Things to know before you visit Beijing

The UNESCO listed sites: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and Hutongs are with no doubt the must-sees in Beijing. Then National Museum, Ming Tombs, Longqing Gorge (in summer), Gubei Water Town, Lama Temple, Jingshan Park, Beijing Olympic Park, 798 Art District, Panjiayuan flea Market etc.

5: Where should we stay in Beijing?

Most hotels are located in Wangfujing and Qianmen Area. The area is in walking distance of some of Beijing’s most famous sights such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Additionally, there are many great shopping and dining options. Additionally, there are several subway stations in the area that take you to all iconic landmarks of the city. 

Another nice option to stay is Sanlitun. The area have some more western options for dining and shopping nearby and nightlif.

Beijing Central Business District (CBD) is another option if you come for business or keen to discover the most modern part of the city.

6:How to get around in Beijing?

By metro or bus

The best way to get around Beijing is by metro. You can buy a travel card and get around the city easily. The subway can be extremely busy during rush hour, so try to avoid it during this time.

There are also many city buses driving around and these are only 2rmb per line. However, due to the traffic jams, they do not have a time schedule.

By bicycle

Bicycles have always been a familiar sight within China. It’s flexible and efficient, especially during rush hours. Shared bicycles can be spotted at almost every corner of Beijing. You need to install the app(apps are in Chinese), each ride can be as cheap as 1.5 yuan (RMB) for at least 30 minutes.

By taxi

To take a taxi, make sure you have your destination written down in Chinese. Do not go with the rickshaw taxi’s, because they often will try to scam passengers. If you do use them, carefully check the change they give, because chances a high it is fake money.

7: What are the recommended Beijing food and snacks and where to find them?

Beijing has a wide range of food choices such as Peking Duck, Imperial Cuisine, Jiaozi (dumplings), Zhajiangmian (Noodles with Soybean Paste). You can find many famous restaurants like Dadong, Sijiminfu, Quanjude etc.

Street food and snacks such as Dalianhuoshao (Fried Wheaten Pancake with Fillings), Jianbin(Pancake), Chaoganer (Fried Liver), Baodu (Boiled Lamb Tripe), Tanghulu (Sugar Coated Hawthorns on a Stick), etc.  You can find them in Dongsi area.

8: How is the Wi-Fi accessibility throughout Beijing? Do I need a local SIM card?

Wifi is provided in most public places such as the shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, cafes, etc. You can log in them for free. Sometimes you may need a password or a Chinese cellphone number to register (require a Chinese SIM card).

Access to the Internet with your mobile data

Use your own SIM card and open the data roaming service from its provider at your home country. T

Buy a local SIM card when you arrive in Beijing at the airport or at the stores of China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom with your passport. This option is more convenient and cheaper. You also can use this sim card to install a Wechat app, which is a common app for Chinese to communicate.

9: What about the money and currency? Can I use the credit card in Beijing?

Most banks, five star hotels in Beijing will provide currency exchange service. Change money in bank usually have a better exchange rate but you have to use passport and usually there is a line.

Withdraw cash  (RMB only) through an ATM machine which you can find at lots of places.

Credit cards are usually acceptable in some upscale hotels, restaurants ,  shops and chains like Starbucks, KFC, . For daily expenses, cash is more convenient.