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City guide

Beijing, China

Beijing, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. 8 million residents, it is the world's most populous national capital city, as well as China's second-largest city by urban area, after Shanghai.

Type CityPopulation 21,800,000

Why go

  • Capital city of China.
  • Served by Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX).

History

Beijing, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 21.8 million residents, it is the world's most populous national capital city, as well as China's second-largest city by urban area, after Shanghai. It is located in Northern China and is governed as a provincial-level direct-administered municipality with 16 municipal districts. Beijing is mostly surrounded by Hebei Province and neighbors Tianjin Municipality to the southeast; together, the three divisions form the Jing-Jin-Ji cluster.

Airports

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) 25 km to the centre
Beijing, 11, CN — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 81 airlines (Air China, Shenzhen Airlines, Hainan Airlines, China Southern Airlines…) · direct flights to 206 destinations incl. Hangzhou, INC, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 81 airlines, 206 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) 46 km to the centre
Beijing, 11, CN — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather.
Indoor
Beijing Nanjiao Airport 48 km to the centre
Beijing, 11, CN — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Beijing Nanyuan Airport (NAY) 15 km to the centre
Beijing, 11, CN — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor. ✈ 2 airlines (China Eastern Airlines, China United) · direct flights to 40 destinations incl. Anshun, Baotou, Bijie, Changcha, Changzhi… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 40 direct destinations
  • China Eastern Airlines MU (737, 737-700) · 40 routes: Anshun*, Baotou*, Bijie*, Changcha*, Changzhi*, Changzhou*, Chengdu*, Chifeng*, Chizhou*, Chongqing*, Datong*, Dongsheng*, Foshan*, Guangzhou*, Hailar*, Harbin*, Hohhot*, Jinchuan*, Lianyungang*, Linyi*, Manzhouli*, Nanchang*, Nanyang*, Ninbo*, Qingyang*, Qiqihar*, Quzhou*, Shanghai*, Shenzhen*, Ulanhot*, Wenzhou*, Wuhai*, Xiamen*, Xiangfan*, Xilinhot*, Xingyi*, Yan'an*, Yulin*, Zhanjiang*, Zhoushan*
  • China United KN (737, 737-700) · 40 routes: Anshun, Baotou, Bijie, Changcha, Changzhi, Changzhou, Chengdu, Chifeng, Chizhou, Chongqing, Datong, Dongsheng, Foshan, Guangzhou, Hailar, Harbin, Hohhot, Jinchuan, Lianyungang, Linyi, Manzhouli, Nanchang, Nanyang, Ninbo, Qingyang, Qiqihar, Quzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ulanhot, Wenzhou, Wuhai, Xiamen, Xiangfan, Xilinhot, Xingyi, Yan'an, Yulin, Zhanjiang, Zhoushan

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Zhuozhou Airport 61 km to the centre
Baoding, 13, CN
Outdoor
Gaobeidian Airport 72 km to the centre
Baoding, 13, CN
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

展览馆码头
Ferry terminal · 5.1 km from the centre
Outdoor
动物园码头
Ferry terminal · 5.4 km from the centre
Outdoor
燕莎码头
Ferry terminal · 6.6 km from the centre
Outdoor
Ziyuwan Pier
Ferry terminal · 7.3 km from the centre
Outdoor
蓝港码头
Ferry terminal · 7.9 km from the centre
Outdoor
游船码头
Ferry terminal · 11 km from the centre
Outdoor
North Bank - East Bank
Ferry route
Outdoor
North Bank - Jade Island
Ferry route
Outdoor
East Bank - Jade Island
Ferry route
Outdoor
亮马河游船(燕莎码头-蓝港码头)
Ferry route
Outdoor
颐和园-紫竹院-动物园 摆渡船
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX); 9 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: PEK has direct flights to 206 destinations on 81 airlines (incl. Hangzhou, INC, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing…). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: 展览馆码头, 5.1 km); routes include North Bank - East Bank, North Bank - Jade Island, East Bank - Jade Island.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Beijing. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Charter · Gulfstream, Global, BBJ · China's largest business-jet operator.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.

Tours & experiences

Sightseeing