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Tips for a long layover in Beijing ​

Here are my notes after doing a 20-hour layover in Beijing International Airport. I hope they will help you too!

Summary ​

Tech & Apps

  • Set up WeChat Pay and AliPay ahead of time (passport verification required).
  • Get an Nomad eSIM
    • 10GB sufficient for two people during a 20-hour stay.
    • Google Maps and Instagram worked fine on the Nomad eSIM.
  • Chinese public Wi-Fi blocks many sites.
    • iMessage and Apple Mail (hide my email) work; Gmail does not.
    • NordVPN and ClearVPN do not work on Chinese Wi-Fi.
  • DiDi taxi riders were cheap, quick, and reliable.
  • Download Chinese maps (e.g., Baidu Maps) for offline navigation.

Airport and Transit:

  • Beijing International Airport has limited amenities after security
    • Better food choices before security.
    • Pricey and limited shopping and food options after security.
  • Arrive at the airport 2 hours before your flight.
  • Avoid layovers under 8 hours since you cannot leave the airport.
  • Air China offers free basic but clean transit hotels for layovers over 8 hours.
  • Luggage checks are strict; remove all batteries from your luggage.

Communication and Convenience:

  • eSIM essential; make sure to buy and install it before arriving in China.
  • iMessage and Apple Mail (hide my email) work on Chinese Wi-Fi; Gmail does not.
  • Carry photocopies of passport and ID for security.
  • No need for cash; use WeChat Pay or AliPay everywhere.

General Notes:

  • Smokers are common in public areas - masks are recommended to avoid secondhand smoke.
  • Prepare for squat toilets.

Pick 20 hours layover over just 5 hours ​

  • With 20 hours, we could get out of the airport, sleep on a bed, and visit one attraction.
  • You cannot leave the airport if you have a layover of less than 8 hours.
  • The Beijing airport was surprisingly basic so a 5 ~ 8 hour layover would be boring.

Air China ​

  • Recommend booking directly through Air China.
  • We booked a round trip via Booking.com which led to check-in issues as the plane changed and seats were no longer available.
  • Air China was decent, full service airline.
  • Good was surprisingly good, and the flight attendants were friendly.
  • Seats were old but decent.
  • Create an Air China account per passenger before booking to avoid issues.
  • Download the Air China app for easy check-in and boarding pass access.

Air China transit hotel ​

  • Air China offers free transit hotels for layovers exceeding 8 hours.
  • We stayed at the Beijing Airport Lanwan International Hotel
    • Name in Chinese: 北京空港蓝湾国际酒店
    • Address: 22 Tianzhu East Road, Shunyi District, Beijing, China
    • Address in Chinese: 天竺地区天柱东路22号, 首都国际机场及新国际会展, 北京, 中国, 101312
    • Google maps: Beijing Lanwan International Airport Hotel Tower A
    • Hotel phone: (0086) 10-64568436
  • Basic accommodation, the shower was weak but room was clean.
  • The room was quiet enough to sleep well. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
  • The hotel is located close to the airport, but far from the city and tourist attractions.
  • Great if you want to only rest and not explore the city.
  • Next time, we will book a city hotel to explore downtown Beijing.
  • A fancy Western-style shopping center is nearby, but not much else.

How to book the transit hotel ​

  • After booking your Air China flight, book the transit hotel through the Air China website or app.
  • Details: Air China Transit Accommodation
  • Upon arrival, head directly to the Air China Transfer Service Counter in Terminal 3 (T3) for hotel arrangements.
  • If the counter is closed, contact the transit hotel directly or call Air China's hotline at 95583 for assistance.
  • You can only book single rooms. If you are traveling with a partner, you should book 2x single rooms. We ended up getting a double room assigned to us upon arrival.

AliPay and WeChat Pay - Chinese QR code payment apps ​

Tourists can use AliPay and WeChat Pay in China:

  • Register accounts in advance and verify your identity using your passport.
  • Payments are made via QR code, linked to your foreign credit cards (Wise credit card worked seamlessly for us).
  • Both AliPay and WeChat Pay accept the same phone number
  • Not required if you completed the identity verification process in advance but it is recommended to use a phone number that has Wi-Fi Calling enabled to receive SMS verification codes while in China.

For detailed setup instructions:

Visa requirements ​

As of 2025-05-23

Travelers from countries like Japan and Australia qualify for China's unilateral visa-free entry program. Verify your eligibility beforehand to avoid surprises.

Useful resources:

eSIM for internet access ​

  • Ensure you buy and install your eSIM before arriving in China.
  • You cannot buy an eSIM locally in China.
  • Nomad's China plan provided reliable access, including blocked sites like Google and Instagram.

For more information:

[!CAUTION] Purchase sufficient eSIM data before arriving in China, as additional data cannot be bought locally.

If you have to use Chinese Public Wi-Fi ​

  • Famously, China blocks Google, Facebook, Instagram, and other popular sites.
  • iCloud email and iMessage work on Chinese Wi-Fi, but Gmail does not.
  • NordVPN and ClearVPN do not work on Chinese Wi-Fi.

Layover logistics ​

Arrival procedures at Beijing Capital Airport ​

  1. Go to the Temporary Entry Permit Application desk (approximately 1.5-hour wait).
  2. Complete fingerprint scanning at designated machines.
  3. Checked baggage will continue to your final destination.

CAUTION

Make sure you pack everything you need during your layover in your carry-on bag. Your checked luggage will go directly to your final destination.

Leaving the airport ​

  • Use the provided shuttle bus service to reach your transit hotel.

Forbidden City ​

  • Tickets go on sale one week in advance and require passport verification.
  • Arrive early (8:00 am recommended) to avoid significant crowds.
  • Book tickets ahead as they can be difficult to secure.
  • Lots of walking up and down stairs, so wear comfortable shoes.

More information: The Palace Museum ticketing

Example itinerary ​

  • Route: Tokyo Haneda → Beijing Capital
  • Transit location: Beijing Capital (T3)
  • Layover duration: 20 hours 50 minutes
  • Landed 16:45 (China time)
  • Went through customs and security
  • Took the monorail to the Terminal 3 exist.
  • Went to the Air China Transfer Service Counter to check in for the bus to the hotel.
  • Waited around for 30 min to get on the bus.
  • Arrived at the hotel around 18:30.
  • Checked in and dropped off luggage.
  • Took a taxi to the 中粮祥云国际生活区 / COFCO Xiangyun International Living Community
  • Walked around the shopping center and had dinner at a local restaurant.
  • Took a taxi back to the hotel around 22:00.
  • Woke up at 6:00 am the next day.
  • Ate the included breakfast at the hotel.
  • Checked out and took a taxi to the Forbidden City.
  • Arrived at the Forbidden City around 10:00 am.
    • The morning traffic into the city is heavy so plan accordingly.
  • Walked around the Forbidden City for 2 hours.
  • Took a taxi to the airport around 12:30 pm.
  • Arrived at the airport around 13:00 pm.
  • Went through security and customs.

A bit of preparation goes a long way - enjoy your transit in Beijing!