Beijing 北京 Travel Guide
Beijing Overview
Beijing is not only the capital of the PRC but also one of it’s premiere attractions for the traveller. Considered to be rapidly becoming one of the 21st Century world cities it also hosts a wealth of historical sites and thankfully, much of the historical side has survived the construction boom of the last decade. In short, Beijing has it all – rich historical sights, modern masterpieces, fantastic cuisine and a vibrant culture with one foot in the past and the other firmly striding into the future.
Best Months to Visit Beijing
Best Reason to Visit Beijing
As with many European countries, the capital city is a must. You wouldn’t visit France without going to Paris or England without visiting London and likewise you would not want to miss out on Beijing. It has been a centre for Chinese culture and political power for much of it’s existence and this is reflected in the wealth of sights there are here from world icons such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City to the wonderful “hutongs”, back alleys that, still populated, hark back to a quite different China. It also has a newer modern side as well though with nightlife, eating out, modern architecture and the arts all rivalling the world’s top cities.
Top Attractions in Beijing
With so many top attractions in Beijing it should be difficult to pick one but when one of your attractions is as iconic as the Great Wall is, it makes the choice a bit easier! The sensation of standing on the wall and looking northwards, enjoying the amazing views available from it is magic and you’ll know it was worth coming to China.
One thing you’ll have to decide when visiting the Great Wall is which part is the best for me to visit. Firstly, do not visit Badaling unless you have accessibility problems. It is by far the most touristy part of the Wall and subsequently is filled with not only tourists but also hawkers trying to sell you anything and everything under the sun. Try Mutianyu for a more authentic experience or if you like to hike, Jinshanling could be for you. The Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square are also deservedly on almost every itinerary and there is also so much more beyond these.
Weather Averages for Beijing
Our Top Beijing Travel Tip
You’ll certainly need at least 2 nights here to fit in even a slice of what Beijing has to offer and you could quite easily spend 4 and still have things to see. This is not a city that just has ancient or historical sights but also a cutting edge modern culture that can be experienced in places such as the 798 art district.
Make sure you go and eat out while you are here. This city has something for everyone and is not only a great place to eat food from all over China but also from all over Asia and the world. Whether it be high end dining or a back alley’s street food, you can be guaranteed to find something here that will make your tastebuds happy you brought them with you!
Hand Picked Beijing Hotels
One thing that Beijing has that many other Chinese cities don’t seem to have is a great set of traditional style hotels that are well run, friendly and different to anywhere else in the world. With this in mind our first recommendation would be the Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel. Excellent staff and great location are just two of the reasons to stay in this authentic slice of traditional Beijing. Make sure you check out the bizarre looking fish that lives at the end of the bar!
We also recommend the Jade Garden Hotel as an excellent mid-range option.
For someone looking for creature comforts ahead of anything else then the Hilton Wangfujing is also in the same great location near the centre of the city and they deliver one of their best experiences worldwide with some value, particularly out of peak season.
Explore More of China
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By Phil Stanley & Headseast – TCTC Destination Expert.