Flights from Auckland (AKL) to Beijing (BJS)

About Beijing

Ancient capital, dynamic metropolis

Beijing is a city where imperial landmarks stand beside bold modern architecture. Wide avenues, hidden lanes, and grand public spaces give you a sense of scale, while traditional courtyard homes and leafy parks offer quieter corners to slow down and explore.

As the capital of China, Beijing is a centre for culture, design, and innovation. You can spend your days visiting world-famous sites, sampling regional cuisines, or wandering art districts and shopping streets. In the evenings, the city comes alive with illuminated skylines, busy night markets, and performance venues that showcase everything from classical theatre to contemporary music.

Top sights in Beijing

Forbidden City

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

Great Wall of China (Mutianyu or Badaling)

Take a day trip to admire restored stone ramparts winding over forested hills, with panoramic views and scenic walking sections.

Tiananmen Square

Visit one of the world’s largest public squares, framed by monumental buildings and wide open spaces for reflective strolls and photos.

Summer Palace

Explore landscaped gardens, lakeside walkways, and pavilions that offer a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city centre.

798 Art District

Discover contemporary galleries, outdoor installations, and creative shops set in repurposed factory buildings.

Experience Beijing’s culture and city life

Start with a guided walk through the old hutong neighbourhoods, where you can see traditional courtyard homes, close-knit community life, and lively alleyways lined with small shops and cafés. Taking a bicycle or pedicab tour is an engaging way to understand how old and new Beijing fit together.

For a deeper insight into the city’s creative side, spend time in the 798 Art District and other gallery clusters, where artists’ studios, design boutiques, and performance spaces showcase contemporary work. Round out your visit with an evening show, whether you choose classical opera, acrobatics, or a modern theatre production.

If you enjoy the outdoors, plan a hike along a quieter section of the Great Wall or visit one of Beijing’s many parks at dawn, when locals gather for gentle exercise and social activities. Wide lakes, tree-lined paths, and seasonal flowers make these green spaces a refreshing contrast to the city’s grand avenues and skyline.

A taste of Beijing

Beijing’s dining scene ranges from time-honoured eateries to sleek contemporary restaurants. You can seek out signature dishes such as crispy roast duck carved at your table, comforting noodle bowls, and hand-made dumplings, each reflecting local techniques and flavours.

Food streets and markets are ideal for sampling quick bites, from skewers and stuffed buns to seasonal specialities. Many neighbourhoods have become known for their café culture and stylish bistros, where traditional ingredients are reimagined in modern ways.

If you prefer a quieter setting, head to teahouses or relaxed eateries tucked into courtyards and side streets. These are good places to slow down, try regional snacks, and watch daily life unfold around you between sightseeing stops.

Retail therapy in the capital

In Beijing, you will find everything from flagship international brands to independent local designers. Modern shopping districts offer large malls, department stores, and lifestyle complexes, where you can browse fashion, technology, and homeware in air-conditioned comfort.

Markets and specialist streets are excellent for hunting for textiles, decorative pieces, and locally produced crafts. Many areas also have bookshops and stationery stores that stock distinctive designs and gifts to take home.

For a more contemporary edge, explore creative parks and design hubs, where smaller labels, galleries, and concept stores share industrial-style spaces. These neighbourhoods combine shopping with cafés and exhibition venues, so you can turn a browsing session into a relaxed half-day outing.

Best time to visit Beijing

Spring (March to May, 10–22°C / 50–72°F, shoulder season) brings mild temperatures and blossoming trees across Beijing’s parks and lakes, creating pleasant conditions for walking tours, visits to open-air sights, and day trips to the Great Wall.

Summer (June to August, 22–30°C / 72–86°F, peak season) is warm and lively, with long daylight hours that are ideal for exploring large outdoor attractions and evening strolls around the city’s lakes, commercial districts, and night markets.

Autumn and winter (September to February, -5–20°C / 23–68°F, low season) offer crisp air, clear days, and thinner crowds, especially from late autumn onwards, making it easier to enjoy major landmarks, museum visits, and scenic viewpoints in a calmer atmosphere.

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