Beijing can be disorienting for first-time visitors. This FAQ covers the practical details that guidebooks skip: exactly how to get from each airport to the city, what things actually cost, how payments work, and safety realities on the ground.
Beijing Travel Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
Airports and Transport from PEK and PKX
Beijing has two major airports. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is 25km northeast of the city center in Chaoyang District. The Airport Express train runs from PEK Terminals 2 and 3 to Dongzhimen station (25 CNY, 20 minutes, every 10 minutes from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM).
A taxi from PEK to central Beijing costs 100-150 CNY ($14-$21) and takes 45-90 minutes depending on traffic. Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is 46km south of the city. The Daxing Airport Express runs from PKX to Caoqiao station on Line 10 (35 CNY, 19 minutes, every 8 minutes). A taxi from PKX to central Beijing costs 180-250 CNY ($25-$35). Both airports also have airport shuttle buses (25-30 CNY) to multiple city destinations including Beijing Railway Station and Zhongguancun.
Visas and Entry Requirements for Beijing
Most nationalities need a visa to enter China. The 144-hour (6-day) transit visa exemption allows citizens of 53 countries including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and EU nations to enter Beijing without a visa if transiting to a third country. You must have an onward ticket to a country different from your origin.
The exemption covers Beijing municipality only; you cannot travel to other Chinese cities. Apply at the dedicated 144-hour transit counter before immigration at PEK or PKX. Regular tourist visas (L visa) cost 140 USD for US citizens, 151 GBP for UK citizens, and vary by nationality.
Apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in your home country 4-6 weeks before travel. Your hotel must register you with local police within 24 hours.
Getting Around Beijing: Subway, Taxis, and Bikes
The Beijing Subway has 27 lines, 490 stations, and is the easiest way to get around. Fares are 3-9 CNY ($0.41-$1.24) depending on distance. Buy a Yikatong card at any station service counter (20 CNY deposit) and top up with cash. The card works on subway, buses (1 CNY per ride), and some taxis. Trains run from roughly 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Station signs and announcements are in Chinese and English. Taxis cost 13 CNY flagfall for the first 3km, then 2.3 CNY per km. A typical 10km ride costs 30-40 CNY ($4-$6). Show your destination written in Chinese characters to the driver. Didi (the Chinese Uber equivalent) works through the Alipay app in English. Shared bikes (Mobike/Meituan, Hellobike) cost 1.5 CNY per 30 minutes and require Alipay or WeChat to unlock.
Money, Payments, and Tipping in Beijing
The currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY, symbol ¥, also called RMB). As of 2025, 1 USD equals roughly 7.2 CNY and 1 EUR equals roughly 7.8 CNY. Beijing is nearly cashless: Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate. International visitors can now link foreign credit cards to Alipay (download the app, verify with passport, link a Visa or Mastercard).
For cash, ATMs at Bank of China and ICBC accept foreign cards with a 10-20 CNY fee. Tipping is not practiced in China. Do not tip in restaurants, taxis, or hotels. High-end hotel staff may accept tips but it’s not expected. Bargaining is standard in markets like Panjiayuan and Silk Market: start at 25-30% of the asking price and settle around 40-50%.
Safety and Common Scams in Beijing
Beijing is extremely safe by global capital city standards. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The most common issues are petty scams and pickpocketing in crowded areas like Wangfujing, Qianmen, and the Forbidden City entrance area. The tea ceremony scam works like this: a friendly English-speaking student offers to show you a traditional tea house, you’re led to a backroom, and presented with a bill for 500-2,000 CNY ($69-$276).
Genuine students don’t invite strangers to tea. Art student scams operate similarly: you’re invited to an art exhibition, pressured to buy overpriced paintings. Avoid unsolicited guides offering deals on Great Wall tours: they take you to a lesser section with forced shopping stops. Book tours through your hotel or reputable platforms like Klook and Viator.
Internet and VPNs
Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, and many Western websites are blocked in China. You need a VPN installed and connected before you arrive. ExpressVPN, Astrill, and NordVPN generally work but reliability varies, especially during politically sensitive periods. Download and test your VPN before leaving home; VPN websites are blocked inside China.
Many hotels provide free WiFi but it still goes through the Great Firewall. Buy a Chinese SIM card at the airport (China Mobile or China Unicom, 100-200 CNY for 10-20GB data) which gives you a Chinese phone number useful for Didi and restaurant queues. eSIM services like Airalo and Holafly offer China data plans that bypass the firewall without a VPN (they route through Hong Kong or Singapore servers).
When to Visit and What to Pack
The best time to visit Beijing is mid-September through October for ideal weather. Pack a heavy coat, hat, and gloves for November through March when temperatures drop below freezing.
April and May need layers and a light jacket for evenings. June through August requires light clothing, an umbrella for sudden downpours, and mosquito repellent. Comfortable walking shoes are essential year-round: Beijing attractions involve a lot of walking on hard surfaces. The Beijing weather by month guide has detailed monthly temperature and rainfall data.
Check the Beijing events and festivals calendar for exact dates. Browse the things to do in Beijing guide for full attraction details.