Beijing is a city that doesn't just show you history—it surrounds you with it. In just three days, I explored ancient temples, imperial gardens, Communist-era landmarks, vibrant art zones, and one of the most iconic wonders of the world.
If you’re planning a short trip to China’s capital, here’s exactly how to structure your time to get the most out of it—without burning out.
🗓️ Day 1: History at the Heart of the City
Temple of Heaven → Qianmen Street → Tiananmen Square → Forbidden City → Jingshan Park → Dinner
🛕 Temple of Heaven (Tiantan Park)
Start your morning early at the Temple of Heaven, a massive ceremonial complex where Ming and Qing emperors once prayed for good harvests. The circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is stunning, and the surrounding park is filled with locals doing tai chi, dancing, and singing—especially in the early hours.
🎟️ Get the full-access ticket via Alipay or WeChat at the gate. Plan to spend 1–2 hours here.
📝 Tip: Come early to enjoy the soft light and local energy before the tour buses arrive.
🛍️ Qianmen Street
From the temple, head north to Qianmen, a pedestrian shopping street that blends tradition with modern flair. Grab a snack or milk tea, take a photo in front of the historic Zhengyangmen Gate, and watch the vintage trolley roll down the center.
This area is touristy but still charming—and a good spot for a casual lunch or roast duck if you’re hungry early.
🇨🇳 Tiananmen Square + Forbidden City
From Qianmen, it’s a short walk into Tiananmen Square, China’s symbolic political core. The square is vast, guarded, and flanked by monumental buildings like the Great Hall of the People and Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
Walk north through the gate into the Forbidden City, Beijing’s most iconic site. You’ll need to book tickets online in advance (no walk-ins allowed). This sprawling imperial palace is massive—expect 2–3 hours exploring throne rooms, inner courts, and sweeping courtyards.
📝 Exit at the north gate for your next stop.
🌳 Jingshan Park
Right across from the Forbidden City’s exit is this peaceful hilltop park. A short climb to the top gives you one of the best panoramic views of the entire city, including the Forbidden City’s golden rooftops.
📝 Perfect for sunset if your timing lines up.
🍜 Dinner
After a big day, grab dinner in the nearby Hutong neighborhoods. Great options include that were recommended include:
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Mr. Shi’s Dumplings (handmade dumplings, casual setting)
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Fangzhuang Roast Duck Restaurant if you skipped duck at Qianmen
🗓️ Day 2: Temples, Art, and the Imperial Retreat
Lama Temple → Confucius Temple → 798 Art Zone → Summer Palace → Dinner
🛕 Lama Temple (Yonghe Gong)
Start with serenity at Beijing’s most famous Tibetan Buddhist temple. The incense is thick, the architecture is detailed, and the 26-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha carved from a single sandalwood tree is unforgettable.
🎓 Confucius Temple & Imperial Academy
Just a short walk away, this temple honors the great teacher Confucius and showcases the history of China’s imperial education system. Quiet, atmospheric, and under-the-radar.
🎨 798 Art Zone
Next, Didi northeast to 798 Art District—a former factory zone turned into Beijing’s creative epicenter. Street murals, contemporary galleries, sculpture parks, quirky shops, and cafés live side by side in this sprawling space.
📝 This can be a quick photo stop or a deep dive, depending on your energy and interest.
🌿 Summer Palace
Wrap the day at Summer Palace, an enormous imperial garden and lake retreat in Beijing’s northwest. Walk the Long Corridor, climb Longevity Hill, and catch golden hour over Kunming Lake.
🎟️ Full-access tickets are worth it, and the grounds are massive—plan 2–3 hours.
📝 Go later in the day to avoid crowds and catch great light.
🍲 Dinner
After a long day, sit down for dinner at possibly one of these recommended restaurants:
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Haidilao Hot Pot (interactive and cozy)
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Little Yunnan (fresh herbs, grilled meats, and a great non-touristy menu)
🗓️ Day 3: The Great Wall of China
Mutianyu Great Wall → Return to Beijing → Easy Dinner
🧱 Mutianyu Great Wall
It’s hard to explain the scale of the Great Wall until you’re standing on it. Mutianyu is one of the best-preserved and most beautiful sections—less crowded than Badaling, with cable cars, steep climbs, and yes… a toboggan ride on the way down.
🎟️ Buy entry and transport tickets online or at the gate. Bring water, sunscreen, and solid shoes.
📸 Hike between Towers 6 and 14–20 for the most stunning views.
📝 Leave early (7–8am) to beat the crowds and summer heat.
Be sure to check out the detailed guide on the blog for visiting The Great Wall
🍜 Dinner Back in Beijing
After the hike and drive back, don’t plan much else. Just grab something comforting near your hotel:
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A noodle shop
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Takeout dumplings
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Or stay in and recharge
Final Tips for Beijing
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🚇 Getting Around: Use the Beijing Metro or Didi (China’s version of Uber).
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📱 Essential Apps: Alipay, WeChat, and a VPN for access to Google, Instagram, etc.
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💸 Payments: Almost everything is mobile-pay. Cash is rarely accepted.
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👨👩👧👦 Kids: Many sites offer half-price or free tickets for children.
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🌐 Language: Translation features in WeChat or Google Translate are lifesavers.
Final Thoughts
Beijing is intense—in scale, in history, and in energy. But it rewards you at every turn. Whether you’re standing atop the Great Wall, wandering through the emperor’s throne rooms, or sipping coffee in an old weapons factory turned art zone, this city keeps surprising you.
Three days won’t show you everything. But it will show you just enough to make you want to come back.
