Tourist Attractions to Visit in Beijing
China

Visit The Top Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Beijing in 6 Days

Mustafa Natalwala 3750 Views

Beijing is the national capital city of People’s Republic of China. It is one of the most well known cities in the world and is lively hub for art, culture, commerce, business, politics and entertainment on an international level. The city has been a seat of power through numerous ruling dynasties of the region before becoming the center of governance for China. It is one of the oldest cities in the world with a history going back 3 millennia. It is also the last one among 4 great ancient capitals of China. The best places to visit in Beijing combine the modern achievements and ancient heritage of the city and its culture. You get to see the lives of ancient and modern Chinese people all in one city. You also get to see how kings and peasants lived in ancient times in the same city. There are numerous historical things to see in Beijing. The monuments of the Chinese capitals are world renowned and many are included in UNESCO lists.

Among top things to do in Beijing, China are Forbidden City, Great Wall of China, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Ming Tombs and so on. The section below provides Beijing itinerary of top attractions in and around the city for your convenience. Do not limit yourself to ancient Beijing attractions alone. The modern parts of the city are equally fascinating, some would even seem futuristic.The city is one grand collection of historical, modern and contemporary attractions of vivid variety. Despite race towards the future, the city has preserved its culture and heritage very well. The air of ancient traditions still flows through modern Beijing. You should also check out Beijing tourist attractions concerning art, culture and traditions of the region. It will give you a wholesome experience of Beijing travel.

A major aspect of fun things to do in Beijing are the markets, both modern and traditional. You can go shopping in huge malls or explore street and pedestrian markets on foot. These markets are an integral part of Beijing sightseeing, where else would you get to see unique food items and interesting souvenirs?

As the sun sets, a new side of Beijing unveils. The nightlife of the city is not limited to clubbing and general hobnobbing. You can experience China’s culture through various theaters, dance performances, folk lore narrations and celebrations at the temple. If you want to see the culture come to the street, Chinese New Year would be the best time to visit Beijing. All the famous places in Beijing take on a new lie during this festive celebration.

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Visit The Best Tourist Attractions of Beijing in 6 Days

This section breaks down popular Beijing tourist attractions in a 6 day itinerary. The places are picked based on their popularity and proximity to one another. This Beijing itinerary allows you to cover maximum number of tourist attractions systematically and without wasting time in travel.

If you have only one day in Beijing then I suggest you should book a Full Day Tour of Beijing covering major tourist places such as Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Tiananmen Square.

Day 1

1. Temple of Heaven

This temple was created for the emperors to perform worship during the winter solstice. It is considered to be the holiest of all imperial temples and is among the best places to visit in Beijing. You will need 2 hours to explore the Temple of Heaven.

I suggest you should get your admission ticket of Temple of Heaven in advance.

Temple of Heaven

2. Mausoleum of Mao Zedong

Mao Zedong was the founding father of People’s Republic of China and a prominent communist leader of the nation. The mausoleum is of great significance among all things to see in Beijing and it is quite grand. You will need at least an hour to explore it.

Mausoleum of Mao Zedong

3. National Museum of China

This museum tells the entire story of China from pre-historic age to the modern era. It is one the first Beijing attractions you should visit as it will give you greater understanding about the country, its culture, its people and its places. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore the museum.

National Museum of China

4. Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen)

This grand gate opens to the imperial city and is a major component of Beijing tourist attractions. You can take a tour up the tower of the gate to get great views of the imperial city as well. Keep 20 to 30 minutes aside for the Gate of Heavenly Peace when you visit Beijing.

Gate of Heavenly Peace

5. Tiananmen Square

This square is a prime spot for Beijing sightseeing. You will come across Tiananmen Square on your way to the Forbidden city. The square is surrounded by some of the top things to do in Beijing, China and is unmissable even if you try. You will need 15 to 20 minutes for this historical public square.

Tiananmen Square

6. Imperial Ancestral Temple

This temple played an important role in religious rituals performed by the royal Ming and Qing dynasties. You will need about an hour to explore it and learn about its history during Beijing travel.

Imperial Ancestral Temple

7. Forbidden City

This is the attraction which tops Beijing itinerary. The palace was home to numerous emperors of China. You can feel the regal nature as you come face to face with the grand icon of ancient China. Among all the places to go in Beijing, this is the one you are most likely to talk about. As there are numerous structures to explore, you will need 3 hours to explore the palace and the Forbidden City complex.

I suggest you should get a Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket of Forbidden City in advance.

Forbidden City

Day 2

1. Ming Tombs

Ming Tombs are the final resting place for 13 emperors from that dynasty. These tombs are beautifully designed befitting the glory of the emperors who rest here. Though it is not among most famous places in Beijing, it is close to the most famous attraction of China (we talk about it next) and is worth spending a couple of hours.

I suggest you should book a Tour of Ming Tombs with Great Wall of Badaling.

Ming Tombs

2. Great Wall of Badaling

This is the greatest among Beijing historical sites, it is also the most iconic structure in all of China. You can get to the Great Wall from several places, though Badaling is a popular choice for those who visit Beijing. Be prepared to walk though, there are numerous checkpoints and Beijing points of interest you can check out as you explore the Great Wall. You will need 3 to 4 hours here and maybe more. The Great Wall is a hotspot for some of the most fun things to do in Beijing, China as well. So be sure to keep aside plenty of time to explore it.

I suggest you should book a Tour of Great Wall of Badaling with Ming Tombs.

Great Wall of Badaling

Day 3

1. Summer Palace

There are 2 Summer Palaces among Beijing historical sites. Here we are talking about the new Summer Palace (relatively speaking). The palace complex is quite large and consists of hill, lake, palace and other historical structures. You will need 2 hours to explore it.

You should get you Admission Ticket of Summer Palace in advance.

Summer Palace

2. Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan Park)

The Old Summer Palace is the name given to ruins of Yuanmingyuan Palace. These historical ruins are among the best places to visit in Beijing. You can imagine the scale and grandeur of what this royal complex used to be once upon a time from the beauty of the gardens, pavilions and remains of the palace. You will need about an hour to explore it.

I suggest you should do a Guided Tour of Old Summer Palace with Summer Palace.

Old Summer Palace

3. Bird’s Nest & Olympic Park

These stadiums hosted the 2008 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Both these stadiums are renowned for their unique architecture and are among the most aesthetically pleasing things to see in Beijing. You will need an hour for these stadiums.

I suggest you should book a Guided Tour of Olympic Park.

Bird’s Nest & Olympic Park

4. Wangfujing Street

This street is among the best places to visit in Beijing for shopping. It is a pedestrian street with shops lined up on both sides. This street mixes traditional style market with modern structures and shops. You will need about an hour or so to explore this street.

Wangfujing Street

5. Donghuamen Night Market

If you are looking for unusual fun things to do in Beijing, hit this night market and explore the variety of items here. You don’t have to try anything, but this market will give you a glimpse in the food culture of China. You will need an hour just to explore this market.

Donghuamen Night Market

Day 4

1. Jingshan Hill Park

This park is situated at the back of the Forbidden city and was once a part of that complex. This hill inside the park is one of the best places to visit for Beijing sightseeing. You will need 30 to 45 minutes at this park.

I suggest you should book your admission ticket of Jingshan Hill Park in advance.

Jingshan Hill Park

2. Beihai Park

This park is most known for the iconic white Dogoba. There are many major and minor Beijing attractions to explore in this park, so you would need an hour here.

Beihai Park

3. Houhai Lake

The beautiful lake and the surrounding park is well known for ancient hutongs spread around it. You will need an hour to explore the lake and the area around it.

Houhai Lake

4. Bell & Drum Towers

These towers used to play an important part in the lives of people in Beijing. The Bell Tower awakened people at sunrise and Drum Tower was used to announce sunset. There were many other lifestyle and cultural aspects communicated through these towers. You will need 30 minutes for each of these towers.

I suggest you should go for a Guided Tour of Bell and Drum Towers.

Bell and Drum Towers

5. Confucius Temple

This temple dedicated to Confucius is one of the most revered places in the city. It is also very popular among Beijing tourist attractions. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this temple.

I suggest you should book a Guided Tour of Confucius Temple with Lama Temple.

Confucius Temple

6. Guozijian Museum

This museum is housed in an ancient university, which is closely linked with Confucius. You will need 20 to 30 minutes to explore the museum and the university complex.

7. Lama Temple

This huge temple is one of the most beautifully designed and intricately decorated places to visit in Beijing. It is also among the largest Lama temples in the world. You will need at least 2 hours to explore it entirely.

I suggest you should go for Guided Tour of Lama Temple with Confucius Temple.

Lama Temple

Day 5

1. Chinese Military Museum

This museums tell you about the military and war history of China. It is one of the most interesting places to visit in Beijing. There are numerous weapons, war stories, conquest history and so on to explore in this museum. You will need 2 hours for Chinese Military Museum.

Chinese Military Museum

2. Capital Museum

The museum was originally a part of the Confucius temple, but as more and more artworks were gathered to display, the museum shifted to this location. Capital Museum is among the best places to go in Beijing to explore ancient and modern asian art. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to explore this museum.

Capital Museum

3. White Cloud Temple

This Taoist temple was built in 739 A.D. and is a very unique temple among Beijing attractions. You will need an hour to explore it.

White Cloud Temple

4. Niujie Mosque

This mosque adopts an oriental style architecture, quite similar to the temples seen in the region. It is a unique blend of symbols and architectural styles of 2 different religions. This mosque is hence a very interesting place to visit among Beijing historical sites. You will need 20 to 30 minutes for this mosque.

Niujie Mosque

5. XiuShui Silk Market

This market is again among best places to visit in Beijing for shopping. You will need about an hour to explore this multistory market.

XiuShui Silk Market

6. Qianmen Street

This historical pedestrian street is great for Beijing sightseeing as it is surrounded by several ancient structures and tourist attractions. You will need an hour to explore it.

Qianmen Street

Day 6

1. Dongyue Temple

This temple is one of the most interesting places to visit in Beijing itinerary for the various depictions of afterlife punishments expressed in plaster figures inside it. You will need an hour to explore it.

Dong Yue Temple

2. Ritan Park

The park is especially important among Beijing tourist places for the ancient Altar of the Sun. You will need 20 to 30 minutes for the altar and the Park.

Ritan Park

3. Ancient Observatory

The observatory was first built in 1442 under Ming Dynasty. It outlines ancient astronomical excellence of the region. You will see several ancient instruments which helped the scientists of the time study the celestial bodies. You will need an hour and a half to explore this place when you visit Beijing.

Ancient Observatory

4. Hongqiao Pearl Market

Another major Beijing points of interest for shopping. This multilevel building offers a variety of shops to explore during Beijing travel and you would need an hour to explore it.

Hongqiao Pearl Market

5. Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall

This Hall has a miniature map of the city with 3D models of famous places in Beijing. You will also get to know a lot about the city’s evolution here. Keep aside an hour for this place.

Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall

If you plan to explore the city for more than 6 days, check out a complete list of top things to do in Beijing, China in the section below.

Things to do in Beijing

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Beijing

  1. Great Wall of China
  2. Forbidden City
  3. Summer Palace
  4. Temple of Heaven
  5. Tiananmen Square
  6. Great Wall of Badaling
  7. Palace Museum
  8. Ming Dynasty Tombs
  9. Lama Temple
  10. Jingshan Park
  11. Beihai Park
  12. Yuanmingyuan Park
  13. National Stadium
  14. Mausoleum of Mao Zedong
  15. National Museum of China
  16. Drum Tower & Bell Tower of Beijing
  17. Juyong Pass
  18. Zhengyangmen Museum
  19. Shichahai Lake
  20. Simatai Wall
  21. Jiankou Wall
  22. Monument to People’s Heroes
  23. Prince Gong Mansion
  24. Kunming Lake Palace
  25. Great Hall of the People
  26. Beijing Temple of Confucius
  27. Capital Museum
  28. Hall of Supreme Harmony
  29. Mutianyu Great Wall
  30. Marco Polo Bridge
  31. Meridian Gate
  32. Miaoying Temple
  33. National Art Museum of China
  34. Palace of Heavenly Purity
  35. Guozijian Historic University
  36. Zhoukoudian Site Museum
  37. Dingling Funeral Site
  38. Beijing Ancient Observatory
  39. Deshengmen Gate
  40. Temple of the Sun
  41. Jinshanling Wall
  42. Palace of Earthly Tranquility
  43. Jietai Temple
  44. Cuandixia Ancient Village
  45. Beijing Dongyue Temple
  46. Longtan Lake Park
  47. Niujie Mosque
  48. National Library of China
  49. Imperial Ancestral Temple
  50. Seventeen Arch Bridge
  51. Longevity Hill
  52. Huangyaguan Wall
  53. China Science and Technology Museum
  54. Badachu Temple
  55. Fayuan Temple
  56. Imperial Palace East Parting Hall
  57. Temple of Azure Clouds
  58. Old Summer Palace
  59. Gate of Divine Prowess
  60. Huanghuacheng Great Wall
  61. China Military Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Beijing

  1. Mount Pan
  2. Qinglongxia
  3. Western Hills
  4. Jinhai Lake

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Beijing

  1. Beijing Zoo
  2. 798 Art Zone
  3. Houhai Lake
  4. Beijing Olympic Park
  5. Beijing Botanical Garden
  6. National Center for Performing Arts
  7. Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park
  8. Beijing World Park
  9. UCCA Center for Contemporary Art
  10. Chaoyang Park
  11. Zhongshan Park
  12. Purple Bamboo Park
  13. Happy Valley Amusement Park
  14. Yuyuantan Park
  15. Longqingxia Scenic Area
  16. Beijing Aquarium
  17. Olympic Forest Park
  18. Taoranting Park

Shopping in Beijing

  1. Wangfujing Street
  2. Hongqiao Market
  3. Qianmen Street
  4. Beijing Dashilan
  5. Panjiayuan Antique Market
  6. Liulichang Street
  7. Nan Luo Gu Xiang Alley
  8. Sanlitun Village
  9. Hong Qiao Pearl Market
  10. Old Pipe Street
  11. Silk Street Market
  12. Xidan Shopping Area
  13. Beijing Curio City

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Beijing

  1. Hiking
  2. Cycle Tour

Sightseeing in Beijing

  1. Nanluoguxiang District
  2. Qianmen Street
  3. CCTV Headquarters
  4. Central Radio & TV Tower
  5. Beijing Central Business District
  6. Yandai Byway
  7. China World Trade Center
  8. Ritan Park

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Beijing

  1. Jubaoyuan Hot Pot
  2. TRB Forbidden City
  3. Qing Feng
  4. Shen Yong Xing
  5. Haiwanju
  6. King’s Joy
  7. Yuebin
  8. Bei 27 Hao
  9. Juqi
  10. Bao House
  11. Haidilao
  12. Jing Yaa Tang
  13. Najia
  14. Fu Chun Ju
  15. Judian Chuanba
  16. Transit
  17. Yanjing Wangjing Xiaoyao
  18. Southern Fish
  19. Xian Lao Man
  20. In & Out
  21. Li Qun Roast Duck
  22. Furongji
  23. Green Cow
  24. Quiyanmen Quanjude
  25. Huguosi Hutong
  26. Din Tai Fung
  27. Bistrot B
  28. Hai di Lao

Where to Stay in Beijing?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Beijing. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Beijing.

Luxurious Hotels

  1. Shangri-La Beijing
  2. Four Seasons Hotel Beijing
  3. Hotel Eclat Beijing
  4. InterContinental Beijing Beichen
  5. China World Hotel, Beijing
  6. Regent Beijing
  7. InterContinental Beijing Sanlitun
  8. Grand Mercure Beijing Dongcheng
  9. Brickyard Retreat at Mutianyu Great Wall
  10. Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing
  11. JW Marriott Hotel Beijing
  12. JEN Beijing by Shangri-La

Mid-Range Hotels

  1. Crowne Plaza Beijing Sun Palace
  2. Holiday Inn Express Beijing Yizhuang, an IHG hotel
  3. Grand Millennium Beijing
  4. Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town, an IHG hotel
  5. Crowne Plaza Beijing Lido, an IHG hotel
  6. Grand Millennium Beijing
  7. Fairmont Beijing
  8. EAST Beijing
  9. The Orchid Hotel
  10. Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel
  11. Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center
  12. Hilton Beijing

Budget Hotels

  1. Novotel Xinqiao Beijing
  2. Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan, an IHG hotel
  3. Holiday Inn Express Beijing Huacai, an IHG hotel
  4. Holiday Inn Express Beijing Dongzhimen, an IHG hotel
  5. Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven, an IHG hotel
  6. Novotel Beijing Peace
  7. Guo Ji Yi Yuan Hotel
  8. Double Happiness Beijing Courtyard Hotel
  9. Park Plaza Wangfujing
  10. Ji Hotel Beijing Dongzhimen
  11. Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel Beijing
  12. Pentahotel Beijing

TripAdvisor

Custom Tours Package in Beijing

How to Reach Beijing?

By Air

Beijing Capital International Airport receives direct flights from several countries across the world. You can get direct flights to visit Beijing from several European countries in Europe, Asia, Australia, North America and South America. You can also choose Tianjin Binhai International Airport or Shijazhuang Zhengding International Airport for Beijing travel. Both these airports are connected to Beijing with express trains. You can get metro train, buses and cabs to reach all the best places to visit in Beijing from the airport.

By Road

Beijing is connected with several provinces and cities in China by an efficient train network. The same goes for buses. You can basically get a bus to visit Beijing from almost anywhere in China. If you plan to travel by car, you can choose routes any route ranging from G 101 to G 111. Each of these routes will take you to Beijing.

By Water

Being a landlocked city, there are not direct water routes for Beijing travel.

Image Reference

Mustafa Natalwala

Mustafa is a content writer and digital marketing expert at WideWorldTrips.com His mainly interests are into travelling, photography, film-making

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