Book cheap flights to Beijing

There is no ideal time to visit Beijing, but if forced to choose, consider planning your vacation between September and October, as this is the time when the weather is most pleasant (cool during the evening and warm, dry and sunny with clear skies during the day). During the months between July and August, the temperatures can exceed 40°C. Peak seasons coincide with popular Chinese holidays, festivals or events, such as the Chinese New Year which takes place during spring. Chinese New Year is a great time to visit the city – it is said to be an experience of a lifetime. Travellers can expect goods to be slightly overpriced and the city becomes crowded, as this is one of China’s biggest festivals.

South Africans do need a visa in order to enter China. Ensure your South African passport has at least 6 months remaining on it from your departure date and that you have at least 2 blank pages available for stamps. You can contact the Embassy of China for more information, in addition to visa applications.

The South African Embassy in China:

Address: 5 Dongzhimen Outer St, Chaoyang, Beijing

Telephone: ( 86 10) 6532 0171 / 021 674 0579 (Cape Town)

Fax: ( 86 10) 6532 7319

Email: embassy@saembassy.org.cn

Beijing is a very safe city and violent crimes are almost unheard of. The city has a very strong reputation for having one of the lowest crime rates, not just in Asia, but globally as well.

Don’t let this blind you to crime, as with any city there are bad and good sides to Beijing. During peak seasons especially, unexpected incidents of petty crime have been reported. Tourists should be aware of their surroundings, especially due to the fact that tourists tend to stand out more than locals, which at times can make them easy targets.

Since Beijing is one of the main tourist destinations in the world, the accommodation that is offered here is pretty much close to perfect. There are various beautiful hotels that visitors can choose from, depending on your taste and budget.

Beijing is the most important transportation hub in the mainland of China in air, rail and road. Due to Beijing being densely populated, transportation in the city’s urban area can become a little overcrowded, especially during rush hours. There are many ways of getting around in Beijing, most of which are easy to use and inexpensive.

The various public transportation options available include subways, buses, sanlunche (three-wheel-car) and taxis.