Beijing is China's vast, history-soaked capital — a city where imperial palaces and ancient hutong alleyways sit beneath a skyline of glass towers, and three thousand years of dynastic history meet the pace of a modern megacity. It is endlessly fascinating, greener than you'd expect in its lakeside parks, and one of the best places in Asia to immerse yourself in a culture, a language and a teaching scene unlike anywhere else.
Beijing has a dry, four-season continental climate: cold, crisp winters that drop well below freezing, hot and humid summers, and short but beautiful springs and autumns. It is home to a large, long-established international community, with English widely spoken in business, universities and the city's many international schools. Mandarin is the language of daily life and even a few words go a long way, while a famously affordable cost of living, fast trains and an enormous metro make it easy to settle in and explore.
Location Info
- Large, established expat community and a low cost of living
- Very safe, with low street crime even late at night
- One of the world's biggest metro systems, plus cheap taxis and ride-hailing
Top Experiences
The Great Wall
A short trip from the city brings you to the most iconic sight in China. Hike the restored ramparts at Mutianyu or the wild, crumbling stretches at Jiankou as the Wall snakes over the mountains to the horizon.
The Forbidden City
The world's largest palace complex and home to twenty-four emperors — a staggering sequence of golden-roofed halls, courtyards and gates at the very heart of the city. Allow half a day and enter from the south.
Temple of Heaven
Set in a vast park where locals practise tai chi, fly kites and play cards, this perfectly proportioned Ming-dynasty temple is one of China's most beautiful pieces of architecture.
The Hutongs & Houhai
Lose yourself in the grey-brick alleyways of old Beijing, then circle the willow-fringed Houhai lakes, lined with bars, courtyard cafés and rickshaws — the city at its most atmospheric.
The Summer Palace
An imperial garden of lakes, pavilions and a famous marble boat, built as a royal retreat. Hire a pedalo on Kunming Lake or stroll the painted galleries of the Long Corridor.
Peking Duck & the Food Scene
From crispy Peking duck carved tableside to sizzling snacks at Wangfujing and regional feasts from every corner of China, Beijing is a food lover's playground.
Getting Around
Beijing is enormous, but its transport makes it manageable. The metro is one of the largest and cheapest in the world, with a flat few-yuan fare and English signage throughout. Didi (China's ride-hailing app) and metered taxis are inexpensive, while shared bikes sit on every corner for short hops. Almost everything is paid for by phone with WeChat Pay or Alipay, so it's worth setting these up soon after you arrive.
When to Go
Autumn (September to October) is the finest season — clear blue skies, warm days and the city's parks turning gold. Spring is pleasant but short, summers (June to August) are hot, humid and prone to downpours, and winters are cold and dry, with crisp sunny days ideal for sightseeing without the crowds.
Good to Know
- The Chinese yuan (CNY/RMB) is the currency, and daily life is remarkably affordable.
- Mandarin is the official language and everyday English is limited, so a translation app is invaluable.
- Almost all payments are by phone — set up WeChat Pay or Alipay early.
- A VPN is needed for many Western sites and apps, so arrange one before you arrive.
- Beijing is extremely safe, with very low rates of street crime.
- The whole country runs on China Standard Time (GMT+8).
