The most practical Beijing travel guide, the beautiful capital Beijing welcomes you
Of course! As a travel blogger deeply engaged in ancient city culture and in-depth urban tours. → The Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven → Great Wall one-day tour → Hutong life → 798 Art District → Summer Palace and Old Summer Palace → Museum Day
💰 Budget allocation (total: 8000 RMB)
| Item | Budget | Description |
| Round-trip transportation | 2500 RMB | Mainly high-speed rail/bullet train (e.g., from Shanghai/Wuhan/Xi’an) or discounted air tickets
| Accommodation (7 nights) | 2800 RMB | Average 400 RMB/night, selected comfortable hotels or courtyard inns near Qianmen/Nanluoguxiang/Wangfujing
| Food and drink (8 days) | 1500 RMB | Average 185 RMB/day, covering Beijing cuisine, zhajiangmian, roast duck, snacks, cafes
| Tickets + experiences | 800 RMB | Forbidden City, Great Wall, Summer Palace, museums, etc.
| Local transportation | 400 RMB | Subway + bus + some taxis, Beijing subway is very convenient
📌 Travel tips
- Download the “Yitongxing” app to scan codes for subway rides (can be linked with Alipay)
- Big temperature difference between day and night in Beijing, bring sunscreen, hat, umbrella, jacket, comfortable shoes (average 15,000 steps/day)
- All popular attractions require advance reservation: Forbidden City, National Museum, Badaling Great Wall, etc.
- Payment: WeChat/Alipay widely accepted, keep 200 RMB cash for emergencies
- Language: Mandarin is universal, no communication worries
📅 Daily itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Beijing + Qianmen Street + Tiananmen Night View
- Afternoon: Arrive at [Beijing South Station/West Station/Capital Airport] → subway to hotel
- Recommended stay: hotels or courtyard inns near Qianmen/Zhushikou (e.g., “Home Inn Business Qianmen” or “Hidden World Courtyard”, about 400 RMB/night)
- Evening: Walk to [Qianmen Street]
- Stroll along the century-old commercial street, check in at [Quanjude Origin Store], [Dashilan] old brands
- Try [Duyichu Shaomai], [Baodu Feng]
- Night tour: Walk to [Tiananmen Square] to see the night view
- Photograph the Monument to the People’s Heroes, National Museum lighting
- Note: ID and security check required to enter the square
✅ Expense reference: Transportation 2500 (round-trip included) + Accommodation 400 + Food 80 + Local transport 50 = 3030 RMB
Day 2: In-depth Forbidden City tour + Jingshan Park overlooking central axis
- Morning: Book [The Palace Museum] 7 days in advance (peak season 60 RMB, Treasure Gallery 10 RMB, Clock Gallery 10 RMB)
- Recommended to enter at 8:30 opening to avoid crowds
- Suggested route: Meridian Gate → Hall of Supreme Harmony → Palace of Heavenly Purity → Western Six Palaces → Consort Zhen’s Well → Imperial Garden → Gate of Divine Might
- Rent an audio guide (20 RMB) or join a free guided tour
- Noon: Simple meal at [Ice Cellar Restaurant] inside the Forbidden City or snacks outside Divine Might Gate
- Afternoon: Walk to [Jingshan Park] (ticket 2 RMB)
- Climb Wanchun Pavilion to overlook the entire Forbidden City and Beijing central axis (must photo spot!)
- Dinner: [Siji Minfu (Forbidden City branch)] window seat with East Hua Gate night view (about 100 RMB per person, get a number in advance)
✅ Expense reference: Accommodation 400 + Food 180 + Tickets 100 + Local transport 20 = 700 RMB
Day 3: Badaling Great Wall one-day tour
- All day: Recommend high-speed rail travel (more efficient than tour groups)
- Subway to [Beijing North Station/Qinghe Station] → high-speed train to [Badaling Great Wall Station] (30 minutes, second class seat 29 RMB)
- 10-minute walk from station to scenic area
- Ticket: 40 RMB (off-season), cable car one-way 100 RMB (optional)
- Tour suggestions:
- Climb North Eight Tower (Hero Slope) to check in at “He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man” monument
- Photograph the Great Wall winding through the mountains
- Return before 4 pm
- Dinner: Back in the city eat at [Haiwanju (Old Beijing Zhajiangmian), about 60 RMB per person)
✅ Expense reference: Accommodation 400 + Food 120 + Tickets 140 + Transportation 150 = 810 RMB
Day 4: Summer Palace + Old Summer Palace (combined tour)
- Morning: Subway Line 4 to [Beigongmen Station] → visit [Summer Palace] (ticket 30 RMB, combined ticket 60 RMB)
- Recommended route: Enter Beigongmen → Suzhou Street → Tower of Buddhist Incense → Hall of Dispelling Clouds → Long Corridor → Marble Boat → boat to Nanhu Island → Seventeen-Arch Bridge → exit East Palace Gate
- Optional boat ride (40 RMB) to enjoy Kunming Lake scenery
- Noon: Simple meal inside the park or restaurants outside East Palace Gate
- Afternoon: Walk or taxi to [Old Summer Palace] (ticket 25 RMB)
- Focus on visiting [Western Mansions ruins], feel the historical vicissitudes
- Electric cart rental (15 RMB per round) to save energy
- Dinner: [Xiao Diao Li Tang (representative Beijing cuisine), about 80 RMB per person)
✅ Expense reference: Accommodation 400 + Food 140 + Tickets 125 + Local transport 50 = 715 RMB
Day 5: Temple of Heaven + Hutong cycling + Nanluoguxiang + Drum Tower
- Morning: Subway to [Temple of Heaven East Gate] → visit [Temple of Heaven Park] (ticket 15 RMB, combined ticket 34 RMB)
- Check in at [Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests], [Echo Wall], [Circular Mound Altar]
- Experience ancient imperial heaven worship rituals
- Noon: [Hongyuan Nanmen Hotpot] at Temple of Heaven West Gate (Old Beijing copper pot hotpot, about 90 RMB per person)
- Afternoon:
- Rent shared bike to cycle through [Old Beijing Hutongs]
- Route: Temple of Heaven → Falüsi Street → Caoyang Hutong → Qianmen East District → Sanlihe Park (newly restored water town style)
- Evening: Head to [Nanluoguxiang]
- Not recommended to eat on main street, but visit [Wenyu Cheese], [Wuyutai Tea House Ice Cream]
- Turn into [Yuer Hutong] to see Qi Baishi’s former residence
- Dinner: [Yaoji Fried Liver Shop (Drum Tower branch), fried liver + buns, about 30 RMB per person)
✅ Expense reference: Accommodation 400 + Food 120 + Tickets 50 + Local transport 50 = 620 RMB
Day 6: National Museum + Wangfujing + 798 Art District
- Morning: Book in advance [National Museum of China] (free, ID required)
- Highlights:
- “Ancient China” exhibition hall (Houmuwu Ding, Four Ram Zun)
- “Road to Revival”
- Special exhibitions (often major cultural relic exhibitions)
- Recommend renting audio guide or joining free guided tour (2 hours)
- Noon: Museum restaurant or Wangfujing [Donglaishun (hotpot lamb)]
- Afternoon: Subway to [Wangjing South Station] → taxi to [798 Art District] (free)
- Industrial style + contemporary art, great for photos
- Recommended: UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, Mumu Art Museum, Metal Workshop graffiti wall
- Have a drink at [Caffé Bene 798] or [%Arabica]
- Dinner: Art district restaurant or return to city center
✅ Expense reference: Accommodation 400 + Food 130 + Tickets 0 + Local transport 80 = 610 RMB
Day 7: Yonghe Temple + Confucius Temple and Guozijian + Wudaoying Hutong + Shichahai Night View
- Morning: Subway to [Yonghegong Station] → visit [Yonghe Temple] (ticket 25 RMB)
- Qing dynasty royal temple, very popular for incense, can buy prayer beads/blessings
- Note: queue to enter halls, keep quiet
- Visit [Confucius Temple and Guozijian Museum] nearby (ticket 30 RMB, Confucian cultural holy site)
- Afternoon: Walk to [Wudaoying Hutong]
- Artistic alley with cafes, bookstores, handmade shops
- Recommended: [METAL HANDS Coffee], [Kaijuan Youyi Bookstore]
- Evening: Subway to [Shichahai]
- Stroll along [Yandai Xiejie] → climb [Yinding Bridge] to see “Little Scenes of Yanjing”
- Optional rickshaw ride to hear stories about hutongs (80 RMB per round)
- Dinner: [Kaorouji] or [Nanmen Hotpot Shichahai branch]
✅ Expense reference: Accommodation 400 + Food 120 + Tickets 55 + Local transport 50 = 625 RMB
Day 8: Return trip + souvenir shopping
- Morning:
- Buy souvenirs:
- Daoxiangcun: Beijing Eight-piece gift box (look for Sanhe logo)
- Zhang Yiyuan/Wuyutai: jasmine tea, tea ice cream
- Liubiju: sweet flour sauce, pickles
- Tianfuhao: braised pork knuckle (vacuum packed)
- Forbidden City cultural products: court beads earphones, mini mythical beasts
- Lunch: Last bowl at [Huguosi Snacks (douzhi’er + jiaoquan challenge), about 40 RMB per person)
- Afternoon: Head to station/airport for return
✅ Expense reference: Food 40 + Local transport 50 + Souvenirs 300 = 390 RMB
🎯 Total estimated cost
| Item | Amount |
| Round-trip transportation | 2500 RMB |
| Accommodation (7 nights) | 2800 RMB |
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The half-day tour of the Forbidden City by Beijing's top scholar was fantastic! Our guide, Ms. Fang, was professional and enthusiastic, her explanations were vivid and engaging, making me feel like I had traveled back to ancient times. The architectural beauty of the Forbidden City was even more breathtaking under Ms. Fang's guidance. The half-day was fulfilling and unforgettable. Highly recommended! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up]
Guarding a city, silently facing illusions, witnessing a lifetime of prosperity. When it snows, Beijing becomes Beiping, the Forbidden City becomes the Imperial Palace. The tour guide, Su Su, as the scholar described, had a well-planned itinerary and thorough explanations. Red walls and yellow tiles, a single gate, has locked away countless lovers throughout history. I wish to see the Forbidden City covered in snow, to live up to the years and to cherish you. Once you enter the palace gates, it's like entering a deep sea; from then on, you're just a stranger. Push open a door, and you'll see two dynasties, three generations, and 600 years of history. Years have passed, all for the distant scenery. Stopping to look back, leaving behind a lifetime of tenderness, Chang'an returns to its homeland. The red walls return to the pure land, and I return to you. In a daze, it seems as if I've traveled through a thousand years, stunning the ages.
The tour guide Fang Yuan, whom the scholar mentioned, had booked a visit to the Palace Museum today. She contacted us by phone yesterday even before arriving in Beijing. Today's explanation was very professional, enthusiastic, and made the visit very comfortable.
I will recommend you to go to the Palace Museum again, because I missed the afternoon tea in the Palace Museum because the porcelain exhibition in the Wuying Hall was too long. Next time, I will plan enough time and go straight to the Palace Museum for afternoon tea, and then go to other venues. Next time, I will go to the Nine Dragon Wall, the Treasure House, the Shufangzhai, the West Six Palaces and other places. But I will not have any regrets, because only with regrets can there be the next encounter. The most important thing is to experience, to feel, and to learn new knowledge. [Fun] The most impressive thing is the Ceramics Museum in the Wuying Hall, the five famous kilns, the development history of pottery and porcelain, the continuous improvement of manufacturing technology, the ingenuity of ancient literati and the cultural collision of opening up to the outside world. [Scenery] The Forbidden City is full of scenery. The pear blossoms in front of the Cining Palace are in full bloom, reflecting the red walls and green tiles. It is particularly beautiful. I finally understand the ultimate Chinese aesthetics of the ancients. [Value for money] The ticket is not expensive, and it is worth it to see the scenery and residence that only the royal family can appreciate. Finally, I would like to remind you that there are no power banks in the Forbidden City. Please bring your own power bank with a capacity of less than 2000mA. Tickets can be entered at 11pm in the afternoon, and the queue will take at least 2 hours. There are fewer people queuing without bags. You can refer to my previous notes for tips. Xiao E recommends entering the palace at 13pm, when there is less queue and you can have 3 and a half hours. It depends on your personal situation.
Ceramics Museum A place that tourists who choose to visit the central axis will never reach right away is the Wuying Hall on the west side of the Wumen Gate of the Forbidden City. The collections in the museum are not particularly large, but they are definitely comparable to the collection quality of a local museum. Spend half an hour here to learn about the history of ceramics and look at the brilliant ceramic artworks. You will be amazed by the artistic aesthetics and craftsmanship of the ancients. Furniture Museum Located diagonally opposite the Wuying Hall, it exhibits furniture from the reigns of Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong, and you can also see the furniture warehouse, which is very spectacular. Although this museum is small, it is very treasured. It is easy to miss it because of the small number of people and the remote location. It is recommended to check in as soon as you enter the Forbidden City. Clock and Watch Museum Be sure to go to the visually stunning clock and watch museum to see the exquisite clocks and watches of all kinds, feel the former glory and prosperity, and once again be amazed by the outstanding skills of the craftsmen. The Treasure Hall exhibits the imperial jewels of the Qing Dynasty, including the Gold and Silver Hall, Jewelry Hall, Bonsai Hall, Jade Hall, etc. The Treasure Hall is very large. Don't miss the Nine Dragon Wall at the entrance and the Concubine Zhen Well near the exit.
The Forbidden City, a thousand-year history echoed at a glance The moment you step into the Forbidden City, time seems to flow backwards, and the heavy sense of history hits you. This imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, standing on the central axis of Beijing, has red walls, yellow tiles, carved beams and painted buildings. Every inch of brick and stone, every eaves, bears the test of hundreds of years of rise and fall, honor and disgrace. Passing through the majestic Meridian Gate, you begin this wonderful journey through time and space. The solemnity of the Hall of Supreme Harmony makes people imagine the grand scenes when the emperor ascended the throne and the grand ceremony. The golden glazed tiles shine with the majesty of imperial power in the sun; the exquisite elegance of the Hall of Central Harmony is a quiet place for the emperor to rest before the ceremony; the grandeur of the Hall of Preserving Harmony has witnessed the dreams and glory of countless scholars in the imperial examinations. The three main halls are not only masterpieces of architecture, but also witnesses of history, telling the glory of the past. Strolling through the inner court, the Qianqing Palace, Kunning Palace, and Jiaotai Hall, these palaces bear the imprint of the emperor and empress's life and are full of mysteries and stories. The "Zhengda Guangming" plaque in the Qianqing Palace was once the place where the emperor handled government affairs and witnessed many palace secrets; the layout of the Kunning Palace shows the magnificence and solemnity of the queen's bedroom; although the Jiaotai Hall is not large, it has a unique position in court etiquette. The six palaces in the east and west are like detailed history books, and each palace has its own unique story. The luxury of the Yiku Palace reminds people of the competition for beauty among concubines in the harem; the tranquility of the Chuxiu Palace seems to allow one to still hear the whispers of beauties from the past. Here, every brick, every tile, every blade of grass and every tree tells every detail of palace life. The Treasure House and the Clock House are even more dazzling. The museum is filled with a wide variety of cultural relics, each of which embodies the wisdom and hard work of ancient craftsmen and showcases the luxury and refinement of the ancient royal family. Those exquisite jade, porcelain, calligraphy and painting, gold and silver wares seem to be telling the splendor and glory of the past. The Forbidden City is not only a treasure of architecture, but also a treasure house of history and culture. It allows us to touch history, feel the life of the ancient royal family, and appreciate the profoundness of Chinese culture. Here, history is no longer boring words in books, but is presented vividly before our eyes. When visiting the Forbidden City, it is recommended to book tickets and guided tours in advance so that you can better understand the stories behind each building. Wear comfortable shoes as the Forbidden City is huge and requires enough physical strength to explore. If you have enough time, you can choose to visit in the evening. At this time, the Forbidden City is less noisy and more peaceful. The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the red walls and yellow tiles, making it more solemn and mysterious. The Forbidden City is a historical feast that cannot be missed. It awaits every visitor to explore and feel its charm that transcends time and space.
The Forbidden City is a must-see attraction for every foreign tourist who comes to Beijing. It is true. Not to mention foreign tourists, even I, a Beijinger, have bought an annual ticket for the Forbidden City, which allows me to go there 10 times a year, at an average cost of 30 yuan per time. Because I like ancient buildings and history, I spend most of the day visiting the Forbidden City every time. It is conceivable that tourists just rush through the place and cannot see it all. Therefore, I suggest that friends who like the culture of the Forbidden City should come many times to slowly understand the Forbidden City...
Stepping into the Forbidden City in Beijing is like walking into the long river of history. The towering palace is magnificent, and every brick and tile is the result of years of accumulation. On the central axis, the Hall of Supreme Harmony is solemn and majestic, fully displaying the royal style. The Imperial Garden is exquisite and elegant, exuding a tranquil and ancient charm. The sunlight shines on the palace walls, reflecting the past prosperity. This trip to the Forbidden City was a cultural feast and a deep dialogue with history. The red walls reflect the sun and the yellow tiles shine, they are the medals of glory engraved by the years. Every step seems to be stepping on the strings of history, playing the prosperous music of the past. The Hall of Supreme Harmony stands majestically and the Dragon Throne lies quietly, as if telling the story of the emperor's achievements; the Palace of Heavenly Purity is solemn and dignified, witnessing countless palace secrets; the Imperial Garden is like a tranquil paradise on earth, with ancient trees, luxuriant flowers, pavilions and towers, all of which hide endless poetry. The Forbidden City is not only a palace complex, but also a three-dimensional history book where every brick and tile has a soul and every blade of grass and tree has emotion. Here, history is no longer cold words in books, but a reality that is within reach. Every corner exudes the unique charm of oriental aesthetics, which makes people intoxicated and obsessed. This appointment with the Forbidden City is an affectionate embrace between the soul and history, and will remain in our hearts forever. 💕