Beijing
China's ancient capital and modern political center. Home to the Forbidden City, Great Wall, and some of the country's most iconic landmarks.
Key Facts for Tourists
- Visa
- 50 countries visa-free (30 days)
- Best time
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Safety
- Very safe
- Language
- English limited
- Currency
- CNY (RMB)
- Emergency
- 110 / 120 / 119
Beijing at a Glance
Key facts for planning your trip — sources: official | verified
🛂 Entry & Visa
- Visa-free: 50 countries — 30 days (NIA, 2026)
- Transit visa-free: 240 hours (10 days) — 55 countries
- Airports: PEK Beijing Capital (main intl) + PKX Daxing (new)
- Visa on arrival: Not available for most nationalities
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
- ✅ Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct (15-25°C, low humidity)
- ⚠️ Ok: Jun–Aug (hot, 25-35°C) / Nov–Mar (cold, -10 to 5°C)
- Peak tourist season: Oct (Golden Week), May (Labor Day)
- Winter note: Very cold and dry. Heating season can bring smog.
🚇 Getting Around
- Metro: 17+ lines, covers the whole city — tickets ¥3-12
- Taxi/DiDi: DiDi app has English version — widely recommended
- Airport to city: Airport Express (PEK, 20 min) or Metro
- HSR: Beijing South — to Shanghai (4.5h), Xi'an (4h)
💰 Money & Payments
- Currency: CNY (RMB) — ¥1 ≈ $0.14 USD (2026 rate)
- Cards accepted: Limited — most places use WeChat Pay/Alipay
- ATMs: Accept Visa/Mastercard at major banks (ICBC, Bank of China)
- Cash needed: ¥200-500 for backup (street food, small shops)
Must-Do Before You Arrive
3 things to set up before landing — skip these and you'll struggle
Install a VPN before you leave home
Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, ChatGPT — all blocked in China. Any VPN must be installed and tested BEFORE arriving in China. It will not work if you install it after arrival. Beijing tends to have stricter firewall enforcement during political seasons.
📖 VPN Setup Guide →Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay
Beijing runs on QR code payments. Since July 2023, foreigners can link international Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or Discover cards. It takes 5 minutes and saves you from carrying cash everywhere.
Get mobile data (eSIM or airport SIM)
You need a Chinese phone number for WeChat, DiDi, and food delivery. Two options: buy an eSIM before departure (Airalo, Holafly) or buy a physical SIM at PEK/PKX airport on arrival. Passport required.
Top Attractions in Beijing
The must-sees for first-time visitors
Forbidden City (故宫)
World's largest imperial palace complex. Over 900 buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Book tickets online in advance (limited daily entry). Metro: Tiananmen East (Line 1).
Great Wall (长城)
Multiple sections near Beijing: Badaling most popular, Mutianyu less crowded. 1.5-2hr drive from city. Best to book a tour or take public bus. A full-day trip.
Tiananmen Square (天安门广场)
World's largest public square. Free entry, but passport required for security check. The morning flag-raising ceremony at sunrise is a must-see. Metro: Tiananmen East (Line 1).
Temple of Heaven (天坛)
Ming dynasty imperial temple where emperors prayed for good harvests. The surrounding park is beautiful, with locals practicing tai chi and playing instruments. Metro: Tiantan East Gate (Line 5).
Summer Palace (颐和园)
Imperial garden with Kunming Lake and Long Corridor. Great for a relaxing half-day stroll and boat ride. Metro: Beigongmen (Line 4).
Hutongs (胡同)
Traditional Beijing alleyways that date back centuries. Best areas: Nanluoguxiang and Shichahai. Rent a bike or take a rickshaw tour to explore. Great for photos and local atmosphere.
Food in Beijing
What to eat and where to find it
Must-Try Local Dishes
- Peking Duck (北京烤鸭) — Iconic dish. Try at Quanjude (tradition) or Dadong (modern). Book ahead for popular branches.
- Zhajiangmian (炸酱面) — Beijing-style noodles with fried soybean paste. Simple, hearty, and cheap at any local noodle shop.
- Lamb Skewers (羊肉串) — Grilled spicy lamb skewers, best found on Guijie (Ghost Street). Open late into the night.
- Hot Pot (火锅) — Haidilao is the most famous chain. Great for groups. English menu available at major branches.
Eating Tips for Tourists
- 🏪 Convenience stores — FamilyMart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson are everywhere. Good for snacks, drinks, and quick meals
- 🌃 Wangfujing Snack Street — Famous tourist food street. Wide variety including exotic options (scorpions, starfish). Great for food adventure
- 🌶️ Spice level — Beijing food is less spicy than Sichuan food. "Not spicy" = 不辣 (bù là)
- 🥢 Chopsticks only — Most restaurants don't provide forks. Practice beforehand or ask for 叉子 (chāzi)
Where to Stay in Beijing
Recommended areas for different travel styles
Wangfujing / Dongcheng
Best for first-time visitors. Walking distance to Forbidden City. Wide range of hotels. Metro Line 1. Great shopping and dining nearby.
Sanlitun / Chaoyang
Trendy bars, restaurants, and embassies. Best for nightlife and western amenities. More expensive. Great metro access.
Qianmen
Traditional charm near Tiananmen. Good for atmosphere and history lovers. More affordable. Close to Hutong areas.
Haidian
Cheaper options, near Summer Palace and universities. Further from center. Quiet area. Good for budget travelers.
Internet & Phone for Tourists
Real talk about getting online in Beijing
🛜 Hotel WiFi
Most hotels in Beijing offer free WiFi. International chain hotels (Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton) usually have faster, more reliable connections. Some hotels block certain websites — a VPN is still recommended.
📱 Mobile Data
Option A: Buy an eSIM from Airalo or Holafly before departure (cheaper, instant activation). Option B: Buy a physical SIM at PEK/PKX airport arrival hall (China Mobile or China Unicom kiosks). Passport required for both.
Compare eSIM options →🔒 VPN
If you need Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook — you MUST install a VPN before departure. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are commonly used. Note that VPN reliability fluctuates; Beijing tends to have stricter enforcement during major political events.
VPN guide →Emergency Info
Save these numbers — they work from any phone, even without a SIM
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
A realistic first-timer's plan — not rushed, covers the highlights
Arrive PEK/PKX → Airport Express to hotel → Set up SIM + WeChat Pay → Afternoon: Forbidden City → Evening walk through Tiananmen Square → Dinner at Wangfujing
Full-day Great Wall trip (Mutianyu recommended, less crowded) → Return to city in late afternoon → Evening: Peking duck dinner (Quanjude or Dadong)
Morning: Summer Palace (half-day) → Lunch → Afternoon: Hutong walk (Nanluoguxiang / Shichahai) → Late afternoon: Temple of Heaven → Depart
Compare Chinese Cities for Tourists
Which city is right for your trip?
| Dimension | Shanghai | Beijing | Chengdu | Guangzhou |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | First-timers, modern China | History, Great Wall, culture | Food, pandas, laid-back vibe | Cantonese food, trade, warmth |
| English Level | Moderate | Low | Low | Low |
| Top Attractions | Bund, Tower, Disney | Forbidden City, Great Wall | Pandas, Jinli, hot pot | Canton Tower, dim sum |
| 3-Day Budget (est.) | $200-400 | $200-400 | $150-300 | $150-300 |
| Ease for Tourists | Easiest | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Best Season | Mar-May, Sep-Nov | Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct | Mar-Jun, Sep-Oct | Oct-Dec, Mar-May |
Budget estimates are rough ranges only. Actual costs vary by travel style and season.
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