Beijing

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Imperial shopfronts in traditional hutong district.

©Matt Munro/Lonely Planet

Overview

From ancient walled capital to showpiece megacity in barely a century, Beijing (Běijīng, 北京), spins a breathless yarn of triumph, tragedy, endurance and innovation.


Attractions

Must-see attractions

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Eat street food, explore old neighborhoods, find the less-visited parts of familiar sites and shop for (non)antiques: our guide to the best of Beijing.

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Transportation

Navigating your way through Beijing can feel intimidating. Let us help you by demystifying how to get around the Chinese capital.

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Free Things to Do

It’s not hard to take in the scope of Beijing without spending a single yuan, thanks to our list of the city’s 10 best free experiences.

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Day Trips

Beijing offers a dizzying variety of things to see and do, and the adventures don't stop at the city limits. Here are the top five day trips from Beijing.

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Articles

Latest stories from Beijing

Beijing, China - Jan 9 2020: Jiaotaidian (Hall of Union) is one of the 3 main palaces in the Forbidden City inner Court , located between  Palace of Heavenly Purity and Palace of Earthly Tranquility, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-03-10T19:55:32.000Z, User: dermothegarty77, Editorial: true, purchase_order: 56530 - Guidebooks, job: Global Publishing WIP, client: China 17, other: Dermot Hegarty

Destination Practicalities

How to get around in Beijing: A guide to navigating the city

Apr 14, 2025 • 5 min read

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Go Beyond

Beijing and beyond