Beijing blends imperial monuments, broad boulevards, and fast-changing creative districts into one compelling city. You find palaces, parks, and modern towers sitting side by side.
Discover Beijing
Discover Beijing
Why visit Beijing?
What to expect
You can wander vast historic sites, explore hutong alleyways, and then step into sleek districts filled with galleries and cafés. The city is large, busy, and full of contrast from morning markets to illuminated nightscapes.
Plan your trip
Use Beijing as a base to see the Great Wall and other nearby heritage towns, while also enjoying the capital’s museums and parks. With its extensive transport links, it is a natural gateway to explore wider China.
Top sights in Beijing
Forbidden City
Walk through grand courtyards, ornate halls, and quiet side gardens in this vast former imperial palace at the heart of Beijing.
Tiananmen Square
Stand in one of the world’s largest public squares, framed by museums and monumental buildings, and watch the daily ebb and flow of city life.
Temple of Heaven Park
Visit the Temple of Heaven’s striking circular halls, then stroll the surrounding park where locals gather to play music, exercise, and socialise.
Summer Palace
Escape to lakes, pavilions, and wooded hillsides at the Summer Palace, a scenic retreat with shaded walkways and classic bridges.
Great Wall near Beijing
Take a day trip to sections of the Great Wall such as Mutianyu or Badaling, where you can hike along restored ramparts and enjoy expansive mountain views.
798 Art District
Explore former factory buildings now filled with contemporary galleries, design shops, and cafés in the lively 798 Art District.
Beihai Park and the lakes
Stroll around Beihai Park and the nearby Houhai lakes, where you can enjoy waterside walks, boat rides, and a relaxed evening atmosphere.
Experience Beijing’s everyday rhythm
Getting around
Use Beijing’s extensive metro network for fast travel between major sights, combining it with taxis or ride-hailing for late-night or cross-town journeys. For short distances, walking or cycling around hutong neighbourhoods gives a more intimate feel, especially in the early morning or late afternoon.
Local life & culture
In residential hutong alleys, you see neighbours chatting, playing cards, or practising music outside their doorways. Larger parks become open-air social spaces where people dance, sing, and exercise, while newer districts showcase galleries, design studios, and performance venues.
Where to unwind
You can relax in green spaces such as the Summer Palace, Olympic Forest Park, or the leafy lakes around Shichahai. Visit at sunrise for peaceful walks, or in the late afternoon and early evening when the light softens and the city’s pace begins to slow.
A taste of Beijing
Street food & local specialties
Seek out roast duck, savoury pancakes, and grilled skewers in neighbourhoods around Dongcheng and Xicheng, where small eateries and stalls line side streets. Morning markets also offer steamed buns and snacks ideal for a quick, satisfying start to the day.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Areas such as Sanlitun, Wangfujing, and shopping malls across Chaoyang district offer convenient casual dining, with everything from regional Chinese cuisine to international favourites. Many menus feature smaller plates, making it easy to share and sample a variety of flavours in one meal.
Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable evening, you can choose restaurants with views of illuminated city skylines, historic courtyards, or lakeside scenery. Rooftop venues and refined dining rooms near major landmarks pair carefully prepared dishes with striking urban or waterfront backdrops.
Retail therapy in Beijing
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Sanlitun, Wangfujing, and the CBD host modern malls that bring together international brands, local designers, cinemas, and dining terraces. These centres are popular meeting spots where you can combine shopping with cafés, galleries, and relaxed people-watching.
Markets & local crafts
You can browse for crafts, tea, and souvenirs in areas such as Panjiayuan, Nanluoguxiang, and Qianmen’s side streets. Smaller boutiques and stalls showcase everything from handmade accessories to contemporary takes on traditional designs.
Evening retail scene
After dark, streets like Wangfujing and parts of Sanlitun glow with shopfront lights, outdoor stalls, and late-opening stores. The metro and plentiful taxis make it easy to reach these busy areas at night and return to your hotel comfortably.
Best time to visit Beijing
Spring shoulder season (April to May) brings mild weather around 15–22°C (59–72°F), with flowers in bloom and generally comfortable sightseeing conditions. Summer peak season (June to August) is hot, often 26–32°C (79–90°F), with higher humidity and a lively holiday atmosphere. Autumn shoulder season (September to October) offers clear skies and pleasant temperatures of about 14–23°C (57–73°F), ideal for walking city streets and visiting the Great Wall. Winter low season (November to March) is cold, typically between -5 and 5°C (23–41°F), with crisp air, fewer crowds, and the possibility of light snow.