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Best Things to Do in Beijing: A Complete Guide

10 Best Things to Do in Beijing

Looking for what to do in Beijing? China’s capital is a city of monumental boulevards, ornate palaces, hidden courtyards and ring roads circling out into modern glass towers. Imperial history runs through almost every district, from the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven to lakeside pavilions and quiet hutongs where everyday life continues just a few streets away from huge plazas.

From exploring palace complexes and ancient alleyways to visiting temples, leafy parks, art districts and, of course, the Great Wall, Beijing can easily fill anything from a long weekend to a full week. Here are the 10 best things to do in Beijing to help you plan your trip.

1. Walk Through the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, officially known as the Palace Museum, is the heart of imperial Beijing. Behind its red walls and golden roofs, emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties ruled for centuries from a sprawling complex of courtyards, halls and private quarters.

Enter through the Meridian Gate and follow the central axis past grand audience halls, then wander off into side courtyards, smaller pavilions and residential areas. Museum displays, carved stone details and painted beams reward slow exploration. Allow several hours and bring comfortable shoes—the scale is impressive and distances between gates are larger than they first appear.

2. Stand on Tiananmen Square and Explore the Surrounding Landmarks

Just south of the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square is one of the world’s largest public squares, bordered by significant buildings including the National Museum of China, the Great Hall of the People and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.

Walk across the square to appreciate its sheer size and symmetry, then head to nearby museums or continue north under the portrait of Mao at Tiananmen Gate toward the palace complex. Early morning and evening visits offer softer light and slightly fewer crowds, though security checks remain in place at all times.

3. Visit the Temple of Heaven and Its Surrounding Park

In the south of central Beijing, the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan) complex is where emperors once prayed for good harvests and performed rituals connecting heaven and earth. The iconic Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, with its blue-tiled circular roof on a triple terrace, is one of the city’s most recognizable buildings.

Around the halls and altars, a large park of cypress trees and open spaces fills with local residents practicing tai chi, dancing, playing cards and chatting, especially in the mornings. Strolling through the park and watching these everyday scenes is as much a highlight as visiting the temple structures themselves.

4. Take a Day Trip to the Great Wall of China

No trip to Beijing feels complete without seeing the Great Wall. Several restored and more rugged sections lie within reach of the city, each offering a different experience. Popular and accessible stretches such as Badaling and Mutianyu have cable cars, clear paths and facilities, while more remote areas like Jinshanling or Simatai feel quieter and more atmospheric.

Whichever section you choose, expect steep steps, watchtowers and sweeping views of walls and ridgelines snaking off into the distance. Aim for early departures to avoid the busiest times, and bring water, sun protection and layers if you’re visiting outside summer.

5. Wander the Summer Palace and Kunming Lake

The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), northwest of central Beijing, was once the imperial family’s lakeside retreat. Today, its hills, gardens, pavilions and long covered walkway make it one of the city’s most beautiful open-air attractions.

Walk along Kunming Lake’s shore, cross the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, climb Longevity Hill for views over rooftops and water and take a boat across the lake when weather permits. In every season—lotus in summer, ice in winter—the combination of water, buildings and distant hills is memorable.

6. Explore Hutongs and Traditional Courtyard Life

Hutongs, the narrow alleyways lined with low courtyards, are where much of Beijing’s traditional urban life has unfolded for centuries. In areas such as around the Drum and Bell Towers, Nanluoguxiang and the lakes near Shichahai, many hutongs still retain their basic layout, even as some houses have been renovated into cafés, guesthouses and boutique shops.

Walk or cycle through these lanes to see grey-brick walls, red doorways, community bulletin boards and glimpses of everyday life inside courtyards. Try a simple local breakfast, stop at a teahouse or join a guided walk to learn more about hutong history and how residents are adapting to change.

7. Visit the Drum Tower, Bell Tower and Shichahai Lakes

North of the Forbidden City, the Drum Tower and Bell Tower stand facing each other across a small square, once responsible for keeping time for the city. You can climb their steep staircases for views over surrounding hutongs and rooftops.

Just to the west, the interconnected lakes of Shichahai (Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai) are ringed by willow trees, bars, cafés and traditional courtyard homes. In warmer months, paddle boats drift across the water; in winter, sections may turn into skating rinks. Walking the lakeside paths gives you both scenic views and plenty of people-watching.

8. Discover the Lama Temple and Confucius Temple

The Lama Temple (Yonghe Gong) is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist temples outside Tibet, with richly decorated halls, incense-filled courtyards and a towering wooden Maitreya Buddha statue carved from a single piece of sandalwood.

A short walk away, the Confucius Temple and Imperial College (Guozijian) complex offers calmer courtyards, stone steles and ancient cypress trees. Visiting both sites in one trip gives you insight into two key strands of Chinese religious and philosophical tradition within a compact area of the city.

9. Explore 798 Art District and Modern Beijing

In northeast Beijing, the 798 Art District occupies former factory buildings repurposed as galleries, studios, cafés and design shops. Industrial chimneys, concrete halls and wide courtyards now host contemporary art exhibitions, installations and events.

Wander between spaces at your own pace, stepping into galleries that catch your eye and taking breaks in courtyards or coffee shops. The district showcases how Beijing’s creative communities have transformed old industrial zones into cultural hubs that feel very different from imperial sites and financial districts.

10. Taste Beijing’s Food: From Peking Duck to Street Snacks

Food is a highlight in Beijing, from famous dishes to everyday snacks. Peking duck, with its crisp skin and tender meat wrapped in thin pancakes with scallions and sauce, is the city’s most celebrated specialty—restaurants across town offer their own takes on the classic.

Beyond duck, look for jianbing (savory breakfast crepes), zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste), dumplings, hotpot and skewers from night-time food streets. Exploring local markets, small noodle shops and busy restaurants packed with residents is one of the best ways to understand how Beijing eats and socializes after sightseeing.