Flights from Perth (PER) to Beijing (BJS)

About Beijing

Discover Beijing

Why visit Beijing?
Beijing is a city where imperial landmarks and wide boulevards sit alongside creative districts and modern towers. You will find grand palaces, quiet hutong lanes, and world-class museums, all woven into a city that feels both historic and forward-looking.

What to expect
The city is built on a grand scale, with ring roads, spacious avenues, and distinct districts such as the Forbidden City area, Wangfujing, and the Central Business District. Expect a fast-paced urban rhythm, efficient public transport, and a mix of traditional courtyards and contemporary architecture.

Plan your trip
Beijing is an excellent starting point for exploring northern China, including access points to the Great Wall and nearby historic towns. With a broad range of hotels, transport links, and attractions, you can plan anything from a short city break to a longer regional journey.

Top sights in Beijing

Forbidden City

Explore the vast former imperial palace complex, with ornate halls, courtyards, and detailed architecture at the heart of Beijing.

Tiananmen Square

Walk across one of the world’s largest public squares, framed by imposing buildings and key cultural institutions.

Great Wall of China (Mutianyu or Badaling)

Take a day trip to walk along restored sections of the Great Wall, enjoying sweeping hilltop views and historic watchtowers.

Summer Palace

Stroll through lakeside gardens, pavilions, and covered walkways in this expansive former royal retreat on the city’s outskirts.

Temple of Heaven Park

Visit this architectural landmark set within a vast park that is popular for morning walks and open spaces.

Beihai Park and Houhai Lakes

Wander around historic lakes, gardens, and nearby alleyways, with plenty of places to pause and enjoy the water views.

798 Art District

Discover galleries, design shops, and outdoor installations in a former industrial area turned creative hub.

Wangfujing and Qianmen

Combine a visit to a busy shopping street with nearby historic architecture and well-known city landmarks.

Experience Beijing’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Beijing’s extensive metro network is usually the fastest way to cross the city, especially during busy periods. Taxis and ride-hailing services are useful for late evenings or shorter hops, while walking within central districts lets you explore hidden lanes and small parks between main sights.

Local life & culture
You will notice daily life unfolding in hutong neighbourhoods, around local parks, and near smaller community squares. Residents gather outdoors in the early morning and evening, and modern shopping streets sit beside older alleys, creating a layered cityscape of old and new.

Where to unwind
Parks such as Beihai Park, Jingshan Park, and the grounds around the Summer Palace offer calm spaces away from traffic. Early mornings and late afternoons are pleasant times for a stroll, when light is softer and temperatures are often more comfortable for spending time outdoors.

A taste of Beijing

Street food & local specialties
Beijing is known for dishes such as roast duck, hand-pulled noodles, and savoury pancakes, which you can find in busy local streets and food alleys. Neighbourhoods near Qianmen, Wangfujing, and around the hutongs offer many small eateries serving regional favourites.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Around Sanlitun, the Central Business District, and shopping centres across the city, you will find a wide variety of casual restaurants and cafés. Menus often feature classic Beijing flavours alongside dishes from other parts of China and international cuisines, making it easy to share and try several plates.

Signature & scenic dining
For a special evening, you can choose restaurants with views of the city skyline, lakeside settings near Houhai, or venues in restored courtyard houses. Many higher-end restaurants offer tasting menus or carefully curated set meals, allowing you to experience refined versions of local and seasonal dishes.

Retail therapy in Beijing

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Beijing offers large shopping malls such as those in Wangfujing, Xidan, and the Central Business District, where you can find international brands, local designers, cinemas, and places to eat. These complexes are popular for meeting friends and spending a full afternoon indoors.

Markets & local crafts
For smaller boutiques and creative pieces, areas like 798 Art District, Nanluoguxiang, and Yandai Byway feature shops with design items, accessories, and souvenirs. Exploring these streets on foot lets you discover independent labels and small studios tucked into side alleys.

Evening retail scene
After dark, lighting along central streets and commercial districts gives the city a lively atmosphere. Many malls, pedestrian areas, and food streets stay open into the evening, making it easy to combine shopping with dinner or a walk, with metro lines and taxis connecting these areas efficiently.

Best time to visit Beijing

Spring (chun) – March to May, shoulder season
Spring brings gradually warming temperatures, averaging about 10–20°C (50–68°F), with clear days and blooming trees in city parks. It is a pleasant time for walking through historic sites and gardens, with comfortable conditions for exploring both central districts and the Great Wall.

Summer (xia) – June to August, peak season
Summer is warm to hot, with average temperatures around 22–30°C (72–86°F) and occasional higher peaks. Longer daylight hours and school holidays make this a popular time to visit major landmarks, enjoy outdoor lakeside areas, and experience the city’s energetic evening atmosphere.

Autumn and winter (qiu/dong) – September to February, low season
Autumn is often cool and crisp, with about 10–20°C (50–68°F), while winter can drop below freezing, around -5–5°C (23–41°F). These months offer quieter attractions, atmospheric views of historic sites in clear air, and a different side of Beijing’s parks and open spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions