Beijing Travel Guide

Hey everyone 👋, Beijing, a city brimming with historical charm and modern vibrancy, is like an endless, fascinating book, with every page holding countless surprises. As your travel buddy, I've meticulously planned this super practical Beijing travel guide for you. Let's set off together and immerse ourselves in the charm of the imperial capital!

Pre-trip Preparation

● Documents: Your ID card is a must. If you have any discount cards like a student ID or senior ID, bring them along too.

● Clothing: Beijing has distinct seasons, so check the weather forecast before you go and pack appropriate clothing. If you're visiting in winter, be sure to bring a thick down jacket, scarf, gloves, and other warm gear; for summer, light and breathable clothing is best, along with sun protection.

● Others: Prepare some common medications, such as cold medicine and stomach medicine; carry a lightweight backpack for convenience when sightseeing.

Transportation Guide

External Transportation

Beijing has two major airports, Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport, both with convenient connections to the city center. If you choose to travel by train, Beijing has several railway stations, such as Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, and Beijing South Railway Station. Choose the appropriate station based on your itinerary.

Internal Transportation

● Subway: Beijing's subway network is very developed and can reach almost all attractions, making it the preferred mode of transport. Download the "Yitongxing" app to scan and enter the station, which is convenient and fast.

● Bus: You can use your phone's QR code to take buses, but some bus routes might be crowded.

● Taxi/Ride-hailing: Taking a taxi or ride-hailing service is also convenient for getting around the city, but you might encounter traffic jams during peak hours.

Accommodation Suggestions

● Wangfujing/Qianmen Area: This area offers convenient transportation and is close to attractions like the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. In the evening, you can stroll along Wangfujing Pedestrian Street and sample various delicacies.

● Sanlitun Area: Suitable for friends who enjoy fashion and nightlife, with many bars, restaurants, and shopping malls nearby. It's also not far from Beijing Workers' Stadium.

● Xizhimen/Dongzhimen Area: With multiple subway lines, it's convenient to reach various attractions, and there are many hotels and guesthouses to choose from in the vicinity.

Food Recommendations

Beijing's culinary delights are countless. Here are some must-try dishes😋.

● Roast Duck: Coming to Beijing without trying roast duck is like coming for nothing. Quanjude, Dadong, and Siji Minfu are all famous roast duck restaurants, each with its own characteristics. The roast duck skin is crispy and the meat is tender. Paired with thin pancakes, shredded green onions, cucumber, and sweet bean sauce, every bite is pure bliss.

● Hot Pot Lamb: A copper pot with charcoal fire and a clear broth base. Fresh slices of lamb are quickly cooked in the pot, then dipped in sesame paste sauce for a delicious flavor. Donglaishun and Nanmen Hot Pot are both excellent choices.

● Old Beijing Snacks: Douzhi and Jiaoquan, Lüdagun, Wandouhuang, Aiwowo, and more. These snacks are full of old Beijing flavor. You can try them at Huguo Temple Snack Street or Niujie.

● Other Delicacies: Besides the above, Beijing has many other delicious foods, such as Zhajiangmian, Chaogan, and Baodu, all worth trying.

Attraction Guide

Day 1: Tiananmen Square - Forbidden City - Jingshan Park

● Tiananmen Square: Wake up early to watch the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square and experience the solemn and sacred atmosphere. The time of the flag-raising ceremony varies with the sunrise, so check in advance. After the ceremony, you can visit the Monument to the People's Heroes, Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, etc.

● Forbidden City: This is one of Beijing's most iconic attractions and one of the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden architectural complexes in the world. Book tickets in advance on the Forbidden City's official website. It is recommended to enter from the Meridian Gate, visit the Three Great Halls, Three Rear Palaces, and other attractions along the central axis, and finally exit from the Gate of Divine Might.

● Jingshan Park: After exiting the Forbidden City's Gate of Divine Might, Jingshan Park is just across the road. Climb to Wanchun Pavilion in Jingshan Park to get a panoramic view of the Forbidden City and Beijing's central axis, and enjoy the beautiful sunset.

Day 2: Badaling Great Wall - Olympic Park

● Badaling Great Wall: You can choose to take the S2 suburban railway line or join a day tour to Badaling Great Wall. Badaling Great Wall is an important part of the Great Wall of China, offering spectacular scenery. You can choose to hike or take a cable car up and down the mountain.

● Olympic Park: After returning to the city in the afternoon, head to Olympic Park to visit the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center). These two buildings were the main stadium and main swimming venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Their exteriors are very unique and become even more beautiful when lit up at night.

Day 3: Summer Palace - Old Summer Palace - Tsinghua University/Peking University

● Summer Palace: This was an imperial garden during the Qing Dynasty and is the best-preserved imperial palace and garden, known as the "Museum of Imperial Gardens." You can enter from the East Palace Gate and explore attractions such as the Long Corridor, Tower of Buddhist Incense, and Kunming Lake.

● Old Summer Palace: Adjacent to the Summer Palace, it was a large imperial garden during the Qing Dynasty, consisting of Yuanmingyuan, Changchun Garden, and Qichun Garden, also known as the Three Gardens of Yuanmingyuan. The Old Summer Palace was once magnificent but was burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860. Today, only ruins remain, evoking a sense of historical vicissitude.

● Tsinghua University/Peking University: If time permits, you can visit Tsinghua University or Peking University to experience the academic atmosphere and campus scenery of China's top universities. Reservations for visits need to be made in advance on the universities' official websites.

Day 4: Nanluoguxiang - Shichahai - Yandai Xiejie

● Nanluoguxiang: This is a hutong and one of Beijing's oldest neighborhoods, exuding old Beijing charm. Here you'll find many specialty snacks, creative shops, and bars. You can eat and stroll, experiencing the blend of Beijing's traditional culture and modern fashion.

● Shichahai: Includes Qianhai, Houhai, and Xihai, three water bodies and their adjacent areas, echoing the "Former Three Seas" and commonly known as the "Latter Three Seas." You can choose to take a boat tour of Shichahai, admire the ancient buildings and scenery along the banks, or stroll by the lake and enjoy a leisurely time.

● Yandai Xiejie: Located on the northeast bank of Qianhai in Shichahai, it is a commercial street with old Beijing charm. Here you'll find many traditional handicraft shops, tea houses, and snack stalls, where you can buy souvenirs and taste Beijing's specialty snacks.

Important Notes

● Popular attractions like Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City require advance ticket reservations. It is recommended to plan your itinerary and book early.

● When visiting the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall, you must comply with relevant regulations, such as not carrying backpacks, cameras, or other items.

● The Badaling Great Wall is quite steep, so be careful when climbing and wear comfortable shoes.

● When trying Beijing cuisine, pay attention to food hygiene to avoid food poisoning.

Hey everyone, are you satisfied with this Beijing travel guide 😉? Quickly save it and embark on a spontaneous Beijing trip! If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment below 🤗.