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Planning a trip to Beijing, China? Then this guide is for you.
There are so many incredible things to do in this vibrant capital city, from exploring the Forbidden City to visiting the Great Wall and trying lots of local food. The only question is… where do you start?
Well, we’ve been lucky enough to immerse ourselves in Beijing’s rich culture and history on several different visits to the city, and we’re constantly in awe of its charm. It’s a huge city and a new adventure awaits around every corner, so we decided to compile our top 10 list of things to do to make it easier for you to plan your trip. Let’s go!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did in Beijing is this guided tour to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall! Taking an organized tour made visiting these iconic sights easy and we learned so much with our local guide.
- Don't Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
- Things to do in Beijing, China
- 1. Visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall
- 2. Taste your way around Beijing
- 3. Explore the Forbidden City with a private guide
- 4. See sunset at the Great Wall of China
- 5. Experience the Temple of Heaven with skip the line entry
- 6. Explore Beijing on a bicycle
- 7. Visit the iconic Summer Palace and see Beijing Pandas
- 8. Take a day trip to Xi'an to see the Terracotta Warriors
- 9. See Beijing all lit up at night
- 10. Learn how to cook authentic Chinese food
- Where to Stay in Beijing
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Beijing, China
1. Visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and Mutianyu Great Wall
- Price: $90 – $192 USD
- Duration: 8 – 9 hours
- Time: 8 am, 8:30 am, or 9 am
- Highlights: visiting Tiananmen Square, seeing the Forbidden City, walking along the Great Wall of China, cable car or chairlift ride at the Great Wall
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, private transport and driver, private guide, admission tickets and local taxes, lunch, cable car or chair lift ticket at the Great Wall
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
If there’s one thing that you MUST do in Beijing, it’s this private all-inclusive day tour. It covers not one but three of the city’s most iconic attractions, so we couldn’t pass up the chance to book it – and neither should you!
Our adventure began at Tiananmen Square, which is one of the largest and most famous city squares in the world. It was fascinating to hear the history of this square from our guide!
From there, it was a short walk to the Forbidden City, a sprawling imperial palace with over 9,000 rooms. Of course, we didn’t have time to visit every single one, but we loved exploring this sprawling complex and hearing about the secrets of the 24 different emperors who called the palace home over the course of some 500 years.
We stopped at a local restaurant for some delicious dumplings, and then we headed towards the final highlight of the day: the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Seeing the wall was surreal and this section is much less crowded than many others, so we had plenty of space to take in the views. We opted to take the chairlift up and the toboggan ride down, which was so much fun!
If we only had one day to spend in Beijing, this is how we would spend it. It’s an incredible tour that allowed us to tick off three of China’s most iconic highlights, so we really don’t think it can be beaten.
Check out the 1,200+5-star reviews and book this tour here!
2. Taste your way around Beijing
- Price: $75 USD
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Time: 5:30 pm – 7 pm
- Highlights: exploring Beijing’s old hutong alleyways, sampling Beijing street food staples, dining at tucked-away restaurants and local homes, unlimited beer along the way, stop at a local brewery
- Inclusions: local guide, 4 food stops, unlimited beer and sodas, small group tour
- Rating: 5 stars (check 800+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
What’s the best way to get to know a new city? Through its stomach, of course! So as huge foodies, we just had to book this street food tour and it was absolutely amazing!
Beijing’s hutong alleyways are a treasure trove of history and flavor, but these maze-like courtyards and alleyways can be pretty intimidating to head into on your own. So going with our guide, Winnie, was an absolute dream and we learned so much about Beijing’s rich street food culture.
Winnie’s passion for food was obvious and she took us wandering through the hutongs, where we stopped at tucked-away food spots that we wouldn’t have found on our own in a million years! We enjoyed Beijing hotpot in traditional copper pots, spring pancakes, and yummy Beijing noodles.
What made the experience even better was the fact that we got unlimited beer and soda throughout. There was even a stop at a local brewery to enjoy some craft beer, which was a real treat.
Honestly, this is so much more than a food tour. It was a deep dive into the heart and soul of Beijing, so if you want to get to know the real city, make sure to book this tour.
This tour is likely to sell out – reserve your spot here to join!
3. Explore the Forbidden City with a private guide
- Price: $90 – $164 USD
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 8 am – 1 pm
- Highlights: exploring the Forbidden City, strolling around Tiananmen Square, customizable tour
- Inclusions: hotel meetup, private guide, entrance fees, personalized itinerary
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 450+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
If you’re short on time in Beijing, this half-day private tour is a must. We found it to be the perfect way to dive into the heart of Chinese history, without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Our guide, Moko had an infectious energy and we were rapt as he weaved emperors, political, and cultural quirks into the tales he told us.
Moko helped us to navigate Beijing’s public transport, and we headed to Tiananmen Square, where we took a moment just to marvel at its sheer size, not to mention its historical significance. Moko made the past come to life as he showed us iconic landmarks like the Great Hall of the People and Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum.
The true highlight of the day, though, was the Forbidden City. We walked through the grand Meridian Gate and it was like stepping into another world. Moko’s commentary really helped us to understand the cultural significance of this huge palatial complex, from the Hall of Great Harmony to the gorgeous Imperial Garden.
Having a private guide meant we were free to ask endless questions and customize our visit to focus on the areas that intrigued us the most, so it really was worth spending a little extra money on.
If you’re a history buff looking for a seamless tour that delivers the VIP treatment, then do not hesitate to book this tour. It’s not every day that you get to visit the Forbidden City, so you may as well do it right!
Book this tour here and access FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
4. See sunset at the Great Wall of China
- Price: $106 – $240 USD
- Duration: 9 hours
- Time: 11 am
- Highlights: exploring the Great Wall at Gubeikou, lunch at a local restaurant, watching the sunset from the Wall at Jinshanling with panoramic mountain views
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, professional guide, lunch, snacks, bottled water
- Rating: 5 stars (check 250+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Visiting the Great Wall of China is undoubtedly a bucket list experience. But watching the sunset over the never-ending mountain landscape from the Wall? That’s just on another level, so don’t miss out on this incredible tour.
This tour was seamless from start to finish, thanks to our incredible guide, Leo, who really went above and beyond to make this experience special. He took us to quiet and insanely scenic spots, taught us a ton about the history of the wall, and took such great care of our entire group.
We began by driving out of Beijing into the serene countryside, which was a welcome change of pace. We stopped at Gubeikou, a quiet and rugged section of the Wall. We could practically feel the history seeping out of every stone, and the views were truly jaw-dropping.
After Gubeikou, we had a delicious local lunch and continued on to Jinshanling, which was even more picturesque. The views stretched for miles, and seeing the Wall bathed in gold and crimson light as the sun set was just magical. There weren’t many other tourists around, so we had this amazing vantage point almost to ourselves!
If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Beijing, this is it. It’s intimate, immersive, and beyond beautiful.
Check availability and book this once in a lifetime tour here!
5. Experience the Temple of Heaven with skip the line entry
- Price: $35 – $128 USD
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 7:45 am – 2 pm
- Highlights: skip-the-line entry to the Temple of Heaven, exploring at your own pace with a private guide, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, Circular Mound Altar, Imperial Vault of Heaven
- Inclusions: entrance to the Temple of Heaven; tickets to Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, the Circular Mound Altar, and the Imperial Vault of Heaven; private guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check 100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
The Temple of Heaven is not your everyday temple! This round, multi-tiered temple is a masterpiece of Ming dynasty architecture and one of Beijing’s most iconic buildings, so checking it out is an absolute must-do while you’re in the city.
We had heard horror stories about the Uber-long ticket lines outside the temple, so when we found out we could pre-book them online, we jumped at the chance. Plus, this meant that we got to explore with a private guide and dive deep into Beijing’s religious history. I’d call that a win-win, wouldn’t you?
Our experience was seamless. We met our guide, Li, at the temple’s East Gate, and we didn’t have to wait. We just scanned our QR code and walked right in!
Li was knowledgeable and passionate about the temple, and her English was impeccable, so it was really easy to understand her. It was interesting to learn about different religious rituals and about the symbolism behind the temple’s colors, carvings, and layout.
We also loved seeing the Circular Mound Altar, where emperors used to perform ceremonies to ensure a good harvest. The acoustics were fascinating, too, as the balustrades sent our own voices back to us!
As far as we’re concerned, this tour is the best way to see the Temple of Heaven. Having a private guide really enriched the experience, and having our entry pre-booked saved us so much time.
Book this popular tour here and get FREE cancellation before you take off!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Explore Beijing on a bicycle
- Price: $79 USD
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Time: 10 am, 2 pm, or 6 pm
- Highlights: navigating Beijing’s hutongs with a private guide, choice of regular or e-bike, discovering hidden gems, sampling street food, playing traditional games, opportunity to swim in ancient lakes or enjoy rooftop views
- Inclusions: bike or e-bike, private guide, bottled water, choice of meeting points
- Rating: 5 stars (check 100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
This hutong e-bike tour is the most unique and exciting way to experience Beijing. Cruising through Beijing’s historic hutongs with a private guide was a blast, and we really got to see the local side of the city.
Our guide, Dominic, was a true gem, and he helped us to navigate the hutongs like pros. We loved stopping for street food at family-owned spots and seeing locals going about their daily lives. We also got to cover so much ground in just a few hours, so this tour is the perfect choice for those who are short on time.
The e-bikes were in pristine condition and they were super easy to ride. We had the chance to peek inside traditional courtyard homes as we pedaled along and Dominic told us fascinating stories about life in the hutongs. He also took us to a bustling street food market where we ate spicy skewers and freshly steamed bus – they were so good!
Dominic also offered us the chance to try out traditional games, so, of course, we leaped at the chance. He also took us to a secret rooftop viewpoint and to one of Beijing’s ancient lakes. If you bring your swimwear, you can even take a dip!
If you love personal, off-the-beaten-path tours, we cannot recommend booking this tour enough. It was so much fun, and it really made us fall in love with Beijing.
Don’t miss out – book this top-rated tour in advance here!
7. Visit the iconic Summer Palace and see Beijing Pandas
- Price: $60 – $138 USD
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 8:30 am or 1:30 pm
- Highlights: visiting the Panda House at Beijing Zoo, touring the beautiful Summer Palace and its royal garden, taking a boat ride on Kunming Lake
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, private guide, entrance fees, bottled water
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Beijing is one of the best places in the world to see giant pandas. We were so excited for this half-day tour, as we got to see the Panda House at Beijing Zoo and explore the beautiful Summer Palace.
Visiting the Panda House was such a special experience, and it was amazing to see these gentle giants up close. We enjoyed it all the more thanks to our guide, Maggie. She shared tons of fascinating facts about these lovable creatures with us!
Then, after our panda encounter, we hopped back into our private vehicle and headed off to the Summer Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The vast grounds were absolutely beautiful and Maggie’s deep knowledge of Chinese history really brought them to life for us. We even got to enjoy a tranquil boat ride on Kunming Lake, which was the highlight of the day for me!
On our way back to our hotel, we made a quick stop at the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube in Beijing’s Olympic Village. It certainly offered a striking contrast to the traditional beauty of the Summer Palace.
We’re so glad that we did this tour, as it was a really relaxed day out, and seeing the giant pandas was wonderful. This is an amazing choice for families and it actually made a pretty romantic day out for the two of us. We would definitely do it again!
Reserve this tour here to access flexible payment and cancellation options.
8. Take a day trip to Xi’an to see the Terracotta Warriors
- Price: $386 – $565 USD
- Duration: 17 hours
- Time: 6:30 am
- Highlights: bullet train ride, seeing the Terracotta Warriors, learning about their history from a historian guide
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, all transfers in Beijing and Xi’an, return bullet train tickets, skip-the-line Terracotta Warrior Museum entry, English-speaking guide, lunch
- Rating: 5 stars (check 100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: no
Visiting the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an is an experience that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. And while Xi’an isn’t exactly next door to Beijing, it’s possible to take a day trip if you go via bullet train. So we booked this tour because it organized everything for us: train tickets, admission, and even a private guide!
The bullet train ride itself was a really exciting experience, and the scenery was beautiful. Having said that, we did both nod off at some point on the journey because the train was super comfy!
Upon arrival in Xi’an, our local guide, Lily, was waiting for us with a sign, ready to whisk us away to the Terracotta Warriors Museum.
We enjoyed skip-the-line entry, so we didn’t have to wait, and we were able to ask tons of questions and learn all about the site’s incredible history. Lily provided deep insights into the history of the tombs, from its construction to its (relatively) recent discovery by a local farmer.
After seeing this legendary site, Lily took us to a local restaurant for lunch, where she helped us order some classic Xi’an dishes, including the famous Biang Biang noodles. They were so delicious! Then, we were driven back to the station to catch the bullet train back to Beijing. It was a pretty long day, but it was totally worth it!
Check availability and book this full day tour here!
9. See Beijing all lit up at night
- Price: $90 – $118 USD
- Duration: 3 – 4 hours
- Time: 4:30 pm – 6 pm
- Highlights: admiring Beijing’s highlights after dark, Tiananmen Square, National Centre for Performing Arts, CCTV Headquarters, Beijing National Stadium, Donghuamen Night Market, Wangfujing Night Market, bar hopping around Houhai Lake
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, private guide, customizable itinerary
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Beijing transforms into a glowing wonderland after dark and this private nighttime sightseeing tour is the best way to experience its magic. It was the best night that we spent in Beijing and we would recommend it to anyone!
Our private guide, Jay, gave us the VIP treatment and chauffeured us around. He ensured that we got to see the highlights we were most interested in, starting with the illuminated Chang’an Avenue.
We soaked in the grandeur of Tiananmen Square and then admired the National Centre for the Performing Arts, which Jay taught us is affectionately known as “the Egg.” He also had lots of great photography tips for us!
We ooh-ed and aah-ed at the neon lights along Wangfujing Street and CCTV Headquarters and then asked Jay to take us to a bar around Houhai Lake. He recommended a fantastic local spot, where we enjoyed a drink while watching the boats glide across the lake. Then, we ended the tour in the CBD, which was truly magnificent when it was all lit up! We thought it looked so much better at night than it did during the day.
Seeing Beijing after dark was incredible and we would honestly recommend this tour to everyone. It was a great way to get to know the city after dark and the personal touch of a private tour made it even better.
Book this tour here, before it sells out!
10. Learn how to cook authentic Chinese food
- Price: $128 USD
- Duration: 5 hours
- Time: 8:45 am
- Highlights: condiment class, local market visit, cooking local specialties, enjoying a big meal together
- Inclusions: all ingredients and equipment, professional instructor and guide, lunch, tea and water
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
This hands-on cooking class is a must when you’re in Beijing! It really allowed us to dive headfirst into Chinese culture, starting with the condiments class, where we learned the secrets behind the complex flavors involved in the local cuisine.
Our guide, Chao, then took us to a local market, where we learned how to pick out the best ingredients and shop like true Beijing residents! Chao introduced us to lots of unique products, from exotic vegetables to fragrant spices, and we got to try lots of samples along the way.
Back at Chao’s kitchen, we started preparing four different dishes. We learned how to make perfectly pleated dumplings, and how to get our crispy corn fritters just the right shade of golden. As we cooked, Chao shared lots of tips with us and made the whole process very approachable, so it really doesn’t matter if you’re not much of a cook back home.
But of course, the best part of the class was sitting down to feast on the meal we had created. Every bite was bursting with flavor and we were so proud to say that we had made it all ourselves!
This class was so fun and wholesome, and really allowed us to connect to the local culture. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a solo traveler, with a group, or with kids – this is an interactive and delicious way to spend the day.
Reserve this tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before it begins!
Where to Stay in Beijing
Now that you have a list of the best things to do in Beijing, you need somewhere comfortable to stay! You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to hotels in this city, so to help narrow down your options, I’ve picked out three excellent stays.
Luxury – $$$
If you’re looking for a luxury stay, the Grand Hyatt Beijing will provide it! Located within walking distance of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, you can easily access Beijing’s top sights. The rooms are high-end, offering standard hotel rooms, suites, and apartments. There’s a resort-style pool onsite, five restaurants, a gym, and spa so you can enjoy all the luxuries of your stay!
Prices start at $220 USD per night and can be booked on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Sunworld Dynasty Hotel is a comfortable hotel at a moderate price point. It’s located in the Wangfujing area of Beijing, which is near top shopping and historic sights so you can walk to Beijing’s main attractions. The rooms here are modern and comfortable, ranging from twin to king sized rooms.
Rooms are priced from $110 to $200 USD per night. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
Budget – $
For budget travelers, the Beijing Saga Hotel offers cozy and clean rooms for an affordable price. Located near the Sanlitun Bar Street, it’s a fun area to explore, and you can access the trains by a short walk. The rooms are simply decorated but are perfect for a few nights stay. Prices range from about $60 to $75 USD and range in size and offerings.
Check availability and book this budget stay on Booking.com.
For more options, see all of the hotels in Beijing here.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
We loved exploring Beijing! The city is a unique blend of traditional and modern so each activity we did was a new exciting adventure. This list of the top 10 things to do hits the highlights of Beijing, so if you follow along, I know you’ll have a fantastic experience!
Be sure to check out our other travel guides before you take off! We’ve traveled all over the world and have lots of blogs about our favorite places and experiences. Here are a few related posts to help inspire your travels and plan your next adventure!
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