Beijing Map & Travel Guide: Subway, Attractions & Hotels

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Beijing Map

Planning a Beijing Adventure? This Guide Simplifies Your Journey.​

Ready to explore Beijing? The right maps are essential for an easier trip. This Beijing map guide equips you with: a comprehensive city map, a central landmarks guide, and a metro map – all designed to help you navigate hassle-free.

Beijing Maps that You Need

​Beijing District Map: Explore All Areas​

​​Beijing District Map: Explore All Areas​

Beijing spans 16 administrative districts. Key areas and their popular attractions include:​​

  • ​​Dongcheng District: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Wangfujing Street, Nanluoguxiang Hutong​​, Temple of Heaven
  • Xicheng District: Shichahai Lakes, Beijing Zoo, Niujie Mosque​​
  • Chaoyang District: ​​Sanlitun Bar Street, 798 Art Zone, CCTV Headquarters, Chaoyang Park​​
  • Haidian District: ​​Summer Palace, Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fragrant Hills​​
  • Changping District: ​​Great Wall at Badaling, Ming Tombs, Juyong Pass​​
  • Shijingshan District: ​​Beijing Fun Park, Shijingshan Temple, Olympic Training Center​
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Map of Beijing's Tourist Attractions

Map of Beijing's Tourist Attractions

Nestled against protective western and northern mountains, Beijing pulses where ancient empires meet cutting-edge ambition.​​ ​​Forget sterile geography:​​ picture the ​​Forbidden City's crimson walls and golden roofs​​ looming right beside ​​Titan'anmen Square's immense, history-charged expanse​​. This ​​is China's nerve center​​, where dynastic whispers echo in modern glass towers.

Beijing Subway Map

Beijing Subway Map

Some essential metro lines for travelers include:
​Line 1:​​ East-west route through the heart of Beijing – connects ​​Tiananmen Square​​, ​​Wangfujing​​, and ​​CBD​
​Airport Express:​​ Direct link between ​​Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)​​ and central ​​Dongzhimen Station​​ (connects to Lines 2 & 13)
​Line 8 (Olympic Line):​​ Runs north-south to ​​Olympic Park​​, ​​Niaocho​​ (Bird's Nest), and ​​Water Cube​
Line 5:​​ North-south artery passing ​​Temple of Heaven Park​​ and ​​Yonghe Lama Temple​
Line 13:​​ Crucial northern loop with connections to ​​Great Wall trains at Huangtudian Station​

With ​​27 lines​​ and ​​500+ stations​​, Beijing’s metro is immense! Always verify your route direction before boarding.

Top Things to Do in Beijing: 5 Must-See Attractions

​Great Wall of China (MuTianYu)

​​Great Wall of China (MuTianYu)

​​​Imagine walking atop the Ming Dynasty's stone masterpiece:​​ Mutianyu isn't just a section of the Great Wall, it's widely considered ​​China's most breathtakingly preserved stretch​​. Surrounded by thick forests tumbling over endless green ridges, this place feels alive. You can almost see Ming soldiers gazing from its ​​unique watchtowers​​, or spot the ​​clever double row of battlements​​ lining the walkway – a rare defensive feature built against invaders on both flanks.

4.8/5
9832 reviews
5/5
Amazing.
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5/5
It's busy, but actually worth it.
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5/5
A must visit in Beijing
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4/5
Great views of the wall and the opportunity to ride the toboggan
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5/5
Simply the Great Wall, absolutely worth a visit
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Forbidden City​

Forbidden City​

​​​For nearly 500 years (1420-1912), this was the absolute center of Chinese power – the private world of 24 Ming and Qing emperors.​​ Walking its sprawling 180 acres (imagine 137 football fields!) today feels like stepping into the heart of an empire. ​​You're surrounded by the staggering scale of history:​​ a ​​UNESCO-treasured labyrinth of 980 golden-roofed palaces, grand halls, and silent courtyards​​, all perfectly aligned along a single, powerful north-south axis mirroring the ancient belief in cosmic order.

4.9/5
47885 reviews
5/5
You feel like Maomao from the pharmacist's monologue*_* (buy tickets IN ADVANCE!!!!)
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5/5
There were no issues with tickets. We enjoyed everything. We arrived at 8:00 AM (on April 26th), but there were already a lot of people there (mostly tour groups). They tended to gather in clusters, so we managed to get some beautiful photos during the first hour or two. After that, the crowds grew larger by the minute. Takeaway: if you want beautiful photos, come in the morning. We spent about five hours exploring, including two paid exhibitions. We really liked the Emperor's Garden. Highly recommended. There were no issues with tickets. We liked everything. We arrived at 8:00 AM (April 26th), and there were still a lot of people (mostly tour groups). They were arranged in clusters, so we got some beautiful photos in the first hour or two. Then, with each passing minute, the crowds grew larger and larger. Conclusion: if you want beautiful photos, come in the morning. We spent about five hours exploring, including two paid exhibitions. We really liked the Emperor's Garden. I recommend visiting.
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5/5
Спасибо большое гиду Алексею за интересную экскурсию, а также за помощь в общих вопросах по Китаю. Мы с бабулей очень довольны 🥰
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5/5
It has been over 15 years since I visited the Forbidden City. This time we visit this iconic place in the middle of summer hence lots more people. But the guide is very professional and provided a good history lesson to all of us. We enjoyed this visit very much despite the summer heat and crowd. This side of China represents the old while plenty of modern China to be seen in Beijing.
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4/5
Our guide Ustya was great, she told us everything she could, although the heat was terrifying, but we really enjoyed everything.
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​Temple of Heaven Park​

Temple of Heaven Park​

Beijing’s Temple of Heaven is a stunning imperial complex where Ming and Qing emperors performed sacred rituals to ensure bountiful harvests.

This isn't just scenery; it's a masterpiece where ​​nature harmonizes perfectly with human artistry.​​ Discover pagodas like the ​​soaring Tower of Buddhist Incense​​ and the iconic ​​Marble Boat​​, seeming to float forever on the lake's edge.

4.7/5
5332 reviews
4/5
I only had an entrance ticket, not a tour. It was packed. I arrived in the afternoon and took the public bus.
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5/5
It was the best! 👍👍
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5/5
A beautiful, peaceful park with lots of greenery. Ideal for a shady stroll!
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5/5
It's a beautiful park. There are squirrels. The Temple of Heaven itself and the prayers for a good harvest didn't impress me much; I'd been to the Forbidden City before, and the architecture here and there is similar. Chinese people are queuing for photos in the center of the Temple of Heaven; I guess that means something to them. I liked the Emperor's Rest Palace; there's a model of the Forbidden City's layout there; after viewing it, some things about the geographical location of the buildings became clearer. I think if I'd been here before the Forbidden City, I would have found it more interesting. It's easier for children here—the squirrels help.
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5/5
Remember to buy a package ticket. It gets very crowded during the summer holidays, but it's still worth visiting.
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​Summer Palace​

​​Summer Palace​

​Dominating this imperial garden are Kunming Lake (75% water) and Longevity Hill, blending natural scenery with pavilions like the Marble Boat and Tower of Buddhist Incense. First built in 1750, destroyed twice, and restored, it fuses Chinese garden styles—from Hangzhou’s lakes to Tibetan temples. The 728-meter Long Corridor, painted with myths, and Suzhou Market Street highlight its artistic legacy.

4.7/5
7323 reviews
5/5
Interesting 🥰
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5/5
I really enjoyed the guided tour of the Summer Palace. My tour guide was Ma Pingxin. He was an excellent guide. He was kind, friendly and very knowledgeable about the palace. I was a solo traveller so it was great to have such a lovely experience as part of a tour group. The boat cruise was also great. Totally recommend!
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5/5
When you pass through the gates of the Summer Palace, the noise of vast Beijing instantly disappears, as if it were never there. On the shore of Kunming Lake, I wanted to close my eyes and lose myself in the moment. This place isn't just an open-air museum. It's a living poem. Every pavilion, every curve of the gallery, seems to tell its own story. It's as if time itself has stood still here. I stopped by the Marble Boat, and a strange feeling washed over me: on one hand, the grandeur of imperial grandeur, on the other, the aching tenderness of this watery surface. What captivated me most? The park's astonishing femininity. The overwhelming power of the Forbidden City is absent here. Everything here exudes harmony: the smooth curves of the hills, the mirror-like water, the bridges that invite you to slowly cross. This place is therapeutic, reminding us that the hustle and bustle can wait, that there is only the here and now.
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5/5
Beautiful places
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4/5
Yesterday we visited the Summer Palace. The palace grounds are so huge, I don't know how people manage to see it all in one day. If you were to look at every single place there and then stroll around the other side, it would be impossible. The place itself is beautiful and picturesque. However, I didn't like that even though you buy a cheap ticket, you have to pay extra for the shopping street and the Buddhist temple. I think the boat ride is overpriced for such a small semicircle. And of course, there are so many people, it's impossible to enjoy the place.
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​Hutongs & Nanluoguxiang​

​​Hutongs & Nanluoguxiang​

Step into Nanluoguxiang, and you're walking through ​​800 years of Beijing history​​. This ​​legendary hutong​​, stretching about half a mile (800 meters), is the beating heart of traditional alleyway culture. ​​Sixteen smaller lanes​​ twist off its main path, each whispering stories of the past. Once the ​​exclusive address of Ming and Qing dynasty nobility​​, today it's ​​a fascinating mix of ancient and ultra-cool​​.

4.6/5
312 reviews
4/5
It's very close to the Nanluguoxiang metro exit. Pretty far if you walk from Beixinqiao (even though it looks not too far on the map LOL). The alley is not too long and has many interesting stores. Modern and old Beijing styles mixed well there. Western bakery and traditional snacks can be found there. Nice place for window shoping and buying some snacks.
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5/5
Don't save money on travel Because it can broaden your horizons (open your eyes) A family travels to Beijing for 16 days ✈️ The air is very good, there is no smog at all, the streets are very clean and the greenery is very complete I can only say that Siji Minfu Peking Duck is so delicious! No fishy smell at all The fried noodles in Nanluoguxiang are so authentic The Beijing National Grand Theater Concert Hall is so stunning He climbed the Great Wall, so he is a real man! You'll be addicted to Jubaoyuan mutton hotpot! Luo Hong Photography Art Museum (enter and enjoy the beauty of the world) The bar street in Shichahai is worth visiting! Wang Fujing can go shopping and buy a lot of things! The most important place to take care of children is Beijing Universal Studios It is recommended that you buy a fast pass (otherwise you will have to queue for 90 minutes for any facility) There are so many beautiful sights and fun places that I can’t describe them all! This trip has more important work to do, but it also means that the whole family will have to move. So I gave up in the end! I even canceled my flight ticket to Canada at the end of July for this job! But I think these are all destined, keep the positive energy 💪
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5/5
Nanluoguxiang is a place full of the flavor of old Beijing. The alleys here seem to take me back to decades ago, retaining the traditional architecture and living atmosphere. Walking in the alleys, you can see a variety of handicraft shops, teahouses and snack stalls. This place not only has ancient history, but also integrates modern creativity. Many small shops have unique designs and are full of artistic sense. Especially some of the special snacks in the alley, such as Beijing fried noodles with soybean paste and candied haws, which are very delicious.
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4/5
This is a street where you can buy traditional Beijing food and various souvenirs! However, the prices for souvenirs here are really, really expensive compared to other places.. I recommend this to those who want to enjoy Chinese street food and traditional streets at the same time~!
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4/5
It is a fusion of tradition and modernity. The alleys are filled with specialty shops, cafes, restaurants and handicraft shops, attracting many tourists to experience the fusion of old Beijing's charm and fashion trends. In addition, Nanluoguxiang is also famous for its rich snacks, such as the cheese from Wenyu Cheese Shop and the lamb kebab pizza from Passenger, which are very popular among tourists. As one of the best-preserved hutongs in Beijing, Nanluoguxiang not only displays the historical features of the ancient capital, but also reflects the vitality of the modern city. It is an ideal place to understand Beijing's hutong culture and city life.
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Universal Beijing Resort

Universal Studios Beijing threw open its gates in September 2021, landing right in the capital's Tongzhou district. This isn't just any theme park – it's ​​the biggest Universal Studios in all of Asia!​​ Get ready to dive into ​​seven incredibly immersive worlds​​, including the magic of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and a one-of-a-kind zone: the world’s first Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness.

4.6/5
23775 reviews
4/5
The park is bright and beautiful. But we didn't have a wow factor. Perhaps we've been to similar parks. It's all like in cartoons. But there are huge lines everywhere. "Chinese snake rides" are when you snake your way to the end. You keep walking, thinking, "The entrance is around the corner," but no, there's a new Snake Ride. And there can be 10 or 20 of them, depending on the number of people in line. The lines for each attraction are from 40 minutes to 3 hours. Just to get a ride for 1-2 minutes, you have to stand in line for a long time. And at one dinosaur ride, we stood for 50 minutes. And there was an exhibition of one roaring dinosaur. And a souvenir photo that sells for 200 yuan. It was quite disappointing. The Harry Potter zone is impressive, even for non-fans. Everything is very beautiful. But then again, there are tons of people.
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5/5
It was very exciting, we really enjoyed it. We entered the park at 12, and there was no line at the entrance. We couldn't try all the rides; you need two days to try them all. The line was very long. Be sure not to miss the Harry Potter show.
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5/5
Definitely worth it, especially if you're a fan of one of the universes featured there. No advice, but I'll tell you how it was for us: - We visited at the end of August (considered high season) on a weekday, a Thursday. - Our main goals were: the Grand Theft Auto, Jurassic World, and Transformers - assuming there weren't long lines. - We bought entrance tickets on tripcom, but it was cheaper to buy the express ticket for three attractions in the park's app (using a pre-configured and topped-up Alipay account). - We arrived at 9 a.m., the line to enter was 45 minutes. We took the Decepticoster express ticket (5 minutes vs. 30 minutes without it), the Kung Fu Panda zone (a cool indoor pavilion), the Grand Theft Auto zone (there aren't many people there at this time), the express ticket to the main Jurassic World attraction (15 minutes vs. 150 minutes), the express ticket to the main attraction in the Grand Theft Auto zone (20 minutes vs. 185 minutes), and the Ollivander's shop - 20 minutes (if you're the only European and stand in the front row, there's a good chance you'll be chosen to receive the baton). We chose a wife), then a couple of locations and left at 4 pm (without the express train, friends stood in line for 9 of the 12 hours)
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5/5
We were there from 12 until closing. Food is a bit scarce for Europeans, but there are plenty of toilets, and they're clean. We managed to go on the rides nine times. We tried beer and regular lemonade, but the prices were way too high... We also stupidly grabbed two glasses for 160 yuan; we only live once. But overall, it's worth a visit at least once in your life. Kids will definitely enjoy it, but I don't know what to feed them there 🤷🏻‍♀️
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4/5
The park is very beautiful, but be prepared for huge queues.
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Beijing One-Day Tour for First-Time Visitors

​Time Slot​

​Activity & Highlights​

​Logistics & Tips​

​7:30 AM – 12:00 PM​

​Great Wall at Mutianyu​

• ​​Transport​​: Private car (1.5–2 hrs from downtown)

​12:30 – 3:00 PM​

​Forbidden City + Tiananmen Square​

• ​​Lunch​​: Quick bite near Donghuamen

• ​​Must​​: Pre-book tickets online

​3:30 – 6:00 PM​

​Nanluoguxiang Hutongs​

• Stroll 800-year-old lanes

• Try Wenyu yogurt 🥄

• Boutiques & courtyard art studios

• ​Access​​: Subway Line 6/8 to Nanluoguxiang Station

• Detour: Mao’er Hutong for hidden temples

​7:00 PM onward​

Peking Duck Dinner​

• Quanjude or Da Dong or Sijiminfu

​Evening Option​

– Kung Fu show (Red Theatre)

– Sanlitun nightlife

Reservations​: Essential for popular duck restaurants

• Subway Line 1 to Qianmen (Quanjude)

Getting Around Beijing

Subway


✅ ​​Fast, clean & wallet-friendly:​​ Jump on for ​​just ¥3​​ (goes up a bit if traveling far). Seriously, this is how most locals move.
✅ ​​Massive network:​​ ​​27 lines​​ hit almost every major spot you'll want to see.
⏰ ​​Avoid Rush Hour HELL:​​ ​​7-9 AM & 5-7 PM​​ = sardine-can crowds. Seriously, avoid if you can!

​Airport Express


✈️ ​​PEK Airport to Downtown in 20 mins:​​ Zips you to ​​Dongzhimen or Sanyuanqiao​​ hubs. Perfect when dragging luggage.
💸 ​​Costs ¥25 one-way.​​ Connects easily to ​​Subway Lines 2, 10, 13​​ at Dongzhimen.

​Bus


💰 ​​Super Budget:​​ Only ​​¥2 flat fare​​ with an ​​IC Card (一卡通)​​. Pay cash? It’ll cost more (​​¥3-10​​, based on distance).
📍 ​​Great for short trips​​ where the subway doesn't go.
📲 ​​Use the Beijing Bus App!​​ Lifesaver for real-time bus tracking and route planning.

​Taxis & Ride-Hailing


🚕 ​​Didi (滴滴):​​ China's Uber. ​​Use the app - it's easy.​​ Pay via WeChat/Alipay linked to your account.
🚖 ​​Flag a Cab:​​ ​​Meter starts at ¥13​​, then ​​~¥2.30 per km​​. Make sure they USE the meter! Cash or QR payments ok.

Beijing Hotel Recommendations

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NO.1
Le Joy Hotel
9.5/1012310 reviews
Le Joy Hotel
Hotel in Beijing
NO.2
UrCove by HYATT Beijing Forbidden City
9/104219 reviews
UrCove by HYATT Beijing Forbidden City
Hotel in Beijing

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Hannah

Hannah

Travel Blooger

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Hey, I’m Hannah. I’ve been lucky enough to travel through Europe, Asia, the Americas, and far beyond, soaking up local life, discovering hidden spots, and learning what really makes a place tick. I write travel guides that combine that experience with practical advice—what to do, where to go, and little tips that make a trip smoother. For me, travel is about curiosity, connecting with people, and noticing the small things that make a place unique. I like to help readers explore with confidence but also leave room for adventure and the unkonwn!

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