James Joyce Coffetel (Beijing West Railway Station, Lianhua Bridge)

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 . The offers lakeside gardens and grand pavilions, while the is a masterpiece of Ming architecture set in a large park. and provide classic imperial gardens and a hilltop view over the . For a different era, the is a richly decorated active Buddhist monastery.