Beijing 北京

Peking Duck 北京烤鸭

Běijīng kǎoyā

Lacquered, crisp-skinned roast duck carved at the table and wrapped in thin pancakes with scallion, cucumber and sweet bean sauce.

💡The signature Beijing dish — go to a specialist like Quanjude or Siji Minfu; order a half or whole duck.

Order this: 北京烤鸭

Zhajiangmian 炸酱面

Zhájiàngmiàn

Thick wheat noodles topped with a savory fried soybean-paste-and-pork sauce and fresh vegetable shreds you mix in.

💡A homely Beijing staple; found at old noodle houses across the city.

Order this: 炸酱面

Jianbing 煎饼

Jiānbing

A savory breakfast crepe griddled with egg, crispy cracker, herbs and sauce, folded to go.

💡Grab one from a morning street cart; the classic cheap Beijing breakfast.

Order this: 煎饼

Instant-boiled Mutton Hotpot 涮羊肉

Shuàn yángròu

Thin lamb slices swished in a simple copper-pot broth, dipped in sesame sauce — Beijing’s old-style hotpot.

💡Best in winter; look for a traditional copper-chimney pot restaurant.

Order this: 涮羊肉

Candied Hawthorn 冰糖葫芦

Bīngtáng húlu

A skewer of tart hawthorn berries in a hard, glossy sugar shell — a beloved winter street snack.

💡Sold at street stalls and night markets; try the classic hawthorn version.

Order this: 冰糖葫芦

Zhōngguó Guójiā Bówùguǎn

One of the largest museums in the world, on Tiananmen Square — a sweeping tour of Chinese civilization from ancient bronzes to the modern era.

💡Free, but book online (passport) days ahead; go early and head straight for the Ancient China galleries.

Search this: 中国国家博物馆

Shǒudū Bówùguǎn

A modern, well-curated museum telling the story of Beijing itself — its folk customs, Peking opera, porcelain and city history.

💡Free with passport booking; great air-conditioned half-day, especially the Beijing folk-customs hall.

Search this: 首都博物馆

Zhōngguó Měishùguǎn

The country’s top fine-art museum, showing modern Chinese ink painting, calligraphy and rotating exhibitions.

💡Free with booking; near the Wangfujing and hutong area for an easy combined day.

Search this: 中国美术馆