Arriving in Beijing

From PEK (Terminal 2/3): Airport Express train runs to Dongzhimen and Sanyuanqiao in about 25 minutes (¥25); connecting to metro Line 2 or Line 10 for most hotels. From Daxing (PKX): Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao interchange (Line 10/19) in about 20 minutes (¥35). Taxis from PEK cost ¥100–150 to the city centre; always use the metered official taxi queue. Didi works from both airports but requires a VPN-ready phone for account setup — better arranged before arrival.

Foreign SIM cards work in China for calls and international data only — domestic data and apps requiring Chinese phone numbers will not function. The practical options are: (1) purchase a travel SIM card designed for China (from your home country or in Hong Kong); (2) buy a China Unicom or China Mobile tourist SIM on arrival at the airport — available at kiosks in the arrivals hall. Note that a SIM does not bypass the Great Firewall: WhatsApp, Google, and Instagram require a VPN. Install your VPN app before entering China as the App Store restricts VPN apps within China.

Alipay (支付宝) now offers a 'Tour Pass' feature for foreign Visa/Mastercard holders — link your card, top up a balance, and use the app for QR code payments. WeChat Pay similarly allows foreign card linking since 2023. Both work at most restaurants, shops, and transport in Beijing. Some older street vendors are cash-only. Set up at least one app before travel using your home network; activating within China is harder.

ATMs accepting foreign Visa/Mastercard are available at all major banks (ICBC, Bank of China, China Construction Bank) and at PEK arrivals. Withdraw ¥500–1,000 on arrival as a cash reserve. Exchange desks in arrivals offer standard bank rates. Cash is needed at markets, small restaurants, some temples, and street food stalls. The ¥100 note is the largest denomination; carry ¥20 and ¥50 notes for smaller purchases.

Beijing is UTC+8. For travellers from Western Europe (UTC+0/+1) the gap is 7–8 hours; from the US East Coast (UTC-5) it is 13 hours. Arriving in the afternoon local time and staying awake until 22:00 is the most practical strategy. Morning light exposure from 07:00 on the first day helps reset the body clock faster.

Major hotels in the Chaoyang and Dongcheng districts have English-speaking staff. The concierge at any 4-star or above hotel can call restaurants, arrange transport, and translate. Useful points: Beijing Capital Airport has English signage throughout; immigration officers at PEK are accustomed to non-Mandarin speakers. In emergencies, dial 110 (police) or 120 (ambulance); the operator may not speak English — have your hotel address in Chinese ready to pass to a bystander.