Discover Beijing

Beijing offers one of China’s richest combinations of imperial history, national culture, modern city life, hutong neighborhoods, museums, food, parks, and access to the Great Wall. As China’s capital, it is one of the best places to understand the country’s political, historical, and cultural identity, while still offering everyday local life through markets, alleyways, parks, cafés, and restaurants.

A visit can include the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, hutong walks, local breakfast, Peking duck, contemporary art areas, museums, Olympic Park, and different sections of the Great Wall. The best time to visit is April to May or September to October, when the weather is more comfortable for walking and sightseeing. Beijing also works well as a base for nearby destinations such as Tianjin, Chengde, Datong, Zhangjiakou, and parts of Hebei.