Flights from Rome (FCO) to Beijing (BJS)

About Beijing

Discover Beijing

Why visit Beijing?
Beijing blends imperial landmarks, wide boulevards, and fast-changing creative districts into one compelling city. You can walk between ancient courtyards and gleaming towers in a single day, all while discovering how the city balances tradition and modern life.

What to expect
The city is organised around broad avenues, ring roads, and historic hutong alleys that branch off into quieter neighbourhoods. Grand sites such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen area sit alongside business districts like Guomao and vibrant quarters such as Sanlitun and 798 Art Zone.

Plan your trip
Beijing works well as both a standalone city break and a starting point for exploring northern China. High-speed rail and domestic flights connect you to other major cities and natural landscapes, while local tours make it easy to add a Great Wall visit to your itinerary.

Top sights in Beijing

Forbidden City

Explore the former imperial palace, a vast complex of courtyards, halls, and ornate roofs at the heart of Beijing.

Tiananmen area

Stroll around this monumental square and surrounding avenues to appreciate Beijing’s scale and central axis.

Great Wall near Beijing

Take a day trip to sections of the Great Wall set among rolling hills and dramatic viewpoints.

Summer Palace

Wander lakeside paths, pavilions, and landscaped hills that once served as a warm-weather retreat for the imperial court.

Temple of Heaven Park

Walk through expansive parkland dotted with striking historic halls and join locals enjoying morning exercise.

Hutong neighbourhoods

Lose yourself in narrow alleyways lined with traditional courtyard homes, small cafés, and boutique shops.

798 Art Zone

Discover contemporary galleries, murals, and design stores in a former industrial district turned creative hub.

Olympic Green

Visit the landmark stadiums and wide plazas that form Beijing’s modern sports and events precinct.

Experience Beijing’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Beijing’s extensive metro network is the quickest way to cross the city, with clear signage and frequent services. For shorter hops, taxis and app-based car services are widely available, while cycling in selected areas offers a slower, more local view of the streets.

Local life & culture
Early mornings often bring residents into parks and squares to walk, practise tai chi, or chat with neighbours. In hutong districts, you will find a mix of long-time residents and younger creatives, creating an interesting blend of traditional courtyards and new cafés, studios, and small galleries.

Where to unwind
Large parks such as the Summer Palace area or Olympic Forest Park offer lakes, walking trails, and quiet corners away from busy roads. Evenings are ideal for riverside or lakeside strolls in districts like Houhai, where lights reflect on the water and the pace feels more relaxed.

A taste of Beijing

Street food & local specialties
Beijing is known for dishes such as roast duck, handmade noodles, and filled buns that you can find in traditional eateries and local streets. Older neighbourhoods and food-focused lanes are ideal for sampling snacks as you walk between sights.

Casual & modern dining hubs
In commercial districts like Sanlitun and Guomao, shopping centres and mixed-use complexes house a wide range of casual restaurants and cafés. Menus often feature regional Chinese cuisines alongside international favourites, with smaller portions or shared dishes making it easy to try several flavours in one meal.

Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable evening, consider restaurants overlooking city landmarks or set inside restored historic buildings. Around central lakes, business districts, or high-rise towers, you can enjoy city views after sunset while dining in a refined yet welcoming setting.

Retail therapy in Beijing

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Modern shopping centres in areas like Guomao and Wangfujing combine international brands, local designers, cinemas, and dining. These spaces are popular meeting points, giving you a comfortable environment to shop, relax, and plan the rest of your day.

Markets & local crafts
Smaller streets and selected markets offer handicrafts, calligraphy supplies, teas, and design pieces that reflect local style. Districts such as Nanluoguxiang, 798 Art Zone, and parts of Dashilan showcase independent boutiques, studios, and quieter side alleys.

Evening retail scene
After dark, key shopping streets and selected markets stay open later, with illuminated storefronts and a livelier atmosphere. Central districts are well connected by the metro and taxis, so you can enjoy an evening browse and return to your hotel easily.

Best time to visit Beijing

Spring (chun) – March to May, shoulder season
Spring in Beijing brings gradually warmer days, with temperatures from about 8–22°C (46–72°F). Trees and parks start to turn green, making outdoor sightseeing more pleasant, and many visitors enjoy the clearer skies and milder air.

Summer (xia tian) – June to August, peak season
Summer is warm to hot, with averages around 22–30°C (72–86°F) and occasional higher peaks. Longer daylight hours give you more time to explore major attractions, and city parks feel lively in the evenings with people walking and relaxing outdoors.

Autumn and winter (qiu tian & dong tian) – September to February, low season
Autumn, from September to November, offers comfortable 10–22°C (50–72°F) days and colourful foliage in parks and at nearby Great Wall sections. Winter months from December to February are colder, often between -5–5°C (23–41°F), but bring crisp air and quieter crowds at many attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions