Holiday in Beijing
City in China — tips, highlights & best time to visit
Country
China
Type
City
Best time to travel
September–November (golden autumn), April–May (spring)
Budget/day
55–100 €
Getting there from Germany
Direct flights from Frankfurt to Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX) in 9–10 hours. Visa required (144h transit visa possible without visa).
Deals for Beijing:
What makes Beijing special as a destination?
Beijing, the capital of China, is a city of superlatives and millennia-old cultural heritage: Here lie the Forbidden City, the largest palace complex in the world, the Great Wall, and the Temple of Heaven in close proximity to each other — a concentration of world heritage that is unparalleled. The Forbidden City covers 720,000 square meters with 980 buildings and was the seat of Chinese emperors for almost 500 years. Its sea of golden roofs, powerful courtyards, and magnificent throne halls overwhelm every visitor. The Tiananmen Square in front is one of the largest public squares in the world. The Summer Palace by Kunming Lake combines imperial garden art with boat rides and temple complexes. The Great Wall can be reached from Beijing in an hour: The restored section at Badaling is the most accessible, while Mutianyu and Jinshanling offer a more authentic experience. The historic Hutong districts with their narrow alleys and traditional courtyard houses provide a fascinating contrast to the modern metropolis. Peking Duck, the city's most famous dish, is ceremonially carved at the table. March to May and September to November offer pleasant temperatures for sightseeing.
What are the top highlights in Beijing?
The top highlights in Beijing include Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu, Tian'anmen Square, Summer Palace, Hutongs & Houhai Lake.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Forbidden City
The largest palace complex in the world with 980 buildings – the emperor resided here for 500 years. Plan at least half a day.
Great Wall at Mutianyu
The restored but less crowded section offers a cable car, toboggan run, and spectacular views – 90 minutes from Beijing.
Tian'anmen Square
The largest public square in the world (440,000 m²) – historically charged, with the Mao Mausoleum and the National Museum.
Summer Palace
The imperial garden by Kunming Lake is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Beijing's most beautiful retreat – especially in autumn with lotus flowers.
Hutongs & Houhai Lake
The traditional alley neighborhoods around Houhai Lake are the heart of Beijing: rickshaw tours, hidden bars, and street food at night.
Hotels in Beijing
Compare thousands of hotels, apartments and resorts on Expedia – with price guarantee, free cancellation and reward points.
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Reise-SIM für Beijing
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Beijing?
The best time to visit Beijing is September–November (golden autumn), April–May (spring). Hot and humid, 30–38 °C, occasional monsoon rains, smog possible In winter: Very cold and dry, -10 to 2 °C, clear skies, the Great Wall in snow is magical
Recommended travel time
September–November (golden autumn), April–May (spring)
Summer
Hot and humid, 30–38 °C, occasional monsoon rains, smog possible
Winter
Very cold and dry, -10 to 2 °C, clear skies, the Great Wall in snow is magical
How much does a holiday in Beijing cost?
Budget travellers: 25–40 €/day, mid-range: 55–100 €/day, luxury: 150–400 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
25–40 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
55–100 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
150–400 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Beijing?
Direct flights from Frankfurt to Beijing Capital (PEK) or Daxing (PKX) in 9–10 hours. Visa required (144h transit visa possible without visa).
Book a package holiday to Beijing
Compare thousands of package holidays to Beijing and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Beijing?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Be sure to book the Forbidden City online in advance – tickets are limited to 80,000/day and often sold out.
Choose Mutianyu instead of Badaling for the Great Wall – fewer tourists, better views, toboggan ride down!
DiDi (China's Uber) works with foreign credit cards – essential, as taxis rarely speak English.
Download a VPN before your trip – Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram are blocked in China.
What should you eat in Beijing?
Typical specialities in Beijing: Peking Duck — The most famous dish in China: crispy glazed duck, carved at the table, served with pancakes, spring onions, and hoisin sauce., Jiaozi (Dumplings) — Handmade dumplings with pork and vegetables – steamed, boiled, or fried, a Beijing everyday meal., Zhajiangmian — Noodles with fermented soybean paste, cucumber, and spring onions – Beijing's favorite comfort food., Malatang — Choose your ingredients (vegetables, meat, tofu) which are then cooked in spicy broth – customizable hot pot for one., Tanghulu — Candied fruits on a stick (traditionally hawthorn) – Beijing's sweetest street snack, especially in winter..
These specialties you must try!
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