Why visit
Beijing is the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, Great Wall access at Mutianyu or Jinshanling, and hutong courtyards. A capital that actually feels historic.
Beijing at a glance
City population
21.9 million
Elevation
44 m
144 ft
Time zone
UTC+8
Asia/Shanghai
Airport
PEK
Capital International (also PKX Daxing)
Founded
1045 BCE (as Ji)
Getting around
Beijing Subway (24 lines), DiDi ride-hail, 15-million-bike bikeshare
Signature dish
Peking duck, zhajiangmian, jianbing, jiaozi
Neighborhoods for travelers
Forbidden City areaSanlitunHutong neighbourhoodsHouhaiWangfujing
China at a glance
Country center
35.0°, 105.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
9,706,961 km²
3,747,877 mi²
Country population
1.43 billion
147/km²
Subregion
Eastern Asia
Currency
Chinese yuan (¥)
CNY
Dial
+86
Language
Chinese
Demonym
Chinese
Internet
.cn
UN
Member state
ISO code
CN / CHN
Where in the world
35.0° · 105.0°
China
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Did you know
- The Forbidden City has exactly 9,999 rooms: a symbolic nine, revered as the emperor's number.
- Beijing has 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the most of any city in the world.
- Peking Duck has been served at Quanjude since 1864. The restaurant is older than modern Japan.
- China uses a single time zone for the whole country, even though it spans 5 geographic time zones.
- The Great Wall is not visible from space with the naked eye: that is a myth.
Bordering China
Traveler notes
- Hike the Great Wall at Jinshanling for less crowd
- VPN before arrival for Google, Gmail, Instagram
- 798 Art District for contemporary Chinese art
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Beijing
What currency is used in Beijing?
Beijing uses the Chinese yuan (¥), ISO code CNY.
What languages are spoken in China?
The primary language is Chinese.
What is the international calling code for China?
The calling code is +86.
What airport serves Beijing?
Capital International (also PKX Daxing) (IATA: PEK).
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