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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).

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.

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.

Trip.com

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

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

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

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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.

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