10 Ultimate Things to Do in Beijing

Beijing is where China's imperial legacy meets everyday life. With over 800 years as the nation's capital, it's packed with stories, flavors, and experiences you won't find anywhere else.

We've looked beyond the obvious to bring you the most rewarding ways to explore the city, whether you're here for the first time or returning for more.

From world-famous landmarks to unexpected local delights, here are 10 things to do in Beijing that you'll remember long after your trip ends.

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• 1. Admire the Majestic Great Wall
• 2. Explore the Forbidden City
• 3. Enjoy an Authentic Peking Duck Dinner
• 4. Wander the Hutongs of Old Beijing
• 5. Stroll through the Summer Palace
• 6. Discover the Temple of Heaven
• 7. Visit the Lama Temple
• 8. Watch an Evening Show
• 9. Shop for Something Unique
• 10. Cycle along Beijing's Central Axis

1. Admire the Majestic Great Wall

• Duration: 3-5 hours (or 1–3 days for hiking trips)
• Best time to visit: April to May, September to November

No trip to Beijing is complete without walking on the Great Wall. It's more than just a wall; it's a breathtaking path through mountains, forests, and centuries of history.

Mutianyu is the most visitor-friendly and family-friendly. You'll find wide paths, forested surroundings, and thrilling slide takes you down the mountain.

The slide at Muntianyu

Jinshanling offers stunning views and a balance between restored and wild sections. Light hikers and photographers will love it.

The sunset at Jinshanling

Jiankou is the wildest and most precipitous, with steep ridgelines and broken towers. With  steep slopes of nearly 90 degrees, this part is for serious hikers seeking adventure and off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Our guests hiked the Jinakou

Simatai offers unique night tours. If you want to see the wall glowing under the moonlight, this is your chance. It also connects directly to Gubei Water Town, where you could relax or even stay overnight. 

Simatai at night

Learn more details on Top 10 Sections of the Great Wall to Visit.

2. Explore the Forbidden City Like an Emperor

• Duration: 3-6 hours
• Best time to visit: The mid-October to the mid-November

You could't come to Beijing and skip the Forbidden City. As the world's largest imperial palace and the heart of China's dynastic history, it's a must-see. If you visit only one cultural site in Beijing, make it this one.

The Forbidden City

A typical visit lasts around 2 hours. Most people follow the central axis to explore the six most important palace halls. You'll see where emperors held major ceremonies and banquets, and you'll find the largest crowds here.

But the Forbidden City holds far more history than just these six halls. If you venture to the eastern and western wings, you'll find many hidden gems that most visitors miss.

For example, the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility (Cining Gong) was once the residence of empress dowagers. This peaceful area features serene gardens and glimpses into the lives of powerful royal women.

The Palace of Compassion and Tranquility (Cining Gong)

You'll find more detailed routes and insider tips in our guide on How to Visit the Forbidden City.

For something more unique, consider dressing in a Qing dynasty costume and enjoying a traditional-style photo shoot on the palace grounds. It's a fun way to step into the shoes of past royals.

Qing dynasty costume experience

If you visit in the autumn, don't miss the Eighteen Ancient Locust Trees. Golden ginkgo leaves against red walls create one of the most photogenic scenes in the city. See our 6-Day Beijing Autumn Tour.

The ginkgo trees in the Forbidden City

If you still have time after your visit, we highly recommend exiting through the Shenwu Gate and walking across to Jingshan Park. From the hilltop, you'll get a stunning panoramic view of the entire Forbidden City. It is a perfect way to end your imperial adventure.

Viewing the Forbidden City from Jingshan Park

3. Enjoy an Authentic Peking Duck Dinner

• Duration: 2 hours
• Typical price range: ¥100–¥450 per person

Tasting Peking duck in Beijing is more than just having dinner; it's part of the cultural experience. The crisp skin, the soft pancakes, the aroma from the duck, and the chef carving the duck beside your table create one of those 'I am really in Beijing' moments.

Beijing roast duck

But the key question is: where should you go?

If you're after a classic, no-fail experience, Siji Minfu (四季民福) is a great choice. Locals love it for its balance of quality and price, and the setting feels warm without being too formal.

Quanjude (全聚德) is the most historic name. If you want to say, “I had roast duck where Chinese leaders and foreign diplomats once dined,” this is the place. The flavors are rich and deeply traditional.

For something more modern and upscale, Da Dong (大董) offers a lighter and more refined version. The duck is delicately roasted, and the presentation is artistic. This is a good option for a stylish evening or a special occasion.

Each of these restaurants offers tableside carving, which adds to the overall experience.

See more on Where to Eat Peking Duck in Beijing.

4. Wander the Hutongs of Old Beijing

• Duration: 2–3 hours
• Best time to visit: All year round

Step into the hutongs, and you step into the soul of old Beijing.

These narrow alleys wind between grey-brick courtyard homes, where life unfolds in a slower rhythm. Grandparents chat on doorsteps, birds chirp in cages, and the smell of dumplings drifts from kitchens.

For a lively vibe, Nanluoguxiang is a fun place to start. It's the busiest and most popular hutong in Beijing, lined with food stalls, snack shops, and colorful boutiques. Young people and kids love the atmosphere.

Nanluoguxiang

For something relaxed and artistic, Wudaoying Hutong offers a quieter charm. This is where modern design meets old architecture. You'll come across specialty coffee shops, indie bookstores, and lifestyle boutiques tucked inside traditional courtyards. It's a great choice if you enjoy cultural browsing or café-hopping with a bit of character.

Wudaoying Hutong

If you want to observe the real hutong life, Baita Temple Hutong is worth exploring. There are few tourists here. You will see elderly men playing chess, senior-friendly eateries, and traditional medicine shops - scenes that are close to the lives of residents.

Baita Temple Hutong

To experience more than just the sights, we could arrange a private family visit to a courtyard home. You could try Chinese calligraphy, paint a Peking Opera mask, and even learn how to make dumplings. Children could also learn diabolo spinning.

Our guests learned Chinese calligraphy

If you want a break from walking, you could also explore the alleys by rickshaw, a charming and leisurely way to take in the view.

Rickshaw

5. Stroll through the Summer Palace

• Duration: 2–3 hours
• Best time to visit: late March to May

Once a royal retreat, the Summer Palace is now Beijing's largest and best-preserved imperial garden. It offers a peaceful escape just a short drive from the city center.

If you enjoy wandering through classical gardens, exploring ancient temples, and experiencing a blend of nature and imperial history, it is a must-visit.

The Summer Palace

The most notable sight is the Long Corridor, a 728-meter covered walkway with 548 beams decorated with more than 14,000 colorful paintings. It stretches along the lakeside and feels like an open-air gallery.

Long Corridor

For a relaxing experience, you could take a boat ride across Kunming Lake. Or climb to the highest point, the Tower of Buddhist Incense, for a panoramic view of the lake and distant hills.

Overlook Kunming Lake from the Tower of Buddhist Incense

For somewhere quieter, you could head to Suzhou Street, where you will see the styles of ancient shops. In winter, the nearby waters will freeze, and you may find ice activities such as skating or sledding.

If you have extra time, consider visiting nearby Tsinghua or Peking University. Both are among China's top universities and offer beautiful campuses for a peaceful walk. 

China Golden Triangle TourBeijing–Xi'an–Shanghai

6. Discover the Temple of Heaven with a Tai Chi Experience

• Duration: 1-2 hours
• Best time to visit: April to May, September to November

If you're interested in Chinese cosmology, ancient rituals, or simply want to see one of Beijing's most iconic landmarks, the Temple of Heaven is the best choice.

Once used by emperors to pray for good harvests, this vast complex is now a peaceful park where history meets local life.

Most visitors start at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, with its striking blue-tiled roof and perfectly symmetrical design. This is the image most people associate with the Temple of Heaven. Standing beneath its soaring dome feels almost otherworldly.

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

Follow the temple's central axis southward, and you'll reach the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound Altar, where emperors held solemn rites under the open sky. These spaces were designed for perfect acoustics and cosmic alignment. Try speaking near the Echo Wall, and you'll hear why it's so special.

The Imperial Vault of Heaven

For a more personal experience, come in the early morning. Local gather here to dance, play instruments, or practice tai chi.

If you're curious, you could even join a private tai chi class right inside the park, taught by an experienced local instructor. It's a serene and energizing way to connect with Chinese wellness culture in an authentic setting.

Our guests learned Tai Chi

5-Day Beijing Family Tour present a vivid Beijing to you and give you a memorable family occasion

7. Visit the Lama Temple

• Duration: 1–2 hours
• Best time to visit: March to May, September to November

The Lama (Yonghe) Temple is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist temples outside of Tibet and one of the most peaceful corners in Beijing.

Many Chinese believe that wishes made here really come true. If you have a wish, you might consider visiting. Who knows? It might work.

Lama Temple

The temple's red walls, carved rooftops, and lingering scent of incense make it feel worlds away from the streets outside.

The most famous feature is the 26-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha, carved from a single piece of sandalwood, where many stop for a quiet moment.

If you visit between 9:00 and 10:30 a.m., you may have the chance to see monks chanting and praying.   

A visit takes about 1.5 hours, so it's easy to combine with the nearby Confucius Temple and Imperial College. These two places are just a short walk away, and together they make a nice half-day city walk exploring Beijing's spiritual and scholarly traditions.

Confucius Temple

8. Watch an Evening Show

• Duration: 1.5-2 hours
• Best time to visit: Any evening

After a day of exploring attractions, watching a traditional evening show could be a refreshing way to wind down, while still soaking up China's culture in style.

If you're curious about Chinese performing arts, Peking Opera is recommended. From dramatic face paint and elegant robes to stylized singing and acrobatic movement, it's a cultural performance unlike any other.

The best place to see it is Liyuan Theater, which provides English subtitles. You could also watch the actors do their makeup and take photos with them as souvenirs.

Peking Opera

If you prefer something more action-packed, we recommend The Legend of Kung Fu at Red Theater. It offers dazzling martial arts, storytelling, and lighting effects. It's fast-paced, visually stunning, and children often find it thrilling.

However, it doesn't run daily. If it's on your list, check its schedule ahead of time to avoid disappointment.

The Legend of Kung Fu

For pure physical spectacle, the acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theater delivers heart-stopping feats.

9. Shop for Something Unique

• Duration: 3–4 hours
• Best time to visit: All year round

Shopping in Beijing is a chance to take home not just souvenirs, but stories, whether it's a Qing-style scroll, a century-old herbal recipe, or a piece by a rising Chinese designer.

If you're after something meaningful, try Panjiayuan Antique Market. From vintage scrolls and porcelain to old coins and jade pendants, it's a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind souvenirs with a story.

Panjiayuan Antique Market

For classic Beijing charm, Qianmen Street and nearby Dashilar are home to time-honored brands. You'll find Chinese medicine, silk tailoring, traditional shoes, calligraphy sets, and classic snacks, all housed in well-preserved architecture that speaks to the city's past.

Traditional shoes

For something more contemporary, Taikoo Li in Sanlitun is Beijing's trendiest shopping district. Alongside international brands, you'll discover Chinese designer boutiques and curated gift shops. It's perfect for a relaxed afternoon of shopping and café-hopping in style.

Taikoo Li in Sanlitun

10. Cycle along Beijing's Central Axis

• Duration: 2 hours
• Best time to visit: March to May, September to November

If you enjoy active sightseeing with freedom and flexibility, cycling along Beijing's Central Axis is a refreshing way to explore the city's living timeline.

Beijing Central Axis E-Bike Tour

This 20-kilometer (12-mile) line once defined the layout of imperial Beijing and today links many of the city's most iconic landmarks. Starting from the Temple of Heaven, you'll ride past Tiananmen Square, the majestic walls and corner towers of the Forbidden City, Beihai Park's lakeside views, and the lively alleys of Nanluoguxiang.

It's the kind of experience where history unfolds as you pedal, from ancient courtyards to grand political spaces. You might even pass the outer walls of Zhongnanhai, China's central government compound.

If you're interested, we could provide you with an electric bike complete with a helmet, ensuring safety and convenience.

Discover Authentic Beijing with Local Experts

Now you should know what things to do in Beijing. Traveling with a local expert opens up so many more possibilities than trying to figure it out for yourself.

Tell us your interests, and one of our specialists will help you to maximize your travel experience by suggesting the optimal Beijing trip for the time you have and the things you love to do.