Beijing

Travel Guide
Forbidden City showing a fountain
Forbidden City featuring a square or plaza and heritage architecture
Beijing showing a monument and heritage elements as well as a large group of people
Beijing featuring modern architecture
Dongcheng - Wangfujing featuring heritage elements and a statue or sculpture
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 Wangfujing Street 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
Dongcheng - Wangfujing

Dongcheng

4.5/5(111 area reviews)

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

Dongcheng
Default Image

Chaoyang

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

Chaoyang
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 District or Lingjing Hutong 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
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Beijing. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (999 reviews)
Great
"Staff Clara Li helped us with the check in and assigned a beautiful, clean and comfortable room for us. The hotel location is so convenient, so close to a lot of restaurants and most of the attractions. I will recommend this hotel."

Reviewed on 17 Dec 2024

Sunworld Hotel Beijing Wangfujing
Grand Hyatt Beijing
Grand Hyatt Beijing
5 out of 5
1 East Chang An Avenue, Beijing, Beijing
The price is HK$1,171 per night from 6 Jan to 7 Jan
HK$1,171
HK$1,366 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Jan - 7 Jan 2025
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Beijing. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Popular attractions Wangfujing Street and Forbidden City ...
9/10 Wonderful! (744 reviews)
Great location.
"A great location and the quality of food in the restaurants is superb. Enjoyed the very spacious gym during the week stay. However, the room is a little small and decor is dated."

Reviewed on 4 Dec 2024

Grand Hyatt Beijing
Beijing Pudi Hotel
Beijing Pudi Hotel
4 out of 5
7 Jianguomen South Avenue, Dongcheng Di, Beijing
The price is HK$514 per night from 25 Dec to 26 Dec
HK$514
HK$599 total
includes taxes & fees
25 Dec - 26 Dec
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Beijing. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (523 reviews)
"Very good stay at this hotel"

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2024

Beijing Pudi Hotel
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
3.5 out of 5
No. 17 Qianliang Hutong, Beijing, Beijing
Stay at this 3.5-star residence in Beijing. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (36 reviews)
"Pleasant stay, check in and out was fuss free!"

Reviewed on 17 Nov 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 (surcharge), and a steam room. Popular attractions Wangfujing Street and ...
8/10 Very Good! (64 reviews)
"Hotel represents local culture and is comfortable to stay in. There are grocery shops nearby and many restaurants including McDonalds"

Reviewed on 28 Aug 2024

Ascott Riverside Garden Beijing
Tangfu Hotel Sanlitun Gongti Branch
Tangfu Hotel Sanlitun Gongti Branch
4.5 out of 5
Floors 1-3, No. 26 Xinzhongxili, Beijing
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Beijing. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Sanlitun Road and Wangfujing ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2 reviews)
"Feel at home far away, close to the subway and the right place for relaxation, have your translator ready, the staff speaks only Chinese"

Reviewed on 8 Dec 2024

Tangfu Hotel Sanlitun Gongti Branch
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%
4 - Good
52
" "4 - Good 43%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

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

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