Planning a Beijing trip involves dozens of details - visa, VPN, phone, payment, packing, and more. We have consolidated everything into a single, printable checklist that guides you through every step from 3 months before your trip to the day you arrive. Enter your email below to receive the PDF instantly.
What Our Checklist Covers
Our comprehensive Beijing travel checklist PDF includes: Pre-departure timeline (3 months, 2 months, 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 week, 1 day before), visa requirements and application checklist (tailored to your nationality), VPN setup guide with recommended providers, essential apps to download before departure, packing list by season (spring, summer, autumn, winter), documents checklist (passport, visa copies, insurance, bookings), health and medication preparation, money and payment setup guide with step-by-step instructions for WeChat Pay and Alipay, communication essentials (SIM card, eSIM, phone number), transportation from Beijing airports (PEK and PKX), emergency contacts formatted as a wallet card, hotel check-in essentials (Chinese phrases, registration requirements), day-by-day trip preparation timeline, and a blank packing checklist you can customize. The PDF is designed to be printed as a single A4 sheet folded into a booklet that fits in your passport wallet. We update the checklist monthly to reflect policy changes, seasonal weather, and the latest recommendations. The version you receive will always be the most current.
Sample Checklist: What You Should Do 1 Month Before Your Trip
1 month before your Beijing trip: Visa: confirm your visa status. If applying for a visa, submit your application now. If using visa-free transit, confirm your nationality is eligible and understand the requirements. Book Forbidden City tickets (they sell out weeks in advance, especially during peak season). Book Great Wall tour (Mutianyu recommended, book through your hotel or a reputable tour company). Reserve popular restaurants (Peking Duck restaurants need booking 2-4 weeks ahead). Book airport transfer (or plan your Airport Express route). Check your passport validity (must be valid for 6+ months from your entry date). Download essential apps: WeChat, Alipay, DiDi (Chinese Uber), Google Translate (offline Chinese pack), Google Maps (offline Beijing map), your VPN apps. Install and test 2 VPNs at home. Notify your bank of your China travel dates. Arrange travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage. Book your hotel or accommodation. Start packing according to the season. The full checklist covers each of these items with specific instructions and links to our detailed guides. We recommend starting 3 months before your trip for the smoothest preparation experience. Download the full PDF to get the complete timeline.
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Hidden Beijing Recommends
Every recommendation on this site is based on our team's personal experience and testing. We do not accept payment for positive reviews. All suggestions are curated to help you have the best possible experience in Beijing.
Hidden Beijing's Curated Hotels
We personally inspect and recommend hotels that offer the best value, location, and English-friendly service for international travelers. Our top picks include boutique hotels in hutongs, business hotels in CBD, and luxury options in Wangfujing.
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Hand-selected restaurants where foreigners feel welcome, menus have English descriptions, and the food represents the best of Beijing cuisine. From Peking duck to street food, we guide you to the right spot.
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