Beijing

Amazingly rich history and one of the world's largest cities.

Explore Beijing's rich history at the Forbidden City, trek the Great Wall, and dive into vibrant shopping districts.

3.8

out of 5

Hiking the Great Wall at Mutianyu

Explore the Great Wall of China, a 13,000-mile long historic fortification and UNESCO World Heritage site offering remarkable views.

Imperial Palace from Ming Dynasty

Explore the Forbidden City, a historic palace in Beijing with over a million artifacts, stunning gardens, and traditional Chinese architecture.

Ming Dynasty Architectural Wonder

Visit Beijing's Temple of Heaven, an architectural marvel from the Ming dynasty, known for its unique acoustics and historical ceremonies.

Qing Dynasty Royal Retreat

Explore Beijing's Summer Palace and its classic garden design, including the vast Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill, and the iconic Marble Boat.

Photo of National Museum of China in China

China's Historical Artifacts and Exhibits

Explore Chinese history at the National Museum of China, home to rare artifacts like the "Simuwu Ding" and set beside Tiananmen Square.

Tranquil Oasis in the City

Explore the historical Beihai Park in Beijing, featuring the impressive White Dagoba, the Nine-Dragon Wall, and peaceful boating on Beihai Lake.

Contemporary Art Galleries and Exhibits

Explore Beijing's 798 Art Zone, a former industrial complex turned vibrant arts district featuring diverse galleries, street art, and cultural events.

Rickshaw Ride in Ancient Alleys

Explore Beijing's Hutongs for a glimpse into traditional Chinese life through narrow alleys, historical sites, and local crafts.

Map page

Beijing, the sprawling capital of China, serves as the political and cultural heart of the nation. It's a city where ancient history meets modern development, home to the iconic Forbidden City, a vast complex of historical structures that once housed Chinese emperors. The city also features a rich selection of parks, such as the expansive gardens of the Summer Palace, and is the starting point for visits to the Great Wall of China. While Beijing's skyline is marked by numerous modern skyscrapers, traditional hutong alleyways preserve the lifestyle of times past.

Forbidden City

At the core of Beijing's historical narrative is the Forbidden City, a sprawling imperial palace that stood as the home of emperors and the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government for nearly 500 years. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it offers visitors a deep dive into the opulence of China's imperial past through its well-preserved buildings and extensive collections of historical artifacts.

Great Wall of China

No visit to Beijing is complete without a trip to the Great Wall of China. Several sections of the wall are within reach from the city, such as Badaling and Mutianyu, offering different experiences. Mutianyu has a cable car that takes visitors up to the wall and a toboggan ride down, providing accessibility with an adventurous twist. While Badaling tends to draw more tourists due to its proximity to Beijing, Mutianyu offers a less crowded visit with equally stunning vistas.

Summer Palace

The Summer Palace, located at the edge of Beijing, is a testament to traditional Chinese garden design and an epitome of natural beauty harmonized with man-made structures. This extensive park, dominated by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake, served as a summer retreat for emperors. You can roam the elaborate bridges, visit temples or take a boat ride on the lake, enjoying peaceful moments away from city life.

Traditional Cuisine and Street Food

Beijing's culinary scene is an exploration in itself, with dishes ranging from the globally famous Peking Duck, served at renowned restaurants like Quanjude and Dadong, to lesser-known local delicacies found at bustling street markets such as Wangfujing Snack Street. Sampling staples like jianbing (a savory crepe) or zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste) offers a taste of Beijing's local flavors.

Local Customs and Festivals

Delving into Beijing's cultural depth can be as simple as witnessing age-old customs at play. The Temple of Heaven Park is where locals engage in daily morning exercises, from tai chi to group dancing, and offers a real sense of community spirit. Festivals like the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) and Mid-Autumn Festival immerse visitors in traditions rich with pageantry, music, and food.

Parks and Green Spaces

Beyond historical and cultural sites, Beijing is dotted with public parks and green spaces. Ritan Park provides calm recreational areas where visitors can enjoy lush greenery or engage in a game of chess with locals. Jingshan Park offers panoramic views of the Forbidden City against the backdrop of Beijing's skyline.

Public Transportation

Getting around Beijing is made efficient thanks to an extensive public transportation system, which includes buses and a subway network that reaches across the city. The subway system is often the fastest way to move around and maps are available in both Chinese and English, making it visitor-friendly. Cycling is another popular option for exploring Beijing, with bike share programs widely available.

Daily Life and Cultural Atmosphere

For those interested in the daily beats of the city, taking a stroll through Beijing's hutongs, the traditional alleyways, reveals small shops, cafes, and the rhythm of everyday life. The 798 Art Zone showcases Beijing's contemporary arts scene, with galleries and studios set in defunct industrial spaces. It represents the city's evolving cultural identity where traditional arts blend with pioneer modernity.

Average temperatures during the day in Beijing.

April

20°

May

26°

Jun

30°

Jul

31°

Aug

29°

Sep

26°

Oct

19°

Nov

10°

Dec

3°

Jan

2°

Feb

4°

Mar

11°

Average temperatures during the day in Beijing.

What to do in Beijing

The best places to visit in January

Article from April 2024 with 5 places

In the depth of winter, while other places hibernate, Beijing, the capital of China, hums with anticipation. The reason is the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, which usually falls between January 21 and February 20. The time leading up to this event is rich in tradition and celebration, offering a cultural feast for visitors.

As January progresses, the city gears up for the festival with markets brimming with decorations, traditional foods, and gifts. Visit Ditan Park, where the annual temple fair offers a range of local snacks and folk performances. Alternatively, stroll through Wangfujing Snack Street, sampling traditional treats like tanghulu - candied hawthorn sticks.

Yet, it's not all festivity and frivolity. Beijing residents take the New Year seriously, engaging in deep-cleaning their homes to sweep away ill fortune and make way for incoming luck. Don't be surprised if you see red paper-cuts and couplets on doors and windows, a custom believed to bring good luck.

However, be aware that the period from 2 days before the Lunar New Year Day to 2 weeks after that is the time for family reunions. Many businesses close as employees return home. While this offers a quieter experience in Beijing, it also means reduced services and crowded public transportation. Therefore, the time leading up to the Lunar New Year in January is the best time to experience the tradition.

As the New Year approaches, do not miss the chance to witness the spectacle of the CCTV New Year's Gala, a Chinese variety show watched by millions, or witness a fireworks display that paints the sky with colors.

Beijing isn't alone in its fervor for Lunar New Year. Other places such as Shanghai in China, Singapore, Hongkong, Taipei in Taiwan, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi in Vietnam also light up with equal gusto, their skyline punctuated with fireworks and streets echoing with joyous laughter and well-wishes for the coming year.

Bucket list-worthy places in China

Article from December 2023 with 9 places

Beijing, the capital city of China, is steeped in history and culture. A visit to the iconic Great Wall of China is a must. Walk along its ancient stones and marvel at the incredible engineering feat. For a taste of traditional Chinese architecture, head to the Forbidden City, a grand palace complex once home to emperors. Don't forget to try Peking Duck, a mouthwatering dish that originated in Beijing.

The 30 best food cities in the world

Article from August 2023 with 30 places

One of the most influential cuisines

Chinese cuisine has evolved over many centuries to become one of the most famous and influential cuisines in the world. It is known for its use of a wide range of ingredients and cooking methods, and its emphasis on freshness and balance. Dishes vary greatly in flavor, texture, and presentation, and can range from light and healthy stir-fries to rich and flavorful braised dishes. Beijing is the place to try them all.

What to eat in Beijing

Try dishes such as Peking duck, Beijing BBQ, and some of the best dumplings in the world. And save some space for some of the city’s famous snacks, such as jianbing, a savory crepe, youtiao, fried dough sticks, and lamb kebabs. Street food is incredibly popular in Beijing, with vendors selling everything from dumplings to barbecue skewers. Make sure to try some of the local favorites, such as guotie, potstickers, and jiaozi dumplings.

What people say about Beijing

3.8

People

Food

Spaces

Value

Safety

Giannos Georgiou

I traveled to Beijing in my 20s and it was an incredible experience. We walked on the Great Wall and saw some of the most beautiful scenery. The culture seems so rich, we ate high quality and taste food everywhere and explored the vast areas of modern architecture that were there. I think this is a trip in which I feel I've enjoyed the culture of China which was completely different from mine. Prices there were incredibly low compared to my country and the community in general seemed a little bit busy because they where moving in a "hurry" way! Either way it's a place where I would suggest everyone to visit at least once!

- G.Georgiou

Anders

I knew nothing about Beijing when coming here to visit a friend. I was instantly surprised by how developed the city was with tall skyscrapers and massive modern buildings all over the place.

I explored the city on foot and by taxi. It was a bit hard to figure out how to get around in a convenient way as the taxi drivers don't speak English and don't seem to find the way so well.

Thanks to my friend, I managed to eat the best duck I have ever had in my life, Beijing duck in Beijing. We also had fantastic food from the other regions of China such as the spicy cuisine from Sichuan province.

On my own, I visited the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall just outside the city. Of these, the Great Wall was my favorite, it was really cool to get up on the wall and walk on it for a while. It made me want to visit it in other places that are less busy than right outside Beijing.

The best thing for me was probably a visit to one of the parks where locals of all ages hung out. Couples got some quality time together, old people did slow-moving exercises (tai chi?), and younger people played a wide range of games. It was a joy to just sit there are take it all in.

The worst things about Beijing are definitely the traffic and the awful pollution that fills the city like a fog that doesn't seem to go away. Also, people are not overly friendly. But I still recommend a visit as it is a special place.