The Best of Beijing
Traveling in Beijing
Beijing Transit Visa
As of 2024, China introduced an extended visa-free transit policy for travelers from 55 countries. Eligible travelers can now stay in China for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa, as long as they are transiting to a third destination. For example, an itinerary like Tokyo–>China–>Hong Kong–>Tokyo would qualify. To use this policy, you need a confirmed ticket to your third destination, a valid passport, and a completed landing card. We were already familiar with the process, since we had previously used the 24-hour transit visa in Shanghai. It’s a simple procedure as long as you have all your documents and travel details ready. When we went through it this time, there weren’t many people in line, and the whole process took about 10 to 15 minutes for both of us.
Public Transit
Public transit in Beijing is top notch. The metro system is vast, with most lines and stops in the world, and second longest length (next only to Shanghai). If you don’t want to take trains, the city has cheap and fair taxis with standard metering. We highly recommend downloading the Alipay app so you can easily use Didi taxi for quick and easy ride hailing.
Tickets
Unlike many other cities, most major attractions like the Temple of Heaven and Forbidden City require tickets to be purchased ahead of time. Especially in busy seasons, it’s crucial to make sure you get tickets that fit the time frames you want, as you will not be able to buy them in person. We recommend using Get Your Guide and Klook, where you can buy tickets with or without a guide months in advance.
Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven was constructed in 1420 at the same time as the Forbidden City. This holy site covers an incredible area of 273 hectares, although most of the grounds are gardens and forested pathways. Regardless, it will take several hours to walk through and enjoy the main sites, so be prepared. We arrived at the north gate, because our ticket providers told us it would have little to no wait to enter.
As soon as we walked in we recognized the beauty of the temple. There are endless paths stretching through the well manicured gardens. If you need a place to take break, there’s guaranteed to be a quite area somewhere in the vast temple. Of course everyone was attracting to the star of the show, the Hall of Prayer and Good Harvest. In fact, it’s so famous that they have popsicles of it. Before we entered, I got a little mango popsicle replica of the Hall of Prayer and Good Harvest. It was shockingly great, with a creamsicle/milky taste.
There were thousands of people waiting to enter the hall, but the line was orderly and smooth and we were in quickly. The Hall of Prayer and Good Harvest, as the name suggests, is the holy building where emperors came to pray for good weather and bountiful harvests. There are twelve pillars supporting the hall which represent the twelve months. Visiting the Temple of Heaven you’ll come to realize everything is built with symbolism and intention. It’s a very well crafted building that really impressed us, but good luck if you want a view inside. The massive crowd made it hard to push to the front to see exactly what was inside, but there was always space in the courtyard to get away from the people.
Next we crossed the Imperial Walking Bridge. It’s just a simple bridge, but notably only the emperor and the absolute highest authorities were allowed to cross it in the past. It’s fascinating to imagine what they would have thought about millions of tourists walking across it every year. We were stopped by several Chinese tourists who were very excited to see us there. Like in Shanghai, there were thousands of Chinese tourists there from more remote locations, and the likelihood they have seen foreigners is very low, so we were happy to take photos with them.
We then arrived at the Vault of Heaven, and the Mound Altar. This area was used to make sacrifices in the winter. The mound is build in three tiers, with 9 posts representing heaven. It is said the surrounding courtyard is square, and the mound is circle, because this is how the heavens and earth are represented in popular Chinese religion. Again, the symbolism was everywhere, and we really enjoyed wandering the area admiring the carvings in the stone.
On our way out, we briefly visited the last area, the Palace of Abstinence. Here, the emperor would undergo a ceremony where he must fast for 3 days, having no entertainment, conducting no work, and eating only clean vegetables. It sounds pretty terrible, but being in such a beautiful building would probably make it easier. There is also a lovely bell tower and a few more smaller buildings. Overall the Temple of Heaven was an excellent showcase of Chinese religion and architecture, and we’re so glad we got to visit.
Forbidden City
When you think of stereotypical Chinese architecture, you think of the Forbidden City. This has been the home of the Emperor of China since 1420. Of course, there have been a few dynasties that have come and gone since then, but the Forbidden City was occupied until 1912 when the last emperor of China, Pu Yi, was forced to abdicate the throne at age 6. It is called the Forbidden City, because it was forbidden for almost everyone to enter the walls.
“City” is an appropriate name, since the area inside the moat contains a massive footprint of 72 hectares. It is called the city of 9,999 rooms, but our guide told us it’s closer to 8,500. Still, 8,500 rooms is enough to make your head spin, but it’s not hard to see where they put them all. It takes several hours to walk through every main area, and would take an entire day to truly see everything inside. Technically, the Forbidden City closes at 4:30pm, but you need to arrive at least two hours beforehand to get in (which we learned the hard way).
Inside, there are a series of courtyards and central buildings. The structures are gigantic, with solid wood posts supporting huge red walls and beautifully curved roofs. Important buildings are decorated with animals on each corner, the number of which symbolize how important the building is. Of course, many surfaces are gilded in gold, adding to the opulence. It’s not even the flashiest royal palace we’ve visited (that probably belongs to Thailand), but the scale of the city alone conveys the historical power and influence of the Chinese royal dynasties that called this palace home.
We were absolutely blown away by the Forbidden City. It’s incredible to think of the history that has happened within these walls. The architecture is remarkable, and it is preserved shockingly well. If you can only see one major attraction during your time in Beijing, we think it should be the Forbidden City.
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is one of the largest public squares in the world. It holds deep historical significance, as it was here that Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China. At the square, you can witness the flag-raising and lowering ceremonies, as well as the changing of the guard.
Many people know Tiananmen Square for its dark historical events and nothing more. It’s important to acknowledge the deeply troubling events that have taken place here, but we are not history bloggers, and don’t feel comfortable talking about events we aren’t familiar with. We recommend you do your own research before deciding to come here. Regardless of its history, Tiananmen Square is a genuinely interesting location, with many historic events taking place here.
To visit Tiananmen Square, you need to make a reservation in advance. We booked ours through Get Your Guide. Within the square, there are several memorial halls, museums, and towers you can explore, but most of them also require reservations, and some have small entrance fees. The Forbidden City is directly next to Tiananmen Square, making it a convenient to do both back to back.
Great Wall of China
One of the best things to do in Beijing is visit the Great Wall of China. We wrote a whole article about it, but here is the short version. Since we didn’t have as much time in the city as we had hoped, and because it was a holiday in China, we booked a private driver through Klook to take us to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. It takes about an hour and a half by car. From the parking area, we took a shuttle bus, then a chairlift that brought us up to the wall.
When we got to the top, it felt like one of those “Instagram vs reality” moments, except in reality, it was even more incredible. Even though the sun wasn’t out, the overcast skies made it feel even more magical, with the lush greenery surrounding the stone structure. We spent about 2 hours exploring the wall hiking up the steep steps, and it safely earned its place as one of our favorite structures of all time.
Walking along the wall, you’ll find a mix of walkways including stairs and steep paths. Never in my life did I think I would get to see the Great Wall of China. It truly felt like a dream come true. We took the toboggan slide back down, which can actually go pretty fast. This was a lot of fun and a great way to end the visit, and it felt good to explore at our own pace without having to worry about transportation.
Modernista
To get a taste of nightlife in Beijing, we decided to check out Modernista. We really enjoy going to a variety of bars in China, especially ones that feature live music. Modernista is a European-style bar and restaurant with live performances from local bands every night. The night we went, there was a jazz trio playing original songs. But there’s a catch, when walk in, there’s no stage or place for a band at all. Instead, you have to walk through the unassuming restaurant, onto the balcony, and through a liquor cabinet to enter the speakeasy.
It was dimly lit, with candles on the tables, and the space was small and cozy. Although it also it is a full restaurant, we decided to just get drinks that night. Michael enjoyed a glass of whiskey while I went with a tamarind tea cooler. The acoustics and sound quality were excellent, making it a perfect spot to enjoy live music. It’s a great place for both locals and foreigners, with a diverse lineup of performers and a very English-friendly environment.
Muse Coffee
China isn’t exactly known for specialty coffee, Beijing included. But after some extensive research, I found Muse Coffee. It’s tucked away on a small street and easy to miss, so keep your eyes peeled. It’s a tiny shop, but that just adds to its charm. Even though we visited in May it was bit chilly. I usually order iced drinks, but I went for a hot chocolate with beautiful latte art. I love latte art, but sometimes I don’t want to drink it because I hate watching it disappear.
Michael ordered a hot pour over made with beans from Yunnan Baoshan in China. Even though he usually prefers beans from Kenya or Ethiopia, he’s been really enjoying what China has to offer lately. Muse Coffee is a great little spot, comfy, cozy, and full of personality. It has a really aesthetic vibe with signed coffee filters on the walls, unique ceramics, and this cool, workshop-like feel.
Michael’s Thoughts:
When I started drinking specialty coffee in 2018, Chinese beans were a novelty. Now, some of the best beans I’ve ever had come from Yunnan. I can’t describe how delicious this cup of coffee was. Roasted and brewed absolutely perfectly, it was truly S+ tier. I never expected to have one of the best cups in my life in a hole in the wall in China, but life is full of wonderful surprises!
Siji Minfu Peking Duck
One of the must-try dishes in Beijing is Peking duck. I had never had it before, so I wanted my first experience to be the best. Siji Minfu is highly recommended by both locals and tourists. Just be aware that the wait can be two to three hours depending on what time you go, no matter which branch. When you arrive, you will receive a number and wait in the designated area. You know a restaurant is truly busy when the waiting area is huge and stocked with complimentary snacks and drinks. People were just hanging out, and some groups were playing cards.
After two hours, we finally got our table. Lesson learned, we’ll go earlier next time. When we sat down, we were lucky to have a staff member who spoke fluent English. She helped us choose a tea to pair with the duck, told us what was popular, shared her recommendations, and answered all our questions. You can order either a half or a whole duck. Since it was just the two of us, we went with half, which turned out to be more than enough.
When the duck arrived, we got to watch them carve it at the table. It looked and smelled amazing. Another waiter came over to demonstrate how to eat Peking duck properly. He brought over the English-speaking staff member to translate everything he said word for word. Even though he did not speak English, he really made the effort to communicate with us. When we took our first bite, just wow. I have never had meat like that in my life. The oils from the duck, the crispiness of the skin, the touch of sweetness from the sugar, it was unreal.
For our sides, we had the pea shoot salad with potato sticks and peanuts, and zhajiangmian, which are noodles served with fried bean sauce. We did not know how to assemble it, so the waiter demonstrated and even had me smell the oil and ingredients. The food was outstanding and the staff made the whole experience really memorable for us.
ManJie Dumplings
ManJie Dumplings, as you’d expect from the name, serves dumplings. These handmade dumplings are well known and popular. When you order one kind, the minimum is ten dumplings per order. We were on a mission and very hungry, so we picked three types that stood out to us. We tried the zucchini and scrambled egg, the pork and fennel, and ManJie’s house special dumplings, which gave us thirty dumplings to devour. Were our eyes bigger than our stomachs? Yes. Did we order too much? Yes. Did that stop us from finishing all the dumplings? No.
We were most excited to try the house special first. It has leeks, shrimp, egg, pork, and mushroom. It ended up being our second favorite since Michael wasn’t a big fan of the texture. Our favorite was the pork and fennel. The fennel was mild and complemented the seasoning of the pork really well. I usually enjoy my food dry without condiments or sauces, but here I recommend using the dipping sauces on the side. They bring out the flavor of the dumpling skins, which can start to feel a bit repetitive after eating ten in a row. The restaurant wasn’t mind-blowing, but it is definitely above average.
Wangpangzi Donkey Burger
Anytime we visit a new country, we try to find unique dishes, and Beijing does not fall short in that department. Wangpangzi Donkey Burger has many locations around the city and is best known for, you guessed it, their donkey burger. Now, when they say burger, it’s not a bun with a donkey meat patty. It’s actually a sandwich made with a type of flatbread that is slightly crunchy and flaky. The meat itself was tender, a little salty, and had a mildly gamey taste. It was really interesting because it’s hard to compare it to any other protein I’ve tried before. It’s not exactly traditional, and it was worth trying for the experience alone.
Final Thoughts
Beijing truly exceeding expectations. As Americans, we were always raised to be hesitant around the capital of China. We met so many great people, and had a great time exploring such a beautiful and ancient city. Once again, we are reminded that people and culture aren’t defined by their current government. Beijing is one of the best cities we’ve been to, with a wide variety of food, culture, and history.
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