Planning a solo trip to Beijing? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:
QUICK FACTS
- Capital of China and one the world’s most populous cities, with over 21.3 million residents.
- With a rich 3000-year history, Beijing is one of the oldest cities in the world.
- Has been the political and cultural center of China for more than 700 years.
- Host city of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
- Nicknames: the Celestial City, the Northern Capital, The Center of the World.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Currency: Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY).
- Spoken languages: primarily Mandarin. While there is a sizeable English-speaking community, many locals may not speak English.
- Best time to visit: from September to November (cool and relatively humid), and from March to May (be aware of potential dust storms).
- Air quality can vary – download an air quality app to stay up to date. It’s recommended wearing masks on days with poor air quality.
- Arriving via airport: hail a taxi from the taxi stand, and make sure the driver turns the meter on (~130-200 Yuan from Terminal 3 to downtown), take the Airport Bus, or the Airport Express subway line to the city (a one-way ticket is 25 Yuan).
- Useful apps for visitors: Google Translate (with offline capabilities), Baidu Maps, or even a VPN service for accessing Western websites.
- Local emergency numbers: police (110), ambulance (120), and fire department (119)
WHERE TO STAY
- Best Beijing hostel for solo travelers: Peking Youth Hostel. Clean and cozy, in a great location for exploring the city (6 minute walk from Nanluo metro station), with friendly staff who can help you organize your trip in China. Bonus: it’s located on a main Hutong street, so you get a bit of the old-school charm that’s quickly disappearing from the city.
- Stay in the city center to be close to all the major sights, attractions, and the best food options.
- Many of the major international hotel chains (e.g. Grand Metropark, Hilton) are conveniently located.
- For budget options, look for mid-range chains (e.g. Home Inn, Days Inn).
GETTING AROUND
- The Beijing subway is 2 RMB for all lines and destinations (except Airport Express).
- Taxi is 12 RMB (13 RMB at night) for first 3 km, 2 RMB (2.4 RMB at night) per additional km, 3 RMB (3.4 RMB at night) from 15 km and above. Taxis can be called at 96103.
- Use DiDi (China’s equivalent to Uber) for safer taxi rides or to pre-arrange transportation.
BEIJING NIGHTLIFE
- Drinking age is officially 18 (not enforced at all), and there is no last call (many restaurants and bars stay open all night).
- Bar scene: There are many nice cafes and bars along the Tian Qiao Shi’chang Byway, including unique tea shops and wine houses.
- Clubbing scene: There are many bars and restaurants located along the W Da Zhan’lan Street and the Tie’shu Byway.
- Trendy scene: Another popular urban spot is the Qian Hai Bei’yan and the Hou Hai Nan’yan roads, full of bars and wine bars with great views of the sea.
- Great bars to start your night: The Swan with Two Necks (Yuyang Road), School (punk bar – 53 Wudaoying Hu Tong), Modernista (44 Baochao Hu Tong), and The Tiki Bungalow.
UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT
- Note: there is a great variety of landmarks in Beijing, ranging from ancient Chinese temples and pagodas all the way to modern amusement parks and gardens.
- The four temples of Beijing (Heaven, Sun, Moon, Earth) are religious buildings where the Emperors would pray and make offerings to heaven.
- The Tian’an Men (the Gate of Heavenly Peace) is the third largest city square in the world (at 440,000 sq. meters), known worldwide as the setting for numerous historic events.
- The Forbidden City encompasses the Imperial palaces and temples – witness where the Emperors lived.
- The World Park is a theme park featuring scale models of unique world landmarks, including the Sphinx, Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Leaning Tower of Pisa, and many more.
- The Ba Da Ling Great Wall is the entrance to one of the world’s wonders – the Great Wall of China.
- The “Bird’s Nest” and the Beijing National Aquatics Center, where the Summer Olympic Games of 2008 were held.
- Unique experiences: attending a traditional Peking Opera performance, visiting a tea house, or exploring the artistic 798 Art District (modern art).
- Day trip ideas: Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs, or hiking sections of the Great Wall, like Jinshanling or Mutianyu, which are less touristy than the Ba Da Ling section (mentioned above).
INTERESTING WALKS
- Note: Contrary to popular belief, taking a stroll on the Great Wall is not that pleasant – the paths are steep and can actually be tiring (and somewhat dangerous). Additionally, only a small part of the Great Wall in Beijing is actually a tourist site – people rarely venture beyond the designated visitor zone.
- There are many interesting villages and temples in Beijing where you can experience local architecture and music first-hand. Among the nicest parks to visit are the Beihai Park, the Jingshan Park, the Houhai Park, and the Zhongshan Park.
- Go for a walk through the Forbidden City, where there are many museums, statues, and great restaurants.
LOCAL WISDOM
- Don’t be surprised if people you meet don’t speak any English. Although Beijing is extremely open to foreigners, this doesn’t mean everyone will understand you! Be prepared – bring maps with English along as you travel, make use of road signs, and jot down certain names of landmarks in Mandarin. Consider bringing a pocket Chinese dictionary.
- Must-try local dishes: Peking duck, jianbing (a type of Chinese crepe), and dumplings.
- Where to find good cheap eats: almost everywhere in Beijing! Visit a local Chinese park and try out some of the local specialties. Warning: avoid eating food from street vendors. They are known for using cheap/poor ingredients, and the food could give you food poisoning and/or an upset stomach.
- Dangerous areas: Beijing is generally very safe. Exercise common sense. A word on taxis: while hailing taxis at night, only enter official ones (with signs on the roof), as others might not be as safe and trustworthy.
Recommended trip duration: 4-5 days