Capital Airport Express (PEK)
Runs from Beijing Capital International Airport (T3 and T2) via Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen to Beixinqiao, each connecting to the subway.
Beijing Travel Guide
China's capital holds some of the country's greatest monuments: the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven. It suits history and culture lovers who want grand imperial sites, hutong alleys and a proper Peking duck dinner.
Korean MOFA travel advisory: Your destination: Level 1 (exercise caution) · some areas of the country have advisories
Elsewhere in the country: Level 1 (exercise caution) — some regions: Special advisory: Tibet, Xinjiang Uyghur AR / L1: rest of the country
Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Details ↗ This is the Korean government’s advisory — also check your own government’s travel advice.
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At a glance
- Currency
- CNY (¥)
- Power & plugs
- 220V · Type A/C/I
- Driving side
- Right
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Local language
- 中文(简体)
- How long to stay
- 4 to 5 days
Emergency numbers
When to go
September-October is clear and mild, the best time to go; April-May is also good but can bring dust storms. Summers are hot and rainy and winters very cold and dry. National Day week (around October 1) and Chinese New Year are extremely crowded.
Monthly climate normals
Warmest: Jul (avg high 31.8°C) · Coolest: Jan (avg low -6.9°C) · Wettest: Jul (169.7 mm)
| High °C | Low °C | Rain mm | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2.3° | -6.9° | 2.2 |
| Feb | 6.1° | -4.2° | 5.8 |
| Mar | 13.2° | 1.9° | 8.6 |
| Apr | 21.0° | 9.0° | 21.7 |
| May | 27.2° | 15.1° | 36.1 |
| Jun | 30.8° | 20.0° | 72.4 |
| Jul | 31.8° | 23.0° | 169.7 |
| Aug | 30.7° | 22.0° | 113.4 |
| Sep | 26.5° | 16.3° | 53.7 |
| Oct | 19.3° | 8.8° | 28.7 |
| Nov | 10.3° | 0.7° | 13.5 |
| Dec | 3.7° | -5.0° | 2.2 |
Monthly averages of daily highs and lows, and average monthly rainfall. Any given year can differ.
Source: China Meteorological Administration submission · WMO normals collection (NOAA NCEI) · Beijing station · 1991–2020 normals —View source
Airport to the city
Daxing Airport Express (PKX)
Links Beijing Daxing International Airport to Caoqiao and the city subway. Allow about an hour to the center including transfers.
Taxi
Use only the official taxi rank and make sure the meter runs. Show your hotel address in Chinese.
Getting around
Subway
Huge network, cheap fares and English signs. Every station has a bag check, so allow extra time.
Mobile QR Payment for Transit
Use the transit QR code inside Alipay or WeChat Pay for the subway and buses. Single tickets can also be bought with cash.
DiDi Ride-hailing
Also bookable inside Alipay, so you don't need to explain your destination verbally. Easier than hailing a taxi.
Shared Bikes
Great for hutongs and the lakes; scan the QR code with Alipay or similar to unlock.
Where to stay
Wangfujing / Dongcheng
Good for: First visit, sightseeing base
Close to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen, with shopping and dining. Always busy.
Qianmen / Dashilar
Good for: Old Beijing feel
Historic shopping streets south of Tiananmen Square, near the Temple of Heaven.
Houhai / Nanluoguxiang
Good for: Hutongs, evening strolls
Lakeside bars and courtyard guesthouses in the alleys. Can be noisy at night.
Sanlitun / Chaoyang
Good for: Modern city, nightlife
Near the embassy district, with stylish malls, restaurants and bars. Farther from the historic sites.
Map of stays in Beijing
Compare prices from many booking sites on the map
Search stays in Beijing in the appMap & prices: Stay22 — you book on each site
Top sights
Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
The imperial palace of the Ming and Qing emperors; advance real-name booking with your passport is required and often sells out. Closed Mondays except holidays.
Tiananmen Square
One of the world's largest squares; advance real-name booking with your passport is required, plus a passport and security check at entry. Check the official booking guide. Pair it with the Forbidden City.
Great Wall (Mutianyu or Badaling)
Mutianyu is less crowded and has a cable car; Badaling is easier to reach but very busy. Plan a full day.
Great Wall (Mutianyu) · Photo: Gerd Eichmann / CC BY-SA 4.0 Temple of Heaven
Where emperors prayed for good harvests, famous for the Hall of Prayer. Morning visits show locals doing tai chi.
Temple of Heaven · Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / CC BY-SA 3.0 Summer Palace
A vast imperial garden around Kunming Lake that takes at least half a day. Wear comfortable shoes.
Summer Palace · Photo: Charlie fong / CC BY-SA 4.0 Hutongs (around Nanluoguxiang)
Old residential alleys best explored by bike or rickshaw. Side lanes are quieter than the main street.
Jingshan Park
The hill just north of the Forbidden City offers the classic view over its roofs. Cheap entry and lovely at sunset.
798 Art District
Former factories turned into galleries and cafes. Closing days vary by gallery, so check before you go.
What to eat
Peking Duck
Crispy roast duck wrapped in thin pancakes, the city's signature dish. About 200-400 yuan per duck, best shared.
Zhajiangmian
Noodles tossed with savory fermented bean sauce and fresh vegetables. About 25-40 yuan a bowl.
Mutton Hotpot (Shuan Yangrou)
Thin lamb slices dipped in a copper pot and sesame sauce, Beijing-style hotpot. About 100-150 yuan per person.
Jianbing
A breakfast street crepe with egg and a crispy cracker inside. About 10-15 yuan.
Jiaozi (Dumplings)
Boiled dumplings with endless fillings. About 20-40 yuan a plate.
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout 300-400 yuan per day: hostel, local eateries, subway
Mid-rangeabout 800-1,000 yuan per day: 4-star hotel, duck dinner
Comfortabout 2,000 yuan+ per day: 5-star hotel, private car tours
Amounts are rough figures in local currency. Check exchange rates before you go.
Suggested itinerary
- Day 1
Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, sunset views from Jingshan Park, then Peking duck near Wangfujing.
- Day 2
A full day at the Mutianyu Great Wall (cable car or hike), then mutton hotpot back in town.
- Day 3
Temple of Heaven in the morning, Summer Palace in the afternoon, then an evening stroll around Houhai and Nanluoguxiang.
- Day 4
Hutong bike tour in the morning, 798 Art District in the afternoon, then dinner and shopping in Sanlitun.
Local tips
- Some foreign apps and services may be restricted in China, so sort out your connection (roaming, eSIM, etc.) and a Chinese map app such as Amap or Baidu Maps before you go.
- Mobile payment dominates. Foreigners can link international cards to Alipay and WeChat Pay; set them up and verify before you arrive.
- Major sights such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the National Museum require advance real-name booking; always carry your passport.
- Visa rules (visa-free entry and transit exemptions) change often, so check the latest policy before you travel.
- Expect security checks at subway stations and sights; don't carry lighters or knives.
- There is no tipping. Avoid friendly strangers inviting you to tea tastings or art exhibitions, a common tourist scam.
Related articles
Prices and times are approximate as of 2026-09 and may change. Always re-check visa and entry rules with official sources before you travel.