Beijing Travel Guides
Expert guides covering classic attractions, local cuisine, history, culture and modern entertainment for your perfect Beijing trip
Olympic Park: Bird's Nest and Water Cube Guide
Beijing's Olympic Park is home to the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, and the Water Cube, both landmarks of the 2008 Games. This guide explains how to visit, whether to go inside, how to time a day or evening trip, and how to combine the park with nearby museums and the Olympic Forest. It covers tickets, transport, lights at night, and practical tips for 2026.
Mutianyu Great Wall: Chairlift, Toboggan, and Visit Guide
Mutianyu is a restored Great Wall section set among forested hills, known for its chairlift and a metal toboggan descent. This guide explains booking, how to reach Mutianyu by bus or car, how the chairlift and toboggan work, which watchtowers to aim for, and how to pace the climb. It also covers ticket prices, timing, food options, and practical advice for a comfortable 2026 visit away from the busiest crowds.
Badaling Great Wall: Booking, Transport, and Cable Car Guide
Badaling is the most visited and most accessible section of the Great Wall near Beijing, with a cable car and a separate pulley slide. This guide explains how to book entry, how to reach Badaling by high-speed train or bus, which cable car to choose, how steep the climb is, and how to plan timing around crowds. It also covers the wall's historical role, ticket prices, and practical tips for a comfortable visit in 2026.
Summer Palace Tickets and Kunming Lake Circuit Guide
The Summer Palace is Beijing's largest imperial garden, built around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. This guide explains how to book tickets, which entrances to use, how to walk or boat the lake circuit, and how to see the Long Corridor, Seventeen-Arch Bridge, and hilltop pavilions without exhausting yourself. It also covers opening hours, transport, ticket prices, timing, and common mistakes for a smooth 2026 visit.
Beijing Universal Studios Tickets and Ride Priority Guide
Universal Studios Beijing is a large theme park with themed lands, headline rides, and a paid express pass. This guide explains how to buy tickets, whether the express pass is worth it, which rides and shows to prioritize, how to reach the resort by subway, and how to plan timing around queues. It also covers food, height rules for children, opening hours, and practical tips for a smooth 2026 visit.
Temple of Heaven Tickets and Central Axis Walk Guide
The Temple of Heaven is a UNESCO-listed complex where emperors prayed for good harvests, and it anchors the southern end of Beijing's central axis. This guide explains how to book tickets, which gates to use, how to see the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Echo Wall, and how to extend the walk along the axis. It also covers opening hours, transport, prices, timing, and local morning culture in 2026.
National Museum of China Booking and Viewing Route
The National Museum of China sits on the east side of Tiananmen Square and holds one of the largest collections of Chinese art and history in the country. Entry is free but requires a timed reservation. This guide explains how foreign visitors book, what to see when time is short, how to reach the museum, and how to combine it with the square, the Forbidden City, and nearby hutong neighborhoods. It also covers security rules, opening hours, and practical tips.
Beijing Attraction Booking System Explained: Real-Name Tickets and Release Times
Most major Beijing attractions now use online, real-name reservations instead of walk-up ticket windows. This guide explains how the shared booking system works, why passports are required, when tickets are released, how to register on WeChat or official mini-programs, and what to do when an attraction is full. It also covers free museums, cancellation rules, timed entry slots, and practical fallback options for foreign visitors who do not have a Chinese ID card.
Forbidden City Tickets and Entry Slots: A Complete 2026 Guide
The Palace Museum, commonly called the Forbidden City, uses timed, real-name reservations with a fixed daily quota. This guide explains how to book tickets, which entrance and exit to use, how the morning and afternoon slots differ, where to rent an audio guide, and how to combine the visit with Jingshan Park and Tiananmen Square. It covers passport booking, closing days, security rules, walking distances, and practical advice for a smooth first visit.