Beijing in three days: Quick Travel Guide

In this quick guide, I’ll explain how to plan a three-day trip to Beijing, including a day trip to the most scenic spot of the Great Wall.

Beijing (北京), China’s capital, is known for its rich cultural heritage and offers visitors a chance to explore iconic landmarks, traditional hutongs, and colorful markets. Whether you are interested in history, architecture, or cuisine, Beijing has something for everyone. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit.

Quick Facts About Beijing:

• Location: Northern China, bordered by Hebei Province and Tianjin Municipality.
• Established: Beijing was the capital during the Yuan Dynasty in 1271, over 3,000 years ago. Since then, it has remained a political and cultural hub of China.
• Population: A diverse mix of Han Chinese and various ethnic minorities.
• Main Attractions: The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and nearby sections of the Great Wall. Don’t miss the historic hutongs and modern buildings like the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) and the 798 Art District.
  

Best Time to Visit

Like most of China, the best time to visit Beijing is Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November). During Spring, the weather is mild, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 25°C, and you might also see the blooming flowers (remember to avoid visiting Beijing during the first week of May). Autumn is a bit more crowded, but the weather is also pleasant. Plus, you might see the beautiful red foliage. Be very careful to avoid the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays.

Winter is freezing in Northern China, and Summer is scorching and humid. Summer is also the peak tourist season. Unless you have no other option, I wouldn’t consider traveling to Beijing during those months. Actually, I don’t recommend traveling to China during summer unless you visit some mountainous areas like Tibet (here’s my guide) or Central and Northern Yunnan.

Where to Stay

I recommend staying near a subway station and ideally not too far from the Forbidden City. Beijing is a huge city, and you will waste a lot of time commuting between areas unless you stay in a good location. As always, I recommend using Trip.com to book your flights, trains, and hotels in China. It’s really the best option. Booking.com offers fewer hotels, and they are, on average, more expensive.

What to see in Beijing in 3 days

In my opinion, three days is the bare minimum to spend in Beijing, especially if you are planning to visit the Great Wall, but with some planning, you can still see many places even if you have less time.

If you want to combine these places with a more unique experience, such as a photoshoot wearing a traditional Chinese outfit (similar to what you can do in Seoul with hanboks) with a professional photographer, send me a DM on Instagram, and I’ll give you the contact of an agency that can help. They can also arrange an English-speaking guide to take you around the city if you like.

Day One: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and Hutongs

You can start the first morning with a tour of Tiananmen Square and later visit the Forbidden City, but remember to book a ticket in advance.

The Forbidden City, once the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties, is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest palace complexes in the world. Built in the early 15th century, it houses over 900 buildings with intricate architecture, golden roofs, grand halls, and beautiful courtyards that reflect the power and refinement of the imperial court. For centuries, it was accessible only to the emperor, his family, and the highest-ranking officials, and walking through its avenues today allows visitors to relive a fundamental part of China’s history.

Nearby, Tiananmen Square is one of the world’s largest public squares and a powerful symbol of modern China. Renowned for its historical and political significance, it is the site of major national celebrations and events. The square is surrounded by key landmarks, including the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, making it an interesting stop for understanding the country’s recent history.

Figuring out how to book a ticket seems to be the biggest challenge for people visiting Beijing. This is because the number of tickets for sale is capped at 10,000 per day, and they sell out quickly. Tickets go on sale one week in advance, starting at 20:00 Beijing Time (Monday is the closing day).

Here are my recommendations:

• Try to book the ticket as soon as it becomes available.
• If you encounter a general error when booking, remove the space between your first and last names.
• This is the official website for the tickets, and here is the link to the WeChat Mini app: 小程序://故宫博物院/I4FEe4eAFCafdja. Just copy and paste it on WeChat, and it should open automatically. This ticket also grants you access to Tiananmen Square.
• If you can’t book the ticket, don’t despair: you can head to the East Gate of the Forbidden City and find a ticket booth that sells tickets to foreigners. The gate is called Donghuamen 东华门. You can also take the subway line 8 to Jinyu Hutong Exit C 金鱼胡同地铁站-C西南口.
• Always bring your passport with you because it will be checked multiple times.
• If you want to simplify your life, I recommend booking a tour with GetYourGuide.

If you only want to visit Tian’anmen Square (which is free), you still need to make a reservation one day in advance. You can make a reservation through the official website or just paste 小程序://天安门广场预约参观/GZaBrCfoOzvhxTq in WeChat, and it will show you the mini program link.

After visiting the Forbidden City, you might want to head to Jingshan Park (景山公园), located just to the north of the complex. This former imperial garden is famous for its central hill, an artificial mound built with the earth excavated when the palace’s moat was dug. Climbing to the top takes only a few minutes, and from there you’ll be rewarded with one of the best panoramic views of Beijing, with the golden roofs of the Forbidden City stretching out beneath you. It’s an ideal spot for photography, especially at sunset, when the light adds a warm glow to the ancient architecture.

You can then spend the rest of the day exploring some of Beijing’s last Hutongs. Unfortunately, most of them have been destroyed in recent years to make way for new buildings.

The Hutongs are ancient, narrow alleyways that offer a glimpse into the city’s traditional way of life. Dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), these winding streets are lined with siheyuan, traditional courtyard homes. Hutongs like Nanluoguxiang, Qianmen, and Wudaoying are quite popular. Wandering through the hutongs is a journey into Beijing’s past, where old-world charm meets the energy of modern urban life.

I recommend visiting Nanluoxiang (南锣鼓巷) if you have time for only one. Take Line 6 or Line 8 to Nanluoguxiang Station (南锣鼓巷站). Use Exit E, and you’ll arrive directly at the south end of Nanluoguxiang, making it very convenient to start walking through the hutong street.

Day Two: The Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, stretching over 21,000 Km across northern China. Built over centuries, starting as early as the 7th century BC, it was primarily constructed to protect the Chinese empire from invasions. The Wall features watchtowers, battlements, and winding paths that follow the landscape’s natural contours. The wall’s most popular and touristic parts are located near Beijing and the Badaling and Mutianyu sections. They are often overcrowded because they are easy to reach.

If you want something less popular but more beautiful, I recommend heading to the Jinshanling 金山岭 section. This area is located in Hebei Province, and it takes about 3 hours to get there from Beijing. If you want public transportation, you can take the Jinshanling Tourist Bus Line to the scenic area from the Dongzhimen Bus Station. The bus departs at 7:40 and returns at 16:00.

I recommend hiring a driver to leave Beijing at night and arrive early in the morning to find even fewer people. You can DM me on Instagram to get the driver’s info.

If you decide to head there with a driver early in the morning, you will return to Beijing around noon, leaving you plenty of time to explore other attractions. One great option is the popular 798 Art District (798艺术区). Located in a former military factory complex, this creative hub has transformed into one of the city’s most vibrant cultural zones. The industrial-style buildings now house contemporary art galleries, experimental studios, trendy cafés, and design boutiques. Wandering through its alleyways, you’ll find large-scale murals and art installations, making it the perfect place to experience Beijing’s modern, artistic side.

The 798 Art District (798艺术区) is not directly connected to the subway, but it is easy to reach with a short transfer by bus. One option is to take Subway Line 14 to Wangjing South Station, then cross the street to Xibajianfang Station, where you can catch Bus 403 and get off at Dashanzi Road East Station, right by the art zone. Another option is to take Subway Line 14 to Jiangtai Station, exit from Gate A, and walk to the Jiangtai Road North bus stop, where several buses (401, 445, 988, or 991) will take you to Dashanzi Road South Station, which also provides convenient access to the district.

Day Three: Temples and Parks

On the third and final day, you can visit the other famous places in the city, depending on what you like most.

Tempio del Cielo (天坛)

The Temple of Heaven is a vast imperial complex where, for centuries, the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties prayed for good harvests and harmony in the empire. Built in the early 15th century during the reign of Emperor Yongle, the same ruler who commissioned the Forbidden City, it stands as one of the finest examples of sacred Chinese architecture. Its most iconic structures include the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a three-tiered circular wooden building constructed entirely without nails, and the Circular Mound Altar, where the most important ceremonies were held to honor heaven and ensure agricultural prosperity.

The complex is surrounded by a large park that today is popular with locals practicing tai chi, singing in groups, or playing badminton, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into Beijing’s daily life. The park opens at 6:00 a.m., while the central temple area opens at 8:00 a.m., making an early visit a great way to experience both local culture and the site’s historical grandeur.

Take Line 5 to Tiantan Dongmen Station (天坛东门站 / Temple of Heaven East Gate). Use Exit A, and you’ll arrive directly at the East Gate of the park.

Summer Palace (颐和园)

The Summer Palace is an imperial garden first constructed in the 18th century as a royal retreat for China’s emperors. Centered around the vast Kunming Lake and the tree-covered Longevity Hill, it is renowned for its harmonious blend of nature and architecture. The complex features elegant pavilions, corridors decorated with intricate paintings, and bridges that connect scenic islands on the lake. Once a summer escape from the heat of Beijing, today it offers visitors a chance to appreciate one of the most beautiful examples of classical Chinese landscape design.

Take Line 4 to Beigongmen Station (北宫门站 / North Palace Gate). Use Exit D, and you’ll be just a short walk from the North Gate of the Summer Palace. Another option is Xiyuan Station (西苑站), also on Line 4, which is closer to the East Gate.

Lama Temple (雍和宫)

The Lama Temple is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist temples in China and still serves as a very active religious center today. Originally built as a royal residence during the Qing dynasty, it was converted into a monastery in 1744 and became a reference point for monks from all over the country. The complex is distinguished by architecture that blends Han and Tibetan elements, with golden roofs, richly decorated halls, and harmonious courtyards. Among its main attractions is the majestic 18-meter-high Maitreya Buddha, carved from a single piece of sandalwood, making it one of the largest wooden statues in the world. Strolling through its pavilions and breathing in the scent of incense allows you to immerse yourself in a spiritual atmosphere that contrasts with the frenetic pace of the capital.

Take Line 2 or Line 5 to Yonghegong Station (雍和宫站). From there, follow the signs: the temple entrance is just a few minutes’ walk away.

Beihai Park (北海公园)

Beihai Park is one of China’s oldest and best-preserved imperial gardens, with a history of more than 1,000 years. Once reserved exclusively for the imperial family, it was gradually expanded during the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, reflecting the evolving styles of classical Chinese garden design. Covering a vast area with a large central lake, the park offers peaceful walking paths, pavilions, and historic temples. At its heart lies Jade Flower Island (琼华岛), crowned by the White Dagoba, a Tibetan-style stupa built in the 17th century during the reign of the Shunzhi Emperor.

Take Line 6 to Beihai North Station (北海北站). From Exit B, it’s about a 5–10 minute walk to the park’s north entrance.

Study trip in Beijing?

I often receive questions from people who would like to move to China, maybe even to Beijing itself. What I always recommend before making such a big decision is to try living there for a short period first, for example, through a study-abroad program. China is by no means an easy country to live in, especially because of the cultural differences, and spending some time there while studying the language will help you understand whether it is the right life choice for you or not.

If you’re interested in a similar experience, I recommend the same school I chose when I decided to move to Yunnan. They also have a campus in Beijing and are very good. You can contact them by email, and if you mention my name (FABIO), they will offer you a small discount. This is the email address: [email protected].

Final Thoughts

Beijing is ideally the first stop for most people who visit China for the first time (here’s my China Travel Guide). Although not as international as Shanghai, Beijing has a much richer history and cultural heritage. You can easily spend a week there without ever getting bored. Remember to try the delicious Beijing Duck, one of the best dishes in China.

One very important information for drone enthusiasts: since May 1, 2026 drone are not allowed in Beijing anymore. This means that if you have a connecting flight in Beijing, your drone will be confiscated.

If you still have some time left, you might want to consider heading to Tianjin, a nearby city reachable by high-speed train (only 30 minutes away), where you can find the iconic Binhai Library. Here you can find more ideas for your trip to China.

Remember to get a VPN and/or an eSIM before traveling to China. As for travel insurance, I recommend this one.

Here is my travel guide to Nanjing, another historically very important city in China, and here is my travel guide to Zhangjiajie. Here’s my travel guide to Seoul. If you want to explore the Ancient Silk Road, check out this guide to Gansu.

Don’t miss my travel guide to my fav city in China: Chongqing.