Beijing Travel Guide 2026

💡 Quick Tips

Mobile Payment: Both Alipay and WeChat Pay now support linking international credit cards (Visa/Mastercard). Most places in Beijing accept mobile payments, but subway gates require a dedicated Beijing Metro QR code or an eligible tap-to-ride bank card — your ordinary payment QR code will not work at the gate. Carry some cash for small vendors and markets such as Panjiayuan.

Toilets: In most malls and modern buildings you'll find Western-style toilets, but historic sites and hutongs mostly have squat toilets. Most importantly: Bring your own tissue, as many public toilets don't provide it.

Tipping: There is no social pressure to tip in Beijing, but you can certainly choose to reward exceptional service in specific scenarios, like taxis, food delivery, and high-end hotels/restaurants.

Be polite but firmly refuse invitations from strangers on the street to go anywhere private, especially around tourist areas.

---

Beijing is easy to visit but harder to read well. This guide is built from repeated trips, local advice, and the small practical details that shape a real day in the city: which sights need advance booking, where tourist hype creeps in, how subway payment actually works, and when a quieter hutong or neighborhood restaurant is a better choice than the famous name. It covers the classics, from the Forbidden City to the Great Wall, but also points you toward the habits, food streets, parks, and seasonal rhythms that make Beijing feel alive beyond the checklist.

---

Table of Contents

• I. Overview
• II. Theme Tours
• III. Featured Dishes
• IV. Recommended Routes
• V. Entry
• VI. Transportation
• VII. Emergency Call Numbers
• VIII. Departure
• IX. Accommodation Recommendations
• X. Essential Survival Phrases
• XI. Packing List

---

I. Overview

As China's capital for over 800 years, Beijing offers the perfect blend of imperial grandeur, modern dynamism, and authentic local culture. From the majestic Forbidden City to the winding hutongs, from world-class cuisine to buzzing nightlife, Beijing is a city that will surprise you at every turn.

Best time to visit:

• Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) for mild weather, clear skies, and fewer crowds (avoid October Golden Week).
• September and October are widely considered the most comfortable months with temperatures around 15°C–25°C (59°F–77°F).
• Winter (December-February) is underrated by many Beijingers: snow makes the imperial roofs and hutongs especially photogenic, lakes turn into ice rinks, and crowds are thinner. It is very dry, so ask your hotel in advance to put a humidifier in the room.

English Levels: English is spoken more widely in Beijing than in other Chinese cities, especially by young people and in tourist areas. However, taxi drivers generally still do not speak English (show them the address in Chinese on your phone).

Tea Culture: Beijing has a deep-rooted tea culture. You'll find traditional teahouses throughout the city, especially in hutongs. Don't miss trying Chinese tea ceremony experiences.

Nearby Cities: Tianjin, Chengde, Zhangjiakou, Baoding, etc.

Area: 16,410 km²

Population: 21.54 million

---

II. Theme Tours

🏛️ Imperial Heritage Tour (3-4 days)

Perfect for first-time visitors who want to see Beijing's iconic imperial landmarks. This tour takes you through 800 years of Chinese imperial history, from the grandeur of the Forbidden City to the serenity of the Summer Palace.

Day 1: The Forbidden City & Jingshan Park

...