Book flights to Beijing

Beijing is the political and cultural heart of the region, situated on the edge of the North China Plain. Its status as a global hub makes it a primary destination for international flights, and is the gateway to a landscape where ancient imperial history meets rapid modern expansion.

The city's architectural identity contains a mix of dynastic grandeur and contemporary design. Within the historic centre, the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven highlight traditional craftsmanship, while the Summer Palace includes expansive gardens and lakes. In the narrow Hutongs, traditional courtyard life persists alongside the modernist silhouettes of the 798 Art District.

A journey to this metropolis provides deep immersion into a society that balances heritage with innovation. Visitors find a destination defined by its massive scale, renowned culinary traditions like Peking duck, and proximity to the Great Wall. The city has a complex atmosphere that rewards exploration of its long-standing history and its current role as a global centre for commerce and the arts.

High season in Beijing

Beijing experiences its busiest period during the late spring and autumn months, specifically from September to October. During this time, the city is defined by crisp, clear air and mild temperatures that average around 20°C. Upon landing at Beijing Capital International Airport, travellers find a city painted in deep oranges and reds as the trees across the Fragrant Hills change colour. The pace of life is energetic, with locals and visitors alike filling the grounds of the Summer Palace to enjoy the comfortable outdoor conditions.

The atmosphere is social and celebratory, especially during the Golden Week holidays when the streets become a hub of activity. This season provides the most reliable conditions for hiking the Great Wall at Badaling, where the visibility often extends for several kilometres. The lifestyle shifts outdoors, with night markets and park squares remaining lively well into the evening. This peak period captures the city at its most picturesque, balancing ancient stone architecture with the soft light of the harvest season.

Low season in Beijing

The winter months from December to February mark the low season, characterized by dry, biting cold and temperatures that frequently drop below -10°C. As visitors arrive at Beijing Daxing International Airport, they are met with a quiet, frozen landscape where the canals and lakes of Houhai transform into natural ice rinks. The air is sharp and the sky is often a brilliant, clear blue, providing a stark, minimalist beauty to the red walls of the Forbidden City. The daily rhythm slows significantly, and the city feels more intimate and private.

Despite the chill, this season provides a deep look into local traditions during Lunar New Year. The city is decorated with red lanterns, and the scent of traditional snacks fills the air at temple fairs. While the crowds at major landmarks like the Temple of Heaven thin out, the cultural identity of the city remains strong through indoor gatherings and hot tea ceremonies. This quiet period allows for a tranquil exploration of the capital, where the dusting of snow on tiled roofs creates a serene, historic atmosphere.

Two major international aviation hubs are the primary gateways for travellers arriving on a flight to Beijing, with sophisticated infrastructure and efficient links to the heart of the capital.

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

Beijing Capital International Airport, known by the IATA code PEK, is located approximately 25 km northeast of the city centre in the Shunyi District. It serves as the primary international hub for Air China and handles a vast network of long-haul flights to Beijing from major global cities across Europe, North America, and Asia. The facility is comprised of three massive terminals, with Terminal 3 being one of the largest airport structures in the world, primarily accommodating international arrivals and members of the Star Alliance and Oneworld groups.

Upon clearing customs, the most efficient way to reach the city is via the Capital Airport Express, a dedicated rail link that connects the airport to Sanyuanqiao Station and Dongzhimen Station in roughly 20 to 30 minutes. From these hubs, passengers can easily transfer to the wider Beijing Subway network to reach their final destination. Alternatively, several Airport Shuttle Bus lines operate frequently, transporting travellers to central areas such as Xidan, Beijing Railway Station, and Zhongguancun. Taxis and authorized ride-hailing services are available at designated ranks outside each terminal, typically taking 45 to 60 minutes to reach Central Beijing, depending on the time of day and traffic conditions.

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)

Beijing Daxing International Airport, identified by the code PKX, is situated about 46 km south of the city centre on the border between Beijing and Langfang. This architecturally striking "starfish" shaped terminal serves as a major hub for China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, as well as various SkyTeam members. While it handles a significant volume of domestic traffic, it also manages an increasing number of international routes, providing a modern alternative for those entering the country.

Travellers landing at this southern gateway can board the Daxing Airport Express, a high-speed transit line that reaches Caoqiao Station in just 20 minutes. At Caoqiao, the city's subway system provides direct connections to the commercial and historic districts. For those preferring road transport, the Airport Bus network offers multiple routes to key locations like Beijing South Railway Station and Tongzhou District. A taxi journey from this location to the city centre generally takes between 60 and 90 minutes via the Daxing Airport Expressway, offering a direct route into the urban core.

Beijing welcomes travellers with a skyline where glass towers reflect the silhouettes of ancient gates. Stepping off a long-haul flight into the crisp air of the capital, the city reveals its character through a massive scale and a deep sense of history that begins the moment you leave the terminal.

The Forbidden City is a sprawling complex of saffron-roofed palaces and stone courtyards that was the secretive heart of imperial power for centuries. Walking through its massive gates allows you to see the intricate craftsmanship and immense scale that defined the lives of ancient emperors.

The Great Wall at Mutianyu winds across the rugged ridges of the northern mountains, offering a quiet escape from the urban centre. This well-preserved section provides breathtaking views of the masonry snaking over green peaks, capturing the vastness of the landscape that has guarded the city for generations.

The Summer Palace contains a serene landscape of shimmering lakes and ornate pavilions designed as a royal retreat from the summer heat. Strolling along the Long Corridor beside Kunming Lake, you can admire the painted beams and classical gardens that evoke a sense of imperial leisure.

Hutongs are the narrow, grey-brick alleys of the old city where traditional courtyard houses still hum with daily life. These labyrinthine neighbourhoods provide an authentic glimpse into the past, where the aroma of street food and the sound of bicycle bells create an intimate, local atmosphere.

The Temple of Heaven is a masterpiece of Ming Dynasty architecture, where the circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests rises elegantly toward the sky. The surrounding park comes alive in the morning as residents gather to practice tai chi and calligraphy under the ancient cypress trees.

798 Art District occupies a former electronics factory complex, now filled with avant-garde galleries and large-scale industrial sculptures. It is the centre of the city’s modern creative energy, where gritty factory walls provide a backdrop for bold contemporary art and design.

Finding the right flight to Beijing is the first step toward your adventure, and it all starts with a few simple clicks. By staying flexible with your travel dates and exploring the benefits of eDreams Prime, you can enjoy a more seamless booking process designed for frequent explorers. This ensures that your arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport is as smooth and exciting as the discovery itself.