Beijing Travel Guide, China

Planning things to do in Beijing is easier once you understand its scale. It is China’s capital and its second-largest city after Shanghai, with a population of around 22 million, and it has been a centre of imperial power for much of its past before becoming the political and cultural heart of the People’s Republic.

The city is famous for its flat terrain and orderly layout, with concentric ring roads and a central north-south axis running through the Forbidden City. The central city is almost completely flat, and its best-known hill is the man-made one in Jingshan Park, just north of the Forbidden City.

The result is a place where palaces, temples and parks sit beside modern towers, and where old courtyard lanes called hutongs survive in the middle of the city. It is a destination for history, food and Great Wall hikes, and one that repays advance planning.

Forbidden City

The former imperial palace sits at the centre of the city, behind Tiananmen Square, with huge courtyards and halls. Allow at least half a day. Tickets are limited and usually require advance online booking, with a passport, so check the official site for current rules and closing days.

Temple of Heaven

The park around this ritual complex is a favourite with locals, who practise tai chi, play cards and sing in the mornings. Allow two to three hours. Visit early for the atmosphere and the best light on the main hall.

Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling

Several sections of the Great Wall lie within a day trip of the city. Mutianyu is often favoured for its restored sections and fewer crowds, while Badaling is closer but busier. Allow a full day, travel early, and check ticket and transport options in advance.

Summer Palace

This lake-and-hill imperial garden in the northwest has pavilions, covered walkways and boat rides. Allow half a day. It is reached by subway, and it is best in spring and autumn when the weather is comfortable and the gardens are at their best.

Hutongs and Lama Temple

The traditional alleys around Nanluoguxiang and the Drum and Bell Towers are good for wandering, with small shops and cafes, and the Lama Temple nearby is an active Tibetan Buddhist site. Allow half a day. A bike or rickshaw tour is a good option.

Jingshan Park

The hill just north of the Forbidden City gives a classic view over the palace roofs and the city. Allow about an hour, ideally at sunrise or late afternoon. It pairs well with a visit to the palace and the lakes to the west.

Beijing has hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters, with short but pleasant spring and autumn seasons. Air quality can vary, so check forecasts and consider a mask on bad days.

Avoid the first week of October and the Lunar New Year period if possible, since sights are very crowded and transport is stretched.

Beijing has two major airports: Capital International in the northeast and Daxing International in the south. Both have rail or express links into the city (check current routes and times). High-speed trains arrive at several stations, including Beijing South and Beijing West, from cities such as Shanghai and Xi’an.

Visa and entry rules vary by nationality and change, so check the latest requirements well before you travel. Many visitors also set up mobile payment and a translation app, since cash and foreign cards are not always accepted.

Inside the city, the subway is the fastest and cheapest way to travel, with signs in English and Chinese. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are useful for short trips, and bike shares are common for hutong areas.

Beijing is large, so choose a base close to a subway line and the sights you care about most.

• Dongcheng near the Forbidden City: ideal for first-time visitors, with easy access to the palace, the hutongs and the subway.
• Hutong courtyard guesthouses: atmospheric small hotels in traditional lanes, suited to travellers who want local character, though facilities may be simpler.
• Chaoyang: a modern district with international hotels, restaurants and nightlife, suited to business travellers and those who want more comfort.
• Near a major train station: useful for early departures and onward travel.

Book early for national holidays.

Three days is the minimum to see the Forbidden City, a Great Wall section and a few other highlights. Four to five days let you add the Summer Palace and slower exploration of the hutongs. The city is large and distances are long, so avoid packing in too much.

1. Day 1: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park.
2. Day 2: a full day trip to the Great Wall at Mutianyu or another section.
3. Day 3: the Temple of Heaven in the morning, then the hutongs and Lama Temple in the afternoon.

Tianjin

The port city to the southeast is reachable by high-speed train in about 30 minutes. It has a mix of colonial-era architecture and modern districts, and makes an easy half- or full-day trip, with good food options.

Ming Tombs

The imperial burial site northwest of the city is often combined with a Great Wall visit. Allow a few hours, and check how you will get there, since public transport links are limited and organised tours are common.

Chengde

This former imperial summer retreat is a longer trip, usually done overnight, and has temples and a large palace complex. Check train times in advance and allow two days if you can.