Loading…
Visas & entry
Entry rules change frequently. U.S. citizens generally need a Chinese tourist visa unless using the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme, which requires confirmed onward travel to a third country or region; it is not for a simple U.S.–China–U.S. itinerary. China currently offers 30-day visa-free entry to ordinary-passport holders of the UK, many European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Canada and several Latin American countries; verify eligibility, dates and airline requirements with the relevant Chinese embassy before booking.
Getting in
- Beijing Capital International Airport: The usual airport for international arrivals and generally the handier choice for Chaoyang, Sanlitun and much of central Beijing. Use airport rail, metro connections or a taxi/ride-hail onward; allow for Beijing traffic.
- Beijing Daxing International Airport: A major alternative international gateway south of the city. The Daxing Airport Express reaches Caoqiao in about 19 minutes and intercity rail also connects onward, but the final trip to a central or northeast hotel can still take time.
Getting around
Use the subway first: it is cheap, extensive and usually beats road traffic for central sights; overseas Visa and Mastercard contactless cards can be used at gates, including airport-express lines. Use taxis or ride-hailing for late nights and awkward cross-town trips, but do not expect them to beat rush hour; Alipay is the most useful foreigner-friendly all-purpose app. For the Great Wall, book a bus, tour or private driver for Mutianyu; rail is most practical for Badaling. Do not rent a car for a short visit.
Money
China uses renminbi/yuan (CNY/RMB) and Beijing is heavily QR-payment dependent. Set up Alipay and/or WeChat Pay with an eligible overseas card before arrival, but carry some cash as a backup for small vendors or technical failures. Tipping is not customary in ordinary restaurants or taxis.
Book before you land
Forbidden City (Palace Museum) timed entry · Tiananmen Square timed entry reservation · Mutianyu Great Wall, especially weekends and public holidays · National Museum of China timed entry · Universal Beijing Resort on weekends, school holidays and peak dates
- Bring your passport: it is needed for many real-name attraction reservations, rail tickets and hotel check-in.
- Security checks are routine around Tiananmen and the Forbidden City; build them into the day rather than stacking multiple major sights.
- Do not rely on street-hailing taxis. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and use app-based ride-hailing where possible.
- Treat a Great Wall visit as the day’s main event; trying to combine it with central monuments produces a rushed, traffic-heavy itinerary.
- At temples, especially the Lama Temple, behave as in an active religious site: dress respectfully, avoid obstructing worshippers and do not treat rituals as a photo opportunity.
- Avoid National Day Golden Week and Labor Day if you can; crowds and transport pressure change the city dramatically.
Entry rules change — verify visa requirements for your passport before booking this region.