Travel Guide To Beijing Capital, China

Beijing is the capital of the most populous country in the world, the People's Republic of China, and also its second largest city after Shanghai. It was also the seat of the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors until the formation of a republic in 1911. Beijing is the political, educational and cultural centre of the country and as such it is rich in historical sites and important government and cultural institutions.

The city is well known for its flatness and regular construction. There are only three hills to be found in the city limits (in Jingshan Park to the north of the famous Forbidden City). Like the configuration of the Forbidden City, Beijing has concentric "ring roads", which are actually rectangular, that go around the metropolis.

Beijing is characterised by its vastness and large distances between locations. Until recently, the city was almost entirely made up of hutongs with narrow lanes and single story buildings. Now, many of the hutongs have given way to broad boulevards and modern buildings, contributing to an airy, sprawling feel, in sharp contrast to cities like Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Beijing is the political centre of the country with official buildings and embassy areas dominating the city. Beijing is also the historical and cultural centre of China with many historical buildings and sites - especially within Ring Road Two. The city has undergone rapid modernisation in recent years, with improvements of institutions, business environment and work conditions.

Beijing was host to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

Beijing has a monsoon-influenced continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. The best time to visit is in September and October, during the "Golden Autumn". Spring is the season for dust storms and is otherwise warm and dry. Summer can be oppressively hot and the tourist crowds tend to be the largest as well; prevailing winds from the south trap pollutants (mountains lie to the north and west), making summer the worst season for air quality. Winter is cold and dry with infrequent, but beautiful, snow. Temperatures can easily fall below ?10 °C in winter and or just as readily rise above 35 °C in summer as well.

Getting there and getting around

Beijing can be reached in from around 28 locations in UK and Ireland with airlines such as British Airways, Air China, Ethihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, Swiss Airlines,Qatar Airways, FinnAir, AlItalia, KLM, Austrian, Air France, Delta, Malev Hungrarian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, American Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Continental Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Aerosvit Airlines, Afriqiyah Airways, Air Algerie, Air Astana, Air Zimbabwe, ANA, Asiana Airlines, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Egypt Air, Ethiopians Airlines, EVA Air, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, PIA,Rossiya Airlines, SAS, SriLankan Airlines, Thai Airways, Transaero Airlines, United and Uzbekistan Airways.

Beijing Capital International Airport is located to the northeast of the central districts, 26 km from the city centre. The airport, which was expanded at a furious pace to be ready in time for the 2008 Olympics, now has three terminals, broadly speaking divided as follows:

• Terminal 1: Hainan Airlines.
• Terminal 2: China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Skyteam.
• Terminal 3: Air China, Shanghai Airlines, One world, Star Alliance, Finnair.

Other modes of transport include train, bus, taxi, boat and car with various economical choices and packages.

Places to see

Some of the must-see places in / around Beijing are The Great Wall, The Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City,The Summer Palace, The Temple of Heaven, the Sacred Road, Hutongs, Lama temple, Beijing Zoo, Beihai Park, Beijing Capital Museum, Jingshan Park, Beijing Underground City, Ancient Observatory, Drum Tower, Bell Tower, Dongyue Temple, Imperial Temple of Emperors, Cow Street Mosque, Fayuan Temple, Bei Tang, Nan Tang, China Art Gallery, Beijing Royal Garden, Blue Zoo Beijing, Taipingyang Underwater World, 798 Art Zone, badaling Safari World, Shijingshan Amusement Park, Bixi Chuidiao Park, Kangxi Grassland, Bashang Grassland, MarcoPolo Bridge, Jiaozhuanghu Underground Tunnel, Dongsi Mosque, Beijing Planetarium, Stone Flower Cave, Jiufeng National Forest Park, Olympic Green, Beijing Badachu Park, Yanqi Lake, Yeya Lake, Shidu Scenic Area, The Workers Stadium, Xiannongtan Stadium, Ding tomb and The Sacred Way.

Food & Drink

The renowned eateries in / around Beijing include, but are not limited to, Afunti, Alameda, Aria, AT Cafe, Beijing Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant, Bellagio, Beijing fangshan resturantm Quanjude Roast Duck Resturant, Sciller's 111, Sampan Restaurant, Mutsuko Japnese Resturant, Courtyard Resturant,Taj Pavilion, Xiao Wang's Home Resturant, Phrik Thai, Annie's, Frank's Palace, Red Basil, Metro Cafe, T.G.I.Friday's, Asian Star, Kebab Cafe, Bleu Marine,Xi He Ya Ju Resturant, Red Capital club, Sgt.Pepper's, Jazz Ya and Arirang.

When it comes to drinking Beijing has got even more to offer. E.g.Apothecary, Amilal, China Bar, Maison Boulud, Face Bar, Stone Boat, Bed Bar, East Shore Live Jazz Cafe, Punk,Baby Face Pub, Banana, Propaganda, Angel Club, Club Mix, Tango Club, DODO Bar, Highland, Tea House, Souk, World of Suzie Wong, The Tree, Red Moon, Pass By Bar, Bed Tapas & Bar, Centro, Drum & Bell,No Name Bar, Beer Mania, Durty Nellies, Paddy O' Sheas's, Lush, The Den and Ichikura.

Entry Requirements - Visas

British nationals require visas to enter mainland China, but not Hong Kong or Macao. Visas must be obtained prior to arrival, including for Hainan Island. For details of entry requirements to China you should contact the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate in good time before your proposed trip. Chinese Visa policy requires that foreigners leave China to change a visa from one category to another.

Do not overstay your visa. Carefully check your visa validity as fines are levied for overstaying.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity

Your passport should have a minimum validity of six months on arrival in China.

Entry Requirements - Registering with the Chinese authorities

You must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Chinese authorities enforce this requirement. If you are staying in a hotel, registration is done on your behalf as part of the check-in process.

Entry Requirements - Stays of more than six months

If you are entering China for employment, study or private purposes for a stay of over six months, you must produce a health certificate, which includes a blood test for HIV, which has been legalised by the Chinese Embassy.

Entry Requirements - Travelling to Hong Kong

If you visit Hong Kong from the mainland of China and wish to return to the mainland, you will need a valid visa for the return journey, i.e. you will need to ensure your visa application shows that you will make two entries to the mainland.

Entry Requirements - Transiting China

If you are transiting China en route to a third country you do not require a transit visa if you are staying within the confines of the airport for less than 24 hours. If your stopover requires you to leave the airport, you will need a transit visa for both the outward and return journeys.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

For information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Chinese Embassy in London.

Contacts

China, Beijing, British Embassy
Address:
British Embassy Beijing
11 Guang Hua Lu
Jian Guo Men Wai
Beijing 100600

Telephone:
(+86) (10) 5192 4000 General enquiries only
(+86) (10) 8529 6083 Consular assistance for British nationals

Fax:
(+86) (10) 5192 4239
(+86) (10) 5192 4218 Trade & Investment
(+86) (10) 8529 6081 Consular

Office hours:
Office hours, Monday-Friday
08:30-12:00 / 13:30-17:00 (Local time)
00:30-04:00 / 05:30-09:00 (GMT)

Website: http://www.ukinchina.fco.gov.uk/en

Country	China
Time Zone	China standard time (UTC+8)
Postal Code	100000-102629
Area Code	10

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