beijing
Imperial grandeur, ancient hutongs, and the world's greatest concentration of UNESCO heritage sites
Top Highlights
- 1 Forbidden City
- 2 Great Wall
- 3 Summer Palace
- 4 Temple of Heaven
- 5 Nanluoguxiang
Visa & Entry
144-hr & 15-day visa-free
Citizens of many countries can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days, or use the 144-hour transit visa-free scheme for shorter visits.
Full visa guideBest Time to Visit
Apr–May & Sep–Oct
Suggested stay: 4–6 days. Avoid the Golden Week holiday (1–7 October) and Spring Festival (Jan/Feb) — crowds are enormous and prices peak.
Seasonal travel guideNearby destinations
53 articles — page 2 of 9
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photographyChina Photography Guide 2026: Best Locations, Timing & Practical Tips
A photographer's guide to China — the 15 most photogenic locations, ideal shooting times and conditions, seasonal advice, and practical tips for travelling with camera equipment in 2026.
Updated May 2026
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familyChina with Kids: The Complete Family Travel Guide 2026
Everything families need to plan a successful trip to China with children — best destinations for kids, how to handle food and health, getting around with young children, and ready-made 10-day family itineraries.
Updated May 2026
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beijingBeijing Fragrant Hills Autumn Foliage Guide: Red Leaves & Imperial Forest
Visit Fragrant Hills (Xiangshan) in western Beijing for the famous autumn red-leaf season — when Chinese smoke trees turn crimson in mid-October, the imperial hunting park fills with colour, and visitors from across Beijing make the pilgrimage for what locals call 'the most beautiful season in the capital.'
Updated May 2026
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beijingBeijing Olympic Park Guide: Bird's Nest, Water Cube & 2008 Legacy
Visit Beijing's Olympic Park — the spectacular centerpiece of the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2022 Winter Olympics. Explore the Bird's Nest stadium, Water Cube aquatics center, and the broader Forest Park, with practical tips for getting there and making the most of your visit.
Updated May 2026
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beijingBeijing Yonghe Lama Temple Guide: Tibetan Buddhism in the Capital
Explore Beijing's Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple) — China's largest and most ornate Tibetan Buddhist temple complex, its 18-metre sandalwood Buddha, incense-thick courtyards, and the vibrant Mongolian-Tibetan cultural world it represents.
Updated May 2026
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chinaChina 5-Day First Trip Itinerary: The Perfect Short Visit to Beijing & Shanghai
The ideal first-time China itinerary in 5 days — 2.5 days each in Beijing and Shanghai, covering the unmissable sights, the best food, how to move between the two cities on the high-speed train, the pace that allows genuine experience rather than a checklist sprint, and what to skip to keep the trip enjoyable.
Updated May 2026
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