Question 1

How many days do I need in Beijing?

Accepted Answer

Four days is the realistic minimum to do the city justice. One day for the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, one full day for the Great Wall (Mutianyu is the usual choice), one for the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace, and one for the hutongs, Houhai, and a proper Peking duck dinner. Beijing is huge — a city of around 22 million spread across a flat grid bigger than most travelers expect — and the major sights sit far apart, so allow more transit time than you think. With three days you can still see the headline sights but you'll be rushing. Five to seven days lets you add the 798 Art District, the Lama Temple, a hutong cooking or cycling tour, and a slower pace.

Question 2

When is the best time to visit Beijing?

Accepted Answer

September and October are the best months — mild, dry, and the clearest skies of the year (15-25°C), which is why autumn is the peak season. Mid-April to May is the second-best window, with spring warmth and blossoms, though spring can bring dusty, hazy days when winds carry sand from the north. Avoid July and August: hot (30-35°C), humid, and the rainiest months. Winter (December-February) is cold and dry, dropping to around -8°C, and air quality is at its worst — but it's the cheapest season, the Forbidden City under snow is striking, and crowds thin out.

Question 3

Is Beijing safe?

Accepted Answer

Beijing is very safe by global standards — violent crime against visitors is rare, and walking at night in central areas and the hutongs is fine. The realistic risks are scams aimed at tourists, not muggings. The classic one is the 'tea ceremony' or 'art student' scam around Wangfujing and Tiananmen: a friendly English-speaking 'student' invites you to a teahouse or gallery, then you're hit with a bill of hundreds of dollars. Just decline and walk away. Use the official Didi app rather than unlicensed taxis, especially at the airport. Air pollution is the more genuine health concern in winter — check the AQI and carry an N95 mask on bad days.

Question 4

Do I need to speak Mandarin?

Accepted Answer

English is limited in Beijing, even at major attractions, so some preparation helps. Big international hotels, airport staff, and a few tourist sites have English support, but small restaurants, taxi drivers, market vendors, and Didi drivers usually do not. Signage at metro stations and major sights is bilingual, which makes getting around manageable. Download a translation app that works offline (Pleco for Chinese, plus Google Translate's camera — note Google needs a VPN) before you arrive. Save your hotel's name and address in Chinese characters to show drivers. A few phrases (nǐ hǎo, xièxie, duōshǎo qián) go a long way.

Question 5

What should I prepare before traveling to Beijing?

Accepted Answer

Three things matter most for China specifically. First, sort your visa early — most nationalities need one, though there are visa-free transit options for many countries (see the visa question below); rules change, so verify with your nearest Chinese embassy before booking. Second, set up a VPN before you land — Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, and many Western sites are blocked behind the 'Great Firewall,' and VPN apps themselves can be hard to download once you're in China. Third, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and link a foreign card, because China is effectively cashless. Beyond that: book Forbidden City and Great Wall tickets in advance with your passport, carry your passport at all times for security checks, and get travel insurance.

Question 6

How is Beijing different from Shanghai?

Accepted Answer

They feel like different countries. Beijing is the imperial, political, and cultural capital — 3,000 years of history, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the hutongs, and a heavier, older, more monumental atmosphere. Shanghai is modern, commercial, and international — the Bund, the Pudong skyline, the former concessions, more English spoken, and a lighter pollution load. Most first-timers do both: roughly four days in Beijing for the history and the Wall, then three to four in Shanghai, linked by a 4.5-hour high-speed train. If you only have time for one and want the classic China experience, choose Beijing.

Question 7

How much does Beijing cost per day?

Accepted Answer

Budget: around $75/day (hostel or budget hotel, street food and noodle shops, metro, a couple of attractions). Mid-range: about $160/day (a 4-star hotel, restaurant meals including one Peking duck dinner, Didi rides, a Great Wall day). Luxury: $410+/day (an international 5-star, fine dining, a private driver and guide). Beijing is mid-tier on Chinese prices — pricier than Chengdu or Xi'an, broadly similar to Shanghai. Figures use roughly ¥7.2 ≈ $1 (2026); confirm the live rate before you go.

Question 8

Do I need cash in Beijing?

Accepted Answer

Surprisingly little, but carry a small reserve. China runs almost entirely on mobile payment — Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted everywhere from luxury hotels to street vendors, and both now let foreign visitors link an overseas Visa or Mastercard. Set this up before or right after arrival; it's the single most useful thing you can do. Physical cash (yuan/RMB) is still legally accepted and worth keeping ¥200-500 of for the rare vendor whose QR system glitches, but many small shops no longer keep change. Foreign credit cards are accepted at international hotels and upscale restaurants but often nowhere else.

Question 9

How does mobile payment actually work for foreigners?

Accepted Answer

Download Alipay or WeChat (or both), register with your passport, and add a foreign Visa or Mastercard in the app. You then pay by scanning the merchant's QR code or showing your own payment code — the system handles the currency conversion. Alipay tends to be the smoother experience for visitors and includes a built-in translator, ride-hailing (Didi), and metro QR tickets. Small transactions under a threshold usually have no fee; larger ones may carry a small surcharge. Do this setup while you still have your home internet and SMS, as verification codes can be fiddly on Chinese networks.

Question 10

How much are hotels in Beijing?

Accepted Answer

Hostels and budget hotels: $20-45/night. Solid 3-4 star hotels in central areas like Wangfujing or Dongcheng: $60-130. International 5-stars (Park Hyatt, The Peninsula, Waldorf Astoria, Rosewood): $250-600+. A boutique courtyard (siheyuan) hotel inside a hutong is a memorable mid-to-upper option at $100-300 — atmospheric but often with small rooms and shared courtyards. Prices spike around China's two big domestic-travel weeks (Lunar New Year in Jan/Feb and the October National Day 'Golden Week'), when you should book well ahead.

Question 11

How much should I budget for the Great Wall?

Accepted Answer

Doing it independently is cheap: the Mutianyu entrance is about ¥40 ($6), the round-trip cable car ¥120 ($17), and the bus from Dongzhimen (916) is ¥15. The real cost is your time and transfers. Many visitors instead pay for a private driver (roughly $80-120 round trip, split among a group) or a small-group tour ($40-90 per person including transport and sometimes lunch) for the convenience — Mutianyu is about 1.5 hours from the city with no single direct line. Budget $20-120 per person depending on how much hand-holding you want.

Question 12

Are there hidden costs I should know about?

Accepted Answer

A few. The Forbidden City is cheap (¥60 / about $8.50) but the separate Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery cost extra. The Summer Palace uses a 'through ticket' that bundles its inner sites for more than the basic gate fee. Great Wall cable cars and toboggans are priced on top of entry. A VPN subscription ($5-13/month) is effectively mandatory. eSIM or a local SIM is another small cost. And the easy-to-forget one: a private driver or tour for the Wall, which can be the biggest single line item of the trip if you don't take public transport.

Question 13

How do I get from the airport into the city?

Accepted Answer

Beijing has two airports. From Beijing Capital (PEK), the Capital Airport Express train links to the metro for about ¥25 and takes roughly an hour to the center; a taxi is ¥120-150 ($17-21). From Daxing (PKX) — the newer, vast airport south of the city — the Daxing Airport Express reaches central Beijing in about 30 minutes for ¥35-45, and the high-speed train to Beijing West is even faster. Use the official taxi rank or the Didi app, never the touts at arrivals who quote inflated flat fares. Check which airport your flight uses; they're far apart.

Question 14

Is the Beijing metro easy to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it's one of the world's largest systems, clean, cheap, and fully bilingual on signs and announcements. Fares are distance-based, roughly ¥3-9 per ride. The easiest way to pay is a QR ticket through the Alipay or WeChat mini-program, or you can buy single-journey tokens at machines (English available) or a rechargeable Yikatong card. Expect airport-style security and bag scans at every station entrance, which adds a few minutes. Trains get extremely crowded at rush hour. The metro covers nearly all major sights except the Great Wall.

Question 15

Should I use Didi (ride-hailing)?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Didi is China's Uber and the safest, most transparent way to get a car. Both Alipay and WeChat have a Didi mini-program with an English interface, or you can use the standalone app; it shows the fare up front and you pay in-app, avoiding the cash-and-language friction of street taxis. Regular metered taxis are fine too (start around ¥13) but drivers rarely speak English, so have your destination saved in Chinese characters. Avoid any unlicensed 'black cab' driver who approaches you, especially at the airport and train stations.

Question 16

How do I get to the Great Wall by public transport?

Accepted Answer

For Mutianyu, take bus 916 (express) from Dongzhimen transport hub to Huairou, then a local bus or taxi to the Wall — budget about 2 hours each way and ¥15-40 in fares. For Badaling (the closest and most touristy section), the easiest option is the high-speed train from Beijing North Railway Station to Badaling Great Wall station in about 30 minutes, then a shuttle up. Bus 877 from Deshengmen also runs to Badaling for about ¥12. Independent transport saves money but eats time; many people pay for a driver or tour to skip the transfers.

Question 17

Can I take a high-speed train to other cities?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Beijing is the hub of China's vast high-speed rail network. Shanghai is about 4.5 hours away, Xi'an (Terracotta Army) around 4.5-6 hours, and Tianjin barely 30 minutes. Trains are fast, modern, and punctual. Book through Trip.com or the official 12306 platform; you'll need your passport, which also serves as your ticket at the gate. Arrive 30-45 minutes early because the big stations (Beijing South, Beijing West) are enormous and have airport-style security. For a multi-city China trip, high-speed rail usually beats domestic flights on city-center-to-city-center time.

Question 18

Is Beijing walkable or should I cycle?

Accepted Answer

Individual neighborhoods — the hutongs around Houhai, Wangfujing, the area around the Forbidden City — are very walkable and best explored on foot. But the city as a whole is too spread out to walk between districts; pair walking with the metro and Didi. Shared bikes (via the Alipay/WeChat mini-programs) are everywhere and excellent for the flat hutong lanes once you have mobile payment set up. The bike lanes are wide and well used. Just avoid cycling on the giant multi-lane ring roads, which aren't pedestrian- or casual-cyclist-friendly.

Question 19

What food must I try in Beijing?

Accepted Answer

Peking duck (Beijing kaoya) above all — lacquered, roasted, sliced tableside, and wrapped in thin pancakes with scallion, cucumber, and sweet bean sauce. Beyond that: zhajiangmian (thick wheat noodles in a fermented soybean-and-pork sauce, the city's everyday dish), jianbing (a savory crêpe folded around egg, crispy cracker, and sauce — the classic street breakfast), jiaozi (boiled or pan-fried dumplings), and hot pot. Imperial-style court cuisine and donkey-meat sandwiches (lǘròu huǒshāo) are more adventurous local specialties.

Question 20

Where should I eat Peking duck?

Accepted Answer

Three names cover the range. Quanjude is the historic institution, founded in 1864 and famous for the traditional hung-oven method — touristy and pricier (¥300-500 for a duck plus sides) but the original. Da Dong is the modern, refined take with a leaner, crispier duck and stylish branches (¥350-500+). Siji Minfu is the locals' value favorite — excellent duck at ¥150-280, with long queues at the branches near the Forbidden City and Workers' Stadium. Reserve ahead at Da Dong and Siji Minfu, or expect a wait.

Question 21

Is street food safe and where do I find it?

Accepted Answer

Street food is generally fine if you eat where there's a steady queue of locals and the food is cooked hot to order — jianbing carts at breakfast are a good example. Wangfujing Snack Street is the famous tourist strip (you'll see skewers and novelty items), but it's overpriced and not where locals actually eat; the hutong lanes and morning markets are better. Tap water is not drinkable, so stick to bottled or boiled water and skip uncooked items washed in tap water. Carry hand sanitizer.

Question 22

What does a meal cost in Beijing?

Accepted Answer

A bowl of zhajiangmian or a jianbing from a stall runs ¥10-25 ($1.50-3.50). A casual sit-down meal for one is ¥40-80 ($6-11). A shared Peking duck dinner for two with sides lands around ¥300-500 ($42-70) at a mid-to-upper place, less at Siji Minfu. Hot pot is ¥80-200 per person depending on the venue (Haidilao, the famous service-heavy chain, sits mid-range). Beer is cheap — a local Yanjing or Tsingtao is ¥5-15 in a shop, more in bars. Tipping is not customary in China.

Question 23

Can vegetarians and travelers with dietary needs manage?

Accepted Answer

It takes effort but it's doable. Beijing cuisine is meat-heavy, and 'vegetable' dishes are often cooked with meat stock or lard, so be explicit. Dumpling houses, noodle shops, and Buddhist vegetarian restaurants are your friends; tofu, eggplant, and leafy greens are widely available. Use a translation app to show 'I don't eat meat' (wǒ bù chī ròu) in Chinese, and beware that this isn't always interpreted strictly. For allergies, carry a clearly written Chinese card — cross-contamination and hidden ingredients (peanuts, sesame, soy) are common.

Question 24

Where do I find craft beer or a drink?

Accepted Answer

Sanlitun and the Gulou/hutong area are the nightlife centers. Beijing has a genuine craft-beer scene led by Jing-A Brewing, founded by two friends in 2012 and known for using Chinese ingredients like Sichuan peppercorn and red rice koji in its IPAs and stouts; its Sanlitun-area taprooms are popular with locals and expats. Cocktail bars cluster in Sanlitun, while the Houhai lake bars are touristy and uneven. Drinks are cheap by Western standards. As ever, you'll pay with Alipay or WeChat — keep a little cash for the rare cash-only hole-in-the-wall.

Question 25

Which area should I stay in?

Accepted Answer

For first-timers, Dongcheng District around Wangfujing and the Forbidden City is ideal — central, walkable, well connected by metro, and close to the headline sights. The Qianmen and Dashilan area just south offers restored old streets and easy access to Tiananmen. The Gulou (Drum Tower) and Houhai hutong area is the most atmospheric for staying in a courtyard hotel, though quieter at night. Sanlitun and Chaoyang suit travelers who want nightlife, malls, and international restaurants but are farther from the imperial sights.

Question 26

Should I stay in a hutong courtyard hotel?

Accepted Answer

It's one of Beijing's most distinctive experiences — a converted siheyuan (traditional courtyard home) in a narrow gray-brick lane, often with a small garden and a handful of rooms. The charm is real: history, quiet, and character you won't get in a tower hotel. The trade-offs are honest ones — rooms can be small, walls thin, heating or air-con basic, and bathrooms compact. They sit in the Gulou/Houhai and Dongcheng hutongs. Expect $100-300 a night for a good one. Worth at least a couple of nights for the atmosphere.

Question 27

When should I book?

Accepted Answer

Book well ahead for China's two domestic-travel surges: Lunar New Year (late January or February) and the October National Day 'Golden Week,' when hundreds of millions of Chinese travel, prices climb, and good hotels sell out. The autumn peak (September-October) generally is busier and pricier overall. Winter is the cheapest and most available season despite the cold and pollution. For a normal trip in spring or autumn, a few weeks' lead time is usually enough except over the holidays.

Question 28

Do hotels accept foreign guests and cards?

Accepted Answer

Not all of them. By regulation, hotels must be licensed to accept foreign guests and register your passport on arrival — most international and mid-to-upper hotels are, but some budget and very local guesthouses are not, so confirm before booking a cheap or off-the-beaten-track place. International hotels accept foreign credit cards; smaller places may expect Alipay/WeChat Pay or cash, and may ask for a cash or card deposit. Always travel with your passport, as it's required at check-in and for security registration.

Question 29

What are the best luxury hotels?

Accepted Answer

Beijing has a strong luxury tier. The Peninsula Beijing (near Wangfujing), Waldorf Astoria Beijing (with a hutong-villa wing), Rosewood Beijing (Chaoyang), and the Park Hyatt and Mandarin Oriental in the central business district are among the standouts, typically $300-600+ a night. The Aman at Summer Palace sits beside the imperial garden for a special-occasion stay. For character over polish, an upscale courtyard hotel in the hutongs delivers a sense of place the towers can't. Rates jump over the National Day and Lunar New Year holidays.

Question 30

What's Beijing's weather like through the year?

Accepted Answer

Beijing has a humid continental climate with four sharp seasons. Spring (Mar-May) warms quickly, 10-26°C, but can be dusty and hazy when north winds carry sand. Summer (Jun-Aug) is hot and humid, 28-35°C, and the rainiest time, with thundery downpours in July-August. Autumn (Sep-Oct) is the best — dry, mild (15-25°C), with the clearest skies. Winter (Dec-Feb) is cold and dry, dropping to around -8°C, with little snow but the year's worst air quality. It's a city of extremes between summer heat and winter cold.

Question 31

How cold does winter get?

Accepted Answer

Daytime highs hover around 1-5°C and nights drop well below freezing, often to -8°C or colder with a biting wind that makes it feel harsher. There's relatively little snow because winters are dry, but the cold is persistent from December through February. The upside is low prices, thin crowds, and the Forbidden City or Great Wall dusted in snow. Pack a proper down jacket, hat, gloves, and thermal layers, and add an N95 mask for high-pollution days, which are most common in winter.

Question 32

Is air pollution really a problem?

Accepted Answer

It can be, and it's worth planning around honestly. Beijing's air quality has improved markedly over the past decade, and many days — especially in autumn — are clear and blue. But winter still brings periodic smog episodes when the AQI spikes into unhealthy ranges, driven by heating and weather inversions. Check a live AQI app each morning; on bad days, wear an N95/KN95 mask, limit strenuous outdoor time, and shift to indoor sights (museums, the Lama Temple halls). Spring dust storms are a separate, occasional issue. Autumn is the safest bet for clean air.

Question 33

When should I go for good weather?

Accepted Answer

September and October, without much debate — mild temperatures, low humidity, minimal rain, and the clearest skies and best air of the year, which is exactly why it's peak season. Late April and May are the next-best window for spring warmth and greenery, with the caveat of occasional dust. If you can only travel in summer, go early in the day to beat the heat and afternoon storms. Winter is for travelers who prioritize low prices and snowy imperial scenery over comfort.

Question 34

What should I pack?

Accepted Answer

Pack for the season because they're so different. Autumn: layers, a light jacket, comfortable walking shoes — the sights involve a lot of walking. Summer: lightweight breathable clothing, sun protection, a rain layer for the downpours, and a water bottle. Winter: a heavy down coat, hat, gloves, thermals, and warm footwear, plus N95 masks for pollution. Spring: layers plus a mask or scarf for dust days. Year-round: comfortable shoes (the Great Wall and the Forbidden City are demanding on foot), a portable charger, and a universal plug adapter (China uses 220V, Type A/C/I).

Question 35

What are Beijing's must-see attractions?

Accepted Answer

The core five: the Forbidden City (the vast Ming-and-Qing imperial palace, UNESCO-listed), the Great Wall (Mutianyu is the usual choice), Tiananmen Square (the immense public square linking them), the Temple of Heaven (the Ming ceremonial complex with its iconic round Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests), and the Summer Palace (the lakeside Qing imperial garden, also UNESCO). Add the hutongs around Houhai for old Beijing, the Lama Temple (Yonghe Gong) for Tibetan Buddhism, and the 798 Art District for contemporary art.

Question 36

How do I book Forbidden City tickets?

Accepted Answer

You must reserve online in advance — walk-up sales no longer exist, and there's a daily cap (around 40,000 visitors) that sells out, especially in peak season. Tickets are released about seven days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time on the official Palace Museum site, and slots can vanish quickly. International visitors book using their passport (real-name registration), and you'll need that same passport to enter. The basic ticket is about ¥60 ($8.50); the Treasure Gallery and Clock Gallery cost extra. It's closed Mondays except on public holidays. Enter from the south (Meridian Gate) and exit north.

Question 37

Which section of the Great Wall should I visit?

Accepted Answer

Mutianyu is the most popular choice for visitors — well restored, set in forested hills, less crowded than Badaling, and equipped with a cable car and a fun toboggan ride down (entrance about ¥40, cable car ¥120 round trip). Badaling is the closest to the city and the most famous, but also the most crowded and commercialized — though the high-speed train makes it the quickest to reach (about 30 minutes). Jinshanling is for serious hikers wanting a partly 'wild,' dramatic stretch with far fewer people. For most first-timers, Mutianyu is the sweet spot.

Question 38

Is the Summer Palace worth it, and how much time?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it's one of Beijing's loveliest sights, a sprawling Qing imperial garden built around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, with the Long Corridor, marble boat, temples, and pavilions. Allow at least half a day; it's large and far from the center (northwest of the city, reachable by metro plus a walk). It uses a combined 'through ticket' that bundles the inner sites for more than the basic gate fee. Go in the morning, and pair it with the nearby Old Summer Palace ruins if you have a full day. Autumn here is especially beautiful.

Question 39

What's the Temple of Heaven and how does it differ from the Forbidden City?

Accepted Answer

The Temple of Heaven was where Ming and Qing emperors performed annual rituals praying for good harvests — its centerpiece, the round, triple-eaved Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, is one of Beijing's most recognizable images. Where the Forbidden City is about imperial power and palace life, the Temple of Heaven is about cosmology and ceremony, set in a large park where locals practice tai chi, dance, and play music in the mornings. It's calmer and greener. Buy the 'through ticket' to access the main halls, not just the surrounding park.

Question 40

Are there good options for kids or rainy/smoggy days?

Accepted Answer

Plenty. For indoor or weather-proof days: the National Museum of China on Tiananmen Square (free with passport, but reserve ahead), the Lama Temple's covered halls, the Capital Museum, and the 798 Art District's galleries and cafés. The Beijing Zoo (with pandas) and the Science and Technology Museum suit families. The hutong areas have hands-on options like cooking classes and rickshaw or cycling tours. On a smoggy day, lean into museums and indoor sights and save the Great Wall and big outdoor parks for a clear-air day.

Question 41

Do I need a visa for China?

Accepted Answer

Most nationalities need a visa to visit China, applied for in advance through a Chinese embassy or visa center with your passport, photos, and itinerary (the US tourist visa is around $140; other nationalities vary). However, China has been expanding visa-free options: many European and other countries currently enjoy visa-free entry for short stays, and a transit visa-free policy lets eligible travelers from a long list of countries pass through Beijing (and many other ports) for up to 240 hours (10 days) if onward-bound to a third country. These rules change frequently and depend on your nationality and route — always verify the current policy with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate before booking. Hong Kong and Macau have separate entry systems.

Question 42

How do I deal with the 'Great Firewall' and internet?

Accepted Answer

China blocks Google (including Gmail, Maps, and Translate), Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, and many Western news and app sites behind what's commonly called the Great Firewall. To use them you need a VPN — and crucially, install and test it before you arrive, because VPN apps and websites are themselves often blocked once you're in China. Reputable paid VPNs are the norm; a free one rarely works reliably there. WeChat (for messaging and payments) works without a VPN and is essential locally. Download offline maps before you go as a backup.

Question 43

How do I get a SIM or stay connected?

Accepted Answer

The easiest route for most visitors is an eSIM bought before arrival — several providers offer China-specific or Asia-regional data plans, and some route through Hong Kong so they bypass the Firewall (meaning Google and Instagram work without a separate VPN). Alternatively, buy a local SIM from China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom with your passport, though local SIMs are subject to the Firewall and still need a VPN for blocked services. Hotel and café Wi-Fi is common but also firewalled. Sort connectivity and your VPN together before you land.

Question 44

Is tap water safe to drink?

Accepted Answer

No — don't drink Beijing tap water. Use bottled water (cheap and everywhere) or boiled water; hotels typically provide a kettle and complimentary bottles. Tap water is generally fine for brushing teeth, but stick to bottled for drinking and avoid ice or raw produce washed in tap water at very basic eateries. Carrying a reusable bottle you refill from boiled or filtered water reduces plastic waste; many hotels and some public spots have hot/boiled water dispensers, a Chinese norm.

Question 45

Should I tip in Beijing?

Accepted Answer

Tipping is not customary or expected in China, including at restaurants, taxis, and hotels — locals don't tip, and service staff aren't reliant on it. You won't cause offense by not tipping. The main exceptions are tourist-facing situations like a private tour guide or driver, where a tip is appreciated though still not obligatory. Some upscale and international hotels and restaurants add a service charge to the bill. Otherwise, just pay the stated price (via Alipay/WeChat) and you're done.

Question 46

Any etiquette or rules I should respect?

Accepted Answer

Carry your passport at all times — it's needed for hotel check-in, ticket entry, train travel, and routine security checks. Don't photograph military sites, police, or sensitive government buildings, and steer clear of political demonstrations or sensitive topics in public. Security screening with bag scans is routine at metro stations, train stations, and major sights, so allow extra time. Public spitting and queue-jumping happen but are officially discouraged. Removing shoes isn't generally required as in Japan. Beyond that, ordinary courtesy goes a long way, and locals are often warmly curious toward visitors.

Beijing Travel FAQ