- Walk the Great Wall at Mutianyu (less crowded than Badaling) or Jinshanling.
- Explore the Forbidden City—it's huge (book tickets in advance!).
- Wander the Hutongs near the Drum Tower for a glimpse of old Beijing.
- Eat Peking Duck at Quanjude or Dadong—crispy skin is key.
- Visit the Summer Palace and take a boat on Kunming Lake.
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When to go: Autumn
September and October are the best months ('Golden Autumn'). The weather is cool, dry, and the sky is blue.
Spring is often dusty (sandstorms). Summer is hot and humid. Winter is freezing but less crowded.
- Autumn: Best weather.
- Spring: Sandstorms.
- Winter: Cold & quiet.
Getting there: Express Train
Beijing Capital (PEK): The Airport Express train takes you to Dongzhimen (city center) in 30 mins.
Daxing (PKX): The new mega-airport has a high-speed train to Caoqiao station (19 mins).
Taxis are cheap but traffic can be awful.
- Express Train: Fast & reliable.
- Taxi: Convenient but traffic risk.
- Didi: Chinese Uber.
Where to stay: Wangfujing or Sanlitun
Wangfujing is central, close to the Forbidden City and shopping. Sanlitun is the expat hub with great nightlife and restaurants.
The Hutongs (around Drum Tower) offer traditional courtyard hotels.
- Wangfujing: Central.
- Sanlitun: Nightlife.
- Hutongs: Traditional.
What to see: The Big Five
The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are the core. The Temple of Heaven is where locals practice Tai Chi. The Summer Palace is a massive royal garden.
The Great Wall is a day trip—Mutianyu is the best balance of scenery and accessibility.
- Forbidden City: Imperial palace.
- Great Wall: World wonder.
- Temple of Heaven: Iconic architecture.
- Summer Palace: Royal garden.
Food: Peking Duck
Peking Duck is mandatory. Sijiminfu is a local favorite (long queues), Dadong is upscale. Also try Jiaozi (dumplings) and Zhajiangmian (noodles with bean paste).
Street food is less common now, but snack streets exist.
- Peking Duck: Crispy skin.
- Jiaozi: Dumplings.
- Hot Pot: Spicy broth.
Getting around: Subway
The Beijing Subway is massive, cheap, and has English signs. It's the best way to get around.
Taxis are cheap, but drivers rarely speak English. Have your destination written in Chinese characters.
- Subway: Best option.
- Taxi: Have address in Chinese.
- Walking: Distances are huge.
Budget: Moderate
Beijing is affordable compared to Tokyo or London. Subway rides are cents. Food can be very cheap.
Entry tickets to major sites are reasonable ($5-10).
- Transport: Very cheap.
- Food: Affordable.
- Hotels: Moderate.
3 Days in Beijing
Day 1: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and Jingshan Park (view). Day 2: Great Wall (Mutianyu) day trip. Day 3: Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace.
Wear comfortable shoes; you will walk kilometers.
- Day 1: Imperial City.
- Day 2: The Wall.
- Day 3: Parks & Temples.
FAQ
Do I need a VPN?
Yes! Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube are blocked. Download a VPN *before* you arrive.
Is the air pollution bad?
It has improved significantly, but bad days still happen. Check the AQI app.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Yes! Forbidden City tickets sell out days in advance. Book online via official sites or agencies.
Is English spoken?
Not widely. Download a translation app (like Pleco or Google Translate offline).
Is it safe?
Yes, very safe. Scams (tea house scam) exist, but violent crime is rare.