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China
Best Things to Do in Beijing
Looking for the best things to do in Beijing? We've gathered 2 experiences covering the best attractions Beijing is known for — tours in Beijing, food walks, cultural highlights and Beijing day trips — every one bookable directly with GetYourGuide, our trusted partner for skip-the-line tickets and local guides.
Forbidden City
The imperial heart of Beijing
The Forbidden City is the vast imperial palace at the heart of Beijing and tops almost every list of things to do in Beijing, a 600-year-old complex of gilded halls, red walls and marble courtyards that housed 24 emperors. Entry is timed and capped, so book a skip-the-line ticket or guided tour in advance — same-day tickets often sell out.
A guided tour adds the history behind the throne halls and side palaces that you would miss alone. For the full planning walkthrough, see our Beijing travel guide.
Great Wall
A Great Wall day trip
A Great Wall day trip is the experience most travellers remember longest. The wall snakes along mountain ridgelines north of the city, and the section you choose shapes the day entirely — Mutianyu for restored, photogenic towers and a cable car; Jinshanling for a quieter, real hike; Badaling for the closest but most crowded option.
A guided tour with transport removes the navigation and lets you focus on the views. Many of our Beijing tours bundle the wall with a stop at the Ming Tombs, which is an efficient way to see more in a single day.
Temples
Beijing’s temples and traditions
The Temple of Heaven, with its iconic circular blue-tiled Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, is the most photographed of Beijing’s temples and a masterpiece of Ming-dynasty design. The surrounding park fills each morning with locals practising tai chi, calligraphy and ballroom dance.
The Lama Temple is Beijing’s most atmospheric working monastery — incense smoke, chanting monks and a towering 26-metre Maitreya Buddha carved from a single sandalwood tree. Both rank among our favourite cultural tours in the city.
Markets
Markets, food and the hutongs
Beijing’s markets are where the city’s appetite is on full display. Wangfujing is the famous one for snacks and souvenirs, but for real eating head to the street-food stalls of Qianmen — Beijing duck carved to order, jianbing folded at a cart, and lamb skewers grilled over charcoal.
A guided food walk steers you past the tourist traps to the stalls locals actually use. Browse our food tours hub to compare culinary walks worldwide, or open the full Beijing travel guide for planning tips.
Frequently asked questions
Beijing travel FAQ
What are the top things to do in Beijing?
The Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and a walk through the hutongs headline most first visits. Pair them with a street-food market stroll and a Great Wall day trip for a well-rounded trip.
How do I visit the Forbidden City?
The Forbidden City is the vast imperial palace at the heart of Beijing and tops almost every list of things to do in Beijing. Book a skip-the-line ticket or guided tour in advance — entry is timed and capped, and same-day tickets often sell out. A guided tour adds the history behind the gilded halls and marble courtyards that you would miss alone.
Which section of the Great Wall should I visit?
Mutianyu is the most popular for restored, photogenic towers and a cable car; Jinshanling is quieter and rewards a real hike; Badaling is closest but most crowded. A guided Great Wall day trip with transport removes the navigation and lets you focus on the views — most Beijing tours bundle the wall with a stop at the Ming Tombs.
What are the best temples to visit in Beijing?
The Temple of Heaven, with its iconic circular blue-tiled Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, is the most photographed. The Lama Temple is Beijing’s most atmospheric working monastery — incense smoke, chanting monks and a towering 26-metre Maitreya Buddha carved from a single sandalwood tree. Both rank among our favourite cultural tours in the city.
Where are the best markets in Beijing?
Wangfujing for snacks and souvenirs, Qianmen for street food and historic shopfronts, and the Panjiayuan antique market for curios and crafts. For real eating, head to the street-food stalls of Qianmen or a local market for Beijing duck carved to order, jianbing and lamb skewers grilled over charcoal.
How many days do I need in Beijing?
Four full days is a comfortable minimum — enough to cover the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven, take a Great Wall day trip, explore a market and walk the hutongs without rushing. Add a fifth day for the Summer Palace and a second Great Wall section if you want to see more.
What is the best time to visit Beijing?
Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) for mild weather and clear skies are the most pleasant. Summer is hot and humid, while winter (December to February) is bitterly cold but uncrowded, with crisp views from the Great Wall. Carry your passport — it is required for Forbidden City and Great Wall tickets.
Explore Beijing tours
Every Beijing tour above is bookable directly with GetYourGuide — skip-the-line tickets, local guides and free cancellation on most experiences. Ready to dive deeper? Open the full Beijing travel guide.
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