Beijing

Travel Guide
Forbidden City featuring a fountain
Forbidden City showing heritage architecture and a square or plaza
Beijing which includes a monument and heritage elements as well as a large group of people
Beijing showing modern architecture
Dongcheng - Wangfujing showing a statue or sculpture and heritage elements
The capital of China combines the ornate delights of traditional culture with the vibrant life of a modern global city.

Beijing has been at the heart of Chinese culture and society for many centuries, and the combination of its ancient past and the developing “New China” is sure to excite and fascinate. 20 million people live here, with a further 125 million visitors coming every single year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Begin your visit in the traditional heart of the city. The imperial gardens at Jingshan Park offer wonderful views over central Beijing, including the fantastic Forbidden City, which is a must-see attraction. After you've seen all there is to see here, head for the famous Tiananmen Square where you can enjoy two extensive repositories of culture and history, the National Museum of China and the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall. The Front Gate (Qianmen Gate) looms over the southern end of the square, an impressive reminder of the old fortifications which used to protect the city.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre with a visit to the opulent Summer Palace of the hugely powerful and wealthy Chinese emperors, or gaze on the stunning and historic Marco Polo Bridge. Or for a more serene, spiritual experience, the Lama Temple is hard to beat.

Beijing is also a startlingly contemporary city, full of cutting-edge architecture, chic eateries and bustling shopping centres. The 2008 Olympic Games gave the city’s development a huge boost, and you can see the centre of it all at Olympic Park.

The hip artistic scene of modern China can be experienced at 798 Space, while you can pick up some mementoes of your visit along Wangfujing Street. When you get hungry, make sure to try the authentic local Peking duck with noodles or rice. Later in the evening, head for a karaoke bar or a nightclub to experience what the capital's nightlife has to offer.

Beijing is in the northeast of China and, despite being many thousands of miles away from the capitals of the West, is served by a well-connected modern international airport. The city is very flat, so it’s a pleasure to cycle around, and the public transport system is top-notch, with plenty of signs in English to help orientate the visitor. Getting around by car can be significantly more difficult, particularly if you don’t have a good command of Mandarin, so be warned.

Where to stay in Beijing

Temple of Heaven which includes a temple or place of worship, religious aspects and heritage architecture

Downtown Beijing

Historic sites, museums, and art galleries highlight some notable features of Downtown Beijing. Make a stop by Peninsula Beijing Shopping Arcade or Intime Lotte Department Store 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 featuring signage

Wangfujing Shopping Area

Historic sites, art galleries, and museums highlight some notable features of Wangfujing Shopping Area. Make a stop by Wangfujing Street or Beijing Capital Theatre 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

3/5(5 area reviews)

Beijing Duan Qirui Residential and Beijing Capital Theatre are top sights in Dongcheng, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Zhangzizhonglu Station or Dongsi Station to see more sights in the area.

Dongcheng
China showing a garden

Chaoyang

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

Chaoyang
Summer Palace showing heritage elements and a river or creek

Haidian

Get to know Haidian and its many features like its museums and monuments. You might want to explore sights like Spacious Pavilion and Summer Palace, and you can jump on the metro at Xibeiwang Station or Malianwa Station to get around the city.

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

Xicheng

5/5(1 area review)

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

Xicheng
Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
4 out of 5
No.88 Dengshikou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, Beijing
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Beijing. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Close to Metro and big attractions are in walking distance, room was a good size."

Reviewed on Jan 4, 2025

Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
Beijing Pudi Hotel
Beijing Pudi Hotel
4 out of 5
7 Jianguomen South Avenue, Dongcheng Di, Beijing
The price is P3,834 per night from 10 Jan to 11 Jan
P3,834
P4,470 total
includes taxes & fees
Jan 10 - Jan 11
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Beijing. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (532 reviews)
"It was good to stay."

Reviewed on Jan 2, 2025

Beijing Pudi Hotel
Grand Hyatt Beijing
Grand Hyatt Beijing
5 out of 5
1 East Chang An Avenue, Beijing, Beijing
The price is P8,344 per night from 7 Feb to 8 Feb
P8,344
P9,729 total
includes taxes & fees
Feb 7 - Feb 8
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Beijing. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Popular attractions Wangfujing Street and Forbidden City ...
9/10 Wonderful! (747 reviews)
"Dlu"

Reviewed on Dec 31, 2024

Grand Hyatt 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.
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 WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (39 reviews)
"Property is located in the middle of Qianliang Hutong. Short walk to main road, lots of local food, cafe or coffee place. Approx 10min walk to either Dongsi or Zhangzizhong Lou station (both Line 5). Convenient to any tourist location"

Reviewed on Jan 1, 2025

base-Wangfujing Serviced Apartment
Tangfu Hotel Sanlitun Gongti Branch
Tangfu Hotel Sanlitun Gongti Branch
4.5 out of 5
Floors 1-3, No. 26 Xinzhongxili, Beijing
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Beijing. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Wangfujing Street and Forbidden ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4 reviews)
"Good value"

Reviewed on Jan 2, 2025

Tangfu Hotel Sanlitun Gongti Branch
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 WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a steam room. Popular attractions Wangfujing Street and ...
8/10 Very Good! (65 reviews)
"Hotel represents local culture and is comfortable to stay in. There are grocery shops nearby and many restaurants including McDonalds"

Reviewed on Aug 28, 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

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
2
" "5 - Excellent 22%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 33%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 11%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Lovely

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Internet is bad

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Internet is really bad