James Joyce Coffetel (Beijing Drum Tower)

The best time to visit Beijing is in April, May, September, and October, when temperatures are mild and rainfall is low. June is the hottest month, with highs around 33°C, while July and August are the rainiest, with frequent showers and high humidity. Winter months are cold and dry, with January averaging 2°C, but they offer clear skies and fewer crowds.

For first-time visitors, stay near Wangfujing or the Forbidden City area, close to the Palace Museum and Tiananmen Square, with hotels like Sunworld Hotel Wangfujing and Novotel Beijing Peace. For nightlife and dining, Sanlitun suits those wanting bars and restaurants, with Kuntai Royal Hotel Beijing nearby. The CBD/Guomao area is convenient for business travelers, with Radegast Hotel CBD Beijing. For a quieter, more local feel, consider the area around the Beijing Exhibition Center and Xizhimen, with Empark Grand Hotel Beijing.

Start with the Palace Museum, the vast imperial complex at the heart of the city, and its adjacent Tiananmen Square. The Summer Palace offers lakeside gardens and grand pavilions, while the Temple of Heaven is a masterpiece of Ming architecture set in a large park. Beihai Park and Jingshan Park provide classic imperial gardens and a hilltop view over the Forbidden City. For a different era, the Lama Temple is a richly decorated active Buddhist monastery.

The full-day tours from Beijing go to Xi'an for the Terracotta Warriors, and to Mutianyu or Badaling for the Great Wall, plus the Ming Tombs. A city tour covers the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven. For a classic day trip, the Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling is the top choice, and Xi'an is a longer excursion.

Plan 4 to 5 days in Beijing. In 3 days, you can see the Palace Museum, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace. Add a fourth day for Beihai Park, Jingshan Park, and the Lama Temple. If you want to visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling, add an extra day for that trip.