Beijing holidays

The Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and ornate temples for every faith and purpose stand proud in a city which blends the ancient and spiritual with the modern attractions of a sprawling metropolis. Explore contrasting districts from the hipster to the historical and the creative to the commercial. Visit the iconic 2008 Olympic Green, home to the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube. Take in an opera at the Giant Egg.

Explore the past at the Beijing Capital Museum, the National Museum of China, and the Beijing Ancient Observatory. Step into the record-breaking Tiananmen Square, one of the most famous landmarks in modern Chinese history. Visit Snow leopards, South China tigers, and - of course - giant pandas at Beijing Zoo. Or drive just an hour to Badaling Pass and witness the wonder of the Great Wall of China.

Visitors were prohibited from Beijing’s vast Imperial Palace for more than 500 years leading it to become popularly referred to as The Forbidden City. No longer closed off, the Palace Museum is now one of the biggest tourist attractions in China. Pass through its lavish gates to explore ancient temples and ornate halls filled with shrines, art, and treasures from past dynasties.

A short distance away, discover how emperors spent warmer months by taking a cruise on the 700-year-old man-made Kunming Lake of the Summer Palace, or wandering the picturesque ruins of the Old Summer Palace. Uncover China’s spiritual side at the six-hundred-year-old Temple of Heaven and the Tibetan monastery of the Lama Temple, or explore the history of Chinese philosophy at the Beijing Temple of Confucius.

Walking every street would take a lifetime, so knowing the best districts to visit in Beijing is key to making the most of your stay. Hang out in hipster Gulou where the alleyways around the National Art Museum of China are filled with cute boutiques and quaint cafés. Shop, eat, and dance among the modern glass and light-filled architecture of Sanlitun.

Relax with the family among the westernised outlets of Chaoyang and its vast park close to landmarks from the 2008 Olympic Games. Investigate the regeneration of the 798 Art Zone from its industrial past to a warren of galleries, exhibitions, bookshops, cafés, and restaurants. Immerse yourself in luxury among the skyscrapers, malls, and five-star hotels of Guomao and Beijing’s CBD. Or slow things down a little among the traditional streets and parks of Xidan, the broad alleyway of Lingjing hutong, and the curio stalls of Liulichang Street.

Temperatures rise steadily from March and days averaging 15°C to 20°C can be expected by the blossom season of April making spring the ideal time to visit Beijing. The months until June are also quieter than the peak of summer so queues are shorter and exploring is easier to manage. Summer sees maximum temperatures rising to 30°C and Beijing is energised by crowds flocking from around the world.

Early September to late October offers another excellent time for Beijing holidays as days become milder and crowds dissipate once again. November to February is winter, with thermometers approaching freezing and pollution increasing to leave skies greyer. For travellers who pack well, however, the city is stunning after a little snow. Always check the calendar for public holidays, when people from all over China swarm to the city’s most sacred and significant sites.