Flights from Riyadh (RUH) to Beijing (BJS)

About Beijing

Discover Beijing

Why visit Beijing?
Beijing blends imperial landmarks, grand avenues, and contemporary architecture into a city that feels both historic and forward-looking. You can explore centuries of heritage in the morning, then discover cutting-edge art, design, and dining before the day ends.

What to expect
The city is structured around wide boulevards, ring roads, and distinct districts, from the Forbidden City and Tiananmen area to the lakeside hutong neighbourhoods. Expect a fast-paced urban environment, impressive public spaces, and quieter backstreets where everyday life unfolds at a slower rhythm.

Plan your trip
Beijing works well as both a standalone destination and a starting point for wider journeys in northern and central China. With extensive rail and air links, you can connect from Beijing to historic cities, mountain landscapes, and coastal areas, making it a convenient hub for a longer itinerary.

Top sights in Beijing

Forbidden City

Walk through grand courtyards, ornate halls, and intricate roofs in this vast former imperial palace complex at the heart of Beijing.

Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling

Take a day trip to these restored sections of the Great Wall for sweeping mountain views and an impressive sense of scale.

Tiananmen Square

Visit one of the world’s largest public squares, framed by monumental architecture and wide open spaces that showcase Beijing’s grandeur.

Summer Palace

Stroll around lakes, pavilions, and landscaped hillsides in this elegant retreat on the city’s outskirts, especially scenic at sunset.

Houhai and the hutongs

Explore narrow alleyways, traditional courtyard homes, and lively lakeside paths that reveal a more intimate side of Beijing.

798 Art District

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

Temple of Heaven Park

Enjoy landscaped grounds, striking historic halls, and open spaces where you can experience one of Beijing’s largest inner-city parks.

Olympic Green

See modern icons like the Bird’s Nest stadium and Water Cube and walk along spacious promenades in this planned precinct.

Experience Beijing’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Beijing’s metro network is the most efficient way to cross the city, especially for longer journeys between districts. Taxis and app-based rides are widely available for point-to-point trips, while cycling or walking through hutong areas gives you a closer look at local life.

Local life & culture
In residential neighbourhoods, you will see people spending time in parks, community squares, and along lakeside promenades. Creative districts mix studios and galleries with relaxed cafés, and many streets combine traditional architecture with newer buildings, reflecting how the city continues to evolve.

Where to unwind
Beijing’s parks and lakes, such as those around Houhai and the Summer Palace area, offer calm spaces to slow down. Early mornings and late afternoons are pleasant times to walk shaded paths, sit by the water, or simply pause and take in the city’s skyline and distant hills.

A taste of Beijing

Street food & local specialties
Beijing is known for hearty noodles, dumplings, and savoury snacks that you can find in dedicated food streets and traditional neighbourhoods. Areas with older alleyways often have small, long-running eateries where you can sample local flavours in an unhurried setting.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping malls and contemporary districts house a wide mix of regional Chinese and international cuisines, making it easy to try different tastes in one outing. Many menus feature dishes in shareable portions, so you can order a variety for the table and explore more flavours together.

Signature & scenic dining
For a special evening, you can choose dining rooms with views over historic rooftops, modern towers, or lakeside scenery. Some venues combine contemporary interiors with city vistas, creating a setting where the surroundings are as memorable as the dishes on the table.

Retail therapy in Beijing

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Central Beijing offers large shopping centres where international brands sit alongside contemporary local labels. These complexes often include cinemas and dining floors, so you can combine shopping with a meal or a relaxed break during the day.

Markets & local crafts
In older neighbourhoods and creative districts, you will find smaller boutiques, design shops, and stalls showcasing handicrafts, prints, and accessories. Areas around the 798 Art District and selected hutong streets are good for browsing unique pieces and design-focused souvenirs.

Evening retail scene
After dark, illuminated shopping streets and late-opening malls give the city a lively retail atmosphere. Certain pedestrian-friendly areas become particularly vibrant in the evening, and the metro and taxis make it straightforward to reach these districts and return to your hotel afterwards.

Best time to visit Beijing

Spring (chun) – March to May, shoulder season
Spring brings gradually warming days, with average temperatures from about 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). Trees and parks become greener, and clearer days are common, making this a pleasant time for city walks and visits to historic sites.

Summer (xia) – June to August, peak season
Summer is warm to hot, with averages around 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F). Longer daylight hours give you more time outdoors, from exploring city parks to taking full-day excursions to the Great Wall and surrounding countryside.

Autumn and winter (qiu and dong) – September to February, low season
Autumn is often crisp and bright, with 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), ideal for photography and outdoor sightseeing. Winter can drop below 0°C (32°F), but clear, cold days bring sharp views, lighter visitor numbers, and a different perspective on the city’s architecture and open spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions