China · Region
Beijing
Beijing is a city where imperial history and futuristic ambition sit side by side — the Forbidden City's ancient courtyards and the Great Wall's mountain ramparts lie a short ride from glass towers, high-speed rail hubs, and a subway system carrying millions daily. As China's capital and cultural heart, it blends dynastic palaces, Communist-era monuments, and cutting-edge infrastructure into one sprawling, historically dense metropolis.
Top attractions
attraction Forbidden City: Beijing Travel Guide
Enter from Meridian Gate (Wu Men) on the south side, facing Tiananmen Square, and exit north through Shenwu Gate toward Jingshan Park — walking the full north-south axis takes about 2.5-3 hours.
attraction Jingshan Park: Beijing Travel Guide (4.6★)
Jingshan Park sits directly north of the Forbidden City in Xicheng District, Beijing, and its central hill is the single best vantage point over the palace's golden roofs. 4.6★ (1,527 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Lama Temple: Beijing Travel Guide (4.7★)
Lama Temple (Yonghegong) sits on Yonghegong Dajie in northeastern Dongcheng, right by its own subway stop of the same name. 4.7★ (1,207 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction National Museum of China: Beijing Travel Guide (4.4★)
The National Museum of China sits on the east side of Tiananmen Square and is free to enter, but you still need to book a timed ticket online in advance (passport required). 4.4★ (564 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
attraction Prince Gong Mansion: Beijing Travel Guide
Prince Gong Mansion (Gong Wang Fu), in Beijing's Xicheng District near Shichahai Lake, is the best-preserved Qing-dynasty princely residence open to the public — a sprawl of courtyards, painted corridors, and a walled garden built in 1777.
attraction Summer Palace: Beijing Travel Guide
Give the Summer Palace a full morning to early afternoon — enter at the East Gate (Dongong Men), walk the Long Corridor, climb to the Tower of Buddhist Incense on Longevity Hill, then loop back along Kunming Lake.
attraction Temple of Heaven: Beijing Travel Guide
Give the Temple of Heaven at least two to three hours — its circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Echo Wall, and the surrounding cypress park are all worth lingering in.
Hidden gems
hidden gem Hongqiao Market: Beijing Travel Guide (4.1★)
Hongqiao Market is a multi-storey indoor market in Dongcheng, Beijing, directly across Tiantan Donglu from the east gate of the Temple of Heaven, and it is best known for pearls. 4.1★ (722 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem Liulichang: Beijing Travel Guide (4.5★)
Liulichang is a restored lane of calligraphy, painting and antique shops in Xicheng District, Beijing, about a ten-minute walk south of Hepingmen Station on Line 2. 4.5★ (150 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem The Palace Museum: Beijing Travel Guide (4.6★)
The Palace Museum (better known as the Forbidden City) is Beijing's must-see imperial palace complex, open Tuesday–Sunday 8:30am–4:30pm and closed Mondays. 4.6★ (16,777 reviews) — what visitors say, hours, and tips.
hidden gem Wangfujing Bookstore: Beijing Travel Guide
Wangfujing Bookstore is a big general bookshop on Wangfujing Street in Beijing's Dongcheng district.
Festivals & events
Ended Beijing Marathon: Dates, Tickets & Venue (Beijing)
The Beijing Marathon was set for Sunday, October 18, 2026, starting at Tiananmen Square and finishing near the Olympic Green.
Ended China Open (tennis): Dates, Tickets & Venue (Beijing)
China Open (tennis) in Beijing, China — September 30 - October 6, 2026. The combined ATP and WTA event was set for the National Tennis Center.
Top-rated things to do in Beijing
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Where to stay in Beijing
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Frequently asked questions about Beijing
How do I get to Beijing?
Most international travellers arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), northeast of downtown, or the newer Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) to the south; both connect to the city center via dedicated airport express trains linking into the Beijing Subway network, with the PEK line typically reaching downtown interchange stations in ~30 minutes and the PKX line in ~20 minutes.
How many days should I spend in Beijing?
Plan on ~4-5 days to cover the major historic sites, a day trip to the Great Wall, and enough time to navigate the city's considerable distances between attractions.
What is Beijing known for?
Beijing is a city where imperial history and futuristic ambition sit side by side — the Forbidden City's ancient courtyards and the Great Wall's mountain ramparts lie a short ride from glass towers, high-speed rail hubs, and a subway system carrying millions daily. As China's capital and cultural heart, it blends dynastic palaces, Communist-era monuments, and cutting-edge infrastructure into one sprawling, historically dense metropolis.