Beijing

Travel Guide
Forbidden City featuring a square or plaza and heritage architecture
China’s bustling capital has temples, gardens and other precious relics of long-lost dynasties alongside modern architecture and entertainment.

Embrace the sensory overload that is China’s historical, political and cultural capital. With more than 20 million people, Beijing is the most populous city in China after Shanghai.

Located in the northeast of China, Beijing is culturally and geographically a world away from Western capital cities, but easy to reach by plane. Once in the city, rent a bike or make use of the excellent public transport system to get around. English signage will lead you to most attractions. Driving around Beijing is more complicated, especially if you don’t speak Mandarin.

For one of the best views in Beijing, climb the hill in Jingshan Park and look out over the Forbidden City. Then, descend to Tiananmen Square and gaze up at the Front Gate (Qianmen Gate) before you visit the huge palace complex beyond it.

Back on the square, explore one of the largest museums in the world: the National Museum of China, opposite the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall. To dance, play or exercise with the locals, visit the nearby imperial gardens at Beihai Park.

Away from the busy city center, visit the Summer Palace and the Marco Polo Bridge to see more of the splendor that surrounded China’s mighty emperors. Find some peace and quiet in the Buddhist Lama Temple.

Beijing is not all about imperial history, religion and communism: Contemporary architecture, fine restaurants and fashion-filled malls represent the new China. The 2008 Summer Olympics resulted in Beijing’s redevelopment. See the stadiums in Olympic Park or browse galleries in restored warehouses, such as 798 Space. For souvenirs, take the subway to Wangfujing Street, a popular shopping strip.

You can’t leave Beijing without trying Peking duck, the city’s signature food, served with delicious Chinese noodle and rice dishes. After dark, visit karaoke bars or nightclubs for evening entertainment.

Beijing is an unforgettable experience. Get a taste of traditional and communist China and at the same time see the futuristic designs of the entrepreneurial East.

Where to stay in Beijing

Temple of Heaven showing heritage architecture, religious elements and a temple or place of worship

Downtown Beijing

Historical sites, museums and art galleries highlight some notable features of Downtown Beijing. Make a stop by Peninsula Beijing Shopping Arcade or St. Joseph's Cathedral while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Jinyu Hutong Station or Dengshikou Station to get around town.

Downtown Beijing
National Museum of China showing signage

Wangfujing Shopping Area

Historical sites, art galleries and museums highlight some notable features of Wangfujing Shopping Area. Make a stop by Wangfujing Street or Peninsula Beijing Shopping Arcade while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Dengshikou Station or Dongsi Station to get around town.

Wangfujing Shopping Area
South Chaoyang

Chaoyang

Museums, art galleries and cocktail bars highlight some notable features of Chaoyang. Make a stop by Alien's Street Trade Market or Temple of the Sun while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Dongdaqiao Station or Hujialou Station to get around town.

Chaoyang
Dongcheng - Wangfujing

Dongcheng

4.5/5(111 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Dongcheng. Beijing Duan Qirui Residential is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Zhangzizhonglu Station or Dongsi Station to see more of Beijing.

Dongcheng
Summer Palace featuring heritage elements and a river or creek

Haidian

3.5/5(8 area reviews)

Haidian is well liked for its museums and monuments. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Beijing Botanical Garden and Spacious Pavilion are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Xibeiwang Station or Malianwa Station to get around.

Haidian
Houhai Lake which includes heritage elements and a lake or waterhole

Xicheng

4.5/5(24 area reviews)

Historical sites, museums and theatres highlight some notable features of Xicheng. Make a stop by Xidan Shopping Center or XiDan Shopping District while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Lingjing Hutong Station or Xidan Station to get around town.

Xicheng
Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
4 out of 5
No.88 Dengshikou Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, Beijing
The price is HK$635 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
HK$635
per night
9 Apr - 10 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Beijing. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast. Popular attractions Wangfujing Street and Forbidden City ...
7.8/10 Good! (864 reviews)
"One of the best location hotel in Beijing. Locate in the second ring. Walkable everywhere."

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2024

Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
Hilton Beijing Wangfujing
Hilton Beijing Wangfujing
5 out of 5
8 Wangfujing East Street, Dongcheng, Beijing, Beijing
The price is HK$1,137 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
HK$1,137
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Beijing. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Wangfujing Street and Forbidden ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (813 reviews)
Central control so no cool air below 25 degC
"We stayed 14 Mar to 18 Mar 2024. The weather ranges 20 degrees Celsius in the day to 4 degrees Celsius at night. And it gets warm in the room but unfortunately, due to central control, there's only heater air conditioning which starts from 26 degrees Celsius. We had to open the all the windows to ..."

Reviewed on 23 Mar 2024

Hilton Beijing Wangfujing
Hilton Beijing
Hilton Beijing
5 out of 5
1 Dong Fang Rd, North Dong Sanhuan Rd, Chaoyang District, Beijing, Beijing
The price is HK$926 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
HK$926
per night
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this spa hotel in Beijing. Enjoy free parking, 2 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Sanlitun Road and Wangfujing Street are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (354 reviews)
"The location is great, and the employees are super helpful. Highly recommended!"

Reviewed on 16 Dec 2023

Hilton Beijing
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
base-Wangfujing Serviced Apartment
base-Wangfujing Serviced Apartment
2.5 out of 5
No. 17 Qianliang Hutong, Beijing, Beijing
Stay at this residence in Beijing. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Wangfujing Street and Forbidden ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (14 reviews)
"Very comfortable bed, unit was spacious for 2 people shower and bathroom good for western travellers."

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2024

base-Wangfujing Serviced Apartment
Ascott Riverside Garden Beijing
Ascott Riverside Garden Beijing
4 out of 5
No. 33, Zhou Zhuang Jiayuan Dongli, Chaoyang District, Beijing, Beijing
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Beijing. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a free kid's club. Popular attractions Temple of Heaven and Wangfujing ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (59 reviews)
Convenient Apartment Hotel
"Hotel was good upstandard in its services and communication. The apartment was nice and convenient. The baby crib was fine. Just without the air ventilation, the apartment felt so hot, so we had no choice than to open the window doors, but felt dangerous as we had a walking baby with us. Neighborhood ..."

Reviewed on 6 Nov 2023

Ascott Riverside Garden Beijing
Ascott Raffles City Beijing
Ascott Raffles City Beijing
4.5 out of 5
No.1-2 Dongzhimen South Street, Dongchen Beijing, Beijing, Beijing
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Beijing. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Popular attractions Sanlitun Road and Wangfujing Street are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (60 reviews)
"Everything was great! The only down side was I had to pay extra to get an upgrade! Wish it was a free upgrade!"

Reviewed on 20 Dec 2023

Ascott Raffles City Beijing
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Beijing

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
55
" "5 - Excellent 45.45454545454545%
4 - Good
52
" "4 - Good 42.97520661157025%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 6.6115702479338845%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 3.3057851239669422%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 1.6528925619834711%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 Jan 2020

Loved my experience, I'd advise booking a tour with Klook

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
24 Jan 2020

Air quality was very poor during our stay. I don't normally suffer with lung problems, but this did leave me with a tight chest and dry cough which cleared quickly once I left the city.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
30 Dec 2019

Great place for a city break. Loads to see amazing food and nice people

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
5 Dec 2019

The district is the showpiece of China so it's tightly controlled (hence safe) and clean. The queues for security look daunting but throughput is rapid, and both square and palace easily absorb the crowds.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
28 Nov 2019

We loved Beijing as a whole and wish we could have had more time there. It’s a beautiful place full of such vibrant history. Would definitely recommend as a once in a lifetime kind of trip!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
31 Oct 2019

The subway was very convenient though the distances between stations are large. We liked the Great Wall.