art and culture
The Lonely Planet guide to Beijing’s Forbidden CityAug 6, 2025 • 10 min read
The ghosts of the emperors of China haunt the 9999 rooms of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Here's how to get more from the world's largest palace.
Beijing Travel Stories
activities14 of the best things to do in BeijingJun 30, 2025 • 8 min read
Discover the best things to do in Beijing, from historic hutongs and the Great Wall to street food, royal palaces and vibrant local culture.
destination practicalitiesHow to get around in Beijing: A guide to navigating the cityApr 14, 2025 • 5 min read
Navigating your way through Beijing can feel intimidating. Let us help you by demystifying how to get around the Chinese capital.
public transportTop day trips from Beijing: Explore nearby attractionsApr 6, 2025 • 9 min read
Beijing offers a dizzying variety of things to see and do, and the adventures don't stop at the city limits. Here are the top five day trips from Beijing.
activitiesBeijing for free: art and architecture, history and hutongsFeb 23, 2024 • 6 min read
It’s not hard to take in the scope of Beijing without spending a single yuan, thanks to our list of the city’s 10 best free experiences.
historyHow visiting the world’s busiest museums has changedJul 7, 2020 • 5 min read
As some of the most popular museums in the world reopen, here are the new COVID rules and restrictions that visitors can expect.
Trailblazers: crossing into China as a Lonely Planet writer in the 1980sJul 7, 2019 • 8 min read
Our Trailblazers series sees Lonely Planet's guidebook writers reflect on past adventures, reminisce a little, and compare their experiences past and…
foodBeijing on a budgetMay 8, 2015 • 7 min read
China’s breakneck rise – in 2014 it became the country with the world’s biggest economy – means that it’s no longer quite the budget destination it used…