Beijing essentials
- Country
- China
- Airports
- Beijing Capital International (PEK), plus Beijing Daxing (PKX), about an hour south of the city
- Cheapest time to fly
- Late autumn and winter, outside Lunar New Year, are usually cheapest; Lunar New Year, the May and October Golden Week holidays and summer cost the most.
- From the airport
- The Airport Express train links Capital Airport (PEK) with the city, and Daxing (PKX) has its own express line. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your Canadian card before you go, because many places prefer mobile payments.
- Time difference
- 12 hours ahead of Toronto (can shift by an hour when clocks change)
- Entry for Canadians
- Canadians can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits or transit. The policy started on February 17, 2026 and runs until at least December 31, 2026, so check whether it has been extended if you travel later.
Entry rules change, so confirm on the Government of Canada travel advice page before you book.
Visiting Beijing: what to know
Best time to visit
Autumn (September to October) is the most pleasant time to visit, with clear, mild days. Summers are hot and humid with most of the year's rain in July and August, and winters are cold and dry, often below freezing. Spring can be windy and dusty.
Getting around
The subway reaches almost every sight and has signs in English. Didi is the main ride-hailing app. You need your passport to buy high-speed train tickets, and many big sights, including the Forbidden City, sell tickets online in advance under your passport name.
Money and costs
China uses the renminbi (RMB, yuan). Mobile payment is the norm: link your Canadian credit card to Alipay or WeChat Pay before you go and pay by scanning QR codes. Carry a little cash too, and only exchange money at banks or approved counters.
Where to stay
Dongcheng, around Wangfujing and the Forbidden City, is the easiest base for first-timers, with many hotels near subway lines 1 and 2. Xicheng's Niujie area, around the historic Niujie Mosque, is a Muslim neighbourhood full of halal restaurants and bakeries.
Good to know
Hotels register your stay with the police at check-in, which is required within 24 hours of arrival; if you stay with family, you must register yourself. Many foreign websites and apps are blocked, so download offline maps, translation and your bookings before you fly. For halal food, look for the green 清真 (qīngzhēn) sign, common on Hui Muslim noodle shops and restaurants. The Forbidden City is closed on most Mondays, so plan around it.
Checked October 2026. Sources: Wikipedia: Beijing (climate) · The Palace Museum: tickets · Government of Canada: Travel advice for China
Cheapest flights to Beijing from Canada
Nonstop flights
- From Toronto: Air China and Hainan Airlines
- From Vancouver: Air Canada and Air China
Our guides for Beijing
Hotels, tours and more for Beijing
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Beijing: common questions
When is the cheapest time to fly to Beijing from Canada?
Late autumn and winter, outside Lunar New Year, are usually cheapest; Lunar New Year, the May and October Golden Week holidays and summer cost the most.
Which airport do you fly into for Beijing?
Beijing Capital International (PEK), plus Beijing Daxing (PKX), about an hour south of the city. The Airport Express train links Capital Airport (PEK) with the city, and Daxing (PKX) has its own express line. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your Canadian card before you go, because many places prefer mobile payments.
Do Canadians need a visa for China?
Canadians can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits or transit. The policy started on February 17, 2026 and runs until at least December 31, 2026, so check whether it has been extended if you travel later.
Which Canadian cities fly to Beijing?
Viorvo tracks fares to Beijing from Toronto, Vancouver. Each route page shows the lowest recent fares and the cheapest month.
When is the best time to visit Beijing?
Autumn (September to October) is the most pleasant time to visit, with clear, mild days. Summers are hot and humid with most of the year's rain in July and August, and winters are cold and dry, often below freezing. Spring can be windy and dusty.
How do you get around Beijing?
The subway reaches almost every sight and has signs in English. Didi is the main ride-hailing app. You need your passport to buy high-speed train tickets, and many big sights, including the Forbidden City, sell tickets online in advance under your passport name.
Where should I stay in Beijing?
Dongcheng, around Wangfujing and the Forbidden City, is the easiest base for first-timers, with many hotels near subway lines 1 and 2. Xicheng's Niujie area, around the historic Niujie Mosque, is a Muslim neighbourhood full of halal restaurants and bakeries.