What to Do in Beijing
Beijing's attractions span 3,000 years of Chinese history. Imperial palaces, the world's greatest wall, and hutong alleys where time stopped decades ago. Start early for headline sights, then slow down in the neighborhoods. For food and accommodation, see our Where to Eat and Where to Stay guides.
Must-See Attractions
1. The Forbidden City (故宫)
The world's largest palace complex — 980 buildings, 8,700 rooms, home to 24 emperors over 500 years. Allow 3-4 hours minimum. Enter from the Meridian Gate (south), exit through the Gate of Divine Prowess (north) directly into Jingshan Park for a rooftop panorama of the entire complex.
🕐 8:30-17:00 (closed Mondays) | 💰 ¥60 (Apr-Oct), ¥40 (Nov-Mar) | 📍 Metro: Tiananmen East (Line 1)
→ Read more2. Great Wall of China (长城)
Multiple sections within reach of Beijing, each with a different character. See the comparison below to pick the right one for your trip. All sections are 1-2.5 hours from the city center.
🕐 7:30-17:30 (varies by section) | 💰 ¥40-65 | 📍 Bus or car from city center
→ Read more3. Temple of Heaven (天坛)
Where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests. The circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is Beijing's most iconic silhouette. Come at 6 AM to watch locals doing tai chi, sword dancing, and choir singing in the park — the real Beijing, not just the monuments.
🕐 6:00-22:00 (park), 8:00-17:30 (halls) | 💰 Park ¥15, All-access ¥34 | 📍 Metro: Tiantan Dongmen (Line 5)
→ Read more4. Summer Palace (颐和园)
Imperial retreat with Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill, and the famous Long Corridor (728 meters of painted beams). The Marble Boat is the symbol of Empress Dowager Cixi's extravagance. Rent a rowboat on the lake in summer for a different perspective.
🕐 6:00-18:00 (Nov-Mar to 17:00) | 💰 ¥30 (park), ¥60 (all-inclusive) | 📍 Metro: Beigongmen (Line 4)
→ Read more5. 798 Art District (798艺术区)
Beijing's contemporary art scene lives in a vast 1950s East German factory complex. Galleries, studios, design shops, and cafes fill converted warehouses with soaring ceilings. UCCA Center for Contemporary Art is the anchor. Come on a weekend afternoon when everything is open; weekdays many galleries are closed.
🕐 10:00-18:00 (most galleries) | 💰 Free entry, some exhibitions ¥50-80 | 📍 Dashanzi area, 🚇 Metro: Jiangtai (Line 14)
→ Read more6. Lama Temple (雍和宫)
The largest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. Red walls, golden roofs, and thick incense smoke. The 18-meter Maitreya Buddha carved from a single sandalwood tree is the centerpiece. Visit early morning when monks chant — far more atmospheric than the afternoon crowds.
🕐 9:00-16:30 | 💰 ¥25 | 📍 Metro: Yonghegong (Lines 2/5)
→ Read more7. Bell and Drum Towers (钟鼓楼)
Two towers at the north end of the old city. Climb the Drum Tower for the best rooftop view of hutong rooftops stretching to the horizon. Drum performances happen every hour on the hour. The square between them is where old Beijingers gather to play chess and fly kites.
🕐 9:00-17:00 | 💰 ¥20 (combined ticket) | 📍 Gulou area, 🚇 Metro: Gulou Dajie (Line 8)
→ Read more8. Hutong Tours (胡同)
Beijing's traditional alleyways are the living counterpoint to the imperial monuments. Nanluoguxiang (南锣鼓巷) is the polished tourist lane; Yandai Xiejie (烟袋斜街) near Shichahai is quieter and more authentic. Walk or hire a rickshaw — but negotiate the price first (¥80-120/hour). The real hutong life is one block off the main tourist drags.
🕐 Anytime | 💰 Free to walk, rickshaw ¥80-120/hr | 📍 Dongcheng/Xicheng districts
→ Read moreGreat Wall Sections Compared
Mutianyu (慕田峪)
Less crowded, fully restored, beautiful forest scenery. Cable car up, toboggan slide down.
✅ Best for: Most visitors | 🚐 1.5h from Beijing | 💰 ¥40 entry + ¥120 cable car
Badaling (八达岭)
Most famous section, closest to Beijing, also the most crowded. Fully restored, wheelchair accessible.
⚠️ Go before 8 AM or skip | 🚐 1h from Beijing | 💰 ¥40 | Bus 877 from Deshengmen
Jinshanling (金山岭)
Partially unrestored, stunning watchtower views. Best for hiking — 3-4 hour walks to Simatai.
🥾 Best for: Hikers | 🚐 2.5h from Beijing | 💰 ¥65 | Stunning sunrises
Hidden Gems
- Panjiayuan Antique Market (潘家园): Weekend market opens at 4:30 AM. Antiques, ceramics, Mao-era memorabilia, and curios. The best finds disappear by 8 AM. Bargain hard — start at 30% of asking price
- Shichahai Lakes (什刹海): Three linked lakes ringed by willow trees. In summer, bars open onto the water. In winter, the frozen lake becomes a public ice rink — locals play ice hockey and ride ice bicycles
- National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆): Free, massive collection spanning 5,000 years. Highlights: Bronze Age artifacts, Tang dynasty pottery, Silk Road exhibits. Book online 1 day ahead. 📍 East side of Tiananmen Square
- Jingshan Park (景山公园): Small hill directly north of the Forbidden City. Climb 10 minutes for the single best photo of the palace complex stretching south. ¥2 entry
- Old Summer Palace (圆明园): Less visited than the Summer Palace, more atmospheric. Ruined by British-French forces in 1860. The scattered stone columns of the European-style fountains are haunting. ¥25
Want something more authentic?
Go beyond the monuments with locals who know the real city — hutong breakfasts, night market food walks, calligraphy in courtyard homes, and hidden workshops.
Local Experiences in Beijing →Plan Your Perfect Beijing Trip
See our curated 7-day itinerary with everything timed and mapped out.
See Beijing itinerary →Book Tours & Experiences
Discover guided tours, skip-the-line tickets, and unique experiences in Beijing.