Where to Stay
The Wangfujing/Dongcheng area is central, walkable to the Forbidden City, and has hotels for every budget ($50-300/night). The Houhai area near the Summer Palace is quieter and more local. For luxury, the Four Seasons or The Peninsula are hard to beat.
💡 Travel Tips
Beijing is best visited April to June and September to November. Summer is hot and humid (35°C+), winter is cold and dry (-10°C). Book the Forbidden City tickets online in advance — they sell out. The Great Wall at Mutianyu is less crowded than Badaling. Wear comfortable shoes — there's a lot of walking.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and the newer Daxing International Airport (PKX) serve the city. High-speed trains from Shanghai (4.5h), Xi'an (5h), and Guangzhou (8h) arrive at Beijing South Station. The city has an extensive subway system — get a Yangguang Card at the airport.
The Wangfujing/Dongcheng area is central, walkable to the Forbidden City, and has hotels for every budget ($50-300/night). The Houhai area near the Summer Palace is quieter and more local. For luxury, the Four Seasons or The Peninsula are hard to beat.
Beijing is best visited April to June and September to November. Summer is hot and humid (35°C+), winter is cold and dry (-10°C). Book the Forbidden City tickets online in advance — they sell out. The Great Wall at Mutianyu is less crowded than Badaling. Wear comfortable shoes — there's a lot of walking.
Travel Tips
Forbidden City tickets sell out
You must book online at the official website (dpm.org.cn) at least 7 days in advance. Tickets are limited to 80,000 per day. Go early morning to avoid the tour groups. The palace is closed on Mondays.
Beijing is affordable for what you get
A full day of sightseeing, meals, and transport costs around $40-60. The Forbidden City ticket is $10, the Great Wall (Mutianyu) is $15, and the Summer Palace is $8. Meals range from $2 for street food to $20 for a proper restaurant.
Air quality in winter
Beijing's winter air quality can be poor (PM2.5 levels). Check the AQI daily and consider an N95 mask during high pollution days. The city has improved significantly in recent years, but it's still a factor.
Pack for Four Seasons in One Day
China's climate varies dramatically by region. In the north, winters can be -20°C; in the south, it's 30°C year-round. Pack layers, a light rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes for any trip.
High-Speed Trains Are a Game Changer
China's high-speed rail network covers most major cities. A Beijing-Shanghai trip that used to take 12 hours by plane now takes 4.5 hours by train — and the experience is far more comfortable. Book tickets on the 12306.cn website or app.
Cash Is Still King in Small Towns
While major cities are increasingly cashless (WeChat Pay and Alipay), many smaller towns and rural areas still rely on cash. Always carry RMB bills (¥10, ¥20, ¥50, ¥100) for small purchases and street food.
Forbidden City tickets sell out
You must book online at the official website (dpm.org.cn) at least 7 days in advance. Tickets are limited to 80,000 per day. Go early morning to avoid the tour groups. The palace is closed on Mondays.
Beijing is affordable for what you get
A full day of sightseeing, meals, and transport costs around $40-60. The Forbidden City ticket is $10, the Great Wall (Mutianyu) is $15, and the Summer Palace is $8. Meals range from $2 for street food to $20 for a proper restaurant.
Air quality in winter
Beijing's winter air quality can be poor (PM2.5 levels). Check the AQI daily and consider an N95 mask during high pollution days. The city has improved significantly in recent years, but it's still a factor.
Pack for Four Seasons in One Day
China's climate varies dramatically by region. In the north, winters can be -20°C; in the south, it's 30°C year-round. Pack layers, a light rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes for any trip.
High-Speed Trains Are a Game Changer
China's high-speed rail network covers most major cities. A Beijing-Shanghai trip that used to take 12 hours by plane now takes 4.5 hours by train — and the experience is far more comfortable. Book tickets on the 12306.cn website or app.
Cash Is Still King in Small Towns
While major cities are increasingly cashless (WeChat Pay and Alipay), many smaller towns and rural areas still rely on cash. Always carry RMB bills (¥10, ¥20, ¥50, ¥100) for small purchases and street food.