From cycling along the Central Axis to instant two-minute tax refunds, Beijing is adopting a fully open stance to welcome friends from around the world.

• Inbound tourist arrivals in Q1 2026: 1.23 million
• Year-on-year growth: +39%
• Departure tax ‘Buy and Refund Instantly’ processing time: 2 minutes

In recent years, an increasing number of British and European tourists have embarked on journeys to Beijing. Their objectives are no longer limited to merely ticking off photo spots or making fleeting visits. A new phrase is widely circulating on overseas social media platforms: “Becoming Chinese”—foreign tourists are integrating deeply into the daily lives and cultural sphere of the Chinese people with unprecedented enthusiasm.

This shift is particularly evident in Beijing.

Strolling Through the Ancient Capital to Understand a Millennium of History

The Beijing Central Axis, stretching approximately eight kilometres from the Bell and Drum Towers in the north to the Temple of Heaven in the south, runs right through the core of the imperial city and has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Today, it has become a must-visit route for foreign tourists coming to Beijing. Visitors can cycle or stroll here, collect exclusive postmarks at post offices along the route, learn how to make shumai (steamed dumplings) from intangible cultural heritage inheritors, and try their hand at the wire-inlay enamel process at the Beijing Enamel Factory. What they take away are not just photographs, but authentic memories of Beijing.

“The foreign tourists I have hosted recently all wish to stroll or cycle along the Central Axis. They do not just want to take photos; they want to truly understand this city.”

— Dou Zhijie, National Premium Tour Guide

For tourists with tight schedules, Trip.com’s “Free Half-Day Beijing Tour” provides an excellent option: visiting the Mutianyu Great Wall in the morning, followed by the Temple of Heaven and Qianmen Street in the afternoon. Since May, this tour group has operated at full capacity almost every day. Sophie, a French tourist, remarked: “The majesty of the Great Wall thrilled me, and the ancient architecture along the Central Axis allowed me to experience China’s long history.”

Hassle-Free Travel with Readily Accessible Services

Beijing has systematically resolved the various inconveniences that previously troubled foreign visitors. The two major international airports feature “one-stop” transit visa exemption processing zones and are equipped with priority clearance channels, significantly reducing passenger waiting times. The comprehensive English-language service platform “GO BEIJING” supports one-click mobile registration and covers 39 services, including attraction ticketing and hotel reservations, allowing tourists to arrange their entire itinerary well in advance of their arrival.

Payment is no longer a challenge. Currently, approximately 18,000 key merchants in Beijing have achieved full coverage for accepting foreign bank cards, and 15 mainstream overseas e-wallets can be seamlessly used in the capital. For tourists who prefer using cash, the city’s 2,800 bank branches and over 300 foreign currency exchange agencies provide Renminbi exchange services at all times, complete with “change purses” specifically designed for small retail purchases.

Shopping is equally convenient and stress-free. The Silk Street market has achieved 100% coverage of foreign-card POS machines. “Meet China”, the country’s first self-service consumer platform aimed at inbound tourists, has been launched in shopping centres, enabling tourists to pay in seconds simply by swiping their domestic bank cards. Particularly noteworthy is that Beijing is the first city in the country to fully implement a “Buy and Refund Instantly” departure tax refund service—offering a 9% tax refund in a process that takes no more than two minutes. This service currently covers 58 service points and over 1,600 tax-refund stores.

Exploring New Trends and Experiencing Beijing’s Unique Local Vibe

The “New Big Three” experiences for tourism in China are continuing to gain traction on overseas social media platforms: dentistry, ophthalmology, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physiotherapy. An increasing number of British and European tourists are incorporating these experiences into their Beijing itineraries, feeling the deep-rooted warmth and quality of the city.

Beijing also offers a 144-hour transit visa exemption policy for British passport holders, applicable at both Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport. For layover passengers, the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism has specially launched a service package for tours around the airports, ensuring that even a brief stay is rich and fulfilling.

Furthermore, the “New Discoveries in Beijing” top ten thematic inbound tourism routes have been officially launched, covering diverse themes such as World Heritage tours, distinct hutong tours, and Central Axis cycling tours, helping tourists discover a colourful and multi-layered Beijing.