Beijing Things to Do

China is culturally very different from the United States, and what flies here doesn’t always go over so well in Beijing. From cultural to practical, here are ten things not to do during your travels through Beijing.

The prospect of making your way around city the size of Beijing, and one with the traffic problems China‘s capital is notorious for, is certainly daunting. Luckily, you’ll have a wealth of transportation options at your disposal, making it relatively painless to get from one sight to the next.

Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is an exciting time to be in Beijing. As China‘s most important holiday, Chinese New Year gives visitors a chance to experience some of Beijing’s most deeply rooted traditions. This time of year is a popular time for travel, so make your plans early to make the most of your time in China.

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.

Few cities in the world have a dish as iconic as Peking duck is to Beijing, and the reality is as good as the hype. In a city of more than 20 million people with tens of thousands of restaurants, dozens if not hundreds of which specialize in Peking Duck, so finding a place to eat can be overwhelming. Throw in menus full of Chinese characters and a language where tone changes meaning, and what should be a simple meal becomes downright complicated. For first-time visitors to Beijing, here’s a basic guide to demystify Peking Duck.

Vivie Pan has been a licensed English tour guide in Beijing since 2006. With her great knowledge of top scenic spots in the city, and with her attention to schedule and time management, Vivie’s private guide service for Beijing provides professional and informative tours for tourists to places like the Great Wall of China or the Summer Palace. As part of Vivie’s services, she has a brand new car with up to 4 seats available, meaning she is able to work as a driver as well – perhaps on a shopping trip, which is also one of her specialties.