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 8 of 9
All destinations
beijingBeijing 798 Art District & Hutong Culture Combined Guide 2026
Two faces of Beijing's creative soul: the 798 Art District in Dashanzi — former Bauhaus-designed military factory turned contemporary art hub — and the ancient hutong alleyway neighbourhoods of the old city. This 2026 guide combines both worlds, covering the best galleries, hutong neighbourhoods to explore, food, cycling routes, accommodation and what makes Beijing's cultural scene so unexpectedly rich.
Updated May 2026
Read →
beijingJiankou Great Wall Beijing Guide 2026: Unrestored Wild Wall Hike & Photography
Jiankou is Beijing's most dramatic unrestored Great Wall section — crumbling crenellations on steep ridgelines, atmospheric ruins, and views that reward the challenging approach. This guide covers the hiking access routes, the key features, photography positions, and safety considerations for visiting this wild section of wall.
Updated May 2026
Read →
beijingYonghe Lama Temple & Confucius Temple Beijing Guide 2026: Sacred Sites in the City Center
Two of Beijing's most important religious and cultural sites sit within walking distance of each other in the northeast of the city: the magnificent Yonghe Lama Temple — China's largest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet — and the tranquil Confucius Temple complex. This 2026 guide covers both sites comprehensively, with visiting tips, ticket information, transport, and what to eat in the surrounding neighbourhood.
Updated May 2026
Read →
beijingNanluoguxiang Hutong Beijing Guide 2026: Street Food, Traditional Courtyard Lanes & Local Life
Nanluoguxiang is Beijing's most accessible hutong district — a 786-metre alley lined with courtyard houses, indie cafes, snack vendors, and craft shops. This guide covers the main street highlights, the quieter side lanes worth exploring, best local food, and how to get the most out of a Beijing hutong visit.
Updated May 2026
Read →
beijingBeijing Olympic Park Guide 2026: Bird's Nest, Water Cube & 2022 Winter Olympics Legacy
Explore Beijing's Olympic Park, the stunning architectural showcase that hosted both the 2008 Summer and 2022 Winter Olympics — making Beijing the world's first dual Olympic city. This 2026 guide covers the iconic Bird's Nest and Water Cube, the Olympic Forest Park, the Ling Long Tower, winter sports experiences you can try yourself, dining and entertainment options, and practical tips for visiting this modern landmark district in northern Beijing.
Updated May 2026
Read →
beijingSummer Palace Beijing Complete Guide 2026: Kunming Lake, Long Corridor & Imperial History
The Summer Palace (颐和园) is Beijing's most beautiful imperial garden — 294 hectares of Kunming Lake, pavilion-topped hills, and the world's longest painted corridor. This 2026 complete guide covers all major areas of the garden, ticket options, best photography spots, how to avoid crowds, and the imperial history behind one of China's greatest landscape achievements.
Updated May 2026
Read →