Flights from Chengdu (TFU) to Beijing (BJS)

About Beijing

Discover Beijing

Why visit Beijing?
Beijing is a city where ancient imperial landmarks sit beside modern towers and broad avenues, creating a powerful sense of history and momentum. You will find grand palaces, leafy hutong lanes, and vibrant creative districts all within easy reach of one another.

What to expect
The city is structured around wide ring roads, efficient metro lines, and distinct neighbourhoods, from traditional courtyard areas to sleek business districts. Expect a fast-paced, organised city with spacious parks, large cultural venues, and a growing focus on design, galleries, and lifestyle spaces.

Plan your trip
Beijing works well for both short city breaks and longer itineraries that include surrounding regions. It is also a key gateway for journeys across northern China, with high-speed rail links and domestic flights connecting you to mountain areas, coastal cities, and historic towns.

Top sights in Beijing

Forbidden City

Walk through imposing gates and courtyards in this vast former imperial palace complex at the heart of Beijing.

Tiananmen Square

Visit one of the world’s largest public squares, framed by monumental buildings and key cultural institutions.

Great Wall of China (Badaling or Mutianyu)

Take a day trip to these well-preserved mountain sections of the Great Wall for sweeping views and scenic walks.

Summer Palace

Explore lakeside pavilions, long covered walkways, and hilltop viewpoints in this expansive royal garden retreat.

Temple of Heaven Park

Enjoy landscaped grounds and grand ceremonial halls, and see how locals use the park for exercise and leisure.

798 Art District

Discover galleries, design shops, and cafés inside converted factory buildings in this contemporary creative hub.

Beijing Hutongs

Stroll or cycle through historic alleyways lined with courtyards, small shops, and local life unfolding at a slower pace.

Jingshan Park

Climb the central hill for one of the best panoramic views over the Forbidden City and central Beijing.

Experience Beijing’s everyday rhythm

Getting around
Beijing’s metro network is the fastest way to cover long distances, with clear signage and frequent trains. Taxis and ride-hailing apps help for point-to-point journeys, especially at night. For shorter distances, walking between adjoining neighbourhoods lets you appreciate the city’s changing streetscapes.

Local life & culture
You will see early-morning activity in parks, from gentle exercise to music and social gatherings, before the city shifts into its workday rhythm. Evenings bring a more relaxed pace in hutong areas and around lakes, where people meet friends, take photos, and enjoy the cooler air.

Where to unwind
Beijing offers large parks, lakeside promenades, and leafy university districts where you can slow down. Visit green spaces in the early morning or late afternoon for softer light and a calmer atmosphere, or retreat to quieter residential streets just off the main roads.

A taste of Beijing

Street food & local specialties
Beijing is known for dishes such as roast duck, hand-pulled noodles, and hearty northern-style snacks. You will find local eateries throughout the city, with lively food streets offering quick bites, skewers, and comforting bowls of noodles or dumplings.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Shopping districts and new lifestyle complexes bring together cafés, bakeries, and restaurants in one place, making it easy to try different flavours. Many venues offer sharing plates or smaller portions, so you can sample a range of dishes with friends or family in one sitting.

Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable meal, choose restaurants with views of historic rooftops, lakes, or modern skylines. Some venues pair carefully presented menus with window seats or terraces, allowing you to enjoy both the cityscape and the food in a single experience.

Retail therapy in Beijing

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Beijing’s main shopping centres combine international brands, cinemas, and dining options, making them convenient places to spend an afternoon. You will also find concept stores and pop-up events in these complexes, adding more variety beyond standard retail.

Markets & local crafts
Smaller streets and specialist markets are good places to look for local crafts, artwork, and design pieces. Neighbourhoods known for culture and creativity often host independent boutiques, galleries, and studios where you can discover distinctive items.

Evening retail scene
Shopping areas stay active into the evening, with illuminated façades and cafés that encourage you to linger. Some streets feel particularly atmospheric after dark when the crowds thin slightly. Efficient public transport and clearly signposted metro stations make it straightforward to return to your hotel after a late shopping trip.

Best time to visit Beijing

Spring (chun) – March to May, shoulder season
Spring in Beijing brings gradually warming days, with average temperatures around 12–20°C (54–68°F). Blossoming trees brighten parks and avenues, and visibility is often good, making it a pleasant time for city walks and excursions to nearby scenic areas.

Summer (xia) – June to August, peak season
Summer is warm to hot, typically around 24–30°C (75–86°F), with longer daylight hours ideal for exploring. Occasional rain showers help clear the air, and evenings can feel lively in lakeside districts and outdoor dining areas across the city.

Autumn and winter (qiu and dong) – September to February, low season
Autumn is crisp and clear, often around 10–18°C (50–64°F), with many visitors enjoying comfortable conditions and colourful foliage. Winter can be cold, often below 0–5°C (32–41°F), but offers quieter attractions, bright blue skies, and a different, atmospheric side to Beijing.

Frequently Asked Questions