Historic Center of Beijing
The central squares, civic architecture, and heritage streets that define the historic core of Beijing, People's Republic of China.
People's Republic of China
Photo: N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0
Live Weather & Forecast
Real-time temperature and 5-day forecast to help you plan your itinerary and sightseeing in Beijing.
Partly cloudy
Feels like: 3°C
Cold winter conditions — bundle up with a heavy winter coat, warm layers, gloves, and a hat.
City Travel Guide
Beijing is the national capital and principal cultural hub of People's Republic of China with a population of approximately 21,893,095. Positioned at coordinates (39.90°, 116.41°), the city blends regional architecture, active commerce, and cultural heritage.
The optimal window to visit Beijing is Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November). With a warm temperate climate at latitude 39.90°, Beijing shines in spring and autumn when daytime temperatures are mild and cultural sites are less crowded.
Schedule walking tours of central Beijing during morning or late-afternoon hours for the most comfortable light and active street life.
Sample regional dishes at established local eateries in Beijing, and keep small denominations of CNY handy for everyday purchases.
As the capital of People's Republic of China (population ~21,893,095), staying near central transit corridors in Beijing significantly reduces daily travel time between museums, embassies, and commercial districts.
All local pricing in Beijing is denominated in CNY. While major hotels accept international cards, carry smaller CNY notes for local taxis, cafes, and neighborhood markets.
Located at coordinates (39.90°, 116.41°) in the UTC time zone, Beijing connects to surrounding attractions via municipal transit, taxis, and intercity highways.
Emergency services across Beijing and People's Republic of China can be reached at 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire). Keep your hotel's address saved in the local script for smooth taxi navigation.
The optimal window to visit Beijing is Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November). With a warm temperate climate at latitude 39.90°, Beijing shines in spring and autumn when daytime temperatures are mild and cultural sites are less crowded. You can also check the live weather card on this page for current temperature and wind observations in Beijing.
The local currency in Beijing is CNY, and official emergency dispatch numbers for People's Republic of China are: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire).
A 2-to-4-day stay allows ample time to explore Beijing's historic core, cultural museums, local markets, and parks, with an extra day recommended if taking regional excursions.
Within central Beijing, municipal transit, metered taxis, and ride-hailing apps avoid urban parking hassles, whereas renting a car is advantageous for multi-stop countryside or coastal day trips.
Sights & Tours
Discover premier attractions, cultural landmarks, museums, and scenic destinations in and around Beijing.
The central squares, civic architecture, and heritage streets that define the historic core of Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Exhibits and cultural institutions showcasing the regional history, arts, and heritage of Beijing and People's Republic of China.
Green spaces, family promenades, and outdoor viewpoints across Beijing.
Reviewed destination facts for Beijing, People's Republic of China, including areas, airport context, and sourced transport when available.
Beijing, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 21.8 million residents, it is the world's most populous national capital city, as well as China's second-largest city by urban area, after Shanghai. It is located in Northern China and is governed as a provincial-level direct-administered municipality with 16 municipal districts. Beijing is mostly surrounded by Hebei Province and neighbors Tianjin Municipality to the southeast; together, the three divisions form the Jing-Jin-Ji cluster. Beijing is a global city and one of the world's leading centers for culture, diplomacy, politics, finance, business and economics, education, research, language, tourism, media, sports, science and technology, transportation, and art.
Coordinates: 39.9042, 116.4074. Country default currency: CNY.
City & Regional Transit
There is no commercial airport located inside Beijing. Access is primarily by road via regional coaches, intercity buses, and passenger car services.
Air Passenger Rights
Was your flight delayed by more than 3 hours, cancelled, or overbooked? You may be entitled to up to €600 in cash compensation per passenger under international passenger rights regulations. Check your claim eligibility below:
Flight Deals & Search
Search direct and connecting flights to Beijing, and explore the live interactive radar map to compare airline prices.
Search and compare live flight fares from top airlines with Beijing as your final arrival destination.
Accommodations & Stays
Explore hotel stays and accommodations in Beijing with competitive live rates.
Browse hotels, resorts, and vacation apartments with instant confirmation and flexible cancellation.
Car Rental & Road Trips
Compare and book car rentals in Beijing from trusted international and local rental brands.
Travel Connectivity & Internet
Stay connected with high-speed instant mobile data in People's Republic of China the moment you land, without swapping physical SIM cards.
Explore More in People's Republic of China
Discover other exciting destinations across People's Republic of China perfect for day trips and travel itineraries.
Shanghai is a provincial-level direct-administered municipality in China. It has a population of 30,050,000 in the urban area as of 2026, thus making it China's most populous city and more broadly the fifth-largest city in the world by population. The city is located on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the Huangpu River bisecting the city. Shanghai is a global centre for finance, business, research, science and technology, manufacturing, transportation, tourism, and culture. The Port of Shanghai is the world's busiest container port.