By Plane
Beijing Airport (PEK)
Name: Beijing Capital International Airport
Distance to city: 25 km from city center
To city center: Airport Express train (30 min, ¥25), airport shuttle bus (¥20, 60 min), taxi (¥100-150, 45 min)
Direct Flights From
By High-Speed Train
Beijing South Railway Station
Location: Major high-speed rail hub, 8 km from city center
One of Asia's largest stations. Metro Lines 4, 14 connect to city. Trains to Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou depart here.
Popular Routes
| From | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | 4h24m-6h | ¥550-930 | ✅ Verified: 44 G-trains daily, fastest 4h24m. Major business route! |
| Xi'an | 4h10m-6h | ¥430-720 | ✅ Verified: 23 G-trains daily, fastest 4h10m. Perfect for Terracotta Warriors! |
| Guangzhou | 7-11h | ¥700-1,400 | ✅ Verified: 8 G-trains daily, fastest 7h17m. Long but doable. |
| Harbin | 4h33m-12h | ¥550-930 | ⚠️ IMPORTANT: Departs from Beijing CHAOYANG Station (北京朝阳站), NOT Beijing South! 22 G-trains daily, fastest 4h33m. |
| Tianjin | 30min | ¥55-90 | Multiple trains, almost like metro between the two cities! |
| Datong | 1h45m-2h30m | ¥150-250 | ✅ Verified: 28 G-trains daily, fastest 1h45m. Perfect for Yungang Grottoes day trip! |
By Long-Distance Bus
Beijing Long-distance Bus Stations
Location: Multiple stations around city
Routes: Routes to nearby cities and Great Wall sections
By Car
From Tianjin
Distance: 120 km
Duration: 1.5h
Route: G2 Jinghu Expressway
From Shanghai
Distance: 1,200 km
Duration: 12h
Route: G2 Jinghu Expressway
From Xi'an
Distance: 1,100 km
Duration: 11h
Route: G5 Jingkun Expressway
Getting Around Beijing
Public Transport
Metro has 20+ lines, covers entire city (¥3-10). Bus network extensive. Traffic can be heavy - Metro is fastest.
Taxi & Ride-Hailing
Taxis metered (starting ¥13, ¥2.3/km). Didi app essential. Traffic is often heavy - allow extra time.
Bike Rental
Bike sharing everywhere. Good for short trips and hutong exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get to Beijing from Shanghai?
✅ Verified: High-speed train - 44 daily G-trains, fastest 4h24m (¥550-930). Flying: 2h flight + airport time ≈ 4-5h total. Train is often more convenient for city center to city center travel.
Which Beijing railway station should I use?
Check your ticket! Beijing South → Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Tianjin. Beijing Chaoyang → Harbin. Beijing West → Xi'an, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing. Beijing Station → Nearby cities, Tianjin. Arrive 30-45 min early for security checks.
How do I get to the Great Wall from Beijing?
Badaling (most popular): Train S2 from Huangtudian Station (1h, ¥6) or tourist bus from Deshengmen (¥12, 1.5h). Mutianyu (less crowded): Tourist bus from Dongzhimen (¥30, 2h) or private tour. Jinshanling/Simatai: Bus from Beijing then transfer.
Which airport should I fly into Beijing?
Capital Airport (PEK): Closer to city center (25 km), Metro Line 2, more established. Daxing Airport (PKX): Farther (46 km) but modern, less crowded, new high-speed rail link. Both work well - choose based on your flight schedule and airline.
What makes Beijing special?
Beijing has been China's capital for 800+ years: (1) Forbidden City - Imperial palace, 9,999 rooms; (2) Great Wall - 6 sections accessible from Beijing; (3) Temple of Heaven - Ming dynasty masterpiece; (4) Summer Palace - Imperial gardens; (5) Hutongs - Traditional alleyways, local life; (6) Peking Duck and northern cuisine.
How many days should I spend in Beijing?
Minimum 4 days: Forbidden City + Tiananmen (1 day), Great Wall (1 day), Temple of Heaven + hutongs (1 day), Summer Palace (half day). 5-7 days allows relaxed pace and day trip to Chengde Summer Resort. Beijing is the perfect starting point for northern China exploration.