Book Flights to Beijing, China
The Forbidden City housed 24 emperors across nearly 500 years and remains the largest collection of ancient wooden architecture on Earth. A few hours outside the city, sections of the Great Wall at Mutianyu and Badaling make one of the world's most legendary feats of engineering genuinely accessible as a day trip.
Air China flies direct from Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and San Francisco, with United offering additional Star Alliance options. FareOptic compares every routing into Beijing.
Cheap Flight Deals to Beijing
*All above fares are one way/round trip. Fares incl. all fuel surcharges, taxes & fees and our service fees. Displayed fares are subject to change and cannot be guaranteed at the time of booking. See all booking terms and conditions.
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Why Visit Beijing?
Nearly 500 years of imperial history behind one set of walls, and one of the greatest feats of ancient engineering just outside the city.
The Forbidden City — The Imperial Palace at the Heart of China's Last Two Dynasties
The Largest and Best-Preserved Collection of Ancient Wooden Structures in the World, Serving as the Imperial Palace for the Ming and Qing Dynasties for Nearly 500 YearsThe Forbidden City, constructed beginning in 1406 during the Ming Dynasty and serving as the imperial palace for 24 emperors across the Ming and Qing dynasties until the fall of imperial China in 1912, represents the largest and best-preserved collection of ancient wooden architectural structures anywhere in the world, its nearly 1,000 surviving buildings covering roughly 180 acres behind massive protective walls that literally forbade entry to ordinary citizens for centuries, hence its name. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the complex's elaborate halls, courtyards and imperial gardens reflect both the extraordinary wealth and absolute authority concentrated in China's imperial court and remain a genuinely essential and immersive way to understand the scale and symbolism of Chinese imperial power across nearly five centuries of continuous use.
Visiting the Forbidden City and Adjacent Tiananmen Square
The Forbidden City sits immediately adjacent to Tiananmen Square, one of the largest public squares in the world and the site of numerous pivotal events in modern Chinese history, and the two sites are typically visited together given their direct physical connection and shared historical and political significance to understanding both imperial and modern China.
The Great Wall of China — Sections Near Beijing Offer the Most Accessible Way to Experience an Ancient Wonder
While the Great Wall Stretches Thousands of Kilometers Across Northern China, Several Well-Preserved and Restored Sections Within a Few Hours of Beijing Make It Genuinely Accessible as a Day TripThe Great Wall of China, an enormous and genuinely ancient fortification system built and rebuilt over roughly two thousand years by successive Chinese dynasties to defend against northern invasions, stretches for thousands of kilometers across northern China, but several well-preserved and restored sections within a two-to-three-hour drive of Beijing, most notably Badaling and Mutianyu, make experiencing this genuinely singular feat of ancient engineering accessible as a day trip from the capital. Mutianyu, generally considered less crowded and more scenic than the more heavily touristed Badaling section, offers a cable car for easier access along with dramatic views over the surrounding mountainous terrain that the wall traverses.
Choosing Between Badaling and Mutianyu
Badaling, the most visited and most heavily restored section, offers the easiest access and most extensive visitor infrastructure but also draws the largest crowds, while Mutianyu provides a somewhat quieter and more scenic experience with comparable restoration quality, making it generally the preferred choice for visitors seeking a slightly less crowded Great Wall experience without sacrificing accessibility.
How to Find Cheap Flights to Beijing
Confirm Which Beijing Airport Your Flight Uses
Beijing Capital (PEK) and Beijing Daxing (PKX) are two separate, distant airports. Confirm which one your flight arrives at or departs from, and plan ground transportation accordingly.
Book Great Wall Tours or Transportation in Advance
Both Badaling and Mutianyu draw heavy visitor traffic, particularly on weekends and during peak season. Booking guided transportation or tickets in advance helps avoid the longest queues.
Visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square Together
Given their direct physical adjacency, plan to visit both sites in the same outing rather than as separate trips, allowing a full day to properly explore the Forbidden City's extensive grounds.
Airlines Flying to Beijing
Air China — China's Flag Carrier and Beijing's Primary Long-Haul Operator
Direct Service From Los Angeles, New York and Other Major US Cities Makes Air China the Natural Default Carrier for Most International Travel Into BeijingAir China, China's flag carrier headquartered in Beijing, operates extensive direct long-haul service from major US gateways including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and San Francisco, giving American travelers a wide range of direct routing options into the Chinese capital, and the airline's Beijing hub status ensures well-developed onward domestic connectivity throughout China.
Key Routes
Air China direct from Los Angeles LAX, New York JFK, Chicago ORD and San Francisco SFO
United Airlines and the Star Alliance Network
United's Own Direct Service Provides a Star Alliance Alternative to Air China for US-Based Frequent FlyersUnited Airlines operates its own direct long-haul routes into Beijing from several US hubs, and as a Star Alliance partner alongside Air China, offers frequent flyers a well-integrated network of codeshare and mileage-earning options across both carriers' Beijing routes.
Key Routes
United Airlines direct service from multiple US hubs, complementing Air China's Star Alliance partnership
Two Airports Serve Beijing — Capital and Daxing
Beijing Capital International Airport Handles Most Established International Long-Haul Traffic, While the Newer Daxing International Airport Has Rapidly Grown Its Own International NetworkBeijing is served by two major airports: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), the longer-established facility handling the majority of traditional international long-haul traffic, and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), a massive new airport that opened in 2019 south of the city and has rapidly grown its own domestic and international route network, so travelers should confirm which airport their specific flight uses when booking.
Key Routes
Beijing Capital PEK for most established international routes; Beijing Daxing PKX for a rapidly growing newer network
Things to Do in Beijing
Important Information Before You Fly to Beijing
Currency
Chinese Yuan / Renminbi (CNY) — mobile payment apps very widely used
Language
Mandarin Chinese
Time Zone
China Standard Time (UTC+8, no daylight saving)
Country Code
+86 (China)
Airport Codes
PEK — Beijing Capital; PKX — Beijing Daxing (confirm which one your flight uses)
US Visa Required
Requirements vary — check current Chinese visa policy for US citizens before travel
Power Plugs
Type A/C/I — 220V / 50Hz; an adapter is needed for US devices
Emergency Number
110 (police) / 120 (medical)
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Beijing
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Beijing, China
What airports serve Beijing?
Beijing Capital International Airport (IATA: PEK) handles most established international long-haul traffic, while Beijing Daxing International Airport (IATA: PKX), opened in 2019, has rapidly grown its own network. Confirm which airport your specific flight uses.
How do I fly from the US to Beijing?
Air China operates direct flights from Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and San Francisco. United Airlines also offers direct service from several US hubs as a Star Alliance option.
What is the Forbidden City?
The imperial palace of China's Ming and Qing dynasties, built beginning in 1406 and used by 24 emperors until 1912. It's the largest and best-preserved collection of ancient wooden structures in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Can I visit the Great Wall as a day trip from Beijing?
Yes — sections at Badaling and Mutianyu are within a two-to-three-hour drive of the city. Mutianyu is generally considered less crowded and more scenic, with a cable car for easier access.
Do US citizens need a visa for China?
Requirements vary and have changed in recent years, including some visa-free transit policies. Check current Chinese visa requirements for US citizens before booking your trip.
What currency is used in Beijing?
The Chinese yuan (renminbi, CNY). Mobile payment apps are extremely widely used in China; carrying some cash and having an international card as backup is still advisable for visitors.
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