Beijing, the old and present capital of China, is also the premier destination in China. It has many magnificent wonders to offer, though world famous Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China are simply enough to invite travelers to come. Generally, we suggest spend at least 3 full days to have a better glimpse of Beijing's charm. But if you only have a short stay of layover of 2 days, here is the best suggestions to help you make most of your vacation.
Of course, the Forbidden City (the Palace Museum) and the Great Wall can't be missed, either taking a half day, but do not arrange them in the same day if you want to have a better experience. In addition, you can visit Temple of Heaven - the old imperial altars, Hutongs - Beijing traditional dwellings, or Summer Palace - the best preserved imperial garden in China. If it's not your first time to Beijing, you have visited landmarks in the city area, consider an-depth Great Wall exploration.
Beijing Tourist Attractions Map (click to enlarge)
If you are already in Beijing, or will arrive Beijing in the early morning, and want to leave Beijing at the late night after your tour. This 2 days allows you spend 2 full days to explore to the city. All highlights of Beijing is almost covered.
Day 1: Your Hotel - Tiananmen Square - Forbidden City - Jingshan Park - Summer Palace
In the morning, head to Tiananmen Square from your hotel. This vast plaza is one of the largest in the world and is notable for being the site where Chairman Mao proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China from the iconic Tiananmen Gate (Tiananmen Tower).
As you pass through the gate, the magnificent Forbidden City will come into view. As you stroll from the south entrance to the north exit, take in the main halls along the central axis and the flanking corridors. This journey will allow you to fully appreciate the grandeur of the architecture and envision the glory of these two dynasties, while enjoying the historic collections on display.
After exiting the Forbidden City, you'll visit Jingshan Park, part of Beijing's new World Heritage site, the Beijing Central Axis, located just north of the palace. Although the park isn't very large, climbing to Wanchun Pavilion at the top of the small hill will reward you with a panoramic view of the entire palace museum.
After lunch in the afternoon, visit the Summer Palace to explore its stunning landscape gardens. Given the expansive area, be sure to see the Foxiang Pavilion, the 7-Arch Bridge, the Long Corridor, and the Marble Boat. A boat ride on Kunming Lake is particularly relaxing and provides a unique perspective of the surroundings.
After sightseeing, head back to central Beijing to explore some hutongs and savor local flavors. Recommended hutongs include Shichahai, Nanluoguxiang, Yandaixiejie, and those near the Drum and Bell Towers. Be sure to try Peking Roast Duck and Beijing Hot Pot for an authentic taste of the area!
Day 2: Temple of Heaven - Mutianyu Great Wall
You will start today with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, where you can admire its stunning architecture, learn about the ancient emperors' sacrificial rituals, and join locals in their morning exercises. Next, you'll drive to the Mutianyu Great Wall, a remarkable feat of engineering. For a more challenging experience, you can reach the Great Man Slope (between Towers 19 and 20) by using an enclosed car to get to Tower 14, then hike to Tower 20 and back. If you're looking for a thrilling adventure, take the chairlift to Tower 6, explore the wall either east or west, and then enjoy a toboggan ride back down from Tower 6.
After the sightseeing, return to Beijing.
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Mutianyu is accessible for with different fitness levels. However, if you are a Great Wall enthusiast who has already explored the sites near the city, consider venturing a bit farther. A visit to Jinshanling Great Wall during the day and Simatai Great Wall at night, makes for an excellent experience. Plus, the picturesque Gubei Water Town at the base of Simatai adds an enchanting touch to your Great Wall
Day 1: Beijing - Gubei Water Town - Simatai Great Wall
In the morning, drive for about 2-3 hours to Gubei Water Town, which features charming bridges, a serene lake, and traditional boats, all set against the backdrop of northern Chinese residential architecture. In addition to its picturesque atmosphere, you can participate in engaging folk cultural classes, such as paper-making, dyeing, archery, and weaving.
As night falls, take a cable car to the Simatai Great Wall to witness the breathtaking sight of the wall illuminated by lanterns. If you're visiting in the summer, you might also catch a stunning sunset from the wall. After exploring, you can descend by cable car and stay overnight in Gubei Water Town, or drive about 30 minutes to Jinshanling Great Wall for accommodation, especially if you prefer a leisurely start the next day.
Day 2: Jinshanling Great Wall - BeijingOn this day, you'll spend half a day exploring the breathtaking Jinshanling Great Wall, known as the most beautiful section of the Great Wall of China. If you want to catch the sunrise, be sure to rise early! You'll walk about 20 minutes to Zhuanduokou Pass on the wall, where your hike will begin heading eastward. There are various exits available for descending the wall, allowing you to tailor your itinerary to your fitness level. Don't miss the iconic towers, including the General Tower, Big Jinshan Tower, and Small Jinshan Tower. These towers are not only stunning but also offer spectacular panoramic views of the winding wall.
After Jinshanling Great Wall experience, drive back to Beijing.
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For hiking enthusiasts, a night view of the Simatai Great Wall might not be enough. What about visiting two sections of the Great Wall in one trip? Recommended sections around Beijing include Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Simatai, Huanghuacheng, Gubeikou, Badaling, and Juyongguan. Typically, any two sections can be combined, but we strongly recommend pairing Jinshanling with Simatai or Mutianyu with Huanghuacheng. This is due to the distinct beauty of each pair, as well as their proximity, which helps save on both transfer costs and time.
Day 1: Beijing - Jinshanling Great Wall & Hiking
Enjoy a 2-3 hour drive to Jinshanling Great Wall, where your hiking adventure begins. For those seeking a challenge, tackle the route from General Tower to East Wuyan Tower, which features both restored and unrestored sections—offering a physically demanding yet rewarding experience. After your hike, we'll head to Gubei Water Town for your accommodation. It is recommened to explore the charming town for some relaxation and refreshment.
Day 2: Simatai Great Wall Hiking & Return to Beijing
On the second day, set off for a hike along the Simatai Great Wall, which remains entirely unrestored, allowing you to immerse yourself in its historic ambiance. Hike from Tower 1 to Tower 10, then enjoy a cable car ride near Tower 8 for a scenic descent. While this day is also physically demanding, it promises to be a memorable trip for hiking enthusiasts. After sightseeing, we'll drive back to Beijing.
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As the popularity of Mutianyu Great Wall among foreign travelers, you may not want to miss it. After your hike here, you can explore the nearby Huanghuacheng Great Wall, the only lakeside section featuring stunning natural scenery.
Day 1: Beijing to Mutianyu Great Wall & Mutianyu Great Wall Hiking
After a two-hour drive from Beijing, embark on your hiking adventure at Mutianyu. For the more adventurous, challenge yourself by hiking the entire section. We recommend taking the chairlift to Tower 6, then hiking east to Tower 1, and west to Tower 20. Finally, descend via the enclosed cable car from Tower 14. If you're up for a unique experience, you can hike the opposite route and enjoy the toboggan ride down.
After your hike, stay at a local inn near Huanghuacheng Great Wall.
Day 2: Huanghuacheng Great Wall & Return to Beijing
After breakfast, head to the Huanghuacheng Great Wall, nestled among mountains and lush forests. After your hike, take a leisurely boat ride on the lake to soak in the breathtaking views of the wall. Don't miss a visit to the Chestnut Garden, home to over 40 ancient chestnut trees.
After your sightseeing adventure, return to Beijing.
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Haven't found an itinerary that fits your interests? We're here to help! Contact us to customize your own unique itinerary in Beijing. Our team can create a tour package tailored to your specific preferences, travel duration, and budget, ensuring you get the most out of your experience. Whether you're interested in exploring historical sites, sampling local cuisine, or venturing into nature, we can craft the perfect plan for you. You can also explore our top Beijing tour packages or Great Wall tour packages for inspiration and ideas to kickstart your adventure.
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Beijing, altogether with Tianjin and Hebei has implemented 144-Hour Visa-free Transit to visitors from 54 countries with valid travel documents & connecting (flight, ship, trains) tickets to a third country/region. These countries include 25 European Schengen Visa Agreement countries (Austria, Germany, Italy…), 14 Other European countries (Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland…), 6 America countries (United States, Canada, Brazil…), 2 Oceania countries (Australia and New Zealand) and 6 Asian countries (South Korea, Japan, Singapore…).
The itinerary in this tour can be customized according to your own interests and needs. Usually, Mutianyu Great Wall is the top recommended among several sections of Great Wall in and around Beijing, because it's less crowded, fully-restored and quite family-friendly. If you want to explore the primitive appearance of Great Wall and want a memorable hiking experience in lesser known sections, consider hiking less-traveled sections like Jinshanling, Simatai, Huanghuacheng, etc. It is also available to choose some other attractions based on your interest. Besides, you can visit a local family in Beijing Hutongs, or take part in some other interested activities. If you have any personal travel ideas, feel free to tell us.
As China's capital and a top tourist destination, Beijing is equipped with numerous hotels and restaurants for your choice. Undoubtedly, every traveler can stay in Beijing with great comfort. There are enough luxury hotels with good location and best value. It is also easy to find many comfortable 4-star hotels and economical hotels. You can choose one hotel according to your tour itinerary and budget. Beijing also offers a large number of choices of food – from multi-course cuisine to various street food to satisfy your taste bud.
Beijing boasts a well-developed transportation network, making it accessible from both international and domestic cities. There are many daily flights from Europe (London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Amsterdam, etc.), America (Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Washington, etc.), Asia (Singapore, Tokyo, Taipei, Macao, etc.) and Oceania to Beijing. Additionally, domestic flights from over 120 cities in mainland China, including major hubs like Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shenzhen, Chongqing, and Chengdu, make reaching Beijing convenient.
With a temperature monsoon climate, Beijing enjoys four distinctive seasons. It has warm spring (March ~ May), hot summer (June ~ August), cool autumn (September ~ November) and cold winter (December ~ February). Visiting Beijing in different seasons allows you to see different featured scenery, but the best time to visit Beijing is spring and autumn because you can enjoy the most comfortable weather. It is also important to avoid visiting Beijing in China's big festivals, including May Day, Tomb Sweeping Day, Dragon's Boat Day and National Day when most of the scenic areas will be crowded and it will be common to meet traffic jam.
If you have more days in China, you are strongly suggested to extend your tour to another two top tourist destinations - ancient Xi’an and modern Shanghai. This combination provides a comprehensive view of China's historical and contemporary highlights. A tour combining these three cities will help you get a first panoramic view of China. For a more enriching experience, you can visit Guilin for its stunning karst landscapes or take a Yangtze River cruise for a relaxing holiday. Check China Tours from Beijing 2024/2025 >>
Beijing, the massive capital city of China for centuries, offers you much to discover and explore. All of your dreams about the charming Beijing can be true in our Beijing tours. No matter it is your first, or the second or the third trip to Beijing, China Discovery will always find a suitable tour package for you to see and experience Beijing by the best way. If you have no idea where to start, please don't hesitate to contact our travel experts for help.
This is the most popular China tour to Beijing, Xian and Shanghai to visit the most iconic China attractions - Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, The Bund, etc., and explore great of both China’s past and present.
Visit the best and featured highlights of Beijing in a single trip and explore the glorious past and present of Beijing in one go. Apart from Beijing's time-honored landmarks - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Great Wall, you will admire the most outstanding architectures in Olympic Park.
Visiting two ancient hearts plus a cozy high speed train experience, you will not only explore the long history of China, but also find out how the time-honored country is like in recent days.
This thoughtfully designed itinerary is perfect for travelers with limited time in Beijing. Whether you're taking advantage of a layover or simply want to make the most of a short trip, this tour provides a comprehensive overview of the city's iconic attractions.
This 4-day tour offers the chance to explore Jinshanling by day, known for its breathtaking vistas, and Simatai by night, celebrated for its enchanting evening views. The itinerary also includes a visit to the charming Gubei Water Town. Of course, essential Beijing landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, and traditional Hutongs are covered.
Want a quality but enjoyable time with your children in Beijing? This 5 days Universal Studios Beijing family tour is well-arranged to fulfill your needs. You will have a sightseeing trip involving a full-day adventure to Universal Studios Beijing. Apart from offering entertainment, this tour helps them learn, grow and gain a better understanding of China.
Visit the top travel destinations in vast China, Beijing, Xian and Shanghai, with the fabulous trip to Zhangjiajie and Guilin with stunning natural miracles.
Coverinng top highlights in China to please your eyes, ease your spirit, witness grand and beautiful landscape in special ways.
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