Discover Beijing
Hotels, halal food, prayer spaces, things to do, and itineraries in Beijing.
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Must-see attractions in Beijing
From headline landmarks and heritage icons to parks, waterfronts, and major museums, discover 22 standout sights to build into your time in the city.
Beijing, capital to the People's Republic of China is one of the largest metropolises in the world with an ever-growing population. Beijing is a place where life is constantly on the move- a fact which is reflected in the constant construction- the building and the rebuilding of restaurants, offices and shopping malls ever so often. It is a perfect fusion of ancient meets modern. Juxtaposed with the temples and royal halls built as early as the 8th Century and other historic structures such as the Museums and the Royal grounds, are other recently built modern structures such as the numerous skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. Beijing is quit
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Muslim travel planner
Plan a Muslim-friendly trip in Beijing
Halal restaurants in Beijing
Beijing’s food scene is part of the city experience. Choose from 23 restaurants and food districts with location notes and planning tips.
beijingMade in China
Located in the grand Hyatt Hotel, Made in China offers a variety of authentic Chinese specialties, including Peking duck. As you might expect in such a nice hotel, the décor is opulent and the food delicious. The service is good and the staff is attentive too. If you want the duck, call in advance.
beijingLe Cafe Igosso
'Down to earth' best describes the atmosphere inside this restaurant. Unpretentious delicious food coupled with reasonable prices makes this a stop worth making. Sea food lovers and vegetarians will both be satisfied by the dishes listed on this menu. The pastas as in any Italian restaurant are delectable.
beijingPeking Duck
No trip to Beijing is complete without trying the city’s specialty: Peking duck. This delicacy emerged during the Ming Dynasty and was the meal of choice in the Forbidden City. It has been a staple in Beijing cuisine ever since. Pekin ducks are specifically bred for use in the dish. After the duck is slaughtered and de-feathered, air is pumped in through the neck to separate skin and fat. It is then boiled and left to dry, before finally being cooked in a closed or hung oven.
beijingHot Pot
No trip to China is complete without trying hot pot. You start with a cauldron of boiling broth and add whatever meat (usually deli sliced), noodles, and vegetables you want. Traditionally, mutton is used, but pretty much anything you could want is available depending on the restaurant, from the mundane (chicken and beef) to more exotic fare like tripe, fish balls, and even frogs. Many places have a buffet from which you can make a sauce to dip your food in.
beijingKejia Cai
This restaurant is especially interesting because the interior epitomizes Han culture. Han cuisine known as 'Hakka' is at its ultimate here. The shrimp and other sea-food dishes are the specialty. Arguably the best food in all of Beijing is served here.
beijingLily Vegetarian Restaurant
This is a family restaurant. The interior is simple and sparkling clean. Absolutely divine vegetarian dishes are served here. The soups, the broths, salads and rolls are cooked using quality ingredients.
Beijing masjids and Muslim travel
Landmark masjids and prayer-aware notes for visitors planning salah, family movement, and halal-friendly days.
Where to stay in Beijing
Choose where to stay by trip style, from landmark luxury and family bases to central, airport, and neighborhood-led stays.
beijingSt. Regis Beijing
This hotel is located in Chaoyang district. It has a wonderful ambience; the hotel staff is extremely helpful. Rooms and bathrooms are spacious with lovely furnishings. The restaurants serve fantastic quality food. In room facilities include a mini-bar, a hair dryer, a safe, an AC, a DVD Player and a TV. Hotel facilities include restaurants, swimming pool, a gym, squash courts, billiard rooms, a health spa, a salon, laundry service, 24 hour room service, dry cleaning and a shopping mall.
beijingNovotel Beijing Sanyuan
This hotel seeks to accommodate both business travelers and tourists. The hotel is located nearly ten kilometers from the city center, but conveniently located next to some of Beijing’s bigger tourist draws, including the Beijing Aquarium and Underground City. Furthermore, the hotel is just across from the nearest metro station, which makes navigating the city fairly reasonable. The 305 guestrooms in this establishment each come furnished with cable television, a mini bar, and a safe. The hotel comes with a number of recreational facilities, among them a swimming pool, fitness room, golf course and tennis courts. You will also find a sauna and a beauty center within the hotel. The hotel has one restaurant that serves excellent fare, which comes in addition to the lobby bar. High-speed internet throughout the building, as well as a useful business center, helps make this an attractive location for business travelers as well.
beijingSofitel Wanda Beijing
This luxury hotel deserves its five star label. The hotel is located in the heart of the city, a short distance from many of Beijing’s most popular attractions, including Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Each of the 417 rooms comes with the latest high-tech amenities and 24-hour room service. A range of options for room type and size allows you to customize your stay to your needs. The hotel has a number of restaurants and lounges that serve all types of cuisine; Traditional Chinese, Japanese and French cuisine among them. The hotel also has a spa, fitness center, and an indoor pool for your comfort and relaxation. Business travelers will find that the hotel has many seminar rooms, which, like everything else here, are decorated beautifully in Sofitel’s artistic manner. Business travelers will also have access to the business center, which provides for basic printing needs and is serviced with high-speed internet. Large ballrooms can fit over one thousand guests, making this an excellent location for large gatherings and events. A stay here will certainly be convenient and luxurious.
beijingFeiying Binguan
This hotel cum hostel has extremely reasonable rates, whilst guests have to help themselves to most things the rooms and bathrooms are quite comfortable. The hotel's proximity to the metro station and bus stops is a huge advantage as well. In room facilities include the TV and AC. Hotel facilities include a bar, laundry facilities [self-service] and internet access.
beijingNovotel Peace Beijing Hotel
This hotel enjoys a central location being situated in the Dongcheng District. Prices are more than reasonable and the rooms and bathrooms are comfortable. In room facilities include a mini-bar, a hair dryer, a safe, an AC Satellite TV. Hotel facilities include restaurants, a bakery a pool and Jacuzzi, a gym, a sauna, laundry service, dry cleaning and 24 hour room service.
History and today in Beijing
Read the city today, its history, residents, culture, and character before planning your route.
Visa Information
Visa Information Beijing
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When to go
When to go Beijing
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Fast Facts
Location:: Beijing is located in the North China plain- it is surrounded by mountains to the North, Northwest and West; Area:: 16,800 sq km; Dialing code:: +86/010
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Exchange Rates
The currency used in China is the China Yuan Renminbi (CNY).
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Public Holidays
Public Holiday Beijing
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Beijing Residents
Beijing Residents Beijing
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Beijing Today
Beijing Today Beijing
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Beijing History
Beijing back then Beijing
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Shopping in Beijing
Explore 16 shopping stops, from malls, markets, and book bazaars to fashion streets and souvenir finds.
beijingOriental Plaza
This massive shopping center is arguably the most famous of Beijing's shopping centers. There are several clothes and shoe shops and many designer labels are housed under this roof. A huge Sony shop is also located here.
beijingChina World Trade Centre
This is another of Beijing's famous shopping malls. A range of international brands have set up shop here including Louis Vuitton. The food court is also very good and there is a Starbucks located here too.
beijingLufthansa Youyi Shopping Centre
While much of what is sold here is over priced and readily available in other shopping areas, a few of the Arts and Crafts shops are worth the visit. In addition there are a number of wonderful boutiques that have set up shop here- a look at the clothes is worth it. A bookstore and supermarket is also located here.
beijingThe Pearl Market
This market is famous for the jewelers who have set up stall here exhibiting their pearl and jade pieces which though pricey are a good buy.
beijingPanjiayuan Jiuhuo Shichang
This is a fantastic market consisting of hundreds of stalls and an array of products ranging from jewelry to ceramics, art to antiques, clothes to shoes and bags, Ming and Qing style furniture and goods to religious icons and statues of Buddha etc.
Signature sights in Beijing
A curated pick of the city's standout sights, led by the strongest editorial recommendations.
Festivals and events in Beijing
Plan around 9 festival seasons, public events, Ramadan/Eid periods, book fairs, art cycles, and winter food activity.
beijingLantern Festival
On the fifteenth day after the spring festival, i.e. the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the lantern festival which celebrates the warmth of the sun after the cold winters. Colorful lanterns of all sizes and shapes are sold in the markets. The bright colors represent joy and festivity. Decoration of houses and streets, offerings and prayers to the deity and lavish feasting are an important part of this festival. The residents of Beijing walk the streets with beautiful lamps. The streets well lit up provide a stunning view. Dancing and music are also part of the festivities. The dragon dance and the lion dance are most popular. People with painted faces roaming the street are a common sight during this festival.
beijingChinese New Year & Spring Festival
The Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first day of the first lunar month of the year and is an important festival for the people of Beijing. This event occurs annually and the time is not fixed as it is planned on the basis of the lunar calendar. Loved ones are visited and special traditional food is cooked and eaten. Children are given gift money by the elders. Vibrant celebrations which are held across the city carry on for a week. Fireworks displays are held across the city.
beijingBeijing International Jazz festival
September: Chinese as well as international artists participate in this festival which spans 3 days of outdoor performances. This musical extravaganza features a wide variety of music forms from standard Jazz, Swing and Cool Jazz to modern Jazz styles such as Fusion, Latino, Flamenco and Funk.
beijingBeijing Longqing Gorge Ice and Snow Festival
January - February: This annual event is held in Longqing Gorge in Yanqing county 80kms North of Beijing. Excited and enthusiastic locals take part in the festivities surrounding this festival which features fireworks, the making of beautiful ice sculptures and ice fishing. Massive blocks of ice are sculptured into animals and figures of various shapes and sizes. Lanterns made of ice with light glowing within are displayed creating a fairy tale ambience.
beijingGuanyin's Birthday
This festival celebrated on the 19th day of the second lunar month, honors Guan Yin, one of the most popular deities in China, revered by Buddhists and Taoists alike. She is seen as an embodiment of the virtues of kindness and compassion and is worshipped by merchants, farmers, sailors and women seeking to bear children. Devotees flock to temples and shrines and make offerings of fruit and vegetables. Traditionally vegetarian noodles are eaten on this day.
Beijing tours and experiences
Heritage walks, food crawls, coastal trips, museum circuits, family days, and guided ideas for an easier day out.
beijingPanda Tours
These operators offer a variety of package deals that vary in terms of which sights will be visited and which vary as to the length of each tour. Usually tours last from anywhere between half a day and one whole day. They also arrange excursions to sections of the Great Wall of China. Prices vary accordingly but fall within the range of 300 to 500 Yuans. The city's main attractions are visited by bus.
beijingWild China
This is an excellent tour operator. They arrange 3 day long trips and arrange for visitors to go sightseeing- Beijing's main attractions as well hiking along the Great Wall are a part of this tour. Prices are exorbitant but worth it as the guides are excellent and well versed in the history of China. The three day tour including stays in luxury hotels totals around 6000 Yuans.
beijingChinese Culture Club
These tour operators organize tours which last either half a day, one whole day or a number of days depending on which package is opted for. They have an interesting approach and are different from other tour operators as they go in depth into describing Chinese culture by holding interactive discussions.
beijingDragon Bus
These operators offer a variety of package deals that vary in terms of which sights will be visited and which vary as to the length of each tour. Usually tours last from anywhere between half a day and one whole day. Prices vary accordingly but fall within the range of 300 to 500 Yuans. The city's main attractions are visited by bus. One tour comprises of the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace at 380 Yuans. Another comprises of Lama temple, Summer Palace and a Hutong for about the same price. Excursions to the great wall are also arranged costing around 300 Yuans.
beijingCycle China
These are 3 hour long interesting tours around Beijing's main attractions on bikes. The cost comes to about 150 Yuans per person.
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Beijing travel guide sections
Focused sections for articles, directories, maps, and trip planning.
