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Beijing — travel, stays & events guide
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Beijing city overview
Beijing works best as a base in China when you anchor days around Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square. Use those sights to understand the city's history, street life and visitor rhythm. Beijing Capital handles the main arrival flow, so hotel choice should balance the centre, transfer time and day-trip plans.
City facts
Airport baseBeijing Capital (PEI)
Known forForbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace
RegionChinaChina
Time zoneAsia/Shanghailocal time
Founded475historical origin
City history
During the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD), the city was first the capital of the subordinate Kingdom of Yan, and later again the seat of Guangyang Commandery after the kingdom was abolished.
During the early Zhou period, this settlement was conquered by the state of Yan (11th century BC – 222 BC), whose original capital was located 45 kilometres (28 mi) southwest in Fangshan District, and.
475 – 221 BC). Early and Mid-Imperial China After the First Emperor unified China in 221 BC, Ji became the capital of Guangyang Commandery.
The campaign took a devastating toll on Beijing's built heritage: by the end of the Cultural Revolution, 4,922 of the 6,843 sites officially designated as historically significant in the city had been destroyed or.
In 1153, the Jurchen Jin made Beijing their "Central Capital", or Zhongdu.
The city of Beiping became Beijing ("Northern Capital") or Shuntian in 1403.
On 28 October 1420, the city was officially designated the capital of the Ming dynasty in the same year that the Forbidden City was completed.
The first known church was constructed by Catholics in 1652 at the former site of Matteo Ricci's chapel; the modern Nantang Cathedral was later built upon the same site.
Following the success of the Kuomintang's Northern Expedition, the capital was formally moved to Nanjing in 1928.
On 7 July 1937, the 29th Army and the Japanese army in China exchanged fire at the Marco Polo Bridge near the Wanping Fortress southwest of the city.
Although Peking is no longer the common name for the city, some of the city's older locations and facilities, such as Beijing Capital International Airport, with the IATA code PEK, and Peking University, still.
During the An-Shi Rebellion and again amidst the turmoil of the mid-Tang period, the rebel commander An Lushan founded the short-lived Yan dynasty and called the city Yanjing, or the "Yan Capital".
During the fighting, several important structures were destroyed, including the Hanlin Academy and the (new) Summer Palace.
Also required was the execution or exile of government supporters of the Boxers and the destruction of Chinese forts and other defenses in much of northern China.
Worth seeing
Forbidden City
Forbidden City is a named stop in Beijing worth keeping on the route when it fits the day's transport, timing and neighborhood plan.
Temple of Heaven
Temple of Heaven anchors the historic and ceremonial side of Beijing, making it a practical stop for architecture, local memory and orientation.
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is a clear heritage marker in Beijing, best used as a fixed point when grouping nearby streets, monuments and viewpoints.
Summer Palace
Summer Palace anchors the historic and ceremonial side of Beijing, making it a practical stop for architecture, local memory and orientation.
Great Wall at Badaling
Great Wall at Badaling is a named stop in Beijing worth keeping on the route when it fits the day's transport, timing and neighborhood plan.
Hutongs of Beijing
Hutongs of Beijing is a named stop in Beijing worth keeping on the route when it fits the day's transport, timing and neighborhood plan.
Stay overview
Start with Dongcheng for the easiest first Beijing stay, then compare Xicheng and Chaoyang when price, nightlife, quieter evenings or transfer timing matter more than being beside every major sight.
Hotels & areas
Beijing hotel choice is mostly about repeat journeys: use Dongcheng for sightseeing, Xicheng for a different local base, and Chaoyang or Haidian when views, parking, airport timing or longer stays matter.
Dongcheng
Dongcheng is useful when a Beijing stay needs more local restaurants, apartment options or quieter nights outside the busiest core.
Best for: local stays, restaurants, quieter nightsCompare staysXicheng
Xicheng is useful when a Beijing stay needs more local restaurants, apartment options or quieter nights outside the busiest core.
Best for: local stays, restaurants, quieter nightsCompare staysChaoyang
Chaoyang is useful when a Beijing stay needs more local restaurants, apartment options or quieter nights outside the busiest core.
Best for: local stays, restaurants, quieter nightsCompare staysHaidian
Haidian is useful when a Beijing stay needs more local restaurants, apartment options or quieter nights outside the busiest core.
Best for: local stays, restaurants, quieter nightsCompare staysFlights & airports
Beijing Capital (PEI) arrival plan
- Beijing Capital (PEI)Beijing Capital (PEI), Beijing, China
Beijing Capital (PEI) is the main air gateway for Beijing; compare transfer time with your hotel base before locking the first night.
Rental cars
Beijing day-trip car use
Do not rent a car for central Beijing unless parking and traffic are part of the plan; use one mainly for regional day trips.
Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best base
Choose Dongcheng for a first stay because it keeps main sights, restaurants and practical local movement close.
Airport timing
Leave extra time for Beijing Capital, especially for early flights, late arrivals, traffic or unfamiliar transfer routes.
Local movement
Plan each day in clusters around Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven so transfers do not consume the best sightseeing hours.
Day trips
Keep one flexible slot for nearby routes from Beijing, checking weather, transport and opening hours before committing.
Nearby ideas
Heritage
Forbidden City
Forbidden City is a heritage-focused side trip from Beijing; check the route and opening hours before setting aside the day.
Heritage
Great Wall at Badaling
Great Wall at Badaling is a heritage-focused side trip from Beijing; check the route and opening hours before setting aside the day.
Heritage
Hutongs of Beijing
Hutongs of Beijing is a heritage-focused side trip from Beijing; check the route and opening hours before setting aside the day.
Upcoming events
No upcoming Beijing events in the shared event index yet.