Beijing
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Beijing
Beijing's famous Tiananmen Square is big enough to hold one million people, while the historic Forbidden City is home to thousands of imperial rooms – and Beijing is still growing. The capital has witnessed the emergence of ever-higher rising towers, new restaurants and see-and-be-seen nightclubs. But at the same time, the city has managed to retain its very individual charm. The small tea houses in the backyards, the traditional fabric shops, the old temples and the noisy street restaurants make this city special.Find your trip
The 400,000 square metres large area is the key historic centre of Beijing. It was here that the former Communist Party leader, Mao Zedong, declared the founding of the People’s Republic of China on 1st October 1949. With the famous red building and the giant signature portrait of Mao, this place is definitely the first thing come to might when speaking of Beijing. There are national flag raising ceremonies every day at the time of sunrise. On the first day of every month, the ceremony is the most solemn with a military band.
Built by Emperor Yongle in the early 15th century, the 720,000 square metres of Forbidden City was home to the imperial household. It was opened to the public in 1949. The well-preserved area boasts more than 800 buildings and 9,999 rooms. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, beautifully decorated with thousands of Dragons, was used to celebrate the Chinese emperor’s birthday. The Palace of Heavenly Purity served as the emperors’ living area and features several bedrooms.
The Summer Palace is a 220-hector imperial garden. The idea was to rebuild a classic view of southern China so that the emperors, as well as the royal families, could enjoy a different atmosphere without even leaving Beijing. Both the mountain and the lake inside the Summer Palace are artificial. The lake was intended to imitate the famous West Lake of Hangzhou and is even a street alongside the river that perfectly restores the scene of a small northern waterside village.
This enormous park was built in the early 15th century, around the same time the Forbidden City was constructed. The park hosts several intriguing buildings. In the north of the park, a stone carved stairway leads up to the entrance of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests with its cylindrical blue-tiled roof and a beautifully decorated ceiling. It was struck by lightning and burnt to the ground in 1889 but was carefully reconstructed the following year. The Hall of Abstinence was used by emperors for fasting. In the south, you will find the Round Altar—a three-tiered marble platform.
Originally built in 1694 as the residence of the Yongzheng Emperor, this complex of beautifully designed buildings was transformed into a Tibetan Buddhist Temple in the mid-18th century. The Falun Dian, the temple’s teaching and assembly hall, features a large bronze statue of Tsongkapa, the founder of the Buddhist Yellow Hat sect.
This well-known modern art centre is based inside a defunct, 1950s concrete factory with works of artists from all over the world. It features photographic exhibitions, video installations, sculptures and other artwork. Displays change regularly. Restaurants and cafes serve fabulous food.
This street is a must for antique-hunters: be it Chinese paintings, ancient books, calligraphy brushes or ink stones you are sure to find it in Liulichang. A favourite among calligraphers and scholars in the old days, the 750 metres long street was restored and expanded in the late 1980s.
Undoubtedly one of the world’s top tourism destinations, the Great Wall is a stunning monument stretching over 5,000 kilometres. When in Beijing, the most convenient place to view the wall is from Badaling in Yanqing County, situated around 70 kilometres from the Chinese capital. Other sights open for tourists to explore the wall are Mutianyu, Huanghuacheng, Simatai and Jinshanling.
The 400,000 square metres large area is the key historic centre of Beijing. It was here that the former Communist Party leader, Mao Zedong, declared the founding of the People’s Republic of China on 1st October 1949. With the famous red building and the giant signature portrait of Mao, this place is definitely the first thing come to might when speaking of Beijing. There are national flag raising ceremonies every day at the time of sunrise. On the first day of every month, the ceremony is the most solemn with a military band.
Built by Emperor Yongle in the early 15th century, the 720,000 square metres of Forbidden City was home to the imperial household. It was opened to the public in 1949. The well-preserved area boasts more than 800 buildings and 9,999 rooms. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, beautifully decorated with thousands of Dragons, was used to celebrate the Chinese emperor’s birthday. The Palace of Heavenly Purity served as the emperors’ living area and features several bedrooms.
Beijing’s top shopping centre boasts 120,000 square metres of shops and a modern ambience. It consists of shopping areas with different themes and the biggest music fountain in the city centre. It is home to well-known Western and Asian brands and houses a Sony Science Museum and a cinema.
This is a premier choice for the city’s well-off, with all the famous designer brands from Christian Dior to Gucci represented. With an excellent array of choice in both luxury and affordable brand departments, as well as appliance boutiques and home decor shops, this is where you can fulfil all your (higher-end) shopping needs.
This chain sells high-quality tea from across the region. The friendly staff brews small cups of tea for customers to sample. The brand has promoted more than 1800 types of products, and this is where you can try the impressive traditional Chinese tea, as well as purchase tea products, tea sets, tea supplies, etc.
Hongqiao Market, also known as the Pearl Market, has 3 floors of pearls and jewellery to shop for. Here you can also find electronic equipment, clothes and traditional Chinese artefacts. Browse around the shops and compare the prices, since the price disparity from one shop to the next is rather common.
Qianmen Street is one of the oldest and the most well-known shopping streets of its kind in Beijing. Here you can shop for long-standing and newer brands across a large variety of stores. It is home to many old shops selling traditional Chinese goods such as fine teas, soft silk and cotton fabrics, and shoes.
Liulichang Street is great for antiquities and has been a long-time favourite among scholars and calligraphers. Shops here sell ink sticks, ink paste and other cultural goods, as well as some jewellery. If you think about taking up calligraphy, the sophisticated Chinese writing art, pay a visit to one of the stores on Liulichang to choose the most suitable equipment. The bargain is necessary to get a great deal.
One of the most famous shopping streets in Beijing is located in the Dongcheng District. It is 1.8 km long. Apart from some grand shopping centres like Beijing Department Store, APM, The Malls at Oriental Plaza, you can also find historic shops and curious snack vendors who sell scorpion skewers, silkworms, and deep-fried starfish, but there are mainly for attracting tourists and the locals do not eat. Also, do not forget to take a look at traditional crafts and souvenirs.
Joy City is the only shopping mall in the Xidan area. With international brands and more than 40 local Beijing brands selling fashion-forward outfits, digital gadgets, and a dazzling sky screen, this spacious place is one of the best places to shop in the area.
Beijing’s top shopping centre boasts 120,000 square metres of shops and a modern ambience. It consists of shopping areas with different themes and the biggest music fountain in the city centre. It is home to well-known Western and Asian brands and houses a Sony Science Museum and a cinema.
This is a premier choice for the city’s well-off, with all the famous designer brands from Christian Dior to Gucci represented. With an excellent array of choice in both luxury and affordable brand departments, as well as appliance boutiques and home decor shops, this is where you can fulfil all your (higher-end) shopping needs.
The Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is located approximately 32 kilometres northeast of Beijing's city centre, this is the busiest airport in Asia and one of the busiest in the world. It has three terminals, with Terminal 3 being the primary terminal for international flights. The airport offers extensive facilities and services, making it a major hub for both domestic and international travel. The Airport Express Train is the fastest and most convenient option, connecting Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 to Dongzhimen Station in downtown Beijing in about 20 minutes. Taxis offer a more direct route, taking 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. For a budget-friendly choice, the Airport Shuttle Bus provides multiple routes to various parts of the city, taking about an hour.
The Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), opened in September 2019, is located about 46 kilometres south of Beijing. It is known for its impressive design and state-of-the-art facilities, including the world's largest single-building airport terminal. The airport is expected to handle 100 million passengers annually by 2025, making it one of the busiest airports globally. The Daxing Airport Express train links the airport to Caoqiao Station on Line 10 of the Beijing Subway in about 20 minutes. Another efficient option is the Beijing–Xiong'an Intercity Railway, which connects the airport to Beijing West Railway Station in approximately 30 minutes. Taxis are also available, taking about an hour to reach the city centre. Alternatively, the Airport Shuttle Bus offers several routes to different parts of the city, taking about 1.5 hours.
Most of Beijing's attractions feature timeless architecture and rich cultural heritage, making them enjoyable year-round. However, the outdoor temperatures are most pleasant in spring and autumn, as winter can be too cold and summer too hot for comfort. Additionally, the city’s parks and gardens are particularly beautiful during these seasons, with blossoming flowers in spring and vibrant foliage in autumn. It's best to avoid Chinese public holidays, especially from October 1st to 7th, when the city is crowded with local tourists.
The subway is the best way to move around the city and avoid traffic jams in Beijing. Currently, there are 24 lines in operation. Line 1, Line 2 and 4 run through the centre of Beijing and cover most of the attractions. The subway runs from 5am to 11pm daily. Subway stations are marked by navy blue signs with a 'D' (for Ditie or subway) in a circle. Route signs are bilingual. Bus service is another option to travel around the city. With more than 1,600 routes, the buses take you through both the downtown and suburbs. Buses generally run from 5am to 11:30pm. Applications like 'Beijing Public Transport' (北京公交) or 'Ruubypay' (亿通行) will help you pick the best route. You can pay with cash, coins and notes by putting the exact amount into the fare box on the bus, or pay with a transportation card or applications. For the card, you need to tap both on and off on the bus. The transportation card in Beijing is called Yikatong, and using it offers travel discounts. You can purchase and top up a Yikatong card at the service centre in the subway stations. At major stations, you can refund the card as long as you have your receipt. You can also top up the card using the machines at stations.
In China, mobile payment apps such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay are widely used and accepted almost everywhere, including restaurants, shops, street food stalls and tourist attractions. To use them, you can link your international credit card or set up a local bank account. Both apps provide features in English and are user-friendly, making it easy to handle payments, split bills, and even pay for transportation. Download these apps before your trip and familiarise yourself with their functionality to enhance your travel experience in Beijing.
Taxis are the default mode of transportation for many foreigners in Beijing. Have your destination written down in Chinese and hail a cab. Make sure there is a taximeter and it starts at its initial point. You can also use the popular ride hailing app Didi if you have a Chinese phone number and internet access. Beijing taxi drivers may speak only a little English. Expect to get your change; tipping is discouraged. Taxi from the airport to the city centre takes approximately 50 minutes, depending on the traffic. Ask for your receipt by saying "Fa-piao / 发票".
Because of the internet security laws of China, certain websites and applications are not accessible from the mainland, which includes those very commonly used in the west (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google and Gmail, Skype and more). Some travellers have been able to gain access to those via a VPN service installed prior to arrival in China. Make sure you comply with local laws and regulations when deciding on whether or not to employ a VPN, and which one to choose. If you do, only use those explicitly allowed by the Chinese government, and only use them for authorised purposes to avoid any trouble. There have been reports of foreigners in China getting their cell service cut off in response to unauthorised use of VPN; restoring cell service required a trip to the local police station, where contents of the device were investigated and certain apps removed. Given that Google is banned in China, Google Maps might not be the most accurate and reliable source of information. Some local apps such as Baidu Maps tend to work better than Google Maps.
In Beijing, post offices are conveniently located throughout the city, offering a range of services including mail, parcel delivery and various banking functions. Mailboxes, typically green, are also widely available and can be found in residential areas, near businesses, and on main streets, making it easy to send letters and small parcels.
The Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is located approximately 32 kilometres northeast of Beijing's city centre, this is the busiest airport in Asia and one of the busiest in the world. It has three terminals, with Terminal 3 being the primary terminal for international flights. The airport offers extensive facilities and services, making it a major hub for both domestic and international travel. The Airport Express Train is the fastest and most convenient option, connecting Terminal 3 and Terminal 2 to Dongzhimen Station in downtown Beijing in about 20 minutes. Taxis offer a more direct route, taking 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. For a budget-friendly choice, the Airport Shuttle Bus provides multiple routes to various parts of the city, taking about an hour.
The Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), opened in September 2019, is located about 46 kilometres south of Beijing. It is known for its impressive design and state-of-the-art facilities, including the world's largest single-building airport terminal. The airport is expected to handle 100 million passengers annually by 2025, making it one of the busiest airports globally. The Daxing Airport Express train links the airport to Caoqiao Station on Line 10 of the Beijing Subway in about 20 minutes. Another efficient option is the Beijing–Xiong'an Intercity Railway, which connects the airport to Beijing West Railway Station in approximately 30 minutes. Taxis are also available, taking about an hour to reach the city centre. Alternatively, the Airport Shuttle Bus offers several routes to different parts of the city, taking about 1.5 hours.
