TravelCities

Beijing-A Must-Visit City in China

AYu

AYu

— 7 min read
Beijing-A Must-Visit City in China
Photo by zhang kaiyv / Unsplash

Exploring Beijing: Top Reasons to Visit China’s Capital

1. Historical and Cultural Significance

Beijing is not only the capital of China but also the political, cultural, and historical center of the country. In Beijing, there are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Old Summer Palace, and parts of the Great Wall. These attractions allow visitors to experience China's past and its rich cultural heritage.

2. The Great Wall of China

One of the most iconic symbols of China, the Great Wall is a must-see. The Badaling and Mutianyu sections near Beijing are some of the best-preserved and most accessible parts of the wall, offering stunning views and a sense of the historical significance of this ancient structure.

3. Culinary Delights

Beijing cuisine, particularly Peking duck, is renowned worldwide. The city is home to a variety of restaurants that offer authentic Chinese culinary experiences. You can explore traditional food markets and enjoy a diverse range of local dishes.

4. Modern Metropolis

While steeped in history, Beijing is also a bustling modern metropolis. The city showcases impressive modern architecture, such as the CCTV Headquarters and the National Centre for the Performing Arts. It also offers world-class shopping districts like Wangfujing and the trendy 798 Art District.

5. Vibrant Culture and Traditions

Beijing is a cultural hub, with countless museums, theaters, and traditional performances like Peking opera. The city hosts numerous cultural festivals and events throughout the year, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience Chinese traditions and contemporary culture first-hand.

Must-Visit Attractions in Beijing

  1. Tiananmen Square: The world's largest city square, a site of great historical and cultural significance.
  2. The Forbidden City: The former imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, now a vast museum complex.
  3. The Temple of Heaven: A magnificent complex of religious buildings where emperors prayed for good harvests.
  4. The Summer Palace: A grand imperial garden and palace, showcasing traditional Chinese landscaping.
  5. The Great Wall of China: Particularly the Badaling and Mutianyu sections, offering spectacular views and historical insights.
  6. The Ming Tombs: The burial site of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors, located at the foot of Tianshou Mountain.
  7. The Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple): A renowned Tibetan Buddhist temple known for its exquisite architecture and cultural artifacts.
  8. The National Museum of China: One of the largest museums in the world, offering a comprehensive overview of Chinese history and culture.
  9. 798 Art District: A contemporary art zone housed in a former factory complex, featuring galleries, studios, and cafes.
  10. Hutongs and Courtyards: Traditional residential neighborhoods offering a glimpse into Beijing's historic urban lifestyle.

Beijing Attractions Requiring Reservations

1. The Forbidden City (故宫博物院)

  • Reservation Time: 7 days in advance, starting at 20:00.
  • Reservation Method: Official website or WeChat mini-program.

2. The National Museum of China (国家博物馆)

  • Reservation Time: 7 days in advance, starting at 17:00.
  • Reservation Method: Official website or WeChat mini-program.

3. Tiananmen Square (天安门广场)

  • Reservation Time: 1-9 days in advance.
  • Reservation Method: Official website or WeChat mini-program.

4. Tiananmen Rostrum (天安门城楼)

  • Reservation Time: 1-7 days in advance.
  • Reservation Method: Official website or WeChat mini-program.

5. Mausoleum of Mao Zedong (毛主席纪念堂)

  • Reservation Time: 1-6 days in advance.
  • Reservation Method: Official website or WeChat mini-program.

6. The Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂)

  • Reservation Time: 1-3 days in advance.
  • Reservation Method: Official website or WeChat mini-program.

7. Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution (军事博物馆)

  • Reservation Time: Within 8 days, at 8:00, 17:00, and 20:00.
  • Reservation Method: Official website or WeChat mini-program.

8. National Natural History Museum (国家自然博物馆)

  • Reservation Time: 1-3 days in advance, updated daily at 11:00.
  • Reservation Method: Official website or WeChat mini-program.

9. China Archaeology Museum (中国考古博物馆)

  • Reservation Time: 3 days in advance.
  • Reservation Method: "中国考古博物馆" WeChat mini-program or the "中国历史文化展示中心" WeChat public account.

10. Capital Museum (首都博物馆)

  • Reservation Time: 1-7 days in advance.
  • Reservation Method: "首都博物馆" WeChat mini-program.

11. Beijing Police Museum (北京警察博物馆)

  • Reservation Time: 1-3 days in advance.
  • Reservation Method: "北京警务" WeChat mini-program or "北京文博" WeChat public account.

12. Beijing Lu Xun Museum (北京鲁迅博物馆)

  • Reservation Time: Within 3 days.
  • Reservation Method: "北京鲁迅博物馆" WeChat mini-program.

13. Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (中国人民抗日战争纪念馆)

  • Reservation Time: Within 3 days.
  • Reservation Method: "中国人民抗日战争纪念馆" WeChat mini-program.

14. National Library Children's Hall (国家图书馆少年馆)

  • Reservation Time: Within 3 days.
  • Reservation Method: "国家图书馆服务号" WeChat public account.

15. Peking University (北京大学)

  • Reservation Time: 7 days in advance, daily slots open at 8:00.
  • Reservation Method: "参观北大" WeChat mini-program.

16. Tsinghua University (清华大学)

  • Reservation Time:
    • Weekdays: 1 day in advance.
    • Non-weekdays: 7 days in advance.
    • Daily slots open at 8:00.
  • Reservation Method: "参观清华" WeChat mini-program.

17. China National Film Museum (中国电影博物馆)

  • Reservation Time: Daily 2,000 tickets available.
  • Reservation Method: "中国电影博物馆" official WeChat public account.

When planning a trip to Beijing, it's essential to make reservations for certain popular attractions well in advance. Each site has specific guidelines for reservation timing and methods, primarily through official websites or WeChat mini-programs. This ensures a smooth and enjoyable visit to these historical and cultural landmarks.

Transportation in Beijing

1.Airports

  1. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK): The main international airport, located in the northeastern part of the city, serving as a major hub for domestic and international flights.
  2. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX): A newer airport located to the south of Beijing, known for its cutting-edge design and extensive domestic and international connections.

2.High-Speed Railway Stations

  1. Beijing South Railway Station: One of the largest railway stations in Beijing, serving as a major hub for high-speed rail lines, including the Beijing-Tianjin and Beijing-Shanghai routes.
  2. Beijing West Railway Station: Another key station for high-speed trains, connecting Beijing with cities across China, including Xi’an, Chengdu, and Guangzhou.
  3. Beijing North Railway Station: Primarily serving high-speed trains to cities like Zhangjiakou and Hohhot.

3.Railway Stations

  1. Beijing Railway Station: The oldest railway station in the city, handling a significant number of long-distance and overnight trains.
  2. Beijing East Railway Station: Serves both conventional and high-speed trains, providing additional capacity for travel to and from Beijing.

4.Subway

Beijing's subway system is one of the most extensive and efficient in the world, with 27 lines covering over 700 kilometers. Key lines include:

  1. Line 1: East-west line connecting major commercial districts.
  2. Line 2: A loop line encircling the city center, connecting many key areas.
  3. Line 4: North-south line serving major universities and the Summer Palace.
  4. Line 5: Another north-south line, connecting residential areas with the city center.
  5. Airport Express Line: Provides direct access to both Beijing Capital International Airport and the city center.

4.Buses

Beijing has an extensive bus network covering nearly every part of the city. Some key aspects include:

  1. Regular Buses: Extensive routes that cover the entire city and surrounding areas.
  2. BRT (Bus Rapid Transit): Dedicated lanes for rapid bus service on key routes.
  3. Night Buses: Services that operate during late-night hours to provide connectivity when the subway is closed.

5.Taxis and Ride-Sharing

  • Taxis: Widely available throughout the city, offering a convenient way to get around.
  • Ride-Sharing Services: Apps like Didi Chuxing provide an alternative to traditional taxis, with a variety of vehicle options.

6.Bicycles

  • Public Bike-Sharing: Numerous bike-sharing programs with stations across the city, such as Mobike and Ofo, making it easy to rent and return bikes.

7.Additional Transportation

  • Trams: Limited tram services, primarily in suburban areas.
  • Ferries: Available on certain rivers and lakes, such as the Houhai area.

Beijing Travel Tips

Central Attractions: Forbidden City

District Division and Main Attractions and Price:

Dongcheng District:

  • Tiananmen Square (Free)
  • Palace Museum (60 RMB)
  • Temple of Heaven Park (15 RMB)
  • Yonghe Temple (25 RMB)
  • Zhongshan Park (5 RMB)
  • National Museum of China (Free)
  • Chairman Mao Memorial Hall (Free)
  • Beihai Park (30 RMB)

Xicheng District:

  • Jingshan Park (2 RMB)
  • Shichahai (Free)
  • Prince Gong's Mansion (40 RMB)
  • Beihai Park (10 RMB)
  • Beijing Zoo (15 RMB)
  • Taoranting Park (2 RMB)
  • Nanluoguxiang (Free)

Chaoyang District:

  • Olympic Park (Free)
  • Water Cube (30 RMB)
  • Snake Valley (299 RMB)
  • Chaoyang Park (5 RMB)
  • Sanlitun (Free)
  • 798 Art Zone (Free)
  • China Science and Technology Museum (30 RMB)

Haidian District:

  • Summer Palace (60 RMB)
  • Old Summer Palace (25 RMB)
  • Botanical Garden (5 RMB)
  • Fragrant Hills Park (2 RMB)

Other Districts:

  • Badaling Great Wall (40 RMB, 66.9 km from downtown)
  • Ming Tombs (40 RMB)
  • Shidu Scenic Area (418 RMB)
  • Beijing Expo Garden (20 RMB)

Special Attractions:

  • Beijing Capital International Airport (29 km from downtown)
  • Badaling Great Wall (66.9 km from downtown)

Notes:

🎫 When visiting Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, no items, including bags, are allowed. It's best to store them beforehand to save time. Mobile phones are permitted but photography is prohibited, and cameras are not allowed.

🎫 There are four routes to the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City that do not require security checks: from Zhongshan Park, from the People's Cultural Palace (entering from the east gate and exiting from the west gate), from Donghua Gate, and from Xihua Gate. If you have tickets for the afternoon session, you can actually enter as early as 11 AM.

🎫 The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in Temple of Heaven Park stops admitting visitors around 4 PM and closes around 5 PM, so visitors should arrive early if they wish to visit.

🎫 You don't have to climb the entire Badaling Great Wall. The southern section has the Hero's Monument, which is less crowded but offers average scenery, while the northern section is more lively.

🎫 If you only want to take a photo with Tiananmen Square but don't want to walk there, you can get off at Tiananmen West Station, bypassing security, and take your photo directly at the National Museum.

🎫 At the National Museum of China, power banks cannot be used, so make sure your phone is fully charged.

🎫 The Forbidden City, National Museum, and Prince Gong's Mansion all have express lanes for visitors without bags, for convenience.

🎫 Tiananmen Square and City Tower require reservations for entry.

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