The Complete 3 Day Beijing Itinerary for First-Timers
Uncover your Beijing itinerary with our expert travel guide.
As China’s cultural, historical, and financial capital, Beijing is a city that you simply have to visit at least once. Full of vibrant and colorful architecture, beautiful parks and lakes, unique things to do, and enough history to last a lifetime, Beijing is a must on any China itinerary.
Whether you’re stopping in Beijing for a day or two or even a week, prepare yourself for grand palaces, peaceful parks, and a very different perspective on city life. In this Beijing travel itinerary, you’ll learn all about what to see during your time here, where to get the best Chinese food in the capital, and some very unique places to stay.
After living in China for one year and exploring quite a few corners of the country, Beijing definitely became one of my favorite cities for Chinese culture and history as well as the variety of things to do. Are you ready to jump into this essential itinerary for Beijing and explore this unique Chinese city?
*This itinerary for Beijing post contains affiliate links meaning I get a small commission on a sale at no extra cost to you. This goes towards the running of the blog and allows me to keep creating quality content like this for free.
Know Before You Go
Visas– Most foreign travelers need a visa to visit China, but if you’ll be in Beijing for less than 6 days, a 144-hour visa exemption allows you to explore the city and nearby areas without a visa, as long as you meet certain requirements, including proof of onward travel to a third country. Find out more here.
Secure a Reliable VPN – China’s huge yet restrictive firewall means there’s no access to Facebook, Instagram, or Google Maps in China. Make sure to download a secure VPN such as Surfshark or NordVPN so you still have access to all these apps.
Sign up for WeChat and WeChat Pay – WeChat is China’s answer to WhatsApp and is widely used inside the country. WeChat Pay is also one of the most popular ways to pay in China (along with AliPay) meaning you won’t be caught out when trying to pay with a foreign credit card which isn’t accepted in many places.
Have enough cash – Many local businesses in China are still cash only so make sure to have cash on hand when traveling in China.
Download a translation App– Many people in Beijing speak English but you still may have the odd issue with translation. Apps like Google Translate or Apple Translate are always useful to have on your phone.
When to Visit Beijing China
Beijing and northern China experience all four seasons in extreme ways. Winters bring bitter cold and sometimes snow while summers can be scorching, leaving spring and autumn as some of the best times to visit the Chinese capital.
March to May sees the start of spring where temperatures are warm and days are crisp and sunny. Visit from September to October and you’ll find the city covered in a sea of autumnal foliage giving the city a dazzling ochre hue. When you visit is down to your personal and seasonal preferences.
Beijing is a big city, crowded almost all the time, but try to avoid it during major Chinese holidays as this will bring the masses to popular sights like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall.
Avoid visiting during the Spring Festival (late January-February) or during the first week of October during the National Day holidays.
Where to Stay in Beijing
The best places to stay in Beijing are in the City Centre around Tiananmen Square and in the Hutong Area, where you can find the traditional narrow alleys and unique stays in the city. Beijing has many accommodation options for all budgets but we love Beijing’s luxury hotel options.
Since 2022 there has been no Airbnb in China so foreigner visitors are better off in hotels rather than local rentals.
The PuXuan Hotel and Spa – One of the most beautiful contemporary design hotels in Beijing, this superb property is located in the Dongcheng District, just a few minutes out from Beijing’s most popular attractions. The spa is where you want to be after a long day of exploration and the service is nothing short of amazing. Book your stay here.
The Peninsula Beijing – For those looking for a more classic feel for a hotel, there’s The Peninsula Beijing. Suites here are incredibly spacious, the service is flawless and the dining options plentiful. There’s even top designer shopping right inside the hotel leaving you very little reason to leave. Book a stay here.
CHAO Sanlitun Beijing – a contemporary lifestyle hotel located in the heart of the city’s vibrant Sanlitun district. It offers modern accommodations with minimal, neutral design, and a range of amenities including dining, event spaces, and cultural exhibitions. CHAO is known for its unique blend of art, culture, and luxury, catering to both leisure and business travelers. Book your stay here.
Where to Eat
There’s no shortage of incredible food in Beijing, from outstanding local hole-in-the-wall noodle joints to Michelin-starred restaurants.
In Beijing, you’ll be able to find a variety of cuisine from all over China as well as international flavors, including gourmet French, Italian, Japanese, and more, making it a paradise for food enthusiasts looking to explore diverse culinary experiences. The only thing you’ll need is more time to sample it all.
No. 69 Fangzhuanchang Zhajiangmian (Fangzhuanchang Hutong) – There’s only one thing on the menu in this neighborhood restaurant – Zhajiangmian – chewy noodles served with fresh garnishes like cucumber and carrot. All is dressed with a rich pork soybean sauce for an incredibly good quick lunch or snack on the go.
Yu De Fu (Dongzhimennei Street) – A very small hotpot spot famous for its various cuts of Mongolian sheep as well as not-so-common cuts of mutton and beef.
Furong – This one-Michelin-starred spot specializes in spicy and punchy Hunnanese cuisine. Expect bold flavors, vibrant dishes, and the use of fresh ingredients like chili peppers, garlic, and smoked meats. The menu offers a modern twist on traditional Hunan fare, making it a must-visit for those seeking a refined yet authentic taste of the region’s fiery culinary heritage.
Lao Chuan Ban– known for its classic Sichuan dishes, featuring mouth-watering chicken, Fuqi beef offal, and the signature Sichuan boiled fish, making it a must-visit for fans of authentic, bold flavors.
Sheng Yong Xing in Chaoyang – renowned for its exquisite roast duck, prepared using traditional techniques that result in perfectly crispy skin and tender, flavorful meat. The restaurant combines elegant decor with a refined dining experience, offering a modern take on Beijing’s most iconic dish, alongside a menu of innovative Beijing cuisine.
Ladychai – celebrated for its handmade noodles, served in rich, flavorful broths and paired with a variety of delicious toppings, offering a comforting and authentic taste of local cuisine.
A 3 Day Beijing Itinerary: Best Things to Do
Day One: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Jingshan Park
Forbidden City
Probably the most significant place to visit in all of Beijing and the most famous, the Forbidden City is a symbol, and emblem of Chinese history, culture, and art throughout the ages.
The Forbidden City is located at the heart of the city and since its construction in the 13th Century, the city of Beijing has slowly grown around it. It’s entirely encompassed by a moat and 10-metre-high walls and when walking in this place feels like you’ve just been transported back in history to another era altogether.
The Forbidden City showcases some of the best of Chinese architecture and art throughout history so make sure not to leave without checking out the Golden River bridges, the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the Imperial Garden- a natural respite towards the end of the visit.
The Forbidden City is one of the most popular places to visit in Beijing so make sure to arrive early and prepare to stay for a few hours- this place is huge!
If you’d like to know more about the fascinating history of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square (very much worth it) why not organize an expert guide to take you around? Check out our top recommendations below:
Tiananmen Square
Another famous site that’s simply unmissable from your itinerary for Beijing is Tiananmen Square. Located just opposite the entrance to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square is one of the biggest public squares in the world and it shows.
With the ability to hold about 1 million people the square is normally used for celebrations and gatherings, notably during National Day when the military parade takes place here.
Around the square, you’ll find some significant buildings too including the Chinese Revolution Museum, the beautiful Tiananmen Gate, Monument to the People’s Heroes, and Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum.
Jingshan Park
Upon exiting the Forbidden City you’ll find yourself adjacent to Jingshan Park. It’s a beautiful little green space in the middle of the city with probably the best view of the Forbidden City in this whole Beijing trip itinerary.
Walk up to the top of the rocky outcrop and from the hilltop temple you’ll be able to gauge just how large the Forbidden City actually is. From here you can see most of central Beijing and beyond; a view of trees, palaces pavilion rooftops, and the odd pagoda and modern skyscraper.
The park also offers glimpses of Chinese local life and provides a nice place to rest. Alternatively, come back for sunset and you won’t be disappointed.
Day Two- Temple of Heaven, Beijing’s Hutong, Lama Temple, 798 Art Zone
Temple of Heaven
For more history and culture, don’t miss this stunning temple complex in central Beijing. The Temple of Heaven complex dates back to the 15th Century and features several interesting structures and gardens but the most beautiful is without a doubt the Temple of Heaven.
This small, round central temple structure is beautifully painted in traditional motifs and bursting with color. The surrounding green space is also a great place to relax for a while and rest your legs.
Explore Beijing’s Hutong
What are hutongs you might ask? Hutongs are the old lanes or alleyways in Beijing usually formed by traditional courtyard compounds on each side.
The hutongs date back to the Ming and Qing Dynasty eras and show what traditional Beijing life would have been like. Many different families would have lived in a compound and they would have shared the central courtyard.
Nowadays many locals still live in this same way but many have now been transformed into areas full of tea shops, cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Visiting at least one hutong is a must on your Beijing itinerary. The best things to do here are simply walk around and take it all in or even take a rickshaw tour- one of the most traditional ways to travel around the city.
Some of the best and most popular hutongs to visit are Nanluoguxiang and Yandaixiejie. Both hutongs have some interesting shops to visit, restaurants, and tea houses. You can even get a foot massage to relax after all the walking in the city.
For a hutong that’s a little more Western culture meets hipster check out Wudaoying.
Lama Temple
The Lama Temple or Yonghe Temple is one of the best examples of Han Chinese and Tibetan architecture you’ll see on your itinerary for Beijing. This unique fusion of styles provides a colourful insight into the Tibetan Buddhist culture and art.
Inside, you’ll find a range of different halls and pavilions as well as a large Chinese guardian lion, buddha statues, and a giant ancient bell. Look out for the amazing, bright colours, designs, and inscriptions.
798 Art Zone
These military factory buildings turned boho art space is a fantastic place to visit if you’re a modern art and culture lover. This huge military site with a very unique architectural style is now home to a number of independent art galleries, publishing companies, and design firms as well as assortments of cafes and restaurants.
It’s a fascinating insight into the modern Chinese art world – something worlds away from the traditional buildings of the center of the city. The best thing to do here is to grab a coffee in a nearby cafe and simply walk around and explore the galleries and shows.
Make sure to also visit the fascinating UCCA Centre for Contemporary Art in the heart of the 798 Art Zone.
Day Three – The Great Wall of China
No trip to Beijing is complete without a trip outside the city to see the Great Wall, one of the seven ancient wonders of the World.
There are a few different places where you can visit varying portions of the Great Wall. The section at Mutianyu is one of the best to head to as it doesn’t get so busy yet the wall is extremely well preserved in this part and has been fully restored.
There are a total of 23 watchtowers here which you can walk to admiring the brickwork and views of rural northern China.
If you can’t make it to Mutianyu other options include Jinshanling- a half-restored, half-wild portion of the wall and Badaling which is the closest to Beijing but also the most popular with Chinese crowds.
If you fancy a really challenging hike and would like to see a wild section of the wall head to Jiankou.
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of figuring out how to get to the Great Wall then why not join a tour or get a private transfer? Check out these great tour options below which are perfect for those visiting on a day trip:
Bonus: Days Four and Five- Summer Palace, Beihai Park, CCTV Headquarters, Gubei Water Town
For those with an extra 3-5 days Beijing itinerary here are some other top sights to include in your stay.
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace, originally constructed in the 18th Century was the residence of the Qianlong Emperor and his Qing Dynasty successors. Today it’s a public park full of magical pagodas, water features, and even some Roman-style ruins.
This grand, palatial complex is the perfect place to come in the morning to explore and learn more about the rule and power of the Chinese dynasties. The Summer Palace is located on the outskirts of the city, northwest of the city centre. To get there take subway line 4 or 10.
Beihai Park
This park which is also known as the Winter Palace is large right in the centre of Beijing. The park is huge, about 69 hectares and much of that is actually a large lake.
There’s so much to see here including Jade Flower Island, right in the centre of the park on which you’ll find the 17th Century White Pagoda as well as Five Dragon Pavilion opposite. From there you’ll have an excellent view of the White Pagoda.
Chinese gardens can be found throughout the park where huge lotuses float peacefully over the calm water.
Because of its size, one of the best ways to see Beihai Park is by bicycle. Alternatively, the park makes a lovely place for an evening run (air quality permitting) when it comes alive with locals doing tai chi and taking their dogs for walks.
CCTV Headquarters
While Beijing definitely has its fair share of history and traditional architecture and culture it also has a glistening modern financial centre of skyscrapers and intriguing architecture.
The CCTV headquarters are housed in one such building, this geometric 44-story skyscraper was designed by Rem Koolhaas and resembles a giant cube with a chunk missing. From an architectural perspective, it’s a cutting edge building and worth seeing.
In the area, you’ll also find The China World Trade Centre Building, the World Trade Centre and a bunch of other skyscrapers, malls and 5-star hotels. It is a nice area in which you can spend a few hours just walking around.
Gubei Water Town
If you are planning on heading to the South of China you’re not going to want to give the ancient water towns near Shanghai a miss, but if you aren’t, make sure to leave some time in your Beijing itinerary to visit the water town Gubei.
Gubei is a reconstructed water town based on those of southern China and while it’s not exactly authentic or historical, it’s still a gorgeous place to spend a half-day.
Located just outside Beijing, it’s a beautiful way to familiarise yourself with the beauty of Chinese water towns all surrounded by a part of the Great Wall. Some of the best things to do here are to check out the unique architecture, tip tea along the canals, and visit the cultural sites and castle.
Do you have any questions or comments about your itinerary for Beijing? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you.
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