How to Visit the Capital City of China on a 12-Hour Beijing Layover?

Make the most of your 12-hour layover in Beijing by exploring its iconic landmarks, cultural heritage, and culinary delights. Discover the vibrant energy of China's capital city, immersing yourself in its rich history and bustling streets for a memorable experience.

Beijing, the vibrant capital of the People’s Republic of China, wasn’t originally on our travel radar. As we mentioned in our previous post about the Great Wall of China  (check it out here), the idea to visit came up while planning our trip to Australia to visit Rafael’s sister who lives in Sydney. After a long night flight, we landed early in the morning at Beijing Airport and immediately set off to explore the city on a quick tour. We found flight options that allowed us to stop over and spend a few hours discovering this fascinating metropolis.

As one of the largest cities in the world, Beijing offers an incredible array of sights and experiences. With over 3,000 years of rich history woven into its streets, it’s impossible to see everything in just a day — or even several. But if you find yourself with a short stopover, it’s definitely worth seizing the chance to get a glimpse of this sprawling metropolis and its unique blend of ancient traditions and modern energy. In this post, we’ll guide you through everything you need to make the most of a 12-hour layover in Beijing, from key highlights to practical tips for exploring the city efficiently.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Beijing, the sprawling capital city of China, is a captivating blend of ancient history and modernity. As one of the world's most populous cities, it offers a wealth of attractions, from iconic landmarks like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City to bustling markets and vibrant neighborhoods. Our layover in Beijing was part of our return journey from Australia to Europe, with a 12-hour stopover providing a perfect opportunity to explore the city's highlights. Despite the limited time, we were determined to make the most of our visit, eager to experience the unique charm and cultural richness of China's capital. With careful planning and efficient transportation options, we embarked on a whirlwind adventure, immersing ourselves in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Beijing.

PRACTICAL TIPS

China has established a good and fairly easy system of visas for long layovers. Indeed, different categories of visas exist depending on how long your layover is: 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit, 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit and 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit. The steps to get these documents are relatively easy: upon arrival at Beijing Airport, you need to go to the "24/144-Hour International Transfer" line, there you will be asked to fill in a form and a visa application as well as to show your passport and the boarding pass with confirmed seats for your next flight as a proof that you are on a transit in China. For more information about visas, please check here this useful website.

Our flight landed in Beijing at 11.30 a.m. and departed that same evening at 11:30 p.m., allowing us to have 12 full hours there. The Forbidden City & Jingshan Park & Hutong Tour itself lasts around 6 to 7 hours (depending on how long you stay at each site). It takes around 1 hour by car to reach the center of Beijing from the airport, which means a total of two hours drive with the way back. Thus, we recommend going on a tour only if you have at least a 8 or 9-hour layover.

We basically chose the easy way and booked a tour through a tour agency. We thought it was the best option and we absolutely don't regret it! After a flight of almost 12 hours, we were exhausted and wouldn't have had the patience to deal with all the logistics required. Don't forget that most Chinese people do not speak English fluently and that most signs are written in Mandarin.

Navigating from Beijing Capital International Airport to the city center is relatively straightforward, ensuring you can maximize your layover time exploring the vibrant streets of the capital. Here are some convenient transportation options:

• Airport Express Train: The Airport Express is a fast and efficient way to reach downtown Beijing. The train connects Terminal 3 with Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen stations in the city center. Tickets cost approximately 25 CNY (around 4 USD) for a one-way journey.
• Taxi: Taxis are readily available outside the airport terminals and offer a convenient door-to-door service to your accommodation or preferred attractions in Beijing. Fares from the airport to the city center typically range from 100 to 150 CNY (approximately 15 to 23 USD), depending on your exact destination.
• Airport Shuttle Bus: Airport shuttle buses operate routes to various locations in Beijing, including major hotels and transportation hubs. This option is budget-friendly, with fares ranging from 20 to 30 CNY (around 3 to 5 USD) for a one-way trip.
• Ride-Hailing Services: Popular ride-hailing apps like Didi are widely used in Beijing and offer a convenient option for getting around the city. Prices vary depending on the distance traveled and the time of day, but a typical ride from the airport to the city center may cost around 80 to 120 CNY (approximately 12 to 18 USD).

With various transportation options available, getting from Beijing Capital International Airport to the city center is both convenient and affordable, ensuring you make the most of your 12-hour layover exploring the vibrant sights and sounds of China's dynamic capital.

LAYOVER TOUR INFORMATION

We booked our tour through Layover Tour Beijing. The tour we chose was based on the "Mutianyu Great Wall & Forbidden City & Hutong Layover Tour" (check it here) except that as we got to Beijing airport around noon, we were not able to enter the Forbidden City. Instead, we asked to go to the Jingshan Park to get a view of the Forbidden City from up the hill. Therefore, we advise you to visit either the Great Wall or Beijing.

The agency is very flexible so don't hesitate to tell them what you'd like to visit, the staff will create a tailor-made program for you. Everything is taking care of, so you have nothing to worry about! On the day of the layover, our guide picked us up at the airport and later on took us to our car with a dedicated drive who was ready to take us on our tour.

For the Forbidden City & Jingshan Park & Hutong Tour, the price is 240 USD per person. But keep in mind that the more you are, the cheapest it becomes (276 USD for two people)! In order to book and confirm the tour, half of the total amount must be transferred via PayPal; the other half must be paid at the end of the tour, preferably in Chinese Yuan (CNY). So pay attention to the conversion and do not forget to withdraw cash at the airport before you leave (you'll need some extra cash).

The price covers the admission fee to the Forbidden City, ensuring you can explore this iconic landmark without any extra entrance costs. It also includes the services of an experienced English-speaking tour guide who will provide insightful commentary and answer your questions throughout the visit. Additionally, transportation is provided with a comfortable vehicle driven by a professional driver, making your journey between sites smooth and hassle-free. However, please note that the price does not include meals, personal expenses, or gratuities. Tips for the guides and drivers are also not covered and are generally appreciated but remain at your discretion.

HISTORY

Beijing is an ancient city with a rich history dating back over 3,000 years. Originally known as Jin City during the Zhou Dynasty (21st century BC – 771 BC), it is one of China’s four great ancient capitals, alongside Xi’an, Luoyang, and Nanjing, and remains the best preserved of them all. The city is also renowned as a cradle of Chinese civilization and culture.

Since Emperor Qin unified China in 221 BC, Beijing has played a central role in the country’s northern region. For more than 800 years, it was home to over 30 emperors who ruled from its majestic palaces. This era saw the construction of the iconic Forbidden City, a symbol of imperial power and architectural brilliance.

However, Beijing faced turmoil at the end of the Qing Dynasty, especially during the First World War, when many imperial palaces were looted or destroyed. On October 1, 1949, the founding of the People’s Republic of China marked a new chapter as Beijing was taken over by the Communists and officially became the capital city, a status it holds to this day.

LAYOVER TOUR itinerary

The Forbidden City is the most emblematic place of Beijing. We wished we had time to explore it and visit its many palaces. As we didn't have much time, our guide showed us the Gate of the Heavenly Palace, which is the main entrance of the Forbidden City. The construction of the Forbidden City first started at the beginning of the 15th century. Back then, it was built as the Palace of the Ming Emperors. The Forbidden City encompasses hundreds of buildings and around 9.000 rooms, these constitute the Imperial Palace complex in Beijing. It hosted 24 Emperors during the Ming and the Qing Dynasties for almost 500 hundred years (from 1368 to 1911).

The Gate of the Heavenly Palace is the symbol of modern China and is also the emblem of China. It measures 66 meters long, 37 meters wide and 32 meters high. The largest of the five gateways, located at the center, was used as the entrance passage for the Ming and Qing Emperors, while the smaller ones located on the sides were used by ministers and officials. Above the central archway hangs a large portrait of Mao Zedong (former President of China).

| Opening hours |

daily from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30-5 p.m.

| Admission - between 40 and 60 CNY (6-9 USD) |

The iconic square of Beijing is the 7th largest square in the world (4.7 million square feet). On this square, several monuments and buildings can be visited: the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, as well as the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. It is on the Tiananmen Square that on 1st October 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China.

A large number of events took place on this gigantic square. Perhaps the most notable event is the Tiananmen Square protest of 1989 which occurred after the death of Hu Yaobang (the then General Secretary of China). His death was one of the triggering element of this demonstration. In fact, pro-democracy protesters peacefully called for political reform in the country. Military units were deployed to the Tiananmen Square and thousands of protesters were killed. As of today, the government of China never acknowledged this massacre and the exact number of people who lost their lives is still unknown.

| Opening hours - daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. |

| Admission - free of charge |

The Gate of Divine Prowess (Shenwumen) is the northern gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing, directly aligned with the central axis and facing Jingshan Park. Originally constructed in 1420 and formerly known as Xuanwumen, it was renamed during the Qing Dynasty to reflect the symbolic power and protection associated with the mythological god Zhenwu, who governed the north. The gate once served as an important access point for the palace’s inner staff and security. Though it suffered damage in later years, it was restored and remains one of the most historically significant structures in the Forbidden City. Its location also offers a perfect perspective for visitors heading toward or coming from Jingshan Hill.

Jingshan Park is a peaceful and scenic royal garden located just north of the Forbidden City, right in the heart of Beijing. Built during the Ming Dynasty, this meticulously landscaped park once served as an imperial garden for the emperors and remains one of the best places to take in panoramic views of the city. The park’s central hill — an artificial mound created using soil excavated from the nearby moat and palace grounds — is the highest point in historic Beijing, offering a breathtaking overlook of the Forbidden City and surrounding skyline.

Originally used for leisure and ritual purposes, the park was home to fruit trees, elegant pavilions, and ceremonial sites where emperors made offerings to their ancestors. The hill itself features five distinct peaks, each crowned with a traditional pavilion. Inside each pavilion once stood a Buddha statue, each representing one of the five traditional Chinese flavors: bitter, sour, sweet, pungent (acrid), and salty—symbolizing balance and harmony in both nature and life. Jingshan Park is not only a peaceful escape from the busy city but also a place rich in imperial history and cultural symbolism.

| Opening hours |

Summer: daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Winter: daily from 6.30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

| Admission - 2 CNY (0,30 USD) |

Although we didn’t have time to visit inside, we did pass by the impressive Drum and Bell Towers—an iconic pair that once served as the timekeeping heart of ancient Beijing. Originally built in 1272 during the Yuan Dynasty and later rebuilt during the Ming and Qing periods, these towers marked the rhythm of daily life in the imperial capital. The Drum Tower originally housed one large drum and 24 smaller ones used to announce the time, though only the large drum survives today. With their commanding views over the traditional hutongs and historic rooftops, the towers remain powerful symbols of old Beijing and are definitely worth a visit if time allows.

| Opening hours - daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |

| Admission - 30 CNY (4-5 USD) |

Hutongs are the narrow alleys that weave through Beijing’s traditional neighborhoods, offering a fascinating glimpse into the city’s historic charm and everyday life. One of the oldest and most well-known is Yandai Xiejie (Tobacco Pipe Lane), famous since the Qing Dynasty for selling calligraphy tools, smoking pipes, and antiques. Though many hutongs face modern challenges — like the lack of proper plumbing — they remain lively and full of character. Wandering these winding lanes is one of the best ways to experience local culture: peek into courtyard homes, browse quirky shops, snack on street food, and soak in the authentic atmosphere that sets Beijing apart.

Shichahai is a picturesque and historic area in northwest Beijing, consisting of three interconnected lakes: Qianhai, Houhai, and Xihai. Among them, Houhai — meaning “Rear Sea” — stands out as a tranquil, man-made lake that was once exclusively used by the royal family during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). At that time, the area also served as a lively royal entertainment district, home to wine shops, opera stages, and teahouses, all reserved for nobility. Today, Shichahai is open to everyone and has become a beloved spot for both locals and tourists, offering a peaceful setting filled with historic charm and waterfront cafés.

Nearby, the Silver Ingot Bridge (Yinding Qiao) adds to the area’s cultural appeal. Named for its resemblance to a traditional silver ingot, the stone bridge connects Qianhai and Houhai and is known as one of Beijing’s "Eight Great Sceneries" for its iconic view of the Western Hills. Originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty, the bridge is now a protected cultural relic and remains a favorite photo spot, especially at sunset, when its curved silhouette reflects beautifully in the water below.

To finish the day on a food note, we advise you to stop at the Karouji restaurant, a traditional Chinese restaurant which was recommended to us by our guide. Do not leave Beijing without trying its main specialty: the Peking Duck. This dish dates back to the imperial era. It is a duck meat dish; the meat is really thin and has a crispy skin. Our guide showed us how to eat the Peking Duck like a real Beijinger: the first step is to get the duck meat and to place it in the middle of a steamed pancake. Then, you must add some spring onions, thin sticks of cucumber and sweet bean sauce. Voilà! You are now ready to enjoy this delicious dish!

FINAL THOUGHTS

We had such a nice time having a sneak-peek of Beijing! We wished we had more time to enjoy the many different sites Beijing offers and not having to rush from one place to another. As previously said, we had chosen a tour combining both the Great Wall of China and iconic places in Beijing, but if we had to do it all over again, we would chose only one. If you are on a layover in Beijing and are undecided about what to visit, you can also check out here our post about the Great Wall of China to get more ideas.

And now it's your turn to share with us how your layover was in Beijing What did you think of the Capital City of China? What else would you recommended doing when on a layover in Beijing? We look forward to reading your comments in the section below.

Tags: China