Beijing Tours
Recommended：Visit most of the popular scenic spots in Beijing in 8 days, and concentrate on visiting one area every day to feel the most authentic style of the capital.
Brief Itinerary
- D1 Tiananmen Square (1.5 hours), Imperial Palace (3 hours), Jingshan Park (1 hour), Beijing Quanjude (Qianmen Store) (1 hour).
- D2 Yonghegong Lamasery (2 hours) Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum (1.5 hours) Wudaoying Hutong (1 hour) Lane Street (2 hours).
- D3 Prince Gong’s Mansion (2.5hrs) Shicha Lake (3hrs) Nan Luo Gu Xiang (Mobile option, 1.5hrs)
- D4 Temple of Heaven Park (2 hours) Bird's Nest (0.5 hours) Water Cube (0.5 hours).
- D5 Beijing 798 Art District (3 hours) Taiguli, Sanlitun (2 hours).
- D6 Old Summer Palace (3 hours) Tsinghua University (2 hours).
- D7 Summer Palace (4 hours) Peking University (2 hours).
- D8 Badaling Great Wall (3mur4hrs) to see the Ming Tombs (Mobile option, 2.5hrs)
Detailed Itinerary
D1
When we first arrived in Beijing, of course, our journey began with the most domineering Tiananmen Square in the world and the Imperial Palace, which has the most royal style. If you want to see the raising of the flag in the square, you must hurry up, because the time of raising the flag is the same as the time of sunrise, so check the information in advance and arrive at least an hour or so in advance. After seeing the Monument to Heroes, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, the Great Hall of the people and other buildings, you can visit the Imperial Palace.
The scenic area of the Imperial Palace is relatively large and there are many tourist spots, so you'd better do some homework before visiting, or follow the guide to listen to the explanation. When you come out from the north gate of the Imperial Palace, you come to Jingshan Park. If you climb Jingshan, you can get a panoramic view of the Imperial Palace and a 360-degree panoramic view of Beijing. If you still have the physical strength, you can go to the surrounding hutongs and feel the most real city life in Beijing.
As the capital, the urban traffic in Beijing is very developed. Subway and bus are the most commonly used means of travel for tourists. After arriving in Beijing, it is strongly recommended to set up a municipal transportation card in the subway station, where subway, bus and some urban fast tracks can be used by card.
Today's traffic is mainly done on foot. After eating near Qianmen, if you want to go back to the Imperial Palace near the Tiananmen Tower, you can take No. 2 / No. 59 / No. 120 at Dashilan bus stop and get off at Tiananmen East Station.
Beijing has been a cosmopolitan city inhabited by all ethnic groups for hundreds of years, so all kinds of snacks here are their own, salty and sweet-rich. Although Beijing cuisine is not listed in the eight major cuisines, the reputation of Beijing cuisine has long spread, and fresh fragrance and palatability is a common feature of Beijing cuisine.
After visiting Tiananmen Square, you can consider having lunch on Qianmen Street in the south. There are many time-honored shops like Quanjude and Donglaishun and other head stores of Beijing cuisine, and the restaurants are always full of people. A lot of special snacks are gathered in the Dashilan Hutong next to it. If you want to eat boiled tripe, stewed food and other delicacies, you must be right to visit here.
The number of restaurants near Jingshan Park is relatively small, and most of them walk in royal style, such as ice cellar courtyards, which directly use the "cold rooms" of the Qing Dynasty, which is well worth visiting.
Tiananmen-Imperial Palace-Qianmen-Wangfujing area is the central area of Beijing, with a large number of hotels of all grades. Many popular scenic spots in Beijing are also located in the above areas and can be easily reached. In addition, Metro Line 1 and Line 2 pass through the area, which is very convenient for tourists to travel.
D2
Day
As the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing and the former residence of Emperor Yongzheng, the popularity of Yonghegong Lamasery are unmatched by other Buddhist temples and are well worth seeing. After visiting Yonghegong Lamasery, you can visit the Imperial College of the Confucius Temple across the street. It is strongly recommended to follow the internal tour guide, otherwise many details can not be fully understood by yourself. After that, you can visit all kinds of cafes, book bars and boutique shops in Wudaoying Hutong of literary style.
Night
After visiting the scenic spots, you can have a big meal near Kui Street in the evening. Here is a collection of delicious food from all over the country, mainly spicy taste, each has its own specialty dishes. When you play in the middle of the night, the lively streets are ablaze with lights, which will certainly make you feel another charm of Beijing.
Today's itinerary is mainly completed by subway. If you go to Yonghegong Lamasery, take Metro Line 5 to Yonghegong Lamasery Station and exit C to the scenic spot. Other itineraries on that day can be completed on foot.
Guijie is open 24 hours a day in the capital. Less than a kilometer long street, a series of restaurants, including Sichuan, Shandong, Guangdong, Hunan hot pot, barbecue and other delicacies, spicy crayfish, Sautéed Bullfrog in Chili Sauce and grilled fish are the most famous. The high red lanterns in Guijie have become the weather vane of the most popular cuisine in Beijing.
Tiananmen-Imperial Palace-Qianmen-Wangfujing area is the central area of Beijing, with a large number of hotels of all grades. Many popular scenic spots in Beijing are also located in the above areas and can be easily reached. In addition, Metro Line 1 and Line 2 pass through the area, which is very convenient for tourists to travel.
D3
Morning
In the morning, I went to visit Prince Gong’s Mansion, the residence of Heshen, the "largest corrupt official in China". From some angles, the layout of this mansion is even higher than that of the Forbidden City. I suggest you follow the guide to explain the tour in detail, otherwise you will miss a lot of interesting stories and details.
Afternoon
After lunch, you can visit Shicha Lake, where there are many small scenic spots. Soong Qingling's former residence and Guo Moruo's former residence are all located here. You can also go to the Yandai oblique street to feel the deep market customs and the rich characteristics of old Beijing. If you go northeast, you can see the Bell and Drum Tower, the landmark of old Beijing. If you don't feel tired, you can go to the crowded South Luogu Lane. The hutongs on both sides of the Nan Luo Gu Lane have a lot of history to talk about.
Prince Gong’s Mansion is located on the west side of Shicha Lake. After getting off at Beihai North Station on Metro Line 6, walk 300m to the north.
Shici-Bell Drum Tower-Nanluogu Xiang area can be completed by walking. The area can also take a rickshaw tour, the rickshaw driver will show you around the hutong, by the way, tell the story of old Beijing. Regular human tricycles have a service price list, which clearly lists the tour route, tour time and the cost of each tourist.
Shici / Nanluoguxiang area retains the old folkways and history of old Beijing, there are naturally many time-honored brands here, and a number of bars by the sea are also the highlights here today. Many high-quality specialty restaurants are hidden in the surrounding hutongs.
Tiananmen-Imperial Palace-Qianmen-Wangfujing area is the central area of Beijing, with a large number of hotels of all grades. Many popular scenic spots in Beijing are also located in the above areas and can be easily reached. In addition, Metro Line 1 and Line 2 pass through the area, which is very convenient for tourists to travel.
D4
Day
This morning, I went to visit the Temple of Heaven. The scenic spot is divided into four entrances, south, south and northwest. It is suggested to enter and exit from the south gate, so that we can visit the Temple of Heaven in the order of the circular mound altar, the echo wall and the hall of prayer for new year, so as to get the best tour experience.
Evening (optional)
If you still have the strength, you can come to the Bird's Nest / Water Cube to enjoy the night view. It is important to note that these two attractions are not open to the public at night and can only be viewed from the outside.
As one of the landmarks of old Beijing, all kinds of delicacies around the Temple of Heaven are hidden dragons and crouching tigers. From instant-boiled meat to all kinds of special snacks, the emphasis is on a cost-effective civilian temperament.
Tiananmen-Imperial Palace-Qianmen-Wangfujing area is the central area of Beijing, with a large number of hotels of all grades. Many popular scenic spots in Beijing are also located in the above areas and can be easily reached. In addition, Metro Line 1 and Line 2 pass through the area, which is very convenient for tourists to travel.
D5
During the day, go to Beijing's most stylish modern art district 798 to experience all kinds of avant-garde art and multicultural atmosphere. It is recommended not to come too early, as many stores may not be open. More worth visiting are: UCCA Ullens Art Center, Ruoshuitang oil paper umbrella, Locomotive Square, Pure Persian Art Museum and so on.
In the evening, you can go to Sanlitun, the most topical shopping district in Beijing. Sanlitun can be roughly divided into north and south districts. The North District focuses on the high-end style, where the world's top cuisine and major luxury brands gather here, while the consumption level in the South District is more civilian. In addition, Sanlitun is also the most frequent area for beautiful women in the capital.
The traffic situation near 798 is poor, and the more convenient way to get there is to take Metro Line 14 to get off at Jiangtai Station. After exit A, take a bus at Jiangtai Road North Metro Station to the south of Dashanzi intersection or Wangyefen Station and walk westward.
If you go to Sanlitun, because the traffic is also troublesome, it is recommended to take a taxi directly. If you take public transport, you can get off at Tuanjiehu Station on Metro Line 10 and walk about 500 meters west along Workers' Stadium North Road.
As an art park, the restaurants in 798 often have a bit of unruly cultural flavor. In addition to the recommended restaurants, you might as well explore more in the park, some maverick restaurants will definitely surprise you.
Sanlitun North District has a high level of food and beverage, and there are many minority delicacies hidden in the nearby Beixiao Street. In addition, Bar Street is also a major feature here.
The area between Tsinghua University and Zhongguancun is the education / science and technology center of Beijing, with convenient transportation. Subway Line 4 and a number of bus lines meet here. In addition to many well-known universities, there are also scenic spots such as the Summer Palace and Old Summer Palace nearby. Accommodation here is recommended for the second half of the trip to Beijing.
D6
Morning
Old Summer Palace Scenic spot has a large area, so you'd better take half a day to play. The scenic spots in the park mainly include the cultural landscape in the east and the natural scenery in the west. It is recommended to enter the scenic area from the south gate (get off at the Old Summer Palace subway station), so that you can first visit the most important scenic spots such as the zodiac and the ruins of the Western Mansion. Then visit many natural scenery westward along the Fu Coast, and finally leave from the algae Garden in the southwest corner.
Afternoon
If you visit Tsinghua University, you'd better enter through the west gate of the school, so you can rent a campus bike and visit every corner of the campus conveniently and effortlessly. Recommended tour route: Tsinghua west gate-lotus pond moonlight-Shuimu Tsinghua-Auditorium-Tsinghua school-Second school gate-Tsinghua west gate.
To Old Summer Palace, you can take Metro Line 4 and get off at Old Summer Palace Station.
If you go to Tsinghua University, you can start from Old Summer Palace subway station and walk about 400m to the east.
Go to the Bird's Nest / Water Cube, take Metro Line 8 and get off at the Olympic Sports Center Station.
Zhongguancun / Tsinghua and Peking University are densely populated, of course, there is no shortage of delicious food.
The area between Tsinghua University and Zhongguancun is the education / science and technology center of Beijing with convenient transportation. Subway Line 4 and many bus lines meet here. In addition to many well-known universities, there are also scenic spots such as the Summer Palace and Old Summer Palace nearby, where accommodation is recommended for the second half of the trip to Beijing.
D7
Today's itinerary is similar to yesterday, and it will take half a day to a day to visit the Summer Palace. The best tour route for about 3 hours is: Donggong-Renshou Hall-Wenchang Yuan-Yulan Hall-Yiyun Hall-Leshou Hall-long Corridor-Paiyun Hall-Foxiang Pavilion-Shifang-farming and Weaving Scenic spot-Ruyi Gate. The architectural complex in front of Wanshou Hill is the quintessence of the whole park and must not be missed.
If you visit Peking University in the afternoon, you should enter through the southeast gate (registration certificate is required). All the way to the west, you can visit the library, Weiming Lake, Boyatta, Cai Yuanpei and other scenic spots, and finally leave from the west gate of Beida.
To get to the Summer Palace, you can take Metro Line 4 and get off at Beigongmen Station. if you want to enter from Donggongmen, you need to get on the train at Metro Beigongmen Station and get off at Summer Palace Station.
If you want to go to Peking University, you can get off on Metro Line 4 at the East Gate Station of Peking University.
The area between Tsinghua University and Zhongguancun is the education / science and technology center of Beijing, with convenient transportation. Subway Line 4 and a number of bus lines meet here. In addition to many well-known universities, there are also scenic spots such as the Summer Palace and Old Summer Palace nearby. Accommodation here is recommended for the second half of the trip to Beijing.
D8
Today, when you go to Badaling to climb the Great Wall, it should be noted that there are two tour routes to the Badaling Great Wall: the south and the north, and the scenery of different routes is also different. Taking the cable car can save a lot of time. If you still have plenty of physical strength and time after visiting Badaling, you can visit the Ming Tombs. It is recommended to give priority to visiting Dingling, because it is the only mausoleum in the Ming Tombs where the underground palace has been opened. If you still have time, you can visit the Changling where Zhu Di, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, is buried.
There are many ways to get to the Badaling Great Wall, which can be chosen according to your own situation.
[bus]: take bus 919 at Deshengmen Station and get off at Badaling Forest Park to get to the scenic spot. The fare is 12 yuan. There will be a discount if you use a municipal transportation card, and you can get there within an hour if there is no traffic jam.
[train Line S2]: the ticket price is 6 yuan. You need to take a bus from Beijing North Railway Station. You can get to the scenic spot in 1.5 hours. Although it takes a relatively long time, the environment is comfortable, and you can see Juyongguan, Shuiguan and other Great Wall on the train.
[self-driving]: from downtown to Badaling, you can take the Beijing-Tibet Expressway, if there is no traffic jam, you can get there in about 1 hour, and if the road is congested, it may take about 2 hours.
[buy products]: some travel websites offer round-trip transportation booking services for the Badaling Great Wall. For details, please see the ticket guide.
If you go from Badaling to the Ming Tombs, you can take the corresponding train to Dagongmen station at Badaling Great Wall bus stop. It takes about 1.5 hours to get there. Self-driving takes about 40 kilometers and takes about an hour. It is more convenient to return to downtown Beijing from the Ming Tombs / Changping, you can take the Changping line of the subway.
Badaling Great Wall is a suburban scenic spot, it is not convenient to eat around, it is recommended to bring some food for emergency. If the transportation is convenient, you can have lunch in Changping city.
The area between Tsinghua University and Zhongguancun is the education / science and technology center of Beijing with convenient transportation. Subway Line 4 and many bus lines meet here. In addition to many well-known universities, there are also scenic spots such as the Summer Palace and Old Summer Palace nearby, where accommodation is recommended for the second half of the trip to Beijing.