Do I need a visa for Beijing?

Depends on your passport. 57 countries get 240-hour visa-free transit. Everyone else needs a tourist visa (L-visa) — apply at a Chinese consulate before flying.

Is Beijing safe for tourists?

Yes — extremely safe. Petty theft is rare. The main risk is traffic; look both ways even on one-way streets.

Can I use Alipay in Beijing?

Yes. Link a Visa/Mastercard to Alipay before you arrive. Cash still works everywhere as a backup.

北京 · Travel Guide

Beijing for foreigners

Forbidden City, hutongs, and the Great Wall — your first stop in China.

See top things to do Plan your trip

Beijing is the political and cultural heart of China. Most travelers spend 3-4 days here, focused on the central axis (Tiananmen → Forbidden City → Jingshan), one or two hutong walks, and a day trip to the Great Wall (Mutianyu is foreigner-friendly).

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing — the iconic 38m three-tiered circular blue-tiled hall with a golden finial, the white marble Circular Mound Altar in the foreground and a few worshippers walking across the wide flagstone plaza under soft afternoon light, a UNESCO World Heritage Site completed in 1420 — Temple of Heaven — worshippers at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

Top things to do in Beijing

The must-see places locals will tell you are unmissable, with photos and a direct link to the in-depth guide for each.

Forbidden City

Buy tickets online 7 days ahead — they sell out. Enter from the south, exit north to Jingshan Park for the iconic aerial view.

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Mutianyu Great Wall winding through forested mountains north of Beijing.

Great Wall (Mutianyu)

Less crowded than Badaling. Take the cable car up, walk the wall, toboggans down. Allow a full day.

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Temple of Heaven

Watch locals do tai chi at dawn. The round Hall of Prayer is the most-photographed building in Beijing.

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Nanluoguxiang, a 700-year-old hutong lined with craft shops and teahouses.

Hutong rickshaw tour

A guided ride through the old neighborhoods. Negotiate the price upfront (¥150-200/hour is fair).

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Summer Palace

The imperial summer escape. Boating on Kunming Lake in autumn is unforgettable.

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The Summer Palace in Beijing on a clear spring day — the Longevity Hill with its multi-story Tower of Buddhist Incense crowning the summit, the Kunming Lake in the foreground with traditional rowing boats carrying visitors, the forested hillside dotted with pavilions and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge visible in the distance, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest royal park in China — Summer Palace — Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill

Where to stay in Beijing

We only list hotels that accept foreign guests and accept international credit cards.

Hotels in Beijing on Trip.com

From $28/night budget hostels to $280+/night luxury — Peninsula, Coté Cour, Downtown Hostel and 2,000+ more. Filter by tier on Trip.com.

$28 – $280+/night

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Houhai Lake in central Beijing at night — the calm water reflecting the colorful lights of the surrounding bar-and-restaurant district, the silhouette of willow trees along the lakeshore, the Drum Tower and Bell Tower visible in the distance and a few pedestrians on the lakeside walkway, the most popular nightlife area in the old city — Houhai Lake at night — Beijing's old-city nightlife district

Book your Beijing trip

Plan your Beijing trip on Trip.com — the only platform we've verified for mainland China. Prices update in real time; no hidden fees.

Trip.com — Recommended

Hotels, trains, flights & experiences

Beijing on Trip.com — 1.4M mainland-China hotels (¥35/night and up), real-time English HSR booking, plus skip-the-line tickets and guided tours in one cart. Accepts foreign Visa/Mastercard. Filter by tier on Trip.com once you land.

Hotels from $35/night · HSR from $7 · Tours from $5

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When to visit Beijing

September–October for autumn colors, or April–May for spring. Avoid Chinese New Year (huge crowds, many shops closed) and the July–August heat.

Articles about Beijing

In-depth guides, itineraries, and practical tips for Beijing — visa, transport, payment, food, and the top sights.

Itineraries

Beijing 2-Day Layover: Max China, Min Time

A tested 2-day Beijing itinerary for a long layover: Forbidden City highlights, Mutianyu Great Wall, Peking duck, and a Hutong night walk. With PVG/PEK airport transfer times and 240h visa-free rules.

9min read

Itineraries

3 Days in Beijing: Forbidden City + Great Wall

The best 3-day Beijing itinerary for first-time visitors: Forbidden City, Mutianyu Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and hutong food tour. With prices, transit times, and ticket tips.

10min read

Culture & Practical

Christian Heritage in China: 12 Churches & Jesuit Sites

The 12 most significant Christian heritage sites in China: Beijing's oldest Catholic church, Shanghai's St. Ignatius Cathedral, the Jesuit Beitang, and more. With addresses, mass times, and how to visit.

12min read

Culture & Practical

China Muslim Travel Guide (2026)

Muslim travel guide to China: 10 historic mosques, verified halal restaurants in 6 cities, prayer times, Qibla direction, and visa-free entry for 50+ Muslim-majority countries.

13min read

Itineraries

First Time in Beijing 2026: The Practical Guide (3-Day Playbook)

The Beijing chapter of our first time in China guide — visa-free entry, paying with Alipay, getting to the Wall, where to actually stay, and the scams that catch Western travelers. Updated August 2026.

12min read

See all Beijing guides →

FAQ

Do I need a visa for Beijing?

Depends on your passport. 57 countries get 240-hour visa-free transit. Everyone else needs a tourist visa (L-visa) — apply at a Chinese consulate before flying.
Is Beijing safe for tourists?

Yes — extremely safe. Petty theft is rare. The main risk is traffic; look both ways even on one-way streets.
Can I use Alipay in Beijing?

Yes. Link a Visa/Mastercard to Alipay before you arrive. Cash still works everywhere as a backup.

Need help in China?

Bilingual phrase cards for the situations that actually come up. Show the Chinese to locals, read the language you know to understand.

See all the cards →

Get our Beijing itinerary

A day-by-day plan, the metro lines you need, and the one restaurant locals love.