Beijing

Highlights

• Great Wall of China (Mutianyu section)
• Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
• Temple of Heaven
• Summer Palace
• Hutong alleyways of Shichahai
• 798 Art District

Getting Around

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and the newer Daxing International Airport (PKX) both serve the city, with direct flights from most major international hubs. High-speed rail connects Beijing to Shanghai in about 4.5 hours on the G-train, and to Xi'an in roughly 4.5 hours via the dedicated high-speed line. The Airport Express metro line links Terminal 3 to the city centre in 30 minutes for ¥35.

Food

Peking duck is Beijing's signature dish — crisp-skinned and served with thin pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce at restaurants like Quanjude or Da Dong. Zhajiangmian (noodles in soybean paste sauce) and jianbing (savoury crêpes) are beloved street-food staples. Wangfujing Snack Street and the Donghuamen night market offer an adventurous run of skewers, stinky tofu, and candied hawthorn.

Stay

The Dongcheng district, within walking distance of the Forbidden City and Wangfujing shopping street, is the most convenient base for first-time visitors. Houhai and Gulou offer a quieter hutong atmosphere with boutique guesthouses converted from courtyard homes. Sanlitun, Beijing's expat and nightlife hub, is ideal if you want rooftop bars and international dining close at hand.

Budget