Things to do in Beijing

The tour led by Mr. Zhu, a top student from Beijing, was quite thorough and offered a high degree of freedom. Participants could explore on their own beforehand, and the tour staff would even take photos at designated spots. Overall, it was a very good experience.

The Great Wall is magnificent, winding its way up the mountain peaks. The panoramic views from its heights are breathtaking, imbued with a profound sense of history. It's recommended to enter the park early to avoid crowds, wear non-slip sneakers, and bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Some steps are steep; the cable car is an option for the elderly and children. During peak season, queues can be long, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Few can resist the fun of the North Loop. It's a paradise loved by adults, women, and children alike. A one-and-a-half-day ticket offers the best value for money, guaranteeing you a truly enjoyable experience.

We were incredibly fortunate to have Mr. Wang, our guide at Prince Gong's Mansion, as our tour leader! He possessed an unparalleled knowledge of the mansion's history, architectural feng shui, and the symbolism of its carvings. He didn't fabricate historical facts; his explanations were rigorous yet engaging, captivating both adults and children. His route planning was excellent, flexibly adjusting when there were many people. He was considerate of elderly members, frequently reminding us of meeting points – truly thoughtful and attentive. The two-plus hours of the tour were packed with valuable information, making for a very rewarding experience. If you visit Prince Gong's Mansion, definitely hire Mr. Wang; it elevates the experience to a whole new level. Highly recommended!

We had a great experience visiting the Temple of Heaven. Booking through Trip.com was very easy and convenient. Make sure you have your QR code ready on your phone when you arrive, as this will be scanned for entry.We visited during Golden Week, so it was extremely busy, but the Temple of Heaven was still a beautiful sight and definitely worth visiting. There are plenty of great photo opportunities and the architecture is stunning.I would recommend visiting as early in the day as possible. We were there later in the afternoon, close to sunset, and there was a very long line to enter. Due to the crowds, they were using staggered entry as well as a single flow of people through designated entry and exit points.A useful tip: try entering through the South Gate rather than the East Gate. We found the line at the South Gate was much shorter (pretty much empty), which saved us quite a bit of time during the busy Golden Week period.

秀才说李导 is very knowledgeable, sharing all the anecdotes of the place, people and history. The pacing of the tour for the expanse of the space was good, manageable for all ages (kids to elderly). Glad we decided to make this spontaneous booking for this Summer Palace Tour!

We had a really great day at the Mutianyu Great Wall. Everything was well organized, from the transportation from the city and back to the whole tour. Our guide was excellent — very friendly, helpful, and explained everything clearly.We first explored the western section, towers 14–20, and then decided to pay extra for the open two-seater chairlift and the toboggan ride back down. We also chose to visit the eastern section, towers 6–1. It cost around €18 extra per person, but it was definitely worth it and gave us the chance to see even more of the Great Wall.We had around 5 hours of free time to explore, which was perfect. The views and scenery were absolutely amazing.Overall, an excellent experience and really good value for money. We would definitely recommend this tour!

I didn't book in advance and bought an afternoon tea set for over 1000 yuan. Unexpectedly, it included a whole set of tableware worth 500-600 yuan on the market, afternoon tea, and free activities – a truly delightful surprise!

The largest urban park within Beijing's Fourth Ring Road, it's free and incredibly welcoming. With its vast lawns, expansive lake, and stunning European-style architecture and fairytale castle, it's perfect for photos. You can run, boat, take your kids, and visit exhibitions. It's comfortable year-round, and locals often come here to relax.

Shichahai (Qianhai + Houhai + Xihai), located at No. 49 Di'anmen West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, is divided into three water areas: Qianhai, Houhai, and Xihai. The lakeside scenic area is free all day and requires no reservation. Three main areas: 1) Qianhai (Lively main scenic area, the top choice for watching the sunset) Yandai Xiejie: ​​A 232-meter-long century-old street with creative shops and snacks, leading directly to Yinding Bridge. Yinding Bridge: One of the "Eight Scenic Spots of Yanjing," Yinding Guanshan (Viewing the Mountains from Yinding Bridge), a good spot for sunset photography at Orange Sea in the evening, offering distant views of the Western Hills. Lotus Market: A pond full of lotus flowers in summer, offering opportunities for rowing boats and sightseeing boats. 2) Houhai (Bars + Hutongs, the heart of nightlife) Houhai Bar Street: A cluster of folk music bars, creating a vibrant atmosphere at night; avoid the expensive bars along the street and explore the deeper hutongs for better deals. Houhai North Bank: A quiet lakeside walking path, less crowded, suitable for strolling and taking photos, passing by Prince Chun's Mansion (the birthplace of Puyi). 3) Xihai (a local favorite, the least crowded) Xihai Wetland Park (free): reeds, wild ducks, lakeside boardwalk, a hidden gem in the bustling city, almost no tour groups, perfect for a quiet city walk.