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3 Day Beijing Itinerary | BEST Things to do + Guide

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Are you planning to visit Beijing China in 2025? We got you! Our 3 Day Beijing Itinerary is filled to the brim with the very BEST things to do (plus ESSENTAL tips and Beijing Travel Guide) to ensure an epic adventure!

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3 Day Beijing Itinerary (Everything you NEED to know)

Beijing (China’s capital city) offers travelers an unforgettable experience and an opportunity to visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World (The Great Wall of China).

BUT Beijing offers so much more to do than just the awe-inspiring Great Wall. It is rich with historical and cultural sites like the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. Plus, you can get a real taste of daily life (AND get some great food) in the bustling Hutong alleyways and parks.

Beijing is a city that will definitely capture every type of traveler’s heart.

Join us as we embark on this epic 3 Day Beijing Itinerary, unveiling the many layers of this incredible city.

Forbidden City Beijing at Sunset - Beijing Itnerary
Forbidden City Beijing

When to Visit Beijing China

The best time to plan your Beijing Itinerary depends on the kind of experience you’re looking for. If you want to enjoy milder weather, then visiting in spring (April to May) and Autumn (September to October) are the perfect times to visit.

The temperatures during these periods are more pleasant and not too hot or freezing cold. They also offer an opportunity to witness the beautiful blossoms or the red and orange leaves of autumn.

If you want to experience a winter wonderland, then visiting Beijing in Winter (December to February) can be truly magical. Even better, typically there are fewer tourists and the chance to see the city’s historical sites dusted with snow.

On the flip side, summer in Beijing (June to August) is extremely hot and can be crowded, as many Chinese families take vacations during this time.

PEAK times to avoid Beijing: Chinese New Year (The date shifts every year, but it is usually late January to February), Labor Day (early May), and National Day (early October). During these peak periods there will be large crowds, higher prices, and busier attractions.

No matter when you choose to visit, Beijing has something special to offer and our below 3 Day itinerary will suit any season!

Essential tips for visiting Beijing China

VPN:

The most important thing you will need is a VPN. You will not be able to access any social media including Facebook, Instagram, Google and many other sites in China without one! We use Express VPN

E-SIM:

We highly suggest you always have a good internet connection and recommend getting an e-sim for convenience and price. By using an e-sim you do not need to changeover your sim card or pay your providers inflated international roaming rates. We use Airalo, which is one of the most reliable and trusted brands on the market.

LANGUAGE:

There is very little English spoken throughout all of China, so it’s important to download a good translator app. This will assist you to communicate and read menus and signs.

NAVIGATION:

Unfortunately, Google Maps does not work in China, so we used Apple Maps to navigate. We used it for both walking directions and the trains. It actually worked very well and gave a full breakdown of directions for which train lines, times, and durations. You can also use the Baidu Map App which has recently been updated with an English translation.

TAXIS:

We used Didi mostly and found they were usually cheaper than taxis. It also saved us trying to explain where we wanted to go and struggling with the translation.

MONEY APPS:

Cash and bank cards are not used at all in China. Instead, they use apps like Alipay or WeChat. You can link your bank card to your Alipay or WeChat to tap to pay.

MONEY CARDS:

We linked our Wise card to our WeChat / Alipay to ensure we gotthe best exchange rates. Wise cards offer a far better rate than our bank or physical exchanges and we use this everywhere we travel.

BULLET TRAINS:

We used Trip to book all of our Trains. They provide a comprehensive and trusted English booking platform with 24 customer chat service, options to change your train bookings and get refunds. We recommend you book your trains 14 Days in advance, when they are released, as they sell out frequently!

HOTELS:

We also used Trip to book all of our hotels as well. They have by far the most properties listed compared to other platforms like booking.com or agoda and are recognised as the China Specialists!

ADVANCE BOOKINGS:

It’s important to book just about everything in advance because attractions, theme parks, tours and trains, all book out in advance.

ATTRACTIONS & TOURS:

Lastly but not least, we used both Klook and Trip for all our attractions, tickets and tours. Both offer a huge selection and have English platforms with great customer service and support. You can also use our discount code to get up to 10% off with our discount code, TRAVELLIVNKLOOK

Apps to download for your trip to China

Beijing’s Subway Network

Firstly, when you arrive to Beijing airport or Train station get yourself a tap and go Transit card. Beijing has an incredible subway system and having a top up card will come in very handy. They can then be used through the whole of China. We topped up ours with $20 and it lasted a few weeks across our entire China Vacation.

You can also use the Subway to get from the Airport to Downtown Beijing and this is one of the quickest ways to get there!

Beijing Subway Map

TOP 10 – Best Things to do in Beijing China

  1. Great Wall of China
  2. Temple of Heaven
  3. Forbidden City
  4. Tian’anmen square
  5. Summer Palace
  6. Shichahai Lake & Scenic area (Ice Skating & biking in Winter)
  7. Wangfujing Shopping Street & Panda 3D LED Sign
  8. Try Peking duck, Beijing’s local specialty
  9. Visit one of Beijing’s Hutongs
  10. Visit Qianmen Street at night

TOP 10 – Best Things to do in Beijing at Night

  • See the famous Panda 3D Billboard in Wangfujing Street
  • Qianmen Street Food Markets and Markets
  • Donghuamen Night Market
  • Visit seasonal events like the Beijing Lantern Festival which runs several times a year for a couple of months at a time.
  • Watch the sunset at Temple of Heaven.

Where to stay in Beijing China

We chose to stay at the Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong because of its LOCATION and because we were drawn to its beautiful Chinese gardens.

It is located directly across from Jianguomen Metro Station which is a connection hub to multiple lines. It is only one station from Beijing Station, two from Wangfujing, and three from Tiananmen Square. This makes exploring the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Wangfujing Shopping Street VERY EASY.

It is also a great location to connect to the airport line (with no train changes required) AND just about everywhere in Beijing.

If you are going to stay anywhere in Beijing, we highly recommend this hotel, if not this location! It will make your 3 Days in Beijing and navigating your Itinerary so much easier, to be located in a central location and close to a major train hub.

Hotel Link: Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong

Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong Beijing Hotel Suggestion and 3 Day Itinerary
Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong Beijing (photos by Trip.com)

Also high on our list was UrCove by HYATT Beijing Forbidden City. Once again for its location to the Beijing’s City sites. UrCove by Hyatt is located next door to the Forbidden City and has a Rooftop Deck that overlooks it. It was also central to the Metro and is a MID RANGE hotel, that offers great value for the money!

AND for a Luxury stay, look at Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing Beijing, it will definitely IMPRESS!

Hotels in Beijing 1. UrCove by HYATT Beijing Forbidden City and 2. Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing Beijing
Image 1: UrCove by HYATT Beijing Forbidden City / Image 2: Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing Beijing (Photos by Trip)

3 day Beijing Itinerary (Broken down Day by Day)

So, let’s get to it and break down, day by day, your ultimate 3 Days in Beijing, with this jam-packed Itinerary!

Day 1 of 3 Day Beijing Itinerary
Day 2 of 3 Day Beijing Itinerary
Day 3 of 3 Day Beijing Itinerary

Day 1 (3 Day Beijing Itinerary): Explore The Ancient Sites of Central Beijing

Day 1 – Itinerary Highlights

Morning: Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square

Start your day at Tiananmen Square, the heart of Beijing and one of the largest public squares in the world. It’s not only an iconic political landmark but also a place rich in history. Spend about an hour here soaking in the vastness and significance of the square.

It’s important to note, that even though Tiananmen Square is free to visit, you will need to reserve tickets at least the day prior to visiting. This can be done a day in advance through their official Tiananmen Square website or by searching for ‘Tiananmen Square Reservation Service’ on WeChat.

Next, take a short walk across to the Forbidden City another icon of Beijing. The Imperial Palace once served as the home of many Chinese emperors for over 500 years. The Forbidden City is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Beijing’s most popular attractions.

It is important to prepurchase your tickets as they usually sell out quickly! Tickets go on sale 14 days prior on the official site OR can be purchased through Klook 30 days prior. The beauty of booking through Klook is the website is in English and easy to navigate, and you can use our discount code TRAVELLIVNKLOOK. Book here – Forbidden City

It is easy to spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the Forbidden City.

Forbidden City Beijing - a must for any itinerary
Forbidden City Beijing
Lunch: Try Peking Duck – Beijing’s signature dish

You can’t visit Beijing without indulging in Peking Duck—the city’s signature dish. Head to one of the local street restaurants or stalls surrounding the Forbidden City. You will find loads of restaurants, local street stalls, snacks and delicious treats in the streets surrounding the forbidden city.

Afternoon: Temple of Heaven

After lunch, walk off that Peking Duck with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, located a few kilometers from the Forbidden City. The easiest way to reach the Temple of Heaven is by Didi or Taxi.

If you time it right, at sunset you will see the Temple both in the day light and illuminated in the night sky.

Once again, it is advised to prepurchase your Temple of Heaven tickets and select your preferred time slot.

Evening: Explore Wangfujing Street

End your first day with a stroll down Wangfujing Street, Beijing’s most famous shopping street. Here you’ll find all the named brands, boutiques and luxury shopping. However. the real highlight is the 3D Panda Billboard, found in the center of the mall.

Be sure to take a stroll down one of the side streets to find a local restaurant to dine at for dinner.

Wangfujing Street and 3d LED billboard in Beijing

Day 2 (3 Day Beijing Itinerary): The Great Wall of China Day Trip

All Day Tour: The Great Wall of China

No Beijing itinerary is complete without visiting one of the 7 wonders of the world…. The Great Wall of China.

But which section of the Great Wall of China should you visit?

We chose the Mutianyu section as we had heard it had fewer crowds compared to the more tourist areas and like Badaling. It is also the longest and most restored section and regarded as one of the prettiest. Another selling point was the option to taboggan down from the Great Wall, which was alot of fun!

We opted to take the stress out of visiting the Great Wall and booked a day tour. Great Wall of China Day Tour

The Great wall of China, Mutainya Section

The tour included round trip transfers to the Mutianyu area of the Great Wall of China, which is about 1.5hours from the City. It also included an English speaking guide, to help you plan and map out your day. And, entry into the Great Wall facility as well as the 1 set of cable car and toboggan tickets.

We left at 7.30am and were back in the city ready to go explore more by approximately 5pm

Day Tour: Great Wall of China

Evening: Explore Qianmen Street

Stoll around Qianmen Street and shop at the markets and eat at the food markets. Makesure you checkout one of the most beautiful Starbucks in the WORLD!

Qianmen Street was one of our favorite areas!

Qianmen Street Beijing at night
Qianment Street at Night

Day 3 (3 Day Beijing Itinerary): Central Beijing and Local Life

Day 3 Beijing Itinerary Highlights

  • Summer Palace
  • Shichahai Lake & Scenic area
  • Beijing Lantern Festival
The Beijing Lantern Festival in 2025
The Beijing Lantern Festival
Morning: Summer Palace

Start your day with a visit to the Summer Palace, a vast imperial garden and one of Beijing’s most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage sites. The palace sits on Kunming Lake and offers a peaceful escape from the city’s bustle.

Afternoon: Shichahai Lake & Scenic area AND / OR Beihai park

Shichahai Lake & Scenic Area, situated in the heart of Beijing, offers an escape from the busy city streets. It is made up of three lakes: Qianhai, Houhai, and Xihai all connected and surrounded by lush gardens, ancient temples and hutongs. You can enjoy a boat ride or in winter go Ice Skating or Ice Biking on one of the lakes.

Evening: Beijing Lantern Festival

To wrap up your last day, be immersed by the Beijing Lantern Festival. Located at Wenyuhe Park. This Festival BLEW OUR MINDS with over 1000 lanterns and set over 3.5 kilometers. Lantern Festivals are held in this park multiple times a year, each running for a couple of months. Details of the current festival in Beihing are here: Beijing Lantern Festival

You can check out some of our favourite lantern displays in this video.

Continue your exploration of China

Check out our other China Itinerary’s, Guides, and China Travel tips by checking out our other blogs

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