Check out our guide to life in Beijing
If you like your cities big then Beijing is for you. It’s the world’s most populous capital city and the second largest megacity after Shanghai. Beijing is located in Northern China and is the political, cultural and educational centre of China. It’s host to more Fortune Global 500 companies than anywhere else in the world. Several of the city’s 91 universities rank among the best in China. Beijing is also one of the oldest cities in the world, made up of a combination of modern and traditional buildings. It’s world renowned for its picturesque parks, gardens, palaces and temples.
Beijing Fast Facts
Municipality
Established – 1,045 BCE
Population – 21,542,00
Beijing Weather
Hottest Month July (27 °C avg)
Coldest Month January (-3 °C avg)
Wettest Month July (90.3 mm avg)
Windiest Month April (11 km/h avg)
Annual Rainfall 265.1 mm (per year)
10 Things to See and Do in Beijing
The Great Wall of China
An ancient wonders of the world, the wall winds its way across China for over 8,800 kms.
The Palace Museum
This enormous palace complex and museum features guided tours, restaurants and art.
Summer Palace
Beautifully landscaped gardens, an ornate lakefront palace and beautiful artworks.
Tiananmen
This famous monumental gateway to the Forbidden City dates back to the 15th century.
Ming Dynasty Tombs
Explore the enormous complex of the ancient tombs of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors.
Beijing Zoo
Enjoy the traditional landscaping and native animals at this venerable zoo, founded in 1906.
Beijing National Aquatics Centre
Originally built for the Olympics, the centre includes swimming pools and a water park.
Wangfujing
If you like to shop, head to Dongcheng District for Beijing’s most famous shopping street.
Lama Temple
Colourful and ornate Tibetan Buddhist temple complex featuring bronze statues.
Parks
Explore the best parks in Beijing: Beihai Park, Jingshan Park and Yuanmingyuan Park.
Cost Of Living
| ITEM | RMB | GBP | AUS | RAND |
| Cinema | 62 | 7.08 | 12.95 | 129.49 |
| Water | 2 | 0.23 | 0.42 | 4.18 |
| Beer in a bar | 25 | 2.85 | 5.22 | 52.21 |
| Beer in a shop | 5 | 0.57 | 1.04 | 10.44 |
| Coke | 4 | 0.46 | 0.84 | 8.35 |
| Meal at a cheap restaurant | 25 | 2.85 | 5.22 | 52.21 |
| Meal at an average restaurant | 60 | 6.85 | 12.53 | 125.31 |
| Meal at a high end restaurant | 90 | 10.27 | 18.80 | 187.97 |
| Gym per month | 330 | 37.66 | 68.93 | 689.23 |
| City bus | 3 | 0.34 | 0.63 | 6.27 |
| Monthly utility bills (electricity, heating, water, rubbish) | 330 | 37.66 | 68.93 | 689.23 |
| Loaf of bread | 12 | 1.37 | 2.51 | 25.06 |
