How to Plan a Trip to Beijing Step by Step

Hereunder are 6 steps helping you plan a trip to Beijing, especially useful for the first-time travelers. Following this advice, you can have a smoother trip and learn more about the ancient city.

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Step 1: Confirm Your Travel Date

You can enjoy different sceneries of the city in different seasons, but the best time to travel is from September to October in autumn. The weather is appropriate and the temperature is moderate. If you don't have time in autumn, then you should not miss the early summer. From May to June, you can appreciate the city before the hot days come.

See More about: Beijing Weather and Best Time to Visit.

 How long to stay in Beijing:
3 to 5 days are necessary to have a worthwhile tour for most people.

 Times to avoid:
Avoid the public holidays and various festivals, especially the Golden Week of National Day holiday from October 1st to 7th. See More about Public Holidays in China.

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Step 3: Hotel Booking

After buying the flight tickets, you can start to book hotels. Generally, on normal days, the hotels in Beijing are not difficult to book and 10 days in advance is enough. However, if your visa formalities require some hotel booking certificates, or you will travel on holidays, then we suggest you book the hotel as early as possible.

 Where to Stay:
Most of the tourists prefer to live in the city center, near the Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Wangfujing Street. Some old Hutong areas like Houhai, Drum Tower, Qianmen Street, and Dashilar are also popular places to stay. See More about Where to Stay in Beijing.

 4 Days Best Beijing Tour from $509

 Beijing One Day Tours from $89

 Beijing Layover Tours for 1 to 6 Days, 144 Hours

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Step 5: Make a Day-by-Day Beijing Tour Plan

This step is very important if you are an independent traveler or tend to a semi-self-guided tour. You need to know what to see in Beijing and make a general tour plan.

 Best Things to Do in Beijing:

1. Climb the Great Wall, a huge series of ancient fortifications which known as one of the Seven World Wonders; Badaling and Mutianyu are popular sections.

2. Explore the Forbidden City, the world's most complete and largest complex of ancient wooden structures, once serving as the imperial palace of Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911).

3. Taste Beijing Roast Duck, a famous and popular local dish.

4. Watch Kung Fu Performance, which is a cultural symbol of China and an indispensable night activity in a Beijing tour plan.

 Further Reading:
Top 10 Things to Do in Beijing
What and Where to Eat: local food you should try

1. Download useful apps: Wachat for instant message and pay; Alipay; Didi or Uber for taxis; Mobike or Ofo for sharing bicycles…

2. Learn basic Chinese expressions: hello – 你好；thank you – 谢谢；good bye – 再见；ask price – 多少钱；eat, food – 吃饭；drink – 喝水；toilet – 厕所

3. Bring extra photos and copies of important documents for emergency use.

4. Book flight or high speed train tickets as early as possible if you have tour plans from Beijing to other cities.
 

Further Reading

Beijing Tours

Top 10 Places to Visit in Beijing

Weekend Trips from Beijing

10 Non Touristy Things to Do in Beijing