Day 1 — the centre, on foot
- 08:30 Tiananmen Square — security queue, passport required, 30 minutes.
- 09:00 Forbidden City, south to north, three hours. Booked seven days ahead.
- 13:00 Lunch near Jingshan, then climb Jingshan Park for the roofscape view.
- 15:30 Walk north to the hutongs around Nanluoguxiang and Yandai Xiejie.
- 19:00 Peking duck — Siji Minfu near the Forbidden City, or Da Dong for a more polished version.
- 21:00 Houhai lake, which is a lake, a bar street and a spectacle.
Day 2 — the Wall
- 07:00 Depart for Mutianyu. Two hours with a car.
- 09:00 Cable car up, walk the restored section west, toboggan down.
- 13:00 Lunch in a village restaurant — trout and chestnuts are the local specialities.
- 16:00 Return to the city, rest.
- 18:30 Temple of Heaven park, where locals dance and play cards at dusk. The park is ¥15; the halls close earlier.
- 20:00 Dinner in the Qianmen area.
Day 3 — pick one
| Option | Why |
|---|---|
| Summer Palace | The best imperial garden, half a lake, two to three hours |
| Lama Temple + Confucius Temple | Compact, atmospheric, in the hutongs |
| 798 Art District | Contemporary art, cafés, good for a slow day |
| Panjiayuan market | Antiques and bric-a-brac, weekend mornings best |
Then transfer to Xi’an on the 16:00 train, arriving for dinner at 20:30 — or stay a fourth night, which most people should.
Practical notes
- The Forbidden City is closed Mondays. Tiananmen requires a separate advance reservation.
- Metro is the fastest way around; taxis are cheap but traffic is severe 17:00–19:00.
- Air quality varies enormously; check the AQI in winter and shift outdoor days accordingly.
- Cash is not needed. Alipay works everywhere.
Frequently asked
Is 3 days enough for Beijing?+
Enough for the Wall, the Forbidden City and two neighbourhoods. Four days is comfortable.
Which day should I do the Great Wall?+
Day two. It is the most physically demanding day and you want fresh legs, but not your first jet-lagged morning.
Do I need to book Tiananmen Square?+
Yes, a separate free reservation in advance, in addition to the Forbidden City ticket.