Beijing alone?

Is it safe for me to travel to Beijing alone? (single female)..also what else is there to do around beijing? I will be there 10 days.. thks

1) Yes. Just behave sensibly like you would anywhere else.

2) Plenty to do, what are you more interested in seeing/doing/experiencing? How about browsing through a guidebook, or online?

I just returned from Beijing and you should not have a problem as long as you are careful. It is easy to make friends there too as so many tourists and travelers. If you speak the language you are in great shape. If not, then watch out for all the service folk trying to take advantage of whiteskin tourists. They look at westerners as opportunities to charge extra everywhere.


If you have not experienced it yet, be sure to visit the Great Wall. It will be very cold so bring your warmest jacket (I had to buy one in Beijing), gloves and hat.


Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Last month, I was in Beijing for 3 weeks and even though I don't speak Mandarin, with the hotel's help, I still managed to move around, using mixed transport(local bus, subway and cab) It helped if you can do some pre-work; identify what you want to do, print out the subway map( 3 connected lines) and map your travel plans, so that you can pace yourself. Otherwise, at the end of each day, you will be so worn out with all the walking. Be prepare to walk a lot so sports shoes are the best.

Some recommendations for you to consider.

1. Forbidden city, Chairman Mao's mausoleum & Tiananmen square by using the subway (subway stop-Tiananmen East).

2. Great Wall (book 1 day ahead with hotel's travel services). About RMB150-180 but it does include factory visits. Book a private cab/taxi if budget permit.

3. Zhongshan Park & Temple of Heaven - take a short cab ride if you are somewhere around subway Tiananmen West subway stop.

4. Summer Palace - you can take a local bus ( check with hotel on the bus #). It took an hr but I get to see the scenary.

5. Beijing Zoo - take a short cab ride from Xizhimen subway stop. Behai Park - take a short cab ride from Tiananmen West subway stop.

6. Wangfujing street - I love to see the street food stalls and Beijing duck for lunch/dinner!

7. Antique market in Pangjiayuan- take a cab from Guamao subway stop.

8. Tianjin - there is a fast train service which is frequent.


Get a couple of maps from the hotel. A great place to visit!