How to Plan a Trip to Beijing: Complete Guide
Beijing Travel Visa Requirement
Currently, China has implemented visa-free policies with different duration for different countries or regions. Most international travelers can enter Beijing without a visa as long as they meet the requirements.
- A valid international travel document with a validity of at least three months
- An interline ticket to a third country/region
- Complete the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners
Top Things to Do in Beijing
Ancient Architecture: Royal Palaces & Gardens
The ancient buildings in Beijing are famous for their grand scale and profound historical heritage. Among them, the Forbidden City is the pinnacle of ancient Chinese palace architecture. Touring the Forbidden City in Beijing is like traveling back in time to the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Summer Palace integrates architecture with nature, displaying ancient imperial gardens' elegance and meticulousness. Besides, Prince Gong's Mansion is also a representative of the combination of history and architectural art.
>> Highlighted Beijing Tour PackagesThe Great Wall of China: An Architectural Marvel
A Beijing tour without the Great Wall isn't complete. The Great Wall of China, as one of the most magnificent structures in human history, is an outstanding representative of ancient Chinese military defense engineering. The most famous and best-preserved sections include Badaling Great Wall, Mutianyu Great Wall, Jinshanling Great Wall, and Simatai Great Wall. Embark on a Beijing Great Wall tour and hike the winding Great Wall, you can enjoy the stunning natural scenery and feel the historical importance of it.
>> Recommended Private Beijing Great Wall Day Tour
Old Beijing Culture: Precious Traditions and Customs
It must be a memorable experience to explore the traditional culture of Beijing during your Beijing city tours. In the crisscrossing hutongs, there are many unique folk customs, and the cultures unique to multiple ethnic groups have mutually infiltrated and fused. The hutongs and courtyards with grey-green bricks and tiles, the Beijing dialect with its distinctive intonation, and the melodious selling tunes are integral parts of old Beijing culture. Besides, Peking Opera, seal-graving, and jade carving are all valuable treasures for Beijingers.Time-honored Temples: Bearing Historical and Cultural Heritage
Beijing is home to many time-respected temples, including the Temple of Heaven, the Tibetan-style Yonghe Lamasery, Fayuan Temple, Tanzhe Temple, and more. Among these, the Temple of Heaven and the Yonghe Lamasery are must-visit during your trip to Beijing. Their distinctive construction styles make them masterpieces of architectural and landscape design. Pay a visit to those ancient temples, you’ll experience the traditional Chinese culture and solemn rituals.
Tian’anmen: The Gate of Heavenly Peace
Tiananmen Square is reputed as one of the "Sixteen Scenic Spots in Beijing", and it’s a must-visit attraction for a Beijing day tour. First built during the Ming Dynasty as the gatehouse to the Imperial City, it eventually evolved into one of the most magnificent monumental gates in the world, particularly noteworthy for its imposing scale. The main building of Tian’anmen is a two-story city gate tower with a white marble base supporting a tall, trapezoidal vermilion platform, atop which sits the main hall of 21.7 meters high.
Beijing Food: Blending of Palace Dishes and Traditional Snacks
Beijing treats visitors with a wide variety of delicious food. Beijing cuisine features traditional snacks and imperial palace dishes, blending the flavors of the streets with exquisite craftsmanship. The most representative classic dishes are Peaking Duck, noodles with soybean paste, and stewed innards, which show the diversity of old Beijing's culinary culture. Peking Duck, known for its thin and crispy skin, is tender and delicious without being greasy. Don't miss it during your Beijing trip. >> Read more about Beijing food and restaurants.
>> Recommended itineraries: Evening Food Tour in Beijing Hutongs
Best Time to Travel to Beijing
Beijing is worth visiting all year round. It has a typical sub-humid continental monsoon climate of the north temperate zone with four distinct seasons. Summers in Beijing are hot and humid, while winters are cold and dry. Considering the climate conditions, spring and autumn, especially May, September, and October, are the best times to tour Beijing with charming natural scenery and pleasant temperatures.
Just avoid spending your holiday in Beijing during China's statutory holidays, such as the May Day Holiday and the National Day Holiday, as there will be a huge crowd in Beijing.
>> Read more about Beijing weather & best time to visit Beijing.How to Pack for a Trip to Beijing
When traveling to Beijing, try to pack light to facilitate your trip, as many things can be purchased in Beijing. Here are the recommended essentials to pack for a trip to Beijing, China.How to Get to Beijing
Beijing has two major civil airports: Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport. They serve as important gateways to destinations around the world and most other cities in China. Generally speaking, flights from abroad to Beijing usually take no more than 16 hours.
Beijing has a well-developed transportation network connecting various cities across the country, including Shanghai, Xi’an, Hong Kong, and more. You can travel to Beijing (China) by air, high-speed rail, train, or car. For long-distance travel, the most convenient and fastest options are undoubtedly flights and high-speed trains.
How to Travel from Shanghai to Beijing
There are many flights for you to travel from Shanghai to Beijing, with a journey of 2.5 hours. Remember to book your flight ticket in advance.
Besides, high-speed rail is a good alternative to flight. There are frequent high-speed trains for you to travel to Beijing from Shanghai. The journey takes around 4.5 hours at least, and the price for a second-class seat is about 600 yuan.
>> Recommended: 6-day Shanghai to Beijing Tour with the Great Wall
How to Travel from Hong Kong to Beijing
The fastest way for you to travel from Hong Kong to Beijing is undoubtedly by air. There are direct flights from Hong Kong International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport or Beijing Daxing International Airport, with a journey of about 3.5 hours.
Alternatively, you can take the high-speed train G80 to Beijing from Hong Kong, which takes 8 hours and 10 minutes.
>> Recommended 6 Days Hong Kong Beijing TourHow to Travel from Xi’an to Beijing
Xi'an Xianyang International Airport offers direct flights to Beijing, and the journey takes about 2 hours. The ticket price is generally about 400 yuan, and flight tickets in the morning or evening are usually cheaper.High-speed train services are also available. You can go to Xi'an Railway Station or Xi'an North Railway Station to take the train to Beijing/Beijing West/Beijing Fengtai Railway Station. Due to different stops and routes, the travel time and cost vary.
Recommended 9 Days Essence Tour of China by Speed Train
How to Travel around Beijing
By Subway
Subway is one of the best ways to travel in Beijing, as there are basically subway stations around the scenic spots. The fares are also cheap, with a flat rate of 3 yuan within 6 kilometers for most lines.By Bus
Beijing provides intercity buses, tourist buses, long-distance buses, and buses to the Great Wall. Ticket prices range from 2 to 12 yuan, which makes it the most economical way to travel in Beijing. However, it is not recommended to take a bus during peak hours as there might be traffic congestion.By Taxi
Taxi services are also available. The base fare is 13 yuan for the first 3 kilometers, with a 20% surcharge from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.By Online Ride-hailing
This is a popular way of traveling in Beijing nowadays, with completely transparent prices that are somewhat cheaper than taxis.
Please note: You can get a BEIJING PASS card tailored for foreign tourists, which can be used for taking Beijing's subways, buses, and taxis as well as purchasing tickets for 30 well-known scenic spots in Beijing. BEIJING PASS cards can be purchased at airports or railway stations in Beijing.
Beijing Hotels: Where to Stay in Beijing
Beijing offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget youth hostels to luxurious five-star hotels. You can choose one within 2 kilometers of a subway station for convenience.
Qianmen Street Area: This is the center area of Beijing, close to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Additionally, it is near a subway station, which makes dining, entertainment, and sightseeing very convenient.
Family Travel to Beijing
Beijing offers a plethora of options for family travel. From the edification of classical culture to the excitement of modern entertainment, each attraction can bring different surprises and joy to families with kids. Here, you can take your children to climb the Great Wall of China, admire exquisite royal architecture, and visit various amusement parks, science museums, and more. >> Read more about things to do in Beijing with kids
>> Recommended 5 Days Beijing Family Tour
Senior Travel to Beijing
Beijing is a senior-friendly city for traveling. The Forbidden City is undoubtedly an excellent place for seniors to experience ancient Chinese architecture and culture. Besides, elders can take a boat ride and leisurely tour on Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace, and explore numerous historic sites at Xiangshan Park. >> Read more about Beijing Travel Tips for Senior Tourists>> Recommended 5 Days Beijing Tour for Seniors
Beijing Solo Travel
Beijing is a beautiful city for solo travel, and it provides a wide range of solo activities, including hiking the Great Wall of China, strolling in Hutongs, and exploring the splendid ancient buildings. By the way, you are suggested to learn basic Chinese for better understanding and communication with the locals.
>> Recommended 8 Days Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai Tour for Solo Traveler
Customize Your Beijing Tour with Easy Tour ChinaTo make the best of your trip, you can travel with Easy Tour China, a travel agency with bountiful expertise in crafting wonderful journeys for foreign tourists. We offer customized China tours to Beijing that perfectly meet your needs. From the Great Wall of China to the old Hutongs, we’ll make your trip to Beijing hassle-free yet unforgettable.
>> Recommended China Tours including Beijing
