Beijing Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Forbidden City showing a fountain
Forbidden City showing a square or plaza and heritage architecture
Beijing showing a monument and heritage elements as well as a large group of people
Olympic Park featuring modern architecture
Dongcheng - Wangfujing which includes heritage elements and a statue or sculpture
China’s bustling capital has temples, gardens and other precious relics of long-lost dynasties alongside modern architecture and entertainment.

Embrace the sensory overload that is China’s historical, political and cultural capital. With more than 20 million people, Beijing is the most populous city in China after Shanghai.

Located in the northeast of China, Beijing is culturally and geographically a world away from Western capital cities, but easy to reach by plane. Once in the city, rent a bike or make use of the excellent public transport system to get around. English signage will lead you to most attractions. Driving around Beijing is more complicated, especially if you don’t speak Mandarin.

For one of the best views in Beijing, climb the hill in Jingshan Park and look out over the Forbidden City. Then, descend to Tiananmen Square and gaze up at the Front Gate (Qianmen Gate) before you visit the huge palace complex beyond it.

Back on the square, explore one of the largest museums in the world: the National Museum of China, opposite the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall. To dance, play or exercise with the locals, visit the nearby imperial gardens at Beihai Park.

Away from the busy city centre, visit the Summer Palace and the Marco Polo Bridge to see more of the splendour that surrounded China’s mighty emperors. Find some peace and quiet in the Buddhist Lama Temple.

Beijing is not all about imperial history, religion and communism: Contemporary architecture, fine restaurants and fashion-filled malls represent the new China. The 2008 Summer Olympics resulted in Beijing’s redevelopment. See the stadiums in Olympic Park or browse galleries in restored warehouses, such as 798 Space. For souvenirs, take the subway to Wangfujing Street, a popular shopping strip.

You can’t leave Beijing without trying Peking duck, the city’s signature food, served with delicious Chinese noodle and rice dishes. After dark, visit karaoke bars or nightclubs for evening entertainment.

Beijing is an unforgettable experience. Get a taste of traditional and communist China and at the same time see the futuristic designs of the entrepreneurial East.

Where to stay in Beijing

Temple of Heaven showing heritage architecture, religious elements and a temple or place of worship

Downtown Beijing

Historical sites, museums and art galleries highlight some notable features of Downtown Beijing. Make a stop by Wangfujing Street or Peninsula Beijing Shopping Arcade while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Jinyu Hutong Station or Dengshikou Station to get around town.

Downtown Beijing
National Museum of China showing signage

Wangfujing Shopping Area

Historical sites, art galleries and museums highlight some notable features of Wangfujing Shopping Area. Make a stop by Wangfujing Street or Peninsula Beijing Shopping Arcade while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Dengshikou Station or Dongsi Station to get around town.

Wangfujing Shopping Area
Dongcheng - Wangfujing

Dongcheng

4.5/5(111 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Dongcheng. Wangfujing Street is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Zhangzizhonglu Station or Dongsi Station to see more of Beijing.

Dongcheng
Default Image

Chaoyang

Museums, art galleries and cocktail bars highlight some notable features of Chaoyang. Make a stop by Alien's Street Trade Market or The Place while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Dongdaqiao Station or Chaoyangmen Station to get around town.

Chaoyang
Summer Palace featuring heritage elements and a river or creek

Haidian

3.5/5(8 area reviews)

Haidian is well liked for its museums and monuments. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Summer Palace and Fragrant Hills Park are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Xibeiwang Station or Malianwa Station to get around.

Haidian
Houhai Lake which includes heritage elements and a lake or waterhole

Xicheng

4.5/5(24 area reviews)

Historical sites, museums and theatres highlight some notable features of Xicheng. Make a stop by Xidan Shopping Center or XiDan Shopping District while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Lingjing Hutong Station or Xidan Station to get around town.

Xicheng
Four Seasons Hotel Beijing
Four Seasons Hotel Beijing
5 out of 5
48 Liang Ma Qiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp2.938.960 per night from 12 Jul to 13 Jul
Rp2.938.960
Rp3.426.827 total
12 Jul - 13 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Beijing. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (461 reviews)
"Nice staff, very friendly and helpful. Amazing pool. Rooms are old and outdated and on the smaller side. Overall 4 out of 5"

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2025

Four Seasons Hotel Beijing
Grand Hyatt Beijing
Grand Hyatt Beijing
5 out of 5
1 East Chang An Avenue, Beijing, Beijing
The price is Rp3.345.893 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
Rp3.345.893
Rp3.901.311 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Beijing. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 4 restaurants. Popular attractions Wangfujing Street and The Palace Museum ...
9/10 Wonderful! (794 reviews)
"Great choice! Lovely staff, great breakfast!"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Grand Hyatt Beijing
Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
4 out of 5
No.88 Dengshikou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, Beijing
The price is Rp1.308.411 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
Rp1.308.411
Rp1.504.804 total
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Beijing. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Good pkace for rest
"The hotel is good, clean and comfortable. Breakfast ample. WiFi not that good, slow and restricted. Knowledge of English of the staff should improve. Though they use an on-line translator, it would be easier to make understand directely."

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2025

Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
base-Wangfujing Serviced Apartment
base-Wangfujing Serviced Apartment
3.5 out of 5
No. 17 Qianliang Hutong, Beijing, Beijing
Stay at this 3.5-star residence in Beijing. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (93 reviews)
"Spacious, clean and comfortable room. Professional and friendly front desk staff. Great location too."

Reviewed on 10 Jun 2025

base-Wangfujing Serviced Apartment
Ascott Raffles City Beijing
Ascott Raffles City Beijing
4.5 out of 5
No.1-2 Dongzhimen South Street, Dongchen Beijing, Beijing, Beijing
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Beijing. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Wangfujing Street and Sanlitun ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (74 reviews)
"Great for families."

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2025

Ascott Raffles City Beijing
Ascott Riverside Garden Beijing
Ascott Riverside Garden Beijing
4 out of 5
No. 33, Zhou Zhuang Jiayuan Dongli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, Beijing
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Beijing. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a steam room. Popular attractions Wangfujing Street and ...
"Hotel represents local culture and is comfortable to stay in. There are grocery shops nearby and many restaurants including McDonalds"

Reviewed on 28 Aug 2024

Ascott Riverside Garden Beijing
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Beijing

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
55
5 - Excellent 45%
4 - Good
52
4 - Good 43%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
4
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Loved my experience, I'd advise booking a tour with Klook

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Air quality was very poor during our stay. I don't normally suffer with lung problems, but this did leave me with a tight chest and dry cough which cleared quickly once I left the city.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great place for a city break. Loads to see amazing food and nice people

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The district is the showpiece of China so it's tightly controlled (hence safe) and clean. The queues for security look daunting but throughput is rapid, and both square and palace easily absorb the crowds.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We loved Beijing as a whole and wish we could have had more time there. It’s a beautiful place full of such vibrant history. Would definitely recommend as a once in a lifetime kind of trip!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The subway was very convenient though the distances between stations are large. We liked the Great Wall.

Cities near Beijing