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BEIJING VISITOR GUIDE | Top Tips, Great Wall, Activities, Food & Drink and Stays
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items Beijing is a gorgeous city that embraces ancient history and modern culture. A paradise city break for those who love history, architecture, food and nature! These are my favourite recommendations from my recent winter trip to Beijing, and a few opti...
Map
Sections
5
Great Wall of China
Activities & Landmarks
Food & Drink
Stays
Apps To Download
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. With millions of visitors a year, the wall brings in a lot of tourists to Beijing specifically; but what a lot of people don't know are the ins and outs of each different visitable...
The quietest section of the wall - only a 1.5 hour taxi from the centre of Beijing. A cable car up and down, or slide down on an alpine coaster (so fun!). Don't waste money on a private transfer, just use Didi to book yourself a taxi!
Mutianyu Great Wall - Cable Car & Slide (My Favourite!!!) 🏆
The most popular section of the world wonder. I haven't visited this section myself, but it is the easiest to access (hence the busiest) and still provides amazing views!
Badaling Great Wall - The Most Popular
A full hiking and camping experience, with 2 different sections (together known as the Gubeikou Section). Sleep on the Great Wall and hike two different sections; the best preserved Jinshanling and the oldest Gubeikou.
Gubeikou Great Wall - Sleep & 2 Day Hike
2 hours from Beijing, but with a hotel directly at the foot of it - the Jinshaling section is the most popular for hikers and photographers.
Jinshanling Great Wall - A photographer's dream 🏆
Rustic and authentic. Simatai Great Wall is 2 hours from the city, but offers nearby attractions such as Gubei Water Town. The hiking isn't so strenuous at this section.
Simatai Great Wall - Rustic & Quiet
Unrestored with no mass tourism - this section of the wall is only for experienced hikers due to its dramatic elevation changes. A private transfer group is recommended.
Jiankou Great Wall - Experienced Hikers
Activities & Landmarks
China's capital city has an abundance of ancient history weaved into its very modern exterior. This section consists of my favourite activities from my recent trip to Beijing, with first-hand experience and recommendations. My favourite part of the c...
One of my favourite places in Beijing! 3 square km of parks, pagodas and gorgeous picture opportunities. It was an imperial garden during the Qing dynasty and offers hours of relaxing views in the city.
Summer Palace 🏆
The Old Summer Palace is a huge expanse of 3 different parks - with old ruins, stunning lakes and a chance to see a lot of traditional Chinese clothes; the palace is a popular site for Chinese locals to take photos in traditional outfits, and they're...
Yuanmingyuan Park (Old Summer Palace)
The biggest Universal Resort in Asia, and the only Kung Fu Panda Land in the world! So many great rides, food and fun activities and a great day out if you're a little fed up with the ancient city!
Universal Studios Resort Beijing 🏆
The most famous palace in Chinese history. Established in the 1400's Ming Dynasty, the Forbidden City has 980 buildings and over 8,800 rooms.
The Forbidden City 🏆
The square contains the Monument to People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
Tiananmen Square
Built in the 1200’s (super old), the tower is a great picture opportunity.
Beijing Bell and Drum Towers
The National Museum of China has artifacts from ancient China, porcelain, jade, traditional dress and terracotta figures amongst a variety of limited time exhibitions. A great place to wander around for a few hours indoors.
National Museum of China
Food & Drink
Authentic Chinese food is HEAVEN ON EARTH. A variety of luxury and cheap options, with some convenience stores to check out too!
The best buns/dumplings in Beijing, OUTRAGEOUSLY GOOD!
Niu Street Hongji Snack Bar
The BEST peking duck in Beijing
Siji Minfu 🏆
Stunning nighttime views and amazing cocktails. Very much a treat-yourself energy, unless it's in your budget (congrats!)
Atmosphere Lounge & Bar, Shangri-La Hotel
AMAZING AFTERNOON TEA MY GOD - sandwiches, oolong tea, foie gras etc.
Prince Jun's Mansion Afternoon Tea 🏆
Another luxury option, if you have the budget to spoil yourself this is an amazing place!
Tidu Tidu
One of two main convenience stores - fab snacks, drinks and on-the-go options! Try the hot food as well, cheap and cheerful!
Lawson (Convenience) 🏆
I adore a convenience shop and 7-Eleven China is no different. Fun treats to try and easy, affordable meal options!
7-Eleven (Convenience)
This entire street is great for cheap and yummy street food - my favourite things was the sausages they sell on a stick, perfect for a cold Beijing day in the winter!
Niujie Street
Amazing milk tea, I also love jasmine tea (fab in Beijing) but I never got to try it here!
Liuxianguan Teahouse
Stays
Any city break requires a nice place to sleep! These are 3 options that I believe cover all bases for a good night’s rest.
Opposite the main station (but quiet), gorgeous rooms (and super comfy beds, the best I've ever slept in throughout Asia) - Howard Johnson Paragon is a perfect stay for a great Beijing city break!
Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel 🏆
A luxurious and comfortable stay within walking distance to the central attractions. A fabulous gym, pool and billiards room only adds to the experience.
Beijing Hotel
Beautiful exterior with a great location near the best restaurants. Beds are super comfy and the rooms are spacious.
Yitingzhenshe Hotel
Apps To Download
Due to China’s censorship laws, a lot of our Western apps don’t work - these are all of the alternatives that I found useful during my stay and some that are probably necessary!
USE THIS FOR EVERYTHING (no joke)
I didn’t use cash once in Beijing! I made an Alipay account before I entered China (while I was still in Vietnam) and then completed my account once I had a Chinese phone number. I booked the majority of my tickets t...
Alipay
The best app for transport. To save money I used the subway everywhere apart from the Great Wall, and it was so easy to do with this. Input your start and end destination station and job done - it even tells you the best route, the cost (cheap always...
Metro Man
Although Google Maps doesn’t work in China (censorship😬), Apple Maps thrives! The main way I got around was through Apple Maps, sorry Android users!
Apple Maps
Baidu is China’s answer to Google! Use Baidu for your Google searches and for translation!
Baidu / 百度一下
Food Delivery App
Sometimes you really can’t be bothered to get dressed up for a meal; I had plenty of takeaways in Beijing, and Meutian was the best app for me!
Meituan
Due to China’s censorship laws, a VPN is necessary to access any social media from home to let your family and friends know you’ve arrived safely. This is my pick as I’ve used it for years and years whilst travelling in different countries!
ExpressVPN
This is a VPN I’ve not used personally, but a very popular option that I’ve heard about, worth looking at maybe?
CyberGhost VPN