Beijing blends imperial history with bold modern architecture, giving you palaces, hutongs, and skyscrapers in one city. You feel the scale of China’s past and present in every neighbourhood.
Discover Beijing
Discover Beijing
Why visit Beijing?
What to expect
You will find grand boulevards, leafy parks, and historic lanes set around wide ring roads. Expect a vibrant arts scene, efficient metro links, and districts that shift from calm and traditional by day to bright and energetic after dark.
Plan your trip
Beijing works well for a focused city break or as the starting point for a longer journey through northern China. With major rail and air links across the country, it is an ideal gateway for exploring other historic cities and dramatic landscapes.
Top sights in Beijing
Forbidden City
Walk through vast courtyards, ornate halls, and intricate rooflines in this former imperial palace at the heart of Beijing.
Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling
Head out of the city to walk restored sections of the Great Wall, with sweeping valley views and ancient watchtowers.
Tiananmen Square
Visit one of the world’s largest public squares, framed by monumental architecture and national landmarks.
Summer Palace
Stroll lakeside promenades, pavilions, and bridges in this expansive royal garden on the city’s north-western edge.
Temple of Heaven Park
See striking circular halls and open parkland where locals gather for tai chi, music, and card games.
798 Art District
Explore galleries, studios, and design shops set in former factory buildings, along with cafés and outdoor installations.
Beijing hutongs
Wander narrow alleyways lined with courtyard homes, small shops, and intimate bars for a glimpse of traditional neighbourhood life.
Experience Beijing’s everyday rhythm
Getting around
The Beijing Subway is usually the fastest way to cross the city, supported by extensive buses and plentiful metered taxis or ride-hailing services. For short distances, walking or cycling between sights in the same district lets you appreciate local street life.
Local life & culture
In the mornings you may see residents practising dance, calligraphy, or exercise in parks, while evenings bring card games and music to public squares. Districts like Gulou, Nanluoguxiang, and Sanlitun show different sides of the city, from historic drums towers to sleek lifestyle streets.
Where to unwind
Escape to the city’s parks such as Beihai Park or the lakes of Shichahai for tree-lined paths and calm water views, best enjoyed in the cool of early morning or late afternoon. On hazier days, you can relax in teahouses or spa centres dotted around central districts.
A taste of Beijing
Street food & local specialties
Try Beijing roast duck, savoury pancakes, and dumplings in neighbourhoods like Dongcheng and around Wangfujing, where small eateries and food streets offer local flavours from across northern China.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Sanlitun, Taikooli, and large shopping centres around Guomao and Xidan give you an easy mix of casual restaurants, cafés, and international cuisine. Menus often feature shareable plates, so you can sample several dishes in one meal.
Signature & scenic dining
For memorable views, look for restaurants and bars with terraces facing the city skyline, historic lakes, or landmark towers. Many high-floor venues pair contemporary Chinese menus with broad panoramas, especially striking around sunset and after dark.
Retail therapy in Beijing
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Centres such as China World Mall, SKP Beijing, and the complexes in Sanlitun bring together international brands, local designers, cinemas, and dining, becoming all-day hangouts as well as shopping stops.
Markets & local crafts
Seek out smaller streets and markets around Panjiayuan, Liulichang, and Nanluoguxiang for antiques, calligraphy supplies, folk crafts, and design-forward boutiques showcasing local creativity.
Evening retail scene
After dark, shopping areas like Wangfujing and Sanlitun light up with neon signs and late-opening stores, mixing retail with street performances and dining. Metro lines and plentiful taxis make these districts straightforward to reach at night.
Best time to visit Beijing
Spring shoulder season (April to May) brings mild days around 15–25°C (59–77°F), blooming parks, and clearer skies. Summer peak season (June to August) is hot and often humid, with temperatures around 25–32°C (77–90°F). Autumn shoulder season (September to October) is pleasantly cool, about 10–22°C (50–72°F), with many clear days and colourful foliage. Winter low season (November to March) is cold and dry, with temperatures often between -5 and 5°C (23–41°F).