Flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Beijing (BJS)

About Beijing

Discover Beijing

Why visit Beijing?
Beijing blends imperial grandeur with fast-paced modern life, where centuries-old palaces and wide boulevards sit beside shimmering glass towers. You can walk through history one moment, then step into creative districts, leafy parks, and lively local streets the next.

What to expect
The city is built on a grand scale, with broad avenues, historic hutong alleyways, and ring roads linking key districts. You will find landmark sites clustered around the historic core, while business, arts, and residential neighbourhoods spread outwards, each with its own character and rhythm.

Plan your trip
Beijing is an ideal starting point for exploring northern China, with high-speed rail and domestic flights reaching mountains, coastal cities, and historic towns. Whether you are here for a short city break or a longer journey, it offers a rewarding first stop and an easy onward gateway.

Top sights in Beijing

Forbidden City

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

Tiananmen Square

Stroll across one of the world’s largest city squares, framed by monumental buildings and key cultural institutions.

Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling

Take a day trip to walk along restored sections of the Great Wall, enjoying sweeping views over forested hills and valleys.

Summer Palace

Wander lakeside paths, graceful bridges, and ornate pavilions in this expansive former royal retreat in Beijing’s northwest.

Temple of Heaven Park

Visit this historic complex set within a spacious park, known for its striking circular hall and open lawns.

798 Art District

Discover galleries, design shops, and public artworks in this former factory area that has become a contemporary arts hub.

Beijing hutong lanes

Walk or cycle through traditional alleyways to see courtyard homes, local shops, and everyday city life up close.

Olympic Green

See the distinctive Bird’s Nest stadium and Water Cube, and enjoy open plazas and landscaped spaces in this modern district.

Experience Beijing’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Beijing’s extensive metro network is usually the fastest way to cover longer distances, linking major sights, business districts, and railway stations. Taxis and app-based rides help when you are travelling late or with luggage, while walking or cycling in selected hutong areas gives a more intimate view of local streets.

Local life & culture
Daily life plays out in courtyards, neighbourhood parks, and bustling side streets, where you will see friends meeting to chat or play games. Cultural venues, theatres, and museums showcase traditional performing arts and contemporary creativity, and different districts each offer their own pace, from relaxed residential zones to lively commercial centres.

Where to unwind
Beijing has many green spaces where you can pause between sightseeing, from central parks with lakes to more tranquil corners on the city’s edges. Early mornings and late afternoons are particularly pleasant times to visit, when temperatures soften and paths around lakes, hills, and landscaped gardens are at their most inviting.

A taste of Beijing

Street food & local specialties
You can sample iconic local dishes at busy food streets and neighbourhood eateries, where steaming dumplings, grilled skewers, and classic roast dishes are popular. Older districts and hutong lanes often have long-established venues that focus on traditional flavours and simple, satisfying plates.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping centres and mixed-use developments around the city gather a wide range of casual restaurants and cafés, serving both local and international cuisine. Menus usually encourage sharing, so you can try several smaller dishes with friends or family in a single meal.

Signature & scenic dining
For memorable evenings, seek out dining rooms with views of historic rooftops, city lakes, or the modern skyline. Some hotels and landmark buildings feature refined restaurants and lounges, where carefully presented menus are paired with broad vistas over Beijing.

Retail therapy in Beijing

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Beijing’s major shopping malls bring together international fashion brands, local designers, cinemas, and indoor attractions under one roof. They are comfortable places to spend time in all seasons, with plentiful dining and entertainment alongside the shops themselves.

Markets & local crafts
Away from the big complexes, smaller markets and side streets showcase local crafts, clothing, and creative goods. Districts such as Wangfujing, Xidan, and areas around the 798 Art District are good places to explore for more individual finds and design-led pieces.

Evening retail scene
After dark, central shopping streets glow with bright signage, window displays, and lively pavements. Some pedestrian zones stay active well into the evening, combining late-opening stores with snacks and performances, and public transport makes it straightforward to reach these areas and return to your hotel.

Best time to visit Beijing

Spring (chun)
From March to May, Beijing’s spring is mild, with average temperatures from 10–20°C (50–68°F). Trees and parks start to turn green, and clear days offer comfortable conditions for walking between major sights, making this a pleasant shoulder season for outdoor exploration.

Summer (xia)
June to August brings warm to hot weather, with average temperatures around 25–30°C (77–86°F). This is peak season, when school holidays and longer daylight hours encourage family trips, visits to the Great Wall, and evening strolls in parks and lakeside areas.

Autumn and winter (qiu and dong)
September to November is a popular shoulder season, with crisp air, 10–20°C (50–68°F) days, and colourful foliage in the city’s parks and nearby hills. From December to February, temperatures can drop below freezing, creating a low season that rewards visitors with quieter attractions and a distinct winter atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions