Beijing, China 6 Day Itinerary

Beijing 6-Day Travel Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City

  • Stay at: The Opposite House or The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing (luxury) / Jinjiinnio Hotel or Jing’an Courtyard Hotel (mid-range)
  • Eat at: Dong Lai Shun for Peking Duck, Quanjude for more affordable Peking Duck
  • Activities: Start your day with a visit to Tiananmen Square, the symbolic center of China. Then head over to the Forbidden City, the largest palace complex in the world and the former residence of emperors for five centuries.
  • Things to know: Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Remember to respect local customs and dress appropriately (no short sleeves or shorts at historical sites).
  • Transportation: Subway is the most convenient way to get around. Make sure to download the Beijing Metro app for offline use.

Day 2: Temple of Heaven & Hutongs

  • Eat at: Nanluoguxiang area for local street food, Yandaixiejie Snack Street
  • Activities: Visit the Temple of Heaven in the morning. Afterward, explore the traditional Hutong neighborhoods and the old alleyways on a rickshaw tour.
  • Things to know: The Hutongs are residential areas where you can get a glimpse of traditional Beijing life. Remember to bargain when shopping at local markets.

Day 3: Great Wall & Ming Tombs

  • Eat at: Jade Carp Restaurant for lunch with a view of the Great Wall
  • Activities: Spend the day exploring the Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling. In the afternoon, visit the Ming Tombs, the burial site of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
  • Things to know: Wear layers for the Great Wall as it can be cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon. Bring water and snacks.

Day 4: Summer Palace & Olympic Park

  • Eat at: Yibanfu Restaurant or Shichahai Beer Garden for local cuisine
  • Activities: In the morning, visit the Summer Palace, the largest imperial garden in China. Spend the afternoon exploring the Olympic Park where the 2008 Olympics were held.
  • Things to know: The Summer Palace is huge, so you might want to rent a bike or take a boat ride on Kunming Lake.

Day 5: 798 Art Zone & Lama Temple

  • Eat at: Dali Courtyard for Yunnan cuisine, Tongrentang for traditional Chinese medicine tea
  • Activities: Spend the day exploring the contemporary art scene at the 798 Art Zone. Visit the Lama Temple, one of Beijing’s largest and most impressive temples.
  • Things to know: The 798 Art Zone is a must for anyone interested in modern art. Remember to respect the culture when visiting religious sites like the Lama Temple.

Day 6: Departure

  • Activities: Spend your last day shopping for souvenirs at Silk Street Market or Wangfujing Street. Depending on your flight time, you might want to revisit a favorite spot from the week.
  • Things to know: Beijing is known for its silks and jade, so these are great items to buy as souvenirs. Be aware of scams at markets, especially when buying watches or jewelry.

Enjoy your trip to Beijing! Remember to always respect local customs and traditions, and have a wonderful time exploring this fascinating city.