Our bucket list includes all the world’s wonders, and visit Beijing and The Great Wall was a spontaneous adventure. While traveling through Indonesia and South Korea in August and September 2024, we discovered our flight home had a rather lengthy layover in Beijing. Lucky for us, we were able to reschedule our connecting flight home, giving us 24 hour to explore this fascinating city. Who knew a simple layover could turn into such an unforgettable experience?
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Best Time to visit Beijing
We visited Beijing in early September 2024. For the most enjoyable visit to Beijing, consider traveling during the spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) months when it is pleasant weather with mild temperatures and clear skies, making it ideal for exploring the city’s numerous sights. Avoid the summer months (June to August) when it is hot and humid weather, which can make outdoor activities quite uncomfortable. Even the winter (December to February) brings cold temperatures and increased air pollution due to heating.
Planning to travel Beijing soon? We’ve put together a list of our top travel resources and must-have accessories to ensure you’re all set for your adventure!
– Find the perfect accommodation on Booking.com or Hotels.com
– Discover amazing tours on Get Your Guide
– Compare and rent a car for your journey on Discovercars.com
– Find the best prices for buses, trains, and flights on Omio.com
– Secure travel insurance Onshorekare.com
– Check out our favorite travel gear HERE
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– Get some great deals on tickets to tourist attractions check out Klook.com
– We love the detailed travel guides from Lonely Planet! Use this LINK or code “JESPEREDMAN10” at checkout to get 10% off
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How Long Should You Stay?
This itinerary is designed for a 24 hour trip to visit Beijing, providing a comprehensive overview of the city’s highlights. This itinerary is ideal if you have a long layover or looking to extend your trip in China or East Asia. See our Seoul itinerary for inspiration.
Accommodation
If you want to be in the heart of the action, consider staying near the Forbidden City. Wangfujing is a popular choice, offering a mix of traditional Chinese culture and modern amenities. We stayed at the Sunworld Hotel Wangfujing and enjoyed its central location. Other good neighborhoods include Sanlitun, known for its trendy bars and restaurants, and Houhai, a charming lake area with traditional courtyard houses.
Do a qick search for accommodation here:
Transportation
If you have a long layover when you visit Beijing, a pre-booked tour is a great way to maximize your time. We personally booked with BeijingLayoverTour and were impressed by their service. They provided a comfortable car, a friendly English-speaking guide, and a flexible itinerary that allowed us to see the highlights of Beijing. Whether you are interested in visiting the Great Wall, exploring the Forbidden City, or simply wandering through the bustling hutongs, BeijingLayoverTour can tailor a tour to your interests.
What to Pack when you visit Beijing
We always try to pack light and only use carry-on luggage. One tip for doing this is to use clothes made of merino wool. You can wear these clothes for multiple days in a row as moisture and air will disappear from the clothes just by hanging them up overnight. You should also pack a light jacket, as the weather can be unpredictable.
Don’t forget to pack a travel adapter. China typically uses different outlets than those in Europe. The most common outlets in China have two flat prongs, sometimes with a third grounding prong.
Check out some of our best travel gear HERE
Other Tips
Most apps and platforms that can influence China are blocked, such as foreign news sites, social media like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp. None of Google’s services work in China either. To bypass these restrictions, you will need a VPN. We found VPN to be a reliable option. But remember to activate the VPN before you enter China.
One popular and reliable VPN service that always have good deals is NordVPN
The Chinese themselves use the app WeChat for social media, calling, texting, shopping, ordering food, etc. If you’re staying longer, you might consider getting WeChat.
Budget
This is an example on a 2 person budget and what we paid for:
- Tour 440 USD
- Hotel one night 80 USD
- Cable car 13 USD
- Dinner 11 USD
Full Itinerary for your Beijing visit
Day 1: The Great Wall
Upon arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport, you will need to apply for a visa on arrival. To do so, follow the signs for Exit, Baggage Claim. Continue walking until you see ‘24/144-hour International Transfer (Apply for Leaving Airport)‘. Don’t be tempted by any other signs, like ‘Exit & Entry Certificate Service Office‘ or ‘Transit for international Flights within 24 hours‘, as you may not be able to exit the airport. Join the queue at the ‘24/144-hour International Transfer‘ counter and fill out the ‘Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners‘. Once you have your visa-free permit, go through immigration and customs. Take the escalator downstairs to the train station and board the train to terminal T3 C. Collect your checked baggage there.
Our guide met us in the airport arrivals hall, and we were soon on our way to the Great Wall. The journey took about an hour. At the Wall, we had the option of hiking or taking a cable car to the top. To save time, we opted for the cable car. Despite the overcast skies, we were practically alone on the Wall! It was a truly magical experience, far removed from the crowded images we had seen. When the drizzle began, we took the cable car back down.
Since we had more time in Beijing, we checked into our pre-booked hotel in the city center. Unfortunately, we hit peak hour traffic and the journey took longer than expected. Our guide recommended a local restaurant for trying Peking duck, and we were in for a surprise when a whole duck, complete with its beak, arrived at our table!
Day 2: Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City
The day began with an early morning pick-up for our visit to the iconic Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. As we joined the throngs of tourists waiting to enter the palace, We couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. Exploring the Forbidden City was a truly unforgettable experience! The intricate details of the architecture and the weight of history were palpable. It was hard to believe that we were standing in the heart of ancient China.
After our visit, we reluctantly made our way back to the airport. If you have more time in Beijing consider exploring following:
- The Summer Palace is a stunning imperial retreat with beautiful gardens and lakes.
- The Temple of Heaven is an UNESCO World Heritage Site with impressive architecture.
- The Hutongs, wander through the traditional alleyways and experience local life.
- 798 Art District is a trendy and vibrant area with art galleries, cafes, and shops.
Outro
And that was our whirlwind 24 hours in Beijing! We were blown away by the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. We can not say that we where blown away about thier food, we definitely need to come back and try some more. While this itinerary provides a taste of what Beijing has to offer and you can see a lot in only 24 hour, there is so much more to discover in China.
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment.
Youtube video for inspiration
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