Beijing

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Beijing is September to early November, when skies are clear, temperatures are mild (10–22°C), and autumn foliage turns the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace grounds golden. Spring (April–May) is also pleasant but can bring sandstorms from the Gobi Desert. Avoid July and August if possible — the summer heat is oppressive, humidity is high, and crowds at major sites are at their worst. Winter (December–February) is bitterly cold but offers dramatic snow-dusted views of the Great Wall with far fewer tourists.

Getting around

Beijing has an extensive, cheap, and easy-to-navigate metro system with 27 lines covering most major attractions — a single journey costs ¥3–6 and signs are in English. Buy a Yikatong transit card at any station for convenience. Taxis are metered and affordable but drivers rarely speak English, so have your destination written in Chinese characters. Didi (China's Uber equivalent) is essential — download it before arrival and use the international version with a foreign card. Avoid driving yourself; traffic is chaotic and a Chinese licence is required. Cycling via Hello Bike or Meituan shared bikes is a great way to explore hutong neighbourhoods.