A guide to Beijing for first-time visitors

If there are nine million bicycles in Beijing, as the Katie Melua song once said, then there are just as many ways to describe this extraordinary capital. One of the world’s oldest cities and its third most populous, this ancient megalopolis has long been the enticing, ever-evolving cultural heart of China. While there’s no shortage of things to do, the city’s vast streets can feel overwhelming for first-time visitors. If you’re wondering what to see in Beijing, get to know the city with our TravelLocal guide to what makes it truly unmissable.

A guide to Beijing for first-time visitors

It’s a UNESCO gold mine

Dating back around three millennia, it’s no surprise that Beijing has enough bucket-list gems to give any history buff a field day. When deciding what to see in Beijing, start with the illustrious Great Wall of China. This UNESCO World Heritage Site climbs and falls harmoniously with the hills of the city’s northern border, stretching majestically into the distance.

If you’re in Beijing, you simply cannot miss it. Another must-see is Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, known for its powerful political history. For a taste of Chinese imperial grandeur, visit the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City, a former Ming Dynasty palace that remained off-limits to the public for 500 years. You’ll also find the Ming Tombs, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace, each UNESCO World Heritage Sites in their own right, standing as testaments to Beijing’s rich and enduring legacy.

Read more: A guide to China’s historical highlights

Explore bizarre buildings

Speaking of modern, Beijing has done well to position itself as a leader of cutting-edge, often downright weird architecture – especially in the last 20 years. To see this for yourself, just admire the space-age, sideways egg of the Performing Arts Centre, the stilted quadrangle of the CCTV headquarters, the glowing horseshoe of the Sheraton Hotel, or the towering ‘Gate of the Orient’ – deemed ‘a pair of large pants’ by locals. The 2008 Beijing Olympics also funded a few architectural jewels; the latticed bird’s nest of the National Stadium and the luminous ‘water cube’ of the National Aquatics Centre (best seen at night).

A haven for the weird and wonderful, Beijing’s intriguing architectural trends were threatened in 2014 when Prime Minister Xi Jinping declared ‘an end to novelty buildings’. Thankfully for tourists, this appears to have fallen on deaf ears. Z15, the tallest skyscraper in the city, was finished in 2017 with a shape inspired by traditional Chinese wine vessels. Plans have also been announced to build a new Philharmonic Hall with stunning translucent walls.

Experience a royal banquet

Beijing is China at its most elaborate, so of course, sumptuous, authentic cuisine is the order of the day. Forget overly sweetened, Westernized fare, think roasted meats, steaming wheat noodles, plump dumplings in deeply flavored broth, and all manner of animal innards. For a veritable feast fit for royalty, treat yourself to some Beijing Imperial Cuisine. This banquet-style dining, derived from the kitchens of former emperors, includes exquisite plates of artistically carved fish, vegetable roses, braised meats, and Chinese staples like ginger, scallion, and bamboo.

If you’re exploring what to see in Beijing, don’t forget to experience the city’s food scene, it’s as essential as any historic landmark. For a more casual bite, head to the streets for barbecued lamb skewers, flaky flatbreads, deliciously oily dumplings, and mung bean juice.

Above all, the shining star of Beijing cuisine is Peking roasted duck, another royal hand-me-down. Famous for its crispy skin, juicy meat, and rich flavor, any meat lover visiting the city would be remiss to skip it. Traditionally wrapped in pancakes with cucumber, scallion, and sweet bean sauce, this dish is available citywide, though locals swear by hutong hole-in-the-wall favorite, Li Qun.

The vintage lifestyle

Just like the architecture and the cuisine, the day-to-day lifestyle of Beijingers effortlessly marries the old with the new. In the mornings, throngs of older locals head to peaceful parks to practice tai chi with the rising sun. Jingshan Park is the ideal spot to watch this for yourself, or even join in. Locals also sing, dance, and perform music in these natural settings to start their day. It’s a daily rhythm that reflects the cultural richness found across Asia.

Perhaps most importantly, don’t miss the antique hutong neighborhoods which, dating back 800 years, represent Beijing’s cultural grassroots. The late half of the 20th century sought protection of these narrow, tree-lined alleyways, celebrating their historic purpose as artisan stalls, family-owned restaurants and local residences.

Hutongs are everywhere, but to start off – try the alleys around Drum Tower, those branching off from Nanluogu Xiang, and those in Dashilan, just southwest of Tiananmen Square. Failing this, simply sneak away from the glittering infrastructure of high-rise Beijing and you’ll find residential mazes, propped up with a mixture of chess-playing old men, and local teenagers gazing at their phones over bowls of noodles.

An abundance of bustling markets

Beijing is a market city and a haven for avid shoppers. Labyrinths of alleyways filled with clothing, fresh produce, antiques, and souvenirs line the shopping streets and warehouse-style centers scattered throughout the city. If you’re making a list of what to see in Beijing, its vibrant markets should definitely be on it.

Two of the most popular spots include Panjiayuan Antique Market and the well-known Silk Street Market. Panjiayuan is a treasure trove of Chinese collectibles and historic artifacts you won’t find anywhere else. Silk Street Market, easily accessible from Beijing’s central business district, has grown from a humble outdoor bazaar into a multi-level mall that draws everyone from backpackers to high-end shoppers. Here, you’ll find finely crafted silk clothing, custom-tailored pieces, bags, and fabrics, all living up to the market’s name. Don’t miss the Silk Museum on the third floor, one of the market’s most unique features.

Read more: A regional guide to China for foodies

Make time for tea

Scattered throughout the city you’ll discover centuries-old teahouses as well as cafes offering a more modern-take on these traditional tea ceremonies. A teahouse isn’t just about tea, but rather tea and activities. Did you know that there are four teahouse types in Beijing? Shu, Jiu, Qing, Ye. A Shu is predominantly for storytelling, Jiu is for light food and tea, Qing is more of a meeting place for work purposes, while Ye offers a more suburban teahouse atmosphere. Named after artist Lao She, The Lao She Teahouse is one of the top teahouses to visit in Beijing, offering fantastic theater productions such as Kung Fu, acrobatics and opera. 

Make it happen

Ready to dive into the ever-evolving, ancient metropolis of Beijing? Whether you’re planning your first visit or looking to explore deeper, our local experts are here to help you uncover what to see in Beijing and beyond. Head to our destination page or send an inquiry to start crafting your perfect trip to China.