Throughout its long history, Beijing has oscillated between being a center of imperial grandeur and a city subjugated by foreign powers. In the 21st century, it has again emerged as a seat of global power and influence, modernizing at a breakneck pace. Yet amid the new skyscrapers, crowded roadways, and all the other trappings of development brought on by China's rise, Beijing retains much of the sleepy charm that characterized it a century ago. This is the real reward for visitors: the discovery that, at its cultural foundation, so little of the city has really changed.
Situated near the fringe of the encroaching Gobi Desert, Beijing has a dry and often blustery climate. Winters are cold and windy with almost no precipitation. Fall and spring offer the most dependently pleasant conditions and relatively cheap prices for air travel and lodging. Summer (June through August) is peak tourist season, but the weather can be hot and humid, with occasional torrential downpours. Beijing’s air pollution often makes headlines around the globe, but the city also experiences long stretches of blue-sky days. Air quality tends to be comparatively worse in summer and winter, though a shift in wind and humidity can quickly change things for the better.
With an eclectic mix of local and international cuisine, Beijing is a good place to satisfy almost any food craving. Long famous for such local specialties as Peking duck and dumplings, the city has also attracted some of the world’s top kitchen talent in the past decade. And as Beijing has drawn migrants from other provinces, more and more regional Chinese cuisine has become available, with Sichuan, Yunnan, and Uyghur restaurants particularly popular. When it comes to drinks, Beijing’s nightlife scene includes posh nightclubs and hip hole-in-the-wall pubs.
Tipping is not practiced in China, and leaving a few extra bills on the table will often result in a well-meaning proprietor chasing you down the street to return your money. Local expats tend to live their lives according to pollution conditions. While most short-term visitors won’t experience health effects, those with sensitive respiratory tracts should consider packing a pollution mask.
