Forbidden City / Palace Museum 故宫博物院
Imperial halls and courtyards reward a dedicated visit, rather than a brief stop between distant attractions.
- Plan around
- One focused part of a day
- Combine with
- Forbidden City · Jingshan surroundings
All destinations
North China
Beijing travel guide
Explore the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, imperial gardens and Beijing’s hutong neighborhoods. Keep the Great Wall as a separate outing, and combine central sights with time for local food.
Include Beijing in my trip ↗What to see in Beijing
Choose your main sights, then group nearby visits together. Allow a separate day for longer excursions.
Great Wall: choose your section 长城
Choose one Great Wall section for a mountain excursion, watchtowers and views. We match the section, walking and access arrangements to your group rather than combining distant stretches in a day.
- Plan around
- A separate excursion day
- Combine with
- Leave time for a meal and a comfortable transfer
Temple of Heaven 天坛
Ceremonial architecture and surrounding parkland offer a different perspective on imperial Beijing.
- Plan around
- One focused part of a day
- Combine with
- Shichahai or Guozijian
Summer Palace 颐和园
Lake views, galleries and hillside paths suit a separate garden-focused outing.
- Plan around
- One focused part of a day
- Combine with
- Leave time for a meal and a comfortable transfer
Shichahai and hutongs 什刹海与胡同
Connect lakeside paths, small lanes and a meal without turning residential courtyards into attractions.
- Plan around
- One focused part of a day
- Combine with
- Leave time for a meal and a comfortable transfer
More places to consider in Beijing
Yonghe Temple 雍和宫
An active temple visit can be paired with the nearby Guozijian streets.
Northeastern old city · One focused part of a day
798 Art District 798艺术区
Choose this for contemporary art, reused industrial spaces and a change from the imperial monuments.
Northeastern Beijing · One focused part of a day
Watch before you go
Beijing on film
Watch a few places and experiences you can include in your own visit.
1:40Beijing
The Great Wall
Mountain ridges, watchtowers and wall sections through changing seasons.
Read the Beijing guide ↗
1:30Beijing
Beijing: a city introduction
A look at Beijing’s monuments, historic architecture and wider surroundings.
Read the Beijing guide ↗
0:19Beijing
The Forbidden City through the seasons
Palace courtyards, rooflines and winter scenes in the Forbidden City.
Read the Beijing guide ↗Watch 3 more videos
0:38Beijing
Beijing’s old streets
Traditional gates, narrow lanes and small shops in the older city.
Read the Beijing guide ↗
0:55Beijing
Beijing’s neighborhoods
A walk through older neighborhoods, waterways and everyday streets.
Read the Beijing guide ↗
0:33Beijing
Everyday life in Beijing’s hutongs
Small lanes, local residents and a quieter view of the city.
Read the Beijing guide ↗At the local table
What to eat in Beijing
Build food into the day: a local breakfast, a market snack or a relaxed shared meal can become part of the experience.
Peking duck 北京烤鸭
Roast duck served with pancakes and accompaniments; a useful shared meal for a private party.
Zhajiang noodles 炸酱面
Wheat noodles with a savory bean-paste sauce and vegetable garnishes.
Copper-pot hotpot 铜锅涮肉
A communal meal built around thinly sliced meat and a simmering pot.
Douzhi and fried dough rings 豆汁儿与焦圈
A strongly fermented mung-bean drink with a crisp dough snack; choose it for culinary curiosity.
Candied hawthorn 冰糖葫芦
A sweet-and-tart snack often associated with northern Chinese street food.
For allergies or dietary needs, explain the requirement clearly and discuss ingredients with the kitchen. English–Chinese support can help you communicate.
Where to stay
Compare these areas by transport, nearby sights and the type of stay you prefer.
| Area | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Dongcheng / Wangfujing | A first visit centered on the old city and major museums. | Check the actual hotel entrance and walking route; central addresses do not remove the need for transport. |
| Shichahai / Gulou | Hutong walks, local meals and an old-city atmosphere. | Historic lanes can mean extra luggage handling and limited vehicle access. |
| Chaoyang / Sanlitun | Restaurants, contemporary city life and a wider choice of modern hotels. | Allow a deliberate transfer to the palace and southern old-city sights. |
Getting there & around
Check PEK or PKX on the flight booking before arranging airport pickup; Capital and Daxing are different airports.
For rail travel, use the complete station name printed on the ticket, including North, South or West.
A private arrival transfer is particularly useful with luggage or a hotel in a lane where the final entrance needs clear instructions.
Season & daily pace
Spring and autumn suit many walking-focused visits. Summer needs heat breaks, while winter calls for shorter outdoor sections and warm indoor stops.
Choose your time, then make it yours
How many days do you have?
Start with a day in Beijing or connect it with a wider journey. Every route can be adjusted to your interests and pace.
A day in the destination
Palace courtyards in one day
A focused full day in central Beijing, with the Forbidden City as the main visit.
Make this my own 1-day trip ↗- Day 1
Palace courtyards and Jingshan
Make the Forbidden City your main visit, with time for courtyards and exhibits. Continue to Jingshan if energy allows, then enjoy a seated local meal.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
A short stay
Beijing: palace, Wall and local life
Three sightseeing days balancing the old city with one dedicated Great Wall excursion.
Make this my own 3-day trip ↗- Day 1
Palace courtyards and Jingshan
Make the Forbidden City your main visit, with time for courtyards and exhibits. Continue to Jingshan if energy allows, then enjoy a seated local meal.
- Day 2
One Great Wall section
Spend the day around Mutianyu rather than combining several Wall sections. Match the uphill access and walking distance to your group, with a relaxed return to Beijing.
- Day 3
Temple of Heaven and hutong life
Explore the Temple of Heaven and its park, pause for lunch, then travel to Shichahai for a shorter lakeside and hutong walk.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
More time to explore
A full Beijing week
A gentle arrival and departure frame five different sightseeing days, with time for food and local neighborhoods.
Make this my own 7-day trip ↗- Day 1
Arrive in Beijing
Meet your transfer, settle into your hotel and take a short walk near your base. Keep the first meal easy and leave the evening flexible.
- Day 2
Palace courtyards and Jingshan
Make the Forbidden City your main visit, with time for courtyards and exhibits. Continue to Jingshan if energy allows, then enjoy a seated local meal.
- Day 3
One Great Wall section
Spend the day around Mutianyu rather than combining several Wall sections. Match the uphill access and walking distance to your group, with a relaxed return to Beijing.
- Day 4
Temple of Heaven and hutong life
Explore the Temple of Heaven and its park, pause for lunch, then travel to Shichahai for a shorter lakeside and hutong walk.
- Day 5
A garden day at the Summer Palace
Follow a comfortable section of the Summer Palace grounds, balancing lake views with galleries and hillside paths. Leave the afternoon unhurried rather than adding another distant sight.
- Day 6
Yonghe Temple and Guozijian
Pair a respectful visit to Yonghe Temple with the nearby Guozijian streets. Choose a noodle lunch and leave time for tea or independent browsing.
- Day 7
A final neighborhood pause
Choose a nearby breakfast and a short final walk if your departure allows. Keep the airport or railway transfer clear of major sightseeing commitments.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
More time to explore
Beijing and Xi’an
Connect imperial Beijing with Xi’an’s archaeology, allowing a separate intercity travel day. Finish in Xi’an rather than backtracking.
Make this my own 10-day trip ↗- Day 1
Arrive in Beijing
Meet your transfer, settle into your hotel and take a short walk near your base. Keep the first meal easy and leave the evening flexible.
- Day 2
Palace courtyards and Jingshan
Make the Forbidden City your main visit, with time for courtyards and exhibits. Continue to Jingshan if energy allows, then enjoy a seated local meal.
- Day 3
One Great Wall section
Spend the day around Mutianyu rather than combining several Wall sections. Match the uphill access and walking distance to your group, with a relaxed return to Beijing.
- Day 4
Temple of Heaven and hutong life
Explore the Temple of Heaven and its park, pause for lunch, then travel to Shichahai for a shorter lakeside and hutong walk.
- Day 5
A garden day at the Summer Palace
Follow a comfortable section of the Summer Palace grounds, balancing lake views with galleries and hillside paths. Leave the afternoon unhurried rather than adding another distant sight.
- Day 6
Travel to Xi’an
Allow a dedicated travel block into Xi’an, including your station or airport transfer. After checking in, explore the Bell Tower surroundings and enjoy a simple local dinner.
- Day 7
Terracotta Army in depth
Give the excavation halls and archaeological setting a separate excursion day. Take time to compare the individual figures and return to the city without adding another distant monument.
- Day 8
City Wall and old-city flavors
Walk a manageable section of the City Wall, then explore the Bell and Drum Tower surroundings. Finish with a seated meal and selected lanes in the Muslim Quarter.
- Day 9
Museums and the pagoda district
Choose one Shaanxi history museum visit, then explore the Big Wild Goose Pagoda district. Keep the rest of the afternoon flexible for food, gardens or a slower return.
- Day 10
Depart Xi’an comfortably
Use any spare morning time for breakfast or a nearby walk. Allow a separate transfer to the exact airport or railway station on your booking.
This is an itinerary idea. We can change the places, pace and services to suit your trip.
Make Beijing part of your private journey.
Ask us to plan your visit or arrange an airport transfer, private driver or English–Chinese support. You can request a complete trip or one service.
Discuss my Beijing plans ↗