Beijing pre-trip checklist
What's different about Beijing: weather, must-book sights, local apps and getting in from the airport.
How we keep this accurateEvery fact here was checked against official sources on the date above. Rules change — if you spot something out of date, tell us and we'll fix it within a day.
Use together with the General Pre-Trip Checklist; this only lists Beijing-specific items, and does not repeat general items.
- Climate and Clothing — Beijing has four distinct seasons, a dry climate, and large day-night temperature swings. Spring (March-May) is windy and sometimes dusty, so bring a mask and eye protection; summer (June-August) can reach 35°C+ with brief heavy downpours, so bring an umbrella, sunscreen, and a sun hat; autumn (September-October) is dry, comfortable, and the best season, with an extra jacket useful in the morning and evening; winter (November-February) is cold and dry, often below 0°C, so pack a thick down jacket, a hat, and gloves. It is dry year-round, so bring lip balm and moisturizer, and drink plenty of water.
- Airports and Getting into the City — Beijing's two major airports are far apart, so be sure to confirm which one your flight uses: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK, northeast of the city, connected to the subway by the Airport Express) or Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX, south of the city, served by the Daxing Airport Express and the Beijing-Xiong'an intercity railway). Use Didi (ride-hailing app) for rides; for airport taxis, use the official taxi queue and avoid people offering unlicensed taxis.
- Attraction Reservations (Important) — Beijing's popular attractions usually require a real-name reservation (with passport): the Forbidden City, the National Museum of China, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Mutianyu Great Wall, and others. Book tickets in advance through official WeChat accounts or mini programs. Some places, such as the National Museum of China, are free but still require reservations and often sell out, so try several days ahead. For the Great Wall (Mutianyu/Badaling), start early to avoid crowds, and bring water and sunscreen. Some attractions allow passport holders to use a staffed ticket window, so keep your original passport with you.
- Beijing-Specific Tips — For a hutong (traditional alley) Citywalk, wear comfortable walking shoes and keep the noise down in residential areas; Tiananmen Square and nearby areas have strict security checks, so bring your passport, cooperate with checks, and avoid large luggage. Beijing occasionally has heavy air pollution days, so check the real-time AQI and bring a mask if you are sensitive. Local foods such as Peking duck, douzhi fermented mung bean drink, and luzhu pork offal stew are worth trying, but if you have a sensitive stomach, take it slowly.