Beijing likes to do things in a big way: it is the second largest city in China, home to 20 million people, is one of the bicycle capitals of the world, has been named 16 times and in 2022, it will become the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics!  

Fun facts: even with such a large population, it is almost guaranteed you will meet a Wang, as it is the most popular surname in the City. And, with so many people, there is bound to be traffic. Have no fear! A genius business model has emerged in the form of “traffic jam” scooters. Entrepreneurs wait in traffic for motorists who are in a rush. One employee will whisk the rushed motorist away by motorcycle, while another employee drives the car to the final destination.

While In Beijing, you can’t pass up the capital’s most famous dish: Peking Duck. Be warned: it can be habit forming! And don’t get us started on the street food. So. Many. Amazing. Choices. Try Jianbing, a thin flour crepe that’s made on a griddle and topped with an egg before being topped with fermented bean paste, hot chili sauce, cilantro, and spring onion. A crispy wonton is added before the whole thing gets folded up into a portable package. Or, if you are on the more adventurous side, visit Wangfujing Snack Street where you can munch on over 500 kinds of food like scorpions, starfish and seahorse.

Seven hundred years ago, amazed by his unbelievable description of China, people asked Marco Polo whether his stories were true. He answered, “What I have told you was not even half of what I saw”. With 3,000 years of history, you won’t be able to see all Beijing has to offer but we’re sure you’ll be as amazed as Marco Polo was.

Top things to see and do:

• Visit the famed Great Wall of China – a few sections aren’t too far away!
• 9999 rooms for 14 Emperors. That’s got to be worth checking out! The Forbidden City is the largest palace in the world and is located in the center of Beijing.
• “I hear, I know. I see, I remember. I do, I understand.” The Confucius Temple honors China’s great purveyor of wisdom.

Additional things to do and see:

• Bicycles are a great way to get around Beijing and see the sights.  Consider taking a tour on two wheels – Bike Beijing offers a wide variety of tours for all skill levels and interests.
• Get your shop on in one of the many shopping areas where you can find souvenirs like Peking Glass Snuff Bottles, Eight Treasures Inkpads, Beijing Dough Toys, Blue Glaze Cloisonné. And, rumor has it that you can bargain!
• Giant Pandas are awaiting your visit at Beijing Zoo. The Zoo is home to 5,000 animals like northeaster tigers, milu deers, and golden monkeys.

Pro Tip: Like a good deal? Find Discounts on Beijing Coupon for parks, museums, stores, restaurants, bars, hotels and others fantastic places in Beijing.

Helpful Travel Links

• Beijing extended weather forecast
• Getting Around Beijing