Beijing China 7 Day Itinerary
Beijing, China 7-Day Travel Itinerary (Markdown Format)
Day 1: Arrival & Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City
- Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport
- Check-in at your hotel (recommended: [Courtyard by Marriott Beijing] (https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pekcy-courtyard-beijing-courtyard/) or [Park Plaza Hotel Beijing Wangfujing] (https://www.parkplaza.com/beijingwangfujing))
- Lunch: Try Peking Duck at Quanjude (全聚德) near the Forbidden City
- Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, explore these iconic landmarks
- Dinner: Local street food in Wangfujing Snack Street or Nanluoguxiang area
Day 2: Temple of Heaven & Hutongs
- Breakfast: Silk Road Restaurant for Chinese and Western cuisine
- Visit the Temple of Heaven, a historic complex of religious buildings
- Explore the local hutongs (alleyways) in the area, including [Niaochao Hutong] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niujie_Hutong) or [Qianhai Lake Hutong] (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction/d17648-r205380-qm67-v167:Q3103:0a5404c0-9a6b-48a1-9fbf-a9f6aad64e01.html)
- Lunch: Zhonglou Xiaochi (钟楼小吃), a local restaurant in the Temple of Heaven area
- In the evening, enjoy a performance of the Beijing Opera or a show at the China National Acrobats Theatre
Day 3: Great Wall of China - Mutianyu Section
- Breakfast: Hotel or grab a quick meal on the way to the Great Wall
- Head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, approximately 1.5 hours from downtown Beijing by car
- Spend the day exploring, hiking, and taking photos at this historic site
- Lunch: A local restaurant near Mutianyu or pack a picnic lunch
- Return to Beijing in the late afternoon, and rest for the evening
Day 4: Summer Palace & Lama Temple
- Breakfast: Hotel or a local café nearby
- Visit the Summer Palace, the largest imperial garden in China with stunning architecture and landscapes
- Explore the Lama Temple (Yonghegong), an impressive Buddhist temple complex
- Lunch: Noodle Street (Liangmaqiao) for a variety of noodle dishes
- Spend the evening at leisure, perhaps exploring local shops or night markets such as [Dashanzi Art District] (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction/d17648-r205380-qm67-v167:Q176-aid1347-mid30931348-tid277423798-The_798_Art_Zone.html)
Day 5: Olympic Park & Local Neighborhoods
- Breakfast: Hotel or a local café nearby
- Visit the Bird’s Nest Stadium and Water Cube at the Olympic Park, iconic venues from the 2008 Olympics
- Explore Shichahai, a beautiful lake area with traditional Chinese architecture, hutongs, and Shichahai Bar Street
- Lunch: Try local snacks at Shichahai or try Siji Minfu (四季民府) for delicious Peking cuisine
- In the evening, check out the Drum Tower and Nanluoguxiang area, filled with trendy bars, cafes, and shops
Day 6: Ming Tombs & Museum
- Breakfast: Hotel or a local café nearby
- Visit the Ming Tombs, the burial site of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors
- Explore the China National Museum to learn about China’s history and culture
- Lunch: Local restaurant near the museum or try some street food at the museum’s food court
- Spend the rest of the day at leisure, perhaps relaxing at a local park or exploring other areas of interest
Day 7: Departure
- Breakfast: Hotel or a local café nearby
- Depending on your flight schedule, you may want to do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Beijing
- Head to the airport and safely travel home with fond memories of your trip to Beijing!
Transportation
- Taxis and ride-hailing services (Didi) are widely available
- Consider purchasing a 24-hour or 72-hour Public Transportation Pass for easy access to subways, buses, and certain tourist sites
- Bicycles can also be rented in many areas for exploring the city
Tips & Additional Information
- Bring cash (CNY) as well as a credit or debit card for larger purchases and ATMs are widely available throughout Beijing
- Learn some basic Chinese phrases to help with communication
- Respect local customs and etiquette, especially when visiting temples and other religious sites
- Check the weather forecast before your trip and dress appropriately, as temperatures can vary greatly throughout the year