Owais Crawford
Beijing is served by two airports: Beijing Capital International Airport, which is about 30 km from the Forbidden City, and Beijing Daxing International Airport, which is about 50 km away. The former is the airport most commonly used by foreign tourists. The best way to get from Beijing International Airport to the Forbidden City depends on your budget and time constraints. The most convenient way is by private transfer service, which can be free if you book a Beijing tour in advance. The cheapest option is to take the shuttle bus, but this takes longer than travelling by subway or taxi. The fastest way to get to central Beijing is by Airport Express Train, but you will still need to take the subway to get to the Forbidden City.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nearest airport to the Forbidden City | Beijing Capital International Airport |
| Distance from the Forbidden City | 30 km |
| Alternative airport | Beijing Daxing International Airport |
| Distance from the Forbidden City | 50 km |
| Transport options from Beijing Capital International Airport | Airport Express train, shuttle bus, taxi, private transfer service, subway |
| Transport options from Beijing Daxing International Airport | Shuttle bus, taxi, subway, High-Speed Train |
| Time to reach the Forbidden City from Beijing Capital International Airport | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Time to reach the Forbidden City from Beijing Daxing International Airport | Longer than from Beijing Capital International Airport |
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What You'll Learn
Beijing Capital International Airport is 30km from the Forbidden City
Beijing Capital International Airport is located 30 kilometres from the Forbidden City. The airport is in Chaoyang District, while the Forbidden City is in the centre of Beijing. There are a few ways to travel between the two.
One option is to take the Airport Express train to Dongzhimen, and then transfer to Subway Line 2 to Jianguomen. From there, you can exchange onto Subway Line 1 to reach Tiananmen East, which is adjacent to the Forbidden City. This route can also be done in reverse, starting with Line 1 and ending with the Airport Express train. However, it is not recommended to take this route during rush hour, as ground traffic in Beijing can be heavy.
Another option is to take the shuttle bus. There are over 20 shuttle bus lines that connect Beijing Capital International Airport. Line 10 can take you directly to Wanfujing, from where it is approximately a 20-minute walk to the gate of the Forbidden City. This is the cheapest option, but it can take longer than other methods.
You can also take a taxi, which is the best option if there is no traffic. However, there are often traffic problems in Beijing, so this may not always be the fastest route.
Finally, you can take a high-speed train. This is the fastest way to get to central Beijing. You can take the Airport Express train to Sanyuanqiao, and then change to Subway Line 10. From there, change to Subway Line 1 at Guomao Station and get off at Tiananmen East Station. This route will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes, including a 3-minute transfer.
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Beijing Daxing International Airport is 50km from the Forbidden City
Beijing is an international transportation hub with two airports and seven train stations. The Forbidden City is located in the centre of Beijing, approximately 50 km from Beijing Daxing International Airport.
Beijing Daxing International Airport is located on the border of Beijing and Langfang, Hebei Province. Travellers can reach the Forbidden City from the airport by China Discovery's private transfer, public transportation, or high-speed train. The high-speed train is the fastest way to get to central Beijing. However, travellers will need to transfer several times to reach the Forbidden City from Beijing Daxing International Airport.
To get to the Forbidden City, travellers can take the Daxing Airport Express Line to Caoqiao, transfer to Line 10 to Jiaomenxi, take Line 4 to Xuanwumen, and then transfer to Line 2 to get off at Qianmen Station. From there, it is about a 700-metre walk to Tiananmen Square, which is adjacent to the Forbidden City.
Alternatively, travellers can take the Airport Express train to Dongzhimen, transfer to Subway Line 2 to Jianguomen, and then switch to Subway Line 1 to reach Tiananmen East/Dong, where the Forbidden City is located. It is important to note that ground traffic in Beijing can be heavy, so taking a taxi or private vehicle during rush hours is not recommended.
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Take the Airport Express train to Dongzhimen
Beijing Capital International Airport is the closest airport to the Forbidden City. The Airport Express train is the most recommended way to get to the airport. It is faster and more frequent than the airport shuttle bus and much cheaper than a taxi. The single journey from Beijing Capital Airport to Dongzhimen Station takes 30-40 minutes and costs CNY25 per person. The first train from Dongzhimen Station departs at 6:00 a.m. and the last train departs at 10:30 p.m. The train runs every 10 minutes and there are four stops along the line: Terminal 3, Terminal 2, Sanyuanqiao, and Dongzhimen. Passengers travelling to Terminal 1 need to walk or take the Free Cross Terminal Shuttle from Terminal 2.
Dongzhimen Station allows for transfers to Subway Line 2 and Line 13, although passengers need to buy separate tickets. Those with large luggage should avoid the Airport Express Train during peak hours due to the crowds, especially when changing to downtown subway lines.
From Dongzhimen, you can take the Subway Line 2 to Qianmen Station. The Forbidden City is located on the western side of Tiananmen Square, which is a short walk north of the station.
Alternatively, you can take the Subway Line 2 to Xizhimen (Exit A2) and walk north for around 350 meters.
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Transfer to Subway Line 1 at Tiananmen West or East
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) is the nearest airport to the Forbidden City, located about 16 miles away.
If you are travelling to the Forbidden City from Beijing Capital International Airport, you can take the Airport Express train to Dongzhimen, transfer to Subway Line 2 to Jianguomen, and finally, exchange to Subway Line 1 to Tiananmen East or West. The Forbidden City will be right there.
Alternatively, you can take the Airport Express train to Dongzhimen, then take the Subway Line 2 to Guloudajie. From there, you can walk to the Drum Tower and explore the Houhai/Shichahai lakes and hutong area. This route saves time on transport and avoids the security queues at Tiananmen.
If you are travelling from Beijing Daxing International Airport, you can take the Daxing Airport Express Line to Caoqiao, transfer to Line 10 to Jiaomenxi, take Line 4 to Xuanwumen, and finally, transfer to Line 2 to get off at Qianmen Station.
Another option is to take the Beijing Daxing International Airport shuttle bus to Beijing Railway Station. From there, you can take bus number 8 to East Qianmen and walk westward to reach Tiananmen Square.
It is important to note that ground traffic in Beijing can be heavy, so using the subway is generally a safer option.
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Walk to the Forbidden City from Tiananmen Square
Beijing Capital International Airport is the nearest airport to the Forbidden City. It is possible to walk to the Forbidden City from Tiananmen Square, as the two landmarks are located in close proximity to each other in central Beijing. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to walk from Tiananmen Square to the Forbidden City:
Step 1: Reach Tiananmen Square
To begin your walk to the Forbidden City, you must first reach Tiananmen Square. You can take a bus or the subway to get to the square. If you choose to take the bus, you can take the Beijing West Railway Station line to East Qianmen and then walk northwest for about 328 yards to reach Tiananmen Square. Alternatively, you can take bus number 1 or 52 and get off at Tiananmen East Stop, which is located on the western side of the square. If you prefer to take the subway, you can take Line 1 to either Tiananmen West or Tiananmen East Station, or take Line 2 to Qianmen Station and walk north to reach the square.
Step 2: Locate the Forbidden City
Once you have reached Tiananmen Square, you can locate the Forbidden City by walking north. The Forbidden City is located north of Tiananmen Square, and the walk between the two landmarks is approximately 1.5 km (0.9 miles).
Step 3: Explore the Forbidden City
When you reach the Forbidden City, you can explore the vast complex and its many attractions. The Forbidden City was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties and is now a museum, displaying a collection of artworks and artefacts from China's imperial past.
Step 4: Consider Entry Requirements
It is important to note that entry requirements for Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City may vary. Some sources suggest that a passport is required for entry, while others mention the need to purchase tickets or make appointments in advance. It is recommended to check the official websites or with local authorities for the most up-to-date information on entry requirements and opening hours before planning your walk.
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Frequently asked questions
Beijing Capital (PEK) Airport is the nearest airport to the Forbidden City, located 15.6 miles away.
You can take the Airport Express train to Dongzhimen, then transfer to Subway Line 2 to Jianguomen. From there, you can exchange to Subway Line 1 to Tiananmen East, which is close to the Forbidden City.
The journey from Beijing Capital Airport to the Forbidden City takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Yes, you can take a taxi or an airport shuttle bus. The shuttle bus can take you directly to Wanfujing, which is about a 20-minute walk to the gate of the Forbidden City.
Beijing Daxing International Airport is approximately 28.3 miles away from the Forbidden City. It is further away than Beijing Capital Airport, and you would need to transfer several times to reach the Forbidden City.
