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What to see in Beijing in 1 day | Best itinerary for a layover
Exploring Beijing in one day is no easy task; it's a huge city with long distances between the most interesting sights. However, if you have a long layover, You'll get a very good overview of the city and visit some of its most iconic places.In fact, after a few hours exploring Beijing, you'll most likely want to come back with more time.
In this article we tell you What to see in Beijing in 1 daywith an itinerary designed specifically for a scale...as well as key advice on timing and transportation. In addition to a alternative where instead of touring the city you will visit a wonder of the world, the Great Wall of China.
- Is it worth leaving the airport during a layover in Beijing?
- What to see in Beijing in 1 day
- Option 1: Visit the heart of Beijing
- Option 2: Visit the Great Wall of China during a layover in Beijing
- How to get from Beijing airport to the city center
- Tips for a layover in Beijing
- Where to stay in Beijing if you're spending the night?
Beijing has two major international airportsBeijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport make it a very common place for stopovers on flights from Europe.
¿It's worth leaving the airport with a layover in Beijing?
The short answer is yes, but several factors need to be considered. Unlike other cities where it's easy to make the most of your layover, like Shanghai, Beijing is a sprawling city with huge distances between major points of interestEven so, if you have enough time, we recommend experiencing leaving the airport and exploring some of the city's landmarks.
Most European nationalities are visa-exempt for visiting China, including for stopovers. Furthermore, most nationalities can benefit from [the following]. free transit visa which allows you to leave the airport without needing a visa. Always remember to check the specific requirements for your passport before traveling.
Beijing's two international airports are well connected to the city center, but journeys are longer than in other cities, so planning is key.car The movements went well.
How many hours do you need to leave the airport?
To leave the airport and visit Beijing during a layover You need to have plenty of time.We're going to try to give you some guidance so you can decide whether, in your specific case, it's worth visiting the city or not.
You should factor in not only the time spent sightseeing in the city, but also transfers, passport control, and any unforeseen circumstances. Let's add up the approximate times:
- Passport and immigration controlBetween 30 minutes and 1 hour.
- Airport-city center transport: 30 min from Beijing Capital (PEK) and 45 min from Daxing (PKX).
- Margin before your flightArrive at the airport about 2 hours before your next flight.
Doing a quick calculation, taking into account passport control and transport You must add the outbound and return journeys.You'll need between 5 and 6 hours, not counting the time you spend visiting the city.
In conclusion, our advice is:
- Less than 6 hours: Do not leave the airport.
- Around 8 hoursYou could explore a specific area on your own. hire a tour to make better use of time.
More than 8 hoursEnough time to see several interesting places in the city.
What to see in Beijing in 1 day
If you have a layover in Beijing, it's important to be clear that you won't be able to see everything And it is necessary to have a specific itinerary that allows you to visit what interests you most.
We have prepared two alternative routes Thinking about making the most of a day in Beijing, visiting the most iconic places without wasting too much time on travel, but you're going to have to use the Beijing public transportwhich fortunately is very efficient. The idea is to organize a logical route to learn a little about the city and its history.
Below is a step-by-step guide, based on our experience, to help you know exactly what to see in Beijing in one day during a layover and how to organize your time so you're not rushed.
Option 1Visit the heart of Beijing
This option is perfect for travelers who want to visit Beijing's main monuments and experience the pace of life in China's capital for a few hours.
Tiananmen square
Begin your layover in Beijing at Tiananmen Square, one of the largest squares in the world and a symbol of China. Here you will find the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong and the famous Tiananmen Gate presided over by a huge portrait of Mao, one of the most mythical images of Beijing.
To get to the Tiananmen square You'll need to take subway line 1, which you can access from the lines departing from the International Airport. We'll discuss in detail how to get from the airport to the city center later. A visit to the square won't take much more than 20 or 30 minutes, but it will allow you to see one of the most important landmarks in modern China.
Access to Tiananmen It is very controlled, to be able to access the square you need to reserve a ticket through the WeChat app. Inside the app you have a search engine where you must copy this: The author of the book "The Greatest Hits in the World"You'll see something called a mini-program that lets you book tickets. Entry is free, and we recommend booking a few days in advance, although there's almost always availability. If you have any questions about how to book, leave them in the comments and we'll try to answer them.
Forbidden City
Next to Tiananmen Square is one of the most impressive and well-known places in all of China, the prohibited cityThis large complex of almost 1.000 buildings served as a residence for Chinese emperors for centuries, and today it is undoubtedly one of the most iconic places to visit on this one-day Beijing itinerary.
But visiting the Forbidden City isn't quick and easy. To begin with, you need to buy a ticket in advance. Furthermore, you'll need at least two or three hours to explore the complex, so if your layover is very short, we recommend just seeing the main entrance and soaking up the atmosphere of the area.
Tickets can be purchased online en the official website with a maximum of 7 days' notice, but They run out easilyIf there are no more tickets available, don't worry, you can hire a Guided tour with entrance included.
Jingshan Park, what to visit during a layover in Beijing
After visiting the Forbidden City, if you still have some time, we recommend Take a stroll through Jingshan ParkIt's located a couple of minutes' walk away, so you won't waste much time traveling.
Beijing is a city full of large parks and green spaces, so it's worth visiting at least one; in this case, Jingshan is perfect. The most noteworthy feature is... a hill that is right in the centerIt is said to have been created using the earth excavated during the construction of the Forbidden City's moats. At the top of the hill is the best viewpoint in the city, offering panoramic views of the Forbidden City rooftops and, indeed, all of Beijing.
It's well worth going up to appreciate the impressive dimensions of the complex, especially if you haven't had enough time for the interior tour. It's a quick visit. In half an hour you can go up to the viewpoint and take a short walkIt's a plan that fits perfectly into a one-day itinerary in Beijing.
Option 2Visit the Great Wall of China during a stopover in Beijing
If you have a long layover in Beijing, you'll probably want to take advantage of it to visit the Great Wall. But This is only possible if you have enough time.
The ideal is to have at least 10 hours layoverBetween transfers, sightseeing, and safety margins, you'll need a lot of time. The most recommended section for a quick visit is Mutianyu, as it's the most accessible and also our favorite. It has 1.6 km long y 23 watchtowers, being one of the most extensive and best restored sections of the Great Wall of China.
Due to the limited time available during a layover in Beijing, there are only two ways to get quickly from the airport to Muntianyu. The first is to take a taxi or DiDi on your own, which should cost between 300 and 400 CNY each way. The other, much simpler option is hire a private tour with pickup at Beijing International Airport or Daxing Airport.
How to go from Beijing airport to the center
One of the keys to making the most of your layover time in Beijing is not to waste time in the Airport transfer to city centerWe have an article comparing all the options in detail for get from the airport to downtown BeijingBut we will provide a summary below for each of the airports.
Beijing International Airport (PEK)
This is the best airport for a layover in Beijing as it's relatively close to the city center. The most practical and economical way is combine the Airport ExpressIt's a special metro line connected to the city's subway system. This transfer is fast, economical, and easy to use, even if it's your first time in the city.
You have to get off at the last stop of the Airport Express to take line 2 (blue) and make 3 stops to transfer to line 1 (red), which takes you to Tiananmen Square.
If you prefer not to complycaryou, always You can choose a taxi or Didiwhich will take you directly to your destination without transfers. It's another option carYes, but quite comfortable and fast.
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
The intercity bullet train is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to get from Daxing airport to the city center. The ticket can be buy online or directly at the station inside the airport by showing your passport. Don't forget to install the Alipay app before arriving in China.
The journey is really fast, only half an hour, and arrives at the Ferro stationcarWest BeijingThere you can transfer to subway line 9 (green) for 1 stop and change to line 1 (red) to go to Tiananmen.
Tips for a layover in Beijing
These are some of the most frequently asked questions when traveling to Beijing for a layover.
Internet access in China is monitored by the government, and many Western apps and websites like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Google Maps don't work. To avoid these restrictions, we recommend purchasing [a mobile data plan/platform/etc.]. This eSIM with VPN integrated, so your phone will work normally. We have a more detailed guide on how to have internet in China.
Yes, but you need your layover to last at least 10 hours to have enough time for sightseeing, transfers, and airport security.
Cash is hardly used in cities like Beijing anymore, and paying directly by card is also uncommon. In China, everything is paid for through the WeChat or Alipay apps. This guide explains it step by step. how to pay in chinaIf you know how to do it, it's simple.
Inside the airport itself there are several places to store your luggage; you can ask where to find them at the information points.
¿Where to stay Are you staying overnight in Beijing?
If you have to spend the night in Beijing during your layover, choosing a well-located hotel is important to avoid wasting time on transfers and to ensure you catch your connecting flight. That's why it's so important prioritize public transport connections and proximity.
The two best options are stay near a subway stop) or directly next to the airport.
- Best option at Beijing International Airport: The Hotel Cordis It is located in terminal 3 of the airport.
- Best option near Daxing International Airport: Fairfield by Marriott It is 2 km from the airport and offers a free shuttle.
- Best option in the center: HanTing Hotel, centrally located and next to the metro stop that leads to the airport.
If your layover is longer than 8 hours, don't miss the opportunity to leave the airport and see Beijing for a day; it's well worth it. You won't see the entire city, but you'll get a good idea of what China's capital is like.
And this far Itinerary with everything to see in Beijing during a layover, we hope it has been very helpful to you in organizing your time in the city. If you have any questions or contributions, we will read you in the comments!
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