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With a history dating back over three millennia, China’s mammoth capital is a proud celebration of old and new — showcasing shiny modern skyscrapers alongside the imposing Ming and Qing-era Forbidden Palace. Like China itself, the city has been transformed over the last century, from an ancient walled city to a stylish metropolis and seat of the ruling Communist Party. Politics are never far away in Beijing, and any trip would be amiss without a visit to the vast pedestrianised Tiananmen Square — site of Chairman Mao Zedong’s mausoleum and the National Museum of China.

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Metropolises, teahouses and ancient history, your adventure awaits, speak to an expert about this trip, why horizon guides.

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Beijing is a metropolis in Northern China, and the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is one of the most populous cities in the world. Governed as a municipality under direct administration of the central government, Beijing borders Hebei Province to the north, west, south, and for a small section in the east, and Tianjing Municipality to the southeast. As the last of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Beijing has been the political center of the country for much of the past eight centuries.

Beijing has a glorious past, but is by no means stuck in the past. Standing side-by-side with old Beijing's crimson palace complexes are the city's modern buildings, the super-modern Olympic Village, with the Bird’s Nest Stadium and Water Cube; the dazzling shopping malls in Wangfujing Street and the colorful entertainment center of Houhai. The city is renowned for its opulent palaces, temples, parks, gardens, tombs, walls and gates, and its art treasures and universities have made it a center of culture and art in China! 

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A Perfect Beijing Itinerary For First Timers 2023

Beijing is a fantastic city – full of traditional culture and history, loaded with modern lifestyles and technology. Whether you’re making the most of your visa-free transit period or you’re looking to spend a considerable amount of time here, this jam-packed Beijing itinerary will introduce you to China’s crazy capital!

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Necessary Spacing

Here’s our top 5-day itinerary that covers the best things in the city. Pick and choose the activities if you haven’t got that much time!

• Day 1: Visit Qian’man Street for shopping, then explore Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City with an official guide
• Day 2: Wander around the Summer Palace and take a hutong tour (or you can choose a food/beer tour instead too! )
• Day 3: Hike the Great Wall – so many options but the best all-round section is Mutianyu
• Day 4: Visit the famous Olympic Park and the edgy 798 Art District
• Day 5: Pick up some beautiful antiques at Panjiayuan Market then go bar hopping in Sanlitun

Travelling to Beijing

Travelling to China is not something many people even consider unless they have a layover there. Even then, a lot of people decide to stay in their airport hotel and escape as quickly as they can.

There are plenty of great layover tours specifically designed for a quick visit but if you do have more time, then this is the post you need to fully explore the city!

It’s not surprising that not everyone wants to visit – exploring a huge country like China can be daunting as it’s not as tourist-friendly as many other cities in Asia! The language barrier, the local food and the complex culture can seem like great reasons to avoid China, but honestly, it’s such a fun place to travel.

Beijing is especially interesting because of its history dating back literally thousands of years. Plus, there’s the Great Wall! No, you can’t see it from space but why would you need to when you can climb it yourself?

We spent four years living in Beijing (we were teaching English !) but we still didn’t see everything that the city has to offer. We did, however, create and follow this exact Beijing travel itinerary as if we were newbies so that it would be easy for readers like you to use.

Of course, Beijing isn’t the only place to see in China , but it’s a great place to start if you only have a limited time in the country!

One day in the city definitely isn’t enough, so we have put together a 3 day Beijing itinerary to see all of the best sights and activities. We’ve also added in more things to do in Beijing if you’re staying for more than three days!

Hopefully, you’ll get to see all the beautiful places with this Beijing itinerary – check out this complete guide before you go to make sure you’re prepared and download these apps to make your Chinese trip easier!

I’ve added options for people who like to explore without a guide, and for those who would prefer to book a tour too! There are benefits to both so keep an eye out for the activities that you might not normally think of doing, with or without a guide!

1 – 3 Day Beijing Itinerary

Historical landmarks tours + walking streets.

Fresh off the aeroplane, you’ll want to stretch your legs and take a leisurely walking tour through Qian’men. Start at the subway station, walk south through the central Beijing hutongs and through the famous Dashilan Commercial Street.

You can book tickets for a walking tour here , so you can learn about the history of this part of the city.

Here you can purchase anything China-related, so this is the time to pick up gifts for those back home. The prices here are mostly non-negotiable, however, they are also some of the most reasonable in the whole city. The cost of living in Beijing is low, so if you’re here as a tourist then you can find some great bargains!

At the end of the road, you will find yourself at Qian’men Street, the central road leading back towards Tian’anmen Square. Walk north towards the Qian’mem gatehouse and pass directly underneath.

Across the road will be Mao’s Mausoleum. Here you can go inside and see the preserved body of the revered leader. Regardless of what he did in life, this is definitely a unique experience.

On the other side of the mausoleum is the infamous Tian’anmen Square. It truly is a massive open area. On the right is the museum of China and in the middle is the memorial to all the fallen soldiers in World War 2. At the far end of the square is the imposing entrance to the Forbidden City. This is the first time you will understand the sheer scale of the palace.

Upon entry just follow the crowds to the ticket offices inside the Meridian gate. You really can get lost inside this palace so have a good look around. If you are happy to explore by yourself, buy your tickets here . You can also use a self-guided audio tour like this .

You could easily spend 3 to 4 hours wandering around, peeking in random doors or gardens you might stumble across. There’s a lot of fascinating history and culture to learn about so don’t rush yourself. Keep going north through the whole palace and you’ll eventually get to the North Exit, which is also called the Gate of Divine Prowess.

You can also join a small group tour – you won’t be hassled to buy tickets or pushed into tea scams if you’re with a guide so it’s not a bad idea! Click here to book your space.

In front of you is a very out a place hill inside of Jingshan park.

It’s very cheap to get inside, and after walking to the top of the hill you get a spectacular view over the top of the Forbidden City you have just walked through. Hopefully, you get a low pollution day and get some nice photos, unlike we did!

It is very difficult to put a time on this first day. Some people might walk straight through all of the areas and it takes 3 or so hours.

If you decide to go into every attraction, do some shopping, see the museum and really get a feel for the places it could easily take 7-8 hours! Take this day at your own pace and enjoy soaking it all in!

A fantastic way to end your first day in Beijing is to eat at a Peking duck restaurant. The most famous is Quanjude and you’ll find branches all over the city. Eating Peking duck is quite a theatrical affair – the chef will wheel the food out on a trolley and carve it before you.

There will be lots of different dishes brought to your table for you to try too, as well as the traditional accompaniments for your main meal.

Summer Palace

To get to the famous Summer Palace, you can jump onto a boat and take an Imperial Waterway Cruise from the Beijing Exhibition Centre and take in the views from the water. The ride takes you past the zoo but I wouldn’t recommend visiting as the animals are treated terribly.

The Summer Palace is absolutely beautiful all year round and is very big. I would advise taking some food for a picnic if the weather permits.

Explore with a guide if you are interested in finding out all about this World UNESCO site or just buy your tickets to the park in advance here and visit by yourself.

Hutong Tour

The hutongs in Beijing are full of hidden gems and interesting people. Hutongs are residential areas that consist of narrow lanes, with the houses being built in a courtyard fashion.

However, there are also shops and restaurants scattered throughout Beijing’s hutongs, and they are really fun to explore. Some have become more famous than others, such as Nanluoguxiang, Skewed Tobacco Pouch Street (Yandai Xiejie) and Wudaoying.

Pre-book a hutong tour and you’ll be taken to the most popular places. If you’re on a strict time schedule, then that might be the best idea as you’ll be driven around and there won’t be any time wasted wandering down some weird alley and into someone’s kitchen.

However, if you have more time, then you could definitely spend a day wandering up and down yourself, getting lost and finding cool spots that aren’t overcrowded yet.

We recommend starting in Nanlouguxiang, walking up to Houhai Lakes and passing through Yandai Xiejie. Then, get on a subway up to Andingmen station and see Wudaoyaing. You can then take a look at the Lama Temple if you fancy.

You’ll find countless rooftop bars, posh restaurants, local street vendors and much more to entertain yourself for the whole day. You certainly won’t go hungry and with plenty of cocktail happy hours to be found, you’re also likely to get fairly drunk!

Hike the Great Wall of China

You absolutely cannot appreciate a Beijing itinerary without visiting the Great Wall! It’s an astounding piece of defensive architecture, and the photos don’t do its vastness justice.

You’ve got a couple of options of where to go on the Wall as it is actually over 13,000 miles long! Clearly, you won’t be hiking the whole thing but you’ll need to choose the best section for your preferred type of day trip.

The four most popular hiking routes are listed below. Each section of the Great Wall is different, whether that’s because of the facilities, difficulty or scenery. Take a look at the comparison table below to work out which is the best part for you to visit.

When you visit the Great Wall, make sure that you take plenty of water with you. The vendors will charge you around 5 times more than the price should be because they know that you’ll need to stay hydrated!

Visiting Badaling Great Wall

If you’re looking for a relatively easy hike to a popular section of the wall, then go to the very well known and one of the most well-restored sections, Badaling. You’re almost guaranteed to be surrounded by tourists (mostly local as this section is popular with Chinese people).

You might feel safer around other people so Badaling is a great place to go if you want to mingle with others on your hike.

Book a tour here for a full-day tour including lunch.

If you’re planning to visit the Wall alone, make your way to subway line 2 and travel to Jishuitan Station and take the short walk to Deshengmen bus station. I would advise using a map app on your phone so you can find the Deshengmen bus station from the subway as it is a 10-minute walk.

Then find bus 877, which will be obvious because of the queues of people. I have read that there are many fake 877 busses en route to the bus station. If there is someone trying to convince you to get on the bus then it is almost certainly a fake – just follow the signs and people, or ask someone wearing an official uniform!

Bus Timetable:

The bus costs around 12RMB (£1.35/$1.80).

Alternatively, you can take the train from Huangtudian Railway Station straight to Badaling Railway Station. It takes roughly the same amount of time as the bus and will cost you 7 RMB. To get to the station take subway line 8 or 13 and get off at Huoying. The train station is roughly 100m away if you leave from Exit G4.

At Badaling, there is a cable car that you can ride up to the top to take in the scenic views, as well as a pulley ride that you can experience for an added fee. 

There are plenty of restaurants and shops but these are unsurprisingly overpriced.

For those of you who prefer to learn about the history of this section from a local guide, then join a tour like this.

Visiting Mutianyu Great Wall

Mutianyu is essentially the best all-round section of the Great Wall. It is beautifully restored, there are fewer people and there are a few restaurants around the entrance if you forget to bring your own food. There’s even a toboggan which I think is the best way to descend the Great Wall!

This excellent tour to Mutianyu has almost 1000 5-star reviews, so it’s a great one to choose if you don’t want to make your way to the Wall alone!

It’s a little bit more difficult to get the Mutianyu independently because there isn’t a direct public bus, but it’s definitely doable. You can also buy return coach transfer tickets here in advance – you just need to turn up at the meeting point and get on the bus.

You’ll need to get to Dongzhimen subway station first (via line 2, 13 or the Airport Express). The subway and the bus station are in the same huge building, so find the Bus Transfer Hall and you’ll need to get on bus 916 Express.

It will cost you 12 RMB and should take just over an hour. You can pay cash or use your transportation card.

You need to get off the bus at Huai Rou Bei Da Jie (it’s the 15th stop). The bus will announce the destination in English but most people will get off here anyway.

You can then get a local bus (H23)  from Mutianyu Roundabout and then walk to the ticket centre, or choose to take a taxi. Be careful of the scammers – only take a metered cab. It should cost around 40 RMB for a taxi and 3RMB for the bus. For super detailed instructions on taking this second local bus, take a look at this website .

There are also cable cars here at Mutianyu, and it’s the most wheelchair-friendly section.

If you’re travelling to Beijing with kids then we recommend choosing Mutianyu to hike, as it’s not too difficult and it’s the safest due to the high-quality restoration. The toboggan, or luge, is also really fun and isn’t too fast or scary.

If you’d prefer to take a guided tour to this part of the Wall, then click here to find out more and book your spot.

Visiting Simatai Great Wall

You should visit Simatai if you want to explore the Great Wall at night time. There are official tours and it’s well lit, meaning that it’s much safer than scaling a random part of the wall alone!

This part of the wall is also not very restored so it is very much unchanged since the time of being built. It’s pretty wild and steep in places though so you can actually take a cable car up if you’d prefer.

You can also only climb this part of the wall if you buy a reserved ticket here . Book at least 10 days in advance so that you’re guaranteed a space. You can also wander around Gubei Water Town as this part of the Wall is right next to it.

There are a few food vendors on the wall but I wouldn’t recommend relying on them for a full cheap meal. Bring your own or, if you’re going into the town then you’ll find plenty of restaurants serving food there.

To get to Simatai, make your way to Dongzhimen Subway station, which can be accessed via lines 2 and 13. You can then take the tourist bus or a local bus. It takes around 2 hours and the tourist bus times are as follows:

The local bus is 980 but you’ll have to transfer onto bus 51 at some point, and the bus station can be difficult to find. For in-depth instructions, if you really want to take this bus, use this website .

Visiting Jiankou Great Wall

If you are looking for a more authentic and wild Great Wall hiking experience, then visit Jiankou. There are no food vendors and definitely no cable cars here!

This tour is a great option if you want to see the wilder parts of the Great Wall without it being dangerous!

Camping on this part of the Wall would be an adventure, but be prepared for some tough climbing ahead! You’ll also have to pay between 5 – 10 RMB to the local villagers to start this hike.

There are small villages surrounding Jiankou where you can find food but most definitely take your own just in case. I wouldn’t recommend hiking this part in hot weather as you’d need to carry so much water and you don’t want to be running out!

You can also hike from Jiankou to Mutianyu , or vice versa, and that will roughly take around 4 – 5 hours as you’ll be covering a distance of 6 miles (10km).

Unsurprisingly, there are no direct buses to Jiankou. You can take a bus from Dongzhimen Station, and then take a local bus to one of the small villages.

Or, you could hire a driver to take you to the village. That way, you are guaranteed a quick and easy return journey to Beijing. Not only that but someone local also knows where you are so if you get into any trouble they could send for help!

Here are the bus times from Dongzhimen:

Once you’re in Yujiayuan, you have two choices. You can pick which village you want to start your hike from. Getting from Xizhazi Village to the actual Wall only takes around half an hour, so many people pick that option.

However, getting a taxi from Yujiayuan station to the village will cost approximately 120RMB. If you would rather have a cheaper taxi ride, go to Wofo Mountain Villa. There are more restaurants and accommodation options here, and it will cost you around 65RMB to get there from the station.

All of the prices of public buses will be 50% cheaper if you use a Beijing Transportation Card, which we do recommend. They’re easy to get form any subway station with a booth. You have to add a 20RMB refundable deposit and then you’re good to go. It makes getting around the city super easy as you can use it for the subway too (although the price won’t change on the trains).

5 Day Beijing Itinerary

If you’ve got more time in the city or you want to skip a few of our suggestions because you’ve already done them, we’ve added in two extra days of activities for you. As you can now get 6 days visa-free in Beijing, this is a perfect amount of time to give you a day of recovering from the flight!

A 5 day Beijing itinerary allows more time to explore local attractions and either find new restaurants or return to those that you’ve already enjoyed! You could even take a couple of day trips from Beijing.

Temple of Heaven

Travel down to Tiantan East Gate station on subway Line 5 to reach the Temple of Heaven. This is another famous and very large temple complex that is beautiful to have a walk around.

You can buy your admission ticket in advance here if you’re travelling in the high season.

798 Art District 

If you’re into art, this is the place to be. In fact, even if you’re not into art, this area is a really interesting part of the city and we would highly recommend taking a visit. You’ll find galleries, museums, quirky shops, tattoo studios, art exhibitions and more here.

Walking around with a guide is great fun because they’ll be able to find the most unique places!

It’s best to get the subway (Wangjing South on Line 14) and then hail a taxi to the actual district, as there’s no direct public transport there.

You could spend at least a few hours wandering around the exhibitions and studios. There are bars and restaurants too but most will close around 6ish to be prepared to eat before then or wait until you get back into the city centre.

Olympic Park

The famous Olympic park, built for the 2008 games, has some great architectural structures to marvel at. You’ll find the Bird’s Nest, the Water Cube (particularly impressive at night time), as well as the Forest Park.

You can spend a few hours here, as there is 2.6 square miles of land and water to explore! There are two gardens – the Northern and the Southern – that you can enjoy. Hire a bike, take a small boat cruise or even get some tennis lessons with a training partner!

Get here by jumping on Line 8 on the subway, and get off at the Olympic Sports Centre, or South Gate of Forest Park. Or, take a walking tour like this one.

Panjiayuan Antique Market

Plenty of people visit markets in Beijing and find cheap fake goods or tacky souvenirs. If you want something a little more special, then go to Panjiayuan Market. This is where you’ll find the locals, and you can buy some incredible artwork and locally made crafts.

If you don’t speak Chinese, or this is your first time in China, you might find it a little overwhelming in the market! You can take a shopping tour with a guide to help you navigate the language barrier and stop people trying to rip you off just because you’re a tourist!

There are artists painting simple pieces that you can buy there and then, and there are also beautifully hand-woven embroidery pieces too.  

Of course, not everything is unique, and there will some items that are extremely highly-priced but there is room for a little haggling, especially if you’re buying more than one item from a vendor.

However, only haggle if you don’t think the item is worth what you are paying. So many times I have seen people haggle for pennies and it can be insulting. Of course, do it if you feel you are being ripped off but don’t be rude!

There are a couple of food stalls in and around the market where you can buy cheap and tasty rice meals. Panjiayuan Antique Market is open every day from 8.30am – 6pm during the week,and from 4am – 6pm on weekends.

However, only the permanent shops are open on weekdays, and the market stalls are only open on the weekends.

To get to the market, get to Panjiayuan Subway Station on line 10 and leave via Exit B.

If you’re here to party and shop for western brands, then Sanlitun is where you need to go. This area has heaps of bars, restaurants and shops that wouldn’t look out of place in London.

You’ll usually pay higher prices around here, but if you’re looking for something particular then you can’t complain.

You’ll easily find H&M, Nike, Adidas , Mac and the Apple Store. There’s also an abundance of foreign food – pizza places, Mexican restaurants, cocktail bars and more.

Sanlitun is not the place to go if you want to experience local and traditional Chinese culture, but it’s definitely worth a visit.

The closest subway station is Tuanjiehu on line 10 – use Exit A and turn right at the crossroads. The swarms of foreigners will guide you to where the action is happening!

Alternatively, take Exit D and follow the same road in the same direction – you’ll find more hidden restaurants and bars to hang out in.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Beijing?

Planning your Beijing itinerary involves a few careful considerations because the timing of your visit could really make or break your whole experience!

The first thing that I advise you to do is to AVOID CHINESE NEW YEAR! Before you do any kind of research, find out when the Chinese New Year falls and scratch it out on your calendar.

Not only are flights hideously more expensive around this time, Beijing pretty much shuts down because the locals go to their hometowns to visit their families. China travel is near impossible during the new year.

Yes, there will be fewer crowds, but that’s mainly because they wouldn’t be able to eat at any restaurants! There are also a lot of extremely loud firecrackers being let off across the city for over a week, so that could get annoying!

Another time to definitely avoid Beijing is National Week. Unlike Chinese New Year, it falls at the same time every year so you have no excuse to get it wrong!

National Day is the 1st October and is a public holiday across China. People celebrate the founding of The People’s Republic Of China on that day, and the 6 days following it.

This time though, Beijing gets an influx of domestic tourists because it’s the capital and there are so many links to the country’s history there. Lines for attractions will be extra-long and it’s almost impossible to get a train ticket during this time.

Basically, try to avoid any public holiday in China because you’ll have an experience that is not a true reflection of the country.

Visiting Beijing in winter is also not ideal. During the winter, temperatures regularly fall below -5° Celsius (23°F). The coldest day we saw was during January and it was -17° Celsius but luckily we were travelling south to Thailand that day!

It rarely snows during the colder months as the air is so dry, but you might see some flurries.

The worst thing about Beijing in winter is the pollution and the air quality. There will be days that you are advised not to go out and the air will be a gross yellowy-brown. Other times, you’ll see perfect blue skies and the air will be crisp.

However, airfare and hotel prices will be cheaper so that’s something to think about when planning your Beijing itinerary.

The summer in Beijing is hot and sticky. There are some outdoor pools to cool off in, and some gorgeous parks to picnic in, however, so summer is still an okay time to visit Beijing. Be prepared for intense thunderstorms though!

Spring and autumn are the perfect times to visit Beijing because the temperatures are not too warm and not too cold. The air is clear and you’ll experience fewer thunderstorms.

What To Pack For A 3 day Beijing Itinerary

You should be able to buy any clothes and toiletries that you need whilst you’re in Beijing, so don’t overpack. However, as you’ve already read, the seasons can vary drastically so your packing list will differ depending on the time of year that you choose to come.

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Panasonic LUMIX ZS70K

*See the full guide to this beauty right here!*

If you don’t have a camera then I HIGHLY recommend the Panasonic Lumix ZS70K . It is an affordable point-and-shoot camera that can be picked up and used by anyone of any ability. The camera captures gorgeous images and surprisingly excellent video whilst fitting in your pocket. The main difference between this and your phone’s camera is that it also has an incredible optical zoom so you won’t miss any of the shots you need to take. Check it out here.

Hand Luggage

Wrangler 20″

People can go WAY overboard when buying hand luggage when you really don’t need to spend a lot of money. We recommend going for something sturdy and affordable like the Wrangler 20″ . It’s exactly what you would expect from hand luggage but also comes with a neat charging trick. If you have a power bank, you can connect the power bank from inside the case and charge your phone from a port on the outside! Check it out on amazon here.

Osprey Arcane

For city exploring and shorter hikes, you’ll need a decent day pack. We recommend one like Osprey’s Arcane , as not only can it hold a 15″ laptop, water bottle and everything else you would need day to day but it is also incredibly stylish (we think). We have used Osprey for loads of different bags over the years and they have all been perfect. Check out the Osprey Arcane on Amazon here.

Multi Adapter

EPIKA Worldwide

If you’re worried about powering your devices on your trip then the simple solution is to take this EPIKA worldwide travel adapter. We have used it all over the world and it has worked flawlessly. Being able to charge up to 5 devices by USB (4 USB-A’s + 1 USB-C) plus a full power outlet socket is incredibly useful and works as an all-in-one solution. Check it out on Amazon here.

Menstrual Cup

We all know that tampons and pads are bad for the environment (not to mention uncomfortable and expensive!) so get yourself familiar with a reliable menstrual cup, like this one from Sirona . These can be reused for up to 15 years – think of the money and plastic waste you’ll save! Made from medical-grade silicone, Sirona’s cup is designed for comfort, sustainability and protection. Click here to choose the right size for you.

Anker 10,000mAh

If you’re worried about your devices losing power throughout the day then we recommend the Anker 10,000mAh power bank . Anker actually makes quite a few power banks but this one comes with a USB-C and USB-A port which means that you’ll be able to charge any of your devices regardless of connection. The 10,000mAh capacity is enough to completely charge an iPhone 12 twice so you should be good for a number of days with this beast. Have a look at the price here.

For a comprehensive breakdown of this list go to our budget savvy packing list guide .

If you are exploring this Beijing itinerary during the winter, you’ll need a few extras too. It also might mean that you pack a few more layers so you might need a bigger bag.

Looking at the average temperatures in Beijing in winter, then a warm coat is definitely something you’ll need! If you’re travelling from southeast Asia then this is going to be a difficult item to keep with you. However, I really don’t recommend going to northern China without one, so perhaps you could use vacuum pack bags like these to save space in your luggage.

If you are buying a new winter coat, choose one that is water and windproof, like this warm ski jacket.

Onto the dreaded pollution masks! They look ridiculous, they mess up your make-up (or so I’m told!) and they aren’t the most comfortable item you’ll ever buy. However, if you wear a pollution mask for a day, when you take it off you’ll see the brown dust inside the filter and realise how important they are!

You shouldn’t have to wear one every day, but on those hazy days, you should make an effort to if you’re outside.

When buying a mask, don’t be that person who thinks a tiny bit of fabric over your mouth is going to protect you. You need to choose a mask that specifically filters out PM 2.5 , because those are the tiny air particles that can sneak past fabrics and flimsy paper masks into your lungs. 

It’s so dry in Beijing in winter that you will notice your lips becoming chapped quite quickly. You can pick up Vaseline or any type of lip balm in a healthy and beauty shop like Watsons, but remember that they won’t be cruelty-free because of China’s animal testing laws. If you want to bring a lip balm that hasn’t been tested on animals, try this vegan one from Hurraw.

Your head and ear will thank you for wearing a warm hat like this thick knitted number during your Beijing travels! Don’t be fooled by those clear blue skies and leave the hotel without it – the reason the sky is clear is that the wind has blown the pollution away so a hat is a must!

A really useful feature of warm gloves is being touchscreen compatible. The technology wasn’t that great when it first came out but toasty gloves like these unisex thermals really are handy when you’re using apps on your phone to help you whilst you’re in China!

Where To Stay During Your Beijing Itinerary

Beijing has lots of different accommodation options, from luxury apartments to local hutong rooms.

The neighbourhoods do vary in Beijing, but realistically the subway system is so good that you’ll be able to visit all of the cool attractions and things to do wherever you stay. Here’s a brief overview of the best places to stay in Beijing though, so that you can pick what suits you best.

Qian’men

We recommend staying in Qian’men if you’re a first time visitor to Beijing as lots of the main tourist attractions are accessible from here. Not only that, but accommodation tends to be cheaper around here.

It’s full of history as the ancient Forbidden City sits 2km north from the subway station, with the journey surrounded by other important features such as Tian’anmen Square, Mao’s mausoleum and the Monument to the People’s Heroes.

There are plenty of shopping opportunities too – you can pick up cheap but decent souvenirs in the local shops.

Recommended hotel in Qian’men:

New World Beijing Hotel

With its sleek and clean rooms, complimentary toiletries and free WiFi, the New World Beijing Hotel near Qian’men Street is the perfect place to rest after long days of sightseeing.

There’s a lovely indoor swimming pool, a spa centre and a sauna. Rooms have bathtubs, iPod docking stations and a gorgeous rootfop bar!

Book your room here or look at the reviews below first!

Check Out The Reviews Of New World Beijing Hotel Here

When researching things to do in Beijing, you’ve probably stumbled across the infamous Wangfujing Street. You’re probably imagining yourself snacking on scorpions, starfish and seahorses o sticks, just like the locals do, right?

Well, unfortunately, it was a bit of a tourist trap and you’re more likely to find the locals eating at KFC! Of course, there will be some nutters eating these weird snacks, but if you really want to try authentic Beijing food you should be on the lookout for dumplings,  BBQ lamb skewers and sweet + sour pork!

The market is actually under construction anyway but you’re better off not visiting!

When we first arrived in Beijing, we ventured down this street in search of local food and ended up with a sub-par spring roll, which we spent £6 on!! Looking back, we were ridiculously naive so don’t make the same mistakes as we did! That being said, Wangfujing Pedestrian Street is still a great place to explore.

There are plenty of good restaurants, shops, bookstores and souvenir places you can wander around. There’s a subway station directly outside the commercial street so you will be able to access the rest of Beijing easily.

If you are interested in checking out the local food scene without being ripped off, then take a tour like this with a friendly guide and learn all about Chinese cuisine!

Recommended hotel in Wangfujing:

Park Plaza Beijing

Relax after a busy day at the hotel spa with a massage, enjoy a cocktail or two a the bar or wind down in the gym. Enjoy the privacy of your own room and bathroom, and take in the gorgeous city views.

You’re only a short walk away from the subway, but also close to a lot of the action too!

Click here to check prices and availability.

Check Out The Reviews Of Park Plaza Beijing Here

Dongzhimen/Sanlitun

The heart of the bar scene in Beijing, Sanlitun is a great place to stay if you’re here to party! There are plenty of bars, restaurants and shops in this area, and many of those are western names you’ll recognise. Go shopping at H&M, grab a burger at McDonald’s and sip on a Guinness at Paddy’s Irish Bar.

Or, if you have actually come to Beijing for a true Chinese experience then you can still indulge in an authentic Chinese meal, brave some baijiu (China’s version of hell a white spirit) and dip into the local branded shops. 

There’s also the famous Worker’s Stadium where you can catch a game of football. Support Beijing Guo’an (the ones in green) if you want to make any friends!

Recommended hotel in Dongzhimen:

Holiday Inn Express

Stay here if you don’t want to be kept awake all night by party-goers, but you don’t have to travel for an age to get back once you’ve had your fill of happy hour cocktails!

Breakfast is included in the room rate, there’s free WiFi and a fitness centre for guests to enjoy. It’s a recognisable and reliable brand – you can’t go wrong!

Book a room here or check out the reviews first below!

Check Out The Reviews Of Holiday Inn Express Beijing Dongzhimen Here

This area is famous for the large Hòuhai lake, along with another two smaller lakes that are surrounded by hutongs (narrow historic alleyways with courtyard homes), bars, restaurants and shops.

The area has a much more traditional Chinese feel to it compared to Sanlitun, so come here if you want to try to see how the locals live. There is also plenty of street food for you to try along the way too!

Recommended hotel in Shichachai

Shichahai Shadow Art Performance Hotel

Only 5 minutes away from the lakes, this boutique hotel offers everything from shadow puppet performances, to complimentary breakfast and dumpling-making classes.

Not only that, but the accommodation is beautifully decorated, and the staff are on hand 24/7 to help you with anything you need.

Check Out The Reviews Of Shichahai Shadow Art Performance Hotel Here

How To Get Around Beijing

Somewhat surprisingly, Beijing is an incredibly easy city to navigate. As a short stay traveller, you have a couple of options that I’ve listed below.

Paying by card is less common in China – usually locals and foreign expats use WeChat to pay for everything. Unless you have WeChat and have linked it to a Chinese bank account, you should be prepared to pay for everything in cash just in case! 

If you’re in Beijing for a short while and want to explore the city without going underground or adding to the pollution problem, then a bike-sharing app is the way forward.

Mobike is the most foreign traveller friendly as you can download it in your home country and attach your own bank account to it. You won’t be able to miss these bikes as they’re bright orange and dumped pretty much everywhere around the city. The bikes are usually piled high outside subway stations too.

Once you’ve downloaded the app and added your bank account, simply find a bike, scan the QR code on the app and off you go. Once you’ve finished your journey, put the bike somewhere thoughtful (i.e. not in the middle of the path like everybody else seems to do!) and lock it. You’ll hear 3 beeps which mean that your journey is complete and Mobike is calculating your costs.

Most apps don’t require a deposit anymore, and your journeys will cost you 1.5RMB per ride.

Read More: Download These Helpful Apps Before You Visit Beijing

It is extremely easy to get around Beijing using the subway system. As it’s relatively new (it opened almost 100 years after the London Underground with a huge expansion in the early 2000s), the trains are tall and wide enough to enjoy a comfortable ride. Also, they’re air-conditioned as standard which makes a big difference in the sweaty summer!

The stations also are all very clearly marked with overground signs for all exits, which have English and colour coordinated labels too. When you are on the platform, there are Chinese and English signs for you to read, so you can’t really go wrong. 

When you first enter a Chinese subway station, go to the counter and ask for a Transportation Card. They will need a 20RMB deposit, but once you’ve got it you can top it up when you like and avoid queuing every time you need a ticket. 

A journey on the subway will cost from between 3 RMB to 9RMB, and you can check out how much it will be either on this awesome website (which also has a handy free app) or by checking one of the ticket machines. 

The subway will almost always be quicker than a taxi as it avoids the traffic, but it can be awkward getting to certain places if a transit line is closed.

These little cabs are perfect for getting from A to B if you can’t be bothered to walk, but it’s too close to justify a taxi! Flag one down and be prepared to be ripped off, and then to haggle! A five-minute journey should cost no more than 10RMB if you’re in a busy part of the city.

Make sure you agree on the price beforehand and you can usually pay in either cash or by scanning the WeChat QR code if you have the app.

If you’re concerned about safety, then no, these aren’t ideal but generally, they stick to the side of the road, are clearly seen by drivers and aren’t travelling fast enough to cause any damage if you did bump into something.

The least tourist-friendly but also the cheapest mode of transport, buses in Beijing run frequently and and offer 50% off the ticket price if you use a transportation card. However, they will also have a box for your change if you want to pay cash.

Unless you know of a specific bus stop that you need to get to, it can be difficult to take a bus because there is no English on the bus stop sign.

There is an English announcement, however, so if you can listen out for your destination and remember where you have to get off on your return journey then buses in Beijing can be a good way to get around to places further away from subway stops.

It will cost you 2RMB for the first 6 miles and then 1RMB for every 3 miles after that. The prices are also capped at 12RMB however long you are on the bus for. Remember to beep your transportation card at the front of the bus and scan it again when you get off so that your journey can be registered. 

Taxis (hailing and app Didi – China’s Uber)

Unlike most city taxis, Beijing’s cabs are also really affordable. The main problem with them is that they tend to take a long time to get anyway because of the traffic in the city.

However, if you don’t want to be lugging bags back to your hotel and you want to be dropped off directly outside, then just hail a cab. Make sure you find an official one – you’ll recognise them by their two-tone pattern and hopefully a light on behind the windscreen indicating that they’re free.

Check that the cab has a meter before you get in, and that it is starting on 13RMB. Have your destination written down in Chinese just in case your driver can’t understand you (it’s highly likely that they won’t speak English). 

Do not get into a taxi that isn’t the standard two-tone colour. It’s a “black taxi” and they’re illegal. They’ll charge hideous rates and could even be dangerous.

In a taxi, you’ll be charged 13RMB for the first 2 miles, and then 2RMB per 1.4 miles after that during the day. After 11pm there’s a 20% increase in this fee, but either way your taxi ride will be cheap. If the driver is going at a slow-speed (in rush hour for example) then more will be added, or if you go further than 9 miles there will be extra charges. However, the extra costs shouldn’t make too much of a difference. For example, an hour’s journey from the airport to the centre of Beijing shouldn’t cost you any more than around 100 – 120 RMB.

Another way to grab a taxi in Beijing is to use their online ordering service similar to Uber, which is Didi. The only downside to this is that you have to be able to pay on the app, which means that you need a Chinese bank account.

As a tourist, you won’t have one of these but if you’re visiting Beijing from another part of China as an expat then it’s a great way of getting a cab, especially for those early morning/late night airport pickups.

A lot of taxis in Beijing have their seat belts cut out. I can’t explain it – no one really seems to know or care why they do it, so just watch out. These drivers are also not known for their slow and careful manoeuvring , so if you’re a nervous passenger, perhaps the subway would be a better choice for you!

Beijing is such a cool city and there is so much more to see and do that this itinerary. However, if you’re short on time then these are definitely the best things to do in the city!

Depending on your accommodation choices, Beijing is also the perfect place to explore on a budget as everything can be done cheaply or even for free, and you can take advantage of easy transportation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best tours in beijing.

Taking a tour in Beijing is a good idea if you are short on time as it leaves nothing for you to organise. You might also prefer a tour if you aren’t comfortable with taking local buses further out of the city. Here are a few of my favourites:

What are some must-dos in Beijing?

If you are only spending 3 days in Beijing, then I recommend visiting the Great Wall as a priority. The Forbidden City is also a must-see, as well as Tian’anmen Square.

Which airport will I fly into?

Beijing has two airports – Beijing Capital International (PEK) and the newly built Beijing Daxing International airport (PKX).

Is it easy to travel around Beijing?

Yes! Pick up a subway card at a station booth and top up the card as and when you need it. The subway in Beijing is quick, cheap and reliable, plus the signs are in English!

How long should I spend in Beijing?

As foreigners can now get 6 days in Beijing visa-free, I would recommend spending at least 3 here. If you have the time and money though, it would be ideal for you to take advantage of the full 6 days by following our itinerary! Spending just under a week here is perfect because you can take a day to rest or enjoy the city at a slower pace.

Have you used this Beijing itinerary? Is there anything decent that I’ve left out? Let us know if you have any other Beijing travel tips in the comments below!

Click on the image below to repin this post!

China is a very peaceful and nice place. Peoples are very friendly there. All the places in Beijing were very attractive and I’m very excited to visit these places. Recently I had to China with my family for 8days.

It is a great place to be!

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• February 3, 2019
• Travel China

Beijing is a well-travelled city in China, and many tours cost an arm and a leg. If you’re searching for an alternative tour of China’s capital – read on to learn about the only free walking tour of Beijing – plus why you need to take It!

Not only does your guide take you to some of the best sights in Beijing, but you’re also getting to experience the lesser-travelled sights, more local gems of China’s capital city. On top of that, every point of interest is explained and there are some really interesting stories to hear about Beijing and China in general. There’s no better way to hear these tales than with Beijing’s free walking tour.

Plus, come on, there’s nothing better than free! This, of course, does not include the tip for your charismatic, knowledgeable English guide.

Ever had an interaction with a professional cricket fighter? Yeah, the little insect that hops around the garden. It’s something I’ve never dreamt of! Trust me, this is one tour not to miss.

Please Note: Currently, beijingwalking.com is not offering the free walking tour of Beijing right now. They do still provide other tours but are not free. If anyone has another recommendation for a free walking tour of Beijing, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

How to book a spot in Beijing’s Free Walking tour

It’s super simple to book a spot on Beijing’s only free walking tour. You can message the guides – my guide for the day was Leo, and he was perfect as he led the small group around the ancient and modern streets of Beijing.

This is a good way to confirm the tour is going ahead, and any changes on the where to meet up. It’s a good idea to get in contact with them beforehand, so they can gauge how many they will have on the tour.

My tour left just outside Nanluoguxiang Train Station. You should take Exit E, and head outside. The tour is usually scheduled for roughly the same time of the day throughout the year.  Making it so the walk goes through the afternoon and into the early night – perfect for sunset views.

I suggest showing up a little early, 4:45 pm was a perfect amount of time to find “Exit E”, make our way outside and introduce ourselves to our guide, Leo. This free-thinking Beijing local was amazing. He had an informative answer for every question he was asked and made the entire tour memorable and extremely enjoyable.

I’m not sure exactly the cut-off number for each tour, but I’d put an estimate around 30 or so people for each guide. It makes the whole experience more fun anyway. My tour group consisted of around 20 tourists.

Who organizes this free walking tour of Beijing?

The only free walking tour through Beijing is run by Beijing Walking Tours. At my time of visiting, there were only 3 guys taking groups. Leo was a very knowledgeable guide, and so funny. He made the experience unforgettable.

All tours they offer are listed on their website, along with up-to-date information, maps, itineraries and everything else you need to know.

These guys also offer a wide range of paid tours throughout Beijing and other parts of China – including the Great Wall. If you’re looking for an alternative guided tour, I highly suggest Beijing Walking Tours.

How long does Beijing’s Walking Tour last?

My partner and I joined this tour from Nanluoguxiang Train Station at 5 pm (try to be a little early). Once the walking tour begins, it goes for a few hours. My partner and I left the group a little early as we had already visited the final stop of the tour, Jinshan Park.

By the time the tour finishes, it is well into the night around 8 pm. Make sure you bring your walking shoes, this is a ‘walking tour’, after all.

Where will I visit on Beijing’s Walking Tour?

The itinerary for this free walking tour of Beijing teaches you a lot about both the city’s most notable sites and the lesser known places to visit. While there are some busy and touristic sites, you explore also quite a few amazing Hutongs and less visited sites.

It’s a great blend of the common and uncommon sights in Beijing.

If you would like to find out more information about each of these sights, I give a more detailed rundown below in the sections “what I learned from Beijing walking tour”, but here’s a shortlist to get you started:

• Visit a number of Hutong’s, including Mao’er Hutong, Lindang Hutong, and Gongijan Hutong.
• Beijing’s Drum Tower
• Qianhai Lake at sunset
• Spend some time at a professional “cricket fighter’s” home
• Beijing’s Bell Tower
• Jinshan Park

Not only are all these stops memorable, but there are also plenty of smaller stops along the way. Leo used these off-the-beaten stops to give a wonderful insight into the history and culture of China . This created a full and interesting tour for the roughly three hours we spent walking and learning.

Learning lesser-known facts about Beijing and it’s history, definitely helped ease some culture shock in China for me.

For more of an in-depth guide to what you will learn during Beijing’s free walking tour, read on below!

How much to tip after the only free Walking tour of Beijing?

Free walking tours are fantastic. While they boast a huge amount of information for “free”, tipping is the best way to show gratitude for the guide’s time and effort. While you’re not obligated to tip, the wealth of information Leo provided in just a few short hours is well worth it!

Many free walking tours I’ve been on, the guides make jokes about slipping them a $50 note, but mostly, it’s fine to pay what you feel the tour is worth. While they are technically volunteering their time, these guides sometimes have no other job or are students looking to make a few extra bucks.

Highlights from Beijing’s Free Walking Tour

• There were so many unique places visited on this tour, that it was hard not to learn interesting facts about the city of Beijing. I’ll give you a rundown of exactly what I experienced and was taught by our amazing guide Leo. So even if you don’t take this free walking tour (I highly suggest you make time for it, though), you can still learn some pretty cool things about Beijing and China in general.
• China has ancient neighborhoods called Hutongs. These little communities are full of narrow, winding streets are easy to get lost in and so fun to explore. Leo, who has lived in a Hutong himself, told us how family was the epicenter of Mongolian culture, they built courtyard houses for their families to be together, centered around a well. Hutong actually means well.
• There are few hutongs left, which are now protected as cultural relics because before this designation, the government would tear them down to build high-rises.
• The elderly “cricket fighter man” is world-renowned in his profession. As he passed his giant crickets around, he enthusiastically told us in Mandarin more about himself and what he does (with the help of Leo as a translator). He would start every sentence with an excited, tooth-less smile “Hello!” then continue on in Mandarin.   His largest fighters, currently the giant “Mike Tyson” spend only a third of their 100-day lifespan fighting. When they lose, they are fed to a large lizard – which was also passed around to anyone game enough. With that said, he did not view these crickets as disposable, they were his very pride and joy.

• Ancient China had “matchmakers”. As girls were not allowed to leave the house’s second inner gate until married, these matchmakers would visit and report back to their prospective future husbands. You may have heard of the banned practice of binding of feet  – one of the ways that a woman’s beauty was determined by the prospective husband would be to ask the size of her feet. Back then, 3 inches was considered the perfect size. Fortunately, this has been banned for many decades.  Part of the matchmaking process was also to match couples of the same stature – i.e. 4 beams with 4 beams. (More on that below)
• Just by looking at the front of many houses in Beijing can tell you a lot about the families who live there – or at least historically. Stone carvings either side of the doorway depict the family’s profession, while the number of beams above the door and the number of steps indicated their ranking. For example, the emperor is known to have 25 steps.
• Owning a car in Beijing is unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. There is a lottery. Every year, around 30,000 people are chosen at random for the right to buy a car. Leo had been waiting for the past 3.5 years for his lucky number to be drawn. The point is to try to reduce or limit the amount of traffic on the already busy streets or Beijing. This also combats the smog issue Beijing is known to have. Leo joked, “In the meantime, people use their BMWs to get around – bike metro walk!”
• The tour was perfectly timed to enter Jinshan Park just as the sun began to set. The group entered the park grounds with blue skies and sunshine, and as the sun set and light faded, lights began to spring up around Jinshan Park.

Beijing Free Walking Tour highlights

• Spending time with Leo was educational and enjoyable
• Beijing’s Hutong’s are fascinating to explore
• Seeing a lesser-traveled side of the busy Beijing

Further Reading for China Travel

• Some amazing things to do in all of China
• A quiet and relaxed way to visit the Great Wall of China
• Tianmen Mountain, in Zhangjiajie, is a stunning scenic mountain

If you have taken part in Beijing’s free walking tour, I’d love to hear what you thought- leave me a comment below!

Also, if you enjoyed this post, I’d love it if you would share it to social media – just use the buttons over to the left (down the bottom if you’re on mobile) so more people can learn about Beijing’s best and only free walking tour!

Thanks for reading!

Happy and safe travels,

Ben – Horizon Unknown

This sounds great. We were in Beijing in 2007 but didn’t see all of these things. Of course, there’s a lot to see there. We just saw different things. We’re definitely considering going back.

Do you think the walking tour could accommodate someone who moves a little slower. Or, with a group of 20+ is it pretty slow anyway?

Hi Trine, thanks for your comment! There’s so much to see in Beijing! It’s such a huge city!

The size of the tour definitely made the walking pretty slower pace. It wasn’t ever a rushed tour or felt pressured to move faster, so I think having someone who moves a little slower shouldn’t be a problem!

Safe travels, Ben

Hello, Can you please provide the email or website of the Walking Tour? Thanks, Natalie

Hi Natalie, I sure can! Must have overlooked to actually add the site. My bad! I’ve updated the content and here the link is below. Have a great trip!

http://www.beijingwalking.com/

Hi, will be in Beijing from 20 – 26 Oct 19. Would like to know on the Beijing free walking tour? How can i register?

Hey Yong, thanks for the comment. So Beijingwalkingtours.com don’t currently offer the free walking tour of Beijing, while the guide, Leo, still does tours around Beijing and China, they aren’t free. Strawberry Tours is a company I have heard great things about that offer free walking tours in Beijing – but I haven’t been on the tour myself.

Sorry I can’t be of more help!

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Asia offers a wide choice of destinations and everyone should be able to find its dream come true holiday. Riding horses in the steppes, following the Silk Road path, trekking in the mountains, enjoying the white sands on beautiful beaches, discovering temples or just walk in those incredible Asian cities, the choice is vast! So what kind of holiday is next for you? Our website is a compilation of a few trips our travel agency can offer, to give you some ideas, but we have much more than what you can find here, so don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your next dream holiday in Asia and we will customize it for you. As China itself offers numerous travel opportunities we dedicated a whole section on our website.

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We propose day trip to the Great Wall, but we can also organize treks & camping there.

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Not ready to travel alone? We have only small size groups, so join now!

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Room 1001, DongWai GongGuan, XinZhongjie Yi 3, Dongcheng Dist., Beijing 北京市东城区新中街乙3号 东外公馆办公楼1001室 Monday - Friday 10-19h local time Closed Saturday & Sunday

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New Menu at Horizon Chinese Restaurant at Kerry Hotel Beijing

Exquisite Cuisine, Classic Flavors

Horizon Chinese Restaurant presents a newly updated menu. The menu features classic Beijing dishes, wholesome double-boiled soups, traditional Cantonese clay pot dishes, and a variety of fresh seafood cooked to your preference. We're also introducing our weekday set lunch and set dinner menus, bringing variety to your lunches, with more options for dinner as well as a venue for family gatherings on weekdays.

Chef Yuan Chaoying’s Signature Dishes

With 42 years of experience in the culinary field, Chef Yuan is proud to present three signature dishes in the new menu that aren't to be missed when dining at Horizon Chinese Restaurant. The ever-popular Jing Ya Yuan Peking duck as well as two-time honored Beijing dishes, traditional roasted and steamed pork and traditional wood-fired oven-roasted chicken. The latter two dishes are prepared using a 156-year-old technique that is similar to the cooking of Peking duck.

As you enter Horizon Chinese Restaurant, your attention will be drawn to the open kitchen, which houses the traditional wood-fired oven used in the roasting of Peking duck. Guests are able to view the skilled roasting of each duck from start to finish. Every duck is precisely carved and sliced table-side, with each slice measuring 5cm long and 0.2cm thick. The sliced duck is served together with Chinese pancakes, Chinese buns, and a combination of condiments that include sweet sauce, leek, minced garlic, cucumber, and sugar. The duck has the right amount of fat yet is not greasy, and when eaten together with condiments makes for a flavorful experience.

Preparing traditional Beijing roasted and steamed pork starts with a carefully selected cut of pork belly that is marinated and then air-dried. The air-dried meat is roasted for one hour in a traditional wood-fired oven, maintained at a temperature of 200 degrees Celsius until the pork is golden brown and its skin is beautifully crackling. The roasted pork is left to cool for one day, after which it is steamed for one hour to soften it. It is then sliced and steamed for another hour, together with a sauce specially concocted by Chef Yuan, making the meat even more tender and boasting a succulent layer of skin and fat. After a four-day cooking process, this time-honored Beijing dish is finally completed, with traditional flavors that invoke memories of days past.

Similarly elaborate, only carefully selected chickens weighing no more than three pounds each are used for the traditional wood-fired oven-roasted chicken to ensure the best quality. The chicken is marinated in more than ten different spices for one day and air-dried in a temperature-controlled room for another day. It is then hung to roast in a wood-fired oven, a technique that has been used for roasting Peking duck for more than 100 years. The chicken is roasted for 60 minutes, allowing an even distribution of the chicken fat and the fragrance of the jujube wood to permeate the chicken, resulting in a roasted chicken with crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat.

Cantonese Classics

The finest ingredients are selected for Horizon’s double-boiled soups. The soups are cooked over a slow fire in a large thick-walled clay pot, allowing the soups to take on the natural flavors of the ingredients. Horizon recommends the double-boiled black chicken with black garlic soup. Naturally fermented black garlic, known for its immunity-boosting qualities, is combined with black chicken that is rich in protein and dried scallops. Using a traditional Cantonese method of double-boiling results in a wholesome flavorful soup while retaining the natural sweetness and nutrition of the ingredients.

Clay pot dishes are another classic Cantonese cuisine. Selected seasonal foods are cooked over a slow fire, preserving the natural taste and nutritional content of the ingredients. Traditional clay pot rice with assorted preserved sausages is a well known classic clay pot dish. Washed fragrant rice is cooked over high heat for five minutes, removing excess starch in the process. Thereafter, it is combined with assorted preserved meats and cooked over low heat for 30-40 minutes, during which time the rice absorbs the flavors of the preserved meat. Seasoned soy sauce is drizzled over the cooked rice and stirred to combine, resulting in a fragrant delicious dish.

Braised codfish fillet with garlic, shallots, and basil leaf is another clay pot dish worth mentioning. Drawing inspiration from the dish, "three-cup chicken," this dish is cooked with three cups of sauce, namely Chinese cooking wine, soy sauce, and honey. High-quality silver cod combined with these sauces produces a dish with the right amount of sweetness and saltiness with the heat and flavors kept in with the use of the clay pot.

Fresh Seasonal Seafood

Mandarin fish, marble goby, garoupa, eastern spotted garoupa, Australian lobster, live shrimp... a variety of fresh seasonal seafood cooked to your preference. Choose from soy steamed, deep-fried with soy sauce, braised with garlic, wok-fried with butter sauce, poached in Sichuan chili pepper oil, or steamed with chili.

Horizon has launched a set menu for each day of the week. Treat yourself to a weekday lunch set with three sets to choose from. Each set includes soup, dim sum or barbecue combination, main dish, vegetables, and rice or noodles. With a variety of options and priced at RMB 138 per set, dine on tasty dishes with ease and peace of mind.

Weekday dinner set menus are ideal for those after-work get-togethers. Each set has been carefully assembled to include appetizers, a seafood dish, a vegetable dish, clay pot rice, and seasonal fruit platter. Priced at RMB 588 per set, it is good for three people. End your weekday on a perfect note with award-winning food and service.

A dim sum set menu for two people is available on weekends. Horizon Chinese Restaurant has combined their most popular dim sum dishes, together with Cantonese barbecued meats, braised combination platter, and clay pot rice, so you can have an appetizing, fulfilling, and relaxing weekend.

About Horizon Chinese Restaurant

Horizon Chinese Restaurant draws on both modern as well as traditional Chinese elements for its interior, creating an impactful atmosphere from the moment you enter. Tables in the birdcage-themed semi-private area are artfully separated by vertically placed wooden strips, while custom-made chandeliers effortlessly blend into the area. Hand-painted artworks further enhance the pale yellow tones of the walls.

Horizon Chinese Restaurant has a total of six private rooms all named after flowers. Four rooms have an attached bathroom and three rooms feature a kitchenette, with our chefs always ready to attend to your needs. The well-trained service staff provides efficient and attentive service, to ensure the best experience.

Horizon Chinese Restaurant Daily 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30-10pm. 1/F, Kerry Hotel, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District (6561 8833 ext 41) 朝阳区光华路1号北京嘉里大饭店1层

Photos courtesy of Horizon Chinese Restaurant

• Horizon Chinese Restaurant
• Kerry Hotel
• Kerry Hotel Beijing

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• DEC 29-JAN01,2024
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• 1F, Kerry Hotel, 1 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang, Beijing, China Mainland
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Michelin guide’s point of view.

The head chef here has been working in Beijing’s prestigious hotels and boasts over 30 years of experience. His signature date-wood roast duck speaks volumes about his exceptional culinary acumen. Other timeless classics, novelty creations and the stellar array of appetisers paint a colourful tapestry of Cantonese food. Experience the authentic ‘yum cha’ culture down south with dim sum made by Cantonese chefs at lunch.

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Blinken Goes to China With Potential Trouble on Horizon

The secretary of state’s visit comes as Democrats and Republicans are vying to appear tougher on China.

By Vivian Wang

Reporting from Beijing

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken arrived in China on Wednesday to try to preserve the recent and delicate stabilization of ties between the United States and China, as tensions over trade, territorial disputes and national security threaten to derail relations again.

Even before Mr. Blinken’s plane approached Shanghai, the challenges ahead were apparent. He landed just hours after the U.S. Senate passed a bill , which President Biden is expected to quickly sign into law, that provides $8 billion to Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region, and could also lead to a nationwide ban on the Chinese-owned app TikTok .

The political season in the United States also looms as a complication. With the presidential election nearing, Democrats and Republicans are vying to appear tougher on China. And if former President Donald Trump is re-elected, he could reverse Beijing’s and Washington’s efforts to steady the relationship.

During Mr. Blinken’s three-day trip, which will also include a visit to Beijing, he plans to press Chinese officials on a wide range of issues, including its support for Russia, cheap Chinese exports that U.S. officials say threaten American jobs, and Chinese ships’ aggressive maneuvers in the South China Sea, a senior State Department official told reporters in a telephone briefing.

Chinese officials are likely to bring up American support for Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims, and trade restrictions that Beijing calls discriminatory.

Mr. Blinken is expected to meet with China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi. It is not clear whether he will meet with China’s leader, Xi Jinping, as he did during his last visit , in June.

That visit — the first by an American secretary of state to China since 2018 — came at perhaps the worst moment in U.S.-China relations in recent years. High-level military communications were cut off, and neighboring countries worried that the two powers might stumble into a war.

Since then, relations have thawed somewhat. China’s economy is slowing, and Beijing has adopted a softer diplomatic tone to attract more foreign investment. Washington, though continuing to warn that China poses a global security threat, has said it wants to keep communication open.

In November, Mr. Biden and Mr. Xi met for four hours near San Francisco. Afterward, China agreed to resume cooperation with the United States on fighting the global production of fentanyl, and both countries affirmed the importance of restoring cultural exchanges. The two leaders also spoke by phone this month.

Last week, the countries’ top defense officials held a video conference, their first substantive engagement since late 2022.

But new sources of tension are rising. Western officials have grown increasingly vocal about concerns that China is backing Russia in its war in Ukraine. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, during her own visit to China earlier this month, warned of “ significant consequences ” if Beijing provides material support. China has maintained that it is not, while deepening ties with Moscow. Mr. Xi hosted Russia’s foreign minister this month, and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia is expected to visit China soon.

U.S. officials have also said China is dumping cheap electric vehicles and solar panels in overseas markets, hurting American companies. China has rejected the accusations as smacking of protectionism.

Chinese ships’ aggressive behavior in waters disputed with the Philippines and Japan has also raised concerns about a possible clash that could draw in the United States, a treaty ally of those countries.

On Taiwan, perhaps the most sensitive issue in the U.S.-China relationship, the island is set to inaugurate its new president , Lai Ching-te — whom Beijing reviles as an advocate of Taiwanese independence — next month.

Asked at a regular news briefing on Wednesday about Congress’s new aid for Taiwan, Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, said that stronger military cooperation between the United States and Taiwan would “not bring about security for Taiwan” and would “only escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait.”

China’s defense minister, Dong Jun, had told U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during their call that China would “brook no compromise” on Taiwan, according to the Chinese readout .

Mr. Wang declined to answer repeated questions about TikTok on Wednesday. He referred reporters to previous statements from China’s Ministry of Commerce, which has said it would “ firmly oppose ” a sale of the app.

Within the United States, anti-China rhetoric is likely to intensify as the Democrats and Republicans compete to outdo each other on one of the few areas of bipartisan agreement. Campaigning last week in Pennsylvania, a steelworking stronghold, Mr. Biden called for raising tariffs on steel imports from China.

“We had high hopes after the San Francisco summit, but recent developments are putting a lot of stress on the relationship,” said Xie Tao, the dean of the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University. “When you add all these negative developments together, you have a pretty depressing picture of the U.S.-China relationship right now.”

Both countries have reason to try to prevent escalating tensions. The United States has asked China to help restrain Iran, with which it has good relations, from pushing its hostilities with Israel into full-blown war. And China is eager to stave off further tariffs from the United States, as strong exports have helped it counterbalance its housing crisis and weak consumer spending.

But both countries may also have little room for diplomatic maneuvering, because of hardening public opinion on both sides.

“There are already so many irritants and issues of mistrust within the relationship,” said Allen Carlson, a professor of international relations at Cornell University.

“If you have a pot which is already close to boiling, it only takes adding a degree or two to push things over the edge.”

Vivian Wang is a China correspondent based in Beijing, where she writes about how the country’s global rise and ambitions are shaping the daily lives of its people. More about Vivian Wang

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The Horizon (Beijing Kerry Hotel)

Ratings and reviews, location and contact, michelin guide's point of view.

The restaurant is inside the Kerry Mall. We had a very pleasant dinner at this restaurant, eating the amazing roasted duck (traditional dish from Beijing) and mixed dumplings. Very elegant ambience and very good service too (the waiter Ivan is really professional, prepared and friendly).... Totally recommended. More

Dear Nicola, Thank you for sharing your comments for The Horizon Chinese Restaurant. It is great to hear that you have enjoyed our wood-fired Beijing duck and service at Horizon. It is our mission to delight each of our guests and I am glad to... More

Great duck! Overall I think they have one of the best ducks in town. For a hotel restaurant, they do a really great job! Good service and food! More

Dear Mr. President， Thank you for sharing your comments for The Horizon Chinese Restaurant. It is great to hear that you have enjoyed our wood-fired Beijing duck and service at Horizon. It is our mission to delight each of our guests and I am glad... More

The food was very good and the fried rice was the Best... The ambiance was nice and the service was very good too. It is a little expensive but not too much or a problem.

Very tasty food. Beijing duck is amazing. Special thanks to Ivan. Ivan make duck rolls for us very much.

Staff at the front desk had no record of the booking. When told my host has already arrived in a private room, I was still told that there's no such person. In the end I had to call my host to come outside to bring... me in. Once inside the room, there are not enough chairs. That's not their fault as several turned up unexpectedly. However, it took them over 10mins to bring in more chairs. In terms of the food quality, I was already in a bad mood and did not really enjoy my meal. I only remember the roasted duck which was good. This will be a much better restaurant if the service can be improved, by a lot. More

Dear CQueen2014, Thank you for sharing your experience with us here on TripAdvisor. We are sorry to hear of your unhappy experience and we are truly concerned about your dissatisfaction as you mentioned in your review. I will highly appreciate if you could please contact... More

Went there for a working lunch. Over the food was quite OK however noting is outstanding. Service was not too bad as well. I would say it is a decent restaurant.

Shared plates, four adults. Excellent service. Ivan was our friendly bilingual waiter. More food than we could finish.

We came here on our last night in Beijing and were not disappointed. The Peking Duck was great and we loved the open kitchen where you could see it being made. Our server, Ivan was great, he was attentive and very friendly. We would definitely... come back! More

We visited this week for duck. We had duck rice and crab and veggies. Very good food . Our waiter Ivan was a professional and he was very kind to decorate our crab plate after serving it to us. He also explained the history behind... the different parts of the duck dish. I enjoyed my time there the atmosphere was casual and very relaxing in an upscale restaurant. Will go again. More

Dear Georgearna, Thank you for sharing your comments for The Horizon Chinese Restaurant. It is great to hear that you have enjoyed our wood-fired Beijing duck and service at Horizon. It is our mission to delight each of our guests and I am glad to... More

On my last day in Beijing, I decided to have some dim sum for lunch and went to The Horizon. The restaurant has modern decoration which provides for a welcoming atmosphere. The dim sum menu has very good options, very well elaborated. The staff was... welcoming and provided good service. I wish my stay in town were longer so that I could go back for another round of dim sum!! More

Dear Michela M, Thank you for sharing your comments for The Horizon Chinese Restaurant. It is great to hear that you have enjoyed our dim sum at Horizon. It is our mission to delight each of our guests and I am glad to learn that... More

Often go here when I stay at the Kerry Hotel as it is in the connected mall. Some of the best Peking duck, will always order this when I go there. The cha siu is good too, as well as other dishes. Not cheap but... you get what you pay for which is a very good meal in a restaurant with nice décor and atmosphere. Is good for business dinners as well as they have private rooms too. More

Dear jeffreym2017, Thank you for sharing your comments for The Horizon Chinese Restaurant. It is great to hear that you have enjoyed our Peking Duck at Horizon. It is our mission to delight each of our guests and I am glad to learn that you... More

Had dinner with colleagues couple of times at The Horizons and enjoyed the delicious duck and bbq combinations of roast pork and meat. The pepper beef was tender and tasty too. Servings tend to be smaller, suitable for 4-5 pax. If you stay at Kerry... Hotel, this would be the best chinese restaurant within short walking distance. More

Dear Angie T, Thank you for taking time to write this wonderful review of your experience at The Horizon Chinese Restaurant here on TripAdvisor. Your compliments are the biggest motivation to all of us and we are glad that we were able to delight you.... More

The duck is just too good , and a highlight of the trip. I booked it through e-mail and they respond efficiently. The wine here is reasonably priced and a good pairing with the famous duck. More

Dear Traveller201188, Thank you for sharing your comments for The Horizon Chinese Restaurant. It is great to hear that you have enjoyed our wood-fired Beijing duck and service at Horizon. It is our mission to delighted each of our guests and I am glad to... More

This is the best Beijing Duck restaurant I have ever been to in my life. I was invited by a Chinese business partner who is a huge restaurant expert and he claimed the same.

The best Peking duck I have had. Although they are trying to rebrand it to Beijing Duck. Call u anything but make sure your pre-order as it takes 70mins to make. Definitely a meal to share with friends n family. Don't bother with the franchise... shops More

THE HORIZON (BEIJING KERRY HOTEL) - Guomao - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

• Atmosphere: 4.5

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HTC helps drive immersive pyramid exhibition in Beijing

By Ma Si | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2024-02-20 17:29

The immersive exhibition Horizon of Khufu is going on in Beijing as HTC Corp，a virtual reality pioneer, teams up with partners to leverage cutting-edge digital technologies to create new cultural experiences.

This project is an immersive virtual reality expedition based on the recreation of the interior and surroundings of the Pyramid of Khufu in Egypt. It is driven by HTC VIVE, the virtual reality brand of HTC.

In the Horizon of Khufu digital immersion exhibition The Eternal Pyramid - Mummies and the Legend of Khufu, viewers will wear HTC VIVE FOCUS 3 headsets. In addition to gaining a close understanding of the internal structure and historical context of the pyramid, they will also be able to explore areas that have never been open to the public before, and even travel as far as 4,500 years ago to uncover the mystery of ancient Egyptian civilization.

During the immersive 45-minute virtual reality experience, the audience can not only feel the excitement of overlooking the panoramic view of the Giza Plateau when climbing to the top of the Great Pyramid, but also go back to the fourth dynasty to sail on a solar boat on the Nile River and enjoy the infinite beauty.

Charles Huang, global senior vice president of HTC Vive, said combining technology with culture has always been HTC VIVE's vision. "We also always uphold the concept of openness and inclusiveness, and want to continuously break down the barriers between the virtual and real world, and refresh people's experiences of exploring the world."

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Beijing Auto Show Is a Home Run, but Mostly for Domestic Brands

North America remains a forbidden land for China's automakers, but the technical advances are worth watching. So are all the new models and companies.

• Another trend is the proliferation of domestic brands never heard of before.
• Auto Beijing opened to media on April 25, and the public days run through May 4.

A proper EV for under $7500 in U.S. money? No problem; there are stacks of those in China. An electric Smart (remember that three-cylinder microcar?) with a nuclear 646-hp drivetrain under its belt? Check out the rugged #5 (below). Plug-in hybrids with a range of 1250 miles? BYD, Chery, and Geely would be proud to oblige. The world's first production-ready long-range solid state energy pack? Developed and made in China, these are due to come onstream next year at the latest. A luxury SUV that can swim across a lake, or a battery-powered flying car? Piece of cake—the megabucks YangWang U8 floats like a duck, while the super-light XPeng Aeroht takes off like a kite. Look elsewhere for fake news; these and other dream objects are for real at the Beijing auto show, which opened to the public today.

Once again, the domestic automakers pulled out all the stops for what must now be the greatest car show on earth. Staged annually alternating with Shanghai, China Auto never ceases to surprise and delight. In 2024, we are seeing never-heard-of brands like Onvo, Fang Cheng Bao, Mona, and Stelato, together with a glut of new models in all segments and a wide choice of advanced technologies, be they software-driven or spurred by breakthrough hardware.

But all that glitters is not gold. The sheer number of manufacturers and products is struggling to gain a firm footing in an already crowded market. Oversupply and slowly waning demand keep triggering cutthroat price wars, more and more cars look confusingly similar inside and out, and although the government supports this industry where it can, only a dozen or so of the close to 100 players are fit enough to survive the inevitable selection process.

Right now, however, the community is in a party mood. With COVID no longer an impediment, the economy is almost back on track again, consumer confidence has returned, and thanks to a boost of national pride, local brands are fast gaining momentum. The authorities comply by prolonging subsidies and fast-tracking the charging infrastructure, which is set to grow from 1.1 to 1.5 million hookup points by 2028.

.css-1rvrtxn{font-family:Gliko,Gliko-fallback,Gliko-roboto,Gliko-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-size:1.625rem;line-height:1.2;margin:0rem;-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-color:#DBCA8B;text-decoration-thickness:0.25rem;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1rvrtxn{font-size:2.25rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-1rvrtxn{font-size:2.625rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1rvrtxn{font-size:3rem;line-height:1.1;}}.css-1rvrtxn b,.css-1rvrtxn strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-1rvrtxn em,.css-1rvrtxn i{font-style:italic;font-family:inherit;} The cheapest zero-emission model—China's answer to the Japanese kei car—is currently priced under $6000. Four of last year's bestselling NEVs are priced under $11,000.

At the same time, the car industry is launching one affordable New Energy Vehicle (NEV, an acronym that includes plug-in hybrids) after the other. The cheapest zero-emission model—China's answer to the Japanese kei car—is currently priced under $6000. Four of last year's bestselling NEVs are priced under $11,000, and there are three more that would set you back less than $21,000. While the popular Wuling Hongguang is too basic for exportation, others like the $10,000 BYD Seagull and the $20,500 GAC Aion S are bound to worry the foreign competition.

Solid State Batteries, Battery Swapping

In addition to independent battery suppliers including CATL, Gotion, and Whale, Chinese carmakers have become experts at building their own energy packs. In Beijing, Nio revealed its latest 150-kW WeLion power pack. It made headlines until a previously unknown startup named Talent New Energy presented its lithium metal solid-state battery. That miracle cell is allegedly good for up to 1250 miles between charges.

The fastest-charging vehicle is no longer a Tesla or the new Taycan but the Zeekr 001, which went from 400 to 800 volts to complete the standard 10 to 80 percent charge in only 11 minutes. Trouble is, it needs a rare ultrafast 600-kW charger to fill up for the next 296 miles, so Geely (Zeekr's parent) promised to install 1000 of these special docking stations by the end of the year.

BYD unwrapped its second-generation Blade battery, which found its first home in the Ocean M hot hatch (below), based on a new rear-wheel-drive architecture, which looks like a Hyundai N fighter.

If charging is not your thing, battery swapping might be a more attractive option. At least that's the business model proffered by Nio and its system partners Changan, JAC, Chery, and Geely, with Volvo and Polestar in tow. Even though Nio wants to have 4000 swapping stations in place worldwide before 2025 runs out, commercial success may be thwarted by fast-forward battery evolution, the compromised one-size-must-fit-all packaging, and high costs for the stand-alone infrastructure.

Even though the company is reportedly losing thousands on every vehicle sold, the new Onvo brand launched at Auto China and next year's Firefly, aimed exclusively at European customers, both feature battery-swapping systems. Will Nio ever be profitable? Since it was established in 2014, cumulative sales have yet to exceed 500,000 units, and that doesn't bode well for a player that spreads its investment over 10 different look-alike models, not counting the two sub-brands.

Domestic Brands Proliferate

BYD (Build Your Dreams) sold 2.5 million cars in China last year, a 43 percent increase that propelled the local hero past VW (2.2 million), Toyota (1.7 million), and Honda (1.2 million). The other two Chinese brands in the 2023 top 10 were Changan, which specializes in affordable small and mid-size cars (1 million), and Geely, another multibrand outfit (915,000). At the Beijing show, BYD displayed the Qin L and Seal 06 PHEV sister models, but the more significant new arrival was without a doubt the good-looking Sea Lion 07 crossover (below), which challenges the bestselling Tesla Model Y with a truly luxurious interior and an aggressive price.

All models built by BYD and its sub-brands are the work of Wolfgang Egger (formerly of Alfa, Seat, Lancia, Lamborghini, and Audi) and his team. European and American designers are the flavor of the decade in China. Influenced from day one by Porsche's lineup, their work may look imitative, but it sells.

In addition to the core brand and its three channels, the Shenzen-based dream merchants are nursing three upmarket divisions: YangWang, Denza, and Fang Cheng Bao, a young outdoors-oriented marque launched last June. YangWang sells pure electric luxury, like the $140,000 U8 G-class rival, the U9 supercar (above), which has yet to go into production, and the U7 S-class-size sedan, which debuted here.

Denza will eventually have five lineups under the initials D, E, N, Z, and A, offering a wide selection of near-premium EVs and PHEVs. Its latest effort is the Z9 GT high-end shooting brake evidently inspired by the Porsche Taycan and Panamera.

Fang Cheng Bao (Chinese for "formula leopard") launched the Bao 3 at Auto China, a funky compact electric SUV priced from around $27,000, and the Super 9 roadster (below), a one-off that looks a bit like a reborn SLR McLaren Stirling Moss or a reimagined Italdesign Aztec.

Vacuuming Robots, Crossbrand Allegiances

Autonomous driving is another big thing in China, where commuters spend hours in stop-and-go traffic. Cooperation is the name of the game when it comes to pairing AD software with a predominantly upmarket set of wheels. Recently forged alliances include pony.ai with Toyota, to be followed soon by Toyota with Huawei and Momenta; Haomo DriveGBT and Great Wall Motor; GAC/Aion and Didi (Uber's chief rival here); and Horizon Robotics and Volkswagen.

In record time and on a tiny budget, the Chinese software specialist developed the self-driving talents of the brand-new VW ID.Code 01 concept (below). Conceived "in China for China," the chic and sleek CUV features a stowaway steering wheel and a robot that vacuum-cleans the vehicle when parked. Due later this year is the China-only ID.UX sub-brand, which will enter the market with the VW sibling of the locally built Cupra Tavascan.

More and more often, Chinese carmakers are collaborating with crossbrand allies like software giants, telecommunication companies, and internet trading specialists. This year's undisputed co-op shooting star is the Xiaomi SU7 (below), which found 100,000 takers before the first car was delivered to a customer. A sleek Taycan clone priced from around $28,000, the SU7 boasts Xiaomi's own L2++NoA (navigate on autopilot) system certified for 100 Chinese cities. Other integrated tech includes the brand's Ecosystem and Hyper MMI. Similar money buys the IM L6 notchback and the Luxeed L7; IM belongs to the SAIC Group, while Luxeed is a joint venture between Chery and Huawei of laptop and smartphone fame. Both models offer Level 2+ capability, 60-mph acceleration times of under three seconds, and between 535 and 625 miles of maximum range, in the case of the L6 thanks to a new 133.0-kWh solid-state battery. Are you still wondering why the rest of the automotive world is worried sick?

Almost all fresh products on display in the International Exhibition Center break old records and set new standards in terms of efficiency, performance, software-defined qualities, value for money, range, and charging time. But in the eyes of the increasingly ambitious Asian strategists, that ́s not good enough to keep the competition at bay, Innovation is a fickle thing, and who knows where the next revolutionary battery (South Korea!) or the next magic electric motor (Germany!) might come from? So in China, the domestic brands are not merely ticking all the conventional boxes; they also put a lot of effort into soft values like positive user experience and feel-good emotions—the kind of stuff their European and American rivals hesitate to spend money on.

For instance, zoom in on the aforementioned YangWang U8 (above), which can be ordered with a $14,000 roof-mounted drone with over-the-air face recognition.

There are many more fuzzy skills to be discovered. Like multi-modality interiors with face, fingerprint, eyesight, and even emotion identification. Or in-dash AI via self-learning LLMs (large language models), long-reach multi-mode ultra-wide-band digital keys, rotating touchscreens as seen in the BYD Qin L, or major updates of good old gesture control. One extreme example is the active suspension pioneered by Nio on the ET9, which can step like a stork over sleeping police officers or shake a load of snow off its body after a cold winter night.

Doubters, please simply watch that You Tube video. Almost anything is possible in China, where avatars are commonplace digital in-cab assistants on all screens all the time, sometimes a little loud but always one digital step ahead. Luxing yukuai– safe journey!

Although I was born the only son of an ornithologist and a postal clerk, it was clear from the beginning that birdwatching and stamp collecting were not my thing. Had I known that God wanted me to grow to 6’8", I also would have ruled out anything to do with cars, which are to blame for a couple of slipped discs, a torn ligament, and that stupid stooped posture behind the wheel. While working as a keeper in the Aberdeen Zoo, smuggling cheap cigarettes from Yugoslavia to Germany, and an embarrassing interlude with an amateur drama group also failed to yield fulfillment, driving and writing about cars became a much better option. And it still is now, many years later, as I approach my 70th birthday. I love every aspect of my job except long-haul travel on lousy airlines, and I hope it shows.

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Beijing half marathon winner thrown out after trio slowed to let him win

• All four athletes disqualified and forced to return prize money
• Special committee issues apology but steers clear of fix talk

Organisers have revoked He Jie’s first place in the Beijing half marathon last weekend after an investigation confirmed that three other runners had slowed down to let him win the race . All four were disqualified and had to return their medals and prize money.

Online users in China had shared the video from the final moments of Sunday’s race out of suspicion that it had been rigged. The footage showed three African runners letting He, China’s top long-distance runner, move ahead of them shortly before they were about to reach the finish line.

The three runners deliberately reduced their pace, according to a statement from a committee set up to investigate the race. The special committee said that four runners had originally been hired as pacemakers by a sponsor but that the main organisers of the race had not known this. One of the pacemakers didn’t finish the race.

The statement did not acknowledge whether the race was rigged, but it did issue an apology. “We deeply and sincerely apologise to the world and to every part of society, that we did not discover and correct the mistakes in time at this race,” the committee said. Zhong’ao Lupao Sports Management Co, the main organiser, is losing its right to host the Beijing Half Marathon as punishment.

One of the runners had told BBC Sport Africa that they allowed He to win because they had been hired to serve as pacemakers and were not attempting to win the race. “I was not there to compete,” Willy Mnangat of Kenya was quoted as saying. “My job was to set the pace and help the guy win but unfortunately he did not achieve the target, which was to break the national record.”

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Ex-Parliamentary researcher ordered not to contact MPs after China spy charges

• Official Secrets Act
• Friday 26 April 2024 at 10:53am

Former parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash and co-defendant Christopher Berry have been granted conditional bail at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after being charged with spying for China.

Both Christopher Cash, 29, from Whitechapel in east London, and Christopher Berry, 32, from Witney in Oxfordshire, are accused of an offence under the Official Secrets Act. They were ordered not to contact MPs after the charge.

The pair appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday but were not required to enter any pleas to the charge.

They spoke only to confirm their name and address during a short hearing.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring granted both men conditional bail, which in Cash’s case included not to contact MPs or to enter the parliamentary estate.

Cash was told he was permitted to contact his local MP on constituency matters.

He was also ordered not to contact any other staff of parliamentarians.

Cash and Berry were also told not to travel outside the UK and not to contact each other. They were also ordered to sign on at a police station.

Both defendants will next appear at the Old Bailey on May 10 for a preliminary hearing.

The charge alleges that between January 2022 and February 2023, Cash, “for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State, obtained, collected, recorded, published or communicated to any other person articles, notes, documents or information which were calculated to be, might be, or were intended to be, directly or indirectly, useful to an enemy”.

Berry is accused of the same offence between December 2021 and February 2023.

China has dismissed the charges as “self-staged political farce”.

Cash worked as a parliamentary researcher and was closely linked to senior Tories including Tom Tugendhat – now security minister – and Alicia Kearns, who serves as chairwoman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee.

He was director of the China Research Group, which was initially chaired by Mr Tugendhat and then Ms Kearns, and had a sceptical view of the UK’s relationship with Beijing.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle previously told MPs two people had been charged on a matter “relating to national security”, one of whom was a parliamentary pass holder.

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Post Office executives played a leading role in publicly defending their organisation over the hundreds of prosecutions it brought against the sub-postmasters who ran its branches, based on the flawed Horizon accounting system.

But, behind the scenes, it was in-house lawyers who took on the task of briefing senior executives on the robustness of its Horizon software. They were also responsible for commissioning relevant audits and setting out the UK state-owned organisation’s approach to litigation. 

More than 900 people were convicted of a range of offences, including theft and false accounting, in cases involving data from Fujitsu’s flawed Horizon system, which was introduced in 1999. More than 700 prosecutions were brought by the Post Office itself.

However, it was another lawyer — James Hartley, partner and head of dispute resolution at law firm Freeths — who represented 555 of the sub-postmasters in a landmark 2019 High Court case in which the extent of the IT scandal emerged. The judge ruled that several “bugs, errors and defects” meant there was a “material risk” that the Horizon system was to blame for faulty data used in the Post Office prosecutions.

“It’s quite a complex web of obligation, responsibility and culpability,” says Hartley, reflecting on the reach of the affair into the legal profession. “Somewhere along the way, lawyers have stepped over the red line.”

Now, a public inquiry into the scandal is gaining momentum as it takes evidence from senior Post Office executives, government ministers and figures from Fujitsu, ahead of its conclusion this summer.

In the coming months, the inquiry will hear testimony from several former general counsel at the Post Office, each of whom will give evidence against the backdrop of a debate about whether the role of an in-house lawyer needs to be more strictly regulated.

Susan Crichton, the Post Office’s general counsel between 2010 and 2013, will appear today at Aldwych House in London to respond to claims that, under her watch, the business brought prosecutions against sub-postmasters despite concerns surrounding Horizon.

Audio recordings shared with the inquiry, of conversations between Crichton and forensic accountants Second Sight in 2013, suggest she briefed the company’s chief executive that claims made by accused sub-postmasters about the Horizon system were, in fact, true.

Their discussions include the detail, long denied by the Post Office, that third parties could access systems remotely and alter transaction data. Sub-postmasters successfully argued in court that they could not be held solely responsible for any shortfalls because of this third-party access.

Crichton’s evidence is also expected to spell out some of the difficulties that existed for general counsel in raising concerns, particularly when executives fail to act in response.

Chris Aujard, Crichton’s successor, is scheduled to appear at the inquiry tomorrow. Jane MacLeod, who succeeded Aujard, is due to appear in June, shortly after current counsel Ben Foat takes the stand.

Somewhere along the way, lawyers have stepped over the red line James Hartley, Freeths

Contemporaneous documents suggest that there may have been opportunities for the Post Office to prevent litigation.

The Post Office’s general counsel were involved in commissioning half a dozen reports and reviews by external auditors and consultants, including BAE Systems, Deloitte, EY, and Second Sight, in the decade leading up to the 2019 High Court case.

Some of these reports found faults with internal systems and how they were managed. External lawyers in 2013 warned the Post Office that the business was at risk of breaching its obligations as a prosecutor over improper practices, if any decision were made to shred documents, which prevented disclosure.

Richard Moorhead, a professor of law and professional ethics at the University of Exeter, says matters should be reported “up the ladder” and that general counsel need to act as a “moral compass” within an organisation. “They need to speak up if they think things are being done which are improper and ensure the client hears those things,” he says.

Moorhead, who sits on the government-appointed Horizon Compensation Advisory Board, is a vocal critic of the lawyers involved in the Post Office Horizon scandal.

He adds that there were occasions when in-house lawyers at the Post Office should have sought to “blow the whistle” once it became obvious that errors in the Horizon system could account for shortfalls.

General counsel play a prominent role in shaping the legal strategy of a company or organisation and advising executives on the best approach to compliance and handling legal risk. But there is sometimes tension between serving the business and acting in the public’s interest. 

In the aftermath of the Enron and WorldCom fraud scandals in the early 2000s, US regulators introduced new security laws that required general counsel to report adverse information to audit committees, directors and other officials when senior leadership was unresponsive.

[GCs] need to speak up if they think things are being done which are improper and ensure the client hears those things Richard Moorhead, University of Exeter

Brian Cheffins, a professor of corporate law at the University of Cambridge, says the new rules produced a playbook for in-house lawyers who had been “stonewalled internally”, particularly as these individuals could find themselves in “deep water” when misgovernance became evident.

But Cheffins is opposed to plans to set out general counsel’s obligations formally, and warns that doing so risks duplicating duties that already exist elsewhere.

General counsel in the UK operate under the same rules as any solicitor or barrister advising a client, which stipulate acting with integrity in ensuring that senior figures are briefed on unpalatable information. The Horizon affair has reminded lawyers of their duties when advising executives.

Hartley says: “In-house lawyers need to recalibrate their thinking on where that red line is so they know when to turn around to the person they’re advising and say, ‘No, we cannot do that’.”

Post Office general counsel: in the spotlight

Susan Crichton In 2012-2013 she was involved in instructing Second Sight to conduct an independent investigation into Horizon. The forensic accountants raised concerns but these were not actioned by the business despite executives being briefed. Crichton left the Post Office to take on a similar role at TSB Bank in 2013; she retired in 2018.

Chris Aujard After becoming general counsel in 2013, he was tasked with winding down a mediation scheme set up for affected sub-postmasters and removing Second Sight from its role investigating the Post Office. Meeting minutes from 2014 showed he was present when executives discussed setting aside £1mn in “token payments” to mitigate any reputational damage.

Jane MacLeod In position as general counsel when 555 sub-postmasters brought a suit against the Post Office, MacLeod was responsible for overseeing the business’s initial response. The public inquiry will explore her handling of disclosure and response to litigation when she gives evidence in June. She resigned from the Post Office in 2019.

Ben Foat Appointed to general counsel in 2019, Foat previously served as the business’s legal director. He appeared at the inquiry in the middle of last year after widespread disclosure failures resulted in weeks of delays to evidence. Sir Wyn Williams, chair of the inquiry, has since threatened officials with criminal penalties if such problems recur.

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