Beijing Travel Guide which you should not miss
“I’m heading to China!” Even just thinking those words sends a jolt of excitement through me. Asia—it’s vast, exotic, and wonderfully mysterious. A swirling tapestry of neon cities, mouthwatering street food, and a language that twists my tongue into knots.
Normally, I’m rather a carefree wanderer who steps off the plane with almost zero prep. But this time, I allowed myself a little planning. A friend insisted I download a few must-have apps and memorize some basics. And yet, once I touched down in Beijing, I realized how much I still didn’t know.
So let me take you on my journey—my Beijing travel guide—complete with the tips I learned the hard way. Follow along, and your trip will be smoother, more rewarding, and infinitely less nerve-racking than mine.
Best Time to Visit Beijing
Choosing when to visit is crucial. I picked the Lunar New Year in February—a fascinating but chaotic time. Imagine bustling streets packed with people, where even falling over isn’t an option because you’re wedged in by the crowd.
If you want a calmer experience, avoid national holidays and school breaks. Ideal months to visit Beijing include March to May, early June, September, and October. The weather is pleasant, and tourist spots are less crowded.
Visa Requirements for Visiting Beijing
If you are a European citizen flying through China to another destination and have only one layover in China lasting to 6 or 15 days, you should obtain a transit visa upon arrival in China (check the correct length of the visa based on your citizenship).
Usually, you will receive your visa after arrival without a problem – in Beijing, they even issue them for shorter layovers, like 10 hours, although it is not guaranteed in China (for example, during a 10-hour layover in Shenzhen, I was not given a transit visa—they apparently no longer issue it if a passenger has a connecting flight within 24 hours, perhaps because people were getting lost in Shenzhen?). An exception may be if you are eligible for a free transit hotel (for sufficiently long layovers of up to 24 hours in cities where the airline provides a hotel), in which case you will likely be granted a transit visa.
However, generally, it’s better to stop in China for 24 hours or more, as you’ll have a higher chance of receiving a transit visa.
It’s important to have a connecting flight from China already booked when departing for China, as you will need proof of leaving China within the designated time frame.
For entry into China, your fingerprints will be scanned, which is not a problem—it’s done in many countries—but some people might find it uncomfortable.
If your flight ticket includes multiple layovers or stopovers within China, you cannot apply for the transit visa.
If you are traveling for a longer period or do not qualify for the transit visa, you will need to apply for a tourist visa in advance at the Chinese embassy in your country.
Navigating Beijing Capital International Airport
The airport is truly enormous. Specifically, it’s the largest in China and one of the busiest in the world. It is located about 30 km northeast of the city center. It has two terminals – Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. The original Terminal 1 was incorporated into Terminal 2 after renovation. An underground automatic train runs between the terminals for free (operating 24/7 with intervals of 3-5 minutes).
Upon arrival, before passing through immigration control, look for a special counter labeled “Temporary Entry Permit Application,” where visa-free entries are processed. This is what the sign looks like:
As I mentioned, during a layover of up to 24 hours, the officer may either grant or deny your visa-free entry, and in case of denial, you will have to spend your time in the transit zone. If you have a hotel reservation, visa-free entry should be granted. For example, the CITIC Hotel Beijing Airport ****, located near the airport, offers free shuttle service to the airport.
I have a 2.5-day stopover, and I’m thrilled to have my new visa sticker in my passport. I want to use the free airport WiFi, but none of the pre-installed VPNs are working. However, I’m sure you have a working VPN installed and activated before coming to China, and you can log in to the internet using a code you receive via SMS. Therefore, you need to enter a real phone number when signing in. The SMS should be sent without any problems to a foreign phone number.
Alternatively, you can get the code from automatic kiosks scattered throughout the airport, where you need to scan your passport.
I’m flying from Vietnam and have two pieces of checked luggage. I intend to leave one in the baggage storage in the arrival hall, which is open 24/7 (update as of June 2024). The fee for storage up to 24 hours is 100 yuan. In Terminal 2, it’s located in the arrival hall near Exit 9 and in the departure hall near Door 10. In Terminal 3, it’s available on both the eastern and western sides of the arrival hall.
Beijing travel guide for transportation
I have some yuan with me that I exchanged before the trip, so I have money for the journey from the airport to the city, where I can then withdraw more from an ATM (Bank of China offers free withdrawals for Revolut cardholders, and Visa and Mastercard cards can also be used). Bank of China ATMs should also be available at the airport. However, if you want to exchange cash, the rates at airport currency exchanges are not very favorable.
You can use several modes of transportation:
- By taxi (in Beijing, the DiDi app works – be careful to install the app for customers, not for drivers). I would be cautious of taxi drivers waiting at the airport or train station, especially those who crowd around you as soon as you leave the station and claim that your bus isn’t running. Don’t trust them.
- By the special Airport Express Train, which runs to both terminals and connects to the regular Beijing subway network. You can buy a ticket from an automated machine at the metro station, and the price for a one-way ticket is 25 yuan. Trains run every 10 minutes from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
- By metro. The machines and signs in the metro are also in English, so easy! When purchasing a ticket, you need to enter both the departure and destination stations. You cannot change your mind during the journey and get off at a different stop, as you must insert your ticket into the turnstile at the destination station. The fare is around 3 yuan.
The metro will be crowded with people. When boarding and exiting, don’t expect anyone to make space for you near the doors; you’ll need to fight your way through. The person who squeezes to the door faster wins and gets on/off. I recommend downloading the MetroMan Beijing app (which can be used offline and there are also versions for other cities like Shanghai) or at least a metro map for peace of mind. Be prepared for security checks at every metro entrance, similar to those at the airport, where you will pass through security gates.
- There are also special airport bus routes to several destinations within Beijing that serve both terminals. The fare ranges from 20 to 30 yuan, depending on the distance traveled, and tickets (from the airport) can be purchased at a kiosk before boarding the bus. If you take a city bus, always have 2 yuan with you to drop into the collection box directly on the bus.
Accommodation Tips
If you fly with Air China, China Eastern, China Southern or Xiamen Air, and have a layover of up to 24 hours, there is a big chance you are eligible for a free transit hotel. You can book the hotels through the Chinese (and sometimes also in English) versions of the airline apps. Sounds complicated? Not at all! Have a look at my detailed guide on how to book the hotel when flying with China Eastern where you need to book it in the Chinese version of their app.
I have booked accommodation for tonight in the city. I go to the Dongzhimen station and transfer to the inner circular metro line. My destination for today is to reach the Beijing Yue Xuan Courtyard Hostel (No.1, Dongsi Ertiao, Dongcheng District, 东城区东四二条1号), which is located at the Dongsi metro station (东四). I exit from Gate B and find myself in a small square. I cross to the main street, turn right, and after a few dozen meters, I find a narrow alley called 东四二条, and I turn there. I am in a traditional Chinese residential area, among hutongs, which are narrow alleyways with houses surrounding courtyards, built from bricks or stone.
I walk past public toilets, which are found on every street here (most households do not have toilets). If you decide to use a public toilet, be prepared for other visitors to leave the door open, for the doors and walls of the toilet rooms to sometimes be so low that you can comfortably chat with your neighbor, and for some toilet rooms to have no doors or walls at all. Don’t forget to bring your own toilet paper…
At the end, I turn left. After a while, I see small red doors with two red lanterns. The hostel is located in a small alley across from DONG SI SAN TIAO No. 61 (东四三条61号). Take this as a guide for those choosing this hostel.
I recommend booking accommodation on www.booking.com or www.hostelworld.com. For other platforms, make sure the hotel can accommodate foreign tourists. Chinese hotels need special permission to host foreigners, and not all of them have it. Most tourists in China are Chinese, so as a foreigner, you’ll be more of an exception.
Essential Apps for Traveling in China
I have two VPNs installed. “At least one of them has to work,” I tell myself, but my attempts to connect to WiFi through them are futile.
Both (ExpressVPN and AVG VPN) didn’t work for me in Beijing. Due to stricter regulations on VPN services that bypass internet censorship, VPN providers play a constant game of cat and mouse with Chinese authorities, frequently changing server addresses and locations. For instance, ExpressVPN operates an informational website under various addresses, where users can download updated versions of the app and find optimal server locations. But I didn’t know that at the time.
Later, I discover that Thunder VPN (available both for Apple and Android) still works and I manage to get it running even from China (October 2024). After installing it, activate it directly from your settings menu under VPN to avoid watching ads to earn tokens for VPN usage.
Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to install several VPNs beforehand. Without one, you won’t have access to your favorite social networks (Messenger, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) or even Google due to censorship. Without a VPN, even the Air China app didn’t work for me. It’s nice to be offline for a while, but it’s frustrating when you urgently need to Google something and can’t. Among search engines, Bing might work without a VPN.
Another challenge is finding decent WiFi, which is typically only reliable at accommodations. Public WiFi (in restaurants, cafes, etc.) is generally terrible.
For traveling around China, be sure to download offline maps like Mapy.cz and Maps.me with the Beijing area saved. Among Chinese maps, I recommend Gaode (高德地图) or Baidu (百度地图). They will come in handy. You could try asking for directions on the street, but don’t expect anyone to understand you. English won’t get you far in China.
Google Translate will be your savior, especially with the Chinese language pack downloaded for offline use (plus you will need to have the English language pack downloaded). Having at least one mobile app that lets you translate your speech into Chinese and scan Chinese text into your language without internet is essential for survival in China. For example, intercity buses don’t display numbers—only destinations in Chinese characters. Similarly, train station information boards usually lack Latin script.
When communicating with locals, you can use an offline translator as well as gestures, but be careful not to make a faux pas. For example, if you want to show the number two with your fingers, don’t raise your thumb and index finger, as this means “eight” to the Chinese. Instead, use your index and middle fingers in a “V” shape.
Be prepared for the fact that, as a foreigner, you’ll often be the center of attention and likely the only European in sight. Expect that Chinese people and their culture will be quite different from what you’re used to. In the metro, there might be significant crowding, and during meals, you’ll notice your fellow diners eating noisily, often with their mouths wide open.
At shared meals, there’s always rice on the table surrounded by numerous small dishes with a variety of foods for everyone to choose from. Each person eats from a small bowl into which they serve themselves. Chopsticks are commonly used in China, but many restaurants also provide spoons. Be careful not to stick chopsticks upright into the rice, as it symbolizes death. If you’re traveling alone and don’t have company, look for places that serve individual meals like fried noodles, rice with meat or vegetables, or Chinese dumplings.
Lastly, don’t drink tap water in China. Always opt for bottled or boiled water.
How to Get an eSIM Card or Local SIM in China
Buying a SIM card in China is a bit more complicated for foreigners than in other countries. To purchase a SIM card, you need to register with your passport. This process often includes taking your photo and, in some cases, even collecting your fingerprints. Smaller shops often cannot process foreign documents, so it’s best to visit a larger China Mobile or China Unicom store at the airport, shopping malls, or in major cities.
China Unicom is generally recommended for foreign phones, as its 4G network is compatible with most international devices. China Mobile has broader coverage but uses a unique 3G network that isn’t compatible with many foreign phones, meaning users outside major cities might be limited to slower 2G speeds.
Local carrier plans are affordable. For instance, China Unicom offers packages with 10GB of data and free minutes for around 69 RMB per month, while China Mobile has similar plans for 88 RMB. Additional data can be purchased if needed.
For greater flexibility, you can opt for an eSIM (such as Airalo, eSIM.net) before arriving in China. Data plans can be activated immediately upon arrival, simplifying the process, avoiding a store visit, and enabling access to apps and sites like Google and Facebook without requiring a VPN.
The Airalo eSIM is data-only and doesn’t provide a phone number, so you’ll use apps like WhatsApp, Viber, or China’s WeChat for calls. This shouldn’t significantly limit your communication options.
If you happen to visit Hong Kong before traveling to mainland China, you can purchase a SIM card there (e.g., from China Mobile HK) and use it in China in roaming mode. By activating data roaming, you’ll have access to websites like Google and Facebook without needing a VPN.
When Online: Embrace WeChat
In China, many activities are handled through WeChat. This app isn’t just for messaging; it’s also used for booking tickets and paying for practically everything (via WeChat Pay). Cash is rarely used anymore, with WeChat Pay and Alipay being the most common payment methods. I highly recommend downloading and setting up both apps before your trip to China, along with any other essential apps.
To create a standard WeChat account, you must be verified by someone who has had a WeChat account for more than 30 days. Download WeChat, set up your account, and then ask someone who already has an account to approve your registration (available for both Android and Apple).
Top Things to Do in Beijing
Tickets for the Forbidden City, the Mausoleum, and other landmarks must be reserved in advance via WeChat. For instance, tickets to the Forbidden City can be booked through the WeChat mini-program called ‘故宫博物院’ using your passport details. For Tiananmen Square, reservations are made through the mini-program ‘天安门广场’ in 小程序.
Demand for tickets to the Forbidden City and the Mausoleum is quite high, so I recommend booking them well in advance. Tickets for the Forbidden City go on sale 7 days in advance at 8:00 PM and sell out quickly. Mausoleum tickets may be available 9 days in advance.
Of course, I didn’t make any reservations, so I just strolled around Tiananmen Square, took photos of some locals, and in return, a few locals snapped pictures with me.
I head back to the hostel, pay for my stay (card payment is accepted), and ponder how I’ll manage to reach my reserved accommodation near the Great Wall without internet. It’s several hours away by train or bus from Beijing.
In the hostel reception, I spot a guy who’s packed up and also checking out.
“Hi, where are you headed?” I ask.
“To the Great Wall.”
“Really? Me too! Which accommodation are you going to?”
“Awesome, can I join you?”
I’m not sure if he’s thrilled about my company or not, but I thank the universe for sending me this help and tag along. At least there will be two of us if we run into any trouble. He’s an American from California who spends his winters traveling instead of working. He buys tickets at the metro station, but his accent catches my attention. After a moment, he speaks to another Chinese person, and I realize I don’t understand a word. “No way—he speaks Chinese!” Turns out he lived in Shanghai for several years teaching English.
We take the metro to Beijing Bei (Beijing North) train station and then continue by train to Gubeikou. I buy my ticket at the station, though it would have been safer to book it online in advance. From Gubeikou, you can either walk or take a taxi. We opt for a taxi, and within about five minutes, we arrive at our accommodation. It was quicker than I expected!
There are closer sections of the Great Wall that you can reach from the airport or the city, like Mutianyu, but they tend to be more touristy.
The next day, I fire up offline Mapy.cz and we take the nearest path to the wall. We climb a hill and soon come across some ruins. So this is what the original, unrestored wall looks like. In the past, the Gubeikou area served as a battlefield for over 130 wars between Chinese royal families and Mongol raiders. We continue walking, and the wall becomes more massive and imposing. After about an hour of hiking along the wall and passing through weathered watchtowers, we encounter a ticket inspector. We’re too close to the tourist zone now. We pay an entrance fee of 25 yuan per person and carry on.
Our next stop is Gubei, a picturesque water town with canals and a restored section of the Great Wall at Simatai, giving us a chance to compare it to the unrestored part we had seen earlier. A combined ticket for the water town and the wall costs 170 yuan. What fascinated me the most in Gubei were the locals riding sleds pulled by plush toy huskies and others sledging on the ice using poles to push themselves along.
In the evening, I take the last train from Gubeikou back to Beijing and, later that night, fly to Munich.
I booked this round-trip ticket with Air China, flying from Germany via Shenzhen to Hanoi and back through Beijing, for just under 435 EUR. Quite a deal, right?
If you’re considering whether to make a stopover in China, go for it. It’s not the easiest journey, but that’s precisely why it will be an experience you’ll never forget. And if you’ve read this detailed guide and installed the recommended apps, then you’re ready!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best time to visit Beijing?
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-October) are ideal due to mild weather and fewer tourists.
2. Do I need a visa to visit Beijing?
Yes, unless you qualify for a transit visa. For longer stays, apply for a tourist visa.
3. Can I access Google in China?
No, Google is blocked. Use a reliable VPN to bypass restrictions.
4. What other apps should I download before traveling?
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WeChat and Alipay for payments.
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MetroMan for subway navigation.
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Google Translate for offline translations.
5. How do I book tickets for Beijing attractions?
Use the WeChat mini-programs to reserve tickets for popular sites like the Forbidden City.
6. Is Beijing safe for solo travelers?
Yes, Beijing is generally safe, but prepare for cultural differences and limited English.
