What to do once you land

Beijing

verify before you go

Airport → central Beijing (fastest legal route)

  1. From PEK (Capital): take the Capital Airport Express (机场快轨) to Dongzhimen (东直门) → transfer Metro Line 2 or 13.
  2. From PKX (Daxing): take the Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao (草桥) → transfer Line 10 or 19.
  3. Pay by international card tap or Alipay/WeChat metro QR.
  4. Official taxi from PEK to the centre is roughly ¥100–130; use the marked taxi queue, not touts.

Checked on: 2026-07-04Beijing Subway / Airport Express official; confirm fares on-siteOfficial source

Worth seeing · 1

Half-day central loop (under 24h stay)

  1. Metro Line 1 to Tiananmen East (天安门东) → Tiananmen Square → Forbidden City (故宫).
  2. ⚠️ Forbidden City requires an online ticket booked in advance with your passport and is closed Mondays — book before you go.
  3. Walk north to Jingshan Park (景山) for a skyline view over the palace.
  4. Great Wall (Mutianyu) is a half-day trip — only if you have 144h+.

Checked on: 2026-07-04General central-Beijing routing; Forbidden City booking rule publicOfficial source

Where to stay · 1

Hotels that accept foreign guests

  1. Book an international-brand or 4★+ hotel — these reliably accept foreign passports and complete the temporary-residence registration (临时住宿登记) at check-in.
  2. Many budget / hutong guesthouses cannot register foreigners; confirm it accepts foreign guests (涉外) before booking.
  3. Staying with friends: register at the local police station within 24h.

Checked on: 2026-07-04General guidance (temporary-residence registration rule)Official source

If you need a doctor · 1

English-speaking medical care

  1. Beijing United Family Hospital (北京和睦家医院) — 2 Jiangtai Rd, Chaoyang District; 24h service centre 4008-919191, ER +86-10-5927-7120; full English service.
  2. ⚠️ Call ahead to confirm current hours and whether an appointment is needed before travelling.

Checked on: 2026-07-04Beijing United Family official site / Wikipedia / travelchinaguide (2026); verify by phoneOfficial source

Paying for things · 1

Set up mobile payment before you rely on it

  1. Install Alipay before arrival: use 'Tour Pass' or link an international card (Visa/Mastercard/Amex/JCB); no Chinese bank/phone needed.
  2. Verify your passport in-app to raise limits (single transaction up to ~US$5,000).
  3. Under ¥200 free; ¥200+ about 3% fee. WeChat Pay is similar. Carry some backup cash.

Checked on: 2026-07-04Alipay-for-foreigners guides (2026); limits/fees may changeOfficial source

Phrases to show staff · 4

Transit area boundary check

您好，我用 240 小时过境免签从北京入境。请问［目的地］在北京允许停留的范围内吗？

Hi, I am using China's 240-hour transit policy and entered through Beijing. Can you help me confirm whether this destination stays inside the allowed Beijing or official linked area?

Airport to hotel

您好，我在北京［首都机场 PEK／大兴机场 PKX］，去［酒店区域］坐机场快轨换地铁最快吗？要换几号线？

Hi! I just landed at Beijing [Capital PEK / Daxing PKX]. Is the Airport Express + Metro the fastest way to [hotel area]? Which line should I transfer to?

Hotel foreign-guest check

您好，请问贵酒店可以接待外国护照的客人吗？入住需要办理临时住宿登记。

Hi, does your hotel accept foreign passport guests and handle temporary residence registration (临时住宿登记)?

English medical

您好，我是外国旅客，需要英文看诊。请问国际部现在开诊吗？需要预约吗？

Hi, I'm a foreign visitor and need an English-speaking doctor. Is the international department open now, and do I need an appointment?