In history, Beijing has been able to impose itself as the indisputable capital of this vast political and territorial entity, China.Like Xi 'an and Luoyang, she was going to become the Emperor's city from the tenth century. Prefecture under the Emperor Qingshihuangdi (226 BC), it became for the first time capital under the Liao in 916, known as Nanjing; The Jin reclaimed it will be Zhongdu (capital of the Center) in 1153, and Emperor Kubilai Khan of the Yuan (1271-1368) settled in the Great Capital (Dadu) to govern the unified empire; Ming will leave Nankin to install the throne in 1421, and Beijing already known as Beijing will retain its privileged status until the fall of the last dynasty in 1911.The early years of the Republic will see it moving south, restoring importance to the southern rival, Nankin.After the turbulent and war times of the first decades of the twentieth century, Beijing gained the heart of new emperors, Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, and then became the capital of a nascent People's Republic.Each time has inscribed its footprint in the urban fabric of Beijing. This city of palaces, in the center of which today's Forbidden City of Ming and Qing, has preserved intact the wealth and splendor of these remarkable imperial residences: Beihai Park, Imperial remains of Liao and Yuan (Kublai Khan); the Summer Palace, former residence of the Jin (1115-1234) and the summer quarter of Emperors Qing; the ancient summer palace, the resort resort of Ming; all Xiangshan, the hunting club of the court, and finally the exuberance of Zhongnanhai (sea and south seas), Emperors' amusement park from the tenth century and residence of Mao Zedong and Politburo from 1949 onwards. Not to mention, of course, the last houses of the emperors, large funeral houses located in the Pekinese suburbs.For the tenth anniversary of the People's Republic (1959), Mao decided to break with the millennium tradition of the north-south axis governing the construction of the cities. It is about marking the urban space of its socializing reality. An east-west axis, Chang 'an Avenue of 40 km now cuts Tian An Men Square: 40 hectares (the size of the Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris) of concrete that has rhythmic history, and where monuments to the glory of the People's Republic.Beijing, the capital of the Chinese Empire, an ancient imperial city, is now an administrative, economic and cultural center in full modernization. Located south of the northern plain (at the same level as Rome), it dominates the vastness of mania and Mongolia-Interior (which it protected a few centuries earlier thanks to the Great Wall), while being close to the traditional cradle of China, the two provinces of Shaanxi and Shanxi.Direct access to the China Sea with the port of Tianjin, a hundred kilometers away, enables it to access international trade. Beijing-capital is dubbed the Beijing-Special Municipality, one of China's three self-managed metropolises (it has 10 districts and 8 counties).Exgrowth of the ancient imperial city, whose ramparts were slaughtered at the beginning of the People's Republic, this vast area of 750 km ² (Greater Beijing has 16,807 km ²) today reveals its many facets: classical imperial city, but also that of the small people (the important outside city Waicheng had been established under the Qing in front of the southern gate: Qianmen), a discreet burst of the western presence during the modern period in the Legations district (south of Wangfujing Avenue), the new regime inscribed on the doors of the Forbidden City, and the twenty-first century Beijing is rapidly emerging, the old heart redefines itself while urbanization is spreading on space device.Beijing, the imperial, had been kept away from the first wave of industrialization at the beginning of the century. This city of 21 million people had only one million in the 1920 s: its spectacular growth is the work of the People's Republic, a revolutionary machine that has restored the place of honor to those left behind for the Western modernization movement, linked to foreign influence and presence at the end of nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: industrial effort moves from coastal towns to those of the interior, Beijing recovers an important chemical and automotive industry. It is now the third industrial city in China. The opening of the last two decades has propelled the industrial sector to the forefront of the leading industries with Shanghai.This exuberant modernization has failed to eliminate the ancient character of the city of the five rivers (Yongding, Chaobai, Juma, Juhe and the Canal du Nord): Old imperial palaces and temples stand amidst vast parks, real paradise bathed in sparkling lakes.

What to visit Pekin 北京?

When to go to Pekin 北京?

The high tourist season covers the periods from March to October and the low season from November to February. Basically, spring/summer and autumn (high season) and winter (low season). Based on the lunar calendar, special events are held to celebrate Chinese New Year's Day (January to February), Lantern Festival (15 days after Chinese New Year) and around October 1st (national holiday). Be aware that at this time, it is difficult, not to rent a room but to visit anything as many provincial Chinese are so numerous to visit Beijing! Spring and autumn are generally the best times to travel to Beijing. Note: despite its temperatures well below zero, winter can be a good season to discover Beijing under blue skies if you are not too afraid of the cold.

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Weather at the moment

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Weather all year round

Beijing enjoys a continental climate (cold and dry in winter, hot and humid in summer) with temperatures that easily drop to -20°C in winter and rise - just as easily - to +40°C in summer. Spring and autumn are generally the best times to travel to Beijing. Nevertheless, winter can be a good time to discover Beijing under a blue sky if you are not too afraid of the cold.

Jan.
-11° /
Feb.
-8° /
Mar.
-1° / 11°
Apr.
/ 21°
May
13° / 27°
June
19° / 31°
Jul.
21° / 31°
Aug.
20° / 30°
Sept.
14° / 26°
Oct.
/ 20°
Nov.
-2° / 10°
Dec.
-8° /
Budget

The currency is the yuan or renminbi (RMB). The myth of China as an inexpensive destination is long gone! Today, a stay in Beijing costs about the same as a stay in a major Western city. Please note: in Beijing, many things are negotiated. Therefore, bring plenty of cash (it is easy to withdraw money from an ATM).

Procedures

To travel to China, you need a passport (valid for more than 6 months after the planned departure from the country) and a visa. The tourist visa (L visa) is valid for a maximum of 1 month. It costs 26 € and is available in 5 working days. To obtain the latter, you must present: a return flight ticket, a letter of invitation and/or proof of accommodation or a copy of hotel reservations for the entire duration of the stay, as well as a bank statement (to prove that you can support yourself once in Beijing) or a certificate from your employer and proof from your insurance company that you are covered in the event of medical repatriation.

Health

No vaccinations are required to travel to Beijing. Neither you nor your children are at risk, as long as you remember not to drink tap water (not drinkable) and to wash your hands as often as possible. These tips, along with basic hygiene, should help you make the most of your stay in Beijing.

A new virus, nCoV coronavirus, has been identified by Chinese authorities. It appeared in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei province, and is transmitted from human to human by air and causes illnesses ranging from a cold to more severe pathologies. Symptoms are similar to those of the flu (fever, cough and shortness of breath). In early February 2020, there were 500 deaths and 25,000 people infected. If you are planning to travel to China, you are strongly advised to consult theWHO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs websites.

How to go to Pekin 北京? Our advice & tips

Many tour operators offer Beijing as a program. The Chinese capital is often integrated into a tour that includes the rest of China. In this case, you will spend a few days there. But many tours will propose you to stay in Beijing, and to focus on its must-sees which combine imperial and modern China.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

You will have no difficulty in getting to Beijing. Many airlines offer daily direct flights or flights with stopovers to the Chinese capital. There are no security concerns. Beijing has become very safe for the whole family, although you should beware of pickpockets in the markets and tourist areas. The repression for aggressions committed on foreigners is also very severe. So don't be afraid!

Beijing is a very large city, but very well served (recently, and the network is constantly expanding): public transportation (subway, bus, minibus) will allow you not to waste time to reach the many points of interest in the city. However, be careful during rush hours because you will quickly see what "crowded" means...

Finally, cabs are an excellent way to get around, even if they are less available than a few years ago.

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Pictures and images Pekin 北京

Parc Ritan. Stéphan SZEREMETA
Mausolée de Mao. Stéphan SZEREMETA
Rue Wangfujing - Stands de restauration de rue. Author's Image
Cité Interdite, céramique de dragon, être céleste omniprésent. Stéphan SZEREMETA

Discover Pekin 北京

When to travel?

The high tourist season covers the periods from March to October and the low season from November to February. Basica...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

Beijing enjoys a continental climate (cold and dry in winter, hot and humid in summer) with temperatures that easily...
Read more about it

Budget

The currency is the yuan or renminbi (RMB). The myth of China as an inexpensive destination is long gone! Today, a st...
Read more about it

Formalities

To travel to China, you need a passport (valid for more than 6 months after the planned departure from the country) a...
Read more about it

Health

No vaccinations are required to travel to Beijing. Neither you nor your children are at risk, as long as you remember...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

You will have no difficulty in getting to Beijing. Many airlines offer daily direct flights or flights with stopovers...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

Many tour operators offer Beijing as a program. The Chinese capital is often integrated into a tour that includes th...
Read more about it

Getting around

Beijing is a very large city, but very well served (recently, and the network is constantly expanding): public transp...
Read more about it

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