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.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Beijing is useful when you want a city-level starting point in China. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Beijing, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in China better matches the trip style.
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
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
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
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
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).
Other Asia destinations
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Palestine
Palestine's West Bank holds Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, Hebron's old city, Jericho, one of the oldest towns on earth, and Ramallah's café culture. Access runs through Israeli checkpoints and conditions require careful checking.
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Saudi Arabia
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Singapore
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