Beijing travel guide
Meet BeijingBeijing weather reportGetting into BeijingTop attractions in BeijingGetting around Beijing Where to eat in BeijingPage 2: More information on Beijing
Meet Beijing
Shimmering, expeditious, beautiful, elusive and haunting Beijing is unlike any other city on the planet.
An ancient city with a modern face, Beijing forms an integral part of China’s identity playing the part of political, cultural and educational axis par excellence while continuing to hold a place of enduring relevance in Chinese mythology.
The city seems to have been built layer upon layer with erstwhile shops and office blocks spiritedly jostling for space with pristine glass and steel mega-structures and yet in amongst all of this the inhabitants go about their lives with an understated panache that belies the constant bustle around them.
The city lies in the north east part of the country and is China’s second largest city after Shanghai.
With sights and access to attractions such as the Forbidden City and Great Wall of China, Beijing offers the visitor more than just a holiday; it gives travellers a chance to delve into hundreds of years of Chinese history and explore the psyche of a fascinating country.
With first class shopping opportunities, a myriad of restaurants and urbane bars and a host of cultural attractions that will delight and tantalise the senses the city is one of the jewels of the Far East.
Beijing weather report
The city’s weather patterns are largely influenced by the monsoon season making the area very warm and humid. The summer months from April to October are hot with June and July being the hottest months with the mercury breaking into the 30s.
Winters are generally short with the coldest months being January and February when average temperatures hover in the region of 1˚C. Conditions are often dry and windy.
An additional element to bear in mind when planning a trip to the city is the quality of the air. For those who suffer from asthma this is particularly important and it can be a good idea to check ahead to find out what state the air is in before you arrive. The city is also prone to dust storms during the early part of the year.
For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool.
Getting into Beijing
The Beijing Capital International Airport handles the majority of international flights into and out of the city and is located some 30km north of Beijing central.
An Airport Bus service runs from the arrivals terminals to the city centre as well as other popular destinations in the metropolitan area; in addition the airport is also serviced by an Airport Express Line which is part of the Beijing subway system.
Taxis are available for hire from outside the airport terminals.
Top attractions in Beijing
The Great Wall Museum in Beijing is the perfect way to find out more about this fascinating structure that has both astonished and perplexed visitors for hundreds of years. Take time to explore the “Badaling Pass” which is the nearest part of the great wall to Beijing and dates to the Ming Dynasty.
Tiananmen Square in central Beijing provides a poignant reminder of some of the country’s most momentous protests. The largest city square in the world it is instantly recognisable from the photograph by Jeff Widener entitled “Tank Man,” a photograph which remains one of the most iconic images of the 20th century.
The Forbidden City is a world heritage listed site that stands as a testament to the imperial power of the Chinese nation, being both the palace and absolute seat of power for more than 500 years. The Forbidden City has beautiful landscaped gardens as well as superb examples of architecture from the Qing and Ming dynasties. The site provides a spectacular glimpse into the Chinese way of life and is an absolute must for all visitors.
Getting around Beijing
The best way to get around Beijing is on the subway system, visitors can buy a Yikatong card, a smart card which allows the user to load credit for multiple journeys throughout the city’s transport regions. There is also an option to buy a single journey ticket.
The city’s taxi network is excellent and relatively cheap although there are a few things to bear in mind when hiring a taxi. Taxis in the city may not stop at the side of the street to pick up passengers so look out for formal taxi stands or stationary cars outside shopping centres and/or hotels. Few drivers speak English so having the name of your hotel or destination written in Chinese characters can be helpful, you can ask at either a hotel or an information desk for help with this.
Where to eat in Beijing
Head Chef Lau To Ming hails from Hong Kong and his Celestial Court Restaurant at St Regis specialises in traditional Cantonese and southern Chinese cuisine. The restaurant offers a seasonal as well as an á la carte menu both of which emphasize a strong local influence with their ingredients.