Beijing

BEIJING CALLING: WOK THIS WAY TO EXPERIENCE OLD BEIJING WITH A MODERN TWIST

Beijing isn’t just a city, it’s an epic. A living museum of emperors, revolutions, and more noodle shops than you can count. One minute you’re gazing at centuries-old temples, the next you’re dodging scooters in a maze of back-alley hutongs. It’s where dynasties left their mark in stone and locals leave their mark in calligraphy, mahjong victories, and boiling hot pots. From the grandeur of its palaces to the rhythm of its alleyways, Beijing is a city of imperial dreams and spicy street snacks.

To explore the best of Beijing’s past and present, join one of our two incredible free walking tours run by our trusted local partner, Free Tours China. On the Free Tour of Beijing, you’ll unravel centuries of history from opera houses to iconic hutongs, all while discovering where to get the city’s best local eats. Want something more atmospheric? The Beijing: Hutongs and Lakes Free Tour takes you deep into the winding alleyways of old Beijing, past ancient courtyards, shimmering lakes, and the rhythm of everyday local life.

Of course, no trip to Beijing would be complete without stepping into the grand legends that shaped China. Hike along the Great Wall and feel history beneath your feet, literally. Wander through the Forbidden City, where emperors once ruled behind vermilion walls, and lose yourself in the tranquil beauty of the Summer Palace, where royal leisure met poetic landscapes.

Beijing is a city of juxtapositions: where the aroma of street food fills the air next to the hum of luxury cars, and ancient Confucian temples peacefully coexist with neon-lit karaoke joints. It’s a city that will leave its mark on you (likely in the form of a serious dumpling craving and a camera roll full of jaw-dropping photos).