Trips and Tours to BeijingChina's capital city, where history meets modernity.
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2024
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Adults (18+)
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Visit Beijing
Beijing is China’s eclectic capital. This vibrant metropolis seamlessly blends ancient history with modern innovation, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. As one of the world's most populous cities, Beijing is a hub of culture, politics, and economy, serving as the heart of China's rich heritage. The city is home to iconic landmarks such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Temple of Heaven, each offering a glimpse into China's imperial past. At the same time, Beijing thrives as a global city, with cutting-edge architecture, bustling markets, and a dynamic arts scene. Whether you're exploring its historic sites or experiencing its contemporary culture, Beijing offers a captivating journey through time and tradition.
Tours to Beijing
Many of our China tours begin in Beijing, China’s capital city. Whether you are looking to explore the rich history of China, discover the beautiful scenery and wildlife, or sample delicious food, Beijing is the perfect place to start. As you explore the city's iconic landmarks, you'll gain insight into the grandeur of China's imperial past. A guided tour brings you face-to-face with the vibrant local life, from strolling through the ancient hutongs to savouring authentic Peking duck. With its mix of historical treasures and modern attractions, a tour of Beijing provides a captivating journey through one of the world's most fascinating cities.
What to expect when visiting Beijing
Beijing is a bustling metropolis complete with ancient landmarks, modern amenities, and cultural experiences. Explore iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square and immerse yourself in the deep history of the local landmarks. Wandering down narrow hutongs and visiting traditional tea houses makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. These traditional experiences are juxtaposed with Beijing’s modern mega malls, trendy restaurants, and modern art exhibits. The city has something for everyone; whether you’re looking to experience the rich history of China’s capital or the excitement of the modern city’s vibrant day-to-day life, a trip to Beijing is not to be missed.
What to do in Beijing
The Great Wall of China
One of the worlds most famous landmarks The Great Wall of China is a huge series of fortifications built to protect China from invaders. The earliest built parts of the wall date as far back as the 7th century BC, and the wall took over 2,000 years to complete. Visiting the Great Wall of China is an awespiring experience that transports you back in time to ancient dynasties. As you approach this monumental structure, the sheer scale and engineering marvel of the Wall become apparent, snaking across rugged mountains and dense forests. Walking along the ancient stones, you can feel the weight of history beneath your feet, with each step offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. The Wall’s watchtowers and steep, winding paths tell stories of defence and perseverance, providing a profound sense of connection to China’s storied past. The Great Wall leaves a lasting impression on everyone who visits it. The Great Wall is a beacon of human achievement and natural beauty.
Summer palace
A marvel of Chinese architecture and garden design, the summer palace is a stunning palace surrounded by hills and open water. The palace is complete with pavilions, halls, and temples. The palace was first built in 1750; it was largely destroyed during the war in 1860 and restored on its original foundations in 1886. Visiting the Summer Palace is like stepping into a living painting with beautiful nature and architecture. As you wander through its vast grounds, you’re greeted by the serene beauty of Kunming Lake, its calm waters reflecting the lush greenery and the elegant structures that dot the landscape. The towering Longevity Hill offers panoramic views of the entire palace, inviting you to explore its winding pathways, ornate pavilions, and intricate bridges. Each corner of the Summer Palace tells a story of imperial leisure, from the grandeur of the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity to the intricate artistry of the Long Corridor, adorned with thousands of colourful paintings. The blend of natural beauty and meticulous design creates a tranquil retreat from the city, offering a peaceful escape that captures the essence of traditional Chinese garden art and the opulence of the Qing Dynasty.
The Forbidden City
The forbidden city in Beijing is like entering a vast, timeless world where the true grandeur of the Chinese dynasties is displayed in all their glory. As you walk through its towering gates, the scale and majesty of the imperial palace complex may immediately overwhelm you. Once the exclusive domain of emperors and their courts, this UNESCO World Heritage site stretches across nearly 180 acres, with countless halls, pavilions, and courtyards, all adorned with intricate carvings, golden rooftops, and vibrant red walls. The central axis, leading to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the largest and most significant building, draws you into the heart of Chinese imperial power, where centuries of dynasties made critical decisions that shaped the nation’s history. Amidst the ancient stone pathways, you'll feel the weight of the past, imagining the lives of those who once lived within these walls, all while marvelling at the exquisite craftsmanship and the profound sense of order that defines this monumental symbol of China’s enduring cultural legacy.
When is the best time to visit Beijing
The best time to visit Beijing is during the spring and autumn seasons. These seasons offer mild temperatures, clear skies, and beautiful scenery, with blooming flowers in spring and vibrant fall foliage. Making it the perfect time to hike along the Great Wall or explore the vast gardens of the summer palace. Additionally, these periods avoid the extreme heat of summer and the harsh cold of winter, making it ideal for exploring the city's many outdoor attractions comfortably.
Conclusion
Beijing is an eclectic city that perfectly blends the ancient history of dynasties, palaces, and wars with the buzz of towering skyscrapers, vibrant nightlife, and Michelin-starred restaurants. Taking a guided tour to Beijing is the best way to explore the city. Join our knowledgeable guides as they give you insights into the rich history of China’s capital city. With something for everyone, you are sure to leave Beijing feeling inspired, awestruck, and counting down the days until you can go back.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Beijing?
Depending on the passport that you hold, you may need a visa to visit Beijing. You can find more information about this on our tourist visa guide page.
What are the must-see attractions in Beijing?
Key attractions include the forbidden city, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and Tiananmen Square. Exploring the hutongs and visiting the 798 Art District are also highly recommended.
Is English widely spoken in Beijing?
English is not widely spoken in Beijing, especially among older generations and in less touristy areas. However, our guides are fluent in English, making it easy for you to communicate. Hotel staff, major tourist attractions, and younger people are also more likely to speak some English.
What should I wear when visiting temples and other historical sites?
It's respectful to dress modestly when visiting temples and historical sites in Beijing. While there is no strict dress code, covering your shoulders and knees is advisable. Comfortable shoes are also essential, as many sites require a lot of walking.
China travel guides
Highlights of China
Our top picks of things to see and do in China!
The Great Wall
Stretching for more than 20,000km from the Yellow Sea in the eats to the Gobi Desert in the west, the Great Wall of China is known around the world and is a major factor in many people's decision to visit China. Dating back more than 2,300 years, the UNESCO-listed wall measures 7 metres in width and 6-14 metres in height with over 25,000 battlements snaking a path along precarious mountain ridges and thick forests.
See pandas in Chengdu
Known for being absolutely adorable, Great Pandas are endemic to china making it the perfect place to see them in their natural habitat. Watch them as they play, sleep and wander around their conservation sites and learn all about China's effort to increase the panda population to stop these beautiful bears from going extinct.
The Terracotta army in Xi'an
In 1976 three farmers near the city of Xi'an were digging a well and in doing so discovered one of China's greatest treasures - Emperor Qin's 7000-strong terracotta army. Believed to have been made 2200 years ago these life-size warriors stand in military formation in excavated pits under the cover of a modern protective hanger. Made of local clay, no two faces are alike – each is said to be an individual portrait.
Beijing
Capital of the People’s Republic, Beijing is China’s political, economic and cultural centre. With a chequered history, Beijing was established in 1045 BC and for 800 years served as the capital of several dynasties. At first glance Beijing can appear as nothing more than a modern cosmopolitan city with soaring skyscrapers, sprawls of apartment blocks and a crisscross of freeways. But hidden amid the concrete and glass one can still find remnants of the city’s past and evidence of traditional Chinese culture still practised today.
Shanghai
Buzzing with energy and activity from its gleaming sky scrapers all the way to its charming Old Town, the mega city of Shanghai epitomises China’s meteoric rise to global power status. Everywhere you look, there is something to do, see or buy, and you're unlikely to ever find yourself having a dull moment during your stay.
Guilin
Renowned for it’s striking, if bizarre scenery - vast areas of karst limestone outcrops that rise up from flat rice paddy fields, and beautiful pagodas, Guilin is often the subject of Chinese painting. On our tours that travel to Guilin, we will visit the enormous and dazzlingly beautiful Reed Flute Caves. The city is filled with a delicious fragrance of Sweet Osmanthus trees and indeed this is the meaning of the name Guilin - "forest of Sweet Osmanthus".
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