Milan to Beijing Flights

  About Milan

The fashion capital of the world, Milan in Italy is the place to go to if you are a party animal and can't get enough of the fashionable crowd. It's the next best destination to go to after New York and London for an extraordinary holiday. You can put on your fanciest clothes and walk the streets of Milan with a smug look on your face. The city is also popular for the Milan Fashion Week that it hosts quite frequently. It also has some reputed fashion schools that you can check out when you are in Milan. Apart from fashion, Milan is also known as the art capital and is loved for its architecture. It's a place where you can party till wee hours and shop till you drop. Although it is not a tourist destination as popular as Rome, Venice or Florence, it is still a city you must visit even if it is just for a couple of days.

Best Time to Visit Milan

Even though summer is a very popular tourist season in Milan, Spring and Fall are far more pleasant. June to August is summer in Milan, and you will see a lot of tourists in the city during this time. You might want to book your hotel in Milan well in advance if you are visiting in June since this is when the Men's Fashion Week is usually hosted. The flight tickets to Milan can get a tad expensive in summer, and you will also have to carry sunblock and moisturizer in your kit to beat the heat and the humidity. The temperature ranges from 15 to 28 degree Celsius. Since this is peak season and the number of tourists increases, most tourist attractions in the city will be quite crowded. If you are not a huge fan of crowded places, this might not be the right time to plan a visit to Milan. But you might come across a lot of sales at fashion outlets in the city since it is peak season and is also when the fashion week is hosted. But be prepared to wait in long queues at most places that you visit in the city.

Milan welcomes the Spring season in April and May, making it a pleasant time to visit the city. It's right before tourist season kicks in, so the city is already preparing for it. The temperature ranges from 7 to 22 degree Celsius. You might want to carry an extra pair of cardigans or jackets for the chilly evenings, but otherwise, the weather is quite pleasant. Not to mention, you will not have to wait in long queues at the tourist spots. You can peacefully explore the city during this time and head back home right before summer kicks in. September and October is fall, another ideal time to plan a trip to Milan. The temperature ranges from 13 to 18 degree Celsius. Though this is not a high peak season, the women's fashion week begins in September so you will come across quite a few tourists who land in the city just to catch the show. You might also have to book your accommodation and flights to Milan way in advance.

There are chances of showers in October and November so make sure you carry an umbrella if you are travelling to Milan in these months. November to March is winter in Milan. The temperature ranges from 3 to 13 degree Celsius. December to February are the coldest months in the city. While it is not exactly the most popular season to fly to Milan, the Milan Fashion Week for women takes place in February, which invites more tourists in February, too.

Places to Visit in Milan

Since Milan is one of the five fashion capitals of the world with Paris, London and New York, high-end fashion boutiques and shopping is considered to be the most prominent thing to do here. But the city is more than just the fashion capital of the world. Milan Cathedral is not only the largest cathedral in Italy, but it is also the fifth largest one in the world. It is decorated with over 2200 marble statues, and the architecture will take your breath away. The sheer tranquillity of the cathedral along with its marvellous artwork, will stun you. Sforzesco Castle was built in the 14th century and was ideally constructed as a fortress. The Sforzesco Castle is home to a lot of timeless pieces of art. It features Pietà Rondanini, which was Michelangelo's final masterpiece. You will also find Egyptian art on display here. La Scala was designed by architect Giuseppe Piermarini and is one of the best opera houses in the city with red and gold being the prominent colours.

Santa Maria Delle Grazie is another popular tourist attraction in Milan that houses Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper. And we finally get to the best and most memorable part of Milan, the Quadrilatero d'Oro. You will find a lot of exclusive and high-end designer stores here. It's an important place for all fashionistas to head to and comes to life at night. The Piazza Dei Mercanti is another great place to visit at night. You will get a glimpse of the medieval life in Milan at night, and it looks even better and lively during the Christmas holidays. While you are in Milan, make sure you also visit the art galleries here, Pinacoteca di Brera specifically. It is one of the best places for all you art lovers to visit and showcases paintings in more than 40 rooms. You can also explore the streets outside the museum and go shopping for souvenirs at the cute little shops here. Navigli Lombardi is a canal that was constructed in Milan in the 12th century. Boating or cruising at the canal here is a popular tourist activity.

Things to do in Milan

Attending the fashion weeks hosted in Milan is one of the popular activities in the city. Of course, you will have to arrange for the passes, tickets and accommodation well in advance. Not just fashion but it is also the culture, art and history that draws tourists to Milan. Visit the art museums to admire some of the best paintings by skilled, legendary artists in the world. You will come across a lot of artworks by Leonardo da Vinci showcased at museums here. Do also visit the Milan Cathedral, also called Duomo and you will be stunned at the spectacular view and architecture. Head to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for a shopping spree. You can hit the streets and try some delicious Italian food at high-end restaurants or quaint cafes. Apollo Club is a hot and happening vintage-style club that also has a games room for its guests. You can drink and dance till wee hours before you head back to the hotel. If you are not travelling during peak season, you can just take a walk on the streets of Milan and discover the city on your own. A lot of tourists also prefer to hire guides or tour packages to explore Milan.

Food and Restaurants in Milan

You will find lots of kinds of pasta, pizzas, gelato and espressos in Milan. The city has also added its touch to certain cuisine making it a speciality here. The Risotto Alla Milanese is a must-try if you want to blend in. The secret ingredient here is saffron, and it only brings out the wonderful flavour in the risotto. Ossobuco, a veal dish, is a popularly ordered food during winter. Milan is also popular for its cheeses and gin. Panzarotti is one of the most famous places to binge on Italian delicacies. Premiata Cremeria Rossi and Pizzium - Via Vigevano are some other restaurants in the city. If you want to try the street food here, you can head to Tram. You will find a lot of high-end, elite restaurants in Milan and you will also find a lot of cute cafes in the city that are worth visiting. You can blend in both during your trip to Milan for a complete experience.

How to reach Milan (Transportation)

The Malpensa International Airport in Milan is one of the largest airports in Italy. The flight connectivity from Milan to India and other international countries is excellent. Although there are no direct flights to Milan from India, you will have layovers in different cities depending on the airlines that you pick. However, if you are travelling to Milan from any other European country, you can take a train to Milan. Kuwait Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air India, Ethiopian Airlines are frequently flying to Milan from India. There are VIP lounges, restaurants, shopping areas and a lot of other facilities made available to passengers at Milan's airport. You will get a better deal on flights to Milan if you book your trip in advance. You might also get cheap flight tickets to Milan if you are travelling during the offseason. Make sure you also book your hotel in Milan in advance.

  About Beijing

Beijing is China's political and cultural hub with a lot of tourist attractions. It is also where the famous Great Wall of China is. It is one of the most important tourist spots in China. The city also boasts of a very happening nightlife that will give you nasty hangovers but fun night. Imperial Palace, Coal Hill Park, Beihai Park and Heavenly Temple are some of the popular tourist attractions. It also has amazing places to go shopping and dining. Beijing also has a rich history and historical sites that you just cannot miss when you visit the city. You can also head to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the National Museum of China to get to know the city better. While you are at it, you can even learn a few words in Mandarin. It will certainly spice things up during your vacation. China is also known for its diverse and unique cuisines, although it will be quite a task to find restaurants that serve vegetarian food.

Best Time to Visit Beijing

It would be best if you kept a lot of things in mind before you plan a trip to Beijing. If you are on a budget, it is best to avoid festival days and national holidays since booking a hotel in Beijing during this time will only burn a hole in your pocket. However, summer is the most popular tourist season in the city. June to August is the summer and peak season for travellers to fly to Beijing. The flight tickets to Beijing will be considerably higher if not booked in advance. The city also experiences heavy rainfall in July and August so make sure you also carry an umbrella with you. If you are planning your trip to Beijing in June, do not miss the Dragon Boat Festival. The temperature ranges from 18 to 31 degree Celsius during summer. If you are ready to bear with the scorching heat along with the rains, you can choose to travel to the city in summer.

September and October are also great months to plan your trip to Beijing. The hotel prices drop a little bit, and the weather is quite pleasant, owing to the disappearing humidity. You might want to steer clear of travelling to Beijing on the National Day if you are on a budget. But if you are already in the city, head over to the Great Wall of China to catch the festivities and celebration. The temperature ranges from 7 to 26 degree Celsius.

The city sees a dip in the number of tourists during winter, from November to February. This is a great time to fly to Beijing if you are on a tight budget. You will get cheap flight tickets to Beijing, and you can also book a hotel in Beijing at a lower cost. Not to mention, since there are fewer tourists in the city, you won't have to wait in queues or suffer the inconveniences that you might get with a lot of tourists buzzing around. While the temperature is quite pleasant during the day, it drops considerably at night. January-February is also Chinese New Year, and the celebrations are grand in the city. The temperature ranges from -9.4 to 4 degree Celsius in winters so pack all of your warm clothes and some more to fight the cold weather.

The temperature ranges from 7 to 26 degree Celsius in April and May. It's quite the relief from the extremely cold winter in Beijing. The hotel prices also start increasing as the months are inching closer to summer. You can also catch the Beijing International Film Festival if you are planning to visit in April.

Places to Visit in Beijing

The Imperial Palace, also called Forbidden City, dates back to the Yuan dynasty of the 13th century and is one of the most important tourist attractions in Beijing. Until a long time, the palace was not open to ordinary citizens at all, which is how it got its name, Forbidden City. A guided tour of this beautiful palace is highly recommended on your trip to Beijing. The Great Wall of China is about an hour away from Beijing and a historical monument. It is a popular tourist destination in all of China. It was ideally built for military reasons and went on to become one of the most visited tourist attractions. Since it is not possible to cover the entire thing, it is recommended that you see certain parts of it, just for the experience. Summer Palace is another tourist attraction that you cannot miss at all. It has one of the biggest imperial gardens in China and is accessible to the Kunming Lake. Make sure you go early in the day to explore the palace before the tourist crowd kicks in.

Tiananmen Square is another tourist spot that sees a lot of tourists. It's closer to attractions like The Great Hall of the People, National Museum of China, Forbidden City and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. It was initially built to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Chinese Republic back in 1958. Don't miss the Gate of Heavenly Peace while you are here. Beihai Park is close to the Imperial Palace and a must-visit if you are here. It was created in 1166 AD. If you want to know more about China's history and culture, head over to the National Museum of China, which is quite close to Tiananmen Square. The Temple of Heaven is one of the most sacred buildings in Beijing that dates back to 1420. The rectangular and semi-circular shrines and temples together symbolise the earth, and you will find a lot of peace in the temples here. Beijing National Stadium is popular for hosting the Summer Olympics in 2008 and is also called Bird's Nest. You can opt for a guided tour of the stadium and everything near it. Beijing Zoo is another highlight of the city that houses approximately 15,000 animals of 1000 species. You will find pandas here along with snow leopards, South China tigers, red-crowned cranes and so on. The Zoo also has an aquarium if you want to witness marine life.

Things to do in Beijing

You can take a tour of the museums and palaces by going for one of the tour packages, or you can make your itinerary on your own. Beijing has quite a few palaces and Chinese temples of great significance that you must visit. It is recommended that you hire a guide to most of the palaces and museums so you can know more about the history and importance of the city. If you want to add a little bit of an adventure on your visit to the Great Wall of China, you can hike to the place. There are quite a few tourists and tour groups that can help you arrange for a hiking trip. Try to catch the sunset from the Great Wall of China. It will be the experience of a lifetime. Beijing is also known for its vibrant nightlife, and you can certainly go clubbing if you want to let loose and have fun a little bit.

Food and Restaurants in Beijing

Since Beijing is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, it offers a plethora of different kinds of cuisines for tourists. Peking Duck is a very popular dish in Beijing that you must try. You can also try the dumplings that are sold at local street stalls or fancy restaurants. Zhajiangmian is a Beijing speciality that is made with wheat noodles and has radish, cucumbers, a special sauce made of pork belly and sweet bean paste. The View 3912 is a popular restaurant that serves French, European and Fusion food. You can also try F Bistronome - FB or TRB Forbidden City for authentic French and European cuisines. Alice's Tea House also specialises in Asian and Beijing cuisine along with serving healthy fast food. Head over to King's Joy for some delicious Chinese food and The Lounge at Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel for the vibrant nightlife experience.

How to reach Beijing (Transportation)

Beijing Capital International Airport is one of the largest airports in China and 32 km away from the city centre. The flight connectivity to Beijing from India is excellent. Cathay Pacific and Dragonair fly quite frequently to and from Beijing with layovers in Beijing. If you book in advance, you might come across great flight deals to Beijing online. If you are lucky, you will even get cheap flight tickets to Beijing. The Beijing airport is well-equipped with lounges for passengers, decent waiting areas, dressing rooms, duty-free shopping areas, currency exchange, restaurants and cafes. You will also get taxis, buses and shuttle services right from the airport to your hotel and vice versa. The staff is quite helpful, and you will also find a couple of tour packages at the airport, in case you haven't made your itinerary or want to add more attractions to it.