Quick answer
- Beijing rewards planning. The big sights use real-name, passport-based advance booking, and some never sell same-day tickets. The good news is that getting around is easy: the subway takes contactless foreign cards at every gate. This guide covers airports, transport, the booking rules for the top sights, and where to base yourself.
Arriving: the two airports
Beijing has two international airports: Capital (PEK) in the north-east and Daxing (PKX) in the south. Check which one is on your ticket.
| From | Rail option | Fare | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital (PEK) | Capital Airport Express (首都机场线) | ¥25 one way | Terminal 3 / Terminal 2 → Sanyuanqiao → Dongzhimen |
| Daxing (PKX) | Daxing Airport Express (大兴机场线) | Standard carriage: ¥10 / ¥25 / ¥35 by distance (over 30 km = ¥35). Business carriage: flat ¥50 | Runs to Caoqiao (草桥) in the south of the city |
Sources: Beijing Municipal Government (PEK); Beijing rail operator fare rules for the Daxing line.
Other options: Beijing's official guide says taxis from the airports to the city cost about ¥60–200 and run 24/7. Shuttle buses cost ¥20–55. Most drivers don't speak English, so have your address in Chinese (Beijing Municipal Government). At Daxing, the "Beijing Service" counter helps visitors buy airport bus and express tickets (Beijing Municipal Government). Both airports have free Wi-Fi. With a foreign number, scan your passport at a Wi-Fi dispenser machine to get a login (Beijing Municipal Government).
Arriving by high-speed rail? See our 12306 trains guide. Every major Beijing station connects to the subway (check the exact line in Amap).
Getting around: the subway
The subway is the fastest way across the city. You have four ways to pay:
- Tap your own card. Since 13 September 2024, every Beijing subway station accepts overseas bank cards at the gates (Beijing 12345 hotline). Since 15 June 2025, Beijing's urban rail accepts UnionPay, Mastercard, Visa, JCB and American Express contactless cards on all 29 lines, including both airport lines, at every gate. You tap in and tap out (Beijing Municipal Government). Phones and watches with a supported card work too (Beijing Municipal Government).
- Alipay Metro QR code. In Alipay: Travel → Metro → Claim now, accept the terms, enter your payment password, then scan the code at the gate (Beijing Municipal Government).
- Ticket machine. Switch to English, pick your station, and pay by WeChat, Alipay, card or cash.
- Beijing Pass. A smart card for foreign visitors, sold at the international arrival terminals of both airports. It works on public transport and at some attractions.
Tip: Amap's English mode plans subway routes well. See Amap vs Apple Maps. For taxis, see DiDi and taxis.
Top sights and their booking rules
The Palace Museum (Forbidden City, 故宫博物院)
Strictest booking in town, so plan around it (Palace Museum notice; Palace Museum ticketing):
- No same-day tickets. Tickets go on sale 7 days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time.
- Real-name booking with your passport. One ticket per passport per day. Tickets can't be transferred, and the date and session can't be changed.
- Closed Mondays, except public holidays.
- Enter only at the Meridian Gate (午门) with the passport you booked with. Exit by the Gate of Divine Prowess (神武门) or East Prosperity Gate (东华门).
- Sessions: morning ticket holders must check in by 12:00. Afternoon ticket holders can't check in before 11:00.
- Official channels only: the "故宫博物院" WeChat mini-program and the English booking site bookingticket.dpm.org.cn. The museum says it has authorised no third-party agents.
- Refunds: cancel unused tickets by 24:00 the day before through the channel you booked with. Later cancellations count as a no-show.
Tiananmen Square (天安门广场)
Free, open 05:00–22:00, and you need a reservation. Book through the WeChat mini-program "天安门广场预约参观" or the other channels listed by the city (Beijing Municipal Government). The web portal doesn't accept foreign phone numbers. Use the WeChat mini-program's 个人预约 (Personal Reservation), with up to 7 people per order and a name and passport number for each (Beijing 12345 hotline).
Shortcut: if you've booked the National Museum of China (or another designated site) for that day, your booking record also gets you into the square. No separate square booking needed (Beijing 12345 hotline).
National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆)
Free, but you must book with your ID (NMC; NMC notice):
- Open 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00). From 1 June to 31 October it closes at 17:30 (last entry 16:30). Closed Mondays except public holidays.
- Book up to 7 days ahead. New slots are released daily at 17:00. There are three entry time slots.
- Up to 5 people per booking and one booking per account per week. Cancellations still count toward your limits.
- Enter at the North Gate with your passport, during your time slot.
- Getting there: Metro Line 1 to Tian'anmen East, Exit C or D.
The Great Wall at Badaling (八达岭长城)
Badaling's ticketing platform, "长城内外", lets foreigners book with a passport. At the gate you can check in with your passport, a QR code or a paper ticket. The ticket windows accept foreign cards (Beijing Foreign Affairs Office). We couldn't confirm current prices or whether same-day tickets are sold, so book ahead online (check locally).
Where to stay
Choose by subway line, not by district name.
- Near Line 1 / Line 2: central for Tiananmen, the Palace Museum and the National Museum (Line 1, Tian'anmen East).
- Near Dongzhimen: handy for Capital Airport, since the airport express ends there.
- Near Caoqiao or along the south of the city: handy for Daxing Airport.
Before you book, check that the hotel accepts foreign guests (see our hotel registration guide) and save its Chinese address.
Food basics
- Payment: Alipay or WeChat Pay with a linked foreign card works almost everywhere. Carry some cash as backup. See Using a foreign card in China.
- Ordering: table QR menus and delivery are covered in Ordering food on Meituan/Ele.me.
Related guides
240-hour visa-free transit · DiDi and taxis · Amap vs Apple Maps · Ordering food
FAQ
How far ahead can I book the Forbidden City?
Tickets go on sale 7 days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time. There are no same-day tickets, and the museum is closed on Mondays except public holidays.
Can I book with my passport?
Yes. The Palace Museum, National Museum and Tiananmen Square all accept passports. Bring the original passport you booked with.
Can I use my Visa or Mastercard on the Beijing subway?
Yes. Contactless UnionPay, Mastercard, Visa, JCB and American Express cards work at every gate on all lines, including the airport expresses.
How do I get from Capital Airport to the city?
Take the Capital Airport Express to Dongzhimen for ¥25, or join the official taxi queue (about ¥60–200).
Do I need a reservation for Tiananmen Square?
Yes. Book through the "天安门广场预约参观" WeChat mini-program, or book the National Museum, which covers the square for that day.
Sources
- Beijing Municipal Government — 202005/t20200516 1899219.html
- bjmoa.cn — newsInfo 7212.html
- Beijing Municipal Government — trafficsix/index.html
- Beijing Municipal Government — 202408/t20240830 3785706.html
- Beijing Municipal Government — 202408/t20240830 3785643.html
- Beijing Municipal Government — 202512/t20251229 4374803.html
- Beijing Municipal Government — 202506/t20250616 4113709.html
- Beijing Municipal Government — 202509/t20250925 4210196.html
- Palace Museum — singles detail/259831.html
- Palace Museum — ticket.dpm.org.cn
- Palace Museum — bookingticket.dpm.org.cn
- National Museum of China — visit 692
- National Museum of China — 202507/t20250725 272247.shtml
- Beijing Municipal Government — 202603/t20260325 4566110.html
- Beijing Municipal Government — 202506/t20250619 4117006.html
- Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office — 202407/t20240705 3739220.html
Last checked 12 November 2026. Rules and app menus change; if something's outdated, let us know.
Do you need a visa for China?
Pick your passport, entry city and dates. We check the 30-day visa-free list, 240-hour transit, mutual agreements and Hainan rules, using official data verified on 12 November 2026.