Beijing Travel Guide

Beijing, also Peking, or Jing for short, is located in northern China borders Tianjin and Hebei Province. The metropolis is the political, cultural and educational center of China with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. Beijing is also China’s major transportation hub and the second largest city after Shanghai.

As one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Beijing city has a history of over 3,000 years. The earliest traces of human habitation in the Beijing municipality were found in Zhoukoudian where Peking Man lived. Beijing became a capital in 13th-century with Mongol occupation of China and since then, it has been the political centre of China for centuries.
 

Attractions

Beijing provides China's most wonderful attractions and no other city in the nation attracts more travelers. Climb onto the long-dreamed Great Wall at Badaling and walk up and down the stairs and marvel at one of the greatest architecture of the world; Wander in the maze of the Forbidden City and discover the secrets of the Chinese emperors; Stroll along the Kunming Lake and appreciate the beautiful sunset at the Summer Palace; Visit Courtyard Houses and Hutongs in Beijing on a rickshaw; Walk on the Tiananmen Square to see the most important landmark of the city; Go to the Temple of Heaven to appreciate the symbol of Beijing. All the activities give you different experiences of the empirical city.

             Great Wall at Badaling                                      Temple of Heaven

Other historical sites worth to explore include Ming Tombs, Scared Way, Great Wall at Jinshanling, Great Wall at Simatai, Great Wall at Juyong Pass, Ox Street Mosque, Nanluoguxiang Alley, Lama Temple, Prince Gong's Mansion, Old Summer Palace, Confucius Temple, Bell and Drum Tower, and Imperial College, etc.

Modern Beijing is a fantastic and exciting metropolis. 798 Art Zone is the exhibition center of modern Chinese art. Bird's Nest and Water Cube become famous thanks for the 29th Summer Olympics. Lake Houhai and Sanlitun Bar Street are great places to experience the dynamic nightlife in Beijing. Beijing Happy Valley, Beijing Zoo and Beijing Aquarium are good amusement places.

More Beijing Attractions>>
Beihai Park, Cuandixia Village, Great Bell Temple, National Museum of China, Fragrant Hill, White Cloud Temple, Grand View Garden
 

Transportation

The capital Beijing is the transportation hub of northern China, also boasts the cheapest public transportation in China. The subway fare is CNY2 regardless the distance and transfers between lines and it costs only CNY0.4 for city bus if you use transportation smart card. Beijing Capital Airport operates flights from major cities in China and abroad while the trains and long-distance buses connect Beijing with anywhere in the country. More about Beijing Transportation>>
 

Weather

Beijing has a monsoon-influenced continental climate with distinctive four seasons: short windy spring, hot humid summer, cool pleasant autumn and long chilly winter. July and August is the hottest time with an average temperature of 26.2°C (79.2°F) and the coldest January of −3.7°C (25.3°F). Most rainfall occurs in summer from June to August and the sandstorms appear in spring. September and October, the "Golden Autumn" with cool pleasant weather is the best time to visit Beijing. More about Beijing Weather>>
 

Food

Beijing Cuisine is also called Mandarin Cuisine, which has been influenced by imperial cooking school and other cooking styles all over China. Foods originated in Beijing are often snacks rather than full courses so no trip to Beijing is complete without trying some Beijing snacks. Beijing Roast Duck is the most famous local dish popular among tourists. Imperial court food is another famous one which can be found in numerous traditional restaurants in Beijing. More about Beijing Food>>
 

Restaurants

Beijing provides people with numerous dining choices from various Chinese cuisines, vegetarian, Muslim food to western and Asian foods. The authentic Beijing snacks can be found at the food streets in Qianmen, Wangfujing, Huguo Temple, Houhai and Niujie. Restaurants with characteristic foods are gathered at Guijie Street, Sanlitun, Worker's Stadium and CBD. More about Beijing Restaurants>>
 

Shopping

Beijing is a shopping paradise assembled a number of stores and brands. Cloisonné, Ivory Carving, Jade and Lacquer are known as the four best traditional handcrafts of Beijing. Besides, Antiques, Silk, Pearls, Snuff Bottles with Pictures Inside and Artificial Flowers are also popular among tourists. Haidian, Chaoyang, Dongcheng and Xicheng districts are gathered with large commercial streets, shopping malls and characteristic shops.

Wangfujing Street, Qianmen Street, Dongdan and Xidan Commercial Street are traditional shopping districts while the Jianguomen Outer Street and Chaowai Street are famous for the latest and most luxurious items. More about Beijing Shopping>>
 

Nightlife

Beijing nightlife is well known for the diversity it offers for different groups of people. Chinese folk culture shows like Kungfu, Acrobatic, Beijing Opera and puppet shows or strolling on a street are popular among the tourists. The aged local people like to watch Beijing opera or drink in the teahouses while the young people prefer to go to bars, snack streets or shopping. Tianqiao Area is nightlife option for the old Beijinger and the bars are mainly concentrated at Sanlitun, Houhai and Worker's Stadium. More about Beijing Nightlife>>