Looking for the very best things to do in Beijing to make the most of your stay. Whether you are passing through and taking advantage of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy or visiting China Beijing a part of your itinerary, this guide showcases all the things to do in Beijing plus tips and advice for places to say.
We show you how to get around Beijing, where to stay and how to avoid Internet censorship.
Table of Contents
Best Things to Do in Beijing
Follow our interactive map to see all the things to do in Beijing plus their locations. Get your interactive map of our Beijing Itinerary
1. Great Wall of China
There is no doubt that the star attraction for people visiting and looking for things to do in Beijing is the Great Wall of China. It’s a wonder that has fascinated the world for centuries.
Badaling Great Wall
There are several different sections of the Great Wall to visit in China, but the Badaling Great Wall is the closest to Beijing at only 70 km. This section of the wall is where the majority of Chinese tourists visit the Great Wall.
The Badaling Great Wall is beautiful and impressive, but expect large crowds (mostly locals and Chinese tourists though so it is a very authentic experience). That Badaling Wall is accessible by local bus, tourist bus. Line 877 from Deshengmen or tourist bus line 1 from Qianmen.
Mutianyu Great Wall
The Mutianyu Great Wall is another hour farther from Beijing, but you will see far fewer crowds at this section of the wall. But it is just as impressive and stunning (if not more). Mutianyu isn’t as easy to access and it is recommended to hire a driver or take a tour.
Search what Great Wall tours are best for you. These are easily canceled should you change your mind as long as it is within 24 hours of departure. And they can be easily booked last minute as Get Your Guide sets aside several last-minute tickets.
2. Forbidden City
It is the number one attraction in and with good reason. Built in the 1400s it was the Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Forbidden City housed the ruling Emperors and their households for 500 years. It spans 180 acres housing a whopping 980 buildings and over 8000 rooms.
Only the Emperor and his subjects stepped foot in the city walls until 1925 when it was turned into a museum after the fall of the final Emperor. Watch The Last Emperor now.
It takes at a minimum of two hours to tour the Forbidden City, but it can easily be enjoyed all day. This is something you don’t want to miss when you are planning out all your things to do in Beijing. It is best to take a tour of the Forbidden City to understand what the sections and rooms are.
You can book skip the line tickets in advance that can be easily canceled within 24 hours. It also includes a full day trip to Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace. If you are on a time schedule, this is a great way to see the top attractions in Beijing in one day. You can book here Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
3. Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is often toured at the same time as the Forbidden City because of its close proximity. It is the largest square in the world covering 100 acres of land and there are many things to see. If you arrive at the square in the morning, you may catch the flag-raising and then watch the flag-lowering ceremony in the evening.
At the center of the Square, you’ll see Monument to the People’s Heroes standing proud. You will also find Chairman Mao’s tomb is located in Tiananmen Square. There is also the National Museum of China, The Great Hall of the People, the People’s Monument, the Railway Museum, and Tiananmen Gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace). Be sure to go into the gates for a beautiful view overlooking Tiananmen Square. Tiananmen Square houses the only two ancient city gates left in Beijing.
4. Beijing Hutong Tour
Located in the Sichahong District of Beijing, visiting the Hutongs of Beijing is a must. The Hutongs were nearly destroyed to make way for skyscrapers and newer developments, but they were finally spared and the last of the Hutongs are sitting on protected land waiting for tourists to explore.
Get lost wandering the streets. They weave their way to the lake and there are many eateries, hotels, and museums scattered throughout the hutongs. Visiting the Hutongs was our favourite of all the attractions Beijing and not many people really know about them.
5. Rickshaw Ride
If you really want to see a lot of the Hutongs, a rickshaw tour is a must. There are very popular and you can book in advance or you can hire one at the lake or on the main street. Step back in time and travel the traditional way by pedal power as you take in the daily life of these historic alleyways.
- Book a Rickshaw tour through the Hutongs to feel what it was like centuries ago and for a fast overview of the area.
6. Back Sea – Houhai
A man-made lake in Beijing, Houhai (or Back Sea) is a picturesque lake that is very popular among locals. This artificial lake is surrounded by shops and tea houses. You can take boat tours or simply stroll along the walkway taking in the energetic atmosphere. From here you can easily reach Pipe Street, the Drum and Bell Tower and easily explore the hutongs. Guided Tours are available here!
7. Pipe Street – Yandai Xiejie
Walk along Pipe Street for shopping and snacking Beijing Food. Pipe Street was named so because it is shaped like a pipe. This is the busiest section of the Hutongs with snacks and thrift stores lining the street.
Known as Yandai Xiejie Street in Beijing, it is one of the oldest Hutongs in the city of Beijing. It is located just steps away from the Houhai (or Back Sea). Pipe Street is a busy and congested walking street, but a must-visit when you are exploring the hutongs.
8. Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is a wonderful stop in Beijing covering a massive area of 2,700,000 square meters. Take a walk through the complex to see one of the most iconic buildings in Beijing. It is sectioned into three different areas and takes at least a half day to explore.
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (Qiniandian) is the most iconic building within the Temple of Heaven, a circular structure with a triple-gabled roof, located in the northern part of the park. Emperors would come here to pray for bountiful harvests. It is renowned for its magnificent architecture and symbolic design, embodying the connection between heaven and earth, a central tenet of Chinese cosmology.
The Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangqiongyu) is a smaller circular building enclosed by a smooth circular wall known as the Echo Wall because whispers can be heard clearly from one end to the other due to the acoustics. Inside the vault are the tablets of the gods for the annual worship ceremony. It is connected to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests by the Vermilion Steps Bridge, a raised walkway that ascends from the Vault to the Hall.
The Circular Mound Altar (Yuanqiutan) is an empty circular platform on three levels of marble stones, located in the southern part of the complex. It is used for the Heaven Worship Ceremony during the winter solstice. The design of the altar is based on numerology; for instance, the top tier consists of nine rings of nine stones, significant because the number nine was historically associated with the Emperor.
Choose from 1-day tours of Beijing including Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and more including lunch – Book tours here and receive easy cancellation within 24 hours of experience and last-minute bookings.
9. Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple)
The Lama Temple was one of our favorite temples to visit in Beijing. Built in 1694, it was an official residence for Eunuchs of the Qing Dynasty. Today the Lama Temple is a functioning school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Lama Temple was closed for 32 years after the Cultural Revolution, but it re-opened in 1981. Monks study and take care of the grounds as tourists come to see the massive sandalwood Buddha standing 18 meters (69 feet) high. The Buddha holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the tallest Buddha’s carved from a single tree.
10. Jingshan Park
This is a pleasant park to visit where locals take badminton lessons, practice tai chi or simply relax in the bonsai tree gardens. Tourists frequent Jingshan Park to climb to the top of the mountain for an overhead view of the Forbidden City.
The mountain was made from the soil taken from the moat creating a 45.7 meter high (150 feet) artificial mound that was previously home to the Imperial Gardens. It is worth the walk up the steps to view the rooftops and take in the Panoramic views of Beijing.
11. Silk Street
This shopping mall used to be an open-air street filled with markets. Silk Street is located in the lively Chaoyang District of Beijing and is not to be missed. The vendors have been moved indoors, but it is no less fun to visit! If you want to buy immaculate knock-off handbags, watches, or sunglasses, this is the place to come.
Be sure to bring your wallet and be ready to barter. You can walk away with bargains more than half their asking price if you know what you’re doing. Silk Street goods are considered some of the best and most authentic fakes of name brands in the world.
Another popular market to visit in Beijing is the Panjiayuan Antiques Market.
12. Wangfujing Street Night Market
Wangfujing Street is a busy bustling street, especially at night. During the day it is a popular shopping district but at night it turns into a very busy market. This is the place where you’ll see the weird and wacky of Beijing. Sea horses, scorpions and starfish are served on skewers. Some scorpions are still squirming and it’s not for the faint of heart. (it’s also very sad)
We couldn’t bring ourselves to eat anything and instead opted for dumplings at one of the many food stalls. But for a taste of the odd side of Beijing, this is an interesting visit. You’ll definitely be dealing with crowds and remember to bargain for your shopping.
13. Bell and Drum Tower
These two structures stand above the Hutongs to represent the symbol of the Old City. You can walk up for an overview of the area and see the largest and heaviest bell in China.
Built across the square is another tower standing 47 meters (157 feet) high containing one very large drum.
The drum and bell towers were used to tell time for centuries but was abolished after the cultural revolution. But in 2001 the drum and bell rang out the new year and have been used each year since to bring blessing to the people.
14. Bird’s Nest Stadium – National Stadium
The Beijing National Stadium was designed for the 2008 Olympics and is worth a visit to admire the architecture created by Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron to represent a bird’s nest.
Olympic Park not only houses Bird’s Nest Stadium, but the surrounding architecture is just as impressive with the Water Cube (Cube Watercentre). If you visit at night, the Water Cube lights up with a gorgeous light display. The Water Cube aquatic center is open to the public so you can go for a swim!
Perhaps you may want to splurge and stay at the 7-star hotel and condo complex-shaped as a Dragon’s Head across the street. Football events and concerts take place at Olympic Park but you can take an architectural tour of Beijing to enjoy the modern designs of this growing city.
Visit the Ming Tombs
Visiting the Ming Tombs near Beijing is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the grandeur and solemnity of China’s imperial past. This UNESCO World Heritage site, known as the Ming Dynasty Tombs, is a collection of mausoleums built by the emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
The Ming Tombs serve as a testament to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), which is considered one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history. The site encapsulates over two centuries of cultural and architectural evolution.
The approach to the tombs is via the Sacred Way, a path lined with stone statues of guardians that include animals and court officials. The layout and design of the tombs are guided by the principles of Feng Shui, intended to ensure a harmonious balance with nature.
Located just about 50 kilometers from Beijing, the Ming Tombs are an easy day trip, often combined with a visit to the Great Wall of China. This proximity makes it a convenient addition to any travel itinerary in the region.
15. Peking Duck
No trip to Beijing would be complete without tasting its most famous dish Peking Roast Duck. Peking Duck is a roast duck that is sliced to perfection and served at your table.
Hua’s Restaurant is one of the premier places to sample Peking Duck with four locations throughout the city. Even if you are not a fan of duck, Peking Roast Duck is something you must sample once.
Serving of the Peking Roast Duck is an extravaganza as the chef brings out a large duck cooked to perfection and then slices it up with precision and artistry. You are then shown how to eat it by creating a tortilla-like sandwich with all the fixings. I don’t normally eat duck, but when in Beijing, I always eat their famous roast duck.
16. Beijing Hot Pot
Food glorious food. When in Beijing, delve into the food scene. A visit wouldn’t be complete without a hot pot meal.
17. Learn Calligraphy
Set up a traditional Chinese Calligraphy Class. Calligraphy is offered at many places in Beijing and it is a relaxing way to immerse in Chinese culture.
We did our class at a museum where professional artists practice their skills. I admit, I think we had special privileges because we were in Beijing shooting a video for the 100 hour Visa, but you can book it easly.
Just ask your hotel concierge. Our hotel offered classes at the Sandalwood Boutique Hotel hotel in the Hutong district. It was an excellent place to stay right in the heart of the action walking distance to many top Beijing attractions.
18. World Tourism Festival
The International Tourism Festival is an event that has been going for 20 years and celebrates the tourism industry in China. It brings delegates from around the world showcasing tourism from their own country. It is definitely a good will festival that brings countries together.
19. Chinese Royal Gastronomy Museum
A restaurant extravaganza with fine dining, Dumpling making, dinner shows and a museum dedicated to food. You can also learn to make your own dumplings and then while they cook up your masterpiece, you can watch a traditional show and have your dinner!
20. Tai Chi in Beihai Park
Beihai Park is Beijing’s largest park and there are plenty of things to do here. A former Imperial Garden and Winter Palace of the Ming Dynasty. Beihai Park is located on a lake surrounding the beautiful Jade Flowery Islet.
Covering 171 acres, 69 hectares there are plenty of places to explore in the most important Imperial Garden in China. Not to miss attractions include, Nine-Dragon Screen, 5 Dragons Pavilion and the White Dagoba on the island. We took a Tai Chi Class in Beihai Park and found the locals to be very friendly.
21. The Central Business District
Marvel at the five-star hotels scattered among skyscrapers, high-end shopping, and fine dining.
There are walking streets, shopping streets and malls to explore. It’s not quite as impressive as Shanghai or Hong Kong, but the CBD of Beijing is worth a stop for a bit of shopping and dining.
22. Summer Palace
Located 8 km north of the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace is a good place to visit if you love Imperial Gardens. Also know as the Imperial Garden, the Summer Palace was completely destroyed in 1860. But it was rebuilt in 1888. Proving its resilience, it was destroyed again in 1900, but once again, rebuilt in 1012.
Spend a day exploring The Summer Palace and the Imperial Garden as you stroll through Pavilions and hallways. The Summer Palace is one of the top attractions in Beijing that is not to be missed. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Imperial Garden in China, it is a great addition to you Beijing itinerary. .
If you love seeing Imperial Gardens, Suzhuou is an amazing city filled with Chinese Gardens.
23. Take a Tofu Workshop
I honestly can’t remember where we took this class. I’ve searched the Internet and can’t find it. But our tofu workshop was a day trip from Beijing. It wasn’t in the centre and turned out to be further out of town near the Badaling Great Wall.
But there is a school in Beijing where you can learn to make bean curd (tofu) from start to finish. It was very cool to see how one of China’s staple dishes is made and we had our hand in grinding the soybeans to boiling the bean curd to finally eating and enjoying our hard work.
25. 798 Art District
For something a little different visit the 798 Art District of Beijing. This interesting area of Beijing has been turned into a gathering place and park at the site of an old electronics factory. It is very much an out of the way place but you can book tours to the Art Zone through Viator and TripAdvisor.
It’s worth seeing the contrast of the old German-style factory displaying contemporary modern art. The 798 Art District feels like the Raw Temple of Berlin than a Chinese City district with graffiti lining the walls, different art galleries and shops. If you are looking for something different in Beijing, 798 Art District is worth exploring.
About Beijing
Beijing is a massive city with a population of 21 million people. It is the capital of China filled with everything from ancient monuments to modern skyscrapers. The host of the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing will once again be welcoming the world in 2022 for the Winter Games.
There are many direct flights to Beijing from cities around the world including Toronto, London, New York, and Sydney. Beijing is filled with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, World Wonders and some of the best shopping in Asia.
Where to Stay in Beijing
There are many neighborhoods to stay in Beijing. But the three main that we recommend are near the Hutongs; Shichahai Sandalwood Hotel is an authentic hotel set in a former palace.
Downtown in the Business District right in the heart of skyscrapers and shopping malls. There is a beautiful Ritz Carlton. in the area and you can never go wrong with The Ritz!
Near the Forbidden City in the Dongcheng District an excellent choice hotels Beijing to be near the sites and plenty of dining options. You can check out reviews and book hotels on TripAdvisor, Beijing.
We stayed in this area a few years ago and loved it. It was walking distance to many attractions and there were many things to do in Beijing at night here.
Getting Around Beijing
Beijing is a huge city that is spread out over 16,807.8 km2 (6,489.5 sq mi) Traffic can be heavy and most people do not speak English, so we suggest hiring guides to take you to the top sights of Beijing.
Get Your Guide is a great tour company that offers many day tours within and around Beijing.
There is no Uber or Lyft and the Chinese ride sharing is complicated without a local number and being able to speak Mandarin. But Taxis are cheap.
The subway is easy to navigate and is very reasonable, but it is crowded and closes at 11:00 pm. Cost is cheap at 3-7 Yuan
- Tip: Keep a business card from your hotel so you can give it to taxis to get home at night. If you need to go somewhere, have the Concierge at your hotel write down the address in Mandarin for you.
Taking the subway in Beijing is very easy. If you are going to a specific tourist attraction, ask your concierge or at the hotel desk what stop you need to go to. Once you know the subway stop you need, it’s very easy.
- Go to a machine, and choose the stop you want. Don’t worry, you can choose English to navigate the menu.
- Before you go to the station ask your concierge or look it up on Google to see what subway stop you need to get off at for your Beijing attraction of choice. Then look to see what the final stop is on the line that your stop is on. . That will help you know what line to get on once you get into the subway.
- And then when you get to the platform, look for the final stop to know which side to stand on.
- When you click the destination you want, it will ask for cash.
- Note: Be sure to have small change as the machines only give back small denominations so you could be stuck with a lot of coins.
- There are money changers in some subways but I wouldn’t count on that. And they usually only have small change so if you have large bills, you will get a handful of coins.
- Make sure to keep your card handy while on the subway as you will have to swipe yourself in and out.
The subway charges by distance and is very cheap.
- Check out these alternative things to do in Taipei
Plan Your Trip to Beijing
- 1 USD = 6.92 Yuan – Check XE Currency Converter for updated conversion.
- The best time of year to visit Beijing is in September or October. Pollution is low and the weather is very comfortable.
- To chat with anyone in China, WeChat is the preferred social network.
- Wifi is easily accessible at hotels, coffee shops and places like McDonald’s.
- Get your Lonely Planet Pocket Travel guide to Beijing for quick reference and tips
You cannot access Google or social channels like Facebook or Twitter. We used KnowRoaming SIM cards on our phones and it worked better than our VPN on our computer.
The KnowRoaming SIM is hosted outside the country giving you access to Gmail and all other social channels with ease. PlanetD readers receive 50% credit when ordering with promo Code DDSave50: Visit KnowRoaming for details.
We know many don’t travel alone, so it’s great to have two phones working overseas. How many times have you gotten lost and need to text one another? If you don’t use KnowRoaming, you must use a VPN. It is impossible otherwise to access your accounts.
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Read More: China and City Guides
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- 24 Top Things to Do in Shanghai, China
- Things to do in Hong Kong – The Complete Travel Guide to Hong Kong
- Things to do in China – Must See Attractions and Places to Visit
I loved my 4 day visit to Beijing and have been wanting to go back ever since!
Reading these 24 ideas has made me super eager to explore more of the city, thank you!
The Beijing city of China is a great place. That’s why I‘m planning to visit it in the month of May through a tour service. As a girl to travel alone it will be painful for me and I need guidance also. One of my friends recommended me a tour operator called Greatwall Trekclub. So I have prepared in my queue after hearing its criteria and service.
I would love to visit Beijing once and to have a walk on the Great wall of china. Thanks for sharing.
I absolutely love your posts! Even tho I dont travel much I love reading about raw experience of others, its wonderful.
I never knew that one could visit any country without a passport for certain amount of hours or days. Interesting.
This is perfect information since most airlines from China offer lower ticket prices from the US to Asia now. It will be good to spend a few days in Beijing and walk on the Great Wall and set foot on Forbidden City. Of course to try the authentic Chinese food like Peking Duck and the hot pot.
Thanks for all of the great information. We probably won’t make it to Beijing for another year or 2 unfortunately. Love the information about the Calligraphy, Tofu and Tai Chi classes. These interactive things are always our favorite while traveling. Also, the practical information about the internet, where to stay and getting around are so helpful! Thanks again!
I love Beijing. We’ve visited twice now and there’s still so much more to see. It’s such an easy city to get around and the people are so friendly. I think my favourite is probably the Summer Palace. So peaceful in such a busy city.
We have friends living in Bejing at the moment and are planning to visit, this is a great list we’ll def use! Thanks for posting
I’d love to visit China someday and expand my mind and blog about it as a temporary travel blogger. But I’m afraid to go there for now because someone famous talked greasy about them a while back.
It’s so great to know you are a writer that cares about the information you provide. This is smartly done and well-written in my opinion.
Very informative! Thanks for sharing this to us 🙂