About Beijing
Beijing, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 21.8 million residents, it is the world's most populous national capital city, as well as China's second-largest city by urban area, after Shanghai. It is located in Northern China and is governed as a provincial-level direct-administered municipality with 16 municipal districts. Beijing is mostly surrounded by Hebei Province and neighbors Tianjin Municipality to the southeast; together, the three divisions form the Jing-Jin-Ji cluster.
Places to visit in Beijing
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Forbidden City
HistoricThe vast imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with hundreds of halls and courtyards. Tickets must be booked online in advance, and it is closed on Mondays.
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Great Wall of China
Landmark · 37 mi from centreThe world's most famous fortification, with several restored sections near the city. Mutianyu offers fewer crowds and a cable car, while Badaling is easiest to reach.
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Temple of Heaven
Religious · 1 mi from centreA complex of imperial altars where emperors prayed for good harvests. Arrive early to see locals doing tai chi and other exercises in the surrounding park.
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Summer Palace
Park · 10 mi from centreA vast imperial garden of pavilions, temples and bridges set around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. Take a boat across the lake, walk the painted Long Corridor, and allow at least half a day.
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Tiananmen Square
LandmarkOne of the world's largest public squares, surrounded by major national buildings. Bring your passport for security checks, and come early to see the flag-raising ceremony.
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Hutongs
NeighborhoodTraditional alley neighborhoods of courtyard houses, best preserved around the Drum and Bell Towers and Houhai Lake. Explore them by bicycle or rickshaw, and stop at Nanluoguxiang lane for snacks and small shops.
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Lama Temple
Religious · 3 mi from centreA working Tibetan Buddhist temple with ornate halls, incense-filled courtyards and an 18-meter Buddha carved from a single sandalwood tree. Visit early for a calmer atmosphere, and dress respectfully inside the halls.
Things to do in Beijing by type
58 tours, tickets and experiences across 8 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Art & culture 25 experiences An Insight into Chinese Modern Art: Red Gate Gallery & Space 798 - Full-Day Tour -
City tours 20 experiences Badaling Great Wall and Ming Tombs (Changling) -
Day Trips & Excursions 15 experiences An Insight into Chinese Modern Art: Red Gate Gallery & Space 798 - Full-Day Tour -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 15 experiences An Insight into Chinese Modern Art: Red Gate Gallery & Space 798 - Full-Day Tour -
Shows, sports and special events 4 experiences Beijing Evening Acrobatic Show with Transfers -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 3 experiences Essential Beijing - Hutong, Lama Temple, Panda House and Olympic Stadium - Full-Day Private Tour -
Gastronomy & nightlife 3 experiences Beijing Roast Duck Dinner and Acrobatic Show with Round Way Transfers - Private -
Transport & Rentals 2 experiences Shanghai Disneyland Private Transfer Service
- Over 6 hours 17
- 3-6 hours 10
- 1-3 hours 6
- Flexible 2
- Up to 1 hour 2
- Youth 8
- Senior 8
- Families 8
- Couples 8
- Private 26
Top experiences in Beijing
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 58 available.
Juyongguan Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City - Full-Day Private Tour
From $230 per adult
Essential Beijing - Hutong, Lama Temple, Panda House and Olympic Stadium - Full-Day Private Tour
From $205 per adult
Beijing Roast Duck Dinner and Acrobatic Show with Round Way Transfers - Private
From $100 per adult
Beijing Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tour - Private
From $179 per adult
Beijing Simatai Great Wall Hiking Tour - Private
From $179 per adult
Discover Great Wall at Badalling, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square - Full-Day Tour
From $122 per adult
Explore Forbidden City, Tian An Men Square, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace - Full-Day Tour
From $122 per adult
Discover Great Wall at Badaling and Ming Tomb - Full-Day Tour
From $171 per adult
Explore Great Wall at Mutianyu - Full-Day Tour
From $97 per adult
Discover Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven - Full-Day Tour
From $115 per adult
Explore Summer Palace, Lama Temple and Panda Garden - Full-Day Tour
From $115 per adult
Discover Old Beijing and Rickshaw Ride through Old Hutongs- Full-Day Tour
From $171 per adult
Where to stay in Beijing
Popular hotels in Beijing, out of 1,348 properties you can book.
Xizhao Temple Hotel
From $52 per night
Guo Ji Yi Yuan Wangfujing
From $77 per night
Nostalgia Hotel（Beijing Yonghe Lama Temple）
From $42 per night
Sunworld Dynasty Hotel Beijing
From $132 per night
Empark Prime Hotel Beijing
From $179 per night
Nostalgia Hotel(Beijing Prince Gong’s Mansion)
From $59 per night
Beijing Poly Plaza Hotel
From $93 per night
Nostalgia Hotel(Beijing Jinsong)
From $46 per night
Artyzen Habitat Dongzhimen Beijing
From $120 per night
Jade Garden Hotel
From $77 per night
Nostalgia S Hotel(Beijing Xidan Financial Street)
From $102 per night
Nostalgia S Hotel(National Convention Center)
From $66 per night
Best time to visit Beijing
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Beijing is April and September, when average daytime highs are around 74–80°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Beijing weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 56° 38° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 59° 38° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 60° 44° 2%
- Sat 24 Oct 64° 46° 20%
- Sun 25 Oct 57° 51° 60%
- Mon 26 Oct 63° 51° 19%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Chinese yuan (CNY)1 US dollar ≈ ¥6.69
- Language
- Chinese
- Calling code
- +86
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Asia/ShanghaiUTC+8
Upcoming public holidays in China
- New Year's Day元旦
- Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)春节
- Labour Day劳动节
- Dragon Boat Festival端午节
- Mid-Autumn Festival中秋节
- National Day国庆节
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Beijing
These are the airports closest to central Beijing. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- NAY Beijing Nanyuan Airport8 mi (14 km) from the city centre
- PEK Beijing Capital International Airport15 mi (25 km) from the city centre
Getting around Beijing
For the most up-to-date maps, use Baidu or AutoNavi Maps (Amap) on your smartphone. Baidu Maps is in Chinese, whilst AutoNavi Maps are available in foreign languages inside Apple Maps (when in China). Apple's built-in Maps app remains accessible and is a common alternative. Google Maps is blocked in China.
By subway
The Beijing Subway is one of the world's most extensive systems with 29 lines and over 500 stations covering an impressive 879 km. It is clean, reliable and efficient. The network’s grid-like design and bilingual signage make it surprisingly easy to navigate, especially given its size. Announcements are also bilingual in Mandarin and English. Operating hours are from around 05:15 to 22:45, with specific times posted at station entrances.
By bicycle
Once known as a nation of bicycles, China saw private cars dominate the roads from the 1990s until the 2010s. However, the arrival of several dockless ridesharing bike companies, each with a distinctive color, has transformed Beijing back into a city of bikes. These bikes are now crowded everywhere and waiting at every subway station exit. The infrastructure from Beijing's days as the capital of the "Bicycle Kingdom" makes exploring the city by bike excellent.
By bus
Beijing's bus system is especially convenient for short trips, particularly when your starting point or destination is not within walking distance of a subway station. Subway stations can often be over 1 km away from your desired location, and navigating the subway system can be time-consuming, especially when factoring in entering and exiting stations. Riding the bus also gives you the opportunity to view the city as you travel, unlike the subway, which keeps you underground.
Beijing travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Beijing?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Beijing is April and September, when average daytime highs are around 74–80°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Beijing?
June is usually the warmest month in Beijing, with average highs of 93°F (34°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 22°F (-6°C). The wettest month is typically August, with about 239 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Beijing?
Beijing Nanyuan Airport (NAY) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (14 km) from the centre of Beijing. Other nearby airports include Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK, 15 mi).
What currency is used in Beijing?
Beijing uses the Chinese yuan (CNY). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ¥6.69.
What time zone is Beijing in?
Beijing uses the Asia/Shanghai time zone (currently UTC+8). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Beijing?
For the most up-to-date maps, use Baidu or AutoNavi Maps (Amap) on your smartphone. Baidu Maps is in Chinese, whilst AutoNavi Maps are available in foreign languages inside Apple Maps (when in China). Apple's built-in Maps app remains accessible and is a common alternative. Google Maps is blocked in China.
What are the best places to visit in Beijing?
Top sights in Beijing include Forbidden City, Great Wall of China, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace. The vast imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with hundreds of halls and courtyards. Tickets must be booked online in advance, and it is closed on Mondays.
What are the top things to do in Beijing?
Popular experiences you can book in Beijing include Juyongguan Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City - Full-Day Private Tour, Essential Beijing - Hutong, Lama Temple, Panda House and Olympic Stadium - Full-Day Private Tour and Beijing Roast Duck Dinner and Acrobatic Show with Round Way Transfers - Private. Destina Holidays offers 58 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Beijing?
The most popular types of experiences in Beijing are art & culture (25), city tours (20), day trips & excursions (15) and tickets & attraction passes (15). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Beijing?
Popular areas for hotels in Beijing include Dongcheng, Xicheng and Chaoyang. Well-reviewed options include Xizhao Temple Hotel and Guo Ji Yi Yuan Wangfujing.
How many hotels can I book in Beijing?
Destina Holidays currently lists 1,348 properties in and around Beijing, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
