Beijing has been a pillar of cultural significance in China for well over 600 years and continues to grow. Most recently home to the 2008 Olympics, the city has managed to retain its historic importance while growing with today’s contemporary culture.

With over 12 million citizens, the city of Beijing is home to an eclectic mix of individuals. On any given day you’ll dodge private cars, observe hundreds of people on bicycles, or stumble upon a group of tai chi students practicing in a park.

The Best Time to Visit Beijing

The question isn’t as much when you should visit Beijing as it is when you should not. The main times to avoid Beijing are during the Chinese New Year, Labor Day, and National Day. These occur during mid-January through mid-February, the first week of May, and the first week of October, respectively. These are very popular vacation times for Chinese citizens and it is very difficult to travel during these holidays.

Travel through Beijing is highly recommended during any other time of the year. The crowds aren’t as thick during the spring and fall months but the view of the Summer Palace and other incredible attractions are astounding during the winter months as well.

How to Get Around in Beijing

With over 12 million citizens one might imagine there is a lot of traffic in Beijing. Your main modes of transportation through this busy city will include the local subway system, taxis, bicycles, and your own feet.

Taking a taxi in Beijing is comfortable and affordable, but you’ll find yourself slapped with an additional surcharge of 20% if you try to hail a cab after 11pm. The easiest way to hail a taxi, especially during peak rush hour times, is to stand outside a local hotel. By the way, most taxi drivers are locals and won’t speak English. Have someone write your destination in Chinese if you aren’t fluent enough to convey your destination.

The subway systems begin running at 5am and run until midnight each day. The subway system is an easy to use mode of transportation and is not only affordable but perfect for tourists. All of the station signs are marked in both English and Chinese, and announcements are bilingual as well. This makes the subway system not only convenient and affordable, but safe for those unfamiliar with the city as well.

Biking and walking are still popular methods for getting around the city, but aren’t as safe as they used to be, especially in areas that are thick with vehicle traffic. On the upside, most streets have designated bicycle lanes that are protected from cars by special medians.

Beijing’s Famous Festivals

Beijing is rich with cultural and historic attractions, but one of the best ways to submerse yourself in the city’s culture is by attending one of their famous festivals.

The most popular and important festival is the Chinese New Year. The holiday in China is marked by the lunar calendar and usually falls sometime between the middle of January and the middle of February. The festival itself lasts three or four days and is marked by parades, firecrackers, and lots of good food. The Chinese New Year is the time when many schools, factories, and offices close for breaks that can last anywhere from 3 weeks to a full month.

Labor Day in China is nothing like Labor Day in the United States. Whereas we might be lucky to get an extra day off of work, the Chinese get an entire extra week of holiday time to celebrate, travel, and spend time with thief families.

One of our personal favorite festivals, however, is the Dragon Boat Festival. The festival usually falls during the month of May or June, depending on when the fifth day of the fifth moon arrives. The festival revolves around the legend of a hero known as Qu Yuan, who drowned himself hundreds of years ago. The national legend claims that people tried to save him by throwing rice dumplings in the water. They also attempted to frighten the fish away by beating loud drums. As you might have guessed, this festival involves the consumption of rice dumplings and also features dragon boat races.

You’ll never run out of things to do or see in Beijing. We highly recommend straying off the beaten path just a little bit if you can while you’re there. You’ll meet incredible people and see amazing things all while submersing yourself in a culture that is a far cry from your own. Join a tour group or travel the city on your own, but make sure experience as much as possible and take lots of incredible pictures for your memory books. Enjoy Beijing!

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