Beijing

Best time to visit Beijing

The most comfortable months are usually spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October). Days are mild, skies are often clearer, and you can walk a lot without getting destroyed by heat or cold. That being said, November is usually okay weather too, and the crows will be much more tolerable.

• Summer (June to August): hot, humid, and busy. It’s still doable, just plan indoor breaks and start early.
• Winter (November to February): cold and dry, but often less crowded and sometimes the clearest skies. Bring real layers. It can get windy.

If you hate crowds, avoid China’s big travel weeks, especially early October (National Day holiday) and other major public holidays.

How many days you need

Beijing is huge, and the main sights are spread out. Here’s a realistic rule of thumb:

• 2 days: highlights only (one palace/temple day + one park/hutong day)
• 3 days: comfortable first-time visit, spend a day at the great wall. I always recommend spending the most of a day, at some of the more far-out sections.
• 4 to 5 days: best balance, with time for a day trip and slower exploring

Where to stay

For first-time travelers, location matters more than a fancy hotel. You will save a lot of time by staying somewhere central.

• Near Wangfujing / Dongcheng: easy access to major sights and the subway
• Around Qianmen: good base for old Beijing areas and hutong walks
• Sanlitun: modern area with restaurants and bars, good if you want nightlife

Beijing can take a long time to cross, especially in traffic, so staying central makes your days feel much longer.

Getting around

Most travelers end up using a mix of subway + walking + a taxi app.

• Subway: fast, cheap, and usually the best option
• Didi (taxi app): useful at night or when you’re tired, and avoids language stress. I use the one in the Alipay app.
• Walking: works well in hutong areas and around lakes and parks

Beijing is very spread out, so it’s normal to spend 30–60 minutes getting between areas. Plan your day by neighborhood so you are not zig-zagging across the city.

Tickets and reservations

This is the part that surprises people. Some top sights have daily limits, timed entry, or real-name booking.

• For major attractions, assume you may need to book ahead, especially in peak season.
• Bring your passport, and keep a photo of it on your phone.
• If a place looks “sold out”, it can still be possible through official mini programs or by choosing a different time slot.

Money and payments

In Beijing, you can get by with some cash, but a lot of places prefer mobile payments.

• WeChat Pay and Alipay are the most useful things to set up before you go.
• Bring a small amount of cash as backup for small shops or older vendors.
• International cards work in many hotels and bigger chains, but not everywhere.

Internet: what works in practice

Many western apps and websites are blocked on mainland China. The easy approach is:

• Use an eSIM or SIM that works in China
• Have a plan for blocked apps (either a VPN, or just rely on Chinese apps for maps and transport)
• Download offline backups: hotel address in Chinese, screenshots of bookings, and a few key locations saved

Air quality and weather

Beijing’s air can vary a lot. Some days are perfectly fine, some days are noticeably hazy. That being said, I have never experienced any issues with the air in Beijing.

• If you’re sensitive, pack a few masks.
• A simple habit: check an air quality app in the morning and plan indoor museums on bad days.

Safety and what Beijing feels like

Beijing is generally very safe for tourists. What can feel “serious” is the level of security and rules at big sights.

• You will see bag checks and sometimes passport checks at attractions and stations.
• Arrive a bit early for major places, especially on weekends.

It’s normal. Once you expect it, it stops being stressful.

A simple way to plan your days

Beijing is better when you don’t cram too much in.

A good pattern is:

• Morning: one big landmark
• Afternoon: a park, museum, or neighborhood area
• Evening: food street, lakes area, or a show

If you try to do three “big” attractions in one day, you usually spend more time in lines and transport than actually enjoying it.