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.
Book this experience →北京 · Travel Guide
Beijing for foreigners
Forbidden City, hutongs, and the Great Wall — your first stop in China.
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).
Top things to do in Beijing
Great Wall (Mutianyu)
Less crowded than Badaling. Take the cable car up, walk the wall, toboggans down. Allow a full day.
Book this experience →Temple of Heaven
Watch locals do tai chi at dawn. The round Hall of Prayer is the most-photographed building in Beijing.
Hutong rickshaw tour
A guided ride through the old neighborhoods. Negotiate the price upfront (¥150-200/hour is fair).
Summer Palace
The imperial summer escape. Boating on Kunming Lake in autumn is unforgettable.
Where to stay in Beijing
We only list hotels that accept foreign guests and accept international credit cards.
Trip.com
The Peninsula Beijing
Verified accepting foreign guests, English-speaking staff, central location.
from $280/night
Booking.com
Hotel Cote Cour
Verified accepting foreign guests, English-speaking staff, central location.
from $95/night
Klook
Beijing Downtown Hostel
Verified accepting foreign guests, English-speaking staff, central location.
from $28/night
Book your Beijing trip
Three platforms that work well for foreign visitors to Beijing. Prices update in real time; no hidden fees.
Trip.com
Hotels, trains & flights
The best platform for mainland-China hotels and high-speed rail tickets. English interface, accepts foreign Visa/Mastercard.
Hotels from $35/night · HSR from $7
Search Beijing on Trip.com →Booking.com
International hotel chains
Best for international chains (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG) that most foreigners already have loyalty status with.
Free cancellation on most rooms
Search Beijing on Booking.com →Klook
Tours, attractions & eSIM
Skip-the-line attraction tickets, day tours, and China eSIM data packages. Instant confirmation, mobile vouchers.
Tours from $12 · eSIM from $3
Search Beijing on Klook →Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read our disclosure policy.
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.
FAQ
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Do I need a visa for Beijing?
Depends on your passport. 55 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.
Get our Beijing itinerary
A day-by-day plan, the metro lines you need, and the one restaurant locals love.