Beijing is a capital with more than 3,000 years of history, packing 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites into a single city. From the Great Wall running along the mountain ridges to the imperial palaces and beautiful ancient temples, the city also keeps its hutong lanes and Houhai Lake brimming with the charm of local life. That mix makes Beijing a complete destination for history lovers and everyday travelers alike.
#1 Great Wall of China – Mutianyu & Badaling
The Great Wall of China is a wonder of the world that everyone should see at least once. The <strong>Mutianyu</strong> section suits families and general visitors, since it's well restored and has a cable car up and down, plus a high toboggan ride that kids love. <strong>Badaling</strong> is the most famous section and easier to reach, but it draws dense crowds. Both sections offer equally beautiful views of the wall stretching along the ridgeline.
- Mutianyu is more recommended than Badaling for international visitors — fewer people and better views
- Leave Beijing early in the morning to arrive before the tour groups
- Wear sturdy shoes; the wall's steps are very steep in places
#2 Forbidden City (Palace Museum)
The Forbidden City, or 'Gugong', is the largest imperial palace in the world, built during the Ming dynasty in 1406. It has more than 9,000 rooms, ringed by high red walls and a moat, and was home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today it has become the Palace Museum, displaying more than 1.8 million artifacts — a UNESCO World Heritage Site you shouldn't miss.
- Book tickets online in advance at dpm.org.cn — daily visitor numbers are capped
- Allow at least 3-4 hours to see it
- Enter through the south gate (Tiananmen) and exit through the north (Shenwumen Gate)
#3 Tiananmen Square
Tiananmen Square is one of the largest city-center squares in the world, big enough to hold more than a million people. To the north stands the Gate of Tiananmen, adorned with a large portrait of Mao Zedong, and inside the square you'll find the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, and the National Museum of China. The flag-raising and flag-lowering ceremonies happen daily at sunrise and sunset, which travelers love to watch — especially on National Day, October 1.
- Arrive before 6:00 to watch the flag-raising — you must reserve your name online in advance
- Visitors must pass a passport check before entering
- The best photos are from the bridge to the north, looking down over the square
#4 Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven, or 'Tiantan', is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built during the Ming dynasty in 1420 as the place where emperors performed rites to pray for rain and abundant harvests. The highlight is the 'Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests', a round building with a three-tiered blue roof whose beautiful symmetry has become a symbol of Beijing. The surrounding park, covering 270 hectares, is popular with locals who come to exercise and practice tai chi in the morning.
- A combined park-and-temple ticket costs 35 yuan, or 15 yuan for the park alone
- Come in the morning to see locals dancing, doing tai chi, and singing
- Allow about 2 hours to see it all, including the Circular Mound Altar to the south
#5 Summer Palace
The Summer Palace, or 'Yiheyuan', is a royal palace garden from the Qing dynasty inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1750 by the Qianlong Emperor, it served as the retreat of Empress Dowager Cixi in the late Qing dynasty. The highlights are the vast Kunming Lake, the 728-meter Long Corridor with its finely painted artwork, and the famous floating Marble Boat.
- A boat ride on Kunming Lake adds a different way to take in the scenery
- In winter the lake freezes over and there are very few visitors
- Allow at least half a day, as the grounds are very large
#6 Hutong & Houhai Lake
Hutong are Beijing's traditional narrow lanes, linking together the four-sided courtyard houses (siheyuan). They're an architectural heritage left over from ancient Beijing. The Houhai and Nanluoguxiang areas are the liveliest and most walkable stretches. The shores of Houhai Lake are full of small cafes, bars, and restaurants, and the atmosphere turns very romantic in the evening. Travelers love to cycle around the lake or take a rickshaw tour through the hutong.
- A rickshaw hutong tour costs roughly 120-180 yuan per person, and it's negotiable
- The lakeside bars and restaurants get busy after 9 p.m.
- The Nanluoguxiang area has plenty of cute shops and modern cafes
#7 Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple)
The Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) is the largest and best-preserved Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing, built in 1694. It was originally the residence of the Yongzheng Emperor before he took the throne. The highlight is the 18-meter Maitreya Buddha, carved from a single white sandalwood trunk. Inside, the temple is filled with the scent of incense, worshippers paying their respects, and beautiful blended Tibetan-Chinese architecture.
- Admission is 25 yuan, including 3 free sticks of incense
- Open daily 9:00-16:30, closed Mondays
- Dress modestly — you'll be walking alongside monks and real worshippers
#8 Olympic Park & Bird's Nest
The Olympic Park and the 'Bird's Nest' National Stadium are symbols of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Designed by world-renowned architects Herzog & de Meuron, the Bird's Nest has a striking structure of curved steel woven together like a bird's nest. Next to it is the Water Cube, used for the swimming events and now turned into a large water park. The wide plaza around the area is free to visit.
- Walking around the Olympic plaza is free — admission to the Bird's Nest stadium is 50 yuan
- It looks best at night when the lights are on
- Combined with a visit to the Olympic Green, the whole area takes about 2-3 hours
Where to stay in Beijing for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Beijing — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
Grand Hyatt Beijing
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Hilton Beijing Wangfujing
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Citytel Inn
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base-Wangfujing Serviced Apartment
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Tours, tickets & activities in Beijing
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Beijing — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Before You Pack
Beijing is a city that needs at least 5-7 days to take in fully. We'd suggest planning the Great Wall for a clear day and exploring the palaces and temples on the remaining days.