Written by Natalia |
Beijing is definitely the top destination for travelers to China. Its historic sites and unique regional culture are known across the world. For many first-time visitors, the question is how many days to spend in Beijing. This article will be your ultimate guide to planning your Beijing travel itinerary for different length and travel styles.
Generally, it is recommended that you plan for at least 3 days in Beijing, especially for a first trip. You will have enough time to cover the highlights of the city to get a sense of Beijing’s historical and cultural charm. For a more comprehensive experience, 4-5 days will give you more opportunities to explore the local life and uncover the lesser-known sides of Beijing.
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- How Many Days Do You Need in Beijing?
- Beijing Highlights You Can’t Miss
- Suggested Beijing Itineraries
- Beijing Seasonal & Themed Itineraries
- Tips for Planning Your Beijing Itinerary
- FAQs on Planning a Beijing Trip
- Plan Your Beijing Tour with China Xian Tour
How Many Days Do You Need in Beijing?
- 1-2 Days → quick highlights& layover trip
As a major international transportation hub, Beijing is a popular layover stop for many travelers. With 1-2 days, you can visit the essential highlights like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. You may be eligible for visiting China without a visa with this travel length. However, you won’t have much time to truly experience the city’s culture.
- 3–4 Days → best for first-time visitors
This is the best option if you’re traveling to China or Beijing for the first time. You can have a first impression of the city and still have time to visit other parts of the country. You can go to the Forbidden City, the iconic Great Wall, the Summer Palace, and other attractions that interest you. You will have time to explore the city at your own pace.
- 5+ Days → in-depth exploration
With 5 or more days, you will have a lot more flexibility in planning your Beijing trip. For cultural lovers, you can take a leisurely walk in the Hutongs to experience the local lifestyle. For families traveling with kids, you can go on a day trip to the Universal Studios Beijing. Make sure you try out local Beijing foods which are heavily influenced by northern traditions and the imperial past.
Beijing Highlights You Can’t Miss
Here are some highlights you can’t miss when you travel to Beijing.
Top Tourist Highlights
The Forbidden City is probably the most famous landmark of Beijing. This massive architectural complex was once the palace of Ming and Qing Dynasty China, the symbol of Beijing’s imperial past and historical importance.
The Great Wall of China needs little introduction. It is one of the greatest man-made wonders in history. There are many great sections around Beijing that are worth visiting. You can go on a hike and appreciate the views.
The Summer Palace is another great attraction to include in your Beijing itinerary. It is China’s largest and best-preserved imperial garden. Its architecture and waterscapes epitomize Chinese gardening art.
The Temple of Heaven is the largest and best-preserved altar complex in China. It served as the most important site for sacrificial ceremonies during the Ming and Qing Dynasty. Today, you can visit it to admire its magnificent architecture and observe local lives.
Local Experiences
Beijing Hutongs refer to the narrow alleyways in the city in between Siheyuans, a type of traditional courtyard residences. Both are unique to Beijing. Hutongs are where the most authentic and traditional Beijing lives can be found, from daily activities to street foods. The most popular Hutong to visit is Nanluoguxiang.
Wangfujing Snack Street is the hottest spot for Beijing street foods. It has hundreds of stores and stalls selling all kinds of local delicacies such as Lvdagunr (Sweet Soybean Rolls), Zhajiangmian (Noodles with Soybean Paste), and meat pies.
The tea houses of Beijing are also iconic in their own ways. You will not only get to experience Chinese tea culture but also uncover the most authentic folk culture of Beijing. They are usually lively and crowded with performances of Beijing opera or Chinese comedy.
Suggested Beijing Itineraries
Here are some suggested itineraries for Beijing tours of different length.
1–Day Beijing Itinerary
Day 1: Tiananmen Square – Forbidden City – Temple of Heaven – Wangfujing Snack Street
Recommended Beijing 1-Day Tour: One Day Old Beijing City Tour
2–Day Beijing Itinerary
Day 1: Forbidden City – Beijing Hutongs (Nanluoguxiang) – Wangfujing Snack Street
Day 2: Great Wall tour to either Mutianyu or Badaling
Recommended Beijing 2-Day Tour: 2 Days Beijing Stopover Tour: Great Wall+Forbidden City
3–Day Beijing Itinerary
Day 1: Tiananmen Square – Forbidden City – Temple of Heaven
Day 2: Mutianyu Great Wall hiking tour – Beijing Hutongs
Day 3: Summer Palace – Olympic Park (Bird’s Nest and Water Cube)
Recommended Beijing 3-Day Tour: 3 Days Beijing Package Tour: City Highlights & Great Wall
4–Day Beijing Itinerary
Day 1: Wangfujing Snack Street
Day 2: Tiananmen Square – Forbidden City – Temple of Heaven – Jingshan Park
Day 3: Great Wall tour – 798 Art District – Peking Opera show
Day 4: Beijing Hutongs
Recommended Beijing 4-Day Tour: 4 Days Beijing Essence Tour
5-6–Day Beijing Itinerary
Day 1: Peking Opera show
Day 2: Tiananmen Square – Forbidden City – Temple of Heaven – Jingshan Park – Houhai
Day 3: Mutianyu Great Wall visit – Bird’s Nest and Water Cube – Ming Tombs
Day 4: Beihai Park – Beijing Hutongs – Beijing Zoo – Confucius Temple – Imperial Academy – Temple of Heaven
Day 5: Capital Museum – Summer Palace – Yonghe Palace – Wangfujing Snack Street
Day 6: 798 Art District
Recommended Beijing 5/6-Day Tours:
1–Week (7–Day) Beijing Itinerary
Day 1: Wangfujing Snack Street
Day 2: Great Wall hiking tour – Ming Tombs – Summer Palace – Bird’s Nest and Water Cube
Day 3: Tiananmen Square – Forbidden City – Jingshan Park – Houhai
Day 4: Capital Museum – Beihai Park – Yonghe Palace – Peking Opera show
Day 5: Beijing Zoo – Confucius Temple – Imperial Academy – Beijing Hutongs
Day 6: Universal Studios Beijing
Day 7: 798 Art District
Extended (8–10–Day) Beijing Itinerary
With 8-10 days in Beijing, you have more than enough time to venture outside the city and go on a more in-depth China tour. Here’s an example of a historical tour from Beijing to Datong, Pingyao, and Xi’an.
Day 1: Beijing arrival, Wangfujing Snack Street
Day 2: Tiananmen Square – Forbidden City – Jingshan Park – Temple of Heaven – Beijing Opera show
Day 3: Great Wall tour – Summer Palace – Bird’s Nest and Water Cube
Day 4: High-speed train to Datong – Yungang Grottoes – Shanhua Temple – Nine-Dragon Wall
Day 5: Hanging Temple – drive to Taiyuan – Jinci Temple
Day 6: Drive to Pingyao – Pingyao Ancient City – Pingyao City Wall – Ming-Qing Street
Day 7: Qiao Family Courtyard – Shuanglin Temple – high-speed train to Xi’an
Day 8: Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum – Ancient City Wall – Bell Tower & Drum Tower – Muslim Street
Day 9: Xi’an departure
Recommended Extended Beijing Tour: 9 Days China Cultural Tour of Beijing-Datong-Pingyao-Xi’an
Beijing Seasonal & Themed Itineraries
Beijing has different beauties during different seasons. You can tailor your Beijing trip itinerary for the best sceneries. You may also plan a themed trip like culture tour, history tour, or family tour.
Beijing Spring Itinerary Ideas
- Great Wall: Spring in Beijingis a great time for hiking the Great Wall. The mountains will be covered in greeneries and colorful blossoms.
- Beijing Parks: There are many famous parks and gardens in the city. They are particularly attractive in spring with the weather getting warmer. Visiting the parks, like Beihai Parkand Jingshan Park, will show you a unique side of Beijing life.
Recommended Beijing Spring Itinerary: 5 Days Beijing Tour Package with Panda Encounter
Beijing Summer Itinerary Ideas
- Camping on the Great Wall: Summer is the perfect time to go camping on the Great Wall. During other seasons, it usually gets too chilly at night.
- Go Boating: There are many lakes in Beijing where you can go boating to see the lotus and the surrounding hills. It’s a popular activity for locals and tourists alike in the summer of Beijing.
Recommended Beijing Summer Itinerary: 2 Days Wild Great Wall Trekking & Camping Tour
Beijing Autumn Itinerary Ideas
- Forbidden City: Autumn in Beijingis the most beautiful season. The imperial palace becomes shrouded in gold and red. The ancient architecture appears particularly magnificent.
- Fragrant Hills Park: This park is famous for its autumn foliage. At the top of the hill in the park, you can overlook the city of Beijing decorated with golden leaves.
Recommended Beijing Autumn Itinerary: Private Beijing Highlight Day Tour
Beijing Winter Itinerary Ideas
- Shichahai: Beijing gets very cold in the winter because of its location. It’s a great time to explore the Hutongs covered in snow. When the lake of Shichahai freezes up, locals love to go ice skating on it.
- Chinese New Year celebration: Winter is also the time for the biggest festival of Chinese culture, Chinese New Year. There will be celebrations, temple fairs across the city. You can experience the festive vibes and join in on the traditional activities.
- Beijing hot pot: Hot pot is one of the favorite things of locals in the winter in Beijing. It makes a heartfelt meal that warms you up quickly.
Recommended Beijing Winter Itinerary: 5 Days Beijing Group Tour with Badaling Great Wall
Beijing Cultural & History Tour
- Palace and temples: Ancient palaces and temples are the best places to learn about the city’s imperial past. The Forbidden City is now a museum with a massive collection of ancient relics.
- Museums: Besides the Palace Museum (Forbidden City), there are a number of other museums in Beijing to learn about China, including China National Museum, China Archaeological Museum, Capital Museum, and China Aviation Museum.
- Parks: The parks in Beijing are different from what you have in mind. They are where ingenious imperial landscaping meets traditional Beijing lives. They are great places to take a walk and relax. Some of the most famous ones are Jingshan Park, Beihai Park, Temple of Heaven Park, and Fragrant Hills Park.
- Hutong lives: You have to experience traditional Hutong lives during your stay in Beijing. Try local street snacks and discover family-owned shops selling all kinds of crafts.
- Beijing Opera: Beijing Opera is also known as the national opera which goes to show its significance. It’s a traditional form of Chinese art and theater that involves literature, performance, music, and stage art. It’s a unique experience to have on the best Beijing tour.
Recommended Beijing Cultural & History Tour: One Day Old Beijing City Tour
Modern Beijing & Lifestyle Tour
- 798 Art District: Thearea was once a site of industrial factories. Now it has been turned into the hub of Beijing urban culture and contemporary arts. There are hundreds of art studios, galleries, and exhibition spaces that you can tour.
- Shopping: There are lots of places to go shopping in Beijing. If you’re looking for small shops and stalls to explore, head to Wangfujing Street. Sanlitun has the busiest malls and high-end brands.
- Nightlife: Beijing does not go to sleep easily at night. You will find vibrant nightlives in Sanlitun and Houhai. Many bars favored by the locals are hidden deep in the Hutongs.
- Olympic Park: The Olympic Park is representative of modern Beijing and China. The Bird’s Nest and Water Cube were the main venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Their architectural designs will leave you amazed.
- Universal Studios Beijing: If you’re going on a China family tour, the Universal Studios is a good day-trip option for your Beijing itinerary.
Recommended Modern Beijing Tour: Beijing 798 Art Zone Day Tour
Tips for Planning Your Beijing Itinerary
Best Time to Visit (Spring & Autumn)
The best time to visit Beijing is definitely autumn. The temperature is comfortable with little rainfall. The red maple and golden ginkgo leaves add vibrant colors to the old Hutong alleys and ancient palaces. Spring is also a good season to go to Beijing. As it gets warmer, trees and flowers come back to life in the mountains. It’s a good time of year for outdoor activities like hiking or boating.
Transportation
As a major international city, Beijing is very easy to get to and get around. You can fly into Beijing Capital International Airport or Beijing Daxing International Airport. To get around locally, the Beijing metro system is very easy to use. Taxis are more expensive but will provide you with personal service whenever you need. It’s also a good idea to book a private tour with transfers, so you won’t have to worry about navigating Beijing transportation yourself.
Travel Pace
Depending on how many days you have in Beijing, you should adjust your pace of travel. It’s recommended that you don’t cram too much into a short time frame. Beijing can be a large city to navigate. Plan your route beforehand so you won’t spend too much time on the road. You can consult us during the planning process.
FAQs on Planning a Beijing Trip
What about the costs in Beijing? Is Beijing an expensive city for tourists?
Depending on your travel style, Beijing is generally not an expensive city for tourists. There are a wide variety of options if you’re traveling on a budget. You can find mid-ranged hotel chains for CNY 200-400 per night. Inns and hostels are even cheaper. While there are many high-end restaurants, most traditional foods are cheap and delicious.
Do I need to know Chinese to navigate Beijing’s public transport system?
No, the transportation system in Beijing is very friendly for foreigners as the city receives visitors from all over the world all the time. There are signs in English at the airports, train stations, and on the metro, though some staff members or drivers may not be able to communicate in foreign languages. It’s recommended that you download a local navigation app like Amap or Baidu Maps to help you during the process.
What is the weather like in Beijing throughout the year?
Beijing weather is characterized by four distinct seasons. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable time of year for traveling when it’s cool and dry. Summers can get hot and see the most rainfall. Winters are very cold in Beijing with lots of snowfall.
What are the peak travel seasons to avoid in Beijing?
For the best travel experience, it’s recommended that you avoid traveling to Beijing during the summer or China public holidays. Lots of domestic travelers flock to Beijing during those times.
Should I use a local guide or join a tour group in Beijing?
It’s highly recommended that you book a tour with a professional local agency like us. There are lots of history and cultural imprints everywhere in Beijing. A knowledgeable tour guide will make your trip more meaningful. A private tour will give you more freedom and flexibility at a higher price, while a group tour will generally cost less.
What apps are essential for navigating and traveling in Beijing?
The most important apps you need in China will be WeChat or Alipay. Both can help you with payment and taking the public transportation. You can hail rides easily with DiDi. And you should download Amap or Baidu Maps for navigation.
Do I need to worry about air pollution when visiting Beijing?
In the past decade, the air quality in Beijing has improved drastically. It should no longer be a concern for travelers. If you’re sensitive to the effects of air pollution, you can look up real-time air quality index in Beijing or choose to wear a mask outdoors.
Plan Your Beijing Tour with China Xian Tour
Consult with us about how many days to spend in Beijing, and China Xian Tour can help you customize your Beijing travel itinerary. Beijing is also a great place to start an extended tour to other places in China. You can learn more about other regional cultures and see different kinds of landscapes. Here are some of our most popular China tours from Beijing.
