Final Up to date on January 10, 2022 by Nellie Huang
Heading to the capital of China quickly? Right here’s my advisable Beijing itinerary for individuals who wish to take advantage of 3 days in Beijing.
Conventional but vibrant, Beijing is a metropolis that encapsulates the spirit of China completely with a slew of historical palaces, temples and hutong districts. It’s a vital cease for anybody coming to China, as a result of it’s dwelling to a few of the most iconic and well-known sights within the nation.
The Chinese language capital metropolis is a hodgepodge of historic sights and points of interest, making it an incredible introduction to the Center Kingdom. I like to recommend beginning off your China itinerary in Beijing to get an excellent sense of each the outdated and new in China.
Regardless of being a contemporary twenty first century metropolis, Beijing nonetheless has a formidable assortment of conventional enclaves and pockets of fascinating tradition to uncover — excellent for each historical past buffs and tradition vultures.
Three Days in Beijing Itinerary
The very first thing you have to know if that Beijing is HUGE and there’s a lot to see and discover in Beijing. You’ll want not less than every week to expertise the entire wonderful sights. However in the event you solely have 3 days within the Beijing, right here’s my suggest itinerary that may provide help to take advantage of out of your time there.
DAY 1: SEE THE BEST OF BEIJING
Go to the Forbidden Metropolis
Make your first cease the Forbidden Metropolis, an important imperial palace in China that served as the house of emperors for nearly 500 years. Take a crash course in Chinese language historical past and be taught all in regards to the milestones and main occasions that came about on this large palace.
This UNESCO World Heritage Website constructed within the 14th century is made up of 980 buildings; you’ll want not less than 3-4 hours to see it. I like to recommend reserving a guided walk (skip-the-line entry) to really perceive the historical past of the place.
There’s a restrict to the variety of tickets offered every day, so remember to book your entrance tickets upfront. It’s closed on Mondays, maintain that in thoughts when planning your journey. You MUST convey your passport with you when shopping for tickets.
Head to Tiananmen Sq.
Cross over to Beijing’s most outstanding spot, Tiananmen Sq., most well-known for the Tiananmen Sq. protests of 1989, a pro-democracy motion which ended with the declaration of martial regulation by the federal government and the loss of life of a number of hundred or presumably 1000’s of civilians.
Right here you’ll discover Chairman Mao Memorial Corridor the place you may pay respects to China’s revered founder in his mausoleum. Book this tour to go to Tianamen Sq. together with the Forbidden Metropolis.
Guide your tickets right here:
Relax at Jingshan Park
Throughout the street from the Forbidden Metropolis is the Jingshan Park, designed based mostly on the ideas of fengshui and to guard the palace from northern winds. Previously a non-public imperial backyard connected to the grounds of the Forbidden Metropolis, the grounds had been listed as a Key State Park and opened to the general public in 1928.
As we speak you may climb the quick hill for incredible 360-degree views throughout the Forbidden Metropolis and Beihai Park and see locals doing tai chi because the solar units.
Strive the Well-known Beijing duck
You may’t come to Beijing and never strive the well-known Peking duck. Its paper crispy pores and skin and tender succulent meat are greatest savored with plum sauce and thinly sliced cucumber all rolled up in wafer skinny pancakes.
There are many good duck eating places in Beijing, however one of the well-known on the town is Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant – it could be a restaurant chain but it surely’s had a loyal following since 1864. To make sure you don’t miss a chance to dine right here, make a reservation beforehand.
DAY 2: BENEATH THE SURFACE OF BEIJING
Folks Watch at Temple of Heaven and Summer season Palace
Stand up early and have an enormous breakfast earlier than you head in direction of the Temple of Heaven. Throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties, the imperial complicated performed host to annual ceremonies of prayer. Today, the sprawling gardens listed here are the place locals love to hang around and play chess, carry out Chinese language opera and fan dances.
From there, take a leisurely boat journey on Kunming Lake to get to the attractive Summer season Palace. The UNESCO World Heritage Website is a masterpiece of Chinese language panorama design, with pure panorama of hills and water mixed with synthetic options resembling pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges. Book your entrance ticket here to skip the line.
Guide your ticket right here:
Get Misplaced in Nanluogu Xiang
Proceed on to the Drum and Bell Towers, the place you’ll discover sprawling conventional hutongs (labyrinth-like residential areas) and outdated Qing Dynasty courtyard properties tucked behind the massive landmarks.
That is one of the best space to get acquainted with the outdated residential areas of Beijing and get a really feel of how individuals stay. You may even rent a rickshaw information to point out you across the nooks and crannies of this space.
Nanluogu Xiang is probably the most properly restored hutong but it surely’s additionally the busiest and most touristy. The slender alleys are flanked by eating places, cafés and boutiques that has change into a hip and funky district in fashionable Beijing. Don’t miss Mao Livehouse, one of many taking place hubs of Beijing’s burgeoning rock music scene.
Eat at Wangfujing Road
For an evening of purchasing and consuming, head to Beijing’s most well-known pedestrianized purchasing avenue lined with a slew of vintage retailers, fashionable style shops, memento stands and avenue meals kiosks.
You’ll have the ability to discover all the things from SIM playing cards and cell phones to silk scarves and snacks to convey dwelling. Meals selections vary from unique fare like deep-fried scorpions and star fish to lamb meat skewers and tang hu lu (candied fruits on a stick).
DAY 3: EXPLORE BEYOND BEIJING
Climb the Nice Wall of China
With three days in Beijing, this can be a should. Whereas it could be fairly hectic to squeeze in a daytrip to the Nice Wall, it’s positively a formidable sight you don’t wish to miss. Badaling is the closest little bit of the wall to Beijing, but it surely’s extraordinarily crowded and inauthentic.
If you wish to see the wall at its most rugged (and with out the throngs of crowd), head a bit farther from the town to different quieter sections resembling Gubeikou, Jinshanling, Huanghuacheng and Jiankou. They’re much more rugged and spectacular and nonetheless lie inside 2-3 hours of Beijing.
You may simply spend 3-4 hours climbing the wall — be ready for steep steps and crumbling partitions. There might be just a few distributors promoting snacks and drinks alongside the wall, so convey some money with you in the event you assume you may want one thing alongside the best way (like a beer!).
Guide your Nice Wall journey:
Watch Chinese language Acrobats
To finish your journey to Beijing with a bang, I like to recommend catching a Chinese language acrobatics efficiency. It’s enjoyable, entertaining and thrilling, and it’ll maintain you on the fringe of your seat with an array of juggling acts, contortionist efficiency and mask-changing stunts. Chaoyang Acrobatics Theater is the oldest acrobatics theater in Beijing, with nightly performances at 7.15pm.
Guide your present right here:
The best way to Get Round Beijing
The Beijing subway system is fashionable, secure, low cost and straightforward to make use of. It’s large and getting greater yearly, with one other 12 strains set to be in operation by 2021. It does get crowded, although. Fares are ¥3 to ¥8, relying on how far you’re touring.
Purchase a journey card (refundable deposit ¥20) in the event you don’t wish to queue for tickets every time you journey. The journey card additionally will get you a 50% low cost on all bus journeys throughout the municipality of Beijing. Download the Metroman smartphone app to see the total Beijing subway map, with stations listed in each English and Chinese language.
The place to Keep in Beijing
There’s no scarcity of reasonably priced hotels in Beijing, starting from low cost backpackers hostels to quaint guesthouses in reformed hutongs to lavish five-star motels. I like to recommend staying close to the Tiananmen Sq. or the Wangfujing district for simple entry to the town’s foremost points of interest and consuming haunts. My favorite place to remain is within the slender alleys of hutongs, which make for a extra genuine expertise.
Luxurious: The Opposite House — A classy, fashionable boutique resort that includes minimalistic designs and an all white-and-beige inside. Situated within the hip Sanlitun Village, the resort is surrounded by connoisseur eating places, hip bars and boutique retailers. We had a spacious and stylish suite that felt extra like a studio house in Scandinavia.
Midrange: Shichahai Sandalwood Boutique Hotel Beijing — The previous dwelling of an administrator from the Qing Dynasty has been reworked into a shocking heritage resort with basic old-world aptitude. I might positively suggest this to those that desire a style of conventional China of their resort.
Finances: Hotel Kapok Beijing — Simply 200m from the Forbidden Metropolis, this contemporary funds resort options easy, slick furnishing at shut proximity to all of the points of interest on the town. I often keep right here once I’m touring alone, for the comfort and reasonably priced costs.
Finest Locations to Eat and Drink
Beijng is the meals capital of China, full of excellent avenue meals and top-notch eating places to fulfill even probably the most hardened foodie. All of your preconceived notions of Chinese language delicacies might be defied right here in Beijing as the town reveals the layers inside its culinary tradition.
Xian Lao Man — With a reputation that interprets roughly to “the fillings are large,” that is positively one of the best place to go for genuine dumplings in Beijing.
Zhuang Zhuang de Males Mian — This easy diner specialises in males mian, noodles cooked in a lined ceramic pot atop gasoline burners. Its menu and decorations are achieved in a cute doodle type that pulls in informal diners.
Zhang Mama — This tiny eatery in Andingmen serves flavourful and spicy Sichuan delicacies at an reasonably priced worth, however be ready for cramped eating and lengthy waits.
Planning a visit to China? Learn extra about my travels in China.
