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 4 of 9
All destinations
foodChina Food Guide: 30 Dishes You Must Try and Where to Find Them
The essential China food guide for travellers: 30 must-try dishes organised by region, how to find the best versions, how to order without Chinese, food safety tips, and a guide to the regional cuisines that make Chinese food endlessly varied.
Updated May 2026
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2 Weeks in China: The Ultimate Independent Itinerary for First-Timers
The definitive 14-day China itinerary covering Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Shanghai — with exact train connections, daily budgets, booking tips, and honest advice for independent travellers doing it without a tour group.
Updated May 2026
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beijingForbidden City (Palace Museum) Beijing: Complete Visitor's Guide
Everything you need to visit the Forbidden City in Beijing — booking tickets online, the best route through the palace, hidden halls most visitors miss, and tips from frequent visitors.
Updated May 2026
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beijingGreat Wall of China Travel Guide: Best Sections, Tips & Getting There
The ultimate guide to visiting the Great Wall of China — best sections for first-timers, how to avoid the crowds, transportation from Beijing, tickets, and insider tips from thousands of local travelers.
Updated May 2026
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beijing798 Art District Beijing: What to See, Best Galleries & How to Spend a Day
Your guide to Beijing's 798 Art District — the best galleries currently showing, public sculptures, cafés, and what makes this converted Bauhaus factory complex worth visiting in 2026.
Updated May 2026
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beijingBeijing 798 Art District & Sanlitun: The Modern, Creative Side of the Capital
A guide to Beijing's contemporary cultural districts — the 798 Art Zone (China's most important contemporary art hub), Sanlitun's bar and shopping scene, and the creative neighbourhoods that show another side of the ancient capital.
Updated May 2026
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