Beijing Travel Guide

Beijing Travel Guide

Beijing (北京), the capital of China, is a city of contrasts—imperial palaces stand beside gleaming skyscrapers, and serene hutongs (alleyways) echo with the stories of dynasties past. It's a must-visit for history lovers, foodies, and culture seekers.

Getting There & Around

Airports

• Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) – Main international gateway.

• Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) – Modern, eco-friendly airport handling many international and domestic flights.

Transport

• Subway: Extensive, cheap, and easy to use (signs in English).

• Taxis/Didi (Chinese Uber): Widely available.

• Buses: Useful but often crowded.

• Bicycles & E-scooters: Great for exploring hutongs.

Where to Stay

Central/Convenient (Dongcheng & Chaoyang)

• Luxury: Waldorf Astoria, The Peninsula Beijing

• Mid-Range: Novotel Peace Hotel, Hotel Kapok

• Budget: Peking Youth Hostel, 365 Inn

Historic/Atmospheric (Hutongs & Xicheng)

• Hutong Boutique Hotels: The Orchid, Courtyard 7

Airport Area

• Great for overnight layovers (Hilton, Hyatt Place near Daxing)

Top Attractions

Historical & Cultural

• Forbidden City (Palace Museum) – Ancient imperial palace, UNESCO site

• Tiananmen Square – One of the largest public squares in the world

• Temple of Heaven – Ming dynasty temple complex

• Summer Palace – Stunning lakeside retreat of emperors

• Lama Temple (Yonghegong) – Iconic Tibetan Buddhist temple

• Confucius Temple – Peaceful, philosophical grounds

Natural & Scenic

• Great Wall of China (access via day trips):

  • Mutianyu: Scenic, less crowded

  • Badaling: Most visited, easily accessible

  • Jinshanling: For hikers and photographers

Old Beijing Charm

• Hutongs (Nanluoguxiang, Yandai Xiejie)

• Drum and Bell Towers – Ancient timekeepers

Museums & Modern Sights

• National Museum of China

• 798 Art District – Avant-garde art in old factory spaces

• Beijing Olympic Park – Bird’s Nest and Water Cube

What to Eat

Must-Try Dishes

• Peking Duck – Try at Quanjude or Da Dong

• Zhajiangmian – Noodles with soybean paste

• Hot Pot – Popular during colder months (Haidilao is a top pick)

• Dim Sum – Available at Cantonese restaurants

• Street Snacks – Jianbing (savory crepes), Baozi (steamed buns), Tanghulu (candied hawthorn)

Food Streets

• Wangfujing Snack Street – Exotic snacks like scorpions & silkworms

• Ghost Street (Gui Jie) – Late-night eats, especially hotpot

• Nanluoguxiang – Trendy snacks and drinks

Shopping

Markets & Streets

• Silk Market – Bargain for clothes and souvenirs

• Panjiayuan Market – Antiques and traditional crafts

• Qianmen Street – Historic pedestrian shopping

Malls

• The Place – Upscale mall with giant LED screen

• Sanlitun Village – Trendy area for fashion and nightlife

Nightlife

Bars & Clubs

• Sanlitun – Most vibrant nightlife zone

• Houhai Lakes – Scenic bars and live music

• Gulou Area – Hipster cafés and indie bars

Festivals & Events

• Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb): Fireworks, lanterns, closures

• Mid-Autumn Festival (Sep/Oct): Mooncakes and family gatherings

• National Day (Oct 1): Parades and celebrations

• Beijing International Film Festival (April)

• Temple Fairs – Held at major temples during Lunar New Year

Day Trips from Beijing

• The Great Wall (Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Simatai)

• Chengde – Mountain resort and temples

• Cuandixia – Preserved Ming village

• Gubei Water Town – Scenic replica town near Simatai Great Wall

Travel Tips

• Visa: Most travelers need a visa. Some eligible for 144-hour visa-free transit.

• Best Time to Visit: Spring (Apr-May) and Autumn (Sep-Oct)

• Language: Mandarin (apps like Google Translate or Pleco help a lot)

• Currency: Chinese Yuan (RMB/CNY)

• Tipping: Not common or expected

• Connectivity: Get a local SIM (e.g., China Unicom) or use eSIM

• VPN Needed: Google, Facebook, WhatsApp are blocked. Use a VPN.

Useful Apps

• MetroMan – Subway maps

• Dianping – Reviews like Yelp

• Didi – Ride-hailing

• Pleco – English-Chinese dictionary

• WeChat – Messaging, mobile payments (essential in China)

• Trip.com – Hotel/train booking