Beijing holidays

Both a global powerhouse and an ancient metropolis, China’s capital remains one of the most exciting travel destinations in the world. Holidays to Beijing let you glimpse the city’s fascinating history as well as its rapid modernisation. Explore traces of centuries-old dynasties alongside Mao-era legacies and glittering skyscrapers, and get lost in its traditional alleyways, home to some of the best noodle houses in Asia.

Beijing holiday highlights

Beijing
Beijing

A forbidden past

Dating back to 1406, the Forbidden City is one of the most iconic attractions in China. Opposite Tiananmen Square, the sprawling palace complex houses the Palace Museum featuring more than one million pieces of art. Expect to spend two to four hours exploring. Remember to bring your passport to gain entry. 

Famous eats

It’s possible to have a cheap holiday to Beijing by sampling the amazing street food. Forget General Tso’s chicken and chow mein and instead try ‘jianbing’ (fried pancakes) and fried insects from the stands on Wangfujing Snack Street. Or head to Qianmen Street to find restaurants serving crispy Peking duck (roast duck), traditional ‘shuan yang rou’ (hotpot), and ‘zhajiangmian’ (noodles in black bean sauce).

Wonder wall

Walking along the Great Wall of China is a must-do on any holiday to Beijing. Winding its way through 15 provinces, this ancient stone wall is one of the Modern Wonders of the World. From Beijing, travel by train, bus or private tour to the Badaling or Mutianyu sections of the Great Wall. Both have cable cars to reach the top of the wall if you prefer not to hike up.

Beijing: Know before you go

Language

Mandarin Chinese

Currency

Chinese yuan (¥)

Time zone

UTC+8 (CST (China))

High season

July – August

Low season

December – February

Find the best time to go to Beijing

Weather in Beijing

March – May: Spring sees temperate, windy days, chilly nights and occasional sandstorms. It’s the best time to spot cherry blossoms in Yuyuantan Park.

June – August: Temperatures and humidity levels soar in the summer. These are also the rainiest months, ideal for museum-hopping.

September – November: Autumn brings mild days and cooler nights, so pack some light layers. October is known for its colourful foliage, especially around the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China.

December – February: Get ready to bundle up as the temperature dives below freezing. This is a prime season for celebrations, with Chinese New Year bringing huge crowds to the capital.

Events in Beijing

Chinese New Year (January to February): Beijing celebrates China’s biggest holiday with colourful shopfronts, temple ceremonies and fun activities reflecting the year’s zodiac animal.

Cherry Blossom Festival (March to May): Head to Yuyuantan Park to see thousands of cherry blossom trees in full, pink bloom.

Dragon Boat Festival (May to June): Held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, this popular festival centres around boat races on the city’s park lakes and along the Grand Canal. Don’t miss food stalls selling traditional rice dumplings.

Red Leaf Festival (October to November): Join the crowds admiring Beijing’s autumn leaves around Fragrant Hills Park (Xiangshan Park). The park’s ancient temples look stunning against the blazing red foliage.

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The best neighbourhoods in Beijing

Chaoyang

Chaoyang is Beijing’s largest and most densely populated district, offering countless things to see and do. Stroll through Chaoyang Park and check out the trendy galleries of 798 Art District. Experience Sanlitun’s lively bars, the glittering Olympic Village and the Silk Market, and you’ll soon see why Chaoyang is one of the best areas to stay in Beijing for first-time visitors.

Good for: Culture, nightlife, shopping

Haidian

Haidan is where to stay in Beijing for a mix of old and new. Home to China’s elite universities and technology companies, the neighbourhood also has traces of Old Beijing in the Summer Palace and Temple of Longevity. Stroll through the Beijing Botanical Garden and take the cable car up to Fragrant Hills Park’s summit for beautiful forest views.

Good for: History, nature, student life

Shunyi

With its international restaurants and shops, the northern suburb of Shunyi is particularly popular with expat families. See the blossoms at the Beijing International Flower Port and shop for big-name brands at the Beijing Scitech Premium Outlet Mall. Shunyi is also close to Beijing Capital International Airport, making it the best neighbourhood to stay in Beijing for convenient travel.

Good for: International restaurants, suburban vibe, convenient transport

Things to do in Beijing

Beijing
Beijing

Family friendly things to do

Ride the roller coasters at Happy Valley Theme Park and laze on a pedal boat on Beihei Park’s lake. With Kung Fu shows at the Red Theatre and more than 100,000 artefacts to explore at the Beijing Museum of Natural History, you’ll find heaps of things to do with family in Beijing.

Shopping

You won’t be disappointed with the shopping in Beijing. Pick up locally made souvenirs along Wangfujing Street and treat yourself to something special from the Silk Street Market. Ready to haggle? Make a beeline for the Panjiayuan Flea Market. Or, for a more Western shopping experience, browse for your favourite brands at the Taikoo Li Sanlitun shopping centre.

Take in the culture

There’s no shortage of culture and museums in Beijing. Admire masterpieces at the National Art Museum of China, catch a Chinese acrobatics show at Chaoyang Theatre and stand in awe before the Temple of Heaven. For a true taste of local culture, experience a traditional tea ceremony at the Confucian Teahouse in Dongcheng.

Nightlife

Just like New York, Beijing is a city that never sleeps. Dance the night away in Sanlitun’s raucous bars. Rub shoulders with the bottle-popping parties set in Gongti’s megaclubs like MIX and Vics. Or, for a more low-key experience, head to the Houhai bar area where you’ll find plenty of live music bars and late-night restaurants.

Places to eat

One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the capital’s culture is by sampling the local cuisine. Try traditional hotpot at Jubaoyuan and feast on steamed buns at Qing-Feng, a favourite with locals since 1948. Craving crispy Peking duck (roast duck)? Siji Minfuserves some of the best around, with restaurants in Dengshikou and near the Forbidden City.

Free things to do

If a cheap holiday to Beijing is a priority, sightseeing on a budget is easy. One of the best free things to do in Beijing is explore the National Museum of China — just remember to bring your passport to visit all state museums. Alternatively, download the 798 app and tour the 798 Art District. Or, watch the twice-daily flag-raising ceremony in Tiananmen Square.

Plan your holiday to Beijing

Budget

With affordable public transport and free entry to plenty of markets and historic sites, it’s easy to plan a cheap holiday in Beijing. You can find a simple meal in a restaurant for around 30 Chinese yuan (¥) and a local beer for less than ¥10. Need to catch a cab? Short taxi rides are generally under ¥15.

Day trips from Beijing

Less than 90 minutes northwest of Beijing, you’ll find the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Ming Tombs at the foot of Tianshou Mountain. And if a day of quiet countryside exploring is what you need, the hillside Cuandixia Village and its 500-year-old Ming dynasty houses are just two hours away by car.

Getting around Beijing

Despite the city’s overwhelming size, getting around isn’t hard. Hop on one of the Beijing Subway’s 27 lines. Or use buses, taxis and rideshare apps like Didi. If you plan on taking public transport during your holiday to Beijing, buy a rechargeable Yikatong travel card, available at most subway stations. Google Maps isn’t available in China, but Apple Maps and the Beijing Subway app will come in handy.

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