Beijing
Traveling to Beijing offers a mesmerizing blend of historical grandeur and modern sophistication, where one can walk the storied paths of the Forbidden City by day and marvel at the glowing skyline from the Bird's Nest Stadium by night.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Beijing largely depends on what you're looking to get out of your trip, but generally, the most favorable times are during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) seasons.
Spring in Beijing is typically warm and dry with temperatures ranging from 11°C (52°F) to 24°C (75°F). It's a great time to explore the city's outdoor attractions like the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven, all of which will be bathed in the soft colors of blossoming flowers and emerging greenery.
Autumn is another fantastic season to visit Beijing. Temperatures during this time range from 8°C (46°F) to 20°C (68°F), offering cooler and comfortable weather for sightseeing. Autumn is also when you'll see the city in a beautiful array of reds, oranges, and yellows as leaves change color, especially in the Fragrant Hills Park.
The summer months (July and August) can be quite hot and crowded as it is a peak tourist season and coincides with school holidays. Also, this is the time for the rainy season, which can cause the humidity level to rise. Winters (December through February) in Beijing can be harsh, with temperatures often dropping well below freezing. It's also important to note that Chinese New Year, usually occurring in late January or early February, can lead to crowded conditions and inflated prices due to domestic travel.
How to Get There
Getting to Beijing
The most common way to reach Beijing is by air. The city's primary international airport, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), is one of the busiest in the world and offers numerous direct flights from cities around the globe. In 2019, a new airport, Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), was also opened to further increase the city's flight capacity.
Alternatively, if you're already in China or in nearby countries, you can take advantage of the extensive high-speed rail network. Trains to Beijing are available from almost all major Chinese cities and even some international destinations.
Getting Around Beijing
Once you're in Beijing, there are several options for getting around:
Public Transit: Beijing's public transportation system is extensive and inexpensive. It includes buses, trams, and a subway system. The subway is often the fastest and most convenient way to get around, as it avoids road traffic and covers most of the city's major attractions.
Taxis and Ride-Sharing: Taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive by Western standards. Ride-sharing apps like DiDi (the Chinese equivalent of Uber) are also popular.
Bicycles and E-bikes: Beijing is a very bike-friendly city with dedicated bike lanes on most roads. You can rent a bike or e-bike through various bike-sharing programs like Ofo and Mobike.
Walking: For shorter distances, walking can be a great way to take in the sights and sounds of the city.
Private Car Hire: For those who prefer a more comfortable and flexible mode of transportation, hiring a private car with a driver is also an option. This can be especially useful for trips to sites outside the city, such as the Great Wall.
Most Popular Attractions and Activities to See and Do in Beijing, China
Top 20 Attractions in Beijing
Beijing, as the capital city of China, is rich in cultural and historical attractions. Here are some of the top attractions that you should consider visiting:
The Great Wall of China: While not located directly within the city, this world-renowned structure is accessible from Beijing, especially the Badaling and Mutianyu sections, which are the most popular among tourists.
The Forbidden City: Now known as the Palace Museum, it was the imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is considered one of the most significant palace complexes in the world.
Tiananmen Square: One of the world's largest public squares, it's surrounded by important sites including the Forbidden City, the National Museum of China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
Summer Palace: A vast ensemble of lakes, gardens, and palaces, it's an exemplar of Chinese garden design and a great place for a relaxing break from the bustling city.
Temple of Heaven: This complex of religious buildings was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest.
The Hutongs: These narrow alleys offer a glimpse into the traditional Beijing lifestyle. You can explore them on foot or by taking a traditional rickshaw ride.
Beihai Park: One of the oldest and most authentic imperial gardens in China, it offers beautiful scenery and a relaxing environment.
The National Museum of China: Situated in Tiananmen Square, it showcases China's extensive history and culture with a vast collection of artifacts.
798 Art District: This contemporary art district, filled with galleries, shops, and cafes, is located in a former electronics factory.
Bird's Nest Stadium and Water Cube: Known formally as the National Stadium and National Aquatics Center, these iconic buildings were the centerpieces of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The Ming Tombs: Located about 42 kilometers north of Beijing, the Ming Tombs are a collection of mausoleums built by the emperors of the Ming dynasty. The site was chosen by the third Ming emperor, Yongle, who moved the capital of China from Nanjing to the present location of Beijing.
Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple): This is one of the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. The temple is a beautiful and serene place, full of history and religious significance.
Prince Gong's Mansion: This is one of the most exquisite and best-preserved royal mansions in Beijing, giving you a glimpse of the royal lifestyle during the Qing Dynasty.
Panjiayuan Market: Also known as the Panjiayuan Antique Market, it's a superlative place to find antiques, crafts, collectibles, and a variety of other goods. It's the largest antiques market in China and a must-visit for anyone interested in Chinese arts and crafts.
Jingshan Park: Just north of the Forbidden City, this park offers some of the best panoramic views of Beijing, especially the Forbidden City, from atop its central hill.
National Centre for the Performing Arts: Known for its iconic egg-like architecture, it offers a variety of performances, including opera, ballet, symphony, and drama.
Sanlitun: This is a vibrant area known for its shopping, dining, and nightlife. The area is popular with both locals and tourists.
Wangfujing Street: One of Beijing's major shopping streets with a mix of modern and traditional shops, it's also known for its snack street where you can sample a variety of local street foods.
Zhongshan Park: Located just west of the Forbidden City, this beautiful and peaceful park is home to numerous historical monuments and temples, as well as beautiful gardens. The park was named after Sun Yat-sen (Sun Zhongshan), a leader in the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the father of modern China.
The Beijing Ancient Observatory: Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, this observatory showcases China's long history in astronomy. You can see a collection of ancient astronomical instruments displayed on the rooftop and get a unique insight into how early astronomers tracked celestial bodies.
Top 20 Activities to do in Beijing
Beijing is a city of history, culture, and vibrant life. There are a host of activities you can indulge in, and here are some top ones:
Hike the Great Wall: The Great Wall sections near Beijing, like Mutianyu and Badaling, offer different levels of hiking opportunities. You can also visit the less crowded Jinshanling or Huanghuacheng sections for a more challenging and quieter experience.
Explore the Forbidden City: Spend at least a half day exploring the vast complex of the Forbidden City, learning about the imperial history of China.
Stroll through the Hutongs: Wander through the narrow lanes of the old city, visit a traditional courtyard house, and get a taste of local life.
Try Peking Duck: No visit to Beijing is complete without trying Peking Duck, a famous local delicacy.
Enjoy a Chinese Tea Ceremony: Visit one of the traditional teahouses, such as the Lao She Teahouse, and enjoy a Chinese tea ceremony.
Take a Boat Ride in the Summer Palace: The Summer Palace has a beautiful lake where you can rent a boat and enjoy the scenic views.
Attend a Peking Opera Show: Experience traditional Chinese culture by attending a performance of Peking Opera.
Visit a Night Market: The Wangfujing and Donghuamen night markets offer a variety of street food. You can find everything from the traditional dumplings to more exotic foods.
Try Tai Chi in a Park: Join the locals in the parks early in the morning to learn and practice Tai Chi.
Visit an Art Gallery in the 798 Art District: This thriving artistic community is filled with contemporary art galleries, boutiques, and quirky cafes.
Cycling around the City: Beijing is known for its biking culture. Rent a bike or use a bike-sharing app to explore the city.
Climb Jingshan Hill for a Panoramic View: Just north of the Forbidden City, climb to the top of this hill in Jingshan Park for an excellent panoramic view of the Forbidden City and Beijing.
Visit the Panda House at the Beijing Zoo: The Panda House is home to several adorable giant pandas and is a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts.
Enjoy a Rickshaw Ride in the Hutongs: A traditional rickshaw ride is a fun way to explore Beijing's old Hutong neighborhoods and get a feel for the local way of life.
Watch a Kung Fu Show: Shows like "The Legend of Kung Fu" at the Red Theatre combine martial arts with dance and acrobatics, providing an entertaining look at this traditional Chinese discipline.
Ice Skating at Houhai Lake: If you're visiting Beijing in winter, don't miss the chance to join locals in ice skating on the frozen Houhai Lake.
Shop for Souvenirs at Panjiayuan Antique Market: This is the place to look for a wide range of Chinese handicrafts, jewelry, antiques, and other souvenirs.
Visit a Local Brewery: The craft beer scene in Beijing has been growing rapidly, with local breweries like Great Leap and Jing-A offering a wide range of unique brews.
Participate in a Chinese Cooking Class: A cooking class can be a great way to learn about Chinese cuisine and culture. Some classes even include a trip to a local market to buy ingredients.
Relax in a Traditional Chinese Spa: After a long day of sightseeing, consider unwinding with a traditional Chinese massage or spa treatment.
Best Shopping
Beijing is a shopper's paradise, offering everything from high-end luxury goods to traditional Chinese crafts and antiques. Here are some of the top shopping areas in the city:
Wangfujing Street: One of Beijing's most famous shopping streets, Wangfujing is home to a number of large department stores and international brands. Don't forget to check out the Wangfujing Snack Street for a variety of local street foods.
Sanlitun: This area is known for its trendy boutiques and high-end international brands. The Taikoo Li Sanlitun shopping complex is particularly popular, offering a mix of fashion, lifestyle, and dining options.
Xidan Shopping Area: This is one of the main shopping districts in Beijing, featuring many large shopping malls and department stores. The area caters to a younger crowd, with plenty of budget-friendly and mid-range shops.
Qianmen Street: This historic street has been a commercial hub for centuries. It's a great place to shop for traditional Chinese goods, including tea, silk, and traditional Chinese medicines.
Pearl Market (Hongqiao Market): This market is famous for its pearls, but you can also find a wide range of goods including electronics, clothing, and souvenirs. Remember, haggling is expected at markets in Beijing.
Panjiayuan Antique Market: If you're interested in antiques, crafts, and cultural relics, this is the place to go. It's one of the best places in the city to shop for traditional Chinese art, calligraphy, and jewelry.
798 Art District: For contemporary Chinese art and unique, artistic souvenirs, visit the boutiques and galleries in the 798 Art District.
Silk Street Market: This bustling market offers a wide range of goods, including clothing, accessories, and souvenirs. It's particularly known for its selection of silk products.
Nanluoguxiang Hutong: This ancient street is lined with quirky boutiques and handicraft shops selling unique souvenirs and trinkets.
Malls in the Central Business District (CBD): The CBD houses many modern shopping malls like the China World Mall and Shin Kong Place, where you'll find high-end international and luxury brands.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Beijing offers a vibrant nightlife scene and a wide range of entertainment options catering to different tastes and preferences. Whether you prefer chilling at a stylish rooftop bar, dancing the night away in a club, or enjoying traditional performances, Beijing has you covered. Here are some top suggestions:
Sanlitun: This is the most popular nightlife district in Beijing, and it is home to a wide variety of bars, clubs, and restaurants. Sanlitun is a great place to go if you are looking for a lively and energetic atmosphere.
Gulou and Nanluoguxiang: This area is known for its live music scene, and it is a great place to go if you are looking for something a little more low-key. There are a number of bars and clubs in this area that offer live music, and the atmosphere is usually more relaxed than in Sanlitun.
Houhai Bar Street: Lining the shores of the scenic Houhai Lake, the numerous bars and restaurants here offer a laid-back atmosphere. With live music and beautiful views of the lake, this area is a great place to unwind.
798 Art District: Known for its contemporary art scene, the 798 Art District is also home to several stylish cafes and bars that become lively at night.
Performing Arts: For a taste of traditional Chinese culture, you can catch a Peking Opera at the Liyuan Theatre or a Kung Fu show at the Red Theatre. The National Centre for the Performing Arts also hosts a range of performances including operas, ballets, and symphonies.
Night Tours: Consider taking a night tour of the city. You could cycle around the illuminated city landmarks or take a night cruise on the Huangpu River to see the spectacular cityscape.
Craft Beer Bars: If you're a fan of craft beer, Beijing has several local breweries and craft beer bars. Great Leap Brewing, Slow Boat Brewery Taproom, and Jing-A Brewing Co. are just a few examples.
Dance Clubs: For those who enjoy dancing, Beijing offers a range of clubs playing all kinds of music.
Local Cuisine
Beijing, also known as Peking, has a rich culinary tradition that reflects the city's imperial history as well as its position as a cultural crossroads. Here's a brief guide to the local cuisine:
Peking Roast Duck (Beijing Kaoya): Perhaps the most famous dish, Peking Roast Duck is a must-try. The duck is roasted in a special oven until its skin becomes thin, crispy, and reddish-brown. It's traditionally eaten by rolling pieces of duck, slices of cucumber, and sweet bean sauce in a thin pancake.
Jiaozi (Dumplings): Jiaozi are Chinese dumplings filled with meat or vegetables, often eaten at family gatherings. They can be steamed, boiled, or pan-fried.
Zha Jiang Mian: This is a classic Beijing noodle dish, consisting of wheat noodles topped with a sauce made from ground pork stir-fried with fermented soybean paste.
Hot Pot: Hot pot is a popular communal eating experience where diners cook their own ingredients (meat, vegetables, tofu, etc.) in a shared pot of simmering broth.
Mongolian Hot Pot (Mongolian Fire Pot): This version of hot pot is a Beijing speciality with a history of over 1000 years. Diners cook thinly sliced meat and vegetables in a rich, flavorful broth.
Bao Du (Quick-Fried Tripe): This traditional Beijing snack is made from lamb tripe quickly fried and served with a dipping sauce.
Beijing Mutton Hot Pot (Instant-Boiled Mutton): In this dish, paper-thin slices of mutton are cooked in a hot pot at the table, then dipped in a sauce before being eaten.
Lvdagun (Donkey-Roll Pea Flour Cake): This traditional Beijing snack consists of sticky rice rolls filled with red bean paste and rolled in soybean flour.
Tuckahoe Pie (Fuling Jiabing): A popular traditional snack, this is a crispy pancake filled with sweet or savory fillings.
Jing Jiang Rousi: This is a popular dish consisting of shredded pork in a sweet bean sauce, served with soya bean wraps.
Beijing Breakfast (Douzhi, Jiaoquan, Youtiao): Traditional Beijing breakfast often includes Douzhi (mung bean milk), Jiaoquan (fried ring-shaped bread similar to a bagel), and Youtiao (fried dough sticks).
When you visit Beijing, trying the local cuisine is a must. The city has countless restaurants, street food vendors, and food markets where you can taste these traditional dishes. Remember, the city's cuisine is not just limited to these traditional dishes, Beijing is a huge cosmopolitan city with a vast array of food from all over China and the world.
Street Food
Beijing is renowned for its vibrant street food scene, and there are several areas in the city that are particularly well-known for their array of food stalls. Here are some of the best spots to check out:
Wangfujing Snack Street: Located in one of Beijing's most famous shopping districts, this street is packed with vendors selling a wide range of Chinese street foods. Here, you can find everything from dumplings and stir-fried noodles to more adventurous offerings like scorpions and starfish on a stick.
Donghuamen Night Market: Although more tourist-oriented, the Donghuamen Night Market is worth a visit for its variety of regional specialties from across China.
Niujie Muslim Snack Street: This area is the center of Beijing's Muslim community and is known for its halal street food. Don't miss the opportunity to try some delicious mutton shashlik or savory beef and mutton pies.
Ghost Street (Gui Jie): Named for its all-night restaurants rather than anything supernatural, Ghost Street is the place to go for late-night street food. Crayfish is a particular specialty here.
Qianmen Street: This historic area has numerous vendors selling traditional Beijing snacks. You can try local favorites like Douzhi (mung bean milk), Jiaoquan (fried ring-shaped bread), and traditional pastries.
Nanluoguxiang Hutong: This historic hutong is lined with small food vendors and snack shops, offering a mix of traditional Beijing snacks and modern fusion foods.
Sanyuanli Market: For a more local experience, visit this food market where Beijingers shop for daily groceries. You can find a number of vendors selling ready-to-eat snacks and dishes.
Accommodations
Choosing the best area to stay in Beijing largely depends on your interests, as different districts offer varied experiences. Here are some popular areas among tourists:
Dongcheng District: Home to many historical attractions like the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the southern part of the Hutongs, Dongcheng is a great area if you want to be close to the cultural heart of Beijing. It has a range of accommodations from luxury hotels to guesthouses.
Xicheng District: This district houses the Houhai area with its beautiful lakes and traditional Hutongs. It's also home to attractions like the Temple of Heaven and the Capital Museum. It has a relaxed, cultural vibe and a variety of accommodation options.
Chaoyang District: Known as the embassy district, Chaoyang is a bustling area with a mix of local and international culture. It's home to the Sanlitun bar street, the 798 Art District, and various shopping malls. Accommodation here ranges from luxury hotels to serviced apartments.
Haidian District: This area is a bit further from the city center, but it's a good choice if you're interested in visiting the Summer Palace, the Old Summer Palace, or Peking University. It's also known for its tech companies and has a youthful vibe due to the numerous universities in this district.
Wangfujing Street Area (Dongcheng District): If you're into shopping, the area around Wangfujing Street can be a great choice. It's within walking distance to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, and it's home to high-end hotels and shopping malls.
Qianmen Area (Dongcheng District): Qianmen is just south of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. It has many historical sites, traditional Beijing Hutongs, and Qianmen Pedestrian Street, which is a shopping street with many time-honored brands.
