The Best Beijing Itinerary for first-timers.
Planning a trip to China’s capital? This Beijing itinerary is designed for travellers who want to experience the very best of the city in just 3 days, without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and participant in other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Having lived and travelled extensively throughout China, I can confidently say that Beijing is unlike any other city in the country.
It is the political capital, the cultural heart, and one of the richest historical cities in the world. Every street holds a story, and every landmark connects directly to the dynasties that shaped modern China.
Yet, despite its importance and size, Beijing can feel overwhelming for first-time visitors.
That’s exactly why I created this Beijing itinerary: to guide you step-by-step through the city’s must-see sights while also sharing the local knowledge I’ve gained while living in China.
Whether it’s your first time in China or you’re returning for more, this 3-day Beijing itinerary covers ancient wonders, imperial history, cultural hotspots and hidden gems.
Beijing Travel Essentials
📱China eSIM: Install my favourite eSIM for China to stay connected throughout your travels. It provides unlimited data and a free VPN.
🏨 Find all of the best hotel prices in China on Trip (you’ll also find hotels not advertised anywhere else on here as it is China owned).
🎟️ Book attraction tickets ahead: Forbidden City, Great Wall (Mutianyu), and Summer Palace tickets sell out quickly. Use Klook or GetYourGuide.
🚆Getting Around: Book the high-speed train with Trip. Then use Didi (for taxis) and Alipay to pay for the metro.
Your 3-Day Beijing Itinerary – At a Glance
D1: Tiananmen Square → Jingshan Park → (Temple of Heaven – optional) → Qianmen Street.
D2: Great Wall of China (Mutianyu) → Summer Palace → Nanluoguxiang
D3: Forbidden City → Lunch → Depart or add extra activities
Beijing Itinerary: Day 1 – The Heart of Beijing
Morning: Tiananmen Square – The largest public square in the world
Start your Beijing itinerary right in the centre of Chinese history: Tiananmen Square. This is the political and historical heart of China and one of the most significant public squares in the world.
Tiananmen Square has been at the centre of China’s political life since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 and has hosted major national ceremonies, celebrations, and historical moments ever since.
You’ll also find Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum here, which many locals still visit as a sign of respect.
Standing here for the first time genuinely put Beijing’s scale into perspective for me. The space feels endless and powerful, especially when you realise how many important events in Chinese history have taken place right where you’re standing.
Fun Fact 👉 Tiananmen Square can hold up to one million people.
How to get to Tiananmen Square:
Take Line 1 on the Beijing Subway and get off at Tiananmen East (天安门东) or Tiananmen West (天安门西). Or you can easily book a tour with hotel pick-up here.
Ticket & entry details for Tiananmen Square (learn from my experience):
👉 Entry is free, but you must book an appointment in advance. We booked ours here.
Unfortunately, I didn’t realise this when I arrived and ended up waiting almost an hour before I was allowed to enter.
You must also bring your passport for registration and pass through airport-style security checks, so I’d strongly recommend arriving early, especially during peak seasons or weekends.
🎟️ Book your free appointment to Tiananmen Square here.
Mid-day: Jingshan Park (Best View in Beijing)
After Tiananmen Square, walk (10 minutes) or take a bus north towards Jingshan Park, one of my personal favourite places in the city.
Jingshan Park is a beautiful hilltop park located directly behind the Forbidden City. When you climb to the summit, you get the best panoramic view of the Forbidden City rooftops. This is THE photo spot in Beijing.
P.S. if you are hungry, there is a little local noodle shop right across from the West Gate (where the bus stops) and they make the best Beijing handmade noodle soup. 10/10 from me.
Why I recommend visiting Jingshan Park
Most tourists skip this, but honestly, this is one of the most rewarding places in Beijing. It’s peaceful, affordable and offers the most incredible views.
We spent hours strolling around the gardens, climbing to the top, taking the best photos of the forbidden city and just taking it all in.
How to get to Jingshan Park
- Walk from Tiananmen / Forbidden City (north exit) in under 10 minutes.
- Take a bus from Tiananmen, line 5 to XiNanQiao stop (in under 5 minutes).
Jingshan Park Tickets
- Super cheap to enter.
- We purchased our tickets online in advance here 🎟️
Afternoon: Temple of Heaven (optional)
If you’re feeling energetic, your next optional stop is the Temple of Heaven (one of Beijing’s most stunning sites).
Surrounded by peaceful parkland, the Temple of Heaven offers a glimpse into imperial China. This UNESCO World Heritage site was where emperors prayed for good harvests. The architecture is incredibly beautiful and photogenic.
We spent some time here strolling around the gardens, admiring the pagodas, temples and stunning Chinese architecture.
However, we arrived too late in the evening to actually enter into the temple of Heaven. We had to just admire it from a distance. So do not make the same mistake that we did (we arrived at 5.30) and arrive by 4pm at the latest.
🎟️TIP: Go before 5pm if you want access into the Temple and book your tickets online here to avoid disappointment.
How to get to Temple of Heaven
From Jingshan Park, take a DiDi (like China’s Uber) for the easiest journey, about 25 minutes.
👉 Purchase your skip the line ticket for the Temple of Heaven here.
Evening: Qianmen Street
End your first day at Qianmen Street, one of Beijing’s most popular (and busiest!!) pedestrian areas.
Qianmen Street is a historic shopping street rebuilt in Qing Dynasty style, filled with Chinese architecture, traditional stores, and food vendors. Just be prepared for crowds.
I really enjoyed walking through Qianmen Street. You get a mix of modern and traditional Beijing in one place. It’s perfect for souvenirs, photos and the best part- trying lots of different street foods.
Must try food at Qianmen Street
- Beijing Noodles
- Beef noodles
- Peking duck
We were meant to visit the famous Bianyifang Restaurant but the wait was almost 2 hours (so book in advance!!).
However, we ended up visiting Yin San Douzhi, which is very popular with multiple Michelin Star Awards and it was such good value for money. We had the famous duck pancake rolls and the (HUGE) lamb skewers.
You can find more must try foods in Beijing under Day 2 of my Beijing Itinerary!
If you want to try all of the best foods in Beijing 👉 You can book the most popular “Beijing food tour” guide here.
How to get to Qianmen Street in Beijing:
Take Line 5 to Qianmen Station and exit towards the pedestrian area.
Beijing Itinerary: Day 2 – Wonders of the World & Royal Gardens
Morning: Great Wall of China – Mutianyu Section
A Beijing itinerary is not complete without the Great Wall of China.
This was by far one of the best days of my life. Honestly, it was just so surreal standing there on one of the most amazing ancient wonders.
If you want a full breakdown, step-by step everything you need to know for visiting the Great Wall of China, you can check out my guide here. It will help you plan an unforgettable experience: Travel to the Great Wall of China – A First Timers Guide.
👉 Read my full guide for travelling to The Great Wall of China here.
Tip from my experience: Go early in the morning. The light is better, the air is cooler, and it’s far less crowded.
Why Mutianyu over Badaling?
- Less crowded
- More scenic views
- Toboggan ride down (yes, really!)
- Easier to explore
I highly recommend visiting the Mutianyu section of the wall. I can confidently say it is the best for first-time visitors.
It is an incredibly well-preserved section of the wall that offers stunning landscapes, fewer crowds and to make it even better you can take a a cable car up and toboggan ride down.
👉 You can purchase your tickets for the Great Wall here (we chose the chairlift up and toboggan down).
How to get to The Great Wall of China from Beijing
- Best option: Book a tour or private car (around 1.5–2 hours)
- You can also take a bus + shuttle, but it’s more complicated and can take much longer.
We went with a private car and it was perfect. We could choose the exact time we wanted to be picked up (6 a.m.) to arrive nice and early to beat the crowds at The Great Wall.
👉 You can book an early morning transfer to the Great Wall here (this is the one we booked).
Afternoon: Summer Palace
After returning from the Great Wall, head to the Summer Palace, a stunning complex of gardens, lakes and palaces used by the Qing Dynasty.
The Summer Palace was used as a summer retreat by Qing Dynasty emperors, where they escaped Beijing’s heat (hence the name). It was largely destroyed by Anglo-French forces during the Second Opium War, before being extensively rebuilt under Empress Dowager Cixi, shaping the historic site visitors see today.
Summer Palace feels completely different from the Forbidden City because it’s more open, green and peaceful.
We were exhausted after our morning climbing the Great Wall, so this was the perfect spot to just relax. But if you are full of energy and don’t fancy relaxing there is SO MUCH to see here. I could not get over how big it actually was!
Why Summer Palace is worth visiting
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Features Kunming Lake & Longevity Hill
- Beautiful traditional architecture & bridges
- Perfect for sunset walks
How to get to Summer Palace in Beijing
Subway Line 4 – Beigongmen Station or take a DiDi.
Tickets for Summer Palace
Tickets cost around 20–30 RMB, available online here 🎟️
Evening: Nanluoguxiang – Trendy hutong
Finish Day 2 in Nanluoguxiang, one of Beijing’s most trendy and famous hutong (alley) areas.
In case you are wondering what the ‘hutongs’ are, they’re traditional narrow alleyways in Beijing that date back to the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties and offer a glimpse into everyday life in historic courtyard neighbourhoods.
Nanlouguxiang is a stunning hutong area, filled with boutique shops, cafes, bars and the BEST street food, that perfectly blends old Beijing with new, trendy vibes.
We spent the evening here strolling through the souvenir stores and trying all the different street food from the vendors. I must say this was some of the best street food we have had in China. A must-visit on any Beijing itinerary!
How to get to Nanlouguxiang China
Take the metro – Line 6 to Nanluoguxiang Station.
Must-try foods in Nanluoguxiang (or at least in Beijing)
- Chuan’r – Grilled meat skewers (usually lamb or beef) seasoned with cumin and chilli. I ate my bodyweight in these lamb skewers!!
- Zha Jiang Mian (炸酱面) – Beijing’s signature noodle dish you’ll see everywhere. Thick wheat noodles topped with a rich, savoury sauce made from fermented soybean paste (zha jiang), minced pork, and often served with fresh cucumber, radish, or bean sprouts. We loved it, you cannot visit Beijing without trying these noodles.
- Sheng Jian Bao (生煎包) – Pan-fried buns filled with juicy pork. These are not only found in Beijing but you will find them in most cities in China. I was addicted, you won’t regret trying these juicy buns.
- Jiaozi (饺子)– Chinese dumplings filled with pork, beef, or vegetables. While popular all over China, Beijing has its own styles and fillings, and dumpling restaurants are everywhere.
If you want to try all of the best foods in Beijing 👉 You can book the most popular “Beijing food tour” guide here.
Beijing Itinerary: Day 3 – Imperial China & Final Experiences
Morning: The Forbidden City
No Beijing itinerary is complete without the Forbidden City – the world’s largest imperial palace complex.
Once closed to common people for over 500 years (hence the name- Forbidden City), it now welcomes millions of visitors from around the world.
The architecture here blew me away! We spent almost 3 hours exploring the sites. But once again, be prepared for the crowds. They build up super-fast! I highly recommend purchasing tickets for as early in the morning as possible.
The day we went was SUPER busy because we went during peak season (summer vacation), but don’t let that turn you off. We still had the best morning here. However, if you also travel during a busy season, just be prepared to wait in line and wait for crowds to move along to see the buildings and monuments up close.
You will definitely want to factor in around 3 hours for your visit to the Forbidden City. The area is huge!
💡My tip: Hire an English-speaking guide or use an audio guide – it completely transforms your experience.
Tickets for the Forbidden City
- Must be purchased in advance, the can not be purchased from the gate.
- Often sell out quickly, especially at peak times like weekends and Chinese national holidays.
- Tickets officially go on sale 7 days before your visit at around 8 PM (Beijing time) from the Palace Museum Official Website & WeChat Mini Program.
- Klook can be more convenient and user-friendly for booking tickets, especially if you’re booking from overseas and don’t want to deal with WeChat or translating the Chinese ticket system.
🎟️ You can purchase your tickets for the Forbidden City here (make sure you click the correct timeslot you want).
How to get to The Forbidden City
Take the Metro Line 1 to Tiananmen East or West, then walk north for 5 minutes.
Afternoon: Optional Activities to add to your Beijing Itinerary
If you are not leaving Beijing immediately here are some activities you could consider adding to your itinerary:
And if you are leaving Beijing, don’t forget to book your high-speed train tickets to your next destination. We used the high-speed train for all of our travels across China, we never took any domestic flights. The train is super convenient, more affordable and the views are insaneeee.
After a fantastic 3 days in Beijing we took the high-speed train to Xi’An.
Places in China I recommend visiting after completing this Beijing itinerary
- Xi’An
- Chengdu
- Zhangjiajie
- Guilin
- Macau
If you plan to see all of these fantastic cities in China you can take this route below (using high speed trains). We booked all of our train tickets with Trip.
Beijing – Xi’An – Chengdu – Zhangjiajie – Guilin – Hong Kong – Macau
Beijing Itinerary – Travel Tips
- Payments: Download Alipay + WeChat Pay before arrival – you will literally use these to pay for everything!
- Passport: Bring your physical passport with you everywhere, every day – your passport is your ticket for any attractions, hotels and even trains.
- Staying connected: Get an eSIM / VPN before entering China. This is my favourite eSIM for China. It gives you unlimited data and a FREE built-in VPN.
- Maps: Use MetroMan / Apple Maps for transport – we found Google Maps pretty useless and also it did not work without a VPN connection.
- Avoid travelling during major Chinese holidays (unless you love crowds).
- Tickets: Book the Forbidden City & Great Wall in advance.
- Language: Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases, you will need it. Many locals do not speak English so having basic phrases will help a lot. I used the Pimsleur app and it was unbelievable. It cost around €20 p/m but it was so worth it. I learnt so much and it was so lovely actually being able to speak with the locals!
- Trains: The best way to travel across China is by using their fantastic bullet trains. We booked all of our train tickets here.
Where to Stay in Beijing
Choosing the right area to stay in Beijing can make a huge difference to your trip. As Beijing is such a vast city with an extensive metro system, it offers accommodation options to suit every travel style.
Based on personal travel experience in China and lots of research and planning, these are the best areas to stay in Beijing.
1. Dongcheng District – Best for First-Time Visitors
Best for: Sightseeing, culture, walkability
Nearby attractions: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Wangfujing Street
This is the area we stayed in and I could not recommend it enough. It was the ideal location for sightseeing and we had a metro station just five minutes from our accommodation.
Popular hotels in Dongcheng District, Beijing
- Grand Hyatt Beijing at Oriental Plaza – One of the top hotels in Beijing (fabulous 5-star).
- SSAW Garden Hotel Beijing – affordable, mid-budget, 5 star hotel.
- Yueting Yushe Hotel – budget stay in Hutong area.
2. Xicheng District – Best for a Local, Traditional Feel
Best for: Hutongs, quiet neighbourhoods, history
Nearby attractions: Beihai Park, Shichahai, Drum and Bell Towers
3. Wangfujing Area – Best for Shopping & Central Location
Best for: Central access, shopping, convenience
Wangfujing is one of the most convenient areas to stay in Beijing, as it’s within walking distance of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, Jingshan Park, and close to major subway lines that connect you easily to the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace.
Popular hotels in Wangfujing, Beijing
Affiliate Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and participant in other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
