Solo Female Travel in Beijing: Everything You Need to Know (2026 Guide)

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After spending five days exploring Shanghai and one day exploring the West Lake in Hangzhou, I hopped on the high-speed train to Beijing. The train journey took just a little less than 5 hours, which is super impressive given that the trip was more than 1,000 km long.

While Shanghai completely won me over with its skyline and modern feel, Beijing offers something entirely different. This is where you’ll find some of China’s most famous landmarks, including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and, of course, the Great Wall of China nearby.

For many people, Beijing and the visit to the Great Wall of China is the highlight of any China itinerary, and I can absolutely see why.

Before visiting, though, I had the same questions I always have before travelling somewhere new. Is Beijing safe for solo female travellers? Is the metro easy to use? Can I get around without speaking Mandarin? And is it actually easy to travel independently?

After spending several days exploring Beijing on my own, taking the metro everywhere and heading out to the Great Wall, I can honestly say that Beijing is an excellent destination for solo female travellers.

In this guide, I’ll share everything I learned during my time in Beijing, including where to stay, how to get around, the best things to do, and everything else I wish I’d known before arriving.

Planning to visit both cities? I’d also recommend reading my Solo Female Travel in Shanghai guide. Most travellers combine Shanghai and Beijing in the same trip, and I honestly think they’re the perfect introduction to China.

Is Beijing Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

If safety is your biggest concern, I genuinely don’t think you have much to worry about.

I found Beijing to be incredibly safe as a solo female traveller.

I spent my days exploring alone, using the metro, wandering through the hutongs, visiting attractions and walking back to my hotel in the evenings, and I never once felt uncomfortable.

Just like in Shanghai, you’ll notice security throughout the city. There are security cameras almost everywhere, and many metro stations and major attractions have airport-style bag checks before entering. It might sound intimidating before your trip, but the process is quick and soon becomes part of your daily routine.

I also never experienced any scams during my time in Beijing.

Of course, it’s still a huge capital city, so it’s always worth keeping an eye on your belongings and using common sense around major tourist attractions. But compared to many large cities around the world, Beijing felt remarkably safe.

If you’re travelling to China alone for the first time, Beijing is a destination I’d happily recommend.

Getting Around Beijing Alone

One thing I underestimated before arriving was just how enormous Beijing actually is.

Although the metro is incredibly efficient, don’t expect to walk between most attractions like you might in other cities. Travelling from one side of the city to the other can easily take an hour or more, so make sure you leave enough time between activities. Especially if you want to, for example, visit the Summer Palace, it can take some time in the metro to get there in the first place.

The metro is fantastic

Beijing has one of the best metro systems I’ve ever used. Similar to Shanghai, I never had any issues with the metro.

It’s clean, affordable, easy to navigate and reaches almost every major attraction in the city.

Station names are displayed in both Chinese and English, making it surprisingly easy to get around even if you don’t speak Mandarin.

Just like elsewhere in China, every station has a quick security check before entering.

Even travelling alone later in the evening, I always felt perfectly comfortable using public transport. I have also never experienced any delays with the metro.

Use Alipay for public transport

If you’ve already set up Alipay for your trip to China, then getting around Beijing is super easy!

Simply activate the Beijing transport card inside the app, scan your phone when entering and leaving the metro, and the correct fare will automatically be charged. The amount will go off directly from your bank account.

Walking around Beijing

Although Beijing isn’t a particularly walkable city overall because of its size, many individual neighbourhoods are.

I especially loved wandering through the traditional hutongs, where you’ll find narrow alleyways, cafés and local shops tucked away from the busy main roads.

Just make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Even with the metro, you’ll still end up walking a lot every day.

Use Amap instead of Google Maps

Google Maps isn’t particularly reliable in China, so I’d recommend downloading Amap before you arrive. I used it every single day for walking directions, metro routes and finding attractions. It worked much better than Google Maps throughout my trip.

Taking taxis

If you don’t feel like using the metro or you’re arriving late at night, you can easily order a taxi through DiDi, China’s version of Uber, directly inside Alipay.

Travelling Beyond Beijing

Beijing is one of the easiest cities to include in a larger China itinerary.

If you’ve just come from Shanghai like I did, the high-speed train takes just under five hours and is incredibly comfortable. I’d definitely recommend it over flying.

If you’re travelling in the opposite direction, Beijing also makes a great starting point before continuing to Shanghai.

I booked all of my train tickets through Trip.com, which I’d highly recommend. You can even reserve tickets before they’re officially released, and once bookings open, Trip.com automatically purchases them for you.

If you’re planning to travel between these two cities, don’t miss my guide on how to travel from Shanghai to Hangzhou by train if you’re stopping there along the way.

And if you are heading to Guangzhou also check out my layover guide to Guangzhou!

Best Things to Do in Beijing as a Solo Traveller

Unlike Shanghai, where I loved simply wandering through different neighbourhoods, Beijing is much more about its famous landmarks and history. I didn’t feel like there was one main city centre.

Here are some of my favourite things to do.

Visit the Forbidden City

No visit to Beijing would be complete without visiting the Forbidden City.

As the former imperial palace of China, it’s one of the country’s most impressive historical sites and much larger than I expected.

Do make sure to book your tickets in advance.

You’ll also need your passport to enter, as tickets are linked directly to it.

Walk across Tiananmen Square

Located directly outside the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square is another place you’ll almost certainly visit during your time in Beijing.

It’s one of the largest public squares in the world and plays an important role in China’s history.

The security checks are quite strict here so maybe best to leave tripods, or big cameras etc. at home.

Take a Day Trip to the Great Wall of China

If there’s one thing you absolutely shouldn’t miss while visiting Beijing, it’s the Great Wall of China.

I visited the Mutianyu section, which is one of the most popular and easiest sections to reach from the city.

Compared to some other parts of the wall, Mutianyu is beautifully restored, less crowded than Badaling and surrounded by stunning scenery.

I booked a guided day trip to the wall that included transport from Beijing, which made the entire experience incredibly easy.

Check out my review about the tour visiting the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China!

Explore the Summer Palace

The Summer Palace was another highlight of my time in Beijing. Although it’s located a little further from the city centre, it’s definitely worth making the journey. Just like anything in Beijing, it is easily reachable by metro.

The palace grounds are enormous, with beautiful gardens, lakes and traditional Chinese architecture.

If you only have a few days in Beijing, I’d still put this high on your itinerary. You can easily spend half a day here just walking around the lake or going on a boat ride. So do make sure you have enough time planned in for the Summer Palace so you do not need to rush!

Book your ticket for the Summer Palace!

Wander Through the Hutongs

One of my favourite parts of Beijing was simply getting lost in the hutongs. There are multiple Hutongs in Beijing, but the most popular one is Nanluoguxiang.

These traditional alleyways feel completely different from the city’s grand boulevards and famous landmarks.

You’ll find small cafés, boutique shops, local restaurants and plenty of opportunities to slow down for a few hours.

Join a Walking Tour

Whenever I arrive somewhere new, one of the first things I do is book a walking tour.

It’s one of the easiest ways to learn about the city’s history, get your bearings and often meet other travellers.

I’d definitely recommend doing one during your first day in Beijing. Check out all the best walking tours in Beijing!

Where to Stay as a Solo Traveller in Beijing

Compared to many European capitals, hotels in Beijing are surprisingly affordable. Usually I like to stay in hostels but if the hotel prices aren’t too bad, I also do like to opt for a hotel. And China is a great place for that!

I stayed at Gong Hotel, which had a great location with easy access to the metro and the city’s main attractions.

Because Beijing’s metro network is so extensive, I don’t think choosing the perfect neighbourhood is quite as important as staying somewhere close to a metro station. It doesn’t matter where you stay, you’ll need to travel either way as Beijing is quite spread out.

If you’re looking to meet other travellers, there are also plenty of well-rated hostels throughout the city.

Personally, I preferred having my own hotel room after long sightseeing days, especially since hotels are still reasonably priced.

For China, I’d recommend booking your accommodation through Trip.com.

I found it offered a much better selection of hotels that accept international guests, and I also used it to book all of my train journeys and several attractions within China.

Having everything inside one app made travelling around China much easier.

When is the Best Time to Visit Beijing?

Personally, I think spring and autumn are the best times to visit Beijing.

Between April and May, temperatures are pleasant, flowers are blooming and sightseeing is much more comfortable.

September and October are equally beautiful, with cooler temperatures and generally clear skies.

Summer can become extremely hot and humid, especially if you’re spending full days exploring attractions like the Forbidden City or the Great Wall. And also if you also want to combine it with visiting other parts of China, those can get extremely hot in the summer.

Winter, on the other hand, can be freezing, although seeing Beijing covered in snow certainly has its charm.

If possible, I’d also avoid travelling during China’s major public holidays, such as Golden Week, when attractions become much busier.

Apps You’ll Need for Travelling Beijing Alone

Before travelling to China, it can feel a little overwhelming hearing about all the apps you’ll supposedly need.

In reality, I found myself using the same handful every single day. And it also wasn’t as complicated as I thought it would be.

I’ve written a complete guide covering all the apps you need in China in detail, but these were the ones I used the most:

Alipay

You will need Alipay for payments, public transport and taxis. Don’t go to China without first setting up Alipay and make sure it is installed and connected to your bank account before your trip.

Amap

Google Maps does not work well, so I’d recommend Amap for navigation.

Google Translate

Or any other translation app for menus and conversations. It does work fine if you have an eSIM.

Trip.com

Trip.com should be your go-to app for all things hotels, trains, and attractions in China. You can usually find the best selection of attractions and often also with better prices. I also book all my long-distance trains and all my hotels within China via Trip.com.

WeChat

You will need WeChat for messaging and occasionally restaurant menus. Make sure you have this set up before you leave.

DiDi

Didi is the taxi app that is used in China. But you can also call taxis directly from Alipay. Alipay is just that great that you can do basically everything with it!

How to Meet People in Beijing as a Solo Female Traveller

Although Beijing isn’t quite as social as many destinations in Southeast Asia, there are still plenty of ways to meet other travellers.

Staying in a hostel is probably the easiest option if making friends is one of your priorities. Or even if you are not staying in a hostel but still want to connect with people, Hostelworld now also has a new social pass!

Walking tours and day trips, especially to the Great Wall, are another great opportunity to meet people.

If you’re staying in a hotel instead, apps like Nomadtable and TripBFF can help you connect with other travellers visiting Beijing at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solo Female Travel in Beijing

Is Beijing safe for solo female travellers?

Yes. I found Beijing to be one of the safest cities I’ve travelled to. I used the metro alone, walked around during the day and evening, and never felt uncomfortable. But that has been the same for every city I have visited in China thus far.

Is Beijing good for first-time solo travellers?

Absolutely. Public transport is excellent, attractions are easy to reach and the city feels incredibly safe.

Can I visit Beijing without speaking Mandarin?

Yes. English isn’t widely spoken, but people are quite comfortable just talking into translation apps. For ordering at restaurants, I always find the easiest way to just take a picture of what I want and show it to people.

How many days should I spend in Beijing?

I’d recommend at least three days. This gives you enough time to visit the main attractions such as the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City and to take a day trip to the Great Wall. I also visited for three full days, and I think it was fine and did not feel like I needed an extra day.

Is Beijing expensive?

That of course depends on where you are visiting from, but hotels, public transport and local food are all very affordable compared to many major cities around the world. Beijing (and China in general) is a lot more affordable than other countries in East Asia such as Japan or South Korea.

Do I need cash in Beijing?

No. I paid for everything using Alipay throughout my trip. Most places do not even accept cash, but do make sure you have Alipay set up beforehand.

What should women wear in Beijing?

Beijing is a modern city, so wear whatever you’re comfortable in. Just make sure you bring comfortable shoes because you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Beijing can get a little more chilly than Shanghai, for example. So even if you visit in the spring, it can cool down a bit in the evening, so make sure to bring a jacket.

What apps should I download before visiting Beijing?

I’d recommend Alipay, Nomad eSIM, Amap, Google Translate, Trip.com, WeChat and DiDi.

Final Thoughts

Beijing is a great destination for solo female travellers. Not because it is very social or you are going to have many conversations with locals, but because it is incredibly safe, it is very easy to get around, and there are a lot of activities to do.

From exploring the vast Forbidden City and wandering through centuries-old hutongs to standing on the Great Wall of China, every day felt completely different from the last.

If you’re planning your first trip to China, I’d honestly recommend combining Beijing with Shanghai. Together, they offer two completely different sides of the country, from futuristic skylines to imperial history, and make for an unforgettable introduction to China.

Let me know if you have any questions