Beijing Travel Guide

Beijing is China’s political and cultural heart — a city of imperial palaces, ancient hutongs, and futuristic architecture. Most first-time visitors to China start here.

Highlights

• Forbidden City — the world’s largest palace complex, book tickets online in advance
• Great Wall — Mutianyu (restored, cable car) or Jinshanling (wild, hiking)
• Temple of Heaven — morning tai chi in the park
• Hutongs — old alleyways around Shichahai and Nanluoguxiang
• Summer Palace — imperial gardens by the lake

Local Insider Tips

• Forbidden City tickets: Must be booked 7 days ahead on the official website or WeChat mini-program. No on-site sales, and it’s closed on Mondays.
• Great Wall: Go to Mutianyu — fewer crowds, beautiful scenery. Badaling is packed with tour groups.
• Peking duck: Locals eat at Siji Minfu (四季民福) or Da Dong (大董). Quanjude is a tourist trap.
• Hutongs: Try Wudaoying (五道营) or Beiluoguxiang (北锣鼓巷). Nanluoguxiang is now fully commercialized.
• Airports: Daxing is far from the city; Capital Airport is closer. The airport express train takes 25 minutes.
• Tiananmen: Expect long security lines. For the flag-raising ceremony, arrive by 4 AM to get a spot.
• Jingshan Park: ¥2 entry, best panoramic view of the Forbidden City — especially at sunset.
• Metro: Scan with Alipay. Rush hour is packed — avoid 7–9 AM and 5–7 PM if you can.
• Food: Don’t try douzhi (fermented mung bean drink) unless you’re brave — it’s sour and funky. Chaogan (liver stew) and luzhu (braised pork) are safer bets. Huguosi Snack Street (护国寺小吃) has the most complete selection of classics.
• National Museum: Free but requires advance booking — world-class treasures, worth half a day. Closed on Mondays.
• Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan): Ruins park with the iconic Western-style palace ruins — fewer crowds than the Summer Palace.
• Nightlife: Sanlitun and Guomao (CBD) are the nightlife hubs — bars, restaurants, and a big expat crowd.
• Bird’s Nest & Water Cube: Best after dark when they light up — daytime is underwhelming. Just photograph from outside.
• Shopping: Wangfujing is a tourist street — locals shop at Xidan and SKP. At Xiushui Street, bargain down to about 30% of the asking price.
• Taxis: Airport runs cost ¥100–150 — use Didi for transparent upfront pricing.
• Transit card: One card (公交地铁一卡通) works on buses and metro — phone NFC also works.
• Best time to visit: April–May (flowers) and September–October (crisp autumn air). Avoid July–August (hot, humid “sauna” weather).

Getting Around

The Beijing metro is cheap, fast, and English-signed. Buy a transit card or use Alipay’s transport QR code. Taxis are metered; Didi (Chinese Uber) is the most reliable way to hail one.

Where to Stay

• Wangfujing / Dongcheng — central, near Forbidden City
• Sanlitun — nightlife and dining
• Qianmen — traditional atmosphere near Tiananmen

Food

Peking duck (Siji Minfu or Da Dong), zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste), and jianbing (savory crepes) from street stalls. Most restaurants accept Alipay/WeChat Pay; carry some cash as backup.