Yes, you can potentially enjoy a visa-free layover in Beijing if you meet the specific criteria and requirements outlined by China's visa policies. Make sure to confirm the details with the local authorities or airlines to ensure eligibility and a smooth transit experience.

If you are from the US, the UK, Canada, or any of the other 55 eligible countries, you may qualify for a 240-hour visa-free Travel transit visa. Click here to view the list of these 55 countries.

Those from Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, and 40 other countries can enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay.

Visitors from non-visa-exempt countries must apply for an L tourist visa in advance (it's advisable to do so at least one month before departure). You can visit the Beijing International Services website to check visa types, such as the L tourist visa, and obtain a list of required documents.

For a layover tour of Beijing, you will generally need to allow about 7-8 hours in the airport. This includes around 45 minutes to pass through Beijing customs and immigration before leaving the arrivals hall, and around two hours to check in for your onward flight.

If you plan to visit the Great Wall, the journey time varies depending on the section you choose. Mutianyu and Badaling are approximately a 1.5-hour drive away, Jiankou and Huanghuacheng are about 2 hours away, and Jinshanling, Gubeikou, and Simatai are around 2.5 hours away.

The 25 km journey from the airport to tourist attractions in the Beijing city centre can take about an hour, depending on traffic.

Short-Duration Layovers (6–8 Hours): If you have a layover of 6–8 hours, you can choose to visit some attractions in the city centre. For example, you could visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. It takes approximately 1.5 hours to travel by car from the airport to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Visiting Tiananmen Square takes about 1 hour, and visiting the Forbidden City takes about 3–4 hours. Allowing for round-trip transportation time, a total of 6–8 hours is required. Alternatively, if you are more interested in natural scenery, you could visit the Summer Palace. It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from the airport to the Summer Palace, and the visit takes about 2–3 hours.

Medium-Duration Layovers (8–12 hours): For layovers of 8–12 hours, you could consider combining a visit to the city centre with a trip to the Great Wall. For example, you could first visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, which takes 4–5 hours in total, before going to the Mutianyu Great Wall. The drive to Mutianyu takes about 1.5 hours, and the visit takes about 2–3 hours. This way, you can fully utilise your layover time and experience the classic attractions of Beijing, with a total time of about 8-11 hours.

Long-Duration Layovers (Over 12 Hours): If your layover is more than 12 hours long, you can choose a more comprehensive tour itinerary. For instance, you could visit the Forbidden City, have lunch nearby, and then go to the Mutianyu Great Wall. If there is still time after returning from the Great Wall, you can also visit other attractions such as the Olympic Park. A private tour like this usually takes about 14 hours, including pick-up and drop-off times.

Both Beijing Capital Airport and Beijing Daxing Airport provide baggage storage services. The storage fees vary according to the size and storage time of the baggage. Generally, the fee is charged by the day or by the hour.

It is not recommended. Considering that you need to spend about 2 hours for the boarding procedures of your connecting flight and at least 2 hours for the round-trip transportation between the airport and the city, the remaining time is too short to visit any attractions, so it is better to stay in the airport.

There is no direct transportation. If you want to go to the Great Wall, you can choose to take a private car or book a private transfer with us, join a tour group, or take public transportation to the city first and then transfer to the bus or train to the Great Wall.

Tiananmen Square: When night falls, the lights on Tiananmen Square turn on, setting off each other with the Forbidden City in the distance. The red walls and golden tiles look more solemn and mysterious in the night. The best viewing time is from 7 pm to 9 pm. You can take the subway Line 1 to Tiananmen East Station or Tiananmen West Station, and then walk to reach it.

The Bird's Nest and the Water Cube: As the landmark buildings of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube are particularly spectacular under the night lights. The steel structure of the Bird's Nest and the blue appearance of the Water Cube shine brightly in the night. They turn on the lights at 8 pm on time every day, and the best viewing time is from 8 pm to 10 pm. You can take the subway Line 8 to the Olympic Sports Center Station and walk to reach it.

Forbidden City Corner Tower: The Forbidden City is usually not open at night, but the Corner Tower is one of the iconic buildings of the Forbidden City. Its unique symmetrical structure and the reflection of the moat set off each other in the night, forming a very beautiful picture. You can take the subway Line 8 to the Art Museum Station and walk 400 meters west to directly reach the Forbidden City Corner Tower.

Nanluoguxiang: It is open all day throughout the year. As one of the oldest blocks in Beijing, it perfectly combines modernity and tradition. At night, the blue-brick and gray-tile buildings are quiet and mysterious, and the literary shops on the corner emit warm lights, which is very charming.

Generally, it is not possible. The Forbidden City is usually closed at night. Its opening hours are from 8:30 to 17:00 (April 1 to October 31) and from 8:30 to 16:30 (November 1 to March 31), and it is closed on Mondays.

If you are a citizen of one of the 55 eligible countries, such as the US, UK, Canada, etc., and hold a valid international travel document and a confirmed - seat ticket to a third - country (region) with a departure time within 240 hours, you can enjoy the 240 - hour visa - free transit policy. If your layover time is within 24 hours, you can also transit without a visa. For passengers who do not meet the above - mentioned visa - free conditions, they need to apply for a Chinese transit visa (G visa).

High-speed rail: First, take Metro Line 9 from Tianjin Port Station to Tianjin West Station, or take bus No. 503, No. 506, etc. to Tianjin West Station. Then take a high-speed rail from Tianjin West Station to Beijing South Station, which takes about 39 minutes, and the fare starts from 54.5 yuan. There are also trains to other stations in Beijing, and the journey time is about 30 - 60 minutes.

Private transfer: Private transfer services are available, with a journey time of about 3.5 hours and a cost starting from $260 per car. The driver will wait for you at the exit of Tianjin Port and can take you directly to your destination in Beijing.

Bus: You can first take a bus from Tianjin Port to Tianjin Railway Station or Tianjin West Station, and then take other transportation to Beijing. The bus journey time varies depending on the specific route and traffic conditions.