Classic 3-Day Tour of Beijing
The perfect itinerary for a first-time visit, covering all the must-see attractions.
Suitable for: First-time visitors looking to experience the best of Beijing over a long weekend.
Day 1: Beijing, the Imperial Capital
Delve into the heart of Beijing Empire.
Flag-Raising Ceremony at Tiananmen Square
Sunrise flag-raising ceremony. Bring your passport.
Very early in the summer (4:45 a.m.)
The Forbidden City
Go in as soon as the doors open. Follow the central axis through the Three Great Halls.
You must book tickets online
Closed on Mondays
Jingshan Park
Climb to a high vantage point for an iconic panoramic view of the Forbidden City.
Night Tour of the Hutongs + Peking Duck
Explore the hutongs around Shichahai. Have dinner at Siji Minfu or Da Dong.
Reserve a table at the Peking duck restaurant in advance
Day 2: The Great Wall
Full-day tour of the Mutianyu Great Wall.
Head to Mutianyu
Hire a private car or book transportation in advance. Leave early to avoid the crowds.
Don’t accept “Great Wall tours” from scalpers.
Hike to Mutianyu
Take the cable car up to Watchtower 14, hike west to Hero’s Slope (Watchtower 20), then descend via the toboggan.
Wear comfortable walking shoes
Return to Downtown
Return to downtown from Mutianyu (approx. 1.5–2 hours by car). Take a break at your hotel or stroll around Houhai Lake before dinner.
Dinner on Guijie
Beijing’s famous food street—spicy crayfish and hot pot.
Day 3: Temples, Gardens, and Return Trip
The Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the farewell dinner.
Tiantan
Watch the locals practice Tai Chi and do their morning exercises, then visit the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
Buy the combined ticket; don’t buy the park ticket
Summer Palace
Walk along the Long Corridor and climb Wanshou Hill to enjoy the lake views.
Buy the combined ticket
Departure
If your flight is after 6 PM, add the Lama Temple or 798 Art District in the afternoon; otherwise head to the airport after Summer Palace. Allow 1–1.5 hours to reach the airport.