Beijing: Ancient Heart, Modern Pulse

History

Beijing's history stretches back over three thousand years and reaches a peak as the political and cultural center of multiple Chinese dynasties. Emperors built monumental palaces, grand ceremonial spaces, and painstakingly planned city grids that still shape the city's layout today.

Current Status

Today Beijing is China’s capital and a global metropolis where high-speed trains, financial districts, and tech hubs sit beside centuries-old neighborhoods. The city is also a center for politics, education, and the arts, continually balancing preservation with rapid development.

Local Culture

Beijingese culture mixes formal ceremony and everyday warmth: public square dancing, tea houses, and the intimate social life of narrow hutongs coexist with opera stages, contemporary galleries, and university campuses. Respect for ritual and history is matched by a playful street-life energy—community banter, vendor calls, and neighborhood gatherings are part of daily rhythm.

Food

Beijing cuisine is famous for its iconic Peking duck—crisp-skinned and carved tableside—and for hearty northern staples like zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste) and lamb skewers. Snacks and street foods—jianbing (savory crepes), baozi (steamed buns), and sugar-coated hawthorn—offer quick, delicious windows into local tastes.

Attractions

Forbidden City

The vast palace complex at the heart of the city was the imperial residence for centuries and remains a breathtaking display of traditional Chinese architecture, ceremonial halls, and imperial gardens. Walking its courtyards conveys the scale and ceremony of dynastic rule while offering countless details to linger over.

Great Wall (nearby sections)

A short trip from the city lets you stand on this iconic ribbon of stone that threads mountain ridges—each restored section presents panoramic views and a tangible sense of history. Popular sections like Mutianyu and Badaling combine accessible paths with dramatic scenery, while quieter stretches reward hikers seeking solitude.

Temple of Heaven

This elegant complex of temples and parks was where emperors once performed rites to ensure good harvests; its circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is an architectural and spiritual highlight. The surrounding park is lively with morning tai chi, singing groups, and elderly locals socializing.

Summer Palace

A masterful imperial garden centered on a vast lake, the Summer Palace offers ornate pavilions, winding corridors, and hilltop views that blend nature with human artistry. It’s a peaceful counterpoint to the city’s bustle and a testament to traditional landscape design.

Tiananmen Square

One of the largest public squares in the world, Tiananmen Square is both a civic stage and a place dense with symbolic monuments and museums. Its open expanses frame major historical sites and the imposing facade of the nearby national institutions.

Hutongs and Courtyard Life

The narrow lanes and courtyard homes of Beijing’s hutongs reveal intimate urban life: corner noodle shops, bicycle traffic, and communities where neighbors know one another. Exploring them on foot or by rickshaw offers a human-scale view of a living city beneath the grand monuments.

Practical Tip

Plan time for slow exploration: mix major sites with neighborhood walks and food stops, and allow for seasonal variation—spring and autumn usually offer the most comfortable weather for sightseeing. Embrace both the grand history and the small, everyday moments to get the fullest sense of Beijing.

Beijing — Quick Practical Travel Tips

Local customs

• Greet with a nod or handshake; use titles when possible.
• Tipping is not expected in most restaurants or taxis; small tips sometimes accepted in high-end hotels.
• Remove shoes when entering some homes or temples; dress modestly for religious sites.
• Be respectful around monuments and government buildings; avoid political discussions in public.
• Learn basic Mandarin phrases (hello, thank you, excuse me) or carry hotel cards in Chinese.

Transportation

• Subway is fastest and cheap; expect security bag checks at station entrances. (themillennialrunaway.com)
• Get a Beijing transport card (Yikatong) or use Alipay/WeChat Pay for fares; apps like Amap/Baidu help with exits. (ltl-school.com)
• Taxis are plentiful; use Didi app for rides if you have mobile payment set up. Keep small change for drivers who don’t accept cards. (ikkyinchina.com)
• Two main airports: Beijing Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX) — allow extra time for security and transfers.
• Avoid subway and buses during rush hours (approx. 07:00–09:30 and 17:30–20:30).

Safety

• Tourist areas are generally safe; watch for pickpockets in crowds and on crowded trains. (ikkyinchina.com)
• Monitor air quality (AQI); carry an N95-style mask on poor-AQI days and limit strenuous outdoor activity. (chinadiscovery.com)
• Carry photocopies of passport and visa; keep one set in your luggage and one digital copy.
• Emergency numbers: police 110, fire 119, ambulance 120; have your embassy/consulate number handy. (trifargo.com)
• Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings; follow local authorities’ instructions.

Payments & connectivity (insider essentials)

• Mobile payments (Alipay, WeChat Pay) are widely used; link an international card before arrival for convenience. Many large tourist venues accept foreign cards. (english.beijing.gov.cn)
• Carry some RMB cash for small vendors, markets, and rural areas.
• Many global websites/apps are blocked in China — install and test a VPN before arrival if you need access to Google, WhatsApp, Gmail, social media, etc. (chinawink.com)

Insider tips

• Visit major sites early morning to avoid crowds (Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven).
• For the Great Wall, Mutianyu is family-friendly and less crowded than Badaling; bring good shoes and water.
• Bring a portable battery, a pocket tissue/hand sanitiser (public loos may lack supplies), and a small umbrella for sudden weather changes.
• Use restaurant photos or translation apps to order if menus lack English; point to other diners’ dishes for quick choices.
• Keep receipts and address cards (in Chinese) to show taxi drivers or for returning to your hotel.