Beijing北京·京 / 燕
The political heart of China and a 3,000-year-old capital.
Beijing pairs imperial grandeur with restless modern energy. As China's it carries the largest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage sites of any Chinese city, yet within a single afternoon you can walk between Ming-era courtyards in the hutongs, ride a driverless metro line, and queue for a tasting menu in a hidden art district.
It sits on the , at the meeting point of the Taihang and Yan mountain ranges — a strategic crossroads that has shaped its history and its . It is also the most convenient first stop for international travelers — extensive English signage, a vast metro network, mature 240-hour transit visa policy, and easy day trips to multiple UNESCO sites including the .
Top Attractions
Culture & Traditions
Peking Opera
Stylised face paint, falsetto singing and acrobatic combat — a 200-year-old art form still performed nightly at the Liyuan and Mei Lanfang theatres.
Hutong & Siheyuan Life
Beijing's soul lives in its grey-brick courtyards. Walk in early morning to catch songbird cages hanging on tree branches and pensioners playing chess on stone tables.
Peking Duck Ritual
A 600-year-old culinary tradition. Watch the duck carved tableside into 108 slices, then assemble pancakes with scallion, cucumber and sweet bean sauce.
Imperial Capital Heritage
Beijing has been a capital under the Yuan, Ming, Qing and modern China — almost no other city in the world layers seven centuries of governance into one street grid.
Spring Festival in the Capital
Temple fairs at Ditan and Longtan parks, paper-cut workshops and the boom of fireworks ringing in lunar new year define late January / early February in Beijing.
Cities
16 prefecture-level · sorted by tourist popularity- 1
Dongcheng District
东城区CapitalThe imperial heart — Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Jingshan, Lama Temple and the central axis from Yongdingmen to the Drum Tower all sit inside this 41 km² district.
- 2
Xicheng District
西城区The other half of the Ming–Qing capital — Beihai Park, Shichahai lake district, Hou Hai bars, and the State Council compound at Zhongnanhai.
- 3
Chaoyang District
朝阳区Modern CBD with the CCTV Headquarters, Sanlitun nightlife, the 798 art district, the diplomatic quarter and most international hotels.
- 4
Haidian District
海淀区Beijing's Silicon Valley — Tsinghua and Peking universities, the Summer Palace, Old Summer Palace ruins, and the Zhongguancun tech zone.
- 5
Huairou District
怀柔区Mountain retreat northeast of the city, home to the restored Mutianyu Great Wall and Gubei Water Town.
- 6
Yanqing District
延庆区Host of the 2022 Winter Olympics alpine events; home to the iconic Badaling Great Wall and the dramatic Long Qing Gorge.
- 7
Fengtai District
丰台区South-of-Beijing district covering the Marco-Polo (Lugou) Bridge, the Garden Expo Park and the high-speed rail hub Beijing West.
- 8
Shijingshan District
石景山区Industrial-heritage western district, home to the Shougang Park (Big Air ski jump from 2022 Olympics) and Beijing's main amusement park.
Famous Locals
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