Beijing, China-7-day-itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Exploring the Heart of Beijing

Morning

  • Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport
  • Take a taxi or subway (Line 4) to your hotel in the city center
  • Check-in to your hotel and freshen up
  • Visit Tiananmen Square (), one of the largest city squares in the world
    • Watch the flag-raising ceremony at dawn or sunset

Afternoon

  • Explore the Forbidden City (), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former imperial palace
    • Learn about Chinese history and culture
    • Wear comfortable shoes for the extensive walking tour

Evening

  • Enjoy a traditional Beijing dinner at Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant ()
    • Try the famous Peking roast duck and other local dishes
    • Make a reservation in advance to avoid long wait times
  • Take a stroll around the nearby Wangfujing Street (), a popular shopping and nightlife area

Where to Stay

  • Hotel Jen Beijing (4-star) - A modern hotel with comfortable rooms and a great location
  • Beijing Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel (3-star) - A traditional courtyard hotel with cozy rooms and a peaceful atmosphere

Things to Know

  • The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, plan your itinerary accordingly
  • Be prepared for large crowds and long lines at popular attractions

Transportation

  • Take a taxi or ride-hailing service like Didi Chuxing to get around the city
  • Use the Beijing Subway system (lines 1, 2, and 4) for efficient travel

Tips

  • Learn some basic Chinese phrases, such as “hello” (nǐ hǎo), “thank you” (xiè xiè), and “excuse me” (duì bù qǐ)
  • Download a VPN to access popular social media and messaging apps blocked in China

Day 2: Great Wall Adventure

Morning

  • Take a bus or taxi to Mutianyu Great Wall (), a less crowded but still impressive section of the wall
    • Hike and explore the watchtowers and scenic views
    • Wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring sunscreen, snacks, and water

Afternoon

  • Visit the nearby Sacred Way (), a historic road lined with ancient cypress trees
    • Learn about the Ming Dynasty’s imperial tombs and burial traditions

Evening

  • Enjoy a hearty dinner at Baodu Temple Restaurant ()
    • Try traditional Chinese Buddhist vegetarian cuisine
    • Explore the surrounding streets for local snacks and souvenirs

Where to Stay (same as Day 1)

Things to Know

  • The Great Wall is closed during extreme weather conditions, check the forecast before heading out
  • Be prepared for steep climbs and uneven terrain at Mutianyu Great Wall

Transportation

  • Take a bus or taxi from Beijing city center to Mutianyu Great Wall (around 1-2 hours)
  • Consider hiring a private driver or joining a guided tour for convenience

Day 3: Temple of Heaven and Local Markets

Morning

  • Visit the Temple of Heaven (), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former imperial temple
    • Explore the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Imperial Vault of Heaven
    • Watch locals practicing tai chi or playing traditional instruments

Afternoon

  • Browse through the vibrant Panjiayuan Antique Market ()
    • Find unique souvenirs, antiques, and local handicrafts
    • Be prepared to haggle over prices

Evening

  • Enjoy a street food dinner at Nanluoguxiang Alley ()
    • Try traditional Beijing snacks like jiaozi (dumplings) or zhajiangmian (noodles with fermented soybean paste)
    • Explore the trendy bars and cafes in the area

Where to Stay (same as Day 1)

Things to Know

  • The Temple of Heaven is closed during extreme weather conditions, check the forecast before heading out
  • Be prepared for crowds and aggressive vendors at Panjiayuan Antique Market

Transportation

  • Take a taxi or ride-hailing service to get around the city
  • Use the Beijing Subway system (lines 1 and 2) for efficient travel

Day 4: Summer Palace and Olympic Park

Morning

  • Visit the Summer Palace (), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former imperial garden
    • Explore the Longevity Hill, Kunming Lake, and various temples and pavilions
    • Take a leisurely boat ride on the lake (optional)

Afternoon

  • Stop by the Olympic Park (), built for the 2008 Summer Olympics
    • Visit the Bird’s Nest National Stadium and the Water Cube National Aquatics Center
    • Take a stroll around the surrounding gardens and lakes

Evening

  • Enjoy a Sichuan hot pot dinner at Chongqing Xia Mian ()
    • Try authentic Sichuan cuisine with numbing and spicy flavors
    • Explore the nearby Sanlitun Bar Street () for a lively nightlife experience

Where to Stay (same as Day 1)

Things to Know

  • The Summer Palace is closed during extreme weather conditions, check the forecast before heading out
  • Be prepared for crowds and long lines at popular attractions

Transportation

  • Take a taxi or ride-hailing service to get around the city
  • Use the Beijing Subway system (lines 4 and 8) for efficient travel

Day 5: Ming Tombs and Sacred Way

Morning

  • Visit the Ming Tombs (), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and final resting place of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors
    • Explore the Changling Tomb, the largest and most impressive tomb
    • Learn about Chinese burial traditions and imperial history

Afternoon

  • Walk along the Sacred Way (), a historic road lined with ancient cypress trees and stone statues
    • Visit the surrounding hills and take in the scenic views

Evening

  • Enjoy a traditional Beijing dinner at Huang Ji Huang Ji ()
    • Try authentic local dishes like zhajiangmian (noodles with fermented soybean paste) and bingtanghulu (candy-coated fruits)
    • Explore the nearby streets for local snacks and souvenirs

Where to Stay (same as Day 1)

Things to Know

  • The Ming Tombs are closed during extreme weather conditions, check the forecast before heading out
  • Be prepared for crowds and aggressive vendors at popular attractions

Transportation

  • Take a bus or taxi from Beijing city center to the Ming Tombs (around 1-2 hours)
  • Consider hiring a private driver or joining a guided tour for convenience

Day 6: Hutongs and Local Life

Morning

  • Explore the Nanluoguxiang Hutong (), a historic alleyway with traditional Beijing architecture
    • Visit the nearby Bell Tower () and Drum Tower ()
    • Learn about local customs and traditions

Afternoon

  • Take a cooking class at The Cooking School ()
    • Learn how to prepare traditional Chinese dishes like dumplings and noodles
    • Enjoy the fruits of your labor over lunch

Evening

  • Enjoy a local dinner at Jianguo 52 ()
    • Try authentic Beijing cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients
    • Explore the nearby streets for local nightlife experiences

Where to Stay (same as Day 1)

Things to Know

  • Be prepared for narrow alleys and crowded streets in the hutongs
  • Learn about local customs and traditions to show respect for the community

Transportation

  • Take a taxi or ride-hailing service to get around the city
  • Use the Beijing Subway system (lines 2 and 6) for efficient travel

Day 7: Departure

Morning

  • Spend the morning shopping for last-minute souvenirs or exploring a local market
    • Visit the Beijing Foreign Language Bookstore () for Chinese literature and language resources

Afternoon

  • Depart for Beijing Capital International Airport
    • Take a taxi, subway (Line 4), or express train to the airport
    • Check-in for your flight and depart from Beijing

Additional Tips

  • Download a VPN to access popular social media and messaging apps blocked in China
  • Learn some basic Chinese phrases to show respect for the culture and people
  • Be prepared for crowds, long lines, and aggressive vendors at popular attractions
  • Respect local customs and traditions, especially when visiting temples and historical sites

I hope you enjoy your trip to Beijing!