Beijing北京
Six UNESCO World Heritage sites, the best-preserved imperial architecture in China and the most accessible sections of the Great Wall.
Photo: Andrzej Otrębski · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
- Time needed
- 3–5 days
- Best time
- April–May and September–October
- Sights covered
- 6 must-sees
Why visit Beijing
Beijing has been China’s capital for most of the last 800 years, and its centre is still laid out around the imperial axis that runs through the Forbidden City. Within the city and its suburbs you can visit the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Ming Tombs, the Great Wall and the Peking Man site at Zhoukoudian — and in 2024 the Central Axis itself was added to the World Heritage list.
It is also a city of hutongs — the grey-brick lanes and courtyard houses around the Drum and Bell Towers, Shichahai and Dongcheng. Spend at least one afternoon walking or cycling them, and one evening eating Peking duck.
Distances are large and the big sights need advance booking, so Beijing rewards planning more than any other Chinese city. Four full days is the comfortable minimum for a first visit.
Must-see in Beijing
- Forbidden City (Palace Museum) — Book online up to 7 days ahead; closed most Mondays.
- Great Wall — Mutianyu is the best first section for most travellers.
- Temple of Heaven — Arrive early to see locals exercising in the park.
- Summer Palace — Half a day of lakeside pavilions and the Long Corridor.
- Hutongs around Shichahai — Walk or cycle from the Drum Tower to Nanluoguxiang and Yandai Xiejie.
- Lama Temple (Yonghegong) — Active Tibetan Buddhist temple with a 18 m sandalwood Maitreya statue.
Getting there, getting around, staying
- Best time to visit
- April–May and September–October. Summers are hot with occasional heavy rain; winters are cold and dry but clear, and sights are quieter.
- Getting there
- Two international airports: Capital (PEK) in the north-east and Daxing (PKX) in the south. Both connect to the metro by express lines. Beijing is a 240-hour visa-free transit port.
- Getting around
- The metro is extensive and signed in English. DiDi (with English interface) works well for the Great Wall and the Summer Palace. Expect security checks at every metro station.
- Stay: Dongcheng (Wangfujing / Dongsi)
- Walking distance to the Forbidden City and the hutongs; plenty of hotels at every level.
- Stay: Shichahai / Drum Tower
- Courtyard-house hotels in the lanes, lakes for evening walks, bars and live music nearby.
- Stay: Qianmen
- South of Tiananmen with good metro links; slightly more touristy but convenient.
What to eat in Beijing
- Peking roast duck — book ahead at well-known restaurants for dinner.
- Zhajiangmian (noodles with fermented soybean sauce) and jiaozi dumplings.
- Hotpot in the Old Beijing style with copper pots and lamb.
- Breakfast jianbing (savoury crêpe) from a street stall.
Day trips
- Great Wall at Mutianyu, Jinshanling or Jiankou (with a guide).
- Ming Tombs, often combined with the Great Wall at Badaling or Mutianyu.
- Gubei Water Town below the Simatai section of the wall (evening visits to the wall possible).
Field notes
- Bring your passport everywhere: every major sight books and admits by passport number.
- Tiananmen Square requires a separate free reservation and security check.
- Many museums close on Mondays — plan the Great Wall for a Monday.
Sights in and around Beijing
The Great Wall near Beijing
Which section to choose — Mutianyu, Badaling, Jinshanling, Jiankou or Simatai — and how to get there without a tour bus.
Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
The palace of 24 Ming and Qing emperors: how to book, which route to take, and what most visitors miss.
Temple of Heaven
Where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests — and where Beijingers now come to dance, sing and play cards every morning.
Summer Palace
The Qing imperial garden on Kunming Lake: the Long Corridor, the Marble Boat and Longevity Hill.
Routes that include Beijing
FAQ
How many days do I need in Beijing?
Four days covers the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, one Great Wall section and the hutongs without rushing. Three is possible if you start early each day.
Do I need to book the Forbidden City in advance?
Yes. Tickets are sold only online with your passport number, typically up to 7 days ahead, and popular dates sell out. There is no ticket office for walk-ups.
Which airport is closer to the city centre?
Capital (PEK) is slightly closer to the eastern and northern districts; Daxing (PKX) is further south but its express train is fast. Both take roughly 30–60 minutes to central hotels.
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