Beijing
©Matt Munro/Lonely Planet
Overview
From ancient walled capital to showpiece megacity in barely a century, Beijing (Běijīng, 北京), spins a breathless yarn of triumph, tragedy, endurance and innovation.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
An oasis of methodical Confucian design, the 267-hectare Temple of Heaven Park is unique. It originally served as a vast stage for solemn rites performed…
Beijing
A marvel of Chinese garden design and one of Beijing's must-see attractions, the Summer Palace was the royal retreat for emperors fleeing the suffocating…
Beijing
Beihai Park, inside the old Imperial City, looks much as it would have done in the 18th century when it served as Emperor Qianlong's private gardens. The…
Beijing
A grand sweep of willow-lined waterways enclosed by invitingly maze-like hutong lanes, this trio of lakes is one of Beijing's best-loved outdoor spots,…
Temple of Heaven Park & Dongcheng South
This immense fortress, part of the Ming City Wall Ruins Park, guarded the southeast corner of Beijing's city walls. Originally built in 1439 but repaired…
Beijing
Contemporary art meets communist history at this thrilling enclave of international galleries installed within China's model factory complex of the 1950s…
Beijing
Converted from a princely residence to a lamasery in the 18th century, the Lama Temple extends through a crescendo of ever more divine halls in a whirl of…
Beijing
Venerable bastions of time-keeping, the Drum Tower and its counterpart the Bell Tower were for centuries the tallest buildings in Beijing, lording it over…
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Best Things to Do
Eat street food, explore old neighborhoods, find the less-visited parts of familiar sites and shop for (non)antiques: our guide to the best of Beijing.
Read articleTransportation
Navigating your way through Beijing can feel intimidating. Let us help you by demystifying how to get around the Chinese capital.
Read articleFree Things to Do
It’s not hard to take in the scope of Beijing without spending a single yuan, thanks to our list of the city’s 10 best free experiences.
Read articleDay Trips
Beijing offers a dizzying variety of things to see and do, and the adventures don't stop at the city limits. Here are the top five day trips from Beijing.
Read articleArticles
Latest stories from Beijing
Destination Practicalities
How to get around in Beijing: A guide to navigating the cityApr 14, 2025 • 5 min read
- HistoryForbidden City and other popular Chinese sites re-open to the public
May 4, 2020 • 2 min read
ArticlesTrailblazers: crossing into China as a Lonely Planet writer in the 1980sJul 7, 2019 • 8 min read
- MusicBeijing’s Forbidden City hosted an epic classical music gala for the first time in 20 years
Oct 18, 2018 • 1 min read
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