Beijing

Overview of Beijing

Beijing is the capital and political-cultural center of China, with over 3,000 years of city history and more than 800 years as a capital. It is one of the best cities to experience the charm of an ancient Chinese capital alongside the rhythm of a modern metropolis. The city’s royal axis is outlined by world-class historical sites such as the Palace Museum (故宫博物院), Tiananmen Square (天安门广场), Tiananmen Gate Tower (天安门城楼), Temple of Heaven Park (天坛公园), Summer Palace (颐和园), Beihai Park (北海公园), and Jingshan Park (景山公园). At the same time, contemporary vibrancy is showcased through attractions like the Bird’s Nest Stadium (鸟巢), Water Cube (水立方), Beijing Universal Resort & Universal Studios Beijing (北京环球度假区·北京环球影城), Sanlitun Taikoo Li (三里屯太古里), and 798 Art District (798艺术区).
Hutong culture continues to thrive in areas such as Shichahai (什刹海), Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷), Dongsi Hutong area (东四胡同片区), Baita Temple area (白塔寺片区), and Mosikou Historic Cultural Street (模式口历史文化街). Prestigious universities like Tsinghua University and Peking University add a rich cultural and intellectual atmosphere to the city. Beijing is perfect both for first-time visitors to China looking to check off classic landmarks and for deep travelers who want to slowly explore lesser-known temples, museums, and creative parks.

Best Travel Seasons and Climate

Beijing has a typical temperate monsoon climate with four distinct seasons: cold winters, hot summers, and short, pleasant springs and autumns. Considering overall comfort and scenery, April to May and September to October are the best times to visit. In spring, temperatures range from 10–25°C, and places like the Summer Palace (颐和园), Old Summer Palace Ruins Park (圆明园遗址公园), Beihai Park (北海公园), and Jingshan Park (景山公园) bloom with flowers, making it ideal to climb Wanchun Pavilion for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City. However, occasional dust storms may occur, so wearing masks and sunglasses is advised.

Autumn features clear skies and good visibility, making it the golden season for visiting the Badaling Great Wall (八达岭长城), Temple of Heaven Park (天坛公园), and Shichahai (什刹海). Gingko and red leaves decorate the hutongs and campuses, offering a wonderful walking experience at Tsinghua University and Peking University.

Summer (June to August) is hot and rainy, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 35°C. It’s best to plan indoor activities such as Universal Beijing Resort (北京环球影城), National Museum of China (国家博物馆), Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum (先农坛), and OGA Art Museum (奥加美术馆), then enjoy nightlife in the evening at Sanlitun Taikoo Li (三里屯太古里) and Qianhai Bar Street (前海酒吧街).

Winter (November to February) is cold and dry, with lows down to -10°C. Although fewer tourists visit and flight and hotel prices are lower, there are unique experiences like the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square (天安门广场), warm winter foods at Niujie (牛街), and the serene ancient charm of Mosikou Fahai Temple and Zhihua Temple (模式口·法海寺与智化寺).

Arrival in Beijing

By Air: Beijing currently has two major airports:

• Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK): Located in Shunyi District, it is the traditional main airport with Terminals 2 and 3 handling a dense schedule of international and domestic flights. You can take the Airport Express directly to Dongzhimen (¥25, about 30 minutes), then transfer to Metro Line 2 or Line 13; or take the airport shuttle bus to Wangfujing, Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, and other destinations.
• Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX): Situated between Daxing and Langfang, its architecture is highly futuristic. You can take the Daxing Airport Line directly to Caoqiao Station (¥35, with transfer to Metro Line 10), or take the Jingxiong Intercity Railway to Beijing West Railway Station.

By Train: Beijing has several major railway hubs:

• Beijing Railway Station: Near Jianguomen, convenient for visiting core attractions like Tiananmen Square, Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, Qianmen Street, Dashilan.
• Beijing West Railway Station: An important terminus for the Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway and Jingjiu Line, convenient for transfers to Beijing Universal Studios, Summer Palace, Mosikou·Fahai Temple.
• Beijing South Railway Station: Starting point of the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, connecting Shanghai, Tianjin, Jinan, and more. Metro Line 4 provides direct access to Peking University, Tsinghua University, and the Old Summer Palace Ruins Park.
• Beijing Chaoyang Station / Qinghe Station: Some high-speed trains and the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-Speed Railway stop here. Qinghe Station offers very convenient transfers to the Badaling Great Wall via the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-Speed Railway.

By Road: Multiple expressways (Jingha, Jinghu, Jingzang, Jinggang’ao, etc.) converge on Beijing. If driving, you can enter the city via the ring road system (4th, 5th, 6th Ring Roads), but heavy congestion during morning and evening rush hours is common. It is recommended to travel off-peak or park at metro transfer parking lots.

City Transportation and Travel Methods

Beijing has a well-developed public transportation system, with the subway being the main tool for exploring the city. There are more than 20 subway lines across the city:

• Metro Line 1 runs along Chang’an Avenue, serving stops like Tiananmen East/West (天安门东/西), Wangfujing (王府井), Guomao (国贸), etc.;
• Metro Line 2 Loop connects Beijing Railway Station, Qianmen, Dashilan, Jishuitan (transfer here to reach Shichahai);
• Metro Line 4 goes directly to East Gate of Peking University (北京大学东门), Yuanmingyuan, North Gate of Summer Palace (颐和园北宫门), Beijing South Railway Station (北京南站);
• Metro Line 8 links Olympic Park (Bird’s Nest, Water Cube), Shichahai, Nanluoguxiang;
• Metro Lines 14 and 15 serve emerging areas like Wangjing, 798 Art District, Langyuan Station.

You can use the Transportation Smart Card (交通一卡通) or mobile NFC, Alipay, and WeChat ride codes to take the subway and buses. The base fare starts at 2 yuan ($0.30 USD) and is distance-based. The bus network is dense and ideal for short transfers, such as from subway stations to Modikou Historical and Cultural Street, Fahai Temple, Niujie. Taxi fares generally start at 13 yuan ($2 USD) for the first 3 kilometers and can be booked via apps like Didi Chuxing, Gaode Taxi. Shared bikes (Meituan, HelloBike) offer a great riding experience in areas like Dongsi Hutong, Baita Temple, Shichahai, but be careful not to ride into core restricted zones like the Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square.

To get to the Badaling Great Wall (八达岭长城), you can choose:

• Take the Bus 877 direct route from Deshengmen (about 1.5 hours; check operating hours);
• Or take the Jingzhang High-Speed Rail from Qinghe Station or Beijing North Station to Badaling Station, then walk or transfer to a shuttle bus into the scenic area. During peak times, it is recommended to buy tickets online in advance and allow time for queues.

Food Culture and Must-Try Recommendations

Beijing cuisine blends imperial dishes, Shandong cuisine, and northern home-style flavors. It features both prestigious restaurants like Quanjude and Bianyifang Peking Duck and down-to-earth hutong snacks. Must-try dishes include:

• Peking Duck: Around Wangfujing, Qianmen Street, and Dashilanr, there are many time-honored restaurants. The average cost per person is ¥150–300 (~$21–42 USD). You can order the classic “sliced duck + duck bone soup.”
• Zhajiangmian (Fried Sauce Noodles): In small eateries around the Dongsi Hutong area and Shichahai, a bowl costs about ¥25–35 (~$3.5–5 USD), served with shredded cucumber, bean sprouts, green peas, and other side dishes.
• Shuan Yangrou (Mongolian Hot Pot Lamb): Popular in winter around Niujie, Shichahai, and Guijie (Ghost Street), featuring copper pot charcoal fire and clear broth for dipping fresh sliced lamb. The average cost per person is ¥80–150 (~$11–21 USD).
• Halal Cuisine: Niujie is the center of Beijing’s Muslim food culture. Around Niujie Mosque, you can find beef pancakes, boiled lamb head, beef noodles, and lamb offal soup. A bowl of hot soup in winter costs about ¥20–30 (~$3–4 USD), warming and authentic.
• Hutong Snacks: In Nanluoguxiang, Qianmen Street, and Dashilanr, you can sample donkey rolling cake (驴打滚), aiwowo (艾窝窝), candied hawthorn sticks (糖葫芦), and fermented mung bean juice with fried dough rings (豆汁焦圈), mostly priced between ¥10–25 ($1.5–3.5 USD). At night, Shichahai Bar Street and Sanlitun Taikoo Li are great spots to enjoy craft beer, cocktails, and international cuisine, with an average cost of ¥150–300 ($21–42 USD).
  The art-rich 798 Art District, Langyuan Station, Baita Temple area, and Dongsi Hutong host numerous cafes and creative restaurants, perfect for afternoon tea and leisurely dining. For a royal experience, try imperial-style dishes at Beihai Park Fangshan Restaurant, where prices are higher but the environment is elegant.

Accommodation Areas and Location Recommendations

Beijing is vast, so when choosing accommodation, it is recommended to consider your itinerary and budget:

• Tiananmen–Wangfujing–Qianmen Area (Top choice for first-time visitors): Within walking distance or a short metro ride to key attractions such as Tiananmen Square, Tiananmen Gate Tower, the Palace Museum (Forbidden City), Jingshan Park, Beihai Park, National Museum, Qianmen Street, Dashilan, and Wangfujing Pedestrian Street. This area is dense with star-rated hotels and chain business hotels, with prices ranging from ¥400 to ¥1500 per night (~$56–$210 USD), ideal for first-time visitors focusing on sightseeing.

• Shichahai–Nanluoguxiang–Dongsi Hutong Area (Hutong Experience): Close to Shichahai, Nanluoguxiang, Baita Temple area, Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum (Xiannongtan), featuring many hutong guesthouses and boutique small hotels. Perfect for travelers who enjoy the old Beijing atmosphere and are willing to explore on foot or by bike. Prices range from ¥300 to ¥800 per night (~$42–$112 USD), with some boutique guesthouses converted from traditional siheyuan requiring advance booking.

• Zhongguancun–Wudaokou–Xueyuan Road (Universities & Cost-effectiveness): Near Peking University, Tsinghua University, Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park, Summer Palace, accessible via Metro Lines 4 and 13. Offers a wide variety of dining options, suitable for young people and long-term stays. Mostly business hotels and apartment-style hotels, priced between ¥300 and ¥700 per night (~$42–$98 USD), with slight price increases on weekends and during graduation season.

• Guomao–Sanlitun–Chaoyang Park (Business & Nightlife): Close to trendy landmarks like Sanlitun Taikoo Li, Langyuan Station, 798 Art District, ideal for visitors focused on shopping, nightlife, and modern urban experiences. High-end brand hotels are concentrated around Guomao, Yansha, and Liangmaqiao, with prices from ¥800 to ¥2000 per night (~$112–$280 USD). Sanlitun also has many design hotels and youth hostels.

• Olympic Park–Wangjing–Daxing Airport Corridor (Family & Transit): Near Olympic Park, suitable for families planning to visit Bird’s Nest, Water Cube, Beijing Universal Studios, with apartment-style hotels priced ¥400–¥900 per night (~$56–$126 USD). Wangjing area is known for Korean cuisine and foreign enterprises, catering to business and expatriate guests. For transit or early flights, consider hotels near Daxing Airport, which offer shuttle services and are generally cheaper than downtown. Self-driving travelers may also choose accommodations near the Fifth Ring Road for convenient parking and then take the metro into the city for sightseeing.