Beijing

Travel Guide
Forbidden City which includes a fountain
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 center, visit the Summer Palace and the Marco Polo Bridge to see more of the splendor 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 which includes a temple or place of worship, religious aspects and heritage architecture

Downtown Beijing

3.5/5(6 area reviews)

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 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(737 area reviews)

Home to major cultural attractions like the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, Dongcheng boasts vibrant nightlife in Nanluoguxiang's hutongs and shopping at Wangfujing. Prestigious hotels and nine metro lines ensure a convenient stay.

Dongcheng
China showing a garden

Chaoyang

3.5/5(7 area reviews)

Discover a bustling district with foreign embassies, Sanlitun bar street, and a thriving business area. Explore attractions like 798 Art Zone, Olympic Green, and Chaoyang Park, while enjoying convenient access to 14 metro lines and Beijing Capital Airport.

Chaoyang
Summer Palace showing heritage elements and a river or creek

Haidian

4/5(67 area reviews)

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

Haidian
Middle Chaoyang

Middle Chaoyang

4.5/5(248 area reviews)

Museums, art galleries, and shopping highlight some notable features of Middle Chaoyang. Make a stop by Chaoyang Park or Lady Street Market while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Beijing Chaoyang Station or Dongfeng Beiqiao Station to get around town.

Middle Chaoyang
Hilton Beijing Wangfujing
Hilton Beijing Wangfujing
5 out of 5
8 Wangfujing East Street, Dongcheng, Beijing, Beijing
The price is ₩178,818 per night from Nov 7 to Nov 8
₩178,818
₩208,501 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 7 - Nov 8
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Beijing. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (908 reviews)
Great location and comfortable room
"First of all, the room is very large with separate walk in closet and bathtub/shower area. Most hotel has no bathtub any more. The young lady Alice in breakfast room is charming and warm and very on top of everything. I ordered earl grey tea with lemon once and then she brings me one every following ..."

Reviewed on Oct 22, 2024

Hilton Beijing Wangfujing
Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
4 out of 5
No.88 Dengshikou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, Beijing
The price is ₩94,883 per night from Dec 5 to Dec 6
₩94,883
₩109,123 total
includes taxes & fees
Dec 5 - Dec 6
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)
I would definitely stay here again
"Location was great! Just down the street from shopping and Tiananmen Square and the Palace. Also had a 7-Eleven and McDonalds across the street. Staff was very helpful."

Reviewed on Oct 31, 2024

Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
Beijing Pudi Hotel
Beijing Pudi Hotel
4 out of 5
7 Jian Guo Men South Avenue Dongcheng Di, Beijing, Beijing
The price is ₩104,167 per night from Nov 7 to Nov 8
₩104,167
₩121,460 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 7 - Nov 8
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (495 reviews)
"Most staff are friendly and helpful.a few are not. The room is bigger. Sofa seats are old and not clean. Bathroom is big and clean. Food is ok. If you like Chinese food this one is good choice."

Reviewed on Oct 23, 2024

Beijing Pudi Hotel
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.
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 Temple of Heaven and ...
8/10 Very Good! (64 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
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, daily housekeeping, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (33 reviews)
"Property nice and clean and in good condition, friendly reception staff would recommend"

Reviewed on Oct 25, 2024

base-Wangfujing Serviced Apartment
base-Sanlitun Serviced Apartment
base-Sanlitun Serviced Apartment
3.5 out of 5
No.2, Lane 10, Xingfu 1 Village, North Gongti Road, Chaoyang Disrict, Beijing
Stay at this 3.5-star residence in Beijing. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Sanlitun Road and Wangfujing Street ...
9/10 Wonderful! (17 reviews)
"They are very friendly and responsive! I will stay again!"

Reviewed on Jul 18, 2024

base-Sanlitun Serviced Apartment
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

Reviews of Beijing

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
399
" "5 - Excellent 43.4640522875817%
4 - Good
371
" "4 - Good 40.41394335511983%
3 - Okay
106
" "3 - Okay 11.546840958605664%
2 - Disappointing
36
" "2 - Disappointing 3.9215686274509802%
1 - Terrible
6
" "1 - Terrible 0.6535947712418301%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Have been there many times. Much to see.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I like Beijing and have visited several times before. I had planned this trip ahead of time thinking that Beijing would be a great place to be to celebrate the Chinese New Year. But, the "Virus" showed up and pretty much could not do anything!!!!!!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Beijing has so many good things and metro is efficient and clean. But too many people smoke outside and spit on the ground.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

its more expensive than other Chinese cities. Buy water bottles at a convenience store as they are upcharged at attractions. Use the subway because it takes you everywhere and taxis are often VERY pricey and some refuse to use the meter

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Everyone was friendly and very accommodating. I don't speak much Chinese, but everyone was helpful.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Traffic is a problem in Beijing now. Better to walk if possible, but wrap up warm if you visit in January like we did Most overnight lows were minus 10 degrees Celsius

Cities near Beijing