Book cheap flights to Beijing

Stepping into the vast expanse of Beijing reveals a destination where thousands of years of imperial history converge with the rapid pace of a modern global power. This sprawling metropolis acts as the cultural and political heart of China, offering a sophisticated starting point for any journey through East Asia.

The urban landscape is defined by its monumental scale, anchored by the immense Forbidden City and the expansive Tiananmen Square. Beyond these central icons, the intricate network of traditional Hutongs provides a stark contrast to the nearby Temple of Heaven and the futuristic silhouette of the CCTV Headquarters.

Visitors are drawn to the city’s unique ability to balance ancient customs with a high-energy lifestyle, making it a premier destination for cultural discovery and culinary exploration. Whether walking the nearby stretches of the Great Wall of China or navigating contemporary art districts, the city remains a profound site of historical significance and constant evolution.

Autumn clarity: the capital’s peak months

The peak of the travel calendar arrives during the September and October autumn window, often considered the most pleasant time to explore. Visitors landing at Beijing Capital International Airport or Beijing Daxing International Airport are greeted by crisp, clear air and a city painted in rich hues of gold and crimson. The scorching humidity of the July and August summer months recedes, replaced by a comfortable temperature range that encourages long walks through the sprawling grounds of the Forbidden City or along the rugged sections of the Great Wall.

Social life moves outdoors as locals and travellers alike take advantage of the mild weather to gather in the traditional Hutongs or parklands. This period coincides with significant national celebrations, such as Golden Week in early October, which brings a surge of energy and a festive atmosphere to the streets. The pace of the city feels synchronised with the natural environment, offering a balance of historical grandeur and modern vitality that defines the classic image of the capital.

Winter stillness in the imperial city

The winter months from December to February transform the metropolis into a quiet, stark landscape where temperatures frequently drop below 0°C. Upon arrival, the first impression is one of stillness, as the biting winds from the north clear the skies and a dusting of snow occasionally blankets the traditional courtyard houses. While the air is cold and dry, the city takes on a reflective, serene character that allows for a more intimate experience of its world-famous landmarks without the typical crowds.

Life during this season revolves around warmth and interior spaces, with the scent of roasted chestnuts filling the air and steam rising from local eateries. The social rhythm builds towards the Lunar New Year, a time when the city is adorned with red lanterns and traditional temple fairs showcase ancient folk performances and crafts. Despite the chill, the clear winter light provides a unique perspective on the city’s monumental architecture, offering a stark, dramatic beauty that is entirely different from the lush greenery of the warmer months.

Two primary air gateways serve the capital, providing seamless access for travellers arriving on a flight to Beijing from international and domestic origins. These hubs are positioned on opposite sides of the city, ensuring efficient distribution of the high volume of traffic entering this expansive metropolis.

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

Beijing Capital International Airport, known by the code PEK, is situated approximately 25 km north-east of the city centre in the Chaoyang District. As a long-standing primary gateway for flights to Beijing, it serves as the global hub for Air China and hosts a vast network of international carriers across its three terminals. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 handle the bulk of international traffic, and the airport remains one of the busiest aviation facilities in the world, linking the capital to almost every major global destination.

Travellers landing here can reach the urban core quickly via the Capital Airport Express, a dedicated rail link that connects to Sanyuanqiao Station and Dongzhimen Station in about 20 to 30 minutes. From these hubs, passengers can easily transfer to the wider Beijing Subway network. Alternatively, the Airport Shuttle Bus operates several routes to key areas such as Beijing Railway Station, Zhongguancun, and Wangfujing. Metered taxis queue on the kerb outside each terminal building, with a typical drive to the Central Business District taking roughly 40 to 60 minutes depending on the prevailing traffic conditions.

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

Beijing Daxing International Airport, identified by the IATA code PKX, is located about 46 km south of the city centre, straddling the border between Beijing and Langfang. Recognisable by its striking starfish-shaped terminal design, this facility serves as a major hub for China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, as well as several SkyTeam members. It was designed to alleviate pressure on the older north-east airport and functions as a high-tech, integrated transport node for both domestic and long-haul international routes.

Accessing the city from this southern gateway is exceptionally fast due to the Daxing Airport Express, a high-speed transit line that reaches Caoqiao Station in approximately 20 minutes. At Caoqiao, travellers can transition to Line 10 of the subway system to reach various central neighbourhoods. For those heading to the main rail hubs, high-speed trains also connect the airport to Beijing West Railway Station in about 30 minutes. Frequent Airport City Buses provide direct links to districts like Xidan and Tongzhou, while taxis offer a direct door-to-door option to the city centre, usually requiring a journey time of 60 to 90 minutes.

From imperial palaces to converted factory galleries, Beijing rewards travellers who move between its monumental set pieces and the lanes that surround them.

• The Forbidden City: This sprawling complex of saffron-tiled roofs and crimson walls represents the ceremonial heart of the empire, where centuries of dynastic history are preserved within thousands of ornate wooden rooms.
• The Great Wall at Mutianyu: Winding across the rugged northern ridges, this well-preserved section offers impressive views of the stone fortifications as they snake through the mountains, providing a profound sense of the scale of ancient engineering.
• The Temple of Heaven: Set within a tranquil park where locals gather for morning exercises, this architectural masterpiece features a magnificent circular altar designed to facilitate communication between the emperor and the heavens.
• The Summer Palace: Centred around the shimmering Kunming Lake, this imperial retreat showcases the pinnacle of classical garden design, blending elegant pavilions and covered walkways with a serene natural landscape.
• Hutong Districts: Navigating the narrow, grey-brick alleyways of Houhai or Nanluoguxiang reveals the intimate side of the city, where traditional courtyard houses and local life offer a glimpse into a disappearing world.
• 798 Art District: Occupying a massive complex of decommissioned state electronics factories, this lively precinct is the hub of the contemporary art scene, filled with avant-garde sculptures, galleries, and industrial-chic design.
• Jingshan Park: Climbing the central hill at sunset provides a definitive panoramic view of the city’s axis, looking directly down onto the symmetrical majesty of the imperial palace and the rising skyline beyond.
• Lama Temple: As one of the most significant Tibetan Buddhist monasteries outside Tibet, the air here is thick with incense and the sound of chanting, housing a colossal 18-metre statue carved from a single block of sandalwood.

Reaching the historic wonders of Beijing is a seamless process when you use the right tools to compare your travel options. To keep the widest range of choices open for your trip, consider reserving your tickets a good while ahead and letting the Opodo search tools weigh up carriers and routings for you. If the Great Wall and the old hutong lanes keep calling you back, Opodo Prime brings member savings and benefits that smooth out every leg of the journey north.