Should You Visit Beijing?

Is Beijing worth visiting?

Yes, it's worth visiting this city for three to seven days because of the many great activities. Beijing is the capital city of China and it has a long history that dates back thousands of years. It offers a mix of modern and every changing architecture combined with ancient landmarks and historic neighborhoods. Beijing is a world class city that has amazing music, cuisine, culture, and shopping. We first visited in the summer of 2013 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with the mix of traditional neighborhoods and modern buildings along with the world renowned historical sights such as Tian'anmen Square..

Beijing, China

Reasons to Visit Beijing

Museums
The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

Food
The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

Nightlife
Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

Shopping
There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Beijing might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Beijing here or see if Beijing is expensive here.

Is Beijing worth visiting in the Summer?

Summer is the high season for travel in Beijing, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.

The weather in Beijing is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 27°C (80°F). But it can get as warm as 31°C (88°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.

The activities of the city are numerous, and this is a great time of year to explore all of them. From family-friendly attractions to romantic getaways, as well as budget-friendly things to do, there's something for everyone. Famous landmarks, museums, tours, and more are all available. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to spend time at the museums, discover the big city activities, and enjoy the evening activities.

Is Beijing worth visiting in the Autumn?

This is the shoulder season for travel in Beijing. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 14°C (56°F).

Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. During this season it's fun to experience the beautiful scenery, the museums and landmarks, and the big city activities.

Is Beijing worth visiting in the Winter?

The weather in Beijing can be quite cold during winter, and averages around -4°C (26°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.

The low season for travel in Beijing is during the winter. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.

You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. This is a great time of year to wander through the museums, dine out at amazing restaurants, and enjoy an evening out. Also, you can enjoy the city's energy.

Is Beijing worth visiting in the Spring?

Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Beijing. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 14°C (57°F).

You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, browse through museums, and admire the wonderful scenery. Also, you can check out the nightlife.

Things to Consider Before Visiting Beijing

Lots of Tourists
Beijing sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.

Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.

Not As Romantic
For couples, this destination does not have a great vibe for romance compared to other places.

Related

What is Beijing most famous for?

Beijing is most famous for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. The city is very popular for its museums and food. Also, it's known for nightlife and shopping. It is often described as historic, massive, jam-packed, cultural, and fascinating.

What is the most famous sight in Beijing?

The most popular sight in Beijing is The Forbidden City. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Beijing on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Forbidden City and other attractions here.

How touristy is Beijing? Is it a popular city to visit?

Beijing is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

• Private Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall Cable Way Up & Toboggan Down: $108
• Great Wall & Forbidden City Layover Small Group Tour (7AM-3PM): $150
• All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace: $177
• Mutianyu Great Wall Ticket: $32
• Beijing Private Tour of Temple of Heaven, Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City: $128
• Private Day Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and Forbidden City: $208
• Beijing Layover Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Private Tour: $110
• Temple of Heaven Ticket Booking: $7.90

How long should I spend in Beijing?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Beijing is at least three or as many as seven days. Since Beijing has a variety of activities such as museums and dining, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Beijing?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Beijing?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Beijing?.