Our Beijing travel guide station comes to one of the most popular tourist cities in China!
Beijing is the capital, the political and cultural center of China. This city has the most attractions worth visiting in China, and it may be the only Chinese city that you can travel for at least 14 days. I hope this guide can help many friends who want to travel to China.
Highy recommend attractions
Palace Museum – The Forbidden City (紫禁城)
- Opening hours: 08:30-17:00 (Admission ends at 16:00, Closed on Monday)
- Recommended visit time: 2-6 hours (Recommend afternoon time)
- Ticket price: 60 CNY/person (Require Reserve 7 days ahead)
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “The Palace Museum-Donghua Gate”
Subway Line 1: Destination “Tian’anmen East”
Exit B of Subway Line 1 then walk 1000 meters
Tips: The Palace Museum is a large national museum complex housed in the Forbidden City at the core of Beijing. YOU MUST purchase tickets 7 days in advance. Admission vouchers released at 20:00 Beijing time every day!!. You can purchase tickets on the official website of the Palace Museum. You MUST bring your ID to check in. You can’t bring your bag in, but there is a place to store bags.
National Museum of China – 中国国家博物馆
- Opening hours: 09:00-17:30 (Admission ends at 16:30, Closed on Monday)
- Recommended visit time: 3-6 hours
- Ticket price: Free (Require Reserve 7 days ahead)
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “National Museum of China-East Gate”
Subway Line 1: Destination “Tian’anmen East”
Exit C/D of Subway Line 1 then walk 200 meters
Tips: The National Museum of China is the museum with the largest single building area in the world and the museum with the richest collection of Chinese cultural relics. YOU MUST purchase tickets 7 days in advance. Admission vouchers released at 17:00 Beijing time every day!!. You can purchase tickets on the official website of National Museum of China. You MUST bring your ID to check in.
Temple of Heaven – 北京市人民政府
- Opening hours: 06:00-22:00 (Admission ends at 21:00, Closed on Monday)
- Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours
- Ticket price: 15 CNY/person
- Lighting time: 19:00-21:00 every Friday and Saturday
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Temple of Heaven-North Gate”
Subway Line 5: Destination “Tiantan Dongmen❞
Subway Line 8: Destination “Tian Qiao”
Exit A2 of Subway Line 5 then walk 100 meters to east gate
Exit C of Subway Line 8 then walk 80 meters to west gate
Tips: The largest existing ancient sacrificial building complex in China. Remember many attractions will close at 17:00, so it is recommended to enter early. Foreign tourists can purchase tickets on site. You MUST bring your ID to check in.
Yuanmingyuan Park – 圆明园
- Opening hours: 06:00-21:00 (Admission ends at 19:00)
- Recommended visit time: 2-4 hours
- Ticket price: 25 CNY/person
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Yuanmingyuan Park-East Gate”
Subway Line 4: Destination “Yuanmingyuan Park”
Exit A/B of Subway Line 4 then walk 100 meters to south gate
Tips: A large imperial garden in the Qing Dynasty of China. Before it was burned down, it was the largest museum in the world at that time. Foreign tourists can purchase tickets on site. You MUST bring your ID to check in.
Summer Palace – 颐和园
- Opening hours: 06:00-20:00 (Admission ends at 19:00)
- Recommended visit time: 2-4 hours
- Ticket price: 30 CNY/person (Suggest Reserve 7 days ahead)
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “The Summer Palace-Ticket Office”
Subway Line 4: Destination “Beigongmen”
Exit C of Subway Line 4 then walk 300 meters
Tips: Imperial Gardens of the Qing Dynasty. The garden is very large, so it is not recommended to visit all the attractions in detail, but it is possible if you are physically fit. It takes about 20,000 steps to complete the whole walk. Don’t combine it with another itinerary that requires walking, otherwise you will be very tired.
Tiananmen Square 天安门广场
- Opening hours: All day
- Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours
- Ticket price: Free
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Tiananmen Square-Entrance”
Subway Line 2: Destination “Tian’anmen East”
Exit D of Subway Line 2 then walk 200 meters
Tips: The Tiananmen Gate Tower is the symbol of the People’s Republic of China, and its solemn image is an important part of China’s national emblem. Whether it is watching the flag-raising ceremony or visiting Tiananmen Square, visitors to Tiananmen Square need to make a reservation 7 days in advance. You MUST bring your ID to enter and you can’t bring your bag inside.
Badaling Great Wall – 八达岭
- Opening hours: 06:30-16:30
- Recommended visit time: 6 hours+
- Ticket price: 40 CNY/person
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Badaling Great Wall’
High-speed rail: Destination “Badaling Great Wall Railway Station”
Exit of Train Station then walk 700 meters
Tips: Badaling Great Wall was built in 1505 to occupy a commanding and strategic position for protecting the Juyongguan Pass to its south, further protecting the city of Beijing. The Badaling Great Wall is located 70 kilometers away from the center of Beijing. It takes more than 20 minutes to reach the site by high-speed rail or 70 minutes by taxi. The trip to this attraction may take up a whole day, so please plan your time accordingly.
Prince Kung’s Mansion 恭王府
- Opening hours: 08:30-17:00 (Admission ends at 16:10, Closed on Monday)
- Recommended visit time: 1.5-2 hours
- Ticket price: 40 CNY/person
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Prince Kung’s Mansion-Ticket Office”
Subway Line 6: Destination “Beihai North”
Exit B of Subway Line 6 then walk 600 meters
Tips: Prince Gong’s Mansion was constructed in 1777 during the Qing dynasty for Heshen. It was the largest palace in the Qing dynasty. It is very close to Shichahai Scenic Area and can be visited together.
Shichahai Scenic Area 什刹海
- Opening hours: All day
- Recommended visit time: 1 hour (Recommend evening time)
- Ticket price: Free
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Shichahai-Northeast Gate”
Subway Line 8: Destination “Shichahal”
Exit A1 of Subway Line 8 then walk 150 meters
Tips: Shichahai is a historic scenic area consisting of three lakes in the north of central Beijing. The scenery here is beautiful in all four seasons. You can take a canoe in the summer and ice skate in the winter. Especially the Yinding Bridge at sunset is a famous check-in viewing spot.
Recommend attractions
Lama Temple 雍和宫
- Opening hours: 09:00-17:00 (Admission ends at 16:30)
- Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours
- Ticket price: 25 CNY/person (Suggest Reserve ahead)
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Lama Temple-Ticket Office”
Subway Line 2/5: Destination “YONGHEGONG Lama Temple”
Exit F of Subway Line 2/5 then walk 600 meters
Tips: Building work on the Yonghe Temple started in 1694 during the Qing dynasty on the site where originally stood an official residence for court eunuchs of the Ming dynasty. The temple provides a bundle of incense for free to each person. It is said that making a wish in Lama Temple is very effective. If you have any wish that has not been fulfilled, you might as well give it a try; maybe it will come true.
Tsinghua University 清华大学
- Opening hours (Reserve time period): 08:00-9:30; 9:30-11:00; 13:00-14:30; 14:30-16:00 (Closed on Monday)
- Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours
- Ticket price: Free (Require Reserve 7 days ahead)
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Tsinghua University-West Gate”
Subway Line 4: Destination “Yuanmingyuan Park”
Exit B/C of Subway Line 4 then walk 500 meters
Tips: Foreigners are requested to make reservations in advance by sending email. The quota for weekday visits will be available at 17:00 2 days before the visit date, and will be closed at 17:00 1 day before the visit date. The email should state the name of the person making the reservation, the type of ID, ID number, contact information, the scheduled visit date and the selected time period, and attach a scanned copy or photo of the ID. The system will automatically review and approve the reservation, and the person making the reservation will be notified by email if the reservation is successful.
Universal Beijing Resort 北京环球影城
- Opening hours: 09:00-21:00
- Recommended visit time: 6 hours+
- Ticket price: Adults 583 CNY/person, Children 435 CNY/person (One day)
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Universal Beijing Resort-Ticket Office”
Subway Line 1/7: Destination “Universal Resort’
Exit B of Subway Line 1/7 then walk 800 meters
Tips: The only Universal Studios in China. It is very crowded on weekends. For specific information about the attractions, you can download the “Universal Beijing Resort’ app to view the queue time and map in real time. Remember to bring your ID here.
Ditan Park (地坛公园)
- Opening hours: 06:00-22:00 (Admission ends at 21:00)
- Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours
- Ticket price: 2 CNY/person
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Ditan Park-West Gate”
Subway Line 2/5: Destination “YONGHEGONG Lama Temple”
Exit A of Subway Line 2/5 then walk 650 meters
Tips: The Ditan Park was constructed in 1530 by the Jiajing Emperor during the Ming dynasty. Many tourists come here because of the book “The temple of Earth and me” written by Mr. Tiesheng Shi. Strolling in the park, you can feel the charm of nature.
Wangfujing 王府井大街
- Opening hours: All day
- Recommended visit time: 1-6 hours
- Ticket price: Free
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Wangfujing”
Subway Line 1/8: “Wangfujing”
Exit A of Subway Line 1/8 then walk 100 meters
Tips: Beijing’s core business district is also a place where history and modernity blend perfectly. There are many famous shopping malls and memorial halls such as “Lao She’s Former Residence”. It is a good place for shopping and citywalk.
Guo Zi Jian 北京国子监
- Opening hours: 09:00-17:00 (Admission ends at 16:00, Closed on Monday)
- Recommended visit time: 2 hours
- Ticket price: 30 CNY/person (Reservation required)
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Guoxijian-South Gate”
Subway Line 2/5: Destination “YONGHEGONG Lama Temple”
Exit G of Subway Line 2/5 then walk 500 meters
Tips: The Guozijian was the highest level academic and educational institution throughout most of imperial China’s history. There is also a Confucius Temple with a history of more than 700 years here. If you are not in a hurry, you can visit both.
National Stadium-Bird’s Nest 国家体育场
- Opening hours: 10:00-22:00 (Admission ends at 21:00)
- Recommended visit time: 1 hour
- Ticket price: 100 CNY/person (Require Reserve 1 days ahead)
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “National Stadium (Bird’s Nest)-Ticket Office”
Subway Line 8: Destination “Olympic Sports Center”
Exit B1 of Subway Line 8 then walk 600 meters
Tips: The National Stadium, the Bird’s Nest, is a stadium at Olympic Green in Chaoyang, Beijing, China. It was the main stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It is now a famous tourist attraction in Beijing and a concert venue for many well-known singers. Before visiting, be sure to check the official website in advance to see if there are any concerts or other arrangements to avoid delaying your visit.
Jingshan Park 景山公园
- Opening hours: 06:00-21:00 (Admission ends at 20:30)
- Recommended visit time: 1-2 hours
- Ticket price: 2 CNY/person
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Jingshan Park-West Gate Ticket Office”
Subway Line 8: Destination “National Art Museum”
Exit A of Subway Line 8 then walk 1200 meters (Too far, not recommend)
Tips: Jingshan Park was a private imperial garden attached to the grounds of the Forbidden City, the grounds were opened to the public in 1928. The park is not very big. It takes about 10 minutes to reach the highest point where you can overlook the panoramic view of the Forbidden City, which is quite shocking.
Beijing Wildlife Park 北京野生动物园
- Opening hours: 08:30-17:00 (Admission ends at 16:00)
- Recommended visit time: 6 hours+
- Ticket price: Adults 145 CNY/person, Children 85 CNY/person
- Transportation:
DiDi (Taxi app): Destination “Beijing Wildlife Park-Main Entrance”
Subway Line 4: Destination “Tiangongyuan” (Too far, not recommend)
Exit C of Subway Line 4 then drive 20 kilometers
Tips: The most popular zoo in Beijing, it is far from the city center and near the Daxing Airport. It will be hotter in the summer and there will be more mosquitoes, so it is recommended to apply sunscreen and mosquito repellent in advance.
Recommended Route (For Reference Only)
Day 1: Lama Temple – Guo Zi Jian – Ditan Park
Day 2: The Palace Museum – Jingshan Park – Prince Kung’s Mansion – Shichahai Scenic Area
Day 3: Tiananmen Square – Temple of Heaven – National Museum of China – Wangfujing
Day 4: Badaling Great Wall – National Stadium-Bird’s Nest
Day 5: Tsinghua University – Yuanmingyuan Park – Summer Palace
Day 6: Universal Beijing Resort
Day 7: Beijing Wildlife Park
There are too many cities in China worth exploring, and each city has its own unique charm. I will also make guides for the next cities later. If you have any questions or other tips you would like me to make, please comment below~
Article source: Xiaohongshu
