The Practical Beijing Travel Guide: What to Know, Where to Go

Serving as China's political capital, Beijing is renowned for its monuments, such as the Forbidden City; however, there is more to this city than its architecture, including its culture and the way local people live their lives. This Beijing travel guide is designed to help you experience the city in a more complete way, covering its history, culture, shopping, and other highlights for a well-rounded trip. In case you are going on an extended tour across the country, you may also find our 3-week China itinerary article useful for building out your route.

It’s easy to encounter such historic areas in Beijing. Photo by Fotokon - stock.adobe.com

Things To Know Before Visiting Beijing

What To Keep In Mind

• Beijing is crowded, so always make a reservation. Moreover, visiting popular sites such as the Forbidden City/Tiananmen in the middle of the day is a bad idea. 

• Bring your passport to major attractions. Many, if not all, sites require it to buy a ticket and/or enter.

• Use mobile payments like Alipay or WeChat Pay. They are more convenient and popular than cash and cards.

• Google Maps, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Gmail won’t work properly here, so get the right apps before you leave (see below).

• Avoid trying to fit the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace into one rushed day.

• Avoid bringing wheeled luggage into large historical sites with stairs and long walks.

Essential Apps For Visiting Beijing

Download these and set up/link your card at home before getting on your plane.

• Alipay: payments, transport, and some mini-programs.

• WeChat: messaging, payments, bookings.

• DiDi: taxis and ride-hailing.

• Baidu Maps or Amap: the equivalent of Google Maps.

• Pleco: Chinese dictionary and translation help.

• Google Translate: the language barrier is real in China.

• VPN: for accessing certain international apps and websites.

Never Leave Your Hotels Without These

• Passport

• Phone with Alipay/WeChat Pay set up

• Portable charger

• Tissues and hand sanitiser

• Water

• Comfortable day bag or backpack

• Attraction booking screenshots

• Hotel address in Chinese

Getting to Beijing

UK passport holders can fly to Beijing visa-free for up to 30 days (until December 2026). Direct flights from London Heathrow to Beijing are available with Air China, with journey times of around 9.5–10 hours.

US travellers still need a visa, which will cost around $140. Air China operates direct routes to Beijing from cities including New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington Dulles, with flights taking roughly 13–17 hours depending on where you start. If you're flexible on routing, Qatar Airways and Emirates via their hubs are often cheaper.

Once you land, skip the taxi queue. Both airports have express metro links into the city.

One thing worth sorting before you fly: Chinese airlines are strict about carry-on weight. Air China allows 5kg; most others cap at 7kg. If you're travelling carry-on only, make sure your bag actually fits the limit.

CabinZero cabin bags are designed with airline size limits in mind, so you can spend less time repacking and more time getting to the gate.

• Fits all major airlines.

• As light as 600g, so more of your allowance goes on what you pack

• Lifetime warranty for long-term peace of mind.

How Many Days In Beijing Is Enough?

The general consensus is that four to five days is enough to explore Beijing properly without burning out.

1 day in Beijing

• Forbidden City

• Jingshan Park

• Wangfujing or Qianmen

2 days in Beijing

• Day 1: Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, Tiananmen, Qianmen

• Day 2: Great Wall, evening in Shichahai or Sanlitun

3 days in Beijing

• Add Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Lama Temple or 798 Art Zone

5 days in Beijing

• Add Beihai Park, hutongs, Gubei Water Town, markets and museums/art zones

Where to See Beijing's History

1. Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is one of the absolute highlights of any Beijing travel itinerary. Photo by ABCDstock on Adobe Stock

We have been lucky enough to visit quite a few royal landmarks around the world:  Buckingham Palace in the UK, Palace of Versailles in France and Alhambra in Spain. Still, the Forbidden City in Beijing gave us a completely different feeling.

The whole place carries this sense of grandeur that is hard to explain until you see it yourself. For centuries, emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties lived here, held ceremonies, celebrated royal weddings, and ruled the country from behind those towering red walls.

Even after hours of walking around the courtyards and halls, it still felt like there was more to discover.

One thing we would definitely recommend is bringing your original passport. It is often needed to enter the Forbidden City and several other major historical sites in Beijing. It is also best to arrive early because the site usually closes around 4 pm. A comfortable pair of shoes will make the day much easier.

2. Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square itself feels very safe and organised. Photo by zhengzaishanchu on Adobe Stock

Putting aside the tragic event of 1989, what we perceived when visiting the square was that it is vast and incredibly well-maintained.

During our Beijing travel journey, it quickly became clear that this is not a place designed for entertainment, but rather one for reflection. 

One experience we genuinely remember was the early morning flag-raising ceremony. On the first day of every month, there is also a changing-of-the-guard ceremony at the same time.

While exploring the square, we would also recommend stopping by places like the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Security here is very strict, so expect bag checks and passport inspections before entering.

3. Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is made up of many sections built across different dynasties. Photo by helivideo on Adobe Stock

Taking a trip to the Great Wall of China is definitely a must-do on any Beijing travel itinerary. There are several sections of the Wall that are easy to reach from the city, and each one offers a slightly different experience.

• The Badaling section of the Great Wall is the most accessible and probably the most popular. There are plenty of transport options, including the high-speed train, making it very convenient to reach. Because of that, though, it is usually a crowded stretch.

• For a quieter experience, we personally preferred Mutianyu Great Wall. The area is surrounded by forested hills and mountain scenery. We took the cable car up ourselves, and the views were stunning from the very first moment. After spending time exploring the wall, we came back down the toboggan slide, which we found unexpectedly fun.

4. Temple of Heaven

If the Forbidden City already seemed big to you, then visiting the Temple of Heaven would definitely change your sense of scale. The moment we stepped into the complex, we were immediately impressed by its sheer size.

Without a doubt, our favourite spot within the temple grounds (and perhaps in our entire Beijing travel experience) was the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. The vivid blue tiles with golden accents are a sight to behold. It was also hard to believe that the building were built without using a single nail.

Another place that really stood out to us was the Circular Mound Altar, an open-air ceremonial platform once used by emperors for important rituals. Its design was carefully based on ancient Chinese cosmology and mathematical principles.

5. Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)

Long Corridor within the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan). Photo by superjoseph on Adobe Stock

Everything in China, and particularly in our Beijing travel plan, seems so grand, and the Summer Palace is no exception. The grounds are so vast that we barely managed to explore everything in a single day.

Further inside, we encountered the Long Corridor whose walls are covered in hundreds of colourful paintings. Even simply walking through it made us feel as though we had stepped into an old Chinese historical film.

We were also glad there were plenty of places to sit, rest, and grab food or drinks along the way. On top of that, we were pleasantly surprised by how clean the toilets were.

That said, we probably would not advise anyone who struggles with long walks or stairs to visit this place, as getting around here may be rather exhausting.

6. Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan)

If you have plans to visit the Summer Palace, then do not miss the nearby Old Summer Palace as well. Since the two places are fairly close to each other, we found it very easy to visit both on the same day.

While the Summer Palace feels grand and lively, the Old Summer Palace has a much quieter and more nostalgic atmosphere. Much of it now lies in ruins. Still, standing there and looking at the remains of the European-style buildings, we could only imagine how magnificent the place must once have been.

Nevertheless, the grounds are still great for a peaceful stroll. There are large lakes, stone bridges, shady trees, and fish swimming through the water. If you would like to take some beautiful photos without too many people around, it is best to arrive before 8 in the morning.

7. Beijing Temple of Confucius

There are many Confucian temples across China, but the Temple of Confucius in Beijing struck us as truly majestic. The atmosphere here felt really thoughtful, with old courtyards and long rows of stone tablets preserved for centuries. As we wandered around the site, we also noticed plenty of English descriptions explaining not only the history of the temple itself but also the philosophy and teachings of Confucius.

Right next to the temple is the Imperial Academy, and the admission ticket conveniently includes entry to both places. One of the things we found most interesting was learning how scholars were selected in imperial China and how demanding the old examination system was.

8. Lama Temple (Yonghegong)

One of the five prayer halls of the Lama Temple, Beijing. Photo by BRIAN_KINNEY on Adobe Stock

The Yonghe Temple lies just next to the Temple of Confucius, but its ambience is very different. The bright red colour of its walls, along with the golden colour of the roof, makes it distinct from other temples featured in this Beijing travel post. It was also fascinating for us to know that, according to local beliefs, the Dalai Lama used to visit this temple and teach his followers while he was in China.

While wandering in the temple premises, we passed by 5 different prayer halls, each one larger and more impressive than the last. The final prayer hall houses an immense statue of Lama Buddha. No photography is permitted here; hence, it is really one of those places best experienced in person.

9. Drum and Bell Towers

A little farther from the Houhai area, you will find the Drum Tower and, nearby, the Bell Tower. We have grouped them on our Beijing travel list since it feels very natural to visit both at the same time.

Before modern clocks existed, the Bell and Drum Towers served as Beijing’s traditional way of keeping time. The bell would ring during the day, while the drum was struck at night.

If you are happy to climb a fair number of steep steps to reach the top, we would definitely recommend it. Besides admiring the beautiful wooden architecture, you also get wide views over Houhai and the surrounding hutong neighbourhoods.

Beijing's Best Parks and Walks

10. Jingshan Park

Jingshan Park can be found just behind the Forbidden City. Once you walk through the palace’s North Gate, you simply cross the road, and you are there. Moreover, it is normally inexpensive to enter the park, only costing about 2 RMB per visitor, which is available at the gate.

The park itself is lovely to walk around, with quiet paths, old trees, green spaces, and plenty of peonies in bloom depending on the season. The main attraction of the park is certainly Jingshan Hill. The climb to the top is not too difficult, and the view is absolutely worth it. From up there, you can clearly see the Forbidden City stretching out below, along with nearby areas like Beihai Park.

11. Beihai Park

The towering White Dagoba stands on Jade Flower Island in Beihai Park. Photo by Koldo_Studio on Adobe Stock

We went to Beihai Park a day after the Forbidden City and found ourselves at a perfect contrast. As compared to the noisy grounds of the Forbidden City, Beihai Park is calm, lush and much more relaxing.

The park is actually a large area, and half of it comprises the lake, which many tourists use for riding electric boats and enjoy the scenery along the shore.

Located right at the centre of the park is the Jade Flower Island, where one would find the impressive structure of the White Dagoba, which is a Tibetan-style stupa. What attracted us most, though, was simply wandering around and discovering all kinds of old stone bridges and beautiful corridors.

A small Beijing travel tip we picked up on our trip was that at many of the historical sites, there is a lot of walking and climbing stairs, making wheeled luggage bags inappropriate. Instead, we found a lightweight cabin backpack much more convenient for getting around. Ours is designed to be lightweight, water-resistant, and fit most airline cabin requirements worldwide, including Chinese carriers. It simply made travelling less stressful and more focused on the experience. 

12. Shichahai Area

According to what we found on Google, Shichahai means “Ten Temple Lakes”, as there used to be ten Buddhist and Taoist temples around the lake area. Shichahai is located just northwest of the Forbidden City, so getting here is not difficult at all.

The roads around the lakes are very pleasant to walk along. We did not really plan anything here. Instead, we simply wandered past the old buildings at our own pace. In the evening, many locals come out to relax, with some walking their dogs while others cycle around the area, all looking very at ease.

Should you fancy a change of atmosphere, hop to Sangeng Timekeepers for some drinks and lively music. There are also many other bars and pubs dotted around the lake. 

13. Gubei Water Town

The town is a historic area sitting just at the foot of the Simatai stretch of the Great Wall. It features small canals flowing among rows of ancient buildings. Therefore, it has earned the title of a water town.

Because of the long distance between Mutianyu and Simatai, using a taxi turned out to be the most comfortable solution. If possible, we would really suggest staying overnight here to see Gubei illuminated at night.

Hutongs, Markets and Shopping Streets

14. Wangfujing Street

The entrance to Wangfujing Snack Street. Photo by marcuspon - stock.adobe.com

Wangfujing Street, not far from the Forbidden City, felt like a really nice final stop after a long day exploring Beijing. Like many streets in the city today, the area is clean and well-organised; however, it retains its traditional look thanks to red lanterns, curved roofs, and old-style shop signboards lining the entire street.

After walking for some time, we found ourselves at a traditional Chinese noodle restaurant already full of diners. The portion of egg noodles was sold there for 22-26 RMB. Thick, soft and tasty noodles combined successfully with the slightly sour tomato broth. Taking into account the price, we could not complain about anything.

Even so, if traditional Chinese food does not suit you, Wangfujing Street offers visitors fast-food restaurants such as McDonald's and KFC, Italian- and French-style cafes, and even pastry shops.

15. Qianmen Street

Qianmen Street is a famous and ancient shopping street located immediately to the south of Tiananmen Square. The structures along this street retain their original Ming and Qing dynasty architectural styles. Since regular cars are not allowed to enter this street, apart from the occasional tram passing through, it is really comfortable to walk around and take in the surroundings.

This was mainly because we had gone there to view the architecture and not to shop; therefore, walking leisurely throughout the entire street took us no more than 30  minutes. For those who like to go shopping or eat there, it might take much longer than this. Tea rooms, silk stores, and old restaurants are some of the establishments you are likely to come across.

16. Wudaoying Hutong

This is yet another picturesque alley that we happily add to this Beijing travel article.  Even though most of the old buildings lining Wudaoying Hutong have been turned into cafés, bars, and boutique shops, the area does not feel overly commercialised. There is a nice balance here, and the authentic spirit of the neighbourhood is well preserved.

It was very pleasant to walk among rows of old grey brick houses, notice walls covered in green vines, and pick up some tanghulu along the way. 

17. Panjiayuan Antique Market (Dirt Market)

Exotic ceramic items are sold at Panjiayuan Antique Market. Photo by Mirko on Adobe Stock

Despite exploring a few large flea markets in London, Paris, and different parts of Japan, we were once again surprised by the vast range of antiques at Panjiayuan Antique Market. Indeed, it is considered not only the biggest flea market in Beijing but also in the whole of China.

Antiques ranging from cheap jewellery to extremely rare items, including Chairman Mao’s hat, Ming Dynasty porcelain pots, Qing Dynasty teapots, and Tibetan chests, can be found here. Even if you do not intend to purchase anything from the market (as we did not), you can still enjoy a visit to what is essentially an open-air museum that is free to enter.

18. Pearl Market (Hongqiao Market)

Our visit to Hongqiao Market was completely spontaneous during our time in Beijing. We had not originally planned to come here, but since it sits directly opposite the East Gate of the Temple of Heaven, we thought it would be worth a quick look.

Once inside, we realised the place sold much more than pearls. There were jewellery stalls alongside shops selling silk clothing, handbags, electronics, and all kinds of souvenirs. We even ended up buying a few small gifts to bring back home ourselves.

Most of the shopkeepers we met could speak a little basic English. Bargaining is definitely expected here, so do not be shy about negotiating the price a bit. There was even a rooftop lounge overlooking the grounds of the Temple of Heaven.

19. Sanlitun

The nightlife in Beijing is not as glamorous or dynamic as in Shanghai; however, there are many active areas. Sanlitun, located in Chaoyang District, might be considered among the best-known choices.

The place has a great mix of tourists and locals. Use the Amap app to find any bars or restaurants to your liking here. The bars used to line up the street, but due to prohibitions, they have moved into buildings instead.

Art, Culture and Family-Friendly Stops

20. 798 Art Zone

If you are fascinated by the creative aspects of Beijing’s modern culture, this is definitely one of the best spots to include in your Beijing travel plans. 

The large area and the variety of artworks showcased make it hard to beleive this used to be a military base. Graffiti, abstract works, industrial-style installations, you name it.

Most of the galleries here are free of charge, and therefore you can just wander in and out at your own pace.

If you wish to support local artists, there are also paintings and ceramics for sale. The only thing to remember is that the location is not very convenient to access via public transportation. That’s why we had to wait a little before we could take a taxi there.

21. Red Brick Art Museum

For those interested in architecture and minimalist design, the Red Brick Art Museum is definitely a go-to choice.

What makes the museum distinctive is the extensive use of red brick throughout the building, combined with the interplay of light and shadow, which creates a somewhat nostalgic atmosphere inside. At the back of the museum, there is a café and restaurant overlooking a pond, with outdoor seating available.

To be frank, the exhibition space is not particularly large, but the entrance fee is rather high (120 RMB on weekdays). However, in good weather, it is still a nice place to spend an afternoon.

22. Beijing Ancient Observatory

One of the oldest observatories in the world. Photo by wizdata - stock.adobe.com

Unlike the other destinations we have covered in this Beijing travel guide, the Beijing Ancient Observatory is often overlooked by many visitors. This is an interesting place to see how ancient people used to study the outer space.

Of course, the highlight of this site is the collection of eight large bronze astronomical instruments from the Qing dynasty, which remain intact on the rooftop terrace. In addition, there are several exhibition halls situated around the courtyards, where ancient star maps and different scientific tools can be viewed.

23. Popland Beijing (Pop Mart City Park)

Popland, nestled within Chaoyang Park, is a must-visit for any art toy enthusiast interested in collectables such as Molly and Labubu figures. While we would not call ourselves hardcore Pop Mart collectors, we still really enjoyed our time there and felt it was a highlight well worth adding to any Beijing travel bucket list.

The whole park is filled with life-sized figures of popular Pop Mart characters, along with various food and drink stalls. We were agreeably surprised by how good the food and drinks were, both in taste and quality.

For collectors, a useful tip is that the Popland store often carries limited edition figurines that are not always easy to find elsewhere. The park itself is not too large, so everything can be explored in a single visit without feeling rushed.

24. Beijing Zoo

To be honest, visiting the Beijing Zoo left us with rather mixed feelings during our Beijing travel experience.

On the one hand, we were genuinely surprised by how cheap the entrance ticket was. It only costs around 19 RMB per person to see the famous giant pandas in their home country.

The pandas are very clearly the stars of the zoo. Most visitors head straight to their enclosure, and it is obvious that they are very well cared for.

On the other hand, though, we could not help feeling sorry for some of the other animals.

Compared with the panda area, a few of the other enclosures seemed less well-maintained. Some animals looked tired and withdrawn. We would genuinely be willing to pay a higher price if it helped improve the living conditions for the wolves, polar bears, and other animals living there.

25. Beijing National Stadium

The Beijing National Stadium, known to most people as the “Bird’s Nest,” is situated in the heart of the Olympic Park. In the beginning, we thought that nothing about this structure was exciting other than its unique bird-nest-like appearance, but that was far from true.

We came in the evening, and when the lights were turned on, everything looked spectacular. The entrance to the stadium is huge, vast, and immaculately clean.

Lots of little shops and kiosks selling their products operate throughout the night, creating the impression of a sort of night market. In addition, outdoor skating or even skateboarding is available.

Luggage for your Beijing Roaming

After temples, hutongs, markets, museums, parks and one very long walk along the Great Wall, Beijing has a way of filling both your camera roll and your bag. A little packing space can go a long way here, especially if you plan to bring home tea, snacks, small gifts, or travel finds from local markets.

Find CabinZero travel gear made for lighter city breaks, longer adventures and everything you pick up along the way.

Get Ready for a Memorable Trip to Beijing

Written as travel memories, we hope the 25 places shared in this Beijing travel guide help you enjoy the city in the best way possible. At first glance, Beijing may feel busy and fast-paced, but once you spend time here, you start to notice a calmer, more relaxed rhythm, along with friendly locals. The only way to really know is to go, see, and experience it for yourself.

Quyen Pham