Independent travel to Beijing 2025 - Detailed experience and costs

1. Introducing the trend of independent travel to Beijing in 2025

1.1. Why should you choose independent travel?

Independent travel to Beijing offers many outstanding benefits: flexible schedules, proactive budget management and deeper experiences. Instead of following a fixed tour, you can plan your own sightseeing according to your interests, choose a place to stay that suits your budget and enjoy diverse local cuisine. With the support of applications such as Trip.com, Baidu Maps or translation tools, booking tickets, finding directions and paying in China has become much easier – even if you do not know Chinese. This is the ideal form of travel for those who want to explore Beijing in a more flexible, economical and free way.

Beijing financial center lights up at night

1.2. What is attractive about Beijing for independent travelers?

As the capital of more than 800 years, Beijing has all the elements that make independent travelers fascinated: massive historical relics, vibrant life and unique street culture. The city owns iconic destinations such as the Forbidden City , Tiananmen , Summer Palace , and the Great Wall - one of the seven wonders of the world. With a modern subway system, independent travelers can easily travel to most famous landmarks without spending too much money.

Main gate of the Forbidden City when the sky changes color

The palace complex reflects on the blue lake

In addition to the attractions, Beijing is also attractive for its rich local cuisine such as Peking duck, meat buns, soy sauce noodles, etc., which you can easily find in night markets or small roadside stalls. If you like ancient spaces, you can wander around and explore the Hu Dong areas - ancient alleys interspersed in residential areas - where the traditional lifestyle of ancient Beijingers is still preserved.

Traveling to Beijing on your own allows you to both enjoy the great works and immerse yourself in local life – a complete, authentic and unforgettable experience.

2. Necessary conditions for independent travel to Beijing

2.1. Instructions for applying for a Chinese visa easily

To travel to Beijing on your own, you must apply for a Chinese tourist visa (type L). The visa application process is currently quite simple if you prepare all the documents and follow the instructions correctly. Currently, you can submit your application directly at the Chinese Embassy (Hanoi) or the Chinese Consulate General (Ho Chi Minh City) . In addition, to save time and avoid errors, many tourists choose reputable visa services such as Tatinta , which supports document preparation, translation, online form filling and appointment for application submission.

Visa services available on Tatinta Travel Platform

2.2. Costs to prepare for independent travel to Beijing

The cost of a self-guided trip to Beijing depends on the time, your spending level and the service you choose. However, if you know how to plan properly, you can fully experience the capital city on a budget of 10 to 14 million VND for 4 days and 3 nights. First of all, the fee for applying for a Chinese tourist visa currently ranges from 60 to 80 USD (about 1.5 to 2 million VND), plus a service fee if you ask an intermediary to support your application, usually from 300,000 to 500,000 VND. Round-trip airfare from Vietnam to Beijing, if booked early and during the low season, is usually between 5 and 8 million VND.

In terms of accommodation, mid-range hotels or homestays in Beijing cost from 600,000 to 1 million VND/night. For 3 nights, you need to prepare about 1.8 to 3 million VND. Food costs in Beijing are quite flexible - if you prioritize street food or small eateries, you can spend only 150,000 - 300,000 VND/day, equivalent to about 600,000 - 1.2 million VND for the whole trip.

In addition, you should spend about 1 - 1.5 million VND on other expenses such as sightseeing tickets (Forbidden City, Great Wall, Summer Palace, etc.), 4G SIM or eSIM, and subway travel costs. In general, Beijing is not too expensive a destination if you proactively book tickets early and take advantage of travel platforms to save costs effectively.

3. Experience in building a self-sufficient itinerary in Beijing

3.1. Notable destinations: Forbidden City, Great Wall

The Forbidden City is an ancient palace complex located in the heart of Beijing, once the residence of the Ming and Qing emperors. With its magnificent architecture and rich history, it is a symbol of Chinese feudal power and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The most ancient capital of China

The Great Wall of China is a defensive structure that stretches for thousands of kilometers, with sections such as Mutianyu, Badaling and Jinshanling in Beijing being particularly popular. This is an ideal destination to explore history while enjoying breathtaking mountain views.

Climb a section, see thousands of years of history with the Great Wall

3.2. Suggested 4-day, 3-night budget itinerary

Want to travel to China but afraid of long tours? Try 4 days 3 nights to explore Beijing - the thousand-year-old capital in a short, complete experience!

Day 1: ARRIVE IN BEIJING – YUAN YELLOW – WANGFUJING (Lunch, dinner)

Arrive in Beijing, go through immigration procedures. Visit the Summer Palace - the famous Summer Palace, and go shopping at Wangfujing. Enjoy the famous Peking duck in the evening. Overnight at a 4* hotel.

Day 2: TIANANMEN – FORBIDDEN CITY – TEMPLE OF HEAVEN (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City – the famous royal architectural complex. In the afternoon, visit Beihai Park and the Altar of Heaven. In the evening, relax and explore Beijing on your own.

Day 3: THE GREAT WALL – THE THIRTEEN TOMBS – TIEN MEN – SHOPPING (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Conquer the Great Wall - Juyongguan, continue to explore the Thirteen Tombs with the ancient Changling. Stroll through the ancient Qianmen Street and shop at the Outlets Center. Enjoy a hot pot & BBQ buffet in the evening.

Day 4: SHOPPING – GO TO AIRPORT (Breakfast, lunch)
Free time for shopping or light sightseeing before going to Beijing airport, ending the trip.

4. How to travel, eat, and book a room when traveling on your own

4.1. Essential apps and travel tips in Beijing

When traveling independently in Beijing, you should install the following applications:

Baidu Maps for directions (instead of Google Maps)

Metro Man Beijing to look up the subway, Didi if you need to call a car.

Additionally, Pleco and Google Translate (offline) are useful when needing quick Chinese translation.

Traveling by subway is the most convenient and economical. You can buy a Yikatong card for quick payment and discounts. Avoid taking taxis on the street because it is difficult to communicate and easy to be charged high fees. Instead, you can book a car in advance for easy travel.

An important note is to prepare a VPN if you want to use international social networks, and consider using eSIM or domestic SIM to ensure stable internet access.

4.2. Tips for choosing a hotel near the center, easy to travel

• When traveling to Beijing on your own, you should prioritize choosing a hotel near a subway station , making it easy for you to travel to famous places such as the Forbidden City, Summer Palace or the Great Wall. Areas to consider include: Dongcheng (close to the center, convenient for sightseeing), Wangfujing (bustling, many dining options), and Xicheng (quiet, near the lake).

• You can book rooms through platforms such as Booking.com, Agoda, Ctrip, or use the Tatinta app – which supports finding hotels, booking rooms and paying easily in Vietnamese. The app also has direct support if you have difficulty booking a room or need advice on a location that fits your schedule.

• Prefer hotels with a rating of 8.0 or higher and an English-speaking receptionist (or support via app). Avoid staying too far from the center or in hard-to-find areas if you don't speak Chinese.

5. Conclusion: Is it easy or difficult to travel to Beijing on your own?

Traveling to Beijing on your own is not too difficult if you prepare well in advance. The attractions are clearly planned, public transportation is convenient, and the subway system covers the entire city. However, language and payment barriers can be obstacles if you are not familiar with local apps or do not have a suitable SIM card.

Explore Beijing on your own easily with the Tatinta app: Vietnamese support, ticket booking, hotel booking, visa application and personal itinerary planning, helping you travel freely while still being assured of the service. This is the ideal choice for those who want a flexible, economical experience but still have full support when needed.

6. FAQs when traveling to Beijing on your own

Q: What do Vietnamese people need to prepare for a Beijing tourist visa?
A: You need to apply for a type L visa (tourist) with the following documents: valid passport, ID photo, online application form, flight ticket, hotel booking. You can submit it at the Embassy (Hanoi) or the Chinese Consulate (HCMC). You should use a reputable service like Tatinta to get support with documents, translation and appointment booking.

Q: How much does it cost to travel to Beijing on your own?
A: On average, it costs 10–14 million VND for 4 days and 3 nights, including: airfare (5–8 million), visa (1.5–2 million), hotel (1.8–3 million), food, sightseeing tickets, SIM card and travel expenses.

Q: Is it safe to travel to Beijing on your own?
A: Relatively safe if you follow local regulations and keep an eye on your personal belongings. Public transport is good and security is high. However, you should avoid remote areas at night and not carry much cash.

Q: What is the most convenient means of transportation in Beijing?
A: The subway is the most convenient – fast, cheap, and covers the entire city. You can use the Didi app to call a car. You should buy a Yikatong card for convenient payment.

Q: Is it easy to find food that suits Vietnamese tastes in Beijing?
A: Yes. Beijing has many dishes such as mixed noodles, dumplings, spicy hot pot, roast duck... Most of them are rich and suitable for Vietnamese people. You should try them at night markets or street food stalls for a local experience.

Q: Do I need to know Chinese to travel to Beijing?
A: Not required. You can use Google Translate or Pleco for quick translation. Additionally, many apps like Trip.com or Tatinta Guide support Vietnamese to help you book services easily.

Q: Where should I stay when traveling to Beijing on my own?
A: You should choose areas near the subway such as Dongcheng (near the Forbidden City), Wangfujing (bustling, convenient for dining), or Xicheng (quiet, near the lake). Prioritize hotels with high ratings and English-speaking receptionists.

Q: What is the best time to go to Beijing?
A: Autumn (September–November) is the best – cool weather, little rain, beautiful yellow leaves. Avoid January–February (bitterly cold) and China's National Day holiday in early October (very crowded).

Q: Do I need to bring a SIM card or eSIM when traveling to Beijing on my own?
A: Yes. You should use eSIM or buy a domestic SIM card (China Unicom, China Mobile) to ensure stable network access. Remember to install VPN to use Google, Facebook, Instagram if needed.

Q: Do I need to book tickets in advance for major attractions?
A: It is recommended to book in advance, especially for the Forbidden City (limited tickets/day) or the Great Wall (Mutianyu, Badaling). You can book through the Tatinta app, Trip.com or book directly through the official website.