Cheap flights to Beijing

Quick summary

Identity

Capital of successive empires, generation after generation

Beijing has about 21.9 million residents (2020 census, Wikipedia) and remains the capital of China. It was the seat of several dynasties, including the Ming and Qing, and keeps from that past a grid plan, palaces, temples and imperial parks. The Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven are UNESCO World Heritage Sites; around them, the hutongs, lanes of grey brick, sit beside business districts of skyscrapers.

The climate is monsoon-influenced continental: cold and dry in winter, hot and humid in summer. Averages are about -2.7 C in January and 27.2 C in July, with about 528 mm of rain a year, mostly in summer (Wikipedia). Plan according to the season, as detailed below.

Not to be missed

The Forbidden City

Built between 1406 and 1420 under the Ming, the Forbidden City covers 72 hectares with about 980 surviving buildings (Wikipedia). It has been a UNESCO site since 1987 and receives, depending on the year, from 14 to more than 19 million visitors. It houses the Palace Museum, whose collection runs to about 1.86 million objects.

Planning your visit. Tickets are generally not bought on the spot without preparation: you book online in advance with an ID document, and a weekly closing day applies. Check the museum's official website before you go. Allow at least half a day for the central axis.

Museums

From the Palace Museum to the Capital Museum

The best-known, the Palace Museum, charges admission, while many other museums in the capital are free: check booking rules before you set out.

Great Wall

Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling: choosing a section

Several sections can be visited in a day from Beijing. Badaling, the first opened to the public, is the most famous and the most crowded; Mutianyu, restored, is often recommended for fewer crowds and has a summer toboggan. Jinshanling, about 11 km long with 67 watchtowers, offers a wilder walk. Juyongguan is about 60 km away in Changping district.

Getting there. Allow about 1 hour by train or 1.5 hours by bus from the city, according to Wikivoyage; Jinshanling and Huanghuacheng are harder to reach by public transport. Beware of very cheap tours that stop at shops: book with a reputable operator or use public transport.

To discover

Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and the Shichahai hutongs

The Temple of Heaven, where emperors prayed for good harvests, is a UNESCO site set in a large park. The Summer Palace, an imperial park beside a lake, is the favourite outing for those who want a shaded walk. The Shichahai hutongs, around lakes, are best explored on foot or by bike, with cafes and small restaurants.

Parks and prices. Many public parks charge very modest entry; Jingshan Park, which gives the view over the Forbidden City, is among the cheapest, according to Wikivoyage DE (older prices, check them).

Modern Beijing

Business district, contemporary art and 798

To the east, the business district lines up glass-and-steel towers that contrast with the imperial roofs, and its skyline turns orange at dusk. The 798 art district, in former factories, gathers galleries, cafes and design shops; it is the place to see the capital's contemporary scene.

For an overview of the city, hills and elevated parks such as Jingshan offer the easiest viewpoints.

Food and drink

Peking duck, mutton hotpot and street snacks

Peking duck is the signature dish; Dadong and Quanjude are the two best-known houses (Wikivoyage EN). Also try Manchu-style mutton hotpot, with a mild broth by default, the savoury jianbing pancakes sold from morning to night, grilled lamb skewers late into the evening and, in winter, candied fruit on a stick.

Where to eat. The snack streets of Nanluoguxiang and Wangfujing concentrate shops and stalls but are very busy at peak hours. Tea has pride of place, and erguotou is an inexpensive grain spirit sold in convenience stores.

Beijing's airport

Two international airports serve the capital

SniperAir monitors prices and alerts you; it does not sell or book tickets.

Getting around

Metro, buses, taxis and paying

The metro is the most practical way to travel: nearly 30 lines and more than 900 km of track (Wikipedia), with a base fare of about 3 yuan that rises with distance. It runs roughly from 05:15 to 22:45; Lines 1, 4, 10 and 13 are very crowded at rush hour. Buses are cheap but hard for a visitor to read; taxis can be hailed or ordered by app, though payment by Alipay or WeChat Pay is often expected. The Yikatong card works on the metro and buses and requires a deposit of about 20 yuan.

Tips. Keep your passport with you: it is required for many sights and tickets. Some stations ask for a Chinese ID at ticket machines; use the staffed counter instead.

Budget

Mid-range, with hotels cheaper than in Europe

Beijing is a mid-range destination: hotels of four stars and above are, according to Wikivoyage DE, clearly cheaper than in Europe, often with breakfast. The metro and buses cost a few yuan and street food is cheap, but the big items are accommodation, Great Wall tours and meals in the famous duck restaurants. No fare that has not been cross-checked is published here.

Saving money. Travel outside the Chinese holidays (early October, Lunar New Year), use public transport, eat street food and group your paid visits.

When to go

When to visit Beijing

Pollution has fallen markedly: average PM2.5 dropped to 33 micrograms per cubic metre in 2021, three times lower than in 2013 but still six times the WHO guideline (Wikipedia). Pack a mask in case of a spike.

By length of stay

What to do in Beijing depending on how long you stay

Why watch Beijing with SniperAir

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about flights to Beijing