Beijing: An Ancient Capital Where Past Meets Present

Ideal for all travellers: imperial heritage, hutong lanes, and local Beijing flavours

Historic sitesFoodHutong toursArt galleriesFamily-FriendlyCity Walks
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Beijing · North China

About the city

As China’s capital, Beijing is home to world-class cultural heritage sites such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace, while also preserving the everyday charm of old Beijing in places like Yandai Xiejie and Nanluoguxiang. You can try authentic local favourites including Peking duck, zhajiangmian, and copper-pot hotpot, or explore contemporary spots such as the 798 Art District and Sanlitun. With a well-developed public transport network and metro lines covering most major attractions, Beijing offers mature visitor services and plenty of options, from day trips to more in-depth stays.

Explore from your hotel

Where do you want to explore?

You can feel the grandeur of imperial Beijing beneath the red walls of the Forbidden City, climb the Badaling Great Wall for sweeping mountain views, wander through hutongs to find cafés tucked inside courtyard houses, and head to Jingshan Park at dusk for a panoramic view over the Forbidden City. Food lovers can enjoy time-honoured culinary traditions at long-established restaurants, art fans can explore the many exhibitions at 798, and younger visitors can experience Beijing’s nightlife in Sanlitun. A wide range of travel interests is well catered for.

Happening Now

Beijing served as the capital of several dynasties. The hutongs and courtyard houses of the old city are living traces of everyday life in the past, while its imperial architecture reflects a strong sense of symmetry and order. Many traditional customs and food traditions are still preserved today. In the hutongs, you may come across older Beijingers walking their birds, and in teahouses you can see traditional folk performances. Old and new cultures meet here, giving the city both a deep sense of history and a lively contemporary character.

What's worth experiencing right now?

A stay of 3–5 days is recommended, with the main city-centre attractions as a priority. The metro is the most convenient way to get around, and most major sights offer foreign-language guide services. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for travel. Popular attractions can be busy during school holidays, summer and winter breaks, and public holidays, so advance booking is recommended. Most places accept mobile payment, though carrying a small amount of cash can be useful. Overall, the city is friendly for families with children and older travellers, and accessible facilities at attractions are relatively well developed.