Three days in Beijing is enough to hit all the highlights β if you plan it right. Here's our perfectly optimized itinerary, refined from guiding thousands of travelers.
Day 1: Imperial Beijing π―
Morning (8:00 AM-12:00 PM): Start at the Forbidden City β the world's largest palace complex with 980 buildings. Arrive at 8:30 AM (opening) to beat the crowds. Enter through the Meridian Gate and walk the central axis. Allow 3 hours.
Lunch (12:00-1:30 PM): Walk to a hutong restaurant near Jingshan Park. Try zhajiangmian (ηΈι ±ι’) β Beijing's iconic noodle dish.
Afternoon (1:30-4:00 PM): Climb Jingshan Park (ζ―ε±±) just north of the Forbidden City. The 5-minute climb gives you the iconic panoramic view over the palace rooftops. Then visit Temple of Heaven (倩ε) where Ming and Qing emperors prayed for good harvests. Morning is best for the park atmosphere, but the architecture is stunning any time.
Evening: Peking Duck dinner at Sijiminfu (εε£ζ°η¦) near the Forbidden City β the Donghuamen branch has terrace seating with palace views. Book ahead or expect a 1-hour wait.
Day 2: The Great Wall π―
Full Day (7:00 AM-5:00 PM): This is the day. Book a Mutianyu Great Wall tour β you'll be picked up at 7:30 AM, arrive before the crowds, and have 3-4 hours on the wall. Take the cable car up, walk the 2.2km ridge to the 23rd watchtower, then toboggan down (seriously, do this).
Evening: Back in Beijing by 5:00 PM. Freshen up, then hit Ghost Street (η°θ‘) for lamb skewers, spicy crawfish, and Beijing's best night food scene.
Day 3: Hutongs & Hidden Beijing π²
Morning (9:00 AM-12:00 PM): Hutong Rickshaw Tour through the narrow alleyways of Shichahai and Houhai β these 700-year-old neighborhoods are disappearing fast. Visit a courtyard family home, see the Drum Tower, and explore the lake district.
Lunch: Dim sum or dumplings at Din Tai Fung or a local spot in Nanluoguxiang.
Afternoon (1:30-4:00 PM): Either visit the Summer Palace (ι’εε) β imperial gardens around Kunming Lake β or explore the 798 Art District for contemporary Chinese art in a repurposed factory complex.
Farewell Dinner: Mongolian hotpot at Donglaishun β the perfect Beijing finale.
Beijing 3-Day Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Forbidden City ticket | $8 |
| Mutianyu Great Wall tour | $45 |
| Temple of Heaven | $5 |
| Hutong rickshaw tour | $25 |
| Summer Palace | $5 |
| Food & transport (3 days) | $60-80 |
| Total (excluding hotel) | ~$150-170 |
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