Beijing Travel Guide for International Visitors: A Journey Through Ancient and Modern

Introduction: Where Timelessness Meets Tomorrow

Part 1: Essential Pre-Departure Guide

• Ensure passport validity exceeds 6 months
• Apply for a Chinese Tourist Visa (L Visa) in advance. Citizens of certain countries may qualify for 144-hour visa-free transit.
• Download and set up Alipay/WeChat Pay, and link an international credit card.
• Print hotel reservations and return flight tickets (may be requested at immigration).

• A reliable VPN (Test before you go! Google, WhatsApp, and many Western services are restricted.)
• Baidu Maps or Amap (More accurate than Google Maps locally.)
• Translation Apps: Tencent TranSmart offers real-time conversation translation.
• Health Kit mini-program (may be required for health declarations).

• Learn "谢谢" (xiè xie - thank you) and "你好" (nǐ hǎo - hello).
• Be prepared for direct questions (about salary, marital status, etc.—usually not meant offensively).
• Moderate your volume in public spaces; reserve is appreciated.

Part 2: The In-Depth Itinerary (5-Day Highlights)

• Morning: Tiananmen Square (booking needed) → Forbidden City in-depth tour (Book tickets 7 days in advance on official site! Afternoon slots are less crowded).
• Pro Tip: Enter via the West Gate of Zhongshan Park to reach the Meridian Gate, bypassing the main queue.
• Lunch: Siji Minfu Roast Duck (Peking Duck + view of Forbidden City walls. Get a queue number 4 hours in advance).
• Afternoon: Jingshan Park's Wanchun Pavilion for a bird's-eye view → HutongRickshaw Tour (Skip Nanluoguxiang, explore Yangmeizhu Xiejie).
• Evening Magic: Night bike ride along Chang'an Avenue to see Tiananmen Square illuminated.

• Choosing Your Section:
  • Mutianyu (Most popular with foreigners, cable cars available)
  • Jinshanling (For hiking enthusiasts, fantastic for photography of "wild" wall)
  • Avoid Badaling on weekends.
• Unique Experience: Take the toboggan slide down from Mutianyu (like a roller coaster through the forest).
• Stop on the Return: Red Brick Art Museum (a dialogue between contemporary architecture and ancient walls).

• Morning: Lama Temple (Tibetan Buddhist monastery) → Stroll along Guozijian Street.
• Lunch: Vegetarian feast at "King's Joy" near Lama Temple.
• Afternoon: 798 Art District (contemporary art in old factories) → Sanlitun North Street (cafés in the embassy area).
• Night: Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park lights or a performance at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (book online in advance).

• Sunrise: Join the Tai Chi groups in Beihai Park (free lessons often available).
• Market Adventure: Sanyuanli Market (a museum of ingredients, find stuff for making bingtanghulu).
• Choose a Workshop:
  1. Learn to make dumplings in a hutonghome.
  2. Woodblock printing workshop at Rongbaozhai.
• Dusk: "Silver Ingot" viewing point at Shichahai → Explore Yandaixiejie Street in the evening (after peak crowds).

• Option A (History): Zhihua Temple (Ming-era caisson ceiling + Beijing classical music performance) → Fahai Temple (view authentic Ming Dynasty murals with a flashlight tour—book ahead).
• Option B (Culture): Xishiku Cathedral (unique Sino-Western architecture) → Model Worker Bookstore - Poem Space.
• Farewell Dinner: TRB Hutong (French cuisine in a restored temple, smart casual attire).

Part 3: Decoding the Food Scene

• Peking Duck: Siji Minfu (value), Da Dong (creative), Liqun (old hutongvibe).
• Traditional Copper Pot Hotpot: Jubaoyuan (Niujie branch, get a queue ticket by 3 pm).
• Douzhir Challenge: Yin San Douzhir (serve with jiaoquanand pickles, take a deep breath first).
• Imperial Pastries: Fuhuazhai Bobo Shop (rose pastry fit for an empress).

• "Cream Baked Fish" at Moscow Restaurant (a taste of old Beijing childhood).
• Liangpi cold noodles at Xinchuan Noodle House (24-hour late-night canteen).
• "Chinese Chess Pastry" at Daoxiangcun Zero Number Shop (limited edition cultural pastry).

Part 4: Practical Survival Guide

• Subway: Use Yitongxing App to scan and ride (supports some international cards).
• Taxi: Use Didi Chuxing International App (avoids language barriers).
• Bikes: Sharing apps usually require a local number. Consider hotel rentals.

• Cash: Still needed for small markets/public toilets (carry ~100 RMB in small bills).
• International Card-Friendly: Large malls, chain hotels, airport duty-free.
• Emergency: 24-hour currency exchange at Wangfujing Department Store.

• Sites like the Forbidden City have seated toilets (look for "Disabled Toilet" signs).
• Always carry your own tissues and hand sanitizer.

Part 5: Special Circumstances

• China Science & Technology Museum (Children's Science Paradise requires separate booking).
• Beijing World Park ("See the world in a day").
• Family HutongTour: Make Tuyefigurines, learn Peking Opera mask painting.

• Jingshan Park at sunset (fewer people on Thursday/Friday).
• Night view from Olympic Tower (blue hour, 7-9 PM).
• Stargazing at Simatai Great Wall (inside Gubei Water Town, night climbing possible).

• Download a bilingual "Food Allergy Translation Card".
• Veggie Options: Gongdelin (time-honored brand), Shan He Wan Duo (creative vegetarian fine dining).

Epilogue: Taking Beijing Home

• Custom-made cloth shoes at Neiliansheng (they can mail them internationally).
• Woodblock print from Rongbaozhai.
• "Jasmine Dragon Pearl" tea from Zhangyiyuan (sealed on-site for freshness).