Beijing travel guide

In Beijing, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall belong on different days; allow separately for the roughly 60 km from central hotels to Badaling.

Badaling Great Wall tickets cost 40 yuan in peak season and 35 yuan off-peak, bought on site.

It opens 6:30 to 16:30 from 1 April to 31 October and 7:30 to 16:00 from 1 November to 31 March.

The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays and requires real-name booking with your passport. Visa-free entry depends on your nationality; check the official sources before you travel.

Visa and entry requirements for China

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

• National Immigration Administration of China (National Immigration Administration, PRC)

According to the Beijing municipal government, Badaling Great Wall tickets are bought on site without booking: 40 yuan in peak season and 35 yuan off-peak, with concessions (students and others) at 20 yuan peak and 17.5 yuan off-peak. Under-18s, over-60s and people with disabilities enter free with proof. It's in Yanqing District, about 60 km northwest of central Beijing.

The Forbidden City is listed at 60 yuan from April to October and 40 yuan from November to March, and is closed on Mondays. Real-name booking is required and you must bring your passport. Prices and booking methods may change, so check the official booking screen before you go.

Badaling closes early, so set off in the morning. Opening hours differ between peak and off-peak seasons, so check your month first. Tickets are sold on site, so holiday queues need checking on the day.

The two are in different directions, so doing both on one day eats the whole day in travel. Finish the Forbidden City day in the centre, and don't add anything else on your Badaling day.

Badaling from the Beijing municipal government; the Forbidden City from a travel information site. Prices may change.

With 2 nights: on day one, come into the city from the airport and see the Forbidden City; go to Badaling on day two, setting off in the morning because it closes early.

With 4 nights: keep the first two days in the same order, spend day three at leisure in the city, and allow plenty of time for the airport on day four.

Plan meals in Beijing around Peking duck, zhajiangmian, hotpot and jianbing: something light like zhajiangmian or jianbing for lunch, and Peking duck or hotpot for dinner. We don't pick specific shops or prices here.

China offers visa-free entry to nationals of certain countries for limited purposes and periods, and these policies have fixed end dates. Check whether your nationality qualifies, and for how long, on the official sources before you travel. Bring evidence of your visit such as your passport, flights and hotel bookings. The Forbidden City uses real-name booking, so you need your passport details.

Before you leave Beijing

• Check passport validity
• Check visa-exemption eligibility and dates for your nationality
• Book the Forbidden City under your real name
• Check Badaling opening hours
• Check entry requirements on the official sources

• First time in Beijing: the Forbidden City on day one, Badaling on day two.
• Worried about passport booking: prepare your passport details first for the Forbidden City's real-name booking.
• Visiting in winter: Badaling is open 7:30 to 16:00 from November to March.