2026 Beijing’s Hottest & Trendiest Travel Trending(Constantly Updated) | Trip.com

Recently, a small stamp-carving stall on Yangmeizhu Xiejie has gone viral. The nearly 70-year-old craftsman, reading glasses perched on his nose, grips a carving knife and focuses on a piece of bluestone. In less than ten min, a curled-up sleeping kitten appears on its surface. His hand-carved pet seals have turned him into an overnight social media sensation. Online, letters and journals stamped with these seals are lovingly photographed alongside their furry stars—heart-warming scenes that are hard to resist. Ready for your own? Head to Yangmeizhu Xiejie with a photo of your fur baby and let the grandpa craft a unique seal just for the two of you. Tips: The grandpa keeps short hours and carves only a limited number each day. 📍 Address: Yangmeizhu Xiejie (near Suzuki Shokudo) 🐈 Bonus: Custom seals can be made from your pet’s likeness

After a decade, the Hall of Mental Cultivation in Beijing’s Forbidden City officially reopens, becoming a must-visit cultural landmark for New Year 2026. First built during the Jiajing reign of the Ming dynasty, it was a key venue for imperial governance and daily life across the Ming and Qing, and the power center of the Qing-era Forbidden City. Following restoration, most relics are displayed in their original settings, with 1,020 precious pieces on view. Several rooms recreate historical scenes, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the true atmosphere of imperial work and life. [Highlights by area] Main hall: The imperial plaque reading "Zhongzheng Renhe" hangs high above. A typical Qing-style caisson ceiling with a "dragon well" motif enhances the solemn, exquisite setting where emperors handled daily state affairs. West warm chamber: Beneath the "Qinzheng Qinxian" plaque, a hidden chamber for reviewing memorials is on display. The Sanxitang Study houses Wang Xianzhi’s "Mid-Autumn Letter" and Wang Xun’s "Boyuan Letter," fully reflecting Emperor Qianlong’s taste. East warm chamber: The scene of "ruling from behind the curtain" is restored, with the throne and kang bed presenting the history of Empress Dowager Cixi’s behind-the-scenes governance. Other classic highlights: The "Chiying Baotai" jade shadow screen, a sundial, gilt-bronze vats, incense burners, and more together showcase a complete courtly ritual system, forming the heart of understanding power and culture within the Forbidden City. [Opening information] Off-peak season: Nov 1–Mar 31 (next year), 8:30 AM–4:30 PM Peak season: Apr 1–Oct 31, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Location: Dongcheng District, Beijing, The Palace Museum – Hall of Mental Cultivation [Visiting tips] - Plan your time wisely. Visiting outside peak hours offers a better experience - Don’t miss the main hall’s caisson ceiling, the Sanxitang Study in the west warm chamber, and the curtained space in the east warm chamber to feel imperial grandeur and the weight of history - Help protect cultural relics and follow on-site guidelines This New Year 2026, step into the Hall of Mental Cultivation to relive the legacy of imperial power and experience one of history’s most awe-inspiring spaces!

From Jan 18 to Aug 18, 2026, the National Museum of China will present "Twin stars illuminating the world: The ancient Shu civilization of Sanxingdui and Jinsha" in South Halls 8 and 9, bringing together 200+ significant artifacts from the Sanxingdui and Jinsha Site Museums to showcase the splendor and mystery of the ancient Shu civilization. [Exhibition highlights] ✨ Star artifacts unite: the gold mask, bronze standing figure, Golden Sun Bird, gold crown band, and bronze human head wearing a gold mask ✨ Limited display periods: gold mask, Apr 18–Aug 18, 2026; Golden Sun Bird gold foil ornament, Jun 13–Aug 18, 2026 ✨ With the Jinsha Site Museum closed for upgrades, its core treasures are "heading to Beijing" to be shown alongside Sanxingdui national treasures for the first time—an extraordinarily rare moment in history [Visitor experience] An eight-month, extended run that takes you across 3,000 years—from Sanxingdui to Jinsha—to encounter masterful craftsmanship, enigmatic beliefs, and peak aesthetics of the ancient Shu. An immersive experience perfect for history lovers, families, and culture seekers. Miss it now, and you may not see it again anytime soon. [Visitor information] ⏱ Please refer to the limited display periods for the gold mask and Golden Sun Bird 📍 Location: National Museum of China, South Halls 8 and 9 (Dongcheng District, Beijing) 🎫 We recommend signing in to the museum’s official website in advance to reserve tickets, plan your visit, and avoid peak crowds A must-see blockbuster to kick off 2026—seize the summer and feel the awe of Sanxingdui and Jinsha’s ancient kingdoms. Bring your kids and loved ones to experience the pinnacle of China’s bronze-age civilization!

Winter is here, and the cats of the Forbidden City are ready for business! These adorable feline masters roam among the red walls and yellow tiles, each one plump and fluffy, looking utterly charming. The cats of the Forbidden City have a unique history; some are descendants of imperial court cats, while others are strays that later made the palace their home. Today, they have become a lively and enchanting part of the scenery. Visitors exploring the Forbidden City often find themselves healed by chance encounters with these cats. Watching them leisurely bask in the sun, doze off lazily, or curiously observe their surroundings, it feels as if time slows down, offering a unique sense of peace and comfort. If you're a fan of these cute cats, why not plan a visit to the Forbidden City? You might just have a romantic encounter with them and create some wonderful memories. Come check out the Forbidden City and meet these adorable pets!

Recently at the Badaling Great Wall, crowds of visitors have been enthusiastically reciting "Qingping Yue · Liupan Mountain" together. Many are repeatedly imitating actor Xiao Zhan’s classic poetry-recitation scene from the TV drama Where Dreams Begin. Some filmed eight takes in a row and still couldn’t get enough, saying "the more we recorded, the more hooked we got." Renowned as one of China’s Nine Strategic Passes, Badaling combines towering, rugged cliffs with lush, scenic views and showcases the finest landscapes of the Ming Great Wall. As the saying goes, "You’re not a true hero until you’ve climbed the Great Wall," and this is the top choice for many travelers making their first ascent. The fortress is trapezoidal, narrower in the east and wider in the west, with eastern and western gates. The northern wall features 12 beacon towers, while the southern wall has 7. The southern wall sees fewer visitors, so if you have time, explore the south first, then the north. North Tower 8 is the highest point, also called "Sun-Viewing Terrace," and offers sweeping views over the wall. Cable cars operate at South Tower 4 and North Tower 8, a handy option if you prefer not to walk. Come to the Badaling Great Wall to feel the epic grandeur of mountains and rivers, and dive into the spirited fun of reciting poetry.