Beijing Transit Guide

Transit Essentials

Beijing is the most popular entry point for the visa-free transit policy. With two major international airports, it's well-connected to the world.

Airports

• Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK): The main hub, located about 32km northeast of the city center. Connected by the Airport Express train.
• Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX): The stunning new starfish-shaped airport, located 46km south. Connected by high-speed rail and subway.

Luggage Storage

Both airports offer luggage storage services ("Left Luggage") in the arrivals hall. Prices range from 20-50 RMB per bag per day.

Curated Itineraries

📅 1 Day: The Great Wall Dash

Perfect for a long layover (10+ hours). Focus on one major site.

• 08:00: Land at PEK/PKX, get transit permit (allow 2 hours).
• 10:00: Take a pre-booked private car to Mutianyu Great Wall (1.5 hours). Avoid Badaling (too crowded).
• 11:30: Explore the Wall. Take the cable car up and toboggan down!
• 14:30: Drive back to the airport.
• 16:00: Arrive at airport for check-in.

📅 3 Days: Royal Gardens & Art

Dive deeper into Beijing's culture and relaxation.

• Day 1 & 2: Follow the 2-Day itinerary above.
• Day 3: Spend the morning at the Summer Palace, the imperial family's retreat. Stroll along Kunming Lake and climb Longevity Hill. In the afternoon, visit the 798 Art Zone for contemporary art galleries and cool cafes.

Getting Around Beijing

Beijing's public transportation system is extensive, affordable, and foreigner-friendly. Here's everything you need to know about moving around the city:

🚇 Beijing Metro (Subway)

The metro is your best friend in Beijing. With 27 lines covering 800+ km, it's fast, cheap, and avoids traffic. Trains run from approximately 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Key Metro Lines for Visitors:

• Line 1 (Red): East-West line connecting Wangfujing, Tiananmen East, and Sihui East. Perfect for accessing major attractions.
• Line 2 (Blue): Circle line around the old city center. Stops at Qianmen (near Tiananmen), Dongzhimen (transport hub), Drum Tower, and more.
• Line 4 (Purple): North-South line hitting Beijing South Railway Station, Xidan shopping, and Summer Palace (Beigongmen Station).
• Line 8 (Green): Connects Olympic Park (Bird's Nest Stadium) to southern suburbs.
• Airport Express: Direct connection from Terminal 3/2 at PEK to Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen stations. Journey takes 20-25 minutes, costs 25 RMB one-way.
• Daxing Airport Express: Connects PKX to city center at Caoqiao Station in 20 minutes. Costs 35 RMB.

Metro Fares: Distance-based pricing. Typical journey costs 3-7 RMB ($0.40-$1). The Airport Express costs 25 RMB regardless of distance.

🚌 Public Buses

Buses are even cheaper than the metro (1-2 RMB per ride) but can be challenging due to Chinese-only announcements. Best used if you're comfortable with navigation apps. Buses run from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM, with some night routes.

Useful Bus Routes:

• Bus 877: Direct service from Dongzhimen to Mutianyu Great Wall (12 RMB, 90 minutes).
• Bus 1 & 4: Run east-west along Chang'an Avenue past Tiananmen and the Forbidden City.

🚕 Taxis & Ride-Hailing

• Starting Fare: 13 RMB for first 3 km, then 2.3 RMB per km. Expect to pay 30-80 RMB for most city trips.
• Airport to City Center: PEK to downtown costs 100-150 RMB ($15-20), takes 45-60 minutes. PKX to downtown costs 130-180 RMB, takes 50-70 minutes.
• Ride-Hailing Apps: Didi (China's Uber) is widely used. The app has an English version, but payment requires WeChat Pay or Alipay linked to a Chinese phone number or international card.

🚲 Bike Sharing

Beijing has extensive bike-sharing programs. Popular apps include Meituan (yellow bikes) andHellobike (blue bikes). Rentals cost 1.5-2 RMB per 30 minutes. You'll need to download the app, verify your identity (passport), and link a payment method (WeChat/Alipay). Great for exploring hutongs and short trips.

🚄 High-Speed Trains (for Multi-City Trips)

If you're visiting Shanghai, Xi'an, or other cities during your 240-hour stay, China's bullet trains are spectacular:

• Beijing to Shanghai: 4.5-6 hours, costs 553 RMB (2nd class) to 933 RMB (1st class).
• Beijing to Xi'an: 4.5-5.5 hours, costs 515 RMB (2nd class).
• Beijing to Tianjin: 30 minutes, costs 55-99 RMB. Great for a day trip!

Booking: Book tickets on Trip.com or 12306.cn (official railway site, Chinese interface). Bring your passport to collect tickets at the station or use automatic machines.

Culinary Delights

Beijing's food scene is legendary, blending imperial cuisine traditions with street food culture. From Michelin-starred Peking duck to 5 RMB breakfast jianbing, the city offers incredible food at all price points.

Must-Try Dishes

• Peking Duck (北京烤鸭): The city's most famous dish¥crispy lacquered skin, tender meat, served with paper-thin pancakes, sweet bean sauce, cucumber, and scallions. The duck is carved tableside at authentic restaurants.
• Zhajiangmian : "Fried Sauce Noodles"¥chewy hand-pulled wheat noodles topped with a savory soybean paste, minced pork, and fresh julienned vegetables. Beijing's comfort food classic.
• Jianbing : The ultimate breakfast crepe. A thin wheat-and-millet batter is spread on a griddle, topped with egg, crispy wonton cracker (or fried dough), cilantro, scallions, and savory-spicy sauce, then folded into a portable package. Look for street vendors in the morning.
• Mongolian Hotpot : Thinly sliced lamb cooked in bubbling broth flavored with Chinese herbs. Dip in sesame sauce. Perfect for cold Beijing winters.
• Lamb Skewers : Cumin-and-chili-dusted grilled lamb on sticks, sold by street vendors and in night markets. Smoky, spicy, addictive.
• Baozi : Steamed buns filled with pork, vegetables, or sweet red bean paste. Grab them hot from street-side steam baskets for breakfast or a snack.

Where to Eat: Budget to Splurge

💰 Budget (Under 50 RMB / $7 per person)

• Street Food in Wangfujing Snack Street: Touristy but fun. Try scorpions-on-a-stick (for the brave) or safer options like candied fruit (tanghulu), squid skewers, and stinky tofu. Expect to pay 10-30 RMB per item.
• Jianbing Vendors (anywhere): 6-12 RMB for a filling breakfast crepe. Look near subway stations in the morning (7-9 AM).
• Mr. Shi's Dumplings (Shi's Jiaozi): Chain restaurant serving excellent dumplings (jiaozi) for 15-25 RMB per plate. Try the pork-and-cabbage or shrimp varieties.
• Noodle Shops in Hutongs: Small family-run spots serving zhajiangmian, hand-pulled noodles (lamian), and dan dan noodles for 15-30 RMB per bowl.

💵 Mid-Range (50-150 RMB / $7-20 per person)

• Siji Minfu : Excellent Peking duck at reasonable prices (duck costs ~200 RMB, serves 2-3 people). Multiple locations, modern ambiance, and English menus. Expect a full meal to run 100-150 RMB per person.
• Bai Jia Da Yuan : Traditional courtyard restaurant near the Drum Tower specializing in home-style Beijing dishes. Great ambiance, fair prices (60-100 RMB per person).
• Haidilao Hotpot : Famous chain known for exceptional service (free manicures while you wait!). Hotpot meals run 80-120 RMB per person. Vegetarian options available.
• Din Tai Fung : Taiwanese chain famous for xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). Expect 80-130 RMB per person. Locations in Sanlitun and major malls.

💎 Splurge (150+ RMB / $20+ per person)

• Da Dong Roast Duck : Upscale Peking duck with modern twists, served in elegant surroundings. The duck here has less fat and crispy skin. Expect 200-350 RMB per person. Reservations recommended.
• Quanjude : The most famous Peking duck restaurant, established in 1864. Historic but touristy. Duck costs 300+ RMB, full meal 200-300 RMB per person. Worth it once for the heritage.
• TRB Hutong (Temple Restaurant Beijing): French fine dining in a restored Qing Dynasty temple. Gorgeous setting, expensive (500+ RMB per person). Perfect for a special occasion.

Food Neighborhoods

• Ghost Street (鬼街): The city's most famous food street, open late. Red lanterns line the road. Specialties: spicy crayfish , hotpot, grilled fish. Best after 8 PM. Meals run 80-150 RMB per person.
• Nanluoguxiang : Trendy hutong lane packed with snack shops, cafes, and bubble tea stands. Great for strolling and grazing. Try yogurt drinks, Beijing yogurt , and street snacks.
• Sanlitun: Modern expat area with international restaurants, craft beer bars, and Western food. More expensive but convenient if you need a break from Chinese cuisine.
• Wudaoying Hutong (五道营胡同): Quieter alternative to Nanluoguxiang with cozy cafes, hipster restaurants, and artisan shops.

💡

Dining Tips for Beijing

• Cash is King: Many small restaurants and street vendors only accept cash or Alipay/WeChat Pay. Carry RMB.
• Peak Hours: Lunch is 12-1:30 PM, dinner is 6:30-8:30 PM. Restaurants fill up fast. Arrive early or expect wait times.
• Booking Peking Duck: Popular duck restaurants require reservations, especially on weekends. Book via phone, their WeChat account, or ask your hotel concierge.
• Language Barrier: Download a translation app or save pictures of dishes you want to try. Pointing works wonders!
• Tipping: Not expected or required in China. The bill is the final price.

Budget Breakdown

Beijing can be surprisingly affordable or luxuriously expensive¥it's all about your choices. Here's a realistic breakdown for different travel styles during a 240-hour (10-day) stay:

💰 Budget Traveler (¥200-350 / $28-50 per day)

• Accommodation: Hostel dorm bed: ¥60-120/night. Budget hotel/Airbnb: ¥150-250/night.
• Food: Street breakfast ¥10, noodle lunch ¥25, dumpling dinner ¥30, snacks ¥15. Daily total: ¥80.
• Transportation: Metro/bus rides: ¥20-30/day. Airport Express: ¥25 one-way.
• Attractions: Great Wall tour: ¥300 (transport + ticket). Forbidden City: ¥60. Temple of Heaven: ¥28. Summer Palace: ¥30. Total for major sites: ~¥500 over 10 days.
• 10-Day Total: ¥2,500-4,000 ($350-560)

💵 Mid-Range Traveler (¥500-900 / $70-125 per day)

• Accommodation: 3-star hotel or nice Airbnb: ¥300-500/night.
• Food: Breakfast ¥40, lunch ¥80, dinner ¥120 (includes one Peking duck meal), drinks/snacks ¥40. Daily total: ¥280.
• Transportation: Mix of metro and occasional taxis/Didi: ¥50-80/day. Airport taxi: ¥120 one-way.
• Attractions: Same as budget, plus add ¥300 for audio guides, souvenirs, and photos.
• 10-Day Total: ¥6,000-10,000 ($850-1,400)

💎 Luxury Traveler (¥1,500+ / $210+ per day)

• Accommodation: 5-star hotel (Waldorf Astoria, Peninsula Beijing): ¥1,200-3,000/night.
• Food: Fine dining, upscale Peking duck (Da Dong, TRB), international cuisine: ¥500-800/day.
• Transportation: Private car service or premium Didi: ¥200-400/day.
• Attractions: VIP Great Wall tours with private guide and lunch: ¥1,500-2,500.
• 10-Day Total: ¥18,000+ ($2,500+)

Typical Costs at a Glance

Where to Stay

• Wangfujing: Best for first-timers. Walking distance to Forbidden City, shopping, and food markets.
• Sanlitun: Best for nightlife, shopping, and expats. Modern vibe.
• Gulou / Drum Tower: Best for culture lovers. Stay in a traditional courtyard hotel (Siheyuan) in the Hutongs.

Beijing Transit FAQ