Beijing

Imperial courtyards and city parks

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

Recommended stay: 3–4 days
Best time to visit: April to June and September to October
Airports: PEK · PKX

Beijing at a glance

Beijing is a vast capital of imperial courtyards, hutong lanes and planned days at the Wall. The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Jingshan Park, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, hutongs, Qianmen, Wangfujing, Mutianyu Great Wall and the National Stadium are linked by the subway, with day trips to Mutianyu, Jinshanling, the Ming Tombs and the Summer Palace area. The airports are Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX). Reservations, walking distances, local mobile payments and offline maps shape the day more than a single landmark list.

Quick information

Recommended stay3–4 days

Best time to visitApril to June and September to October

AirportsPEK · PKX

Budget travelAccommodation and reserved wall days drive costs most strongly. Check prices shortly before your trip instead of relying on a fixed estimate.

Spring and early autumn suit courtyards, hutongs and wall paths. Summer is hot; keep indoor hours for museums and the stadium area. Winter is cold and can be windy on Jingshan and Mutianyu.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Capital Airport Express

Rail link from Terminals 2 and 3 to Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen

Published public-transport fareTransport

Must-see sights

Forbidden City

Tiananmen Square

Jingshan Park

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Enter the Forbidden City with the required reservation and follow a clear route through the main halls.
Lunch: Have lunch after leaving the palace complex and take a short break.
Afternoon: Walk through Tiananmen Square where access permits, then climb Jingshan Park for the city view.
Evening: Continue to Qianmen for dinner and a slower evening walk.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

Qianmen / hutong edge
Qianmen
Central and practical. The Summer Palace needs a planned journey.
Best for
Walking to the square and Forbidden City
Wangfujing
Busy and well linked; Jingshan is a short ride.
Best for
Shopping and a first-night stay
Houhai / hutongs
Houhai
Useful with children in the evening; the Temple of Heaven needs a subway ride.
Best for
A quieter lane stay
Olympic Green edge
Olympic Green
Needs a subway ride for the Forbidden City.
Best for
The National Stadium and a north-city stay

Approximate budget

Budget
Varies
per day, per person
Simple rooms, snacks and subway; excludes travel to Beijing.
Mid-range
Varies
per day, per person
Comfortable room, restaurants, metro and selected palaces.
Comfort
Varies
per day, per person
Central stays, frequent dining, private transfers and a reserved wall day.

Airports

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

PEK
Beijing Capital International Airport
28 km from city centre
PKX
Beijing Daxing International Airport
48 km from city centre

Airport to city transport

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

PEK

Capital Airport ExpressPEKThe quickest public option into the city. Dongzhimen and Sanyuanqiao connect to subway lines, so plan your onward change in advance.
Rail link from Terminals 2 and 3 to Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen
Published public-transport fare
Details
The quickest public option into the city. Dongzhimen and Sanyuanqiao connect to subway lines, so plan your onward change in advance.
Airport shuttle busPEKPickup points are outside the arrivals level at Terminals 2 and 3. Routes and stops are adjusted from time to time, so confirm the one nearest your hotel.
Shuttle routes to Dongzhimen, Beijing Railway Station and other city stops
Published operator fare
Details
Pickup points are outside the arrivals level at Terminals 2 and 3. Routes and stops are adjusted from time to time, so confirm the one nearest your hotel.
Official taxiPEKUse the official queue outside arrivals and insist on the meter. Having your hotel address written in Chinese helps.
Door-to-door journey; time depends on traffic
Metered fare
Details
Use the official queue outside arrivals and insist on the meter. Having your hotel address written in Chinese helps.

PKX

Daxing Airport ExpressPKXDaxing is far south of the centre, so this line is the main public link. At Caoqiao you change to the subway network.
Rapid rail link from the airport to Caoqiao station in southern Beijing
Published public-transport fare
Details
Daxing is far south of the centre, so this line is the main public link. At Caoqiao you change to the subway network.
Official taxiPKXA long ride into central Beijing, but convenient for groups or late arrivals. Use the official queue outside arrivals.
Door-to-door journey; time depends on traffic
Metered fare
Details
A long ride into central Beijing, but convenient for groups or late arrivals. Use the official queue outside arrivals.

Getting around

Last reviewed: 13 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

Subway and walkingThe Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Jingshan are a long walking day. The Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace each need their own journey. Download an offline map before you rely on a familiar international app.
Best for the Forbidden City area, hutongs, Qianmen and Wangfujing
Metro fare rules
Details
The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Jingshan are a long walking day. The Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace each need their own journey. Download an offline map before you rely on a familiar international app.
TaxiA car is unnecessary between Qianmen and Wangfujing. Check the last subway services before you leave.
Useful for hutong edges and late returns
Official fare
Details
A car is unnecessary between Qianmen and Wangfujing. Check the last subway services before you leave.

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Beijing at a glance

Quick information

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Must-see sights

One-day itinerary

Best areas to stay

Qianmen / hutong edge

Wangfujing

Houhai / hutongs

Olympic Green edge

Approximate budget