Beijing.
- WHAT TO SEE
- WHAT TO EAT
- WHAT TO EXPERIENCE
The whistle of pigeon flutes cuts across grey-brick alleys before the ring roads clog with electric scooters. Kublai Khan laid this city out on an unapologetic north-south axis in the thirteenth century, and you feel that monumental scale in your calf muscles after twenty minutes crossing a single plaza. Yet life shrinks down immediately inside the hutongs, where neighbours play xiangqi on overturned crates and noodle shops steam through cold mornings. Beijing is worth visiting if you want to navigate grand Ming dynasties by morning and sit over wood-roasted duck skin with pancakes by dark.
Last updated 3 Sept 2026
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What to do in Beijing Beijing China
Beijing runs on massive stone axes intersected by intimate residential alleyways. Days here split naturally between walking immense imperial complexes like the Forbidden City and lingering over copper-pot lamb hotpot along Guijie. The city rewards energetic travellers who do not mind logging ten miles a day on foot and taking the metro to escape the afternoon traffic.
24 hours in Beijing Beijing China
Book a morning entry slot for the Forbidden City, exiting north directly into Jingshan Park for the panorama. Walk west to Beihai Lake for a lunch of handmade dumplings, then spend the late afternoon exploring the quiet alleys around the Drum Tower before dinner at a local roast duck tavern. Select 1 Day above to see it.
2 days in Beijing Beijing China
Head north to the Mutianyu Great Wall early before tour buses arrive, returning to the city by mid-afternoon. Spend the evening browsing art galleries in the 798 Art District, finishing with fiery cumin lamb skewers and cold Tsingtao beer at a casual Guijie hotpot joint. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
3 days in Beijing Beijing China
Spend an unhurried morning walking the lakeside pavilions of the Summer Palace. In the afternoon, explore the quiet, uncommercialized hutongs of Dongsi on a rental bike, then browse tea shops at Maliandao Market to sample aged pu-erh before an evening acrobatic performance.
Beijing Beijing China itineraries by interest
Imperial History in Beijing Beijing China
Walk the central axis of the Forbidden City and climb Jingshan Park at dusk for the view over yellow-tiled Ming Dynasty roofs.
Traditional Dining in Beijing Beijing China
Taste wood-fired Peking roast duck carved tableside at Siji Minfu, wrapped in thin wheat pancakes with scallions and fermented bean paste.
Street Food in Beijing Beijing China
Eat crisp jianbing crepes folded with eggs and chili crisp from morning carts, or slurp steaming bowls of zhajiangmian hand-pulled noodles.
Historic Neighbourhoods in Beijing Beijing China
Wander the narrow lanes of Dongsi and Nanluoguxiang hutongs, ducking past courtyard siheyuan doors and quiet neighbourhood tea houses.
Sacred Architecture in Beijing Beijing China
Visit the circular Temple of Heaven park early to watch locals practice tai chi beneath fifteenth-century timber columns built without nails.
Modern Art in Beijing Beijing China
Explore the decommissioned military factories of 798 Art District, filled with contemporary galleries, open studios, and courtyard sculptures.
Day Trips in Beijing Beijing China
Hike the steep stone steps of the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, located ninety minutes north through mountain orchards.
Royal Gardens in Beijing Beijing China
Ride a wooden boat across Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace and stroll along the Long Corridor beneath thousands of painted ceiling beams.
Night Markets in Beijing Beijing China
Browse skewers, lamb dumplings, and sugar-coated hawthorn tanghulu along the bustling pedestrian lanes around Wangfujing and Guijie.
Tea Culture in Beijing Beijing China
Sample loose-leaf jasmine, oolong, and aged pu-erh teas with knowledgeable vendors at the multi-storey Maliandao Tea Market.
Public Parks in Beijing Beijing China
Watch choir rehearsals, sword dancing, and birdcage walkers in the morning shade around Beihai Park and the central drum towers.
City Walks in Beijing Beijing China
Stroll south from the Drum and Bell Towers down through the lakes of Shichahai, stopping at independent bakeries along Gulou East Street.