5 Days in Beijing: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Hutong

1 day exploring Tiananmen Square, the world's largest city square, and the magnificent Forbidden City — a UNESCO World Heritage site with over 900 buildings spanning 500 years of imperial Chinese history. Climb Jingshan Park for the iconic rooftop view.

1 day trip to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall — less crowded than Badaling, with breathtaking mountain scenery. Ride the cable car up, hike the restored wall, and toboggan down. A 1.5-hour drive from central Beijing.

1 day exploring the Temple of Heaven complex with its iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, then cycling through Beijing's ancient hutongs — Nanluoguxiang, Yandai Xiejie, and Shichahai Lake — for an authentic glimpse of old Beijing.

1 day visiting the exquisite Summer Palace, a UNESCO site of imperial gardens and the vast Kunming Lake, then heading to the 798 Art District — a contemporary art hub housed in former factory buildings of Bauhaus design.

1 day visiting the serene Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple), Beijing's most important Tibetan Buddhist monastery, and the adjacent Confucius Temple. End with shopping along Wangfujing or at Sanlitun's boutiques before a farewell Peking duck dinner.

Start at Tiananmen Square, the world's largest public square (440,000 m²). See the Monument to the People's Heroes, Chairman Mao's Mausoleum, the Great Hall of the People, and the National Museum of China. Go through security early to avoid long queues.

Enter the Forbidden City through the Meridian Gate. Follow the central axis: Gate of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Supreme Harmony (the largest surviving wooden hall in China), Hall of Central Harmony, and Hall of Preserving Harmony. Then explore the Inner Court — Palace of Heavenly Purity, Palace of Earthly Tranquility, and the Imperial Garden. Book tickets online in advance (limited daily capacity).

Grab lunch at one of the many restaurants along Jingshan Qianjie. Try zhajiangmian (noodles with fried sauce), jiaozi (dumplings), or a bowl of hearty Beijing-style lamp soup. Several vegetarian-friendly options are available near the park entrance.

Climb the artificial hill at Jingshan Park for the most iconic view of Beijing — the entire Forbidden City laid out below you, with modern Beijing stretching to the horizon. The park was originally part of the imperial palace grounds and offers excellent photo opportunities, especially in the late afternoon golden light.

Stroll through Wangfujing, Beijing's premier shopping street. The night market (Donghuamen Night Market) offers exotic street food — candied hawthorn skewers (bingtanghulu), lamb skewers (yangrou chuan), scorpions, and Beijing-style yogurt. Browse the department stores for souvenirs before dinner.

Savor Beijing's most famous dish — Peking duck. Head to a renowned restaurant like Quanjude (est. 1864) or Dadong for a modern take. Watch the chef carve the crispy-skinned duck tableside, then wrap slices in thin pancakes with scallion, cucumber, and sweet bean sauce. A quintessential Beijing experience.

Depart early for the 1.5-hour drive to Mutianyu. Take a direct tour bus from Dongzhimen or a private taxi. The Mutianyu section is known for being beautifully restored and less crowded than Badaling. Bring water, sunblock, and comfortable walking shoes — there are many stairs!

Take the cable car up to the Great Wall. Hike west along the wall — the restored section stretches for about 3 km with 23 watchtowers. The views of the surrounding forested mountains are spectacular. Climb to Tower 14 for the best photo opportunity. For the adventurous, take the alpine toboggan down instead of the cable car.

Enjoy a rustic farmhouse lunch in the village below the wall. Try local specialties — dongpo pork, steamed fish, stir-fried greens with garlic, and youtiao (fried dough). The farm restaurants source ingredients from local gardens and offer a peaceful courtyard setting.

Return journey to central Beijing. Take some time to rest and freshen up at your hotel. If you have energy, explore the nearby Dongzhimen area or visit the Beijing Ancient Observatory just south of Dongzhimen.

Gui Street (Ghost Street) is Beijing's most famous food street — 1.5 km of restaurants serving every Chinese cuisine imaginable, from fiery Sichuan hotpot to fresh seafood. Try the spicy crayfish (mala xiaolongxia), lamb hotpot, or grilled fish. The street is lively and neon-lit until 4 AM.

Explore the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage site where Ming and Qing emperors performed annual ceremonies for good harvests. See the iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (Qinian Dian), the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Echo Wall. Join the locals practicing taichi, singing opera, and playing cards in the surrounding park.

Lunch at the historic Qianmen pedestrian street. Choose from century-old restaurants like Bianyifang (famous for its oven-baked duck since 1416) or Duyichu (renowned for quick-fried tripe and shaomai dumplings). The area has been a commercial center since Ming dynasty.

Rent a bicycle and explore the maze-like hutongs surrounding Nanluoguxiang. This 800-meter-long alley is lined with quirky boutiques, artisan shops, and snack stalls. Cycle west through the narrow lanes to Yandai Xiejie (Cigarette Pouch Slanting Street), a charming 200-meter-long alley of traditional shops and street food.

Stroll around Shichahai, a scenic area of three interconnected lakes surrounded by willow trees, historic mansions, and former residences of celebrities. Houhai Lake is the largest and most lively, with lakeside bars and teahouses. Rent a pedal boat or simply enjoy the sunset over the water from the Silver Ingot Bridge (Yinding Qiao).

End the day with an atmospheric dinner in a renovated hutong courtyard (siheyuan). Many restaurants near Shichahai serve Beijing cuisine in historic settings. Try zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste), Mongolian hotpot, or a selection of Beijing-style appetizers. Some courtyards feature traditional music performances.

Explore the magnificent Summer Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best-preserved imperial garden in China. Walk along the Long Corridor (728 meters with 14,000 painted panels), climb the Tower of Buddhist Incense on Longevity Hill, and cruise across Kunming Lake. The palace was the summer retreat of the Qing dynasty imperial family.

Enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants near the Summer Palace east gate. The area is known for its Peking duck and traditional Beijing dishes. Try a hearty bowl of lüda gun (Beijing-style mung bean crepe rolls) or order several small dishes (xiaochao) to share.

Explore Beijing's premier contemporary art district, housed in a former electronics factory complex built with Bauhaus architecture. Browse cutting-edge galleries, avant-garde installations, quirky design shops, and bookstores. Don't miss the famous painted murals on the factory walls. Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) is the flagship gallery.

Visit the iconic Beijing Olympic Park, home to the 2008 Summer Olympics. See the Bird's Nest (National Stadium) with its remarkable steel lattice structure, and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center), which shimmers like bubbles. The Olympic Green is beautifully landscaped and perfect for an evening stroll.

Dinner in the lively area around Olympic Park. Numerous restaurants serve Beijing and regional Chinese cuisines. Try Sichuan-style mala tang (spicy hot pot) or Beijing-style lamb spine hotpot (yangguazi). For a unique experience, visit a restaurant with a view of the illuminated Bird's Nest and Water Cube.

Visit the Lama Temple, Beijing's largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Built in 1694 as a prince's residence, it was converted into a lamasery in 1744. Marvel at the 26-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha statue carved from a single sandalwood tree — a Guinness World Record holder. The five main halls display stunning Tibetan Buddhist art and thangkas.

Step into the Confucius Temple, built in 1306, where emperors paid homage to the great philosopher. Admire the 198 stone steles inscribed with the Thirteen Classics. Next door is the Imperial College (Guozijian), the highest educational institution of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The Biyong Hall with its stunning caisson ceiling is a highlight.

Lunch in the charming Guozijian Street area — one of Beijing's best-preserved historic streets. Choose a traditional Beijing restaurant in a converted courtyard. Try jianbing (Chinese crepe), douzhi (fermented bean drink — a Beijing specialty), or zhengyangmen (Peking-style fried sausage). The area has a relaxed, scholarly atmosphere.

Spend the afternoon at Sanlitun Taikoo Li, Beijing's trendiest shopping and lifestyle district. Browse international and Chinese designer brands, concept stores, and art galleries. The open-plan architecture with its glass facades is a photographer's delight. For more traditional souvenirs, the adjacent Yashow Market offers bargaining fun.

Celebrate your final evening in Beijing with a memorable farewell dinner. Choose from Beijing's legendary hotpot (Haidilao is famous for its 24-hour service and complimentary nail salon) or revisit Peking duck at a Sanlitun restaurant. Raise a glass of baijiu or Chinese tea to an incredible week in China's magnificent capital.