Arrive China
Beijing is where the big-ticket sights are — which also means the big-ticket sights sell out. Get the airport leg and the booking rules right, and the rest is easy.
| Airports | Capital (PEK) + Daxing (PKX) |
| Airport → city | Airport Express ¥25 (PEK, 20 min) / ¥35 (PKX, 19 min) |
| Metro | 27+ lines, ¥3–9 — pay with Alipay/WeChat QR |
| Book ahead | Forbidden City, Tiananmen flag — no walk-up tickets |
| Best time | Spring and autumn (avoid Golden Week in early October) |
One line
Book the Forbidden City the moment your dates are fixed. It sells out days ahead and there are no on-site tickets.
Airport to the city
Beijing has two airports. Capital (PEK) is the older hub in the northeast; Daxing (PKX) is the huge new star-shaped airport about 46 km to the south.
- From PEK: the Capital Airport Express is ¥25 flat, about 20 minutes to Dongzhimen (transfer to metro Lines 2/13). Taxi ~¥100–150 into town.
- From PKX: the Daxing Airport Express is ¥35 standard (¥50 business), about 19 minutes to Caoqiao, where you change to Line 10. It's further out, so taxis cost more.
Getting around
The Beijing Metro is extensive and cheap (roughly ¥3–9 per ride). Again, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay first and scan the QR at the gates — see the payment guide.
Useful lines: Line 1 runs the Chang'an Avenue axis, Line 2 loops the old city, Line 4 heads to the Summer Palace, and Line 8 serves the Olympic Park.
Where to stay
- Wangfujing / Dongdan (王府井·东单) — dead central, walking distance to the Forbidden City.
- Sanlitun / Chaoyang (三里屯·朝阳) — nightlife, international food, expat-friendly.
- Houhai / Shichahai (后海·什刹海) — hutong lanes and lakes, atmospheric but touristy.
What to see
- Forbidden City (故宫) — no same-day tickets: book online up to 7 days ahead (sales open 20:00). ¥60 peak (Apr–Oct) / ¥40 off-peak (Nov–Mar); closed Mondays.
- Great Wall (长城) — Mutianyu (慕田峪) is the less-crowded pick; Badaling (八达岭) is busiest. Entry ¥40 peak / ¥35 off-peak (Badaling) or ¥45 peak / ¥35 off-peak (Mutianyu), plus cable car.
- Tiananmen Square (天安门广场) — free, but carry your passport; access can require a reservation.
- Temple of Heaven (天坛) — ¥15 park / ¥34 through-ticket (peak); the through-ticket includes the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
- Summer Palace (颐和园) — ¥30 peak / ¥20 off-peak, a lakeside imperial garden on Line 4.
What to eat
- Peking duck (北京烤鸭) — the city's signature; classic spots include Quánjùdé (全聚德) and Biànyífāng (便宜坊).
- Zhájiàngmiàn (炸酱面) — noodles in fermented soybean paste, a Beijing staple.
- Mutton hotpot (涮羊肉) — paper-thin lamb in a copper pot, a winter classic.
Quick tips
- Book the Forbidden City first — it's the one thing you can't fix on the day.
- Great Wall: go early or pick Mutianyu to dodge the tour-bus crush.
- Air quality dips in winter — check the AQI if you're sensitive.
- Cash is rare, QR is king — sort Alipay/WeChat before you land.