China Travel Prep
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Beijing
Beijing arrival guide
Best prepared with entry timing, long transfer distances, and one realistic first-day sight.
Use this guide, then check your own details
Prepare the hotel information you will need on arrival.
The arrival check creates a driver card only from Chinese details you confirm; otherwise it gives you a verification checklist.
Before you fly
Save these before arrival
- Confirm whether you land at PEK or PKX; they are far apart.
- Book lodging near the subway line you expect to use most.
- Keep passport access handy for major sights and rail travel.
Arrival points
- Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
- Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)
- Beijing South Railway Station
Stay zones
- Dongcheng
- Wangfujing / Qianmen
- Sanlitun
First movement
Airport or station to lodging
Airport express rail can work if your hotel is near a transfer point; DiDi or official taxi is easier with bags.
First day anchor
Keep the first day simple
A hutong walk or Qianmen area, not a full Forbidden City day on arrival.
Arrival routes
From the airport or station
Capital Airport (PEK)
- Airport Express rail to a metro transfer
- DiDi or official taxi (easier with bags)
Daxing Airport (PKX)
- Daxing Airport Express
- DiDi or official taxi
PEK and PKX are far apart — confirm which one you land at.
Getting around
Local transport basics
- The subway is huge and cheap; transfers can involve long walks.
- Pay for the metro with an Alipay/WeChat transit QR or a single-journey ticket; both are easy once your wallet works.
- Carry your passport — major sights and rail need ID entry.
Common mistakes
What first-timers get caught out by
- Booking a hotel far from the subway line you'll use most.
- Attempting a full Forbidden City day straight off a long flight.
- Confusing PEK with PKX.
FAQ
Common questions
- Which Beijing airport will I land at?
- Either Capital (PEK) in the northeast or Daxing (PKX) in the south. They are far apart with different express trains, so confirm which one your flight uses before arranging a transfer.
- Do I need my passport for Beijing sights?
- Yes. Major sights like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, plus rail travel, require your physical passport for ID-based entry and ticketing.