3 Days in Beijing: Complete Itinerary

Three days in Beijing is tight. The city has centuries of imperial history, a massive footprint, and attractions that deserve hours each.

But three days is enough to see the highlights—if you plan well.

This itinerary covers the must-sees without running you ragged. We've done this route. It works.

Before You Go

Book These in Advance

Absolutely required (book 7 days ahead):

• Forbidden City tickets
• Temple of Heaven tickets (less urgent but recommended)
• Great Wall tickets (for Badaling/Mutianyu)

Recommended:

• Great Wall transport (tour or private car)
• Peking Duck dinner reservation (for famous restaurants)

Where to Stay

Stay near Line 1 or Line 2 metro stations. Best areas:

• Wangfujing — central, tourist-friendly, near Forbidden City
• Qianmen — south of Tiananmen, traditional area
• Dongzhimen — good transport connections

We stayed near Tiananmen and it saved significant transit time.

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Day 1: Imperial Beijing

Forbidden City + Jingshan Park + Tiananmen Square

Morning: Forbidden City (故宫)

7:30 AM — Light breakfast at hotel. Grab coffee if you need it.

8:00 AM — Arrive at Meridian Gate (午门), south entrance.

8:30 AM — Gates open. Enter immediately for smallest crowds.

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM — Explore the Forbidden City.

Route suggestion:

1. Main halls (Supreme Harmony, Central Harmony, Preserving Harmony)
2. Inner Court (Palace of Heavenly Purity)
3. East or West side palaces (quieter)
4. Imperial Garden
5. Exit north through Gate of Divine Prowess

Don't miss: Clock Exhibition Hall (separate ticket, ¥10). The European mechanical clocks are stunning.

Lunch: Nearby Hutongs

Exit the Forbidden City north. Walk east toward Wangfujing or west toward Beihai Park area.

Grab dumplings (饺子) or noodles (面) at a local spot. Budget ¥30-50 per person.

Afternoon: Jingshan Park (景山公园)

1:30 PM — Walk directly across from Forbidden City north exit.

Ticket: ¥2 (yes, two yuan)

Climb to the top pavilion for the best panoramic view of the Forbidden City. This is the iconic photo spot.

Time needed: 1 hour

Late Afternoon: Tiananmen Square

3:00 PM — Metro to Tiananmen East or walk south.

Stroll through the square. See:

• Chairman Mao Memorial Hall (free, passport required, long lines)
• Monument to the People's Heroes
• National Museum of China (free, book online)

Security note: Bag check and ID required to enter the square.

Evening: Peking Duck Dinner

6:30 PM — Peking Duck is Beijing's signature dish. Don't skip it.

Recommended restaurants:

• Da Dong — modern presentation, very popular
• Quanjude — oldest and most famous chain
• Siji Minfu — good value, less touristy

Book ahead for Da Dong (very popular). Others usually have walk-in availability.

Cost: ¥150-300 per person for full duck dinner.

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Day 2: The Great Wall

Full day at Mutianyu Great Wall

Morning: Early Departure

6:30 AM — Breakfast at hotel (pack snacks for the day)

7:00 AM — Depart for Mutianyu

Transport options:

• Private car (DiDi): ¥400-500 round trip. Most convenient.
• Tour bus: From Dongzhimen. Cheaper but less flexible.
• Organized tour: Book through Trip.com. Easiest but less time at wall.

Drive time: 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic.

At the Wall

9:00 AM — Arrive at Mutianyu.

9:30 AM — Take cable car up (saves energy for walking the wall).

9:30 AM - 1:00 PM — Walk the wall.

Route: Walk from Tower 14 toward Tower 23 (or as far as you want). Each direction offers different views.

Lunch: Eat before you go up (restaurants at base) or bring snacks. Food on the wall is limited.

Afternoon: Return and Rest

1:00 PM — Take the toboggan down (seriously, do it—it's fun).

1:30 PM — Lunch at base if you haven't eaten.

2:00 PM — Depart for Beijing.

4:00 PM — Arrive back at hotel. Rest.

Evening: Free Time

You'll be tired. Options:

• Rest at hotel
• Explore Wangfujing Night Market (touristy but fun)
• Low-key dinner near hotel

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Day 3: Temples and Hutongs

Temple of Heaven + Hutong exploration + Last shopping

Morning: Temple of Heaven (天坛)

7:30 AM — Early start for best experience.

8:00 AM — Arrive at Temple of Heaven south gate.

Ticket: ¥15 (grounds) or ¥35 (grounds + all buildings)

Morning magic: Locals gather to practice tai chi, sing, and exercise. This is as authentic as Beijing gets.

Must-see buildings:

• Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (iconic round building)
• Imperial Vault of Heaven
• Circular Mound Altar

Time needed: 2-3 hours

Late Morning: Hutong Exploration

11:00 AM — Metro to Nanluoguxiang or Gulou area.

Hutongs are Beijing's traditional alleyways. Many are now cafes, shops, and restaurants—but the atmosphere remains.

What to do:

• Wander the small lanes
• Stop for coffee or tea
• Browse independent shops
• Eat street food (jianbing, tanghulu)

Recommended areas:

• Nanluoguxiang — most famous, also most touristy
• Wudaoying Hutong — artsy, more local
• Baochao Hutong — quieter, near Drum Tower

Lunch: Local Food

Try one of these:

• Zhajiangmian (炸酱面) — Beijing noodles with soybean paste
• Jiaozi (饺子) — dumplings
• Luzhu huoshao (卤煮火烧) — Beijing street food (adventurous choice)

Afternoon: Drum and Bell Towers (Optional)

If you have energy:

2:00 PM — Visit Drum Tower (鼓楼) and Bell Tower (钟楼).

Climb the steep stairs for views over the hutongs. Drum performance every half hour.

Ticket: ¥20 each or ¥30 combined

Evening: Last Night in Beijing

Options:

• 798 Art District — contemporary art galleries (if you have time)
• Sanlitun — modern bar and restaurant area
• Houhai Lake — waterside bars (touristy but scenic)

Or: pack, rest, prepare for tomorrow's departure.

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Practical Details

Transportation

Metro is the fastest way around Beijing. Download Amap and use Alipay Metro QR.

DiDi for:

• Great Wall trip
• Late-night returns
• Anything with luggage

Budget Breakdown (3 Days)

| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | |----------|--------|-----------| | Accommodation (3 nights) | ¥600-900 | ¥1200-2000 | | Food | ¥300-450 | ¥600-900 | | Attractions | ¥200-300 | ¥300-400 | | Transport | ¥150-250 | ¥500-700 | | Total | ¥1250-1900 | ¥2600-4000 |

Weather Considerations

| Season | Temperature | Notes | |--------|-------------|-------| | Spring (Apr-May) | 10-25°C | Best weather, some dust storms | | Summer (Jun-Aug) | 25-35°C | Hot, humid, crowded | | Autumn (Sep-Oct) | 10-25°C | Best weather, Golden Week crowds | | Winter (Nov-Mar) | -10 to 5°C | Cold, clear, few tourists |

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Modifications

Have 4 Days?

Add:

• Summer Palace (颐和园) — half day
• 798 Art District — half day
• Second day of hutong exploration

Have 2 Days?

Cut:

• Day 2: Do Badaling instead of Mutianyu (closer)
• Day 3: Skip Drum/Bell Towers, shorter hutong time

Traveling with Kids?

Adjust:

• Start later (kids need sleep)
• Shorten Great Wall visit
• Add Beijing Zoo or aquarium
• More snack breaks

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Quick Checklist

Before you go:

• [ ] Forbidden City tickets booked
• [ ] Great Wall tickets booked
• [ ] Temple of Heaven tickets booked
• [ ] Hotel near metro Line 1 or 2
• [ ] Peking Duck reservation (optional)

Pack:

• [ ] Comfortable walking shoes
• [ ] Power bank (full days out)
• [ ] Sunscreen and hat (summer)
• [ ] Warm layers (winter)
• [ ] Passport (always)

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Need Help Planning?

If you'd rather have someone build a custom itinerary or help with bookings, our Guardian package includes trip planning support for $19.

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Related Guides:

• Forbidden City Tickets Guide
• Great Wall: Which Section to Visit
• How to Use Alipay for Foreigners