Beijing Travel Guide
Beijing is the perfect place to always surprise you with its incredible ancient past and exciting present. We provide information on every part of Beijing, from its history to modern architecture, from the most famous attractions to off-the-beaten-path destinations, from hotel recommendations to fun things you should not miss.
Quick Facts About Beijing
Beijing is divided into 16 districts and 2 counties. 8 of the districts are in Beijing's inner city, which are Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen, Xuanwu, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai, and Shijingshan.
The other 8 districts are on the outskirts of Beijing, namely: Mentougou, Fangshan, Tongzhou, Shunyi, Changping, Pinggu, Huairou, and Daxing. The 2 counties that are located in the suburbs of Beijing are Miyun County and Yanqing County.
- Chinese Name: 北京
- Location: Northern China
- Languages: Mandarin
- Zip Code:10000
- Tel Code: 010
- Time Zone:(UTC+8)
- Internet Code: CN
- Currency: Yuan(CNY)
- Electricity: 220 volts AC (50 Hz)
Beijing Weather
In Beijing, the spring weather is changeable with lots of wind and sandstorms. The summer is hot and rainy, with lots of heavy rain and wind. The autumn is sunny and dry, very comfortable. The winter is cold and dry with lots of wind but little snow.
Where is Beijing
Beijing is located on the western coast of China, on the Pacific Ocean. Beijing stands at the northern tip of the North China Plain. Tiananmen Square is located in the center of Beijing.
Beijing is surrounded by the Yanshan Mountains on the west, north, and east, while the small alluvial plain of the Yongding River lies to its southeast. Beijing faces the Bohai Sea, and the area is also called the Beijing Bay.
Beijing Transportation
If you're coming to Beijing from overseas, the fastest way is by plane. After you arrive at the airport, you can take a bus or subway to the city center. Beijing now has 29 subway lines, so Beijing Transportation is convenient. If you're already in another city in China, you can get to Beijing by plane or high-speed train.
Popular Attractions in Beijing
Beijing is the city with the most World Heritage sites in the world. It has the largest palace in the world - the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, which is used for worshipping the gods, and the royal gardens - Beihai Park, the Summer Palace, and the Old Summer Palace. There is also the Great Wall.
What to Eat in Beijing
Enjoying delicious food can make your trip more interesting. In Beijing, you can try Douzhi and Peking Roast Duck. These two dishes are famous local foods in Beijing. You mustn't miss them.
Top Things to Do in Beijing
If you come to Beijing in winter, you can go skiing, soak in hot springs, or visit temple fairs, in addition to sightseeing. Also, Beijing's nightlife is very lively, especially on the famous shopping streets and snack streets.
Culture of Beijing
Beijing is the cultural center of China. The buildings in its streets and alleys all have a rich cultural background. The most typical ones are the siheyuan and the hutong. In addition, Peking Opera has become the treasure of traditional Chinese opera and is loved by audiences at home and abroad.
FAQs on Beijing Tour
We listed some of the frequently asked questions about a Beijing tour or travelling in Beijing, China, sorted out by our travel advisors. Hope it can be of help in planning a Beijing tour or a Beijing China tour. For any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our travel advisors will provide a professional service.
1. Do I Need a Visa For China?
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. China now offers a 240-hour visa-free transit policy. If you meet the requirements, you can stay in China for up to 10 days. In addition, China has mutual visa-free agreements with 29 countries and offers unilateral visa-free entry to citizens of 47 countries.
2. How to travel from Beijing airport to the town?
Beijing has two airports. One is Capital Airport, which is 30 kilometers from the city center and takes 60 minutes by car. The other is Daxing Airport, which is 50 kilometers from the city center and takes 75 minutes by car.
3. Is Language A Problem There?
Mandarin is spoken throughout Beijing, China, and most people in Hong Kong speak Cantonese and English. English is the first foreign language of China and is becoming more and more common. In areas frequented by tourists, you won't have a problem using English.
4. What Are The Public Holidays In China?
There are three key national holiday periods in China, when a large part of the population is on the move - all travel bookings are extremely tight at these times, hotels generally increase their rates, and flights and trains can be very crowded.
The main, week-long holidays are: Chinese New Year in February; International Labour Day in the first week of May, and to celebrate National Day in the first week of October.
5. What Are The Traditional Festivals In China?
Chinese people celebrate a seemingly endless series of festivals during the course of a year. Most of these festivals take place on important dates in the Chinese lunar calendar. Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is the most important festival for Chinese people. Read more about Chinese Festivals.
6. What's The Weather Like In Beijing? The Best Time to Travel to Beijing?
The weather in Beijing is of the continental type, with a temperate spring, rainy summer, clear autumn, and a cold, snowy winter. The average temperature throughout the year is 12℃(53℉). The coldest month is January, and the hottest month is July. Autumn (September to November) is considered the best time to visit Beijing, as at this time it has very pleasant weather and fewer tourists. Read more about Beijing Weather.
7. What Credit Cards Are Accepted In Beijing?
Most of the internationally accepted credit cards are usable in Beijing. They include: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner's Club, and the JCB card of Japan. Credit cards are accepted only in large shopping malls and stores. Credit card symbols are displayed in a visible place in shops and hotels, indicating that credit cards are accepted.
8. May I Take Chinese Currency To China For My Convenience?
Generally, you need not take Chinese currency to China since you can easily exchange your USD into Chinese RMB in hotels and banks. However, if you would like to have local currency upon your arrival in China, it is okay that you may take a volume of Chinese currency less than 20,000 RMB without declaration at the customs. You are required to declare your import of Chinese currency exceeding CNY20,000.
9. I Am A Vegetarian; Can I Get My Preferred Food In Beijing?
Vegetarian Restaurants and Muslim Restaurants are available in Beijing. See more at Beijing Restaurants.
10. What Are The Top Things to Do In Beijing?
The top attractions or things to do in Beijing are: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, a Hutong tour, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, Wangfujing Street, Beijing Olympic Green, Peking Roast Duck, and Beijing Opera.