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How to Plan a Trip to Beijing Step by Step
Hereunder are 6 steps helping you plan a trip to Beijing, especially useful for the first-time travelers. Following this advice, you can have a smoother trip and learn more about the ancient city.
You can also choose our Online Travel Concierge for China to help you solve more specific problems
Step 1: Confirm Your Travel Date
You can enjoy different sceneries of the city in different seasons, but the best time to travel is from September to October in autumn. The weather is appropriate and the temperature is moderate. If you don’t have time in autumn, then you should not miss the early summer. From May to June, you can appreciate the city before the hot days come.
How long to stay in Beijing:
3 to 5 days are necessary to have a worthwhile tour for most people.
Step 2: Buy International Flight Ticket Early
Look for the flight tickets made available three months in advance, as you will have an opportunity to book some cheaper flights. Book round trip tickets as soon as possible once your travel date is settled.
Step 3: Hotel Booking
After buying the flight tickets, you can start to book hotels. Generally, on normal days, the hotels in Beijing are not difficult to book and 10 days in advance is enough. However, if your visa formalities require some hotel booking certificates, or you will travel on holidays, then we suggest you book the hotel as early as possible.
Where to Stay:
Most of the tourists prefer to live in the city center, near the Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City and Wangfujing Street. Some old Hutong areas like Houhai, Drum Tower, Qianmen Street, and Dashilar are also popular places to stay.
Step 4: Apply for a China Visa
Study the China visa policy carefully. If you need a visa, you are recommended to apply and submit the documents one or two months in advance. If you are eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit eligible for citizens from 54 countries, you do not need a visa.
Step 5: Make a Day-by-Day Beijing Tour Plan
This step is very important if you are an independent traveler or tend to a semi-self-guided tour. You need to know what to see in Beijing and make a general tour plan.
Best Things to Do in Beijing:
1. Climb the Great Wall, a huge series of ancient fortifications which known as one of the Seven World Wonders; Badaling and Mutianyu are popular sections.
2. Explore the Forbidden City, the world’s most complete and largest complex of ancient wooden structures, once serving as the imperial palace of Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 – 1911).
3. Taste Beijing Roast Duck, a famous and popular local dish.
4. Watch Kung Fu Performance, which is a cultural symbol of China and an indispensable night activity in a Beijing tour plan.
Step 6: Pack Your Bags
1. Travel documents: passport, visa, ID card, health certificates, tickets, maps…
2. Money: cash of Chinese RMB, credit card, mobile payment (Alipay, Wechat Pay)
3. Electronics: smart phone, earphone, portable Wi-Fi device or local SIM card, laptop or tablet, camera, charger, power bank, adaptor plug…
4. Clothes and accessories: check the weather forecast a week before to prepare proper clothing.
5. Toiletries and makeup bag.
6. Daily life articles: toilet paper, pocket tissue, personal sanitary articles, razor or shaver, umbrella, raincoat…
7. Health care: common medicine, band-aid…
When the above 6 steps of your Beijing tour plan are complete, you can set your mind at rest and just wait for the departure.
More Tips for a Better Trip from Expert Planners:
1. Download useful apps: Wachat for instant message and pay; Alipay; Didi or Uber for taxis; Mobike or Ofo for sharing bicycles…
2. Learn basic Chinese expressions:
hello – 你好；
thank you – 谢谢；
good bye – 再见；
ask price – 多少钱；
eat, food – 吃饭；
drink – 喝水；
toilet – 厕所
3. Bring extra photos and copies of important documents for emergency use.
4. Book flight or high speed train tickets as early as possible if you have tour plans from Beijing to other cities.
