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As the prosperous capital of China, Beijing is renowned not only for its imperial landmarks steeped in history but also for the rich cultural heritage of its inhabitants. Now, let's pocket the travel experiences in Beijing shared by Vntrip.vn below to have an amazing journey to this city!
Best Time to Visit Beijing
Similar to Shanghai, Beijing experiences four distinct seasons. Autumn offers the most pleasant climate, making the period from June to August the peak tourist season. Spring in Beijing is chilly with frequent rains and dusty winds, making travel inconvenient. Winter brings cold temperatures and heavy snowfall, affecting visibility, thus making it the off-peak tourist season.
The picturesque Great Wall during autumn
The beauty of Beijing during snowfall
However, if you want a different experience compared to Vietnam, you can visit Beijing in winter. During these days, Beijing is often covered in beautiful white snow, and since it's the low season, expenses, especially hotel prices, will be cheaper.
Transportation to Beijing
There are 2 ways for you to travel from Vietnam to Beijing: by airplane or by train:
+ By airplane: Whether you start from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, there are direct flights from Noi Bai Airport or Tan Son Nhat Airport to Beijing.
- For flights from Hanoi, you can transit in Guangzhou before flying to Beijing. For flights from Ho Chi Minh City, you can transit in Nanjing. Depending on your schedule or the destinations you want to visit, you can choose different flight routes.
- You should plan your itinerary as early as possible to hunt for cheap flight tickets from airlines like Vietjet, Jetstar, or Asia Air.
- Of course, don't forget to prepare your passport and visa - mandatory entry documents.
China's intercity train
+ Taking the train: This is a cost-saving option but it will take some time. Here are the detailed steps for you to travel by train:
- You go to the Chinese consulate to apply for a visa, which costs 30USD, and after 3 days, you will receive the visa. Remember to prepare your passport in advance.
- At Hanoi Station, you buy a ticket to Beijing. The ticket price ranges from about 1,600,000 VND to 2 million VND depending on different times. Make sure to bring your passport when buying the ticket.
- You will need to pay an additional 50,000 VND for vaccination when the train arrives at Dong Dang Station. Then you will be transferred to China's intercity train and travel directly to Beijing.
- Usually, the train departs at 6:30 PM and it will take about 45 hours to reach your destination.
Transportation in Beijing:
Many people choose the bus for transportation
- Subway, buses, taxis, or bicycles are common means of transportation for tourists in Beijing. You can also experience the novelty of traveling by subway, which is cheap and fast. According to the Beijing travel experience, if your hotel is too far from the station, you can take a bus to get there. Buses are very popular here with more than 140 routes, so you don't have to worry about not finding a bus stop.
- Using bicycles is a convenient way to explore various destinations, offering both freedom of movement and affordability.
- Taxis are also widely used here, but they are more expensive. Therefore, if you travel in a large group, you can consider using this mode of transportation.
Where to Stay When Traveling to Beijing?
As a bustling and luxurious city, Beijing offers plenty of high-end hotels with full amenities and unique architecture. If you want to save costs, budget hotels are the perfect choice. You can visit the Vntrip.vn website to choose from a wide range of hotels at different price ranges, conveniently and quickly, with discounts available.
Newly opened Bulgari hotel in Beijing
For luxury hotels ranging from 4 to 5 stars and above, the lowest room rate is about $100 per night depending on the room type and different hotels. Budget hotels start from around $20, still offering essential amenities suitable for cost-conscious travelers.
Must-Visit Tourist Attractions in Beijing, China
When talking about Beijing, it's impossible not to mention the historical landmarks of China, the magnificent natural landscapes that enchant countless international tourists.
The Great Wall of China – the emblem of authority
The majestic beauty of the Great Wall of China
The enchanting beauty of the Great Wall of China in winter
The Great Wall of China, also known as the Great Wall, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a renowned monumental military structure. Stretching 6,700 km, some even say it's visible from the moon. Standing atop, you can behold the entire natural beauty of China. It's the pride, the emblem of China and a destination every traveler desires to visit.
The Forbidden City
Inside the Forbidden City
This is undoubtedly the must-visit destination in Beijing that no traveler can afford to miss. The image of imperial palaces with the Forbidden City is a familiar backdrop in famous Chinese movies. Here, you will witness firsthand a vast array of unique architectures steeped in Chinese cultural heritage and historical significance.
Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square in Beijing
The square is the symbol of the capital city Beijing, once an important political center of the ancient dynasty. Although built over 600 years ago, the square still preserves its original architecture. With a ticket price of 15 RMB, you can freely explore Tiananmen Square - the site of significant events in Chinese history.
Summer Palace
Summer Palace from a distance
Built during the Qing Dynasty, this place has stood for over 800 years with various names. It used to be a favorite recreational spot for royal members. Empress Dowager Cixi named it the Summer Palace with the meaning of 'nurturing tranquility'. All the attractions within the Summer Palace are associated with stories of Empress Dowager Cixi, Emperor Qianlong, Emperor Guangxu, and more.
The mysterious beauty of the Summer Palace
Apart from the mentioned attractions, Beijing offers many other exciting entertainment spots. You can choose and arrange them to fit your schedule.
Shopping Experience in Beijing
When visiting Beijing, shopping enthusiasts cannot miss out on the bustling shopping destinations. From shopping malls to local markets, each place offers you a different shopping experience.
Indulge in shopping at shopping centers
China World Mall is a modern luxury shopping center with premium brands, making it the largest shopping area in Beijing. Here, you'll find upscale services such as beauty care, bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Night food market in Beijing
If you're looking for more affordable shopping, head to Hongqiao Market. As the largest market in Beijing, you can find almost anything here, from fashion items, souvenirs, toys to electronics. For food exploration, visit Wangfujing Street to enjoy a variety of delicious dishes and entertainment.
Items you can buy as gifts include: handicrafts and antiques; tea – a famous Chinese beverage; Chinese silk or pearls.
What to eat in Beijing? Delicious specialties in Beijing
Peking Roast Duck
When it comes to Beijing delicacies, you can't miss the world-famous Peking Roast Duck. Just visit any traditional restaurant in Beijing to enjoy this amazing dish.
Famous Peking Roast Duck
Soup dumplings
This is a traditional Chinese dish often eaten on festive occasions. Soup dumplings are made from wheat dough, filled with shrimp and pork, along with finely chopped vegetables. There are many ways to prepare soup dumplings such as steaming or boiling. You can enjoy soup dumplings on any street when traveling to Beijing.
Zha Jiang Mian noodles
This is a noodle dish with similarities to Western spaghetti. The noodles are boiled until cooked, then drained and mixed with sauce and some herbs or vegetables to enhance the flavor. What makes this dish special is the hot and savory sauce made from finely chopped meat sautéed with onions and various bean pastes. For those who enjoy spicy food, adding chili is an option.
Wonton noodles
Wonton noodles are also a unique and delicious traditional dish in Beijing that you should try. There are many types of wontons such as shrimp wontons, crab wontons, vegetable wontons, or mixed wontons to cater to the diverse tastes of diners. To make this dish, chefs need to prepare a broth made from simmering bones with radishes and dried shrimps. Imagine enjoying a hot bowl of wonton noodles on a cold day with its delicious aroma; it's hard to resist.
Stinky tofu
This dish is notorious just by its name, often causing people to grimace. Similar to shrimp paste, it has a strong and pungent smell, yet it's a beloved traditional dish among many Chinese people. It's made from fermented tofu, fried until golden brown before being sold on the streets of Beijing. Stinky tofu is usually served with chili sauce and pickled vegetables. Though its smell may give you pause, it's worth a try.
Lotus seed candy
Lotus seed candy is the most famous snack in Beijing, readily available for you to enjoy. It features a filling made from lotus seeds, jujube, or kumquat, wrapped in fruit skins according to the season. This visually appealing candy is not only believed to bring luck but also used as a remedy for digestive ailments.
Tea-infused boiled eggs
Instead of regular boiled eggs, this tea-infused boiled egg is infused with cinnamon, rock sugar, and herbs, giving it a delightful aroma when boiled. After absorbing the flavors, the shell is removed and boiled again. This dish is not only aromatic and sweet but also incredibly nutritious.
Travel Tips for Beijing
- Currency: USD is not widely accepted in Beijing, so it's best to have Chinese Yuan in cash. Also, carry an international payment card.
- Language: Most people in Beijing do not speak English, so it's helpful to learn some basic Mandarin phrases.
- If traveling by train to Beijing, bring food like sandwiches or instant noodles for the journey as train food can be expensive.
- Avoid accepting any invitations to buy Traditional Chinese Medicine to prevent scams.
- When visiting famous landmarks like the Forbidden City or Tiananmen Square, be sure not to litter or behave inappropriately.
- Avoid discussing political issues as locals can be sensitive about them.
Beijing is a destination with many attractions waiting to be explored. Hopefully, with these useful travel tips for Beijing, you'll have a complete journey full of joy.
