Abstract: We introduce research advances in vegetation succession and climatic changes in Beijing, North China, since the Holocene. In the early Holocene (12 000-8 000 cal a B. P.), a grassland and/or needle- and broad-leaved mixed forest was present, with an increment in broad-leaved trees, which indicated a relatively cold and dry climate changing to warm and humid afterwards. In the middle Holocene (8 000-2 000 cal a B. P.), a needle- and broad-leaved mixed forest indicated a warm and humid climate. The vegetation of the late Holocene (since 2 000 cal a B. P.) was grassland and/or needle- and broad-leaved mixed forest, showing a cooler and drier climate. The consistent moisture fluctuations reflected by the vegetation succession were identical to those of other Asian monsoon-dominant regions. Notably, previous studies have revealed differences between mountainous and plain areas in vegetation types in Beijing. Further quantitative reconstruction of the Holocene climate in Beijing should provide more detailed data on the local and even regional climatic changes.