Beijing 4-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
- Júlia Partal
- Mar 21
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 23
Most people are surprised when I tell them that I recommend spending at least four days in Beijing to be able to fully enjoy it. But four days it's just the perfect amount of time to be able to see the most emblematic places and get a taste of the city's atmosphere without having to rush to see everything. It's true that my opinion may be a little biased since I lived there for half a year and I still feel like I didn't have enough time... But really, if you can afford it, dedicate to the city the days it deserves and treat yourself to four days in the capital of China.
In this article I detail the four-day itinerary I would follow if it were my first time in Beijing. These are flexible suggestions, which you will have to adapt according to your arrival and departure time, the location of your hotel, and your own pace and interests. It is not “the only perfect way” to visit the city, but a proposal based on my experience and tastes, which also takes care to leave space for rest and, above all, to observe calmly and attentively everything that is happening around you.
Read my Beijing Begginers Guide to know how to get arround the city, where to stay and my favourite bars, cafes and restaurants!
Itinerary: Day 1: The essentials Day 2: An oasis in the big city |
Day 1: The essentials
Tiananmen Square
⏱ Visiting time : 30 minutes
🚇 Subway : Tian'an'men West 天安门西 or East 天安门东 (line 1) . In my experience, Tian'an'men West tends to be less crowded.
💸 Price: Free (but with reservation)
📌 Tips :
It cannot be accessed freely; you must reserve a ticket at least one day in advance via the WeChat mini-app or have a reservation to visit other connected attractions (Forbidden City, National Museum of China or Mao's Mausoleum).
Arrive early, as the line can be long. Bring your passport.
Be prepared for a strict security check: they will confiscate lighters, dangerous objects and check books, notebooks and other papers.
Forbidden City
⏱ Visiting time : About 3 hours
🚪It is accessed through Tian'an'men Square. There is a side entrance on the east corner, but it is generally reserved for group entry.
💸 Price: RMB 60
📌 Tips :
Plan which areas you want to visit; without a plan, it can be exhausting and uninteresting.
Bring water and something to snack on; there aren't many food options inside.
Alternative : if you can't/don't want to enter the Forbidden City, in Tian'an'men Square itself you can visit the National Museum of China. Very interesting.
Jingshan Park
⏱ Visiting time : Between 1 and 2 hours
🚪Just outside Tian'an'men you will come across the entrance to this park, an artificial hill that was an imperial garden during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. The views of the Forbidden City from Wanchun Pavilion (万春亭- the Thousand Springs Pavilion) are spectacular , and it also has a very interesting history!
💸 Price : 10 RMB
📌 Tips :
Buy tickets directly at the entrance.
Go there on the weekend to observe local life or during sunset for the most spectacular views.
Wangfujing
⏱ Visit time : Depends on individual interest
🚇 Subway : Wangfujing 王府井(line 1, exit A or B)
💸 Price : Free
📌 Tips :
If you follow this route, start from the East Gate of Jingshan Park. Walk to the north end of this popular shopping street and walk downhill.
Don't miss the 3D display at the Beijing Department Store.
Try Peking-style duck at Hua Jia Yi Yuan Restaurant (花家怡园).
Day 2: An oasis in the big city
Summer Palace
⏱ Visiting time: 3-4 hours
🚇 Xiyuan 西苑 (Line 4) – Exit C2, about 10 minutes walk from the North Gate (Beigongmen 北宫门).
Price: RMB 30
📌 Tips:
I recommend entering through the north gate and exiting through the east gate to see the main attractions along the way, have the best views, and go mostly downhill.
Reserve time to enjoy it calmly.
Lama Temple
⏱ Visiting time : Between 1 and 2 hours
🚇 Subway : Yonghegong 雍和宫 (Line 2) – Exit F
💸 Price : 30 RMB
📌 Tips
It is a very popular temple with locals who come to pray there. You can take incense for free and follow the rituals they perform, always with respect.
Bell Tower and Drum Tower
⏱ Visiting time: It depends. It could be a moment or you could spend hours walking around it.
🚇 Subway : Gulou Dajie 鼓楼大街 (lines 2 and 8) or Shichahai 什刹海 (line 8).
💸 Price: If you don't go up, it's free.
📌 Tips :
If you follow this route, I recommend taking the route between Lama Temple and the towers on foot or by bicycle through the hutong neighborhood.
Walk around and observe (or even better, participate!) in local life.
Lake Sichahai
⏱ Visiting time : Between 1 and 2 hours
🚇 Subway : Gulou Dajie Shichahai 什刹海 (line 8)
💸 Price: Free
📌 Tips : Go up to the rooftop of Sugar Café (or Tang Café - 糖咖啡) for unforgettable views of the lake, the Drum and Bell Towers, and traditional rooftops. You can also see Wanchun Pavilion and the skyscrapers of the financial district in the background.
The Summer Palace... in winter!
Day 3: From the great wall to the great skyscrapers
Mutianyu Great Wall
⏱ Visiting time : Half day
🚇 How to get there: Agency bus - I recommend Trip or GetYourGuide - or private transfer
💸 Price: Variable depending on transport and options
Group bus tour: € 15-30
If you go on your own, a private car will cost you between €80 and €100.
You can get there by public transport, but it is a very long journey and I would not recommend it.
📌 Tips : If you're traveling in high season, check if an afternoon tour is offered (I found it here ) . This way you can take advantage of the morning in the city to visit something else, leave after lunch and see an unforgettable sunset from the Great Wall and return at night. Most attractions in Beijing close around 6 pm, so taking advantage of the morning in the city and going in the evening to explore the wall is a very good option so as not to "waste" the whole day!
Financial Zone (Guomao Mall)
⏱ Visiting time : 1 or 2 hours
🚇 Subway : GuoMao 国贸站 (Line 1 and 10)
💸 Price : Free
📌 Tips : Spend an evening visiting the financial district. Look for the restaurant "Las Migas" inside the China World Mall (国贸 -Guomao- in Chinese) for the best views of Beijing's modern skyline. Often when the weather is nice, they have Latin parties there, and it's interesting to see how the Chinese have embraced bachata .
Day 4: Walking among the treasures of antiquity
Panjiayuan (Antique Market)
⏱ Visiting time : 1–2 hours
🚇 Subway : Panjiayuan (line 10).
💸 Price : Free
📌 Tips : It's open every day, but during the week there are the permanent shops and it's during the weekend when it's filled with stalls with the most curious objects. If you can, go there on Saturday or Sunday.
Temple of Heaven
⏱ Visiting time : 2–3 hours
🚇Metro : Tiantan Dongmen (Line 5). If you follow the itinerary , it is recommended to take a taxi from the market.
💸 Price : Paid entrance (there is a combined ticket to access the entire venue)
📌 Tips : The ideal time to go is early in the morning, but for the logic of this itinerary it made more sense to do it at noon. Take advantage of lunchtime to avoid crowds. It is one of the most emblematic temples in Beijing, so it is best to avoid peak hours!
🏮 Qianmen Street
⏱ Visiting time : 1–3 hours
🚇Metro : Qianmen (line 2). If you follow the itinerary , it is advisable to go there on foot, exiting through the north gate of the Temple of Heaven and crossing the
Sanlihe Park.
💸 Price : Free
📌 Tips : Very lively area with a traditional atmosphere, full of shops and local food. Ideal for walking around in the evening, buying some souvenirs, having dinner and seeing the center of Beijing illuminated. A must-see is to go up to the rooftop of the Muji hotel for better night views of Tiananmen.
Comments