Beijing is an incredible city with so much to see and do. But when is the best time to visit? Here are some things you can expect when you visit Beijing through the year:
Summer
Beijing can get hot, but you’ll also find that the sky is usually nice in summer. These are the days for long walks in the many parks (go check out the Forbidden Palace), sightseeing in places like Tiananmen Square, and going for ice cream in Sanlitun. If you like to party, the tourist side of town- Dongzimen, Sanlitun and the surrounding areas are jam-packed full of great bars and clubs so you can party all night and into the early hours of the morning.
One of the things I love about Beijing is it’s just so safe. While you need to be careful about pickpocketing and scams, I never felt physically threatened- no matter how much I had been drinking or what I had been wearing.
Autumn
As the heat of August draws to a close, you’ll see a different side of Beijing- one that’s more restrained, elegant, and simple. There are many trees throughout the city which have changing leaves, and the weather is perfect- neither too hot or too cold. Head to Beihai to go boating, and spend time with your camera catching the beautiful autumn leaves wherever you go. If you’re planning to travel to Beijing, Autumn is a perfect month to go.
Winter
Winter is cold in Beijing, and the pollution can make it miserable. The government has been trying to clear up the air, but if you’re staying long term in Beijing in the winter you may need to get a heavy duty face mask to protect your lungs. Winter is my least favorite season in Beijing, as the grey, communist-style buildings combined with dirty snow and a dark sky can make it easy to get depressed. The cure? Head to the gorgeous lakes- many of which are frozen over and are a sight to see, or spend time in some of the many cafes in Beijing. If you haven’t yet heard of the Friends cafe, you’ve been missing out- it’s designed exactly like the coffee shop in the hit TV show Friends, and you can even hang out in Joey and Chandler’s apartment next door. The coffees and cupcakes are named after the characters, and this is a great place to escape the cold.
Spring
Ahhh finally, winter clears and spring is on the way. In my opinion, this is the best time to go see the Great Wall- but skip the tourist lines and get slightly out of Beijing to see the real crumbling ruins and not just the restored part of the wall.
You’ll see flowers beginning to bloom, and you’ll also be finally treated to some clearer skies and chilly mornings with sunshine on your skin. Beijing is amazing in the Spring, and you’ll know that summer is just around the corner!
