Beijing Travel Guide 2025 - Plan Your Trip from Pakistan

Beijing is China’s historic capital, a city where imperial palaces, vast public squares and ancient alleyways stand alongside modern ring roads, high-speed trains and gleaming shopping malls. With more than 21 million residents and over 3,000 years of history, it offers one of the richest cultural experiences in Asia.

For travellers from Pakistan, Beijing is an excellent first step into China: you can visit world-famous landmarks such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, enjoy rich halal-friendly food options, and easily combine Beijing with Shanghai or another city using high-speed rail.

This updated 2025 guide is written with Pakistani visitors in mind. It covers the must-see attractions, best time to visit, visa and transit basics, transport, food and halal tips, sample itineraries, and how Malik Express Travel & Tours can design a smooth, worry-free China holiday for you.

Why Visit Beijing?

Beijing appeals to different kinds of travellers:

• History Lovers: UNESCO-listed sites such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and several Great Wall sections.
• Culture Seekers: traditional hutongs (old alleyways), local parks, temples and morning tai chi scenes.
  Families: easy day trips to the Great Wall, parks, lakes and interactive museums.
• City Fans: dramatic skylines, modern shopping districts and a growing café and restaurant scene.

You can experience both imperial China and the country’s rapid modern rise within the same trip.

Top Places To Visit In Beijing

1. The Great Wall Of China (Mutianyu or Badaling)

No Beijing trip is complete without seeing the Great Wall, one of the world’s most famous landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Popular sections near Beijing include:

• Mutianyu - Slightly further but usually less crowded than Badaling, with restored walls, cable car options and good family facilities.
• Badaling - The most visited section, with strong tourist infrastructure and easier access.
   

Plan at least half a day, ideally a full day, including travel time from the city.

Tips

• Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds.
• Wear comfortable shoes; sections can be steep.
• In winter, dress warmly and watch for icy steps; in summer, bring sun protection and water.

2. Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

The Forbidden City, now the Palace Museum, is the largest imperial palace complex in the world and another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was home to 24 emperors over nearly 500 years.

Right in front lies Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares on Earth and the symbolic heart of modern China.

What To Know

• Tickets are now mostly booked online with real-name registration; on busy days they can sell out, so advance booking is very important.
• Plan 3-4 hours inside the Forbidden City plus time for Tiananmen Square.

Jingshan Park just north of the Forbidden City offers a fantastic panoramic view of the whole complex.

3. Temple Of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven is a large religious complex where Ming and Qing emperors once prayed for good harvests. It combines elegant architecture with huge park areas where locals practice tai chi, dance and play traditional games.

Tips

• Mornings are best to see local life in the park.
• Allow 1-2 hours for a comfortable visit.

4. Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is a lakeside imperial retreat with pavilions, bridges, long covered corridors and gardens, centred around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill.

It Is Ideal For:

• Boat rides in warmer months
• Strolling through shaded walkways
• Photographing classic lake and pagoda views
• Plan 2-3 hours here and combine with a nearby attraction or relaxed evening.

 

5. Hutongs and Old Beijing Neighbourhoods

Beijing’s hutongs - narrow alleyways lined with traditional courtyard homes - show the everyday life of old Beijing.

Popular Hutong Areas:

• Around Shichahai and Houhai Lakes
• Near the Drum and Bell Towers

You can walk, rent bicycles or take a rickshaw tour. Look out for:

• Small family restaurants
• Local snack shops
• Courtyard guesthouses and tea houses

 

6. Olympic Park and Modern Beijing

The 2008 Olympic Games left Beijing with some striking modern architecture:

• Bird’s Nest (National Stadium)
• Water Cube (National Aquatics Center)
   

The area is especially impressive in the evening when buildings are lit up. You can combine a quick Olympic Park visit with a hutong walk or shopping district on the same day.

7. 798 Art District and Modern Culture

798 Art District is a converted factory area filled with galleries, studios, cafés and murals, showing the contemporary creative side of Beijing.

It is a good half-day visit if you enjoy:

• Galleries and concept stores
• Photography and street art
• Coffee shops and light meals
   

Best Time to Visit Beijing

Beijing has four distinct seasons. Most travel specialists recommend:

• Spring (April-May): Pleasant temperatures, blooming parks and moderate crowds.
• Autumn (September-October): Often considered the best time, with clear skies and comfortable weather.
• Summer (June-August): Hot and sometimes humid; occasional heavy rain but long daylight and busy city life.
• Winter (November-February): Cold and dry, with possible snow; fewer tourists and lower hotel prices except around Chinese New Year.
   

For most Pakistani visitors, April-May and September-October are ideal for sightseeing and Great Wall trips.

Visa And Transit Basics For Beijing (2025 Overview)

China has been gradually easing its visa and transit rules to attract more international visitors, including expanding the transit visa-free policy from 72 or 144 hours to 240 hours for eligible nationalities and ports.

Key Points To Understand:

• The 240-hour visa-free transit allows citizens of certain countries, when flying to a third country or region, to stay up to 10 days within designated areas that include Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei.
• To qualify, you must hold a passport from one of the approved countries, enter and exit through eligible ports, and have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country.
• Pakistani citizens are usually not on the current list of 240-hour visa-free nationalities, so they typically still need a regular China visa arranged in advance.
   

Because entry rules change, Pakistani travellers should:

• Confirm the latest regulations with the Chinese embassy or visa centre serving Pakistan.
• Verify whether any updated schemes or group-tour options apply by the time they travel.

Malik Express Travel & Tours can provide up-to-date guidance on visa types, documentation and realistic processing times for Pakistani passport holders based on current 2025 policies.

 

Getting Around Beijing

Airports and Arrival

Beijing is served by major airports such as Capital International (PEK) and the newer Daxing International (PKX), with strong domestic and international connections.

From the airport you can reach the city via:

• Airport express trains
• Metro lines and suburban rail
• Airport buses
• Taxis or ride-hailing services
• Metro and Public Transport

Beijing’s metro system is extensive and connects most tourist areas. Recent travel guides highlight it as the fastest way to move around for visitors.

Tips:

• Buy a rechargeable transport card for metro and buses.
• Avoid peak rush hours if possible.
• Keep an offline map or screenshot of metro lines.
• Taxis and ride-hailing apps are useful at night or for places not close to metro stations.

Where To Stay In Beijing

Popular areas for visitors include:

• Wangfujing / Dongcheng - Central, near the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and shopping streets.
• Qianmen / Hutong areas - More traditional feeling, close to historic sites and hutongs.
• Chaoyang (CBD / Sanlitun) - Modern area with embassies, malls and many restaurants.
• Near The Olympic Park - Good for families who like quieter surroundings and larger hotels.

Malik Express can match neighbourhoods to your preferences: heritage, shopping-focused, family-friendly or business-oriented.

Food And Halal Options

Beijing cuisine is famous for dishes such as:

• Peking duck
• Noodles and dumplings
• Lamb skewers and hotpot
• Various regional Chinese dishes from across the country
   

For Muslim and Pakistani Travellers:

• Beijing has established Muslim communities and mosques, particularly in older neighbourhoods, and many guides note a growing number of halal-certified restaurants.
• You can find halal Chinese, Middle Eastern and sometimes South Asian food, especially near certain mosques and commercial districts.
• When halal certification is unclear, choose seafood or vegetarian options.

Malik Express can recommend areas and sample restaurant lists that are more convenient for halal dining, based on your hotel location.

Practical Tips for Pakistani Travellers

• Carry both cash (Chinese Yuan) and an international card; mobile payments are increasingly common but not always straightforward for first-time visitors.
• Install translation and offline map apps before you arrive; English is limited outside tourist areas.
• Pre-book major attractions like the Forbidden City and some Great Wall tours to avoid ticket issues in high season.

China Highlights
 

• Dress in layers, especially in spring and autumn when temperatures change between day and night.
• Keep your passport, visa and hotel registration information accessible; you may be asked for ID at some checkpoints.
   

Suggested Itineraries

Classic 3-Day Beijing Itinerary

Day 1

• Morning: Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City
• Afternoon: Jingshan Park and nearby hutongs
• Evening: Wangfujing area for dinner and a walk

 

Day 2

• Full Day: Great Wall (Mutianyu or Badaling)
• Evening: Optional acrobatics or kung fu show

Day 3

• Morning: Temple of Heaven and park
• Afternoon: Summer Palace
• Evening: Free time for shopping or a night stroll around Houhai Lakes

5-Day Beijing + Extra Experiences

Day 1

Arrival, hotel check-in, easy walk nearby

Day 2

Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Jingshan Park

Day 3

Great Wall (Mutianyu or Jinshanling for more hiking)

Day 4

Temple of Heaven in the morning, 798 Art District in the afternoon

Day 5

Summer Palace and Olympic Park, then transfer for onward flight or train

Malik Express can extend this itinerary with Shanghai, Xi’an or another city using high-speed trains and domestic flights.

 

How Malik Express Travel & Tours Can Help

Travelling to China involves different visa rules, language and payment systems compared with many other destinations, which can make planning from Pakistan complex. Malik Express Travel & Tours provides tailored support so you travel with confidence.

What Malik Express Can Do For Your Beijing Trip:
 

• Explain current China visa requirements for Pakistani citizens and help you prepare a complete application file.
• Design customised Beijing itineraries including the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, hutongs, Olympic Park and 798 Art District.
• Arrange international flights from Pakistan, domestic connections, hotel bookings, airport transfers and guided tours.
• Recommend halal-friendly dining areas, mosque locations and daily schedules that respect prayer times.
• Support families, honeymooners, students and group travellers with packages that match different budgets and comfort levels.

 

Final Thoughts

Beijing in 2025 is a city where you can walk through imperial courtyards in the morning, climb the Great Wall in the afternoon and finish the day in a modern shopping district or peaceful hutong café. For travellers from Pakistan, it offers both deep history and modern comfort.

By using this guide, preparing carefully and partnering with Malik Express Travel & Tours for visas, flights and detailed planning, you can turn the idea of visiting Beijing into a well-organised, memorable journey through one of the world’s most fascinating capitals.