Full guide to Beijing
Housing 21 million residents, Beijing is no small town. It is a huge fast-paced city that takes some getting used to. But once you get over the masses of people, you may be able to see Beijing for the city it is; an incredible place packed full of exceptional cuisine, unique culture and fascinating history. Beijing can be a cheap paradise for budget backpackers, but also have fantastic luxury options for those looking for that.
Language: mandarin
Currency: chinese yuan
Know before going
Few locals speak English, compared to Shanghai and Hong Kong. Also, most of Western social media pages and google are blocked, so get a good VPN.
Best time to visit
Autumn and late spring, to ensure clear skies and mild temperatures. (Avoid October holidays, 1st to 7th, and Spring festival).
Transportation
Beijing is huge – get to know the subway. Taxis are plentiful and cheap, but a bicycle is the best way to get to know the city, and the city is relatively flat.
Top things to do in Beijing
Get a view
Just a short detour from the Forbidden City lies the hills of Jingshan Park. Here you can get a panoramic view of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square at a cheap cost (under the dollar). A perfect place to catch a glimpse of the tourist attraction from a height, and getting some birds eye perspective.
Visit the Forbidden City
The name comes from the old imperial families who lived in the temple. It was believed that these were direct descendants of gods, and only they could be in the city. Commoners were forbidden to enter, hence the name. It is a complex of 980 buildings, each more detailed and beautiful than the next. Visit the Palace museum while you are here, which is home to over 1 million art pieces.
Walk on Tiananmen Square
Famous for the picture of the man and the tanks, this square has now become a must see for tourists, as it is the place where history was made. There isn’t much to do on the square itself, but it is situated just outside the Forbidden City, so it’s not much of a hassle to fit it in to your itinerary.
Sunset at Jingshan Park
… or sunrise if you are an early riser. A park that was previously attached to the Forbidden City, has now become a go to spot to catch some stunning views of the Forbidden City.
See the Summer Palace
This is the place to get catch up with your serenity. The summer palace is a huge complex of lakes, gardens and palaces. It’s culture and nature in perfect balance, and a must see when visiting the capital. Pack a picnic, rent a boat and wander the area to really capture and appreciate this scenic place.
The great wall
An absolute must when visiting Beijing. It is about a day trip from the city, but worth it. Try and go it alone, and ditch the numerous tour groups, to ensure that you get all the time you want here. Some even tent up there, if you’re more of an adventurous type
Eat street food
Yes, the stories of food poisoning and dodgy hygiene are many when it comes to Beijing, but please don’t be alarmed. Go where the locals go, and you should be fine. It would be a crime to miss out on the Peking duck that you can get for under 5 dollars at the street vendors, the steamed dumplings filled with tasty meats, or the hotpot, an aromatic soup with thin slices of meat and vegetables. So please do yourself a favor and have a meal outside. There really is some great food for even greater prices here.
