The subway is cheap, easy to use – even for English speakers – and has excellent coverage. It stops at a large number of locations and stations are close to all the main tourist hotspots. While it's best avoided during rush hour, it makes for a safe, quick and reliable way to get around the heart of Beijing.
The upside of busing around Beijing is that buses are cheap and have a huge reach within the city. However, if you don't speak Mandarin they can be hard to navigate and can get awfully busy and uncomfortable. If you're the adventurous sort, get a public transportation card from a metro station, which can be used on bus routes as well.
There's something very satisfying about biking around Beijing, a city known for its cycling scene. The city is flat and full of bike lanes, so cycling is easy and can often be quicker than travelling by car, due to frequent traffic jams. Renting a bike can be a little expensive but will save you money on taxis in the long run.
Taxis are probably the easiest way to get around. Be aware that many drivers don't know the city too well and may just end up driving around aimlessly. Additionally, traffic jams can rack up the meter fare. It's worth taking a card for your hotel or having the address of your destination written down in Chinese characters, as most taxi drivers speak fairly poor English.
Beijing's latest landmark is the site of the spectacular 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Thought to have held the most exciting opening ceremony in the Games' history, Beijing is very proud of its ultra-modern Olympic Park. Check it out for yourself on one of many guided tours of the main stadium and surrounding buildings. Shop around for the most convenient price and time.
Not far from Beijing lies the Great Wall of China. As one of the world's most iconic landmarks and one of the seven wonders of the world, it's worth devoting an entire day to exploring it. Tours can also incorporate everything from general sightseeing to a tour of the Ming tombs, where the Ming Dynasty emperors were buried.
Beijing is too vast to be seen on foot, but bicycling makes sightseeing fun and manageable. If the idea sounds too overwhelming, opt for a bike tour, during which you'll be guided around Beijing's best known landmarks, temples and winding alleys while learning how to weave through its hectic traffic with the ease of a local.
China is internationally renowned for its talented acrobatic performers. While you're in Beijing make sure you catch one of these phenomenal shows that perform throughout the city. As well as world class acrobatics, the show is worth seeing for the colours, outfits and visual effects as well. A must-see experience for your trip.
Start your Beijing familiarisation tour by exploring Tiananmen Square in the centre of the city. It's the site of both Chairman Mao's declaration of the People's Republic in 1949 and where the massacre of 1989 took place. Next, head to the Forbidden City and take plenty of snaps of the luxurious palaces that both Ming and Qing Dynasty rulers once lived in.
Get an early start and head to the Temple of Heaven at around 8am to people watch. The Ming Dynasty temple is now a park where locals come to practice Tai Chi, relax, play music or play a game of chess. Next, head to the Summer Palace, where three hours gives you time to look around the palace complex and relax near the lake, which offers ice skating in winter and boat hire in summer.
Seeing the Great Wall of China is an absolute must. It's easy to organise tours to take you to the site of this breathtakingly huge construction. One day is a bare minimum to get a feel for just how impressive this structure is. If possible go early and book accommodation nearby so you can witness the sun rising over the Wall.
Ghoulish but essential, Chairman Mao's Mausoleum is a fascinating way to spend an hour or so. This revered father of communism is still very highly thought of by locals, who flock to see him at the Mausoleum building. Finish your Beijing experience with a visit to a local Peking duck restaurant. The streets are packed full of them and a good way to find a decent one is to see where the locals flock. The busier the better!
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Expedia Holidays > Beijing Holidays
