A plan for Beijing

History

Beijing (formerly transliterated "Peking") literally means Northern Capital, a role it has played many times in China's long history. Beijing's history dates back several thousand years but it first became notable in Chinese history after it was made the capital of the State of Yan under the name Yanjing. Yan was one of the major kingdoms of the Warring States Period, some 2,000 years ago. After the fall of Yan, during the later Han and Tang dynasties, the Beijing-area was a major prefecture of northern China.

In 938, Beijing was conquered by the Khitans and declared the capital of the Liao Dynasty. The Mongols seized the city in 1215. From 1264 Beijing served as the capital of a united China under Kublai Khan. His victorious Mongol forces renamed the city, Great Capital (大都). From there, Kublai and his descendants ruled their empire from a northern location closer to the Mongol homelands. During this period, the walled city was enlarged and many palaces and temples were built.

After the fall of the Mongol-founded Yuan Dynasty in 1368, the capital was moved to Nanjing. However, in 1403 the 3rd Ming emperor, Zhu Di, also known as Emperor Yongle, moved it back to Beijing and gave the city its present name. The Ming period was Beijing's golden era. The Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and many other Beijing landmarks were built in this period. The capital developed into a huge city becoming the religious and cultural center of Asia.

In 1644, the Ming Dynasty was overthrown by the rebel leader Li Zicheng, though his rule would be short lived as he was quickly overthrown by the Manchus, who established China's last imperial line, the Qing. Despite the changing political climate, Beijing remained the capital. The Manchu imperial family moved into the Forbidden City and remained there until 1911. The Qing built both the Summer Palace and Old Summer Palace. These served as summer retreats for the emperors and their entourages. During the 19th century, Western countries established foreign legations in the Qianmen area south of the Forbidden City. These came under siege during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900.

Individual listings can be found in Beijing's district articles

Great Wall

The Great Wall of China (长城 Chángchéng) is the must-see on any trip to Beijing and a destination worth visiting multiple times due to its vastness and the variety of views, landscapes, and hikes it offers. The Wall is located about an hour by train or 1½ hours by bus from the city (be aware of bus scams, as mentioned in the "Stay Safe" section below). For general information on the Great Wall, see Great Wall, and for details on specific sections, refer to Northeastern Beijing, Yanqing District, Huairou District, and Northern Suburbs.

The Badaling section is the most famous but also heavily restored and crowded. For a more enjoyable tourist experience, Mutianyu is recommended over Badaling; it offers similar restoration but with fewer crowds. Closer to the city center, about 60 km away in Changping District, is Juyongguan Pass, a well-known section of the Great Wall located in a deep gorge of the Taihang Mountains north of Beijing.

For those seeking less crowded areas, Jinshanling and Huanghuacheng are more challenging to reach by public transportation but offer stunning views of the wall away from the crowds. The distant Simatai section in the northeast can be combined with a night visit or an overnight stay at Gubei Watertown, a recreated historical village beside the wall.

Central Axis

The heart of Beijing is defined by the Central Axis, a historic north-south line that runs through the city's core, showcasing its rich heritage and urban planning. Originating during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) when Beijing, then known as Dadu, became the capital, the Central Axis was further developed in the Ming (1368–1644) and refined in the Qing Dynasty (1636–1912). The urban layout reflects the ideal capital city as prescribed in the ancient text Book of Diverse Crafts. In 2024, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site World Heritage Site under the title "Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital."

Individual listings can be found in Beijing's district articles

Hiking, camping, and tobogganing on the Great Wall:

There are numerous hiking options available on the Great Wall, with various tours and groups offering guided experiences, such as the well-established but expensive tour operator Beijing Hikers. The unrestored Jiankou section, although dangerous, is often considered the most beautiful. Many of the "wild" sections of the Wall are ideal for both hiking and camping.

A recommended overnight camping spot can be arranged by visiting the village of Chenjiapu in Yanqing District, where the Chen family at Great Wall Fresh offers homestays and tent rentals. Alternatively, just further west of Chenjiapu village in Huailai County, in the neighboring province of Hebei, you can find an empty 1 km stretch of restored Wall and bring your own tent.

At the Mutianyu section in Huairou District, there is even a toboggan rail slide that allows visitors to ride down the Great Wall in a wheelless sled.

Bike through the hutongs: Exploring the remaining hutongs by bicycle is a fantastic way to experience Beijing firsthand. See above for bike rental information. Cesar from Barcelona, a top hutong aficionado, organizes biking tours of the hutongs in English and Spanish.

Get a foot massage Have a highly enjoyable and relaxing foot massage and/or pedicure etc (for a fraction of the price in the West) from any of the respectable and professional offerings in central Beijing (in the vicinity of the Beijing Hotel for example).

Theaters and concert halls

The National Centre for the Performing Arts in Xicheng District offers a variety of performances including opera, music, and theatre. Even if you don't attend a performance, the egg shaped building itself is worth a visit. The exterior is made from a steel oval structure that includes over 18,000 titanium plates and 1,000 sheets of ultra-white glass.

Individual listings can be found in Beijing's district articles

Beijing provides an ideal opportunity to sample food from all over the country. Some of Beijing's best restaurants serve food from Sichuan, Hunan, Guangzhou, Tibet, Yunnan, Xinjiang, and more.

Restaurant areas

One of Beijing's most famous streets for food is undoubtedly Guijie (簋街/鬼街). This vibrant street, located in the Dongcheng District, is a true haven for food lovers, offering a wide array of excellent cuisines. Stretching over a kilometer, Guijie is home to more than 150 eateries, with around 90% of its commercial spaces dedicated to dining.

As a global city, Beijing offers a rich variety of international restaurants, particularly in the Chaoyang District. The dining scene is centered around Sanlitun and stretches west to the Worker's Stadium, north to the diplomatic area, and south to the Central Business District. In this vibrant area, you can find a wide range of international options, including gourmet burger joints, sandwich shops, and taquerias. Beijing’s strong diplomatic ties to the Global South also bring unique offerings, such as chicken jollof rice from Ghana and BBQ from Pakistan. Within the Sanlitun subdistrict, Xingfucun Zhonglu, a small side street, and a short section of Xindong Lu, a larger main street perpendicular to Xingfucun, is home to the city's most westernized section of dining. Here, you'll find steakhouses, craft beer, bakeries, and coffee shops located close together. April Gourmet, a small grocery store selling imported Western foods, is also nearby. For a quick, cheap bite, Greek Freak, at the corner of Xingfucun and Xindong Lu, serves Greek gyros (36 yuan) and Hungarian goulash (42 yuan).

Individual listings can be found in Beijing's district articles

Tea

Tea, tea, and more tea! Beijing offers a variety of tea experiences, from simple shops in malls to stand-alone establishments. Whether you're in a bustling commercial center or a quieter neighborhood, always ask the price before ordering, or you might end up paying a premium for what could be the most expensive egg-sized cup of tea in the world. In particular, the Qianmen area south of Tiananmen Square is known for its tea houses, where you can experience different styles of tea ceremonies and tastings. However, be mindful that the quality and price can vary significantly. Some tea houses are genuine cultural experiences, while others are little more than tourist traps designed to milk you of your money (see the warning below about tea tasting scams).

There are teahouses around the historic Qianhai Hutong, offering a serene ambiance reminiscent of old wooden houses, with tea cups and bowls adorning the interior. You can enjoy a wide variety of teas, though be prepared for some steep prices—some teas can cost CNY200 or more. Ideal for couples and families.

Coffee

Excellent coffee can be found in independent cafés scattered throughout the city.

Within the Second Ring Road in central Beijing, you'll find numerous hutong cafés tucked away in the alleyways. A notable area in the Dongcheng District is Dongsi North Road, a wide street lined with cafés. If you venture into the alleys branching off from the main road, you’ll discover hidden gems for coffee. As you walk north toward the Second Ring Road, you’ll come across Wudaoying Hutong, a long and narrow pedestrian street filled with small cafés dedicated to high-quality coffee, alongside trendy shops and restaurants. It's also the most relaxed pedestrian street in Beijing.

For a more scenic coffee experience, visit the hutongs surrounding Miaoying Temple in the Xicheng District. These cafés often have rooftop terraces offering stunning views of the 13th-century pagoda designed by a Nepalese architect. Strolling or circumabulating around the temple and through the winding hutong neighborhood paths, you’ll stumble upon charming spots for a coffee or a beer.

Beijing boasts a world-class public transportation network, featuring an extensive subway system that reaches most major tourist attractions. Frequent buses and dockless shared bicycles available outside stations complement the subway, providing convenient last-mile connectivity. Many locals use ride-hailing apps like DiDi for transportation. For visitors, ordering a taxi in English is possible through the Alipay app (using Amap) or WeChat (using DiDi). Alternatively, you can install the DiDi app and link it to Alipay for seamless payment.

Do not count on finding a taxi driver or passerby who knows English well. Neither should foreigners with minimal experience with the Chinese language put faith in their ability to pronounce Chinese place names correctly. Before embarking on a trip around the city, it is best to print out the names of places you want to visit in Chinese characters or get your hotel front desk staff to write them out for you. When going to specific addresses, writing nearby intersections or basic directions can be helpful as well. Show the text to the taxi driver or just ask for help on the street. In general, you will have a better chance of getting help in English if you address younger people.

Emergencies

Free emergency telephone numbers:

Police: 110.

Fire alarm: 119.

Medical care: 120.

Remember these three telephone numbers; they are valid in almost every part of China.

Scams and crime

Beijing, despite its size, is a very safe city, with violent crime being incredibly rare. It is generally safe for women to walk alone at night, and there is a significant police presence in the city center.

Tourists visiting Beijing should be vigilant about scams and petty crime, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Tiananmen Square and routes to the Great Wall. Pickpocketing can happen in crowded places, so it is important to keep your belongings secure and within sight at all times. Taxi-related scams are particularly prevalent, so refer to the "Avoiding scams and fakes" section under the taxi heading for detailed advice on how to navigate this issue safely.

While many Beijing locals are genuinely curious about foreigners and may simply wish to chat or take a photo, it's important to remain cautious and stick to your original plans. If you are approached with an invitation to go somewhere unexpected, it's wise to politely decline and continue with your plans. Be wary of locals—often posing as students or artists—who invite tourists to exhibitions or tea tastings, which can lead to pressure to make expensive purchases.

Traffic

Pedestrians should be very careful crossing the street: People will generally stop for you, but they will honk. Keep an eye on the locals and cross with them — there is strength in numbers. Cars don't need to stop at a red light when they are turning right. Although the traffic law gives the first priority to pedestrians, not every driver obeys the rule.