Plan Your Trip to Beijing with Ruqin

Welcome to Beijing.

I’ve lived in Beijing for many years and have spent much of my career helping international visitors travel around this city and across China. Over the years, I’ve answered thousands of questions about Beijing—from choosing the right section of the Great Wall to understanding the subway system, finding a good place to stay, and planning realistic itineraries.

This page brings together the guides I recommend most often.

JInshan Park overlooking Forbidden City

Whether you’re visiting Beijing for the first time or returning for another trip, you’ll find practical information based on real experience rather than generic travel advice.

My goal is simple: to help you enjoy Beijing with fewer surprises and more confidence.

Why Visit Beijing?

If you’re visiting China for the first time, Beijing is one of the best places to begin.

Few cities combine so much history, culture, and everyday life in one destination. Within a single day, you can walk through imperial palaces, explore centuries-old hutongs, ride one of the world’s largest subway systems, and enjoy local dishes that have been part of Beijing life for generations.

Beijing is also the gateway to the Great Wall, making it a natural starting point for many China itineraries.

If You Only Have 4 Days in Beijing

One question I receive frequently is:

“How many days should I spend in Beijing?”

For most first-time visitors, I usually recommend four to five days.

A simple four-day itinerary might look like this:

Day 1

  • Tiananmen Square
  • Forbidden City
  • Jingshan Park

Day 2

  • Mutianyu Great Wall

Day 3

  • Temple of Heaven
  • Qianmen Area
  • Traditional Hutongs

Day 4

  • Summer Palace
  • Olympic Park or 798 Art District

This provides a good balance between Beijing’s imperial history, local culture, and modern city life.

For more detailed itineraries, see:

Planning Your Beijing Trip

Before diving into specific attractions, these guides will help you prepare for your visit.

Start Here

These are often the first guides I suggest to travelers who are just beginning their planning.

Beijing Attractions

Many visitors arrive with a list of famous sights. That’s understandable—Beijing has some of China’s most important landmarks.

But I also encourage travelers to leave room for quieter experiences. Some of my favorite moments in Beijing have happened while wandering through old neighborhoods or sitting in a small local restaurant far from the main tourist routes.

Imperial Beijing

These attractions tell the story of China’s imperial past:

Traditional Beijing

To understand Beijing beyond its monuments, spend some time exploring its traditional neighborhoods.

Popular areas include:

Modern Beijing

Today’s Beijing is also a modern and dynamic city.

Places worth exploring include:

The Great Wall from Beijing

The Great Wall is one of the main reasons many travelers visit Beijing.

Fortunately, some of the best sections are easily accessible from the city.

If you’re unsure which section to choose, this is usually my advice:

First-Time Visitors

Mutianyu Great Wall

This is the section I recommend most often.

Why?

  • Beautiful mountain scenery
  • Well restored
  • Less crowded than Badaling
  • Suitable for families
  • Easy transportation options

Popular and Convenient

Badaling Great Wall

Best for travelers who want the most famous and easiest-to-reach section.

For Hiking and Photography

  • Jinshanling Great Wall
  • Simatai Great Wall
  • Gubeikou Great Wall

These sections offer a more adventurous experience and often fewer crowds.

Great Wall Resources

Getting Around Beijing

Transportation is one of the topics visitors worry about most before arriving.

The good news is that Beijing’s transportation network is extensive, affordable, and easier to use than many travelers expect.

Airports

Beijing has two major airports:

  • Beijing Capital International Airport
  • Beijing Daxing International Airport

Helpful resources:

Beijing Subway and Taxi

For most visitors, the subway and taxi are the easiest way to move around the city.

Helpful guides:

Beijing Public Transport

Navigating Beijing’s public transport system can seem daunting for foreign tourists. However, with some preparation, you can travel around the city efficiently and affordably

Helpful guides:

Railway Stations

If you’re continuing to other cities in China, these guides may help:

Where to Stay in Beijing

Choosing the right neighborhood can make your trip much easier.

Wangfujing

A good choice for first-time visitors who want to stay close to major attractions.

Qianmen

Historic atmosphere near Tiananmen Square and traditional Beijing streets.

Dongcheng

One of my favorite areas for visitors because it offers a good balance between convenience and local character.

Sanlitun

Popular for dining, shopping, and nightlife.

Chaoyang

Modern business district with many international hotels.

Accommodation Guides

Beijing Food Guide

Food is one of the great pleasures of visiting Beijing.

Most visitors know about Peking Duck, but there is much more to discover.

Local Favorites

  • Peking Duck
  • Zhajiangmian
  • Jianbing
  • Lamb Hot Pot
  • Beijing Dumplings
  • Traditional Snacks

Food Resources

One of my favorite ways to experience Beijing is simply to start the morning with a local breakfast and watch the city wake up around you.

Day Trips from Beijing

Beijing is an excellent base for exploring northern China. Thanks to China’s high-speed rail network, several fascinating destinations can be visited as day trips or short getaways.

Tianjin

Just 30 minutes from Beijing by high-speed train, Tianjin offers a fascinating blend of Chinese culture, European architecture, and a relaxed riverside atmosphere.

Chengde

Once the summer retreat of Qing emperors, Chengde is known for its magnificent Mountain Resort and historic temples set among scenic mountain landscapes.

Datong

Home to the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Monastery, Datong is one of northern China’s most rewarding historical destinations.

Pingyao

Step back in time in Pingyao, a beautifully preserved ancient city that offers a glimpse into China’s merchant past.

Luoyang

One of China’s ancient capitals, Luoyang is renowned for the Longmen Grottoes and thousands of years of cultural heritage.

Day Trip Beijing Resources

Questions I Often Receive About Beijing

Is Beijing safe for foreign visitors?

In my experience, Beijing is one of the safest major cities in the world for travelers. Most challenges visitors encounter involve language barriers or understanding local payment systems rather than personal safety.

Which Great Wall section should I visit?

For most first-time visitors, I usually recommend Mutianyu because it offers a good balance of scenery, accessibility, and visitor facilities.

Can I travel around Beijing without speaking Chinese?

Yes. Translation apps, maps, and payment apps have made travel much easier than it was a decade ago. A little preparation before arrival goes a long way.

When is the best time to visit Beijing?

Spring and autumn are generally the most comfortable seasons, with pleasant temperatures and clearer skies.

Essential Travel Tips

Before arriving in China, I recommend reading these practical guides.

Payments

Internet Access

Local Etiquette

Carefully Selected China Tours by Ruqin

If you’d prefer the convenience of a guided experience, I’ve put together a collection of tours that I believe offer good value and practical itineraries.

Popular Choices

👉 View All Beijing Tours & Excursions (curated Viator Beijing Tours)

Why I Created This Beijing Guide

After many years living and working in Beijing, I realized that many visitors were asking the same practical questions:

  • Which Great Wall section should I visit?
  • How do I use the subway?
  • Where should I stay?
  • How many days do I need?

This page brings together the answers I most often share with travelers.

As I continue updating RuqinTravel, I’ll keep adding new guides and practical tips based on my own experience in Beijing and northern China.

Still Have Questions About Your Beijing Trip?

Planning a trip to Beijing can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first visit to China.

If you still have questions after reading the guides on this page, feel free to send me a message. I’ll do my best to help with practical questions about your itinerary, transportation, timing, accommodations, or other aspects of your trip.

Simply use the form below and tell me a little about your travel plans.

There’s no charge for a simple question—just practical advice based on my experience helping visitors travel in Beijing and across China.

If I’m traveling or away from my desk, my reply may take a little longer, but I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

    Your privacy matters. Any information you provide will be kept confidential and will never be shared with third parties or used for unsolicited marketing.

    I hope the guides on this website help you experience both the famous sights and the everyday side of Beijing.

    Ruqin

    China Travel Guides & Curated Tours — by Ruqin