Beijing
Plan Beijing with Haqqi Tours: day tours, private airport transfers, attraction tickets and packages, run by our own team and confirmed on WhatsApp in Arabic or English.
Step out of your hotel in Beijing at dawn and the capital is already moving. In the parks, older residents practise tai chi beneath cypress trees and write poems on the paving stones with water brushes; in the hutong lanes, steam rises from stalls frying jianbing pancakes with egg and scallion. Beyond the grey-tiled courtyards, the golden roofs of the Forbidden City catch the first light.
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Beijing at first sight
Beijing has been the seat of emperors for most of the last eight centuries, from the Yuan dynasty through the Ming and Qing, and remains the political and cultural capital of modern China. Its grand axis runs from the Temple of Heaven through Tiananmen Square and the imperial palace to the Drum and Bell Towers, and just beyond the city the Great Wall winds over the mountains.
Why include Beijing in your itinerary?
- Beijing is the gateway to the Great Wall of China. Restored and wild sections such as Mutianyu, Badaling and Jinshanling lie within a comfortable drive, letting you walk the ramparts between watchtowers above forested ridges.
- The city holds an unrivalled concentration of imperial heritage. The Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the Ming Tombs are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each revealing a different face of dynastic China.
- Beijing preserves a way of life found nowhere else: the hutongs, narrow lanes of courtyard houses where neighbours gossip on doorsteps, cyclists ring bells and local families still live, cook and play chess outdoors.
Signature experiences in Beijing
The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
The iconic Beijing day begins in Tiananmen Square and passes beneath the Gate of Heavenly Peace into the Forbidden City, the largest palace complex in the world, with its vermilion walls, marble terraces and nearly a thousand buildings. Tickets are limited, require advance real-name reservation with your passport, and sell out fast. We issue attraction tickets and our guided day tours handle bookings, security checks and the long walk through palace courts.
Peking Duck and Hutong Flavours
No visit is complete without Peking duck, its lacquered skin carved at the table and wrapped with scallion, cucumber and sweet bean sauce in thin pancakes. In the lanes, try zhajiangmian noodles, steamed baozi, jianbing at breakfast and candied hawthorn on a stick. Our guided hutong day tour with trusted local partners stops at family-run kitchens and explains the history behind the dishes you taste.
Hutongs of Shichahai and the Drum Tower
The quarter to wander lies around the Shichahai lakes, where willow-lined shores meet the old courtyard lanes. Walk past the Drum and Bell Towers, peek into restored siheyuan courtyard homes, explore Nanluoguxiang's lively lane and ride a pedicab through quieter alleys. Our guided day tour reveals the stories of the families and craftsmen who have shaped these lanes for centuries and help you find the authentic corners.
The Great Wall at Mutianyu
The essential day trip from Beijing climbs to the Great Wall. Mutianyu, about ninety minutes away, is restored yet less crowded than Badaling, with watchtowers strung along forested ridges and a cable car or chairlift to the top. For photographers, Jinshanling offers wilder ramparts. Our guided day tour with a private vehicle, or a private car with driver arranged by our team, lets you arrive early and walk the wall at your own pace.
The Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace
At the Temple of Heaven, emperors prayed for good harvests in the circular Hall of Prayer, roofed in deep blue tiles; in the surrounding park, locals sing, dance and play cards each morning. Across the city, the Summer Palace spreads around Kunming Lake with its Long Corridor, painted pavilions and marble boat. We issue tickets for both and our guided day tours connect them with ease.
Neighbourhoods and quarters to know in Beijing
Dongcheng and Wangfujing
The historic eastern core around the Forbidden City, with the shopping street of Wangfujing, hutong lanes and many international hotels. It is central, very safe and well served by the metro, placing the palace, Tiananmen and the Temple of Heaven within easy reach. It is the most practical base for first-time visitors who want to walk out to the great sights each morning.
Shichahai and the Drum Tower
A district of lakes, willows and hutongs north of the Forbidden City, where courtyard boutique hotels let you sleep in a traditional siheyuan. Days are spent strolling the lake shores and visiting the Drum Tower and Prince Gong's Mansion. It is safe, atmospheric and lively into the evening, ideal for travellers who want the character of old Beijing at their door.
Chaoyang, Sanlitun and the CBD
Modern Beijing in glass and steel: the Central Business District with its striking towers, the stylish shopping and dining streets of Sanlitun and the 798 Art District of galleries in former factories. It is safe, cosmopolitan and home to many luxury hotels and embassies. It suits business travellers, design lovers and anyone who enjoys a contemporary pace with international cuisine.
Haidian and the Summer Palace
The north-western district of universities, technology campuses and imperial gardens, home to the Summer Palace and the ruins of the Old Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan. It feels calmer and greener than the centre, with leafy campuses and lakes. It is safe and good for longer stays or travellers focused on gardens and academia, though further from the central sights.
How long to stay in Beijing and how to pair it
Recommended stay
Plan four nights in Beijing. Two days cover the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven and the hutongs, a third goes to the Great Wall, often with the Ming Tombs, and a fourth allows the Summer Palace and the 798 Art District. Five nights gives a gentler pace for families.
How to pair it
Beijing anchors the classic China itinerary. In seven days, spend four nights in Beijing and three in Shanghai, linked by a high-speed train of around four and a half hours that we can ticket. In ten days, add Xi'an and the Terracotta Warriors between them. For fourteen days, continue south to Guangzhou for Cantonese cuisine, building a journey from imperial north to subtropical south.
Best time to visit Beijing and the rhythm of the day
Best months
The best time to visit Beijing is from September to early November, when skies are clear, the air is crisp and autumn colours paint the Great Wall. April to May is also lovely, with blossom in the imperial gardens. Summer is hot and humid with occasional storms, and winter is cold and dry yet beautiful when snow dusts the palace roofs.
The daily rhythm
Beijing starts early: by seven the parks are full of tai chi, dancing and singing, and breakfast is jianbing or baozi on the go. Major sights open in the morning and fill quickly, so arrive at opening time. Lunch is around noon, sights close by late afternoon, and evenings bring dinner in the hutongs and strolls along the Shichahai lakes.
On-the-ground logistics in Beijing
Arrival
Beijing has two international airports. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), north-east of the centre, is around forty-five minutes to an hour from Dongcheng, while Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) in the south takes about an hour. High-speed trains arrive at Beijing South Station. Our private airport transfer meets you on arrival and drives you directly to your hotel.
Getting around
Beijing is vast, so walking works within neighbourhoods but not between them. The metro is clean, fast, extensive and signposted in English, with security checks at every station. Taxis are affordable, though few drivers speak English, and ride-hailing apps work with a local payment setup. For sightseeing days and the Great Wall, a private car with driver arranged by our team is easiest.
Local etiquette tip
Visitors often forget that many Beijing attractions require real-name booking with a passport, and that the same passport must be shown at the gate. Always carry it. In temples, walk around rather than over thresholds, keep voices low and avoid pointing at statues. Expect security checks at Tiananmen and on the metro, and be patient in queues.
Must-do things in Beijing
- Walk through the vermilion courts of the Forbidden City at opening time
- Stand in the vast expanse of Tiananmen Square at sunrise
- Hike between the watchtowers of the Great Wall at Mutianyu
- Watch morning tai chi and dancing in the Temple of Heaven park
- Taste crisp Peking duck wrapped in pancakes with sweet bean sauce
- Ride a pedicab through the hutongs around the Drum and Bell Towers
- Stroll the Long Corridor and Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace
- Explore galleries and design studios in the 798 Art District
- Visit the Lama Temple and its giant sandalwood Buddha
- Stroll the willow-lined shores of the Shichahai lakes at dusk
Do’s and don’ts in Beijing
Do
- Carry your passport for tickets, hotels and security checks
- Reserve the Forbidden City and other key sights well in advance
- Set up a mobile payment method before arrival, as cash is used less
- Arrive at major attractions at opening time to beat crowds
- Carry your hotel's address written in Chinese characters
Don’t
- Do not expect to buy Forbidden City tickets at the gate
- Do not discuss politics loudly or photograph security personnel
- Do not stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice
- Do not step on temple thresholds or touch sacred statues
- Do not rely on street directions in English without a translation app
Beijing at a glance
Plan Beijing with Haqqi Tours
Every option is confirmed by our team on WhatsApp before you pay, and delivered by our own people or by trusted local partners we work with in every city. Because we send travellers from all over the world, our partners give us special rates and priority, so you always receive the best. Prices are per person unless marked per vehicle.
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Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask most about Beijing.
Where should first-time visitors stay in Beijing?
First-time visitors to Beijing are best based in Dongcheng near Wangfujing or the Forbidden City, with the main sights and metro lines close at hand. The Shichahai hutongs offer charming courtyard hotels, while Chaoyang and Sanlitun suit travellers who prefer a modern, international feel. Our team can suggest hotels for your style.
Can Beijing be done as a day trip, or does it need an overnight stay?
Beijing cannot be done as a day trip. The Forbidden City alone takes half a day, the Great Wall needs a full day, and the hutongs, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace deserve their own time. Plan at least three nights, ideally four, to see the capital properly.
What is the dress code and etiquette in Beijing?
Dress in Beijing is casual and practical; wear comfortable shoes for long palace walks. In temples dress modestly, keep voices low and avoid stepping on thresholds. Carry your passport for ticket checks and security, queue patiently, and accept business cards or gifts with both hands as a sign of respect.
Is Beijing tourist friendly?
Beijing is increasingly tourist friendly, with English signs on the metro and at major sights, modern hotels and helpful staff in tourist areas. Language and payment can be challenging, so preparation helps. Our team and trusted local partners provide guides, transfers and tickets, and stay in touch with you throughout by WhatsApp.
Is it safe to travel to Beijing now?
Beijing is considered a very safe city for travellers, with low street crime and a strong security presence at stations and landmarks. Before departure, check the official travel advice of your own government, carry your passport at all times as required, and keep our WhatsApp line handy for any assistance.
What are the must-do things in Beijing?
The must-do things in Beijing are the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall at Mutianyu, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the hutongs around Shichahai and the Drum Tower, the Lama Temple, the 798 Art District and a traditional Peking duck dinner.
How many days do you need in Beijing?
Four days is ideal in Beijing. Two days cover the Forbidden City, Tiananmen, the Temple of Heaven and the hutongs, a third is devoted to the Great Wall, and a fourth allows the Summer Palace and the art district. With Shanghai, a week in China makes a complete first journey.
What can I book in Beijing with Haqqi Tours?
Day tours, attraction tickets, private airport transfers, flight tickets and train tickets, including Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour from Beijing, Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Guided Tour with Tickets Beijing and Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City Guided Tour Beijing. Each has its own page, and the WhatsApp desk combines any of them into one plan with one written price.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Beijing?
Beijing Capital (PEK) is about 30 km north-east of the centre with Terminals 1, 2 and 3; Daxing (PKX) is the newer airport about 50 km to the south - the two are 80 km apart. Our private transfer meets you at arrivals with a name board, tracks your flight and takes you door to door at a fixed price for the whole vehicle; the transfer pages list every route.
Is there public transport from the airport to Beijing?
The Airport Express reaches Dongzhimen from Capital Airport in about 25 minutes and the Daxing Airport Express reaches Caoqiao; both end with a taxi and a language gap, so most visitors book a car with a driver, and the Great Wall is a road trip in any case. With luggage, a family or a late flight, the private car is the simpler choice.
Which tours are available in Beijing?
Among them: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour from Beijing, Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Guided Tour with Tickets Beijing, Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City Guided Tour Beijing, Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Bus Tour from Beijing and Private Mutianyu Great Wall Trip with English Driver Beijing. Each page says whether the day is private or small-group, what it includes and how long it lasts.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Both exist, and each tour page says which. A private tour has a vehicle and guide for your party alone; the desk can make most group tours private on request.
How do I book?
Fill in the form on any page or message us on WhatsApp with the date, the number of travellers and the hotel. A member of our team confirms the price and the details in writing within minutes.
Are the prices fixed?
Yes - every price is agreed in writing on WhatsApp before you travel and does not change on the day.
Do the drivers and guides speak Arabic or English?
It depends on the city and the day, so we do not promise a particular language; tell us your preference and we do our best. The WhatsApp desk always works in Arabic and English.
Can I change or cancel a booking in Beijing?
Yes, in the same WhatsApp conversation. The terms depend on the product and on how close to the date the change comes; the desk states them before you pay.