Beijing
China's 3,000-year capital, home to the Forbidden City, the Great Wall at Mutianyu, and the country's most concentrated collection of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
provinces2026-10-27
At a glance
- Region
- north
- Capital
- Beijing
- Population
- 21.9 million
- Area
- 16,410 km²
- Best season
- September–October (autumn) and April–May (spring)
- Pinyin
- Běijīng
- Country
- CN
- Signature cuisine
- Peking Duck, Zhajiangmian
Why visit
No trip to China is complete without Beijing. The Forbidden City is the world's largest ancient palatial complex. The Great Wall is one of the seven wonders of the modern world. And the city's hutongs — narrow alleyways of traditional courtyard homes — give you a window into real Beijing life that the monuments alone cannot.
Getting there
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) are the main international gateways. Beijing has three major HSR stations: Beijing South, Beijing West, and Beijing North.
Getting around
The Beijing Metro has 27+ lines with English signage. ¥3-9 per ride. DiDi works with foreign cards. Taxis are metered but rarely speak English — DiDi is the safer choice.
Key cities
UNESCO sites
- Great Wall(1,987)
- Forbidden City(1,987)
- Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian(1,987)
- Temple of Heaven(1,998)
- Summer Palace(1,998)
Day by day
3 — Classic Beijing
Day 1: Tiananmen + Forbidden City. Day 2: Great Wall at Mutianyu (half day) + Ming Tombs. Day 3: Temple of Heaven + hutong walk + Peking duck dinner.
5 — Deep Beijing
Add Summer Palace, Olympic Park, 798 Art District, National Museum, and a Beijing opera show.
7 — Beijing + day trips
Add a day trip to Chengde (Chengde Mountain Resort, 4 hours by bus) or Tianjin (Italian Quarter, 30 min by HSR).
Famous for
- Forbidden City
- Great Wall
- hutongs
- Peking duck
FAQs
How many days do I need in Beijing?
3 days covers the essentials (Forbidden City, Great Wall, hutongs). 5 days adds Summer Palace and Olympic Park. 7 days allows day trips to Chengde or the Great Wall at a more remote section like Jinshanling.
Is the Great Wall crowded?
Mutianyu and Badaling are crowded, especially on weekends and Chinese holidays. For fewer crowds, go to Jinshanling (1.5 hours further) or Huanghuacheng (less restored, fewer tourists). Weekday mornings are always quieter than weekends.
Can I visit the Great Wall in winter?
Yes — Mutianyu and Badaling are open year-round. Winter (December–February) means fewer crowds, but temperatures drop to -10°C and some sections may be closed for ice. The wall looks dramatic with snow but bundle up.
How do I get from Beijing airport to the city?
From PEK: Airport Express train to Dongzhimen (¥25, 30 min) or taxi/DiDi (¥100-150, 45-60 min). From PKX (Daxing): Daxing Airport Line to Caoqiao (¥35, 40 min) or taxi/DiDi (¥200+, 60-90 min).
Is Beijing safe for tourists?
Very safe. Violent crime against tourists is rare. Main risks: taxi overcharging (use DiDi), counterfeit goods at tourist markets, and the Forbidden City tea ceremony scam. Petty theft is uncommon but keep an eye on your phone in crowded areas like Wangfujing.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Beijing?
First-timers: Wangfujing or Qianmen (central, near most sights, good metro access). Backpackers: Beijing Train Station area (hostels, cheap food). Luxury: Wangfujing (Peninsula, Waldorf) or CBD (China World). Hutong charm: Gulou or Nanluoguxiang area.
Can I use Alipay and WeChat Pay in Beijing?
Yes — both work everywhere from convenience stores to Peking duck restaurants to the Great Wall gift shop. Set up Alipay's direct foreign-card linking before you fly (10 minutes, foreign Visa/Mastercard accepted).
Is Beijing's air quality bad?
It has improved dramatically. In winter (November–March), expect AQI 100-200 on bad days. Spring sandstorms (March–April) spike AQI to 300+. Check IQAir before outdoor activities. Most of the year (May–October) AQI is 50-100 (acceptable).
How do I see the Forbidden City without the crowds?
Arrive at 8:00 AM opening (the first hour has 70% fewer people). Enter through the East Gate (Donghuamen) for a quieter experience. Avoid weekends and Chinese holidays. The last entry is 15:30 in summer, 14:30 in winter.
What is Beijing's food specialty?
Peking duck (try Quanjude, Dadong, or Da Dong Roast Duck). Also zhajiangmian, jianbing for breakfast, hot pot (Hai Di Lao), lamb skewers, and Beijing yogurt (old Beijing style, in glass bottles).