Are you traveling to Beijing? Here’s a list of our favorite attractions and the top 10 things to do in Beijing as a tourist!
No matter if you’re staying a couple of days before taking the train from Beijing to Xian or Shanghai, there are plenty of activities for all ages in the Chinese capital.
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is one of the world’s most famous landmarks and is obviously a must to visit when exploring Beijing. There are several places on the wall that are good to visit, except Badaling, which is the least popular section.
Plan a full day here to be sure that you get to see everything. You can also visit the Jiankou to Mutianyu section.
Summer Palace
Summer Palace is a large park and a palace building with an artificial lake. Here there are lots of cozy gardens, bridges, temples, and buildings in antique style. The Summer Palace is definitely a must to visit when it comes to the top things to do in Beijing.
The Forbidden City
In the Forbidden City, you’ll find the world’s largest palace offering fantastic Chinese architecture. Through the centuries the Palace and the Forbidden City has been inhabited by Chinese emperors. The Forbidden City covers a large area and you can expect to spend at least a few hours here. It should definitely be included in your Beijing itinerary.
Read More: How to get a Beijing Layover Visa
Jingshan Park
The park is quite small, but that doesn’t matter so much since it offers a beautiful view. The highest peak in the park is 43 meters, and up there they’ve built “the thousand sources pavilion”, and from here, you get a fantastic view over the whole city in all directions.
Lama Temple
Lama Temple, or Yonghegong as it’s also known, is an important Tibetan Buddhist temple. This is one of the largest lama temples outside Tibet. Even though this temple is full of tourists, it’s still worth visiting. The architecture is well
the temple is also called an important Tibetan Buddhist temple. The temple is one of the largest lamaistic temples outside Tibet. Although it is full of tourists so the temple is definitely worth visiting. The architecture is well done and the inside and outside are fine statues. The main statue is 18 meters high Buddha statue standing in Wanfuge Hall, the statue was a gift from the seventh to the lama Qianlong emperor
Temple of Heaven
Another holy temple with beautiful architecture and lovely atmosphere. The temple of heaven started to build around 1420, and is considered today to be one of China’s most beautiful and famous buildings. In 1998 it was put on the Unesco world heritage site list, and it’s definitely worth visiting.
Free City Tour
Follow me for a free tour around Beijing. The local guides will show you around town and go to the best spots. You will also often get tips on restaurants and activities.
Luxurious Massage or Treatments
For as little as 10-20 dollars you can enjoy spa treatments or a foot massage. If you pay for this in Europe it would cost a lot compared to what you get here in China.
Tiananmen Square
World’s biggest square, and even if it’s not very remarkable by itself it’s something you should visit. Combine it with a visit to the forbidden city as it’s closely located.
Dingling Grave
If you want to visit the Ming graves you should go to Dingling. Here you can go down in the grave tomb and at the same time look around and learn more. It’s very cool and interesting.