Best Beijing Tours, 30+ Beijing Tours Packages (Best Prices 2026)

By Flight: Beijing has two major airports — Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Both serve domestic and international destinations with multiple daily flights from major cities worldwide. Flight time from Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu to Beijing is usually around 2-3 hours. By Bullet Train: From nearby provinces, taking a high-speed train to Beijing can be more cost-effective. High-speed trains connect Beijing with Shanghai (4-6 hours), Guangzhou (8-10 hours), and Xi'an.

The best time to visit Beijing is from April to early November. Avoid National Day Holiday (Oct 1-7). Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) offer the most pleasant weather. March and April are cooler and less crowded — average temperature ~15°C by day. Summer (July-August) is hot and humid. Winter is cold and dry.

Badaling: Most famous, most tourists. Mutianyu: Best for foreign tourists, scenic, has toboggan. Jinshanling: Best for photographers, rugged terrain. Simatai: Only section open at night, steep slopes. Jiankou: Wild and rugged for experienced hikers. Juyongguan: One of eight scenic spots in Beijing. Huanghuacheng: Water Great Wall resort integrating wall, lakes and mountains. Gubeikou: Offers a great 2-day hike connection to Jinshanling.

Peking Duck — the most famous dish, served with thin pancakes, scallions and sweet bean sauce. Dumplings — a Beijing staple with various fillings, boiled, steamed or fried. Mongolian Hot Pot — simmering broth with assorted meats, vegetables and noodles. Zhajiangmian (Noodles with Soybean Paste) — a classic old Beijing dish with wide noodles, soybean paste, pork and vegetables. Douzhi (Fermented Soy Drink) — a tangy drink made from mung beans, often paired with crispy fritters. Chao Gan (Fried Liver) — a savory street food made from pork organs in a thick sauce.

1) Hike the Great Wall — reachable within 2 hours, choose Mutianyu for classic exploration or Jinshanling/Simatai for deeper treks (night visit or camping). 2) Explore the Forbidden City — walk through the 600-year-old imperial palace complex. 3) Take a rickshaw ride through the Hutongs — experience traditional architecture, local markets and specialty shops. 4) Practice Tai Chi with locals at the Temple of Heaven at dawn. 5) Climb Jingshan Park for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City skyline. 6) Savor Peking duck at a famous restaurant. 7) Experience nightlife at Houhai or Sanlitun bar streets.

Mutianyu is our top recommendation — fully restored, fewer crowds than Badaling, and a thrilling toboggan ride down. Jinshanling is best for photography. Simatai is the only section open at night. Both Mutianyu and Jinshanling are about 2 hours from Beijing city center. Other options include Badaling (most famous, most tourists), Jiankou (wild and rugged for experienced hikers), Juyongguan (one of eight scenic spots in Beijing), and Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall (a holiday resort integrating wall, lakes and mountains).

The ideal length depends on your interests, schedule, and budget. We recommend at least 2-4 full days in Beijing. Day 1 — Tiananmen Square + Forbidden City + Jingshan Park; Day 2 — Great Wall (Mutianyu) + Summer Palace; Day 3 — Temple of Heaven + Hutongs + Rickshaw Ride; Day 4 — 798 Art District, Lama Temple, and a Peking duck cooking class. With 5 or more days, you can travel to Xi'an by high-speed train to see the Terracotta Warriors.

By Flight: If you are traveling from another country or a distant region of China, flying is the most convenient option. Beijing has two major airports — Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Both serve domestic and international destinations with multiple daily flights from major cities worldwide. Flight time from Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu to Beijing is usually around 2-3 hours. By Bullet Train: From nearby provinces, taking a high-speed train can be more cost-effective. Beijing has several high-speed train stations including Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, and Beijing South Railway Station. High-speed trains connect Beijing with Shanghai (4-6 hours), Guangzhou (8-10 hours), and Xi'an (4-5 hours).

The best time to visit Beijing is from April to early November. In order to avoid being surrounded by thousands of domestic tourists, it is suggested to avoid visiting Beijing during the National Day Holiday (October 1st to 7th). Many people prefer to visit Beijing in March and April when it is much cooler and not crowded — average temperature ~15°C by day, 5°C at night. Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) offer the most pleasant weather and spectacular views. Summer (July-August) is hot and humid. Winter is cold and dry with little snow.

1) Badaling Great Wall — The most famous and well-preserved section, located about 75km north of Beijing. Most tourists visited. 2) Mutianyu Great Wall — Most popular with foreign tourists. Located about 88km northeast of Beijing. Known for scenic views and well-preserved fortifications. Cable car up, toboggan ride down! 3) Jinshanling Great Wall — Most popular among photographers. Located about 130km northeast of Beijing. Known for rugged terrain and breathtaking views. 4) Simatai Great Wall — The only Great Wall section that can be visited at night. Located about 80 miles northeast of Beijing. Known for steep slopes and watchtowers. 5) Jiankou Great Wall — Wild and rugged section for experienced hikers. 6) Juyongguan Great Wall — One of the eight scenic spots in Beijing. 7) Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall — A holiday resort integrating the Great Wall, lakes and mountains.

1) Don't bring too many things — just a bottle of mineral water. 2) Photography enthusiasts should keep it light, just a tripod is fine. 3) Wear flat shoes or sports casual shoes — no high heels. 4) If hiking with kids, keep them from chasing each other on steep sections. 5) Don't climb alone — find an experienced guide. 6) Make a hiking plan beforehand based on your own condition, including hike length and items needed, and ask someone to be your contact person for emergency.

Beijing is best known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and iconic landmarks that symbolize China's centuries-old civilization. The top sites include: The Forbidden City — the world's largest imperial palace complex; The Great Wall of China — a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World; Hutongs — narrow alleyways that offer a glimpse into old Beijing's way of life; Tiananmen Square — the world's largest city square; Summer Palace — a stunning imperial garden; and The Temple of Heaven — where emperors once prayed for good harvests. Beijing is also famous for Peking duck, a culinary icon with over 150 years of history.