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Beijing, the ancient capital with a long history of 3,000 years, is not only the capital city of China but also a tourist attraction for domestic and foreign tourists. It preserves the most glorious ancient royal buildings, but at the same time, there is no shortage of modern buildings with innovative designs and unique styles, skillfully blending ancient history and contemporary culture to form a unique cultural style. To help you experience the charm of Beijing more comprehensively, this article has carefully prepared a 2025 Beijing travel guide for you, aiming to help first-time tourists plan an unforgettable trip to Beijing.
A tourist map of Beijing will take you to explore the thousand-year-old capital and travel all over the capital, from the Forbidden City with red walls and golden tiles to the quaint and elegant old alleys; From exquisite royal gardens to bustling modern cities; From the magnificent Temple of Heaven building to the majestic Great Wall; Every scenery and story will lead you to an in-depth experience of Beijing's cultural charm and historical heritage.
The Forbidden City, also known as the Forbidden City, was the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties and is also the symbol and symbol of ancient China. When you are in the courtyard with magnificent walls, you can truly feel its former glory. The long history has left a large-scale precious building and countless cultural relics here, and it has also become the main attraction of visiting the Forbidden City today.
The Great Wall of China is one of the greatest sights in the world. A Great Wall tour is a must for most first China trips. Along this super-long wall, Beijing is the top destination for seeing well-maintained and abundant Great Wall relics of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). There are eight sections close to Beijing: Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Jiankou, Simatai...
the Great Wall should be on every traveler’s bucket list. This China’s greatest engineering triumph, made from brick, stone, tamped earth and wood, is a direct link with legendary dynasties of China’s past as there were continuous ancient dynasties invested unquantifiable labour and material resources to construct and reconstruct the Great Wall. Nowadays, you can still see there are more than 5,500 miles of the Great Wall snaking its way over the perched mountainsides from the gobi desert in northwestern China to the sea coast of far eastern China. Beijing, the capital city, possesses about 573km (356 miles) of the Great Wall including the world famous Badaling, Mutianyu, Jiankou, etc., stretching alone the steep peaks and hills at its remote northern districts. You can easily plan a satisfied day trip to the closer sections of the Great Wall from Beijing. But for those who want to explore, it’s available to hike, bike even camp on some sections.
Beijing's hutongs have a history of more than 700 years, and their narrow and winding alleys are like veins, connecting the scattered courtyard houses. Here, you can take a rickshaw ride or take a leisurely stroll through the traditional hutongs to get up close and personal with the daily life of Beijing's residents, and you can also step into the bustling neighborhood to taste authentic food and shop for special souvenirs.
The Summer Palace, a magnificent royal garden, is listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Once a summer paradise for the royal family, it is now open to the world, with lush greenery, exquisite pavilions, crystal clear lakes and winding paths. Stroll through it and enjoy a leisurely time; Boating on the lake is even more beautiful and refreshing.
Tiananmen Square is the largest city square in the world and an iconic attraction in China, which has witnessed many major events in China and has extremely important historical and cultural significance.
The Temple of Heaven, the sacred place where the Ming and Qing emperors worshiped the heavens and prayed for blessings, is the most complete and large-scale royal sacrificial complex in China, and its exquisite design, rigorous layout, stable structure, and gorgeous decoration are all unique in the world, and have been included in the world cultural heritage. Stepping into the Temple of Heaven, you can not only appreciate the beauty of ancient Chinese architecture, but also deeply explore the mystery and solemnity of Chinese sacrificial culture.
Highlights: This route is the most classic Beijing tour itinerary, which will take you to explore the majestic Tiananmen Square, the magnificent Forbidden City, the beautiful Summer Palace, the scenic Mutianyu Great Wall, the magnificent Temple of Heaven and other classic Beijing attractions.
Highlights: This route will take you to explore Beijing attractions in depth, visit the majestic Tiananmen Square, the red-walled and golden-tiled Forbidden City, the picturesque Summer Palace, the world-famous Great Wall, the unique and magnificent Temple of Heaven, the culturally rich Confucius Temple and the Imperial College Museum, the quaint and lively Beijing Hutongs and other Beijing highlights, and appreciate the charm of the capital in all aspects.
The cost of a trip to Beijing depends on many factors, including transportation, accommodation, food, and attraction tickets. Here is a brief overview for you:
If you travel to Beijing from other cities in China, the airfare will vary depending on the season and the time of booking, usually around 500 to 2,000 yuan. Train tickets are relatively cheap, ranging from a few hundred to thousands of yuan, depending on the train and seat level.
Beijing has hotels and homestays of various grades. The price of economy hotels is generally between 200 and 500 yuan per night, while the price of four-star and above hotels is about 600 to several thousand yuan per night. During holidays, the price may increase. In addition, booking can generally get more discounts.
Whether it is street snacks or high-end restaurants, they can meet the needs of different budgets. The per capita consumption of ordinary restaurants ranges from dozens to hundreds, while high-end restaurants may be slightly more expensive, so you can choose according to your budget.
The ticket prices for popular scenic spots such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace in Beijing range from tens of yuan, and the prices vary depending on the attractions.
In addition, there are also expenses incurred by shopping, and part of the budget needs to be reserved. In general, a trip to Beijing costs from several thousand to tens of thousands of yuan, and the specific cost varies depending on the travel time and itinerary. You can avoid the peak season and holidays, and choose to travel in the off-season, which will be more cost-effective. Accommodation and transportation will be cheaper, and some scenic spots will also have discounts on off-season tickets.
If you don't want to worry about tedious matters such as accommodation, tickets, and transportation, you can also book our Beijing tour group and enjoy one-stop Beijing tourism services. The travel is more worry-free and comfortable, and the price is transparent and preferential. There is no shopping, and you can enjoy more discounts if you book in advance.
Beijing has a temperate semi-humid and semi-arid monsoon climate with distinct four seasons. Spring is relatively dry and windy, summer is hot and humid with continuous rain, autumn is pleasant with mostly sunny weather, and winter is cold and dry with snowflakes. (Beijing weather and clothing guide for all year round and popular areas)
March to May and September to November are the best times to visit Beijing. At this time, Beijing has comfortable and pleasant weather, the temperature is just right, and the sun is bright but not dry, which adds a bit of comfort to the trip. From March to May, spring returns to Beijing, the weather is warm, and the city is full of flowers, adding vitality and romance to the journey. From September to November, the autumn is getting stronger, and Beijing is covered with colorful clothes. The fiery red maple leaves and golden ginkgo trees paint a beautiful picture of nature. At this time, whether it is the magnificent autumn scenery on the top of the Great Wall or the autumn walk in the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, you can freeze the most splendid moments and enjoy a double feast of vision and soul.
Beijing has a variety of hotels to choose from, from budget hotels to luxurious five-star hotels, all of which can meet different accommodation needs. Choosing the right place to stay can not only save time but also allow you to better enjoy Beijing's attractions. If you want to explore major tourist attractions such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, it is recommended to stay in Qianmen Street, which will be more convenient; if you want to experience Beijing's traditional culture, it is recommended to stay in Xicheng Hutong District, which has the style of old Beijing; if you like more modern facilities, it is recommended to live in Chaoyang District, which has many international facilities; if you want to experience Beijing's lively nightlife, it is recommended to live in Sanlitun, where there are many bars and clubs; if you prefer Beijing's academic and intellectual atmosphere, it is recommended to live in Haidian District, where many universities in Beijing are located.
Beijing is China's central transportation hub, with very convenient transportation. Among them, airplanes and high-speed rail are the most popular ways of travel.
Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport are the two major airports in Beijing. There are direct flights to major cities in China and some foreign cities. Most direct flights take about 2 to 4 hours, and the price is more expensive than trains. You can choose a suitable flight according to your city and itinerary.
Beijing has several major railway stations, among which Beijing Station, Beijing West Station,, and Beijing South Station are more frequently used. There are high-speed rail trains directly to Beijing from major cities in China, such as Chengdu, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chongqing, Hangzhou, etc., which are very convenient for travel and are very cost-effective compared to airplanes, but they take a long time.
In addition, during the peak tourist season in Beijing, it is difficult to buy air tickets or train tickets. Choosing our Beijing tour group can help you book air tickets or train tickets, and also provide convenient pick-up and drop-off services in Beijing to help you enjoy Beijing.
Beijing Roast Duck, a treasure of Chinese cuisine, is famous worldwide for its golden and crispy skin and tender and juicy duck meat. When tasting, take a piece of crispy skin and wrap a few strands of duck meat, roll it into a thin pancake, and serve it with rich sweet noodle sauce, fresh scallion shreds and crispy cucumber strips. Every bite is a feast for the taste buds with distinct layers, unique flavor, and endless aftertaste.
Fried Noodles with Soy Sauce, a model of home-cooked noodles in Beijing, conquers the hearts of diners with its mellow sauce flavor. Its essence lies in the spoonful of slowly simmered fried sauce, which is poured on the chewy noodles, served with crisp cucumber shreds, fresh bean sprouts, and refreshing carrot shreds. It not only enriches the taste layer, but also adds nutrition and health. Every bite is a tribute to traditional deliciousness.
In short, Beijing, a city that combines many world wonders with a long history and culture, is a very worthwhile tourist destination. Whether you are interested in the depth of history or the breadth of natural scenery, Beijing can perfectly suit your travel vision. What are you still hesitating about? Why not contact us now to start a wonderful and culturally profound trip to Beijing.
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