Day Trips: Beijing, China

Day Trips from Beijing, China

Beijing is one of those cities that rewards the curious traveller who ventures beyond its iconic landmarks. Step outside the city limits and you'll find yourself standing on ancient walls, wandering through imperial summer retreats, and hiking ridgelines that stretch as far as the eye can see. Whether you have a single free day or a handful, the destinations surrounding China's capital are nothing short of extraordinary.

Overview

Beijing sits at the northern edge of the North China Plain, bordered by mountains to the north and west that make for dramatic and historically rich day trip territory. The surrounding Hebei province and municipality contain some of China's most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites, rural villages largely untouched by tourism, and natural landscapes that offer a welcome contrast to the city's urban intensity.

The most popular day trips include various sections of the Great Wall, the Eastern Qing Tombs, and the ancient town of Gubei Water Town. What makes Beijing uniquely suited for day tripping is its excellent transport infrastructure — high-speed rail, suburban trains, and well-organised tourist buses mean you can be deep in the mountains and back for dinner without much fuss.

Essential Information

• Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY). USD $1 is approximately 7.2 CNY at time of writing.
• Language: Mandarin Chinese. English signage is common at major tourist sites but sparse in rural areas — download an offline translation app before you go.
• Best time to visit: Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer clear skies and comfortable temperatures. Summer is humid and crowded; winter is cold but beautifully stark, especially on the Great Wall.
• Visa: Many nationalities now benefit from China's visa-free transit policy for stays up to 144 hours. Check the latest requirements for your passport well in advance.
• Connectivity: Download a VPN before entering China. Google Maps, WhatsApp, and most Western apps are blocked — use Baidu Maps or Amap for navigation instead.

Practical Tips

• Book wall sections wisely: Mutianyu is the most family-friendly Great Wall section, with a cable car and toboggan run. Jinshanling is favoured by hikers and photographers for its unrestored, atmospheric sections. Badaling is the most visited and can feel overwhelming on weekends.
• Go early: Arrive at any attraction by 8am to beat the tour groups. The Great Wall at Mutianyu, for example, is blissfully quiet in the first hour after opening.
• Use the subway as a launchpad: Beijing's metro is clean, cheap (around $0.30–$0.50 per trip), and connects to suburban bus hubs that serve day trip destinations.
• Carry cash: While WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate, rural vendors and small ticket offices often prefer cash. ATMs at major banks accept foreign cards.
• Eat locally: Skip the tourist restaurants near wall entrances. Ask your guesthouse or hotel to recommend a local spot — a bowl of zhajiangmian (noodles with fermented soybean paste) will cost under $2 and taste far better.

Getting There

Beijing is served by two main airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and the newer Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Capital Airport handles the majority of international flights and is better connected to the city centre via the Airport Express rail line, which costs around $4 and takes 20 minutes to reach Dongzhimen station.

Direct flights to PEK operate from most major international hubs including Los Angeles, London Heathrow, Sydney, Dubai, and Tokyo. Airlines including Air China, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Emirates cover key routes. Travellers from North America can typically find return fares starting around $600–$900 depending on season, while European travellers often find competitive fares from $550 upwards.

Once in Beijing, day trip destinations are reached by suburban bus routes departing from Dongzhimen, Xizhimen, and Wangjing hubs. Tourist buses to Mutianyu Great Wall run from $5–$8 return. High-speed rail from Beijing North or Beijing Station connects travellers to further destinations like Chengde in under two hours.

Accommodation Options

Beijing offers a wide range of places to stay across all budgets, with the Dongcheng and Xicheng districts placing you closest to central transport links for early morning departures.

• Budget ($25–$60/night): Traditional hutong courtyard hostels in the Nanluoguxiang area offer excellent value and genuine local character. Leo Hostel and Peking Youth Hostel are long-standing favourites among backpackers.
• Mid-range ($80–$180/night): Boutique hotels converted from historic courtyard homes (known as siheyuan) around the Gulou neighbourhood offer a balance of comfort and authenticity. The Orchid Hotel is a standout in this category.
• Luxury ($250+/night): The Opposite House in Sanlitun and Aman at Summer Palace represent Beijing's finest, with the latter sitting directly beside the imperial grounds — an unbeatable location for early morning walks before the crowds arrive.

Beijing's surroundings are waiting to be explored, and no amount of research quite prepares you for the feeling of standing on a thousand-year-old wall with mountains rolling into the distance. Whether you're planning your first visit or returning for another chapter, there has never been a better time to go deeper into this remarkable corner of the world. Start planning your Beijing day trip adventure today and book your flights, accommodation, and experiences before the best spots fill up.