Au pair in Beijing: your local guide
China’s capital, where emperors’ palaces sit next to quiet hutong lanes. The Mandarin you hear on the street is close to the standard Chinese you learn in class.
Life in Beijing
Beijing is the city of the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and Peking duck, but daily life here happens in the hutongs: narrow lanes of grey courtyard houses where neighbours chat on doorsteps and grandparents play chess under the trees. It is a great city for fast Mandarin progress, because the local accent is close to the standard Chinese taught at language schools.
Many host families live in Chaoyang and Shunyi, near parks and international schools, while others live closer to the old city. Wherever you are, the metro reaches almost everything you will want to see.
Not sure which city suits you? Compare all our host cities, or read the Shanghai guide for our home city.
Getting around Beijing
Public transport is cheap, clean and signposted in English. These are the basics.
Metro
Line 1 runs east–west under Chang’an Avenue past Tiananmen, Line 2 loops around the old city, and Line 10 makes a much bigger loop. Fares start at 3 yuan, and you can scan in with a metro QR code in Alipay or WeChat.
Airports
Beijing has two airports, Capital and Daxing. Each has its own express train into the city, which is usually quicker than a taxi at rush hour.
Bikes and taxis
Shared bikes are everywhere and perfect for the flat hutong lanes. DiDi, the ride-hailing app, has an English version for late nights home.
Free and affordable culture
Some of the best places in Beijing cost little or nothing. Bring your passport for museum bookings.
National Museum of China
Tiananmen Square · Line 1One of the largest museums in the world, covering Chinese history from ancient bronzes to modern times. Free with an online booking and your passport.
Capital Museum
XichengBeijing’s own story: old city models, porcelain, Peking opera costumes and folk customs. Free with a booking.
Jingshan Park
Behind the Forbidden CityA short climb to a pavilion with the best view over the golden roofs of the Forbidden City. Entry costs a few yuan.
Temple of Heaven
Dongcheng · Line 5Where emperors prayed for good harvests. Come early to see locals doing tai chi, singing and playing jianzi (a kicked shuttlecock).
Shichahai and the hutongs
Houhai · Line 8Lakes, willow trees and lanes full of snack shops. Free to wander, and lovely by bike.
798 Art District
ChaoyangOld factory buildings turned into galleries, cafés and studios. Free to walk around, and most galleries are free too.
Opening times and booking rules change around public holidays, so check before you go.
Outings with your host kids
Days out are one of the best parts of the exchange, and a natural way to share English with the children. Ask them to name what they see, count the stops on the metro or tell you the story of a place. Find more ideas in our games and play guides.
- The China Science and Technology Museum near the Olympic Park: hands-on exhibits for curious children (book ahead).
- Beijing Zoo for the giant pandas, a classic day out for little ones.
- Chaoyang Park: lakes, playgrounds and space to run, for a small entrance fee.
- The Olympic Park, with the Bird’s Nest stadium: free to walk around, great for scooters and kites.
Weekend and day trips
- The Great Wall at Mutianyu: a restored section with a cable car up and a toboggan ride down. Children love it.
- Tianjin, about 30 minutes away by high-speed train, for European-style streets and famous street food.
- The Summer Palace on the edge of the city: a huge imperial garden with a lake you can cross by boat.
Good to know
Beijing has four clear seasons: hot summers, sunny golden autumns and cold, dry winters, so pack a proper winter coat. Popular sights like the Forbidden City and the big museums need a booking a few days ahead, made with your passport number.
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