[Latest 2025 Travel Guide] Beijing

🏙 Beijing Travel Guide

📍 Must-visit tourist hotspots (selected)

1. Palace Museum

   • The world's largest and best-preserved ancient wooden palace complex.
   • Editor's tip: Online ticket reservations must be made in advance. There are fewer people in the off-season, so it's more comfortable to take photos slowly.
   • Recommended duration: 3-4 hours.

2. Tiananmen Square

   • The world's largest city square, the flag-raising ceremony is definitely worth seeing (you need to get up early).
   • Editor's tip: Keep warm in the strong winds of winter, and sun protection is essential in the summer.

3. The Great Wall (Badaling/Mutianyu)

   • Badaling has convenient transportation but is crowded; Mutianyu has beautiful scenery and is relatively quiet.
   • Editor's Tip: Wear comfortable shoes, bring plenty of water, and avoid midday in the summer.

4. Summer Palace

   • A representative work of royal gardens, Kunming Lake and Wanshou Hill offer charming scenery.
   • Editor’s Tip: Cruises are super chill in the summer, and viewing the maple leaves in the fall is also beautiful.

5. Beijing Hutong & Nanluoguxiang

   • Feel the atmosphere of old Beijing life, there are many unique shops and cafes hidden in the alleys.
   • Editor’s tip: You can rent a bicycle and travel slowly, taking photos and checking in is super fun.

🍜 Must-try food in Beijing

1. Peking Duck (Quanjude, Dadong, Siji Minfu)

   • The skin is crispy and the meat is tender, served with chopped green onions, sweet bean sauce, and rolled in pancakes.
   • Editor's recommendation: Four Seasons Minfu Roast Duck, a restaurant with a view where you can enjoy the night view of the Forbidden City while eating.

2. Jjajangmyeon

   • An old Beijing classic, the fragrant mixture of shredded cucumber, bean sprouts and fried sauce.
   • Recommended restaurants: Haiwanju and Old Beijing Noodle King.

3. Donkey Roll

   • The glutinous rice rolls are filled with red bean paste and the outer layer is covered with soybean powder, which makes them soft, sticky and sweet.

4. Douzhi

   • This is an old Beijing specialty fermented mung bean beverage with a unique flavor. It is recommended to try it with fried dough sticks.

5. mutton hotpot

   • Especially in winter, it is a must-eat. The copper pot hot pot meat is very heartwarming. I recommend Donglaishun and Jubaoyuan.

🚇 Beijing Traffic Tips

• Subway : Wide coverage, cheap price (starting price 3 yuan), and large passenger flow during peak hours.
• Public transportation : Cheap but crowded, suitable for short distances.
• Taxis & ride-hailing services : More expensive than the subway, but suitable for groups or people with lots of luggage.
• Bicycle rental : suitable for touring around hutongs and scenic spots (requires downloading a shared bicycle app).
• Transportation card : Apply for the "Beijing Municipal Transportation Card" which can be used for subways and buses, and also enjoy transfer discounts.

📅 Editor's personal itinerary suggestion (3 days)

• Day 1 : Tiananmen Square → Forbidden City → Jingshan Park → Wangfujing Night Market
• Day 2 : Badaling Great Wall → Summer Palace → Roast Duck Dinner
• Day 3 : Nanluoguxiang Hutong Tour → Lama Temple → Beijing Zoo or 798 Art District