As the capital of China, Beijing is a magnificent city that blends ancient history with modern vitality. With a history of over 800 years as an imperial capital, it boasts countless cultural relics and scenic spots, as well as unique food and convenient services. This guide will help you explore Beijing easily, covering must-visit attractions, delicious food, practical tips and convenient services, making your trip pleasant and memorable.

Must-Visit Attractions: Beijing’s attractions carry profound historical and cultural meanings, allowing you to feel the charm of an ancient imperial capital. The Forbidden City, once the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, is the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden complex in the world. You must book tickets online 7 days in advance with your passport; walking through its red walls and yellow tiles, you can experience the grandeur of the imperial family.

The Badaling Great Wall is one of the most famous sections of the Great Wall. As the saying goes, “He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man.” Standing on the Great Wall, you can overlook the rolling mountains and admire the wisdom and craftsmanship of ancient Chinese people. The Summer Palace, a classical imperial garden, combines beautiful lake scenery with exquisite architecture, where you can stroll along the Long Corridor and enjoy the poetic scenery like a painting.

Other notable attractions include the Temple of Heaven, a sacred place for emperors to pray for good harvests, with grand altars and ancient trees; Tiananmen Square, the world’s largest urban central square, where you can watch the solemn flag-raising ceremony (remember to check the raising time in advance); and the Old Summer Palace, a ruin that witnesses history and makes people cherish peace more.

Delicious Local Food: No trip to Beijing is complete without tasting its unique cuisine. Peking duck is the most famous dish—crispy duck skin wrapped in thin pancakes with scallions, cucumber strips and sweet sauce, offering a perfect blend of flavors. You can also try local snacks like douzhir (fermented bean drink), lvdagun (glutinous rice rolls with sweet bean flour), baodu (quick-fried tripe) and zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste), each with a distinctive taste.

Practical Travel Tips: Transportation in Beijing is convenient. The subway covers almost all popular attractions, and you can use international cards to swipe through the gates directly. You can also download the “GO BEIJING” mini-program on Alipay, which supports 16 languages and provides services such as ticket booking, discount coupons and a travel wallet (no card binding required for consumption).

For accommodation, you can choose areas around the Second Ring Road for a strong ancient charm (close to the Forbidden City and Shichahai), or the CBD area for modern convenience (near Sanlitun for nightlife). When visiting scenic spots, remember to bring your passport and follow the on-site regulations. You can also get multi-language services at the “Beijing Service” points in airports.

In addition, Beijing has many convenient services for foreigners. The English version of the “Jingtong” APP provides more than 30 services such as medical appointments and SIM card applications. You can also use the “12345Online” column on the Beijing international portal to leave messages in your native language for help.

Beijing is a city that combines tradition and modernity, where you can feel the weight of history and the vitality of the times. Whether you are interested in history, culture, food or modern scenery, Beijing has something to offer you. Welcome to Beijing and start your wonderful journey!