Beijing Things to Do

During the months of April and May, temperatures begin to rise in Beijing, making it a perfect time of year to explore the city’s outdoor attractions. This dry, windy season is also one of Beijing’s shoulder seasons, so you won’t be competing for breathing room with quite as many tourists.

During late March and throughout April, spring usually pays a visit to Beijing, bringing with it a colorful display of cherry blossoms. If you’re in China’s capital city during this lovely time of year, make sure to visit Yuyuantan Park to see the trees in full bloom.

Winter is Beijing‘s off season, making it the quietest time to visit the city’s best attractions. While the cold can get bitter in this northern capital, the city’s charm is magnified anytime it gets a fresh blanket of snow. From temple festivals and winter sports to world-class museums, there’s plenty to do in Beijing in winter.

Located in the area within Beijing’s 2^nd Ring Road, the ancient networks of alleyways known as hutongs are home to classic examples of Chinese architecture that date back to the 13^th century. Once home to generations of aristocrats, bureaucrats, and royals, the demographic playing field in these historic neighborhoods was very violently leveled or even upturned after the Communist takeover in 1949, resulting in a massive influx of poor and working class residents. This class inversion has been reversed somewhat since then, and many celebrities and government officials now call the hutongs home (not least among these being the controversial reformer Zhao Ziyang, who spent 15 years under house arrest following the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989).

Chances are if you’re in or planning to go to Beijing, a visit to the Great Wall holds a prominent spot on your must-do list. While you can see the wall from many places across northern China, Beijing makes the most convenient home base for your explorations. From the capital city, you have your choice between two sections of the wall for a half-day excursion or another three for full-day or overnight trips.

Beijing, with its labyrinthine hutongs, modern skyscrapers and abundant historical monuments, is practically a museum in and of itself. If you’re planning to spend an afternoon pondering history, art, science or anything in between, here are some of the best museums on offer in China‘s capital city.