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Beijing

China travel guide

What to see in Beijing

The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the hutongs and the Great Wall a couple of hours away.

Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 8 must-see places
  • Best time: from March to September and from November to January
  • Stay in Dongcheng
  • Typical food: Peking duck
Photo: User:kallgan · CC BY-SA 3.0

Beijing highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Forbidden City

    The imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

  2. Temple of Heaven

    A circular hall where emperors prayed for good harvests.

  3. Summer Palace

    Imperial gardens beside Kunming Lake.

  4. Beihai Park

    An imperial lake with a white stupa.

  5. Yonghe Temple

    A Tibetan Buddhist temple with a giant Buddha.

  6. Mutianyu Great Wall

    A restored section with watchtowers.

  7. Tiananmen Gate

    The red gate on the main square.

  8. Jingshan Park

    A hill with views over the Forbidden City.

Where to stay in Beijing

The handiest areas for getting around and going out.

  • Recommended areas

    Dongcheng · Sanlitun · Qianmen

Day trips from Beijing

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to travel to Beijing

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Beijing are from March to September and from November to January. If you can, avoid October (golden week).

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb with warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May no warnings
  6. Jun no warnings
  7. Jul no warnings
  8. Aug no warnings
  9. Sep no warnings
  10. Oct with strong warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • February

    Lunar New Year (approximate dates)

    Millions of people travel at this time: trains and flights are full and expensive, and many shops and restaurants close for several days.

    What to do: Book transport weeks in advance and expect closures for the first three days.

  • October

    Golden Week

    From 1 to 7 October the whole of China travels: the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the trains are packed.

    What to do: If you can, move your trip by a week; if not, book tickets in advance and visit first thing in the morning.

Book ahead

Tickets that sell out or have long queues, and closing days.

  • Opening hours Forbidden City

    Closed on Mondays, except on Chinese public holidays.

Typical food of Beijing

The dish you have to try there and how to make it at home, to whet your appetite before the trip (or to go back to Beijing from your kitchen).

Peking duck
Photo: Vitquaytothi · CC BY-SA 4.0

Peking duck

Beijing’s imperial dish: duck with lacquered, crispy skin, thinly sliced and wrapped in pancakes with spring onion, cucumber and hoisin sauce.

  • Serves 4
  • 3 h

Ingredients

  • 1 whole duck (about 2.5 kg)
  • 2 tablespoons of honey
  • 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon of five-spice
  • Salt
  • Thin wheat pancakes (for Peking duck)
  • Spring onion and cucumber, cut into strips
  • Hoisin sauce

How to make it at home

  1. Scald the duck by pouring boiling water over it and dry it very well. Rub the inside with salt and five-spice.
  2. Brush the skin with the honey mixed with the vinegar and leave it to dry, uncovered, in the fridge overnight.
  3. Roast it on a rack over a tray of water at 180 °C for 1½ hours.
  4. Turn up to 220 °C for the last 15 minutes so the skin browns and crisps.
  5. Slice thinly with the skin on and serve with warm pancakes, spring onion, cucumber and hoisin.

The trick: Drying it in the fridge is what makes the skin crisp.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: a busy local spot with a queue. The dishes you can’t miss are in the China guide.

Frequently asked questions about Beijing

What to see in Beijing?

Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Beihai Park, Yonghe Temple and Mutianyu Great Wall.

What to see in Beijing in 3 days?

Don’t miss Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, Beihai Park, Yonghe Temple and Mutianyu Great Wall. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

Where to stay in Beijing?

The handiest areas to stay are Dongcheng, Sanlitun and Qianmen.

What’s the best time to travel to Beijing?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Beijing are from March to September and from November to January. If you can, avoid October (golden week).

What day trips can you take from Beijing?

Great Wall (Mutianyu), Forbidden City and Hutongs by bike.

What is the typical food of Beijing?

Peking duck. Beijing’s imperial dish: duck with lacquered, crispy skin, thinly sliced and wrapped in pancakes with spring onion, cucumber and hoisin sauce.

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Guide reviewed 19 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.