Feeling stuck before your trip and looking for tips for visiting Beijing for the first time? This article should help you!
Beijing is the capital and one of the most well-known cities in China, popular for its culture, mystery, beauty, and history. Just like other places in China, this city also attracts a huge number of people every year not just from its neighboring countries but also from different parts of the world.
But Chinese culture is very different than a lot of the world, and there are some things you must prepare for when visiting Beijing for the first time.
Make Sure You Have the Right Visa AHEAD of Time
Of course, getting a China visa ready is the most important thing to do when you’re traveling to Beijing, but that’s just the start of the list and not the ending.
There are only 3 countries that offer visa-free travel to China: Singapore, Brunei, and Japan. Citizens of every other country will need to look up and apply for their visas beforehand.
There are a few different kinds of visas from a tourist visa to a work visa to a study visa. Make sure to check the requirements well and truly ahead of your trip.
Language Tips for Visiting Beijing: Barriers + Apps
If you’re planning a trip to China, you should be ready to face the language barrier if you’re not familiar with Cantonese or Mandarin. Usually, Chinese people don’t speak English… and by usually I mean less than 1% of the time statistically. This means you will have to be prepared.
Before you arrive, make sure to get your accommodation name printed in Chinese characters. As soon as you book your accommodation, print it out and keep it somewhere safe so you can show it to your taxi driver or to get help finding it. Many travel sites provide confirmation in both Mandarin and English that you can provide when you arrive there.
It’s important to download a translation app before arriving as well, and make sure it’s one that is available in China and hopefully offline also. Check out this list of translation apps to get started.
It would be a good idea to screenshot key phrases and keep them in an easily accessible folder on your phone so you can show people what you want to say without having to remember it.
The Currency is the Yuan
One of the most important tips for visiting Beijing is to know the currency. The Chinese Yuan (¥) is the currency you will have to get used to here in Beijing. At the time of publication ¥1 was about .14 USD, or 1USD being equal to ¥7.25. Try to get used to this exchange rate beforehand so you don’t get surprised by costs.
Money Tips for Beijing: Digital Payments are Standard, But Keep Some Cash On You
In Beijing, most places these days take digital payments. You should be fine in most places paying with a credit or debit card (try and get travel rewards cards or ATM-friendly debit cards ahead of time too). The main payment systems in Beijing are WeChatPay and AliPay; you will get used to seeing these.
However, there will always be some instances where cash is the only option, such as some smaller street food stands, restaurants, rickshaws, or taxis. Always keep some Yuan on you just in case – especially smaller bills in case a merchant doesn’t have change (or claims not to)!
Lastly, tipping is not customary in Beijing. It is always appreciated to leave an extra few yuan in a taxi or round up at a restaurant, but it is now expected.
The Tap Water is NOT Drinkable
It’s absolutely a no-no for you to drink the water coming out from taps when in China. The drinkability of tap water in China is very poor which makes it unfit for consumption. It’s always recommended to drink bottled water that can be purchased very easily and at very low prices.
You can even ask your Hotel to provide you with bottled water for drinking purposes; many accommodation providers do this. Just get into the idea of not drinking water from the tap or shower before visiting Beijing for the first time.
Public Transportation in Beijing is Great
Beijing has an incredible and expansive public transport system that may seem daunting but gets easier with each use. In fact, it’s easier and safer to use public transport in Beijing than taxis, which are harder to get and often come with the language barrier issue.
Public transport has machines and announcements in both Mandarin and English, so if you are reading this article rest assured you’ll be able to understand your destination in English as well. Tickets go from less than the equivalent of .40 (¥3) to just over a dollar – talk about value!
You must know that peak hour is CRAZY on Beijing public transport, with millions of people using it daily. You may have seen crazy scenes on the internet with people packing into trains like sardines, but it is all part of the experience! Just keep your valuables close.
Chinese New Year Will be EXTRA Crowded
Chinese New Year is actually the largest annual human migration in the world as Chinese (and many other Asian countries) people tend to travel around to visit and spend time with families. The celebrations last for weeks and lead all public transport options to be PACKED!
Surely visiting Beijing during Chinese New Year would be a unique and exciting time to observe an ancient tradition and celebration, but just know that the crowds will be extra, extra dense at this time of year.
The same goes for all national holidays as they are generally a time for families to reunite and spend time together. One of the top tips for Visiting Beijing for the first time is to check ahead of time for Chinese holidays so you aren’t surprised by any big rushes during your trip.
Carry Your Passport at All Times
When in Beijing, you shouldn’t forget to carry your passport or at least some form of identification anywhere you go. Here, a passport not just proves your identity but is used for several purposes including purchasing tickets for attractions. Also, passports are very commonly checked in Beijing, and if someone is found without his or her passport, the consequences are unavoidable.
So, it’s better to carry your passport everywhere you go because you never know when and where you might have to go through a passport check. You can also use your passport to use other services in Beijing which are offered exclusively to tourists. Make sure to keep it somewhere safe – check my list of travel essentials to see which bags I use.
Don’t Expect Personal Space
There are more than 20 million people in Beijing excluding daily commuters. Personal space is considered a luxury in China, and you shouldn’t expect to have your space respected like you might at home.
It’s normal to get pushed, get your feet stepped on, or get shoved while waiting in queues or walking. You shouldn’t take it personally at any cost because that’s just a part of the culture in China. People are mostly in a rush which is why the cities here are overcrowded at almost every time of the day.
This is one of the largest cultural differences between Beijing and a lot of the rest of the world that people get the most surprised and taken aback by, and therefore one of the first Beijing travel tips to be aware of.
Be Aware of the Pollution
Beijing has some of the worst pollution in the world, and air quality varies from pretty bad to terrible. Keep this in mind when exploring the city – you will definitely feel it if you exercise, and many feel it immediately when simply walking around.
Many Beijing locals opt to wear N-95 masks while in the city as these masks protect from a lot of air pollutants. The air quality is generally better in spring and worse around December, which is also important to take into account.
Health officials issue warnings on particularly bad days for air quality, so keep your eye out for those and try to visit indoor sites on these days or make a day trip.
Have Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is important to have any time you travel, but is especially important in such a large and busy city with a large language barrier where anything can happen. One of the most important precautions you can take when planning a trip to Beijing is to make sure to have travel insurance before you go.
We have used Heymondo Travel Insurance for many years and fully recommend them. You can also read our Heymondo travel insurance review here.
Beware of Tourist Scams + Too Cheap Tours
Just like in many countries with amazing tourist attractions like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, Beijing comes with its fair share of tourist scams also.
From basic pickpocketing to people selling tours for suspiciously low prices only to demand more money at the end, you have to always be aware in Beijing and in China in general. Keep your things close and safe, and try to know the general prices of things before agreeing to buy them (or ask multiple providers and understand the average price offered).
There are Multiple Power Plugs, So Bring Adaptors
China uses type A, C, and I plug sockets, so plan ahead with adaptors so you can still charge your belongings. For certain appliances, you may also need a voltage converter. Check the plug types here.
Know Culture and Customs
China is of course quite different than a lot of countries we may be used to. Here many of your favorite social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram Twitter etc) will not be available, so people generally use WeChat or similar Chinese apps.
You can study about China before you arrive, but it’s not proper to ask about things like censorship or politics while here with people you do not know well. You may want to purchase a VPN before coming to China also.
Some other cultural things to keep in mind are to take your shoes off while entering someone’s home, use chopsticks to eat, have a basic understanding of different religions, and more. This site has some amazing info on Chinese culture and more tips for visiting Beijing.
Know the Weather
Weather in Beijing can get quite warm in summer and quite cold in winter. Of course, it’s not too intense if you compare it to somewhere like Egypt in summer or Canada in winter, but you get the point!
Make sure to look up the weather for the time you will arrive and plan accordingly. Generally, the best times to visit Beijing are autumn and fall when the weather is temperate.
Try Local Chinese Cuisine – Especially Peking Duck
One of the BEST things about visiting Beijing for the first time is trying all the incredible Chinese food! It would be good to understand a few dishes before going, so you have some comfortable ones to order and don’t end up with a meal with parts of an animal you are not used to eating.
One of the most typical and delicious meals to eat in Beijing is Peking duck, a duck dish that originated here! Make sure to try it at a local spot – preferably one that is packed with locals.
Get Used to Slurping and Spitting
Another part of Chinese culture that is important to know before visiting Beijing is that it is very normal for people to spit in the street or slurp during meals. It may be a bit confronting for many travelers to begin with, but you will get used to it.
Explore or Stay in the Hutongs
Hutongs in Beijing are amazing historic alleyway neighborhoods, and one of the top Beijing travel tips is to NOT miss these! Hutongs are places where you can experience a glimpse of authentic Beijing life.
One of the best ways to experience hutongs is to stay in one – there are a few hotels and rooms available to rent inside hutongs. If you opt out of that, rent a bike and pedal around the hutongs or get lost on foot.
Prepare for the Toilets + Bring Paper
Many people may get surprised by toilets found around Beijing that are pretty much just a squat hole in the ground. This, too, is part of the experience! Prepare for these so you will not be surprised – toilets like these are very common all over Asia.
It is rare to find toilet paper at some of the public toilets however, so it’s always good to have some on you when you need it.
Don’t Be Afraid to Interact With Locals
Typically Beijing locals actually have quite a relaxed and zen vibe and love to interact with tourists. Many travelers are surprised by how nice Beijing locals are for such a fast-paced city.
Even if they don’t speak English, many locals will be eager to exchange a smile with you as you explore. Prepare for curious looks and maybe even a few people who want to take a photo with you!
That does it for Top Beijing Travel tips & things to know before visiting Beijing for the first time! I hope this has helped and enjoy your trip.
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.