Flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Beijing (BJS)

About Beijing

Discover Beijing

Why visit Beijing?
Beijing blends imperial history with fast-changing modern life, where centuries-old lanes sit beside bold architecture and wide boulevards. You can explore world-famous landmarks, wander atmospheric neighbourhoods, and discover a creative, confident city shaping contemporary culture.

What to expect
The city is structured around grand avenues and ring roads, with distinct districts for business, culture, and nightlife. Around them, you will find courtyard homes, leafy parks, and lively food streets, all linked by an extensive metro system that makes it easy to reach key sights across the city.

Plan your trip
Beijing works well as both a stand-alone city break and a starting point for exploring wider northern China. From here, you can visit sections of the Great Wall, nearby historic towns, and other major cities by high-speed rail, using Beijing as a convenient and well-connected base.

Top sights in Beijing

Forbidden City

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

Tiananmen Square

Visit one of the world’s largest public squares, framed by monumental buildings and wide open space in central Beijing.

Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling

Take a day trip to these well-preserved sections of the Great Wall, offering sweeping mountain views and a sense of ancient engineering.

Temple of Heaven Park

Explore elegant historic architecture set in a vast park where locals gather for music, exercise, and leisurely strolls.

Summer Palace

Wander lakeside paths, pavilions, and covered walkways in this landscaped retreat once used as a warm-weather escape.

798 Art District

Discover contemporary galleries, public art, and design shops in a former factory complex turned creative district.

Beijing Hutongs

Stroll through narrow alleyways lined with courtyards, small shops, and cafés that reveal a more intimate side of the city.

Olympic Green

See striking modern landmarks such as the Bird’s Nest stadium and enjoy broad open spaces made for walking.

Experience Beijing’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Beijing’s metro is the most efficient way to travel longer distances, with clear signage and frequent services across the city. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are useful for late evenings or when travelling in groups. For short hops, walking between nearby sights is often the most pleasant option.

Local life & culture
You will notice neighbourhood parks and hutongs come alive from early morning, with residents exercising, talking, and socialising outdoors. Cultural venues, from large theatres to small independent spaces, host performances, exhibitions, and film screenings that show different angles of city life.

Where to unwind
Large green spaces such as Olympic Forest Park, the Summer Palace grounds, and city lakes offer calm corners to relax. Early mornings and late afternoons are comfortable times to stroll, rent a small boat, or simply sit and watch the city slow down for a while.

A taste of Beijing

Street food & local specialties
Beijing is known for comforting noodle bowls, filled buns, skewers, and crisp pancakes sold in busy streets and compact eateries. Neighbourhoods with traditional lanes often hide small counters and casual spots where you can try everyday dishes popular with locals.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping and business districts are filled with easygoing restaurants, cafés, and food courts offering Chinese regional cuisines and international favourites. Menus often encourage sharing, so you can sample several dishes in one meal, from lighter bites to larger plates.

Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable evening, you can dine in venues with views of the city skyline, historic rooftops, or lakeside scenery. Many hotels and high-rise buildings host restaurants that pair refined menus with an elevated outlook over Beijing’s landmarks.

Retail therapy in Beijing

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Beijing’s central districts feature large malls that combine fashion, electronics, homeware, and dining in one place. These lifestyle hubs are popular meeting points, offering international brands, local labels, cinemas, and family-friendly entertainment under one roof.

Markets & local crafts
Away from the main shopping streets, you can explore smaller markets and side streets for handicrafts, artwork, and design pieces. Districts such as 798 Art District, Nanluoguxiang, and areas around Panjiayuan are known for creative goods and distinctive souvenirs.

Evening retail scene
In the evening, illuminated shopping streets and outdoor plazas create a lively atmosphere, with shops open late and plenty of spots to pause for a drink or snack. Central areas are well served by the metro and taxis, making it straightforward to travel back to your hotel after a night of browsing.

Best time to visit Beijing

Spring (chun) – March to May, shoulder season
Spring in Beijing brings gradually warming days, with average temperatures from 10°C to 22°C (50°F to 72°F). Trees and parks turn green, and clear days are common, making this a pleasant time for walking through hutongs and visiting outdoor sights.

Summer (xia) – June to August, peak season
Summer is warm to hot, with average temperatures between 22°C and 30°C (72°F to 86°F). Longer daylight hours and school holidays mean a busier city, but you can take advantage of lively evenings in parks, open-air events, and cooler nights by the lakes.

Autumn and winter (qiu and dong) – September to February, low season
Autumn is crisp and clear, around 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), with colourful foliage in parks and at the Great Wall. Winters are cold, often between -5°C and 5°C (23°F to 41°F), but bring atmospheric views, quieter attractions, and clear, bright days for photography.

Frequently Asked Questions