Things to do in Beijing
Top things to do in Beijing include Forbidden City (Palace Museum), Tiananmen Square, Dongcheng. Plan each day around one neighborhood to avoid backtracking, then add your dates to check opening hours and booking needs.
First visit? Start with these — and plan each day around one neighborhood:
- Forbidden City (Palace Museum)★ 4.6 · 16.9k reviewsThe Ming and Qing imperial palace sits north of Tiananmen Gate on Beijing's central axis, with halls, courtyards, gates, and collections spread across…
- Tiananmen Square★ 4.4 · 7.0k reviewsThe enormous public square south of the Forbidden City is framed by the Great Hall of the People, National Museum of China, Monument to the People's…
- DongchengDongcheng is central-axis Beijing, with Wangfujing, Tiananmen approaches, the Forbidden City edge, Lama Temple, Gulou, Nanluoguxiang, and many…
- Getting aroundThe Beijing Subway covers the core with numbered lines, airport expresses, ring Line 10, Line 1 for Tiananmen-Wangfujing, Line 5 for Temple of Heaven and Lama Temple, and…
By TripSapien · Updated November 3, 2026
About Beijing
City overview
Beijing is a northern China capital built on imperial axes, ring roads, hutong lanes, subway corridors, and mountain passes north of the plain. Dongcheng and Xicheng hold Tiananmen, the Forbidden City, hutongs, and temples; Chaoyang handles Sanlitun and embassies; Haidian points to universities, the Summer Palace, and old imperial gardens.
Food & drink
Beijing food is wheat, roast, and street-snack heavy: Peking duck is carved into thin pancakes with scallion, cucumber, and sweet bean sauce, zhajiangmian covers noodles with soybean-paste pork sauce, and jianbing folds egg, herbs, and crisp cracker into a breakfast crepe. Guijie in Dongcheng, Qianmen-Dashilar, Wudaoying Hutong, Sanlitun, and old duck restaurants such as Quanjude or Dadong add hotpot, lamb skewers, dumplings, donkey burgers, lvdagun, wandouhuang, and tea.
What Beijing is best for
Beijing is best for architecture, history, food, kids, and art.
- How long to stay
- A few days to over a week
- Typical budget
- Mid-range
Top sights
Ranked using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Temple of Heaven
- 2Summer Palace
- 3Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling
- 4Yonghegong Lama Temple
- 5Hutongs around Nanluoguxiang, Qianmen, and Liulichang
- 6Beihai Park
- 7National Museum of China
- 8798 Art District
1Temple of Heaven
4.6★ · 4,263The Ming emperors used the southern altar complex for annual heaven-and-harvest rites, and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests remains the signature round building. Subway Line 5 stops nearby at Tiantan Dongmen.
Wikipedia
2Summer Palace
4.6★ · 10,267The imperial garden in Haidian surrounds Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill, with the Long Corridor, Marble Boat, bridges, temples, and lakeside paths. It is best as a half day rather than a quick photo stop.
Wikipedia
3Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling
4.8★ · 1,580Badaling is the most connected wall section from Deshengmen and Qinghe rail links, while Mutianyu is greener and often calmer by tour car. Both sit in Beijing's northern mountain districts rather than central Beijing.
Carry a passport and book transport carefully; return traffic from wall sections can be slow on holidays.
Show 5 more sights
4Yonghegong Lama Temple
The Tibetan Buddhist temple complex in Dongcheng began as a Qing princely residence before becoming a monastery. It sits near the Confucius Temple and Wudaoying Hutong cafes.
Wikipedia5Hutongs around Nanluoguxiang, Qianmen, and Liulichang
Nanluoguxiang is a 786-metre Yuan-era lane near the Drum and Bell Towers, while Qianmen-Dashilar and Liulichang show old commercial brands, snack shops, and art-supply streets. Crowds are heavy at Nanluoguxiang on weekends.
6Beihai Park
The former imperial garden west of the Forbidden City centers on a lake, bridges, pavilions, and the White Dagoba on Qionghua Island. It pairs well with Jingshan Park and Xicheng hutongs.
Wikipedia7National Museum of China
The museum on the east side of Tiananmen Square was renovated in 2011 and presents archaeology, dynastic history, revolutionary material, and state exhibitions. Entry procedures and bag checks require extra time.
Wikipedia8798 Art District
The Dashanzi factory district in Chaoyang turned Bauhaus-style industrial buildings into galleries, studios, cafes, and design shops. It is a useful contrast to central-axis Beijing.
Wikipedia
Neighborhoods
1Xicheng
Xicheng holds Beihai, Houhai, Qianmen, Dashilar, Liulichang, financial streets, and older neighborhoods west of the imperial core.
2Chaoyang and Sanlitun
Chaoyang is modern and international, with Sanlitun, embassies, Workers' Stadium, 798 Art District, hotels, offices, and nightlife.
3Haidian
Haidian is university-and-garden Beijing, with Peking University, Tsinghua, Wudaokou, Zhongguancun, the Summer Palace, and Old Summer Palace ruins.
Show 26 more neighborhoods
- 4Gulou, Houhai, and Shichahai
Gulou and Houhai mix drum-and-bell towers, lake walks, hutong bars, courtyard hotels, and bikeable lanes north of the Forbidden City.
- 5Qianmen and Dashilar
Qianmen and Dashilar feel commercial and historic, with pedestrian streets, old brands, snack shops, theatre lanes, and quick access to Tiananmen security zones.
- 6Andingmen
Andingmen has local stops such as Dongcheng Furong Restaurant, Modernista, and Xinmin Vegetable Market. Bars like Hoper and Cangku are also found in the area.
- 7Badaling Town
Home to a famous section of the Great Wall of China, attracting many visitors. Expect a tourist atmosphere with nearby attractions focused on the Wall itself.
- 8Baizhifang
- 9Beixinqiao
Beixinqiao has local stops such as Yonghegong Lama Temple, the second largest Confucian Temple in China, and restaurants like King's Joy and Huajia Yiyuan. King's Joy is a fine-dining vegetarian restaurant known for its creative, artfully presented dishes and peaceful courtyard setting with live harp music.
- 10Caishikou
The site of public executions during the Qing dynasty, with the Execution Grounds still a notable historical point. The area is accessible via Caishikou Station on the Beijing Subway.
- 11Caochangdi
Caochangdi developed into an arts district around 2000, attracting artists like Ai Weiwei and gaining attention similar to the 798 Art Zone. The area is known for its cultural scene, but demolition of the village began in July 2018, so check the current status before visiting.
- 12Changping District
Changping District in Beijing is home to the Beijing Waxworks Palace of Ming Dynasty and several history museums.
- 13Chaowai Subdistrict
Chaowai Subdistrict has local stops such as Beijing Parkview Green with upscale shops and eateries, Dongyue Temple featuring ghoulish sculptures, and the Blue Zoo Beijing known for its walk-through tunnel. Dining options include Desert Rose and Dacha, which serves Russian and Japanese cuisine.
- 14Chaoyang
Where there are Beijing's art districts, shopping, restaurants, and nightlife. While it lacks major tourist sites, it's a lively area to explore local culture and entertainment.
- 15Chaoyangmen
Chaoyangmen has local stops such as Beijing Da Dong and Najia Garden Restaurant for Chinese cuisine. For shopping, there's the 北京apm mall housing local and international shops, plus numerous eateries on multiple floors.
- 16Chedaogou
- 17Dashanzi
- 18Dashilan Subdistrict
Dashilan Subdistrict has local stops such as Beers 89, Liulichang Cultural Market, and Guangyixuan. The cultural market is known for traditional Chinese arts, crafts, and antiques.
- 19Daxing District
- 20Donghuashi
- 21Dongsi Subdistrict
- 22Dongzhimen
A transport hub and commercial center known for its restaurants and the Russian Embassy. Historically, it was a gate at the north-east corner of the walled city of old Beijing.
- 23Fangshan District
房山区 has Beijing's first Christian Church, a monastery, and Doudian Mosque, the largest mosque in Beijing. These are among the recommended places to visit in the district.
- 24Fengtai District
Fengtai District contains Lianhuachi Park.
- 25Financial Street Subdistrict
- 26Fuyoujie
Fuyoujie has local stops such as Joy City, a modern 10-level mall with famous-label stores and restaurants, and the Xidan Shopping Centre. For coffee, there's the 1901 Cafe.
- 27Gubeikou
An important pass of the Great Wall of China, serving as a historic chokepoint for travelers. The area is traversed by G101 and offers access to the Great Wall's scenic sections.
- 28Gucheng
In Beijing's 古城, the China Millennium Monument stands as an art museum within a monumental complex.
- 29Gulou Subdistrict
Gulou is known for its historic drum towers and traditional hutongs, where there are cozy cafes and boutique shops.
Day trips
75km / about 1.5-2h by car or tour bus from central Beijing
Great Wall at Mutianyu
Restored wall, watchtowers, cable cars, and wooded mountain views make Mutianyu the balanced first Wall trip. Start early to beat tour buses and return traffic.
70km / about 30-40min by high-speed rail from Qinghe to Badaling Great Wall station, plus transfers
Great Wall at Badaling
Badaling is the most developed and accessible Great Wall section, with heavy crowds but simpler public transport than many alternatives.
45km / about 1.5h by car or bus from central Beijing
Ming Tombs
The imperial burial valley north of the city includes the Sacred Way and several accessible tomb areas. It pairs naturally with a Great Wall trip if time is tight.
Getting around
The Beijing Subway covers the core with numbered lines, airport expresses, ring Line 10, Line 1 for Tiananmen-Wangfujing, Line 5 for Temple of Heaven and Lama Temple, and Line 8 for Drum Tower, Qianmen, and Olympic Park. Use a Beijing Transportation Card, Alipay/WeChat transit QR where available, or station tickets; taxis need addresses in Chinese characters.
Planning a Beijing trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs before you go.
Things to do in Beijing by month
Pick a month for weather, any sourced events, holidays or observances, and seasonal timing. April, May and September have the most comfortable weather (tagged below).
Common questions about Beijing
- Which neighborhoods should I explore in Beijing?
- Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang and Sanlitun are useful starting points. Plan each day around one or two neighboring areas to avoid unnecessary backtracking.
- When is the best time to visit Beijing?
- April, May, September balance comfortable temperatures with fewer rainy days in Beijing.
- How many days do you need in Beijing?
- a few days to over a week gives you time for architecture, history, and food in Beijing. Choose your month to see date-specific details.
- What is Beijing known for?
- Beijing is best for architecture, history, food, kids, and art. For matched places, TripSapien checks available hours, closure signals, and booking links.
Ready to plan Beijing?
Turn everything above into a day-by-day Beijing plan, with every place checked for closures and booking needs on your dates.