15 Helpful Beijing Travel Tips & FAQs 2024/2025
To help you make the most of your trip to Beijing, we at China Discovery have compiled answers to the 15 most frequently asked questions and essential travel tips. Whether you're curious about Beijing's transit visa-free policy, navigating the transportation system, understanding the local weather, booking tickets for the Forbidden City, or choosing the best section of the Great Wall, we've got you covered. We also offer expert advice on selecting the best food, accommodation, shopping destinations, staying connected with Wi-Fi and SIM cards, and much more. These practical Beijing travel tips will ensure you're fully prepared for a smooth, memorable, and enjoyable visit to China's vibrant capital city!
Beijing experiences four distinct seasons due to its temperate continental monsoon climate. Summers (June to August) are hot and humid, with temperatures reaching up to 37°C (98.6°F), while winters (December to February) can be very cold, with temperatures dropping as low as -10°C (14°F). The best time to visit is during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is mild and pleasant, especially in April, May, September, and November. It's recommended to avoid traveling during China's public holidays, as these periods tend to be crowded and more expensive.
Mutianyu Great Wall (November, 2016)
The Forbidden City and the Great Wall are not only the top sights in Beijing but also in China. Besides, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the Hutongs are undoubtedly the top must-see attractions in Beijing, offering a glimpse into the city's rich history and culture. If you've already explored these iconic sites, there are plenty more to discover. The National Museum of China displays a rich collection of Chinese art and history, while the Lama Temple offers a peaceful retreat. Jingshan Park provides panoramic views of Beijing and the Forbidden City. For a modern touch, visit the Beijing Olympic Park with the iconic Bird's Nest stadium. Art enthusiasts will enjoy the 798 Art District, a center for contemporary art. These are just a few of the many attractions that highlight Beijing's mix of tradition and modernity.
Forbidden City (September, 2019)
To see Beijing's main highlights - such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall (with Mutianyu as the top recommendation), the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the Beijing Hutongs—plan for about 4 days, including arrival and departure. If you have an extra day or two, you can explore additional sections of the Great Wall, like Jinshanling, Huanghuacheng, and Juyongguan. For a deeper cultural experience, visit the National Museum, Lama Temple, and explore more of the city's historic hutongs.
Generally speaking, you need to book tickets on the official website of the Forbidden City 7 days in advance, you can refer to our How to Book Forbidden City (Palace Museum) Tickets from Official Website Guide (https://www.chinadiscovery.com/beijing/forbidden-city/how-to-book-tickets.html), or buy tickets on-site with your passport, but the Forbidden City tickets often sell out quickly, so the above methods cannot guarantee to buy the tickets successfully. As a part of our private valuable Beijing tour packages, we promise to book Forbidden City tickets for our guests in an ensured and well-formed way. If you need any help, please feel free to contact us. Check How to Book Forbidden City Tickets from Official Website >>
There are several sections of the Great Wall you can explore around Beijing, each offering unique experiences. Popular sections include Mutianyu, Badaling, Jinshanling, Juyongguan, Simatai, and Gubeikou. We highly recommend the Mutianyu Great Wall , known for its well-preserved structure, scenic beauty, and convenient location just a short distance from Beijing. It also offers cable cars, making it accessible for visitors of all ages. While Badaling is another beautiful and close option, it's the most visited section and can get quite crowded, especially with domestic tourists. For hiking enthusiasts, sections like Jinshanling, Simatai, and Gubeikou are great choices for a more immersive experience. Jinshanling Great Wall is particularly recommended for photographers, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Wall. It's also a great spot for sunrise and sunset views. If you're looking for something unique, Simatai Great Wall offers a stunning night view as it's the first section of the Great Wall open after dark. The charming Gubei Water Town at its base makes it worthwhile to stay overnight and enjoy the scenery under the stars. Check Top Recommended Great Wall >>
There are several sections of the Great Wall near Beijing, and it typically takes 2-3 hours to drive from central Beijing, around Tiananmen Square, to most of them. If you prefer public transportation, transfer options vary depending on the section you choose, and the journey generally takes around 3 hours or more. Tourist buses to popular sections like Mutianyu, Badaling, Simatai, Huanghuacheng, Jinshanling, and Juyongguan are available and offer a more efficient way to reach the Wall, saving you time compared to regular buses. Check How to Get to Great Wall >>
As the capital of China, Beijing is a major transportation hub, with international flights connecting to cities across all continents (except sub-Saharan Africa and some parts of the Americas), as well as domestic flights to every provincial capital and key cities within China. Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport together serve over 160 domestic and international routes, linking Beijing to 136 cities worldwide. In addition, Beijing has four major railway stations - Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Beijing South Railway Station, and Beijing North Railway Station. These stations offer extensive rail services, including high-speed trains to other popular destinations in China, such as Xian, Shanghai, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Chengdu, Harbin, and Guangzhou.
- How to get to Beijing
- Travel from Hong Kong to Beijing
- Travel from Guangzhou to Beijing
- Travel from Chengdu to Beijing
- Travel from Guilin to Beijing
- Travel from Tianjin to Beijing
- Travel from Chengdu to Beijing
- Travel from Zhangjiajie to Beijing
- Travel from Hangzhou to Beijing
- Travel from Shenzhen to Beijing
In Beijing, you have several transportation options. The subway is the most efficient, with 17 lines and an airport express, providing easy access to major attractions like the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace, as well as train stations. Buses cover the entire city and surrounding areas, with over 29,500 vehicles and 1,000 routes, including sightseeing buses and night buses operating from 11:00 PM to 4:30 AM. Taxis are widely available in the city, with fares starting at CNY 13 for the first 3 km, but can get expensive for longer trips, such as to the Great Wall.
Beijing offers a wide range of hotels across various price ranges and locations. The best areas to stay are typically Wangfujing, Hutong, and Qianmen, all of which are close to major attractions like the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Jingshan Park, and Beihai Park. If you plan to visit the Great Wall, there are more hotel options near the Mutianyu and Badaling sections than at other parts of the Wall. Check Where to Stay in Beijing >>
A Chinese visa is generally required to visit Beijing, but you may qualify for one of Beijing's visa exemptions.
30-Day Visa-Free Policy: Passport holders from Australia, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, and 29 other countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, or transit. This policy is valid until December 31, 2025.
144-hour transit visa free: Travelers from 54 countries can stay in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region for up to 6 days without a visa, provided they have a valid passport and connecting tickets to a third country or region.
24-Hour Transit Visa Free: This policy at Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport is available for all foreigners who hold connecting flight tickets to a third country/region. It allows passengers stay within the airport for less than 24 hours, without going through any immigration or customs.
☛ Beijing Visa Free: 144/24-Hour Transit Visa Exemption Guide
If you have 8 or more hours’ layover at Beijing airport, you can consider taking a layover trip to Tian'anmen Square, Foribidden City, and Temple of Heaven at the downtown area, or going to Mutianyu section of the Great Wall (about 1.5 hours’ drive from Beijing Capital International Airport). Remember to take the time for airport check-out and check-in into account. If you want make full use of every minute to enjoy your layover in Beijing, we China Discovery can provide you with private and tailor-made layover tours. Just tell us how long you will stay in Beijing and what attractions you want to go, we will make a tour plan for you, pick you up at the airport, and then escort you all the way. Check Private and Tailor-Made Beijing Layover Tours >>
Beijing offers a wide range of shopping options to suit all tastes. Hongqiao Market is famous for its pearls but also has a variety of souvenirs, including figurines, silk, handbags, toys, and some electronics. Panjiayuan Antique Market is the go-to place for both authentic and replica Chinese antiques. For high-end shopping, Wangfujing Street is Beijing's busiest commercial hub, lined with upscale stores and boutiques. Xidan Commercial Street is a vibrant shopping destination popular with young people, featuring megamalls, outdoor markets, small shops, restaurants, and entertainment centers. For specific restaurants and more about Beijing food, please check Popular Beijing Chinese Food, Snacks & Cuisines
Peking Roast Duck, Photo by Our Customer
There are many shopping centers in Beijing. Hongqiao Market is most famous for its pearls, but it also provides a great number of souvenirs goods like figurines, silk, handbags, toys, some electronics, etc. Panjiayuan Antique Market, as the name shows, is the best place to find both authentic and fake Chinese antiques. Wangfujing Street is Beijing’s busiest and most prosperous commercial street with numerous upscale shops and boutiques. Xidan Commercial Street is a shopping paradise for the young dotted with megamalls, outdoor markets, small shops, restaurants, and entertainment centers. For more detailed information, please check Beijing Shopping – What and Where to Buy in Beijing
IIn Beijing, free Wi-Fi is available in many public places, including shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, and cafes. Some locations allow you to connect directly, while others may require a password (ask the staff) or a Chinese mobile number for registration (you'll need a local SIM card). For mobile internet, you have two options: 1) Use your own SIM card with international data roaming activated by your home provider. 2) Purchase a local SIM card at the airport or from stores like China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom. You'll need your passport, and the staff will help you choose the right plan based on your needs (data or international calls). A local SIM card is generally more convenient and affordable.
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Top 3 Beijing city tours chosen by most customers to explore Beijing in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary,or tailor your own trip now with us.
8 Days Best of China Tour (Flight/Bullet Train Covered)
Beijing / Xian / Shanghai
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