Top Things to Do in Beijing China for First-Timers
I recently spent 5 days in Beijing China, and tried to fit as many Beijing attractions as I could.
Here are my top things to do in Beijing, costs if any, plus tips for visiting each place.
If this is your first time in Beijing, make sure to read my Beijing travel guide before you visit, including important information I wish I knew (and lessons learned) as a tourist.
Top 5 Things to Do in Beijing
If you’re only limited to a short visit to Beijing, here are my top picks for things to do in Beijing:
- Great Wall of China
- Palace Museum / Forbidden City
- Tiannamen Square
- Summer Palace
- Qianmen Street
Also check out my 3 and 5-day Beijing travel itinerary to help you plan your trip.
Beijing Travel Essentials
You can prebook these before your trip:
▢ China eSIM card from Airalo
▢ Ride from the airport: prebook a transfer
▢ Book discounted Beijing hotels (what I use)
▢ Beijing Palace Museum Ticket (The Forbidden City)
▢ Join the most popular tours in Beijing
Top Things to Do in Beijing
NOTE: For each location, I listed names in Chinese to copy and paste into apps.
Apple Maps works in Beijing, but the interface will not show until you arrive in China.
There are locals app like Baidu Maps (in Chinese, but not impossible to use if you have the location copied in Chinese), but I found Apple Maps to be the easiest.
Historical Beijing Attractions
TIP: For all of these things to do in Beijing, make sure to bring your passport for ID check points.
Locals will have an ID scanner. For foreigners, you usually just show the passport to them.
Tiananmen Square
Name in Chinese: 天安门广场
Cost: Free but reservation required
Tiananmen Square, located in the center of Beijing, is one of the largest city squares in the world at 440,000 sq. meters.
The square has great cultural significance as it was the site of important events in Chinese history, including the 1989 pro-democracy protests.
Things to do at Tiananmen Square:
- Tiananmen Tower entrance (Historic imperial gate)
- Monument to the People’s Heroes (Granite monument, revolutionary history)
- Great Hall of the People (China’s legislative building)
- Mao Zedong Mausoleum (Final resting place of Chairman Mao)
Tips for visiting Tiananmen Square:
- You will fall into a security line before entering.
- Entrance is free, but you need to make a reservation on WeChat or Alipay, or if you already have a ticket reserved for the Forbidden City, Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, or National Museum of China.
- You show your reservation email or ticket as proof.
- Book ahead of time! Popular things to do in Beijing require at least a day in advance.
Palace Museum (Forbidden City)
Name in Chinese: 故宫博物院
Cost: $5 USD | Book Tickets on Klook
The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, is the world’s largest palace complex, and is located to the north of Tiananmen Square.
It served as the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, from 1420 to 1912.
It covers 180 acres with 980 surviving buildings with 8,707 rooms.
The Forbidden City is named so because it was off-limits to the general public for 500 years.
Things to do at the Palace Museum:
- Meridian Gate (Main entrance gate)
- Hall of Supreme Harmony (Largest hall)
- Imperial Garden (Beautiful landscaping)
Tips for visiting Palace Museum:
- You can reserve for a morning time or afternoon time.
- There will be several lines at the entrance. Fall in line on the right with the ticket booth entrances.
- They will check your email with the reservation and your passport.
- It gets quite crowded, so try to visit early in the morning or late afternoon before closing.
Great Wall of China
Name in Chinese: 慕田峪长城
Cost: Varies | Book in advance on Viator
Recommended Route: Mutianyu
The Great Wall of China stretches over 21,000 km (13,000 miles), making it the longest wall in the world, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Construction of the wall started as early as the 7th century BC.
It’s made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, and was originally built to protect the Chinese states and empires against raids and invasions.
Different areas of the Great Wall:
- Mutianyu: Popular route for its scenic views and rides like cable cars and toboggan slide.
- Badaling: The most visited section due to its features in popular media and proximity to Beijing, though it can get crowded.
- Jinshanling: Known for its architecture and watchtowers, and is less crowded.
- Simatai: This side is more rugged and also less crowded, and is popular for being open at night.
Tips for visiting the Great Wall:
- There are several areas of the Great Wall to visit, and each may require separate day trips.
- Take the Mutianyu route, which is less busy and has the famous toboggan slide. I booked a tour on Viator.
- You can hike the west and east route of the Mutianyu Wall which takes around 3 hours in total and is a moderate hike. There are many steep steps, so make sure to bring good walking shoes.
Top Beijing Tours to Join:
🚌 Great Wall of China daily group tour (what I did)
🚙 All-inclusive private day tour of Beijing
🎫 4-Hour small group tour to Forbidden City (tickets included)
National Museum of China
Name in Chinese: 中国国家博物馆
Cost: Free but reservation required
The National Museum of China, located on the eastern side of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, is one of the largest museums in the world, dedicated to Chinese art and history.
It was founded in 2003 through the merger of the National Museum of Chinese History and the National Museum of Chinese Revolution.
The museum’s collection includes over a million artifacts!
Things to do in Beijing National Museum of China:
- China Through the Ages Exhibit (Chronological historical artifacts)
- Ancient China Exhibit (Comprehensive historical overview)
- Road to Rejuvenation Exhibit (Modern history focus)
- Ancient Chinese Jades (Extensive jade collection)
Tips for visiting the National Museum of China:
- Make a reservation on WeChat or on the official website.
- It’s encouraged to book a few days to a week in advance.
Temple of Heaven
Name in Chinese: 天坛公园
Cost: $3 for general admission, $5 USD for a pass | Book Tickets on Klook
The Temple of Heaven in Beijing is a complex of religious buildings where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties conducted ceremonies for good harvests.
It was built in 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, the same emperor who oversaw the construction of the Forbidden City.
The park is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Things to do at Temple of Heaven:
- Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (Triple-gabled circular pavilion)
- Imperial Vault of Heaven (Houses ‘God’s Tablets’)
- Circular Mound Altar (Used for winter solstice ceremonies)
- Danbi Bridge (Connects north and south parts)
Tips for visiting Temple of Heaven:
- A ticket pass includes access to other attractions inside like the prayer hall and circle.
- You can prebook it on Klook (recommended for peak travel seasons).
Summer Palace
Name in Chinese: 颐和园
Cost: $3-4 USD for general admission, $7-8 USD for pass | Book on Klook
The Summer Palace in Beijing is a large lakefront palace of Chinese landscape garden design, natural landscapes, pavilions, halls, palaces, temples, and bridges.
It was originally built in 1750 and served as a royal garden for the Qing Dynasty.
The area is 2.9 sq. kilometers, three-quarters of which is water.
The Summer Palace is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Things to do in Beijing Summer Palace:
- Tower of Buddhist Incense (Central religious site)
- Garden of Virtue and Harmony (Historic theater stage)
- Hall of Jade Ripples (Emperor Guangxu’s residence)
- Marble Boat (Western-style ornate pavilion)
Tips for visiting Summer Palace:
- A ticket pass includes access to other attractions inside like Foxiang Pavilion and Summer Palace Museum.
- Book tickets in advance on Klook, especially during busy seasons like summer, otherwise you can buy tickets when you get there.
- You can walk around the whole lake, though it may take a while.
Beijing Attractions for Shopping
Here are additional commercial and shopping things to do in Beijing:
Qianmen Street
Name in Chinese: 前门大街
Cost: Free (they do check IDs/passports)
Qianmen Street is a famous pedestrian street filled with beautiful but modern traditional-style shops, restaurants, and traditional Chinese tea houses.
It’s located just south of Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
The street’s history dates back over 570 years, serving as a commercial hub during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
I stayed in the Qianmen Area and it was nice to walk through each day, and was busy and lit up each night.
Tips for visiting Qianmen Street:
- Make sure you bring your passport. While locals scan their IDs, tourists show their passport to security.
- If you’re able to, visit during the day and night.
Dashilan Street
Name in Chinese: 大栅栏街道
Cost: Free
Dashilan Street is one of the oldest commercial streets in Beijing, more than 580 years old.
It’s located within the Qianmen Street area.
You’ll see traditional Chinese architecture and shops selling Chinese medicines, teas, and other goods.
It’s one of the most popular things to do in Beijing at night.
Tips for visiting Dashilan Street:
- To enter, you walk through Qianmen Street, where an ID/passport check is required.
Wangfujing Avenue
Name in Chinese: 王府井大街
Cost: Free
Wangfujing Avenue is a most famous shopping and pedestrian street in Beijing, and is known for its modern malls, traditional stores, and Snack Street (closed when I went).
It’s located in the Dongcheng District and has been a commercial hub since the Ming Dynasty.
You’ll find a range of retail outlets, including international brands, luxury boutiques, local shops, and large department stores.
Tips for visiting Wangfujing Avenue:
- The walking promenade is big with benches you can sit on.
- Visit 北京apm mall for international shopping brands.
Hongqiao Market (Pearl Market)
Name in Chinese: 红桥市场
Cost: Free
Hongqiao Market, also known as the Pearl Market, is a popular shopping mall located in the southeast part of central Beijing.
It’s right across the street from Temple of Heaven.
The mall has a wide selection of souvenirs, jewelry, electronics, and traditional Chinese crafts. It has several floors, each dedicated to different types of merchandise.
Tips for visiting Hongqiao Market:
- If you’re specifically buying jewelry, gemstones, and clothes this would be a good place to shop. I personally sped through each floor.
- There is a food court in the basement. (If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, here’s vegan restaurants in Beijing.)
798 Art Zone
Name in Chinese: 798艺术区
Cost: Free (gallery tickets will vary)
The 798 Art Zone, also known as Dashanzi Art District, is a popular hub for contemporary art mixed with historical industrial architecture.
The district covers an area of 0.6 sq. kilometers with lots of art galleries, studios, vintage shops, cafes, and museums you can visit.
Tips for visiting 798 Art Zone:
- 798 Art Zone is closer to the airport, so it may take almost an hour to get there by train. I highly recommend visiting though if you have a few hours to spare.
- It is about a 15-minute walk from the nearest subway.
Add a Beijing Tour to your trip:
🎫 Great Wall of China daily group tour (what I did)
🎫 All-inclusive private day tour of Beijing
🎫 4-Hour small group tour to Forbidden City (tickets included)
Beijing Attractions: Parks
I went to a few parks in Beijing, which are grand and beautiful. It was one of my favorite things to do in Beijing.
Most parks have a small entry fee, some as low as 10 US cents.
Prices will vary depending on low and high tourist seasons, but not by much.
Parks close late, though they do not have the best lighting at night. Food is allowed in parks and there are recycling bins everywhere.
Beihai Park
Name in Chinese: 北海公园
Cost: 5-10 CNY ($0.70 USD – $1.40 USD)
Beihai Park, located in the northwestern part of the Imperial City, is one of the oldest and largest ancient imperial gardens in China.
It was my favorite park I visited in Beijing.
It covers more than 69 hectares, with a lake that covers more than half of the entire park.
Beihai Park was opened to the public in 1925 and is known for its beautiful gardens, temples, and palaces.
Tips for visiting Beihai Park:
- I wish I had gone to this park earlier to see the sunset rather than Jingshan Park, which was packed for sunset viewing.
- Try to go early, as it gets quite dark at night.
- It’s walkable from Jingshan Park.
Jingshan Park
Name in Chinese: 景山公园
Cost: 2 CNY ($0.28 USD)
Jingshan Park is an imperial park located directly north of the Forbidden City in Beijing and covers 23 hectares.
It’s a popular spot to the see the sunset and panoramic views of the city as well as the Forbidden City.
There’s also lush gardens and pavillions.
Tips for visiting Jingshan Park:
- There are several viewing decks for sunset views and of the Forbidden City the higher you walk up. It does get quite packed.
- If you stay past sunset, you can see the Forbidden City lit up.
Longtan Park
Name in Chinese: 龙潭公园
Cost: 2 CNY ($0.28 USD)
Longtan Park is located near the Temple of Heaven and is known for its large lake and traditional Chinese landscapes.
The park’s name, which means “Dragon Pool,” comes from the dragon-shaped boats used in the lake.
The park covers an area of about 49.2 hectares, featuring rock gardens, dragon boats, and several recreational facilities.
Tips for visiting Longtan Park:
- The nearest subway station is still a bit far, so bus or taxi may be better.
- If you’re in Beijing during holidays and festivals, there’s usually cultural activities at Longtan Park.
Other parks to visit in Beijing:
- Olympic Forest Park
- Yuanmingyuan Park
- Qingnianhu Park
- Tuanjiehu Park
Other popular places to visit in Beijing
Here are other things to do in Beijing if you have more time:
- Universal Studios Beijing
- Lama temple
- Beijing Temple of Confucius
- Prince Gong Mansion Museum
- Ming Dynasty Tombs
- Peking University (requires reservation)
I hope this was helpful and you found some fun things to do in Beijing.
I loved exploring and walking around the city, and am looking forward to visiting again!
Beijing Checklist: have you booked these yet?
▢ China eSIM card (reliable option)
▢ Ride from the airport: prebook a transfer
▢ Book discounted Beijing hotels (what I use)
▢ Beijing Palace Museum Ticket (The Forbidden City)
▢ Browse through dozens of available Beijing tours