Beijing Classics in 5 Days: Day-by-Day Itinerary
Tiananmen, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven and the hutongs.
Mainland ChinaCulture & historyCity breakFoodFirst-timers
Length5 days / 4 nights
CitiesBeijing
CurrencyCNY Chinese yuan
Best time to goSep–Oct is the best; spring can be dusty, winters dry and cold, summers hot and rainy.
Day-by-day overview
Day 1 Arrive × QianmenDay 2 Tiananmen × Forbidden City × JingshanDay 3 Great Wall day tripDay 4 Temple of Heaven × Summer Palace × hutongsDay 5 Lama Temple × fly home
Day 1Arrive × Qianmen
09:00🚗 Transport
Arrive in Beijing (Capital / Daxing)
Type / No.Flight
Check visa or visa-free rules for your nationality (Taiwan residents use the MTP card).
14:00🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
LocationWangfujing / Qianmen 🧭
16:00📍 Sight
18:30🍽 Food
Peking duck
MealDinner
LocationPeking duck restaurant 🧭
Book the famous restaurants.
🍜 Must-eat🎟 Book ahead
Day 2Tiananmen × Forbidden City × Jingshan
08:00📍 Sight
Tiananmen Square
Suggested time1 hr
TicketsBook ahead
LocationTiananmen Square 🧭
Real-name reservation and security checks required.
🎟 Book ahead
09:00📍 Sight
Palace Museum (Forbidden City)
Suggested time4 hrs
TicketsBook ahead
LocationPalace Museum 🧭
Real-name booking, closed Mondays (except holidays); grab tickets early in peak season.
🎟 Book ahead🚶 Lots of walking
13:30🍽 Food
15:00📍 Sight
Jingshan Park view over the palace
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationJingshan Park 🧭
📸 Photo spot
18:00📍 Sight
Day 3Great Wall day trip
07:30🚗 Transport
To the Mutianyu Great Wall (car or tour)
Type / No.Bus / coach
LocationMutianyu Great Wall 🧭
Badaling is closer but crowded; Mutianyu is calmer.
⚠️ Heads-up
09:30📍 Sight
Walk the wall (cable car up, toboggan down)
Suggested time3.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationMutianyu Great Wall 🧭
Steep steps; bring water and sunscreen; icy in winter.
📸 Photo spot🚶 Lots of walking🧴 Sunscreen
13:30🍽 Food
18:30📍 Sight
Bird’s Nest & Water Cube at night
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationBeijing National Stadium 🧭
🌙 Night view
Day 4Temple of Heaven × Summer Palace × hutongs
08:00📍 Sight
Temple of Heaven
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationTemple of Heaven 🧭
Early mornings bring locals doing tai chi and singing.
📸 Photo spot
11:00📍 Sight
Summer Palace (Kunming Lake, Long Corridor)
Suggested time3.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationSummer Palace 🧭
Huge grounds — take a boat across the lake.
📸 Photo spot🚶 Lots of walking
15:00🍽 Food
17:30📍 Sight
Nanluoguxiang & Shichahai
Suggested time2.5 hrs
LocationNanluoguxiang 🧭
Take a rickshaw through the hutongs — agree the price first.
🍜 Must-eat🌙 Night view
Day 5Lama Temple × fly home
08:30🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Double-check passports, power banks and valuables.
09:00📍 Sight
10:45📍 Sight
12:00🍽 Food
15:00🚗 Transport
Head to the airport and fly home
Type / No.Flight
Both airports are far from town — leave plenty of time.
🎟 Book these before you go
- Day 1｜Peking duck: Book the famous restaurants.
- Day 2｜Tiananmen Square: Real-name reservation and security checks required.
- Day 2｜Palace Museum (Forbidden City): Real-name booking, closed Mondays (except holidays); grab tickets early in peak season.
🌦 Monthly temperatures: Beijing
| City / month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing High / low | 2° -9° | 5° -6° | 12° 0° | 21° 8° | 27° 14° | 31° 19° | 31° 22° | 30° 21° | 26° 15° | 19° 8° | 10° 0° | 3° -6° |
(typical averages — check the forecast before you go)
FAQ
How many days does Beijing Classics in 5 Days take?
It’s planned as 5 days / 4 nights with 22 stops (12 sights and 5 meals). Copy it and add or remove stops to suit your pace.
What should I book in advance?
We recommend booking or buying ahead: Peking duck, Tiananmen Square, Palace Museum (Forbidden City).
How do I make this template my own?
Tap “Use this template”, enter a name and start date, and an editable copy is created. Add your flights and hotels, adjust times and stops, then export a PDF or image to share.
Make it your trip
Copy the template, add your flights and hotels, then export a PDF, image or share link.
Note: opening hours, prices, timetables and entry rules change often — check official sources. This page offers general suggestions, not bookings or professional travel advice.