China's 3,000-year-old capital and the heart of Chinese civilization. The immense Forbidden City, the endless Great Wall, and the grandeur of Tiananmen Square bring pages of world history to life. Traditional siheyuan courtyard homes in the hutong alleys coexist with the modern bustle of Wangfujing, and imperial cuisine headlined by Peking Duck captivates foodies. An essential destination for anyone interested in Chinese history and culture.
Best Season
Autumn (September-October) is best, with clear and cool weather. Spring brings yellow dust, summer is sweltering, and winter is bitterly cold.
Budget
Daily budget around 80,000-150,000 KRW (accommodation 40,000-80,000, meals 20,000-40,000, transport and entry 20,000-30,000).
Transport
About 25 minutes by Airport Express from Beijing Capital Airport to downtown. The subway network is extensive, and DiDi (China's ride-hailing app) is handy. SIM cards are available at the airport, but Google and KakaoTalk are blocked without a VPN. WeChat Pay and Alipay are the main payment methods; foreign visitors should register for Alipay Tour Pass. Tipping is not customary.
Visa
Korean passport holders can enter visa-free for 15 days (check 2024 extended-policy updates).
Safety
Generally safe, but watch for tourist overcharging and the notorious 'tea ceremony' scam.
Popular attractions in Beijing
Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
The world's largest ancient palace complex, with around 9,000 rooms that once housed the Ming and Qing emperors.
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Great Wall of China
One of the Seven Wonders of the World - humanity's largest construction project, stretching over 20,000km.
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Temple of Heaven
A UNESCO site where emperors offered sacrifices to heaven, featuring a geometrically perfect circular altar.
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Signature food of Beijing
Peking Duck
🍱 TraditionalBeijing's signature dish: crispy-skinned roast duck wrapped in thin pancakes. About CNY 200-400 per duck (serves 2-3). Quanjude and DaDong are the most famous restaurants.
Zhajiangmian
🍱 TraditionalZhajiangmian: Beijing-style noodles topped with stir-fried minced pork in soybean paste. About CNY 15-30 per bowl. Local restaurants in the hutong alleys serve the most authentic versions.
Tanghulu
🍢 Street FoodTanghulu: candied hawthorn berries on a stick, a classic Chinese street snack. About CNY 10-20 per stick. Easily found on Wangfujing Snack Street.