Beijing Travel Guide (2026)
Capital of the Ming and Qing dynasties. China's political and cultural heart, home to World Heritage sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, where 600 years of imperial weight coexist with a modern metropolis.
- Recommended stay
- 4 days / 3 nights recommended
- Budget feel
- About USD 380–680 per person (excl. flights, 3-star hotels & local meals)
💰 As of 2026, a 4-night Beijing trip for two costs about $750–$1,835 in total — $375–$920 per person. See full cost breakdown →
Food & dining
The home of northern Chinese cuisine. Its signature is Peking duck (kaoya) — crisp duck skin wrapped in thin pancakes with scallion, cucumber and sweet bean sauce. Wheat dishes like noodles, dumplings and zhajiangmian also developed here in the northern style.
Getting around
Connected to the city from Capital International Airport (PEK) and Daxing Airport (PKX) by airport rail and subway. The city has a dense subway network.
Highlights
Forbidden City (Palace Museum), Great Wall (Mutianyu section), Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace.
Places to visit
Peking Duck (Beijing Kaoya)
Beijing's signature dish — crisp duck wrapped in thin pancakes.
Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
Imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. One of the world's largest museums, drawing 20 million visitors a year.
Great Wall — Mutianyu Section
The best-preserved and least crowded section of the Great Wall near Beijing.
Itineraries
Trip cost
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