How to Plan a Trip to Beijing
The complete 2026 guide — flights, hotels, things to do and airport transfers, all in one place. Everything a first-time visitor to China needs.
Fly into
PEK
Country
China
Suggested stay
3–5 days
Base yourself
Hutong (Nanluoguxiang alley area)
Your 4-step Beijing plan
Step 1 — Book flights to PEK
Capital Airport (PEK) is the main gateway to Beijing. Compare fares across major airlines and OTAs before locking a date.
See flight deals to PEKStep 2 — Pick a neighborhood
Base yourself in Hutong (Nanluoguxiang alley area) for the best first-time visit — Imperial-era courtyard lanes.
Where to stay in BeijingStep 3 — Plan your itinerary
Start with Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square, then build outward. Most first-time visitors need 3-5 days to see the highlights of Beijing.
Things to do in BeijingBefore you book — visa check
144-hour transit visa-free for 54 nationalities through Beijing. Same policy as Guangzhou. Stay within Beijing municipality.
Compare Beijing hotels
Find hotels in Beijing
Hotels, hostels & more · Trip.com
Search hotels