Beijing — Imperial Palaces & the Great Wall 🏯

China's ancient and modern capital in one: a UNESCO-listed palace at its heart, six centuries of dynastic history, and easy day trips out to the Great Wall itself. Hand-picked stays and a must-see icon — every link takes you straight to Trip.com to check live prices and book.

🏨 Where to Stay

• Rosewood Beijing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Rosewood's first China property, in the Chaoyang District directly opposite the iconic CCTV Tower, with 283 rooms styled in tribute to Beijing heritage, an indoor pool, spa and a Cantonese hot pot restaurant among its five dining venues.
• The Peninsula Beijing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — smart pick — the capital's premier all-suite hotel in the heart of Wangfujing, walking distance from the Forbidden City, with suites starting at 645 square feet, a heated indoor pool, and Michelin-starred French dining at Jing.
• Waldorf Astoria Beijing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — family-friendly — an architectural rarity of copper, bronze and glass in Wangfujing, blending hutong courtyard architecture with Art Deco touches, a heated indoor pool, and easy walking access to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
• Bulgari Hotel Beijing — romantic pick, ultra-luxury — an understated Italian-designed retreat on the Liangma River in the embassy district, with a 1,500 sqm spa modelled on ancient Roman baths and a private garden by Swiss landscape designer Enzo Enea.
• Summer Palace Hotel — hidden gem, historic — a former imperial guesthouse right at the East Gate of the UNESCO-listed Summer Palace, with a private door straight into the palace grounds and courtyards over 400 years old.

✈️ Flights

• Flights to Beijing (PEK) — direct flights from Manchester with Hainan Airlines, around 10 hours to Beijing Capital International Airport.

🎟️ Experiences

• Forbidden City (The Palace Museum) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest ancient palace complex, with nearly 1,000 buildings that served as the imperial seat for 24 emperors across the Ming and Qing dynasties, from the Meridian Gate to the tranquil Imperial Garden.

🚗 Car Hire & Transfers

• Car Hire — Beijing Capital International Airport — useful for day trips to the Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling, though Beijing's metro covers the city centre well.
• Private Transfers — Beijing Capital Airport to your hotel — fixed-price, door-to-door into central Beijing, typically 40-60 minutes depending on traffic.