President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out efforts in fighting the impact brought by days of heavy rainfall in northern China, as the capital suspended all cultural and tourism activities and urged residents to stay indoors.

Officials in Beijing raised emergency responses to flood control to the highest level at 8pm on Monday.

Businesses in the capital had been told to avoid asking employees to go to work unless necessary, while schools were urged to suspend all in-person and outdoor learning.

All scenic spots and parks have also been ordered closed.

According to Xinhua, the president gave important instructions on flood prevention and disaster relief.

Xi called for all-out efforts to search for and rescue those who were trapped or missing, while urging the authorities to "decisively evacuate people facing threat" to minimise the number of casualties.

He was also quoted as saying officials must do their utmost to safeguard people's lives and property.

Authorities in the capital earlier issued the country's second-highest warning for rainstorms and the highest for floods, with the downpours expected to last into Tuesday morning.

In Hebei province, the heavy rain caused a landslide in a village near the city of Chengde, leaving at least four people dead and eight missing.