Beijing is China's capital and the best place to start a first trip. In three days you can see the Forbidden City, walk on the Great Wall and eat in the old Muslim quarter around Niujie. For business visitors, it is where ministries, embassies and many state-owned company headquarters are based.
Want Beijing planned for you? Hotels for your budget, tickets booked on release, halal meals and directions, in a free detailed plan. Plan Beijing free →
- Airports
- Capital International (PEK) and Daxing International (PKX)
- Best time
- April–May and September–October
- How long
- 3 to 4 days
- Good for
- History, first-time visitors, government and corporate meetings
What to see
01
Forbidden City
The imperial palace of the Ming and Qing emperors. Tickets are sold online in advance and linked to your passport.
02
Great Wall at Mutianyu
A restored section with a cable car, about 1.5 to 2 hours from the city by car.
03
Temple of Heaven
Where emperors prayed for good harvests; the park is busy with locals doing tai chi in the morning.
04
Summer Palace
Lakes, pavilions and gardens of the Qing court in the northwest of the city.
05
Hutongs
Old lanes and courtyard houses around the Drum and Bell Towers.
What to eat
- Mutton hotpot
- Jiaozi (dumplings)
- Zhajiangmian (noodles with bean sauce)
- Peking duck (not halal; halal roast duck is available at some Muslim restaurants)
Halal food and mosques
Beijing has a long-established Hui Muslim community, and halal restaurants (清真) are easy to find, especially around Niujie in Xicheng District.
Mosques
- Niujie Mosque, Xicheng District: Beijing's oldest and largest mosque, with halal food streets around it
- Dongsi Mosque, Dongcheng District: a historic mosque close to the city centre
Halal options
- Mutton hotpot
- Beef and lamb skewers
- Sesame flatbreads and halal snacks on Niujie
Beijing for business
Beijing is the place for government-related meetings, embassy visits and head-office negotiations.
- Ministries, regulators and embassies, including visa and consular services
- Headquarters of many state-owned enterprises and large private groups
- Zhongguancun, the city's technology and start-up district
Getting there and around
- The Capital Airport Express and the Daxing Airport Express run into the city and connect to the metro.
- The metro covers the city; many stations accept the Alipay transit QR code.
- High-speed trains reach Xi'an and Shanghai in roughly 4.5 to 6 hours.
Questions
How many days do you need in Beijing?
Three days covers the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the Temple of Heaven. Add a fourth day for the Summer Palace and the hutongs.
Which section of the Great Wall is best for families?
Mutianyu. It is restored, has a cable car and is about 1.5 to 2 hours from central Beijing by car.
Where can Muslim travellers eat halal food in Beijing?
Around Niujie in Xicheng District, and at restaurants across the city that show the 清真 (halal) sign.
Do I need to book the Forbidden City in advance?
Yes. Tickets are sold online in advance and are linked to your passport. Popular days sell out, so book as soon as your dates are set.
Opening hours, routes and rules change. Check before you travel.
