Beijing Travel Guide After 5 Visits

Hey everyone👋! This travel expert just returned from an amazing trip to Beijing! Beijing in April is breathtakingly beautiful😭! The crabapple blossoms at the Forbidden City, the lively atmosphere in the hutongs, the delicious food at time-honored restaurants... everything is absolutely captivating! Here's my fresh travel guide for you to explore the capital city with me~ 📍 Beijing, our nation's capital, is a charming city where ancient and modern blend perfectly! It has royal historical sites like the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace that carry thousands of years of history🏯, as well as modern landmarks full of trendy vibes like 798 Art District and Sanlitun. In April, Beijing is filled with spring charm🌷, with cherry blossoms at Yuyuantan Park, crabapple flowers at the Forbidden City, and peonies at Jingshan Park all blooming together. Even the old locust trees in the hutongs are sprouting new buds - every photo you take will be atmospheric! 🚇 Transportation Guide ✈️ By Air: Capital International Airport/Daxing International Airport. Take the airport express train, shuttle bus, or taxi into the city - the express train is the most convenient! 🚄 By Train: Beijing Station, Beijing West Station, and Beijing South Station have numerous trains. The subway takes you directly to attractions after arrival - super convenient! 🚌 City Transportation: Extensive subway coverage; download "Yitonghang" app for QR code rides. Buses charge by distance, remember to scan when getting on and off~ Shared bikes are perfect for exploring hutongs, creating a great riding atmosphere! 🗺 Recommended Itineraries Day 1: Classic Central Axis Tour Tiananmen Square → Forbidden City → Jingshan Park → Shichahai Watch the flag-raising ceremony in the morning🇨🇳, then rush to the Forbidden City! In April, crabapple blossoms cover the red walls - absolutely gorgeous! Climb Jingshan for a panoramic view of the Forbidden City, enjoy street food in Shichahai hutongs in the evening, and experience the lively bar street after dark~ Day 2: Royal Gardens + Trendy Spots Summer Palace → Old Summer Palace → Tsinghua/Peking University (exterior views) → Olympic Park Boat on Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace in the morning, explore the Old Summer Palace in the afternoon to feel its historical changes. In the evening, see the Bird's Nest and Water Cube lit up at Olympic Park - very high-tech! Day 3: Art Meets Trend 798 Art District → Wudaoying Hutong → Yonghe Temple → Guozijian Street See exhibitions and take photos at 798, drink coffee and pet cats in Wudaoying Hutong, pray at Yonghe Temple, then explore Guozijian Street to experience the wonderful fusion of ancient and modern culture~ 📌 Practical Tips 🎫 Tickets: Places like the Forbidden City and Summer Palace require reservations 7 days in advance through their official WeChat accounts! Tickets sell out quickly during peak season, so be fast! ⏰ Timing: The Forbidden City opens at 8:30 AM; arrive early to avoid crowds. For the flag-raising ceremony, check sunrise times in advance - you'll need to line up before dawn! 📸 Photos: Wearing Hanfu or qipao at the Forbidden City is perfect; rock a cool style at 798 for street shots! 🍜 Food Recommendations 1️⃣ Peking Duck: Crispy duck skin dipped in white sugar, duck meat wrapped in pancakes with scallions and cucumber - juicy with every bite! Head straight to Siji Minfu or Da Dong~ 2️⃣ Luzhu Huoshao: Braised intestines, lungs, and fried bread cooked to perfection - a delight for those who love strong flavors! The most authentic is in Mengkuang Hutong! 3️⃣ Zhajiang Noodles: Hand-pulled noodles covered in thick sauce, paired with bean sprouts and cucumber strips - so delicious you'll lick your fingers! Must try at Fangzhuanchang No. 69~ 4️⃣ Douzhir and Jiaoquan: Classic Beijing breakfast! Sour bean drink with crispy fried rings and pickles is amazing (but an acquired taste!) 5️⃣ Baodu: Fresh tripe blanched for 8 seconds, dipped in sesame paste and chive flowers - crispy and tender! The century-old shop in Mengkuang Hutong is super authentic~ 6️⃣ Ludagun: Glutinous rice wrapped around red bean paste, coated with soybean flour - soft and sweet. Buy without hesitation from Daoxiangcun! ⚠️ Tips 1️⃣ Big temperature differences in Beijing in April! Bring a light jacket🧥 that you can take off when it gets hot at noon~ 2️⃣ Attractions are far apart, wear comfortable sneakers! Walking 20,000 steps a day is normal... 3️⃣ You need to check bags when visiting Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Military Museum, etc. - travel light! 4️⃣ Don't miss the hidden delicious food in the hutongs~ Everyone, Beijing in April is full of surprises! Save this guide and enjoy your spring trip to Beijing~💖